MaryLou LaStofka, 85, “went home to the Lord” on Oct. 16, 2014, in Kalispell. She passed on peacefully with grace and dignity, surrounded by her family.

MaryLou was born in Kalispell on March 2, 1929, to Mark and Dorothy Hodgson. She was the second of three children. Her early years were busy helping with the family dairy, the large garden and having to herd the dreaded cows to the lower place. MaryLou attended school in her early years at the Half Moon school, and then attended two years at the Whitefish High School before moving to Flathead County High School where she graduated in 1946.

MaryLou went on to study voice at the Cornish School of Music in Seattle, and then moved on to the Julliard School of Music in New York. Her entire family treasured her ability to move one's soul with song. While studying at Julliard, Mom met and married the love of her life, Robert LaStofka, in 1951. They traveled around the country while Bob was in the service and then traveled back and forth between Iola, Wis., and Kalispell for several years, finally settling in Kalispell. MaryLou and Bob went on to have four children.

She leaves on this Earth to continue her work, her husband, Robert Earl, of 63 years; her children, Connie LaStofka-Lakes and her husband Roger of Hamilton, Ohio, Robin Carson of Kalispell, Mark LaStofka and his wife Tina of White-Salmon, Wash., and Julie Hindahl of Kalispell. She also leaves her 12 treasured grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and her six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Corrine Adomian and family of Athens, Ga.

MaryLou was preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Dorothy Hodgson; and her brother, Paul Hodgson.

Besides being the mother of four, she dedicated 30-plus years to working at the Immanuel Lutheran Home, helping others have a home where respect, compassion and tender loving care were the most important aspects of her job. MaryLou was proactive in the church with quilting, one of her passions, and the preparations of the service bulletins. MaryLou also loved her flower gardens and tending them.

Through this celebration of her life, we should all remember her love, compassion and caring that she applied every day; for all of us to be advocates of her willingness to help, to hold, reassure and comfort those who are starting their journey into the Lord's loving arms. MaryLou dedicated most of her life to this mission through music, her work and her daily life.

We as a family would like to thank all of those who have helped us make this journey with her, especially the nurses and doctor at the ICU at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Graveside rites will be held at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, followed by services at 1 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with a reception following in the church basement.