Carlene (Wilke) Brooner, 101

Carlene (Wilke) Brooner was born in October 1924 on the small Lower Flathead Valley family farm originally homesteaded by her grandparents, and passed away recently at the age of 101.

She attended the Brocken country school, Flathead County High School and  Northern Montana College (now Montana State University Northern) in Havre, where she graduated at age 18 with a two-year teaching degree. She began teaching right away in Somers, and in the course of her almost 50-year career, she also taught in the Kalispell schools, including Elrod and Russell; in Anchorage, Alaska; Bangkok, Thailand; Kenai, Alaska; and then finished at Somers again. During this time, she also completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, received from Alaska Methodist University in 1961.

In 1945, upon his return at the end of World War II, Carlene married her high school boyfriend, Ernest G. Brooner, also from Kalispell. In early married adventures, they lived and worked at KGEZ Radio and then in Yakutat, Alaska. Ernest's work took him overseas, while Carlene raised their three small children and continued her teaching career in Kalispell; later, the family would accompany him to Alaska and Thailand, before finally returning to the Flathead in 1969.

Carlene is survived by her children, Karen Borsato, in British Columbia; Barbara Brooner (Alan Morris) in Washington State; and Ernest C. Brooner (Karen Wilson) in Oregon; her granddaughter, Sunshine Borsato, also in British Columbia and grandson, Victor Schut, in the Netherlands; four great-granddaughters, Sarah, Emma, Rome and Friday; and her nieces and nephews scattered across the country. Also, like family, were special longtime friends, Lance Rose and Mary Mosher of Kalispell. 

Carlene was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, and her sisters, Louise Haynie and Elaine McAllister.

Carlene was practical and resilient, a true member of "The Greatest Generation," with a quiet commitment to self-reliance which can no doubt be traced back to growing up on a small family farm, living through the Great Depression, and coming of age during World War II. After retirement, she cared for her aging parents and her husband, Ernest, as his health declined, volunteered in the field of education and traveled to visit her adult children living in three different countries. She had a lifelong commitment to learning and read continually, her interests ranging from sewing and gardening to history, archeology, anthropology, geology, and the latest science breakthroughs. Carlene was a long-time member of ADK (Alpha Delta Kappa), an honorary organization of women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism and world understanding.

 At Carlene's request, no service is planned. Those who would like could consider a donation to Abbey Shelter or Samaritan House, or any other nonprofit organization in the valley dedicated to helping those who are struggling to get back on their feet.