On Sept. 10, 2007, at 4:10 a.m., Dolores M. Young, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson. Dolores was born on May 20, 1918, in Crosby, N.D., to Knute and Lulu Huso. She grew up in the oil fields of Kevin and Shelby. The family then moved to Kalispell where she graduated from Flathead County High School. Dolores later attended business school in Spokane.

Always up for adventure, and on a dare, she eloped with the charming and handsome Rozzie Young, accompanied by her dear friends, Betty Main and Cecil Rhodes who also eloped. They were married at a double wedding in Cutbank on Sept. 12, 1938. Dolores and Rozzie were married for 33 years until the time of Rozzie's death.

Together with a single panel truck, they established Flathead Beverage in Kalispell. Dolores was proud of her business ventures, which also included her partnership in the Strawberry Patch.

Never one to sit idle, she loved to travel with Rozzie and his band, golfing, fast cars, decorating and redecorating, and dancing at the Bigfork Inn. However, anyone who knew her knows that shopping for hours at her favorite department store was her real passion.

She filled our lives with "Lucy"-like moments with a smile and sense of humor. Dolores' love for life and music helped her to face many challenges and tragedies in her life with remarkable grace and strength. Her glass was always half full and she was an inspiration to us all.

Thank you Dolores!

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Ken and Bud; her husband, Rozzie; sons, David and Dan; and son, Scott, and his wife, Evelyn.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Whelpley; daughters, Roz and her husband, John Agnew, of Bigfork, and Kris and her partner, Tracy Sherick, of Missoula; grandchildren, Angela Young, Heidi Simpson, Keo Slemberger, and Dan Agnew; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her best friend, "Bandit."

A celebration of her life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Bigfork Inn for close friends and family. Her great-nephew Jeff Epperly will be officiating. A private graveside service will be held prior to the memorial, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Bigfork Quick Response Unit, 810 Grand Ave., Bigfork MT 59911; or your local Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.