Kerrie Byrne found Whitefish by "pure good luck." Born and raised in California but working on a dude ranch in Idaho, she joined a girl friend who was coming to Whitefish. Kerrie fell in love with the place. She vowed if she could find a job, she'd move here.

She did both, and in 1974, Whitefish became her home. It was here that she met and married Steve. After earning her degree from Montana State University-Bozeman, she taught school in the Whitefish system for 20 years.

Always a lover of nature, her interests centered on animals, plants and the great outdoors. She enjoys the quiet life — hiking, camping, biking, enjoying the scenery and watching wild animals. She has been active in the education aspect of the Montana Native Plant Society and a stalwart in Farm Hands, an organization that brings farms and markets together.

She has been the "market master" at the local farmers market and is enthusiastic about her large garden and the veggies it produces. She's active in the Humane Society, was instrumental in establishing the Hugh Rogers Wag Park and is currently engaged in the erection of a pavilion at the park.

Friends and co-workers describe her in glowing terms. When told that she describes herself as a worker bee, a friend said: "A worker bee? She's more like a whole hive." Kerrie was described in terms as "awesome," a person who cares about others," 'salt of the earth" and "one of the most hard-working and honest persons I have ever met."

She says she volunteers because "I love this community, it's my home, and I want to be a part of it."

Kerri, your love of this community is reciprocated by all who know you. An inspiration to your many friends, you have made our community, and the world in which we live a better place, and we thank you.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail [email protected].