Josephine 'Josie' Dopp, 76

Josie lived a life full of love, laughter, and kindness. Albeit too soon, she left her earthly body on May 25, at the age of 76, surrounded by family and friends.

Josie was born on July 21, 1949, at the old Kalispell Hospital to Ruth Franklin Livesay and Clark Livesay. The middle child between Sherry and her younger sister Sue. When Ruthie married Gerald Rose, Josie welcomed two sisters and two brothers: Gerri Lyn, Robin, Pat and Carla.

Growing up, Josie and her family would spend the summers in Schafer Meadows of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, creating memories and having adventures while Gerald was a forest ranger. It was there that she met the love of her life, Richard Dopp, the summer after the Flathead Valley flood.

Josie graduated from Flathead High School in 1967 and from Mr. Lee’s Beauty School in 1968. She and Richard were married on Aug. 10, 1968, in Kalispell. They moved to Seattle, where their daughter Christy Ann was born in May 1971. The family later returned to Montana, living in Dillon before settling back in Kalispell. In January 1975, they welcomed their son William. Josie and Richard shared a loving marriage until his passing in January 2025. She had a close relationship with all her family and extended family, often traveling with her mom and sisters. She loved being a grandma to Maddie, Alex and River and cherished every visit.

Josie worked at Moose's Saloon starting in January 1983. In addition to working in the kitchen, she participated in March of Dimes pizza delivery day, end-of-summer party, Christmas party, and eventually took over making the weekday soups after her mother Ruthie retired. She continued working there until her retirement in December 2014. Most recently, she enjoyed working on the greens crew, doing setup at Buffalo Hill Golf Course.

Throughout her life, Josie stayed active and creative. She loved crafts, including ceramics, oil and watercolor painting, sewing, art dolls, concrete animals, altered books and air-dry clay sculpting. She participated in bowling and golf leagues, served as a Girl Scout co-leader, and fostered many groups, such as the Upper Valley Lower Crust Humorous Gourmet Society, Mitches, Mary Ford and Sisters Golf. The Sisters Golf program paired new women golfers with experienced players and featured an annual costume golf tournament filled with fun. She was always up for a game, whether it be horseshoes, pinochle, cribbage, Go Fish, Uno, Chinese checkers, Yahtzee, Wii bowling, Trouble, or NY Times Wordle and Connections. She was the life of the party, turning ordinary moments into celebrations.

Josie loved exploring new places, camping, shopping with friends, and spending time at Flathead, Echo and McGregor Lake. Above all, she loved to cook — often making never-before-tried dishes for five-course birthday luncheons, famous homemade yogurt, Christmas morning cinnamon rolls and appetizers for beer Friday get-togethers.

Her willingness to participate, kind heart, infectious laugh, food and friendship were treasured by everyone who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of joy and connection that will continue to nourish all whose lives she touched. Her spirit will live on in every shared meal, every burst of laughter, and every taster she inspired.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday, June 27, at 2 p.m. in the upper-floor banquet room at the Eagles, 37 First St. W., Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation or a cause of your choosing.