Lilly Freebury

Lilly Joy Freebury, 82, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell with her family at her side.

Lilly was born on April 11, 1925 to Ed and Nellie Ness. She was raised on the family homestead near Kila. Her early education was attending Kila Grade School and then graduating from Flathead High School in 1942. At the beginning of WWII, Lil moved to Washington where she worked in the naval shipyards during the war effort. She often laughed about writing letters to many of the soldiers from the Flathead Valley during the war. It seems she wrote the letters on toilet paper so the boys always wanted her to write often.

She married one of the returning soldiers, Ernie Freebury, in Woodland Park on June of 1948. For the next 43 years, Ernie and Lil raised two children together in the Flathead until Ernie passed away in 1990.

Lil sold real estate in the valley for more than 40 years. During that time she was a member of more volunteer and public services organizations than can be listed. She had a natural talent as a leader and to get things done, and served her community well. Lil walked every day of her life with God in her heart and is with him now.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie, and a granddaughter, Laura. She is survived by her son Ernie Freebury and wife Donna of Kalispell, and her daughter, Linda McGee of Las Vegas, Nev.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Lindy Ness of Miles City, and extended family.

Funeral services for Lilly was held Monday, April 14 at the Church of the Nazarene in Kalispell and burial to followed at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation was Saturday, April 12 in the Johnson-Gloschat Chapel.

Johnson/Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Lilly's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Lilly's guest book.

Ethel Prichard

Ethel Irene Prichard, 76, passed away peacefully after a long battle with diabetes on Wednesday April 9, 2008, at Heritage Place with her daughters Nancy, Karen and Gail, granddaughter Jackqulynn, son-in-law Fred and sister, Gertrude, by her side. She was born in Great Falls on Feb. 14, 1932.

Ethel was raised in Kalispell where she met and married her husband, Bernard Kraft. Together they had five wonderful children. Ethel and Barney opened the pizza oven Barney's Corner, located in Moose's Saloon - working side by side for many years.

Ethel loved the outdoors, and she spent many years hunting, fishing and camping. She enjoyed picking huckleberries and mushrooms, bowling and reading, and she especially enjoyed playing games with family and friends.

In 1975, Ethel married Orval Prichard and together they enjoyed 33 years of marriage and took great pleasure in the company of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ethel is survived by her daughters, Nancy Kreber and husband Tom; Karen Ortega and husband Rudolph; Gail Jensen and husband Fred; six grandchildren, Lola Craft, Jackqulynn Ward, Christopher Ortega, Rudolph Ortega, Daniel Jensen and Jamie Bell; and five great-granddaughters, Christine, Ryan, Courtney, Ryleigh and Kinsey. She is also survived by her brothers Bob Keck and wife Linda Jean and Joe Keck; four sisters, Helen Gryde and husband Wayne; Gertrude Seliger and husband Bob; Linda Bucher and husband Ed; and Doris King and husband Scott.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ethel Keck; her first husband Bernard Kraft and sons Danny and David Kraft; brothers George and John Keck; and her second husband, Orval Prichard.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 16 at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, followed by s graveside service at Fairview Cemetery.

A potluck gathering was held in the basement of the Eagles Club in Columbia Falls following the graveside service.

Ruth Phelps

Ruth Katheryne Phelps, 82, of Hungry Horse passed away Thursday, April 10, 2008 at her home, surrounded by family and friends. She was born Jan. 16, 1926 in Konawa, Okla., to Leonard and Dora (Keller) Lemons.

On June 13, 1943, Ruth married the love of her life, Arthur F. "Whitey" Phelps. After many years of traveling the world, they made their retirement home in Hungry Horse. Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all whom she met.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Leo, Alonzo and Junior. She is survived by her husband Arthur; daughters Carolyn Phelps, Kathy Phelps and Linda Hanson and her husband John; son Dale Phelps; grandchildren Sonya Nordahl, Kara Erickson, Travis Herron, Shannon Phelps, Rhonda Tallman and her husband Lonny, Dustin Phelps and Tiffany Hanson; and great-grandchildren Kaileen Alvarez, Josh Erickson, Leilani Herron and Cameron Tallman.

A memorial celebration for Ruth will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ, 1203 W. Second Ave. in Columbia Falls, with a luncheon to follow the service.

The family suggests that contributions be made to Three Rivers Bank, c/o Valicity Faith, 233 E. Idaho, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson/Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Ruth's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Ruth's guest book.