Colette (Schweigert) Brown

Colette (Schweigert) Brown

After a courageous battle with lung cancer, Colette (Schweigert) Brown died on Sept. 29, 2011, at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Mont.

Colette was born on July 3, 1933, to Emil and Lea (Lang) Schweigert in Gackle, N.D.

Colette attended school in Stutsman County, graduating from high school in 1951. The summer following graduation, she attended State Teachers College in Valley City, N.D. Her first teaching job was in a rural country school located in the middle of the prairie.

That August, Colette was married to John L. Brown in Gackle, N.D. From this union, four children were born. Colette and John later divorced.

Having lived in Lodi, Calif., as well as Big Sandy, Mont., Colette eventually moved to Tonkawa, Okla., in 1977, where she met her loving companion Jim Williams. In 1982, they decided to make their home in Boulder, Mont., in order to be closer to Colette's children and grandchildren.

Colette became well known among family and friends as an expert seamstress and quilter, having made, with love, many baby blankets, clothing and wedding quilts, as well as memorable birthday cakes. Grandma Colette's holiday was always, and forever will be, Easter. She was an active member of the Clancy Methodist Church for over a decade.

Surviving her are her loving and caring companion of 33 years, Jim Williams; her four children, Karen Gardiner, of Helena, Mont., Sharon (Gary) Brockway, of East Helena, Mont., Richard (Cathy) Brown, of Havre, Mont., John (Kelley) Brown, of Arkansas City, Kans. ; along with her 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruby (Bill) Reimers; brothers, Elmer (Jean) Schweigert and Calvin Schweigert; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Colette was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Kermit Schweigert; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou and Dyann Schweigert; and grandson, Ira Gardiner.

Colette's memorial service will take place at 11 a. m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, at Clancy Methodist Church. A memorial in Colette's honor will be accepted to Clancy Methodist Church, the Boulder, Mont., food bank, St. Peter's Hospice or any organization of your choosing.

To offer condolences to the family please visit http://www.bigskyfunerals.com. Big Sky Cremations assisted the family with the services.