Lila Lien Elgie passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at the age of 88, just the way she wanted to go—in her own home in Wolf Point, MT. She had just spent a wonderful Christmas in Sidney, MT with most of her family.
Lila, the 6th of 7 children, was born in the family home in Brockton, MT on August 10, 1921. She graduated from Brockton High School at the age of 16 and as Salutatorian of her class. Lila then went on to graduate from Billings Business College.
As a woman ahead of her time, Lila journeyed to Pahaska Tepee, WY (Yellowstone Park), Cheyenne, WY, Denver, CO and New Orleans, LA during WWII working in various secretarial positions. She was also a hostess for the USO while living in Denver. While Jim was on furlough from Hawaii at the end of WWII, he proposed to the love of his life on a Tuesday and they were married on Friday. Jim and Lila lived in Brockton for 14 years before moving to Wolf Point in 1959. While in Brockton, Lila was instrumental initiating local phone service.
Lila was also employed by Pahaska Tepee, Yellowstone Park, Warren A.F.B., the Texas Company, New Orleans Port of Embarkation, Roosevelt County Courthouse and Wolf Point High School.
Lila’s life was centered around her faith, family and friends whom she loved to communicate with whether in person, on the phone, or avidly emailing. Every Saturday Lila had a standing coffee date with her Wolf Point friends. Her hobbies included golf, bowling, quilting (over 200 beautiful Lila quilts), baking, canning pickles and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lila was involved in the Ladies Aid, Church Smorgasbord, member of the Brockton Women’s Club, Girl’s Service Organization and Eastern Star. She helped fix hair at the Faith Home for 25 years. Her life’s motto was, “You should never be too busy that you could not take the time to help and give back to others.”
Lila will be greatly missed by her children, Mike (Carol) Elgie of San Rafael, CA, Donna (Jack) Ostrovsky of Bozeman, MT, Billy (Bev) Elgie of Wolf Point, Dennis Elgie of Tampa, FL, Nancy Elgie of Littleton, CO, and MaryLou (special friend, Ben) Ault of Watford City, ND; grandchildren, Ross Elgie, Jennifer Elgie, Suzanne McGary, Tanya Cavanaugh, Brandon Spitzer, Kristen Ault, L.J. Ault, Hallie Ault and Kelsey Elgie; great-grandchildren, Callan McGary, Aubrey McGary and Riley McGary, Tarin Cavanaugh and Cadyn Cavanaugh; nephews, Donald Gallaher of Castle Rock, CO and Jack Lien of Great Falls, MT; and nieces, Janet Bowler, Gloria Workman Twila Gallaher, Karen Lien, Linda Prescott, Barbara Lien, and LeAnn Sukut; and sister-in-law Virdell Lien.
Lila is preceded in death by her husband, Jim; parents, Ole and Mary Lien; brothers and sisters, Alvin Lien, Myrtle Gallaher, Alma Wilkison, Oliver Lien, Bud Lien and Woodrow Lien.
The Elgie Family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Martha Bridges for being such a devoted companion and caretaker for both mom and dad.
Lila lived a long and full life—Uff Da!!!
Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday, January 10, 2010 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point. Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 11, 2010 at First Lutheran Church, Wolf Point.
Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. following a luncheon at the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.