Dorothy Wixson

Dorothy Darling Wixson, 94, Columbia Falls, died Oct. 16, 2005, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Dorothy was born Dec. 26, 1910, in Montford to Claude and Etta Huntsinger. They moved to Columbia Falls when she was three years old. She graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1930.

As a teenager, she played background music for the silent movies at the Park Theater in Columbia Falls. After high school, she worked as a telephone operator in Whitefish.

Dorothy was a long ime member of the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. She was active in the Epworth League as a young girl and later a member of Circle 1, as was her mother, Etta. She had many fond memories of service in her church.

Dorothy joined the Royal Neighbors Lodge at 16 and served as a musician for many years. She was a member of the North Valley Senior Citizen Center and also did volunteer work at the Klothes Kloset.

Dorothy married Lester Darling in 1932, a union that lasted until Lester's death in 1976. They had eight children, all of whom have happy memories of the summers living at Spotted Bear when Lester worked for the Forest Service.

Dorothy was married to Howard Wixson in 1982 until his death in 1996. They enjoyed dancing and traveling.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands Les and Howard and a daughter, Donna .

She is survived by children Connie Gamble, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Shirley Adams and husband Bob, of Columbia Falls, Jerry Darling and wife Marion, of Creston, Shari Benzien, of Columbia Falls, Bobby Darling and wife Diane, of Fort Benton, Sue Smith and husband Joe, of Columbia Falls, and Ronnie Darling of Columbia Falls; a step-daughter, Myrtle Langton of Columbia Falls; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Thursday (today), Oct. 20, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. Pastor David Jones will officiate.

The family has suggested that memorials be made to the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls.