Mary Grace Houlberg, 89

Mary Grace Houlberg passed away on the 26th of June, 2011.

Mary was born on the 2nd of February, 1922, in Virginia, Minn., the first of three daughters to William L. and Mary G. Mallery. Her childhood and early adult years were all spent in the Minneapolis area.

In 1943, at the age of 21, Mary enlisted in the WAAC (Women's Auxiliary Army Corps) to do her part in the World War II crusade. The WAAC later evolved into the WAC (Women's Army Corps) which it remains to this day. In 1945 she was discharged from the WAC and returned to her home in Hopkins, Minn. Later, she enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and was subsequently called to duty in 1951 during the Korean conflict, and stationed to March Air Force Base, Riverside, Calif.

It was at March AFB where Mary met her future husband, Poul, at the Non-Commissioned Officers Club. Six weeks later they were married in Las Vegas at the Little White Chapel.

They were more than husband and wife; they were partners and buddies for 56 years. Those years were joyously spent cultivating friendships, traveling to interesting and educational places and caring for two adopted children. Mary was a wonderful and caring mother!

Mary and Poul developed a bond with the Flathead Valley Community College and the personnel in the Public Relations and Foundation Department. Through this bond they anonymously established, in the year 2000, the Certainty Scholarship Fund for needy students majoring in the science and mathematics fields. In 2007 they enhanced the fund by establishing the Mary Grace Houlberg Certainty Scholarship Foundation, to continue to provide scholarships after they are both deceased.

Mary is survived by her husband, Poul; daughter, Rhonda D. Kalvig; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honoring the dead should be a personal and private act, not a ritualistic public spectacle. At Mary's request there will be no funeral or memorial service. Please, do not send sympathy cards; if you wish to express your condolences, a few personally written words would be appreciated. Send to 204 Colurnba Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Memorials for Mary may be sent to Flathead Valley Community College, college relations, for the Mary Grace Houlberg Memorial Certainty Scholarship Foundation, at 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901; the Montana Veterans Home at 400 Veterans' Drive, Columbia Falls, MT 59912; the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 221, Kalispell, MT 59903; or the Talking Books Library, 1515 E. 1525 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59620-1800.