Pearl Thoreson Bangeman, 97, passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.

She was born Aug. 31, 1907, in Rosewood, Minn., to Peter and Caroline (Lappegard) Mellem.

She married Thomas Thoreson Dec. 9, 1925, in Thief River Falls, Minn. They had two children, Arloene and Thomas Jr. Her husband Thomas passed away in 1981.

In 1984, she married Dan R. Bangeman, a long-time family friend. He passed away in May 1997.

Pearl was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Libby, for over 50 years and also had been associated with Bethlehem Lutheran Church since moving to Kalispell. She is a charter member of the Sons of Norway in Libby. She loved to cook and was the happiest in her kitchen preparing food for her family. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. "The love of a mother lasts forever."

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and one sister.

She is survived by one daughter, Arloene Christianson, and husband "Click", and one son, Thomas Thoreson, and wife, JoAnn, all of Kalispell; two stepchildren, Danny Bangeman of Lakeside, and Barbara Haglund of Spokane; four grandchildren, Linda Mauck of Carmel, Calif., Don Thoreson of Billings, and Shari Basham and Lori Barrows, both of Libby; two sisters, Joyce Nielson of Libby, and Florence Moore of Missoula; and one brother, Alvin Mellem, of Palm Springs, Calif.; three stepgrandchildren, Terri Wiebenga, Peg Weston and Debbi Gahard, all in Iowa; nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for Pearl will be held in Libby at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Pearl's family.