Ruby Velna Harris Bergstrom

LOLO — Ruby Velna Harris Bergstrom, 85, died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006.

Ruby was born in 1920 in Polson to Martin and Ida Schliep. She grew up in the Mission Valley along with her parents and eight siblings. In 1939 she married Max Cullen Harris. To this union were born two daughters — Andrea and Darlene. Together they raised their children in St. Ignatius.

In Mission, Max and Ruby built a dance hall in their back yard to host local round and square dancing clubs.

Eventually the couple moved to Lolo to be closer to Darlene and her family. Upon this move, they continued their dancing at the Lolo Dance hall until Max died in 1993.

Ruby remained in Lolo and was fortunate enough to meet her second husband, Carl Bergstrom, another member of her local card club. In May 1997, Ruby and Carl were married in Lolo and continued to be very active members of the community. They were both involved in different card clubs, Lolo Seniors and were faithful members of Lolo Community Church. They were best friends and faithful companions; Carl is going to deeply miss his girl.

Ruby was also involved in various other organizations. She was active in the Lolo Women's Group for many years. She also tutored elementary children through the Lolo HOSTS program for many years, at the school where her daughter Darlene and granddaughter Taunia both teach.

She was also a very talented artist and craftswoman. She blessed us with years of her artistic talent by creating beautiful paintings and crocheted works of art. We will forever cherish the many wonderful creations she left behind.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Rose Schliep, Margaret Schliep, Emma Blood and June Spade; brothers Arnold Schliep, Robert Schliep and Lester Schliep; husband Max Harris and various other extended family members.

She is survived by her beloved husband and friend Carl Bergstrom of Lolo; daughters Darlene Cook of Lolo and Andrea (Ron) Matt of Northglenn, Colo.; step-daughter Lynn Wilson (Bud) of Condon; step-son Bill (Tammy) Bergstrom of Woods Bay; and son-in-law Tom Cook of Lolo; sister, Irene Blush of Polson; grandchildren Shelly (Kevin) Haley of Eaton, Colo., Gary (Robin) Matt of Northglenn, Paula (Jerry) Connely of Lakewood, Colo., Taunia (Jim) Riska of Lolo, Renata (Jake) Welch of Albuquerque, N.M., Steven and Derek Bergstrom and Jill (Russ) Lindley of Belgrade; her great-grandchildren, who continued to be her pride and joy until the time of her death, including Kristin, Mackenzie and Brooklyn Matt; Kathleen, Lauren and Jennifer Haley; Kara and Alyssa Connely; Brian and Emma Welch; Peyton Riska; Colton and Hailey Lindley.

Funeral services for Ruby were held on March 4, in the Lolo Community Church. Burial services was in the St. Ignatius Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Ruby's honor to the Pinehaven Christian School, P.O. Box 940, St. Ignatius, MT 59865.

Our beloved wife, mother, step-mother, sister, aunt, grandma and great-grandma — we will miss you deeply but our memories of you and all you did will forever keep you in our hearts. We love you very much.