Dora Wilke

Dora Margaret Boyd Wilke went to heaven on angel’s wings on July 10, 2012.

Dora was born on March 8, 1917, to George and Teresa Boyd in Madoc. She married Carl Wilke on Nov. 12, 1938, in Dupuyer.

Before she got married, she attained her teacher’s certificate at Northern Montana College and taught for three years until her first child was born. She was then a homemaker until 1962, when she attained her bachelor’s in education and continued her career as an elementary teacher in various rural schools in the valley.

Dora lived a full and happy life. After retiring, she made many trips around the world with her sister, Bette. They spent 17 winters together in Florence, Ariz.

She lived the last seven years in Brendan House, in Kalispell, but that did not stop her from living a full and active life, taking part in any and all parties, picnics, family and church activities. She remained a very integral part of her extended family, even communicating via Skype with her out-of-town family.

Dora was predeceased by her husband Carl, her parents; her siblings Mark Boyd, Hugh Boyd, Bette Kelley and Neil Boyd.

She is survived and will be forever loved and missed by her children Judith Sourman, of Kalispell, Marilyn Mulligan and husband Russ, of Florida, Joanne McQueen, of Kalispell, Dona Kobayashi and husband Hiro, of Kamloops, B.C., Leonard Wilke and wife Karen, of Valier, and Larry Wilke and wife Jennifer, of Columbia Falls. Dora had a large extended and close family of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was also a “mother” to many of her nieces and nephews and to many of the neighbor children.

The family would like to express their appreciation to all the Brendan House staff for their love and care of Dora. She loved them all.

Services were held July 16, 2012, at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen. Interment followed at St. Richard’s Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dora’s great granddaughter Gabby LeDuc’s benefit fund to help her on her long journey to a cure from leukemia. Funds may be deposited in the Joanne McQueen, “Gabby Donation Account” at the Wells Fargo Bank.