Obituary: Ovedia H. Rishoff
Ovedia H. Rishoff
Ovedia Helmena (Olson) Rishoff, 98, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, at her residence in Bigfork.
Ovedia was born July 20, 1912, on the family homestead north of Lothair. She was the only daughter of four children born to Julia Sagvold and Peder Olson. Ovedia grew up on the farm and received her formal education at nearby country schools.
At age 16, Ovedia met the love of her life, Cyrus J. “Cy” Rishoff. They were married Oct. 6, 1928, in Chester. They lived in the Lothair, Chester and Galata communities before moving to Shelby, where Cy worked for the Toole County Road Department for many years.
In their early married years, Ovedia worked at a café, at the local nursing home and school lunch room, at the milk depot, and as a baby-sitter. She loved her role as a wife, homemaker and mother of three.
The Rishoffs retired in 1970. They remained in Shelby until 1988, then moved to Bigfork where they enjoyed tending the cherry orchards on their property in Woods Bay. They were thankful for the many years of good health and were fortunate to live independently into their late 90s. They were married 79 years when Cy passed away Feb. 16, 2008, at the young age of 102. Ovedia continued to live at home in Bigfork, where she received loving care from her family.
Ovedia was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She was active at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Shelby and Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork. Other memberships included the Royal Neighbors of America in Shelby, the Army Mothers of Shelby and the Beardance Club on the East Shore of Flathead Lake.
She enjoyed many hobbies including sewing, crocheting, quilting, gardening, baking and crafts. In her early years, Ovedia liked to play pinochle and she enjoyed her collection of spoons.
She was preceded in death not only by her husband and parents, but also by a son (Orville Rishoff) and her three brothers (Adolph, Edwin and Alvin Olson).
Ovedia is survived by a daughter, Betty Fjeld of Kalispell; a son, Jack Rishoff of Bigfork; eight grandchildren, Susan (Jerry) LeBouef of Newport Beach, Calif., David (Robyn) Rishoff of Etiwanda, Calif., Laney (David) Paine of Newport Beach, Calif., Debbie (Jack) Sparks of Albany, Ore., Kim Hickman of Neptune, N.J., Mick (Ruthie) Renna of Bigfork, Donna Benner of Kalispell, and Ed (Tari) Renna of Meridian, Idaho; 13 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Shelby by Rev. Leonard Shatkus. The congregation sang “How Great Thou Art,” accompanied by organist, Laila Lindberg. Two of Ovedia’s favorite songs, “In the Garden” and “Peace in the Valley,” were performed by vocalist Rock Svennungsen. Pallbearers were Ed Renna, David Rishoff, Gary Standiford, Tracy Dumas, James Rishoff and Ray Standiford.
Following burial at the Mountainview Cemetery in Shelby, the church ladies provided a coffee hour at the fellowship hall.
Arrangements were by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.