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Jane Bolles

Jane Bolles, 98, of West Glacier passed away peacefully from natural causes at Timber Creek Assisted Living in Columbia Falls on April 13th. Jane, who was affectionately known as “Meme” by her nine grandchildren, was born Aug. 10, 1920 in Kalispell. Her parents, John B. and Martha M. Sloan homesteaded in the West Glacier area. Sloan Lane in West Glacier was named after the hard-working pioneer family.

Jane grew up in West Glacier alongside her eight brothers and sisters. She was the last survivor of her generation.

Growing up, she attended Belton Grammar School in West Glacier, going on to graduate from Columbia Falls High School in 1938. She had always wanted to be a journalist. When she enrolled at the University of Montana in 1939, she was discouraged from journalism and encouraged to pursue a degree in home economics. She followed the advice, but still minored in journalism. While in high school, Jane sold her first written articles to the Daily Inter Lake, receiving free newspapers as payment. Her desire fueled her to write throughout her lifetime, and was finally published by a magazine when she was 75. She left university early, in 1942, to join sisters Martha, Glendetta and Dorothy in California to work for the war effort.

There she met and married Clifford Raymond Bolles, May 25th 1946. Their first child, Dian was born in 1947, and next came son John in 1950. In 1968, Cliff sold his successful business, Azusa Towel Supply, and retired at age 50. The family moved back to the West Glacier area and built a little log home on their own piece of paradise on Sloan Lane. After Cliff’s passing in 1996, Jane continued to live in their home until age 95 when she moved into the Timber Creek assisted living home in Columbia Falls.

At the age 60, Jane decided to learn to play the guitar along with her sister, Martha. Together, they played guitar for the Saturday evening outdoor mass in the park and services at St. Richard’s Church in Columbia Falls. She also enjoyed quilting and loved working in her large garden.

Jane was preceded in death by parents John B. and Martha M. Sloan, all eight siblings (Francis, John, Glendetta “Midge” Marie, Thomas, Dorothy, Robert, Martha “Snookie” and Theodore), husband Clifford Bolles and son John R. Bolles Sr.

She is survived by daughter Dian Cox Haines (Howard), grandson Matthew Cox (Sue), granddaughter Michelle Kitch (Todd), grandson Clifford Cox, granddaughter Hannah Cox, John Bolles Sr.’s widow Elizabeth Bolles, granddaughter Carla Martin, grandson John Bolles Jr., granddaughter Emily Olsen (Paul), granddaughter Myra McCrorie (Ben), grandson Michael Bolles (Jessie) plus many great grandchildren.

Jane was especially fond of her caregiver, Ashley, at Timber Creek. Our family greatly appreciates the outstanding care given to Jane during her stay.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 26 at 12:10 pm at St. Richard’s Church in Columbia Falls. A reception will be held in the basement of the church after internment.

Donations can be made to Covenant House, (800)-388-3888 or the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, (312)-738-7560.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Jane’s family.