Obituaries

CARLA ANN ALBRECHT-ALLEN

Carla Ann Albrecht-Allen was born Feb. 23, 1967 in Great Falls to John and Margaret Albrecht. Her life was filled with adventure, happiness and joy.

Carla was a lifelong courageous fighter and survivor of cancer.

She lived throughout Montana growing up, graduated from Evanston High School in Wyoming, and went on to pursue a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Montana State University in Bozeman.

Carla spent much of her time gardening in her amazing flowerbeds – a passion she and her mother shared. Carla loved to travel and experience the world.

She loved the outdoors, whether she was ripping up the lake on her jet ski, snowboarding, kayaking or taking a walk with Tic.

She filled her world with beauty, family and friendship.

She was an avid artist and this melded her love of art and design and her talent for marketing.

With her talent and creativity as an artist, she had a successful graphic arts business, Creative Design.

She married her sweetie, Billy Van Allen on Dec. 27, 2005, in a beautiful ceremony in Bigfork.

Carla and Billy Van made their homes in Billings and Fountain Hills, Ariz.

On Sept. 18, 2009, Carla passed away at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Carla is survived by her husband Billy Van Allen of Billings; parents Margaret and John Albrecht of Powell, Wyo., and Bigfork; sister Christa (Jeff) Secord of Elko, Nev.; and brother Brian (Shauna and daughter Olivia) Albrecht of Havre.

She is welcomed into heaven by her brother Craig Daniel, grandparents Millie and Art Albrecht, grandparents Marie and Frank Fordik and her dog Tic.

Family and friends will celebrate her life at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork on Oct. 5 at 9 a.m.

A reception will be held at 11 a.m. at the family home, located at180 Peterson Creek Lane in Bigfork.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Carla Albrecht-Allen Memorial Scholarship at MSU Northern Foundation, PO Box 1691, Havre, MT 59501 or 406-265-3711.