GLADYS LYNCH obituary

Gladys A. (Rugtvedt) Lynch, 86, died at her Rudyard home early Tuesday, May 16, 2006, from congestive heart failure.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rudyard. Burial of ashes will follow at the Rudyard Cemetery.

Gladys was born Sept. 9, 1919, at Rudyard to Norwegian homesteaders August and Maren (Hegna) Rugtvedt. Gladys attended Een country school, then finished her education in Rudyard, graduating from RHS in 1938.

She married Clarence Lynch on April 13, 1942, at Great Falls. They lived in Rudyard, where they farmed and operated a tire business for many years.

Gladys enjoyed her role as homemaker and mother of four daughters. In their later years, the Lynches spent their winters in Mesa, Ariz. They had been married 54 years when Clarence died in 1996.

She was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rudyard, where she taught Sunday school, Bible school, and was active in the Charity Circle. She also had been a member of the Rudyard Ladies Auxiliary, the Black Coulee Home Demonstration Club and the Garden Club.

She enjoyed traveling, playing cards and crossword puzzles, baking, gardening and collecting dolls.

Gladys' health had failed in recent years.

Survivors include her daughters, Florene (Chuck) Patrick of Billings, Penny Kleingartner (and fianc, Jeff Sorg) of Lakeside, Colleen Tipp of Laurel and Jodi (Skip) Harden of Missoula; sister, Ann Brundige of Spokane, Wash.; seven grandchildren; six great-granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband; parents; grandson, Randy Patrick; brothers, Ike and Art Rugtvedt; and sisters, Bert Bilderback and Florine Kulbeck.

Memorials can be given to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or a donor's choice.

Cremation and arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester.