Evelyn Jean Louise Gilroy

KALISPELL - Former Ronan resident Evelyn Jean Louise Gilroy, 86, died Sept. 19, 2004, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

She was born Sept. 6, 1918, in Lewistown, the daughter of Wilbur and Dora (Lake) Ware. She received her early education in the Spring Creek School at Brusett, and her high school years at Miles City.

On March 31, 1937, she was united in marriage to Bruce Gilroy at Oakwood, Ont., Canada. They were married for 63 years.

The couple moved to Jordan in 1942 where they were engaged in farming and ranching.

They also lived in Nebraska and Wyoming.

The family moved to the Ronan area in the 1960s where they ranched and owned and operated the Mint Bar for over 20 years.

They moved to Kalispell in the early 1980s.

Her loves were her family, baking apple pies, the Montana Fiddlers, dancing, playing cards and big game hunting with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bruce; a brother, Art Ware; a sister, Selah Swanser; and a grandson, Dewey Holler.

She is survived by two sons, Art Gilroy and wife Bonnie of Moccasin, and Dave Gilroy and friend Shirley of Polson; two daughters, Bonnie Holler and husband Joe of Chicago, and Trudy Eckley and husband, Cliff of Kalispell; a sister, Alice Carpenter of Libby;19 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Sept. 24, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel, Kalispell.