Funeral services for Pearl Hanley, 89, of Baker, are being held at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 7, at the Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with Pastor Levi Durfey officiating. A satellite service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Trinity Lutheran Church at 400 West California St. in Kalispell.

Burial will be in the Bonnievale Cemetery in Baker.

Visitation will be one hour prior to today’s service at the Chapel.

Pearl Lucille (Noftsker) Hanley “was released to the Lord” on Jan. 2, 2014, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for many years at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker.

Mom was born Feb. 14, 1924, to Samuel and Anna (Wetzel) Noftsker at the family home in the Minnesota Valley community south of Baker. She was the seventh of eight children for Sam and Anna. During her high school years after her father's death, the family moved into Baker. She graduated from Baker High School in 1943. She spent the summer in Well's, Minn., helping her oldest sister at their grocery store. 

Upon returning to Montana, she taught school (grades one through eight) at the Lame Jones school south of Plevna. The annual country school Christmas program was a community event and she sparked the attention of a local young cowboy, Clifford “Swede” Junior Hanley.

While the school marm was boarding at the Schuetzles, her suitor came calling via horseback. Mrs. Schuetzle hosted this young cowboy and had many stories to share resulting from her daily journal. At the end of the school term, they were married June 2, 1945, in Miles City. 

Their first home was at the Hanley family homestead on Spring Creek southwest of Baker. They continued to live in the Baker area until January 1948. During that time two daughters were born in Baker, Evelyn Ann and Jean Marie. The adventure of the timber industry drew their attention and they moved to Whitefish where they made their family home until 2004.  In Whitefish two more daughters completed the family, Sharon Leigh and Judy Lynn.

They farmed in the Bissell community for many years where they made many good friends. Mom was active in the Bissell Homemakers Club, whose purpose was to enhance their roles as wives, mothers and homemakers. Mom’s purpose in life was to be the best wife, mom, grandmother and friend she could be and she excelled at this. We always knew she loved us unconditionally. Mom and Dad were active in Grange, 4-H and enjoyed country dances.

After many hard years of living on a farm and working in the timber industry, they sold the farm and moved into Whitefish in 1971. The retirement years were good, traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and many other states. They enjoyed the sun and the beauty of the desert in Arizona for approximately 20 years. Mom loved the beauty of the desert flowers after a good rain and had many pictures to share with us. Upon returning to Whitefish in the spring of 2001 and due to Mom's declining health, they stayed in Montana. In 2004 they moved back to Baker. Mom went to live at the Fallon County Nursing Home during the summer of 2006 where she lived the remainder of her life.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Rosella as an infant, Elnora Williamson, Charles Noftsker, Irvin Noftsker and Raymond Noftsker; and sons-in-law, Dean Kelch and Harry Tronstad.

She is survived by her dear husband of 68 and a half years and caretaker, Clifford, of Baker; children, Evelyn Kelch of Polson, Jean Tronstad of Baker, Sharon and Raymond Pitsch of Kalispell, and Judy and Chuck Hanson of Helena. Surviving are eight grandchildren, Wendy and Dave Morris, Sheila and Jim Lindsay, Renee Kelch, Jeff and Brandi Kelch, Leroy and Cynthia Tronstad, Cindy and Gary Irgens, Brady Hanson and Riley Hanson. Also surviving are 20 great-grandchildren (including spouses) and four great-great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. Other survivors include siblings, Belva Keech, and Kenneth and Dolores Noftsker; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Fallon County Extended Care Activities Department; Fallon/Carter Homemaker's Council; or an organization of your choice. 

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.