Doris Briemo Carr

HOT SPRINGS — Doris Briemo Carr, 79, died peacefully Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at the Evergreen Nursing Home in Hot Springs, where she has been a loved and respected resident for many years.

Doris loved to do crossword puzzles, listen to music and the radio (especially Paul Harvey); she loved to chat on the telephone and listen to the news on television. Throughout her life she loved to garden, shop at thrift stores and be a big part of her family's life.

Doris was born Nov. 25, 1926, in Somers to Harold "Harry" and Lillian Alfreda (Bondenson) Briemo.

Doris' father Harry contracted the Herman brothers to build what is now known as the Larson Apartments and ran them for many years.

Her Auntie Q. built what is known in Hot Springs as the Quilligan Cottages.

Doris attended school in Hot Springs and graduated in the Class of 1944. She later attended Montana State University and graduated with a B.S. in accounting, and due to her persistence, Donald graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. She and Donald became lifetime alumni of MSU. While she was attending MSU she became an avid Bobcat fan and has remained one until her death.

She married Donald L. Carr on Dec. 31, 1947; they moved to Vashon Island, Wash., and began to raise their children. They loved the island but could not get the love of Montana out of their hearts; many visits were made by driving the family car or flying in Donald's airplane. Due to Donald's illness, he retired from Boeing, and Doris retired from Water District 19 after many years of service. Doris, Donald and family lived for many years on Quartermaster Drive, and many happy times around friends and neighbors were had by all.

Doris was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star on Vashon Island, where she played her beloved piano for many years. Music was a big part of the Carr family. After retirement Doris decided to move back to Hot Springs so that she could be closer to family and friends, and she has remained there ever since. Doris and Donald taught their children that friends and family are worth more than money in the bank.

Doris' love of music included collecting old sheet music and encouraging her children to enjoy music, also. She liked everything from swing jazz to reggae to rock and roll to classical and enjoyed seeing her children live through the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s enjoying their music. She used to like to say that when swing jazz came out during World War II that the older generation thought the young kids had lost their minds. She always took the time to call her grandkids to see how their schoolwork was coming, and if they were in sports, how their games or matches went. She loved to call and make sure that the flowers were planted on time and to see if certain flowers were still in bloom.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband Donald; a brother, Donald Briemo; both of her parents; two of her four children; and, of course, her beloved Auntie Q (Mrs. Quilligan).

Doris is survived by her daughter Marta Barbeau (and Adrian) of Kauai, Hawaii; son D. Andrew "Drew" Carr (and Jennifer) of Hot Springs; two granddaughters, Jennifer Quig of Wilmington, Del., and Samantha Sue Carr of Hot Springs; and two grandsons, Cody Scott and Earl Cook, both of Hot Springs.

There will be a memorial service at a later date for family and friends. Doris will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.

The family suggestions donations to the music program at Hot Springs School or Evergreen Nursing Home, as the caring staff there took the best care in the world of this beautiful woman. Go Bobcats.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapels.