Ardes M. Clay passed away July 7, 2009, with her daughters and granddaughters by her side. She was born April 23, 1921, on the family farm north of Raymond, to William and Mary Anne (McGreevy) Syme, the sixth child of 11 children.

Her early schooling was country schools in the Raymond area. As a young person she loved to dance and play music with her brothers. As young adults they traveled to dances by team and wagon and returned home just in time to do the chores before going to school.

She was married and widowed at 21 years. She married Alvin "Jack" Clay in 1944 in Wolf Point, and they moved to Jack's ranch north of Raymond. To this union two children were born, Jack, Jr., and Betty Jo "Jodi."

In 1951, the family moved to Missouri and in 1952 the family relocated to western Montana, settling on a homestead north of Seeley Lake. In 1958, daughter Debbie Ann was born.

Ardes put her family first and worked hard to make them a good home. At 40 years old she once again was widowed with three children.

She taught her children to love music and play instruments. She loved to fly fish and with the Clearwater River close to the front door, she spent a lot of time "worrying" the local trout. She raised cows and used horses to gather the cows that ranged from the farm. She worked hard, cut her own firewood with a chainsaw, and provided a loving home for her family. In 1981, she moved to Kalispell.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cleo; her husband, Jack; and her son, Jack Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Jodi and Ed Townsend of the Swan Valley, and Debbie at the family home; three brothers, Tim and Calvin Syme of Raymond, and Howard Syme of Plentywood; one sister, Gladys Becker, of Eugene, Ore.; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today, July 10, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at 3 p.m. today in the Missoula County Cemetery.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ardes' family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Ardes' guest book.