Carla Ann Albrecht-Allen, 42

Carla was born Feb. 23, 1967, in Great Falls, to John and Margaret Albrecht. Her life was filled with adventure, happiness and joy. Carla was a lifelong courageous fighter and survivor of cancer. She lived throughout Montana growing up, graduated from Evanston High School in Wyoming, and went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Montana State University-Bozeman.

Carla spent much of her time gardening in her amazing flowerbeds - a passion she and her mother shared. Carla loved to travel and experience the world. Ultimately, she loved the outdoors, whether she was ripping up the lake on her jet ski, snowboarding, kayaking, or taking a walk with Tic. She filled her world with beauty, family and friendship.

She was an avid artist and this melded her love of art and design and her talent for marketing. With her talent and creativity as an artist, she had a successful graphic arts business, Creative Design.

She married her sweetie, Billy Van Allen, on Dec. 27, 2005, in a beautiful ceremony in Bigfork. Carla and Billy Van made their homes in Billings and Fountain Hills, Ariz.

On Sept. 18, 2009, Carla passed away at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Carla is survived by her husband, Billy Van Allen, of Billings; parents, Margaret and John Albrecht, of Powell, Wyo., and Bigfork; sister, Christa, and Jeff Secord of Elko, Nev.; and brother, Brian, and Shauna and daughter, Olivia Albrecht, of Havre.

She is "welcomed into heaven" by her brother, Craig Daniel; grandparents, Millie and Art Albrecht; grandparents, Marie and Frank Fordik; and her dog, Tic.

We will celebrate her life at 9 a.m. on Oct. 5, at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork. A reception will be held at 11 a.m. at the family home, 180 Peterson Creek Lane in Bigfork.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Carla Albrecht-Allen Memorial Scholarship at MSU Northern Foundation, P.O. Box 1691, Havre, MT 59501, 406-265-3711.