Evelyn Sullivan

Evelyn M. Sullivan, 98, our beloved mother, "went to the Lord" on Oct. 3, 2009, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

She was born to Albert and Olphina (Nelson) Runsvold on Dec. 17, 1910, in Hettinger, N.D.

At age three, she moved with her family to Kalispell. They lived on Ashley Creek where they would swim in the summer and ice skate in the winter.

After graduating from Flathead County High School in 1928, she worked at the soldiers home in Columbia Falls as a cook. There she met and married Daniel W. Sullivan. They settled on a small farm on Middle Road and raised three children.

Throughout the years, she became an honorary grandmother to many children whom she took care of so the parents could work. They retired from the farm in 1989 and moved to Kalispell, and remained married for 66 years until her husband's passing in 1999.

Evelyn was active with many clubs and organizations in her life, including the Royal Neighbors, Altar Society, Home Demonstrations, Busy Bees, and a 4-H leader. She was a member of the St. Richard's Parish and was active in the parish Women's Guild.

She enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting and reading. She had also taken up oil painting and created many paintings that adorn our family's homes.

Being of Norwegian heritage, she enjoyed standard Norwegian food. Some of her cooking creations have been passed down, becoming family gathering staples.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; siblings Clara Howell, Alma Parkinson, and Henry, Norman and Donald Runsvold; son-in-law John Wright; daughter-in-law Beverly Sullivan; and grandson Daniel Wright.

Evelyn is survived by children Rosalie Wright, of Kalispell, Channing Sullivan, of Whitefish, and Joann Sullivan, of Missoula; grandchildren Kathy Rehbein and husband Joe, of Bozeman, Connie Lehman and husband John, of Missoula, and Lonnie Wright and wife Kelly, of Kalispell; 10 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; niece Delores Young; nephew Albert Runsvold; and cousins-in-law Phyllis Howe and Georgette Sullivan.

Funeral services were held Oct. 9, 2009, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with Father John Miller officiating. Burial followed at St. Richard's Catholic Cemetery.

Sheila Burhans

Sheila (Mayo) Burhans, 73, formerly of Kalispell and Whitefish, passed away quietly on Oct. 3, 2009, in Eugene, Ore.

Sheila was a talented pianist and was playing with local youth orchestras and choirs while still at school. She later became a professional theater pianist, playing for music stars of the time, going on to join entertainment parties, and visiting U.S. bases in Germany and the Middle East before settling in North America.

She eventually moved to Florence, Ore., and became a leading light on the local music scene as a musical director and with Rotary Club until ill health curtailed her mobility.

Sheila will always be missed; never to be forgotten, our "Yorkshire Yank."

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Martha Mayo.

Sheila is survived by her brother, Cyril Mayo, of Whitby, U.K.; and her two sons, Ian McElligott, of Surrey, U.K., and Neil McElligott, of Post Falls, Idaho; and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to Rotary International.