Judith “Judy” A. Seelye Motichka, 68, passed away quietly in her sleep early Monday morning, Oct. 10, 2016, after a long battle with dementia complicated with pneumonia.

“She left many loved ones behind to be in heaven with her daddy. The falling snow that morning was not snow, it was the extra feathers that wouldn’t fit in her angel wings. God wanted an angel so he took our Judy.”

Judy was born on July 4, 1948. She had her two daughters convinced that the firecrackers were to celebrate her birthday. She was raised west of Kalispell where she attended Ashley Creek School first through eighth grade. Growing up, you would find her and her brother Terry after school either hunting or fishing in the hills near their family home. She also spent many hours on her horse Topsey in these hills. After eighth grade graduation, she attended Flathead County High School where she graduated in 1966. She began working at Equity Supply Farm store after graduation, off and on for 30 years helping area farmers and ranchers.

On June 20, 1969, she married Myron L. Motichka of Columbia Falls. There they resided and raised their children on the Motichka family farm. They lived there for 39 years before relocating to Midvale, Idaho, where they purchased a ranch. You would always find her outside attending to cattle, her horses, sheep and her garden. Her yard was much like a park.

She had a special love for Christmas as she loved to decorate and bring the family together. Her many hobbies and interests included horseback riding and horse events, hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, baking, canning, 4-H, and spending time with family. She spent many, many miles and hours driving the roads of Montana taking her daughters Kelly and Shannon to their horse shows, 4-H and sporting events. She loved to draw and had a passion for photography. She also loved dancing, especially the waltz and polka. Her children and grandchildren were her life. You would always hear her bragging of her five grandchildren. She loved the Bob Marshall wilderness and went on multiple horse pack trips there. She also spent many summers of camping and fishing at Spotted Bear. Every fall after Thanksgiving was the annual hunting trip to Augusta, or the “High Woods.” She walked many miles in search of the “monster” buck. Quarter horses had a special place in her heart. She raised horses for many years, but the highlight was her mare, Lady, that won the Canadian nationals.

She was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, bowling league in Whitefish for many years, 4-H, and was a member of St. Richard’s Catholic Church.

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Dale Seelye.

She is survived by her mother, Gail Seelye Weimar, of Kalispell; husband, Myron Motichka, of Columbia Falls; daughters, Kelly Motichka of Helena, and Shannon and Matt Jones of Midvale; grandchildren, Zane, Tehl and Austin King, and Natalee and Josey Jones; brother, Terry, and Karen Seelye, of Kalispell; sisters, Fay and Dan Skiles, and Laura and Paul Steele of Kalispell; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family members; and many wonderful friends.

A public viewing will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, immediately followed by a vigil and rosary. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. A burial will immediately follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. A reception will immediately follow burial service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Montana Alzheimer’s and Dementia Foundation. A memorial fund will be set up in remembrance of Judy Motichka.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.