Christine Dose, 73

Christine Marie (Martin) Dose, 73, went to rest in the arms of Jesus on Oct. 16, 2024, after a month's long battle with pneumonia.

She was born on June 6, 1951, in Whitefish, to Mabel and Arnot "Fuzzy" Martin. The fourth of five children, Christine joined siblings, Marlin "Spike," Glenda, and Susie, and later Roger was added to the family. Christine spent her childhood in the Columbia Falls area, graduating with honors from Columbia Falls High School in 1969 where she was a member of the Math Club. After high school, she attended Flathead Valley Community College and worked at Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant and also as a seamstress. While working as a waitress at Moose’s Saloon in Kalispell, she met Gene Dose. They were married on Aug. 11, 1972, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell.

Christine and Gene made their home on the Dose family farm north of Kalispell where they farmed and ranched together until 2004. In 1974, they started their own crop of farm help with Russell, followed by Jennifer in 1976 and Angela in 1979. She was actively involved in all the kids’ 4-H projects, county fair events, and making sure they were raised right. After the children were grown, she worked at National Flood Insurance in Kalispell. She did bookkeeping for her and Gene’s business, and they were partners in everything they did. Upon selling the farm in Kalispell, Gene and Christine moved to their current farm in Denton in 2008 where they built their dream home.

She had a beautiful singing voice, although she never thought so, and would sing in the kitchen while cooking meals for her family. She loved going to church and singing the hymns, her faith in the Lord was deep and unshakable. She had little sayings that she would quip at her children such as "Wrong way, Corrigan!" or "A watched pot never boils." As much as her children groaned and rolled their eyes at these sayings, they now find themselves repeating them to their own children. Her grandchildren were her world, her favorite subject, and her love for the six of them was profound. At Christmas, she would make cinnamon roll wreaths and candy canes to deliver to friends and neighbors. Her heart was kind, gentle, and strong, with a sense of humor that never wavered. Her giggle was infectious.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Marlin "Spike" and Karen Martin; sister and brother-in-law, Glenda and Bill Price; and her mother and father-in-law, Raymond and Adeline Dose. 

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Gene; children, Russell (Angela) Dose of Kalispell, Jennifer (Kelly) Kapinos of Belgrade, and Angela (Bjorn) Flategraff of Denton; grandchildren, Kameron, Jessee, and Kooper Kapinos, and Abby, Katie, and Emmitt Dose; sister, Susie (Chuck) Bengtson of West Glacier; and brother, Roger Martin of Columbia Falls.

A service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran in Denton on Friday, Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m., with a graveside committal at Hillcrest Cemetery and luncheon to follow at Town Hall. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to Our Savior Lutheran, the Denton Ambulance, or the Denton Rod and Gun Club.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Christine’s family and friends can share memories at www.creelfuneralhome.com.