Pearl Ethel Kolden, 85, passed away at the Immanuel Lutheran Home on Dec. 4, 2005, from pneumonia. "By leaving us she was able to be in the presence of her husband and her family in heaven with God at her side."

Mom was a resident at the Immanuel Lutheran Home since Nov. 22, 2002. She came to love her new home and her caretakers, and they in turn came to love her as much as her family did. She came to regard her male nurse, Ricker, as her son, and "we love him like our brother." She tried very hard to make life as easy as possible for those wonderful people who loved and cared for her.

Mom was born Jan. 23, 1920, in Minot, N.D. She was married Feb. 27, 1946, to Richard M. Kolden, and they raised their family on the family farm in Roseglen, N.D., until they moved to Kalispell in the winter of 1960. Both Pearl and Richard retired from School District No. 5 as custodians.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hildur Kerzman; her husband, Richard, who passed on March 21, 1995; a daughter in-law; Gayle Kolden, who passed on Feb. 14, 2005; and six brothers, Bud, Art, Swede, Bob, Glenn and Clinton.

Mom is survived by five daughters and one son, Patricia and Dave Muhlbradt, Sharon and Joe Scott Chalmers, Carol and Don Eayrs, Richard and Sandi Kolden, Jean and Jim Balding, and Janice and Stewart Kirkpatrick; two brothers, Richard and Dennis Kerzman; three sisters, Viola Golden, Thelma Rickerett, and Hildur Gartner, three sisters-in-law, Lorraine Kerzman, Myrt Jorgenson and Alice Ehley; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

"Mom and Dad were always so proud to introduce their six children to anyone they thought might have the slightest interest in knowing who we were. They believed their greatest accomplishment in life was their children. We hope we will continue to make them proud. To relatives and friends of mother's, I hope you will find comfort in knowing that we were by her side and that she passed peacefully into the arms of our heavenly Father. We thank all of you for caring and loving her."

We are planning a graveside memorial service under the direction of Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory in late spring or early summer. An announcement will be placed in the Inter Lake prior to services.

We suggest memorials be given to the Immanuel Lutheran Home or Hospice in mother's memory.