Agnes B. Hughes

RONAN — As the day dawned on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, Agnes M. Hughes of MIssoula, formerly of Ronan, died of old age at 88.

Agnes was born Feb. 9, 1918, in Missouri. She was the daughter of Joseph and Etta Schmuke. Her stepfather was Noah Perry. She left Missouri and moved to Montana with her family in early 1920. As a young child she lived in Three Forks and Butte.

She remembered Butte fondly as this was where she spent her early childhood with her mother, Etta. She loved the Mission Valley where she spent 58 years of her life, living in Ronan and Polson. Agnes was a wife, mother, homemaker and loved gardening. Like so many women of her generation, life was very difficult when she was young, but her values of hard work and appreciating life were formed during this time period.

She married William F. Hughes on Sept. 24, 1936 in Polson.

Agnes was always delighted to have her great-grandchildren visit so she could provide them colorful gumdrops from a beautiful tin box kept by her bedside. She loved pets and was always pleased to have visits from her grandson's St. Bernard, Misty. Visits by her granddaughter and daughters-in-law were appreciated — to polish her nails, wax her face, brush her hair, and attend to those little things that brought comfort.

She was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary, serving as secretary for 10 years. She learned to love league bowling in Ronan with Will and friends.

She lived at Clarkfork Riverside in Missoula from the early '90s until 2004. She made many new friends while living in there. She moved to Hillside Manor in 2004 where she received fantastic care and attention from the staff. For the past few weeks she had loving care and assistance from Missoula Hospice nurses and social workers.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, William F. "Bill;" her father, Joseph H. Schmuke; mother, Etta M. Perry; step-father, Noah Perry; brothers Charles and William Schmuke; son, Jack "Butch" Hughes; granddaughters, Donna Hughes-Monroe and Christapher Ann Hughes.

She is survived by her sons, William F. "Bud" and Vyone of Choteau, Robert L. "Bob" and Bobbie of Suisun City, Calif., Gary and Judy of Missoula, Charles P. "Chuck" and Jeanie of Columbia Falls; Richard C. "Cork" and Jan of Idaho Falls; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, dear friends from Ronan and their children.

Upon Agnes' request, a liturgy of the Word will be held at Christ The King Catholic Church, 1400 Gerald Ave., Missoula, on Saturday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m., music from the '30s and '40s by Jodi Marshall and Terry Jimmerson, with service at 11 a.m. Graveside services and interment of her cremains will be at 3 p.m. in Ronan's Mountain View Cemetery. Father James Hogan will officiate. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula.

The family suggests memorials to the Missoula Hospice of Women's Auxiliary of VFW Post 5652, 521 Round Butte Road W., Ronan, MT 59864, or to a charity of the donor's choice.