Iva Vera Waldenberg, 97

Iva Vera Waldenberg, 97, passed away on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, of natural causes at the Brendan House in Kalispell. She was born on March 23, 1912, in Belt, to Sam and Bette (Cook) Bright. Iva was raised in many small towns across Montana. In October of 1936, at Coeur d Alene, Idaho, she married William Waldenberg and they had two children, Sam and Judy. They lived in Great Falls. In 1973, she moved to Kalispell to be closer to her children and grandchildren. In her retirement years she gifted many hours through the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) program. She was even named Volunteer of the Year a couple of times, as well as the Senior Citizen of the Year in 2005. The highlight of her volunteerism was participating in the monthly birthday parties at Buffalo Terrace. Serving cake to the residents and working in the hospital gift shop was also a joy to her. She was also a lifelong member of the Royal Neighbors of America. She spent a large amount of her free time raising a large garden, raising chickens and being with her family. She cherished the moments when her brother, Frank, and sisters, Weese, Ruby and Bette Jane, were all together. She was very active in her parish, Risen Christ Catholic Church, as a Eucharistic minister and a volunteer. She was also very active in the lives of her two granddaughters, Shelly and Stacey, and her six great -grandchildren, Chase, Brooke, Haiden, Brady, Keatin and Kynzie, that she loved with her whole heart. Iva will be missed by her family and her smile and gentle touch will be forever in our hearts. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brother and two sisters. She is survived by her son, Sam Waldenberg, and his wife, Shirleen; her daughter, Judy Stack, and her husband, Tom; granddaughters, Shelly Christiaens and husband, Brian, and Stacey Mohl and husband, Dave; great-grandchildren, Chase, Brooke, Haiden, Brady, Keatin and Kynzie; two sisters, Ruby Waltari and Bette Jane Scott; as well as special friends, Lavine Heuscher and Marie Clements. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Risen Christ Catholic Church, with Father Rudolph Bullman as celebrant. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to time for the rosary at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 11, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Risen Christ Catholic Church, 65 W. Evergreen Dr., Kalispell, MT 59901; or to RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), 160 Kelly Road, Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Iva s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Iva s guest book.