Audrey J. Guardipee

ARLEE — Mother, sister, niece and best friend, Audrey J. Guardipee, 63, died Thursday, Aug. 18, in Missoula following a lengthy illness.

A member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Audrey was born in St. Ignatius on May 6, 1942, and was a lifelong resident of the area. Audrey spent several years working at Joe's Smoke Ring in Evaro. She also owned and operated the Mercantile in Arlee and worked as a CNA for awhile in Washington.

She was an avid reader, devouring books one after another. Camping was a favorite pastime and she was proud to have spent time in the Jocko this summer. She was a maker of ceramics and had created many beautiful pieces. Her great-grandchildren, however, were her biggest joy.

Preceding her in death were great-grandparents Nettie and Charles Sanders; grandparents Ethel and Earl Sanders; parents Jeanette and Gene Couture; infant children Martel McClure and Tammy Jo Guardipee, and her husband, Dusty Guardipee.

Audrey left behind a large family that loved and cherished her including her children, Mike (Patsy) Couture of Bellingham, Wash., Corinna Guardipee of Pocatello, Idaho, Jamie (Marsha) Guardipee, Angel (Jamie) McClure and Aaron Guardipee, all of Arlee; 20 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her aunt and best friend, Penny Lefler; her siblings, Ron (Susan) Couture, Sherry (Jimmy) Malatare all of Arlee, Sandi (Lenny) Schacher of Kent, Wash., Carl (Mystery) Couture of Spokane; several nieces, nephews and friends. She also leaves behind her special friends and honorary pallbearers Darlene Lafley, Dorothy Clinkenbeard, Dave Skipton, Becky Dillard, Jacque Couture, Ann Gardipe, Tammy Jo Guardipee, Mary Ann Maestas and "Big Tom" Thomas.

Graveside services were held in the Pleasant View Cemetery, St. Ignatius.

Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home of St. Ignatius was in charge of arrangements.