Ann (Kolodejchuk) McMaster, 68

Ann (Kolodejchuk) McMaster died peacefully in her home, Nov. 10, 2024, due to complications of multiple myeloma, surrounded by her family in Missoula. She married Dick McMaster in November of 1978 in Columbia Falls.

Ann became a mother of three adventurous and rowdy sons, who were always at the forefront of her life. They had a close family life, enjoying the outdoors, (camping, hiking fishing and hunting together with their dad.) Basketball was their religion. All three of her sons briefly lived in Hawaii and learned to love surfing, and snowboarding; as well as traveling the world. Looking for that next great wave or the perfect Alaska Fishing spot. 

Ann was born in Lemmon, South Dakota, then her parents moved the family to Montana in 1966, and then Glacier National Park in January 1967. Living in the Park during the winter was an adjustment as far as fun and shenanigans were hard to come by. Ann learned how to sew and became a proficient seamstress like her mother and her grandmother before her. She used to sew her kids’ clothes and make personalized quilts for all her nieces and nephews and their friends’ graduation presents. 

Once Ann became a full throttle teenager and graduated Columbia Falls High School, she moved to Dickinson, North Dakota where she was related to half of the town, and people knew how to pronounce her long Polish last name. She returned home and attended the University of Montana, for a year. Where she met and married Dick McMaster.

They started their family in Columbia Falls, until 1988. From there they moved to Forest Grove, Oregon where Dick went back to college to study and become an optometrist. After graduation they returned to Montana where they opened an eye clinic, All Family Vision Care in Lewistown. A lovely small town where families thrived and played together, and high school basketball was a family religion. 

 Ann is the oldest daughter of seven kids, who easily made friends and had a sense of humor that was one of her best traits. 

She had the Kolodejchuk gift of laughter a born storyteller. She won a dirty joke contest at the Blue Moon. She was a total goofball and delighted in embarrassing her kids with her sisters. She was very animated and could make anyone laugh. She was often the life of the party. She was generous to a fault and adored babies and children. She loved working in a senior assisted living facility. She had a deep sense of compassion towards elderly and sick people. Ann found her purpose in life taking care of babies; it was her calling. 

 Ann is survived by her three sons: Scott, Dan and Glen McMaster, her daughter-in-law Mel; grandchildren Maggie Ann and Finley Patrick McMaster; siblings Allen Kolodejchuk, Arlen Kolodejchuk, Ardell Watkins, Ryan Kolodejchuk, and Ivy Annette Kolodejchuk Davis; two grandchildren, Maggie Ann and Finley Patrick McMaster. 

 Ann has a huge extended family who loved her, and she will be missed terribly. She had 15 nieces and nephews who were pampered like they were her own. Aunt Annie was very special to all her nieces and nephews. She had countless aunts, uncles and cousins. Ann’s in heaven with her beloved parents Eileen and Izzy Kolodejchuk; nephews Tanner Robert and Jacob Dean Davis and brother Glenn Kolodejchuk trying to hustle up a game of cards, most especially whist! 

 A memorial service date has not been set yet but will be announced after the holidays.