Cleo Adelaide McWhorter Stroisch, age 95, passed away on July 13, 2013. She was born on May 12, 1918, in Gillespie, Ill., to Andrew and Fern Teresa McWhorter. She married George Stroisch on September 24, 1935 in Decatur, Illinois and the newlyweds lived in the Springfield Illinois area.

In 1936 Cleo and George moved to Montana with the entire McWhorter family. In 1941, they moved back to Illinois and lived there about one year before returning to Montana. They lived at the Flathead Mine for a number of years until they and the McWhorter family purchased property at Kila and moved up Hoffman Draw. As you drove up Hoffman Draw, you passed the homes of the other McWhorter and Dennison families until you reached the end of the road — the Stroisch’s. From there, they built the house just west of town. 

Edward, David, and Tressa were all home births. Mary was the first child to arrive at the hospital — after a quick trip from the mine! Tom was born while they lived in Kila. Stan and Janet were born while they lived in the house along U.S. 2. While George worked at the Equity in Kalispell, Cleo worked at the Alton Pierce Drug Store snack bar. They farmed in Minnesota from 1968-70 until George’s health condition prompted them to give up farming. In 1971 they moved to Post Falls, Idaho, where David and Sharon lived. While in Post Falls, George worked at the Boise Cascade house-manufacturing plant and Cleo first worked at the hospital of Coeur d’ Alene and spent 8 years working at the General Instruments factory in Post Falls.

In 1989, after George passed away, Cleo returned to Kalispell and lived in her “little house” on Birch Grove Drive, with her beautiful lawn and flowers and wonderful garden!

For the last five years of her life, her passion was gardening and making quilts. She made receiving blankets, girl blankets and man blankets. They all were incredible one-of-a-kind keepsakes and were decorated with Teddy bears.

Cleo is survived by her kids and their spouses, 29 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, numerous great-great-grandchildren, sister Betty Jones, sister-in-law Siri McWhorter, and many hgaiser 7/14/13 nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband George Stroisch, sons: Edward and Tom Stroisch, four grandchildren; brothers Gilbert and Chester McWhorter; sisters Irene Dennison and Maud Lindbom; and special cousin Willie Lewis.

A viewing will take place prior to services on Tuesday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to the start of services at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 2:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Cleo’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Cleo’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.