Gladys E. Border, 92

Gladys E. Border (Estes), 92, of Great Falls, formerly of Whitefish, died Feb. 1, 2006, at a local assisted-living facility, of natural causes. She was a homemaker.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of the O'Connor Funeral Home in Great Falls. No services are planned at this time.

She is survived by nephews, James and Jannett LaRue of Great Falls, Doug and Bev of Mason, Iowa; nieces, Mary and Roy Miller of Three Forks, and Alice LaRue of Palmer, Alaska; and several grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother and five sisters; her husband, Dave, in 1973; a son, Donald, in 1994; and daughter-in-law, Muriel, in 1997.

Gladys was born in Belgrade on Oct. 26, 1913, to George W. and Mary Martha (Barclay) Estes. She graduated from Belgrade High School and married Dave Border on Oct. 4, 1935. They lived in Gallatin Valley until the beginning of World War II, when they moved to San Diego, where Dave worked in the Naval shipyards.

They purchased a place on Blanchard Lake near Whitefish in 1947. Her husband worked in the timber industry, and later the U.S. Postal Service. Gladys worked at the Langdon Locker Plant and was a 4-H leader for several years.

Although Gladys had many adversities in her life, including the loss of her first home in Whitefish by fire, and the early death of her immediate family, she never complained and always maintained a positive attitude. She loved gardening, traveling with her son and his wife, and being with people, especially children, which kept her younger than her years.

During her later years she was an active worker and supporter of the North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish.

Memorials can be made to the North Valley Food Bank, 311 E. First, Whitefish, MT 59937, or the donor's choice.

"We will miss you, Gladys. Love You."