Kathleen Evelyn Lavalle, 97

Joseph and Elizabeth Watson were the proud parents of a baby girl born in Dysart, Saskatchewan, on Feb. 16, 1912. They named the baby Kathleen Evelyn, and soon after her birth the young family moved to Chinook, where they farmed the land. A brother, Lawrence "Mick," and a sister, Lorraine "Bud," were added to the family.

Because there were no schools available, Kathleen had to wait until she was 12 years old for her first day of school. She graduated from Chinook High School and went on to the teachers college in Dillon.

She married Abe Lavalle and the two settled in the Flathead Valley where Kathleen taught school in several locations. She loved teaching, traveling all over the world with a group of square dancers, knitting, volunteering at the Agency on Aging and working in her flower beds.

She passed away peacefully on July 8, 2009.

She is survived by her brother, Mick; and sister, Bud; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, at Glacier Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Darrell Newby will be officiating.

Kathleen had the "teacher" in her right to the end of her 97 years. She could be heard telling people to sit down and be quiet! Her friends still would say, "I know. I obeyed!"

"Good-bye sister, aunt and friend. 'You done good!'"