Evelyn (Allison) Grinde

Evelyn (Allison) Grinde died Dec. 13, 2012 of congestive heart failure at the age of 97.

She was born on May 16, 1915 in Lambert to Dr. William Carman Allison and Valentine Martin Allison. She spent her early years in Toronto, Ontario, Montana, California and again in Montana.

Her father died at the early age of 39 leaving her with her mother and two young brothers, Bruce and Bill. She graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1934 and went to college for one year in Cheney, Wash. She accepted a position as secretary with the Great Northern Railroad division office in Whitefish. In 1939 she married Owen Grinde, a graduate of the University of Montana Journalism School. He worked as a reporter and night editor for the Montana Standard in Butte.

In 1941, their son, Paul, was born and Evelyn became a stay-at-home mom doing what she loved to do, making a haven for family and friends. Her cooking, sewing and many talents enabled her to pursue many volunteer projects. She worked for the Republican Party, spent two nights a week at the Crisis Center, held offices in the PTA, and helped with community and church projects. She was a 55-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

When World War ll broke out, Owen joined the U.S. Navy and spent two years in the Pacific. During his absence, Evelyn went to work in Glacier National Park headquarters. At the end of the war, they returned to Butte where two more children, Marilyn and Eric, were born.

When the Korean War broke out, Owen was recalled; and the family moved to San Francisco where Owen was assigned to Western Seas Frontier at Treasure Island. When the war ended, they returned to Butte where Owen started working for the Montana Power Company. Evelyn went back to homemaking and had developed a strong interest in the arts. She took up pottery and more seriously painting and became a charter member of the Montana Institute of the Arts in 1952. She assisted in developing and maintaining the Hilltop Gallery and initiated what was to become an annual Children’s Art Festival each spring while developing her own career as a working painter. She exhibited widely, won awards, filled commissions and held adult painting classes for more than 15 years.

When Owen retired in 1980, they moved back to their roots and built a home on Whitefish Lake. Both were very active in community affairs. Evelyn was a gifted pianist and began visiting nursing homes, Veterans Affairs hospitals and retirement homes entertaining the residents with her ensemble of old classic tunes that were sure to stir memories. She continued playing her piano and organ into her 90s.

Evelyn also became very interested in genealogy, researching and documenting hers and Owen’s family roots back to England, France, Canada and Norway. She often travelled to these historic family locations as well as Salt Lake City.

In 1990, Owen died after 51 years of marriage and she remained in her lake home for 11 years with her two loving cats, Sugar and Spice, who accompanied her to Ohio.

In 2001, Evelyn sold her home and moved to Dayton, Ohio to live with Marilyn and Mark. her son-in-law, until her death.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Carman and Valli Allison; her husband, Owen; son, Paul; and brothers, Dr. Bruce and Dr. William Allison. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Mark Dues, of Dayton, Ohio; son, Eric Grinde, of Stanwood, Wash.; and three grandchildren, Elena Dues, Andrea, and Lance Grinde; daughter-in-law, Nona Grinde; and sisters-in-law, Ebbe Allison and Leora Grinde; and many nieces and nephews.

In keeping with a life of interest in medicine and serving others, Evelyn has donated her body to the Wright State University Anatomical Gift Program for the purpose of geriatric research. She will eventually be interred with Owen in the VA Cemetery in Columbia Falls. In April, a memorial service will be held at the WPAFB Catholic Chapel where she was the senior member of the congregation.

In lieu of flowers, donations to her memory can be made to Hospice, North Valley Food Bank or your favorite charity. Condolences can be sent to Eric Grinde’s email address: egrinde07@yahoo.com and Marilyn Dues’ email address: mldues@ameritech.net.