Avela Wildermuth McKee, 87, of Polson, passed away Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson from natural causes. She was born April 13, 1919, in Fargo, N.D., to Jerome and Ave (Dutton) Wildermuth.

She graduated from Greeley Teachers College in Greeley, Colo., in 1950.

She married Orville Nelson on June 12, 1951, whom she met at college.

She first taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Colorado, grades from 1 through 8; and also taught elementary school in Anaheim, Calif., Pasadena, Calif., and Corvallis, Ore., for a total of 33 years of teaching. She retired at the age of 62.

Avela renewed her acquaintance with Bill McKee - whom she had not see in 20-plus years - in 1980 at a family reunion, and they were married in 1984. The love story took them on a wonderful journey from marriage to celebrating the birth of great-grandchildren, to traveling around the United States, Pacific Northwest and the world. She called Montana home, first at Whitefish and then Polson. They spent their winters in a second home at Palm Desert, Calif.

She will be remembered for her thoughtfulness to family and friends, her zest for life, and the many little things she did for others that made such a difference in their lives. Avela loved sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She always had a welcoming smile in her eye and enjoyed good conversation. She always had easy laughter for the joy of friends and family. She was not an easy person to get out of the kitchen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Orville Nelson; brothers, Rodney and wife, Olive Wildermuth, and Loren Wildermuth; and sister, Doris, and husband, Charley Houser.

Avela is survived by her husband, Bill McKee, of Polson; daughters, Laurie and Doug Schmitt of Castro Valley, Calif.; and Lynn McEachren of Spokane; sons, Loren Nelson of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Mike and Jeanette McKee of Hamilton; two brothers, Berl and Helen Wildermuth of Clinton, Wis., and Orliss and Polly Wildermuth of Seattle; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, in First Presbyterian Church in Polson, with the Rev. Dave Anson officiating. Inurnment will be held in the spring at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell.

Arrangements and cremation under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson.