Obituary - Emma (Keene) Ashcroft

Emma (Keene) Ashcroft passed away Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at the age of 92.

Born Jan. 23, 1923, in Taylor, Texas, to Edward (Kiehn) and Helen (Brutke) Keene the family moved to Amity, Oregon, when she was just a little girl. She was raised on the family farm and educated in a little country school. The children worked hard in the berry fields and orchards to help buy material and items needed to help with a growing family.

Emma met Brutus, the love of her life, in the hop yards, being introduced by one of her older brothers. Word has it they peeked through the vines a lot at each other. They were married in a simple little family gathering. They lived in Amity for a while then moved to Portland where Brutus was a captain in the shipyards. Emma worked for F.W. Woolworths. For excitement, they would chase fire trucks late at night. After a time they bought a small farm in Turner, Oregon. Brutus went to work in the logging business. Emma worked on the family farm milking the cows, taking care of all the animals, putting in huge gardens all spaded and planted by hand. Then she would can and put up all the produce as it ripened. She was a hard worker all her life, but she loved it all and never complained.

In 1957, the family moved to Livingston, Montana, with Burkland Stud Saw Mill.

Moving to Seeley Lake in 1968, Brutus took a job with Pyramid Lumber. This would be the place where they would make their home for the rest of their lives.

Emma was a lifelong member of the Rebekah Lodge. She loved her garden, flowers, camping, fishing, boating, picnicking and watching "her" deer. "You have to get outside every day and get some fresh air," she would always say. She was a wonderful cook, made the best pies with the best crust ever, and her sugar cookies were savored by all. We will miss you terribly, Mom!

Emma was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Brutus; her parents; children, Helen Marie and Ronnie Lee; brothers and their wives, Manuel (Marie) and Ewalt (Ruth) Keene; sister, Martha Federici; brother-in-law, Bill Miller; grandson, Micheal Golie; and son-in-law, Micky Golie.

Surviving her are her sisters Elsie Miller of Quartzsite, Arizona, and Louise (Don) Jenks, Mikwaukie, Oregon; children, Emma Golie, Havre, Montana; Jerry Ashcroft (Deb Dickenson), Seeley Lake, Montana; Peggy (Robert) Huft of Butte, Montana; grandchildren, Gary Golie, Havre, Montana; Ashley Huft (Eric Luther), Butte, Montana; Kenny Ashcroft (Keisha Holme), Seeley Lake, Montana; great grandchildren, Allison, Cameron and Christian Golie all of Havre, Montana; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Seeley Lake Cemetery on Aug. 22, 2015, at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow.

Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula is assisting the family with arrangements.