F. Eleanor Bell

Eleanor Bell, 81, died Friday, Nov.5 in a Kalispell Hospice facility from complications related to a fall suffered at her home. Eleanor was born and raised in Ontario, Calif., before moving with her husband and five children to her current residence at Lake Five. Eleanor was well known for her love of animals and had numerous cats, dogs and other creatures of nature. She nursed many young birds, squirrels and other wounded animals back to health in hopes of returning them to their homes. Never one to leave an animal hungry, the raccoons, deer, squirrels and birds will miss her generosity and feeding schedule. Surely they are chattering right now as to why their dinner is late.

Eleanor loved her log house and living in the woods. She spent hours working on her garden and enjoyed the colors that bloomed each spring and summer. Never one to shy away from giving her opinion she was a great political debater and hard nose Republican. Many will remember being on the losing side while arguing with Eleanor, she held tight to her ideals and opinions.

Eleanor is survived by her friend and ex-husband Jerry Bell, six children, Kathy of Ontario, Ore.; Karol, Riverside, Calif.; Marty (Christine), Helena; Bruce (Donette), Upland, Calif.; Shirley (Arlen) Kolodejchuk, Coram; and Paula (Mike) Daniels, Salt Lake City, Utah. Six grandchildren: Timber, Holly, Cody, Emily, Olivia, and Caitlin Woods, as well as two great-grandchildren Owen and Audrey Hull. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter and her grandson Tanner Kolodejchuk.

Upon Eleanor’s wishes, no services will be held. A private graveside service for the family will take place Thursday, Nov. 11 with internment at St. Richard’s Cemetery in Columbia Falls. In lieu of flowers a donation in Eleanor’s name can be made to either the Tanner Kolodejchuk Memorial Fund at Parkside Federal Credit Union, Columbia Falls or Best Friends Animal Society, Kanab, Utah. The children of Eleanor would like to thank Dr. Doug Griffith as well as the nurses at Kalispell Regional Medical Center for their mom’s care over the past week.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.