Edna Aldrich

Edna Aldrich passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2010 in Billings. She was 89.

Edna was the fifth of eight children born to Alma Gierke and Robert Solberg of Sabin, N.D. Apart from an older sister, Helen Martineson of Billings, Edna was the last surviving of the eight children. She was born on March 6,1921. Edna met her future husband, Lloyd Aldrich, in North Dakota and they were married in Longview, Wash., in 1942. She remained devoted to Lloyd, and greatly loved by him for the next 58 years until his death in 2001. She was a wonderful mother to five children: David, Glen, Alan, Danny and JoAnn. Two sons, Alan in 1999, and Danny in 2004, preceded Edna in death as well as a granddaughter Marcy Kimbrough.

She is survived by David and wife Judy Aldrich of Columbia Falls; Glen and wife Bev Aldrich of Villarrica, Chile, South America; JoAnn and husband Don Kimbrough of Billings. Grandchildren include Barbara and husband Michael Wagner, Cyndi and husband Andrew Bruketta of Palmer, Alaska, Aaron Aldrich of Columbia Falls, Mathew Aldrich and Jennifer Aldrich of Kalispell, Becky Kimbrough of Portland, Maine, and Alena Kimbrough of Tucson, Ariz. Edna's great-grandchildren included great-grandson Devin Aldrich of Columbia Falls, great-grand daughter Jessica Grant and great grandson Alex Avalos who live in Palmer, Alaska, as well as three great-great grandchildren, Heaven, Hunter and Roger also in Palmer, Alaska.

Edna was an enthusiastic traveler, enjoying trips to Canada, Peru, and Chile. She also loved photos and tales from her vagabondish brood after their many travels. But primarily she left her incredible mark by being capable, loving and guiding mother, wife, neighbor, church circle member and citizen. In Columbia Falls she loved having her backyard (and her husband) devoted to 135 varieties of bearded iris, lilies, roses and a big vegetable garden. As befits a mother of five and a farm-girl herself, Mom Aldrich was an incomparable cook quite famous for her talents with Montana's venison, antelope, salmon, and huckleberries. Swaps were made. A neighbor with too many trout might trade Edna for a fresh apple pie.

Edna was also an avid reader, talented seamstress, barber and home canner. She was delighted to spend time anywhere in Glacier Park, and knew many of its trails, hiking into her 70s. In fact Glacier was a big reason the family relocated in Columbia Falls in 1955, and both Edna and Lloyd saw to it that all five children cultivated a passion for nature in general and Glacier Park in particular. Her favorite hike was the Highline Trail along the Garden Wall to Granite Park Chalet.

After 21 years in North Dakota, 12 in Longview, Washington, and 53 in Columbia Falls, Edna finished a long and loving life in an excellent assisted care home in Billings, Butterfly Homes. Dave, Glen and especially JoAnn and Don were familiar faces at Butterfly, visiting Edna or taking her out on various excursions, including a June amble through nearly two acres of cultivated bearded iris — her passion.

There will be a memorial service at 1 p.m. Friday, July 16 at the United Methodist Church at 117 Second Avenue West, in Columbia Falls, followed by a short reception at the church. All are invited, but if you can't come, please hold her in your thoughts for a moment of loving remembrance. If you feel comfortable with a donation, please assist some health hospice organization close to you- they have served our family and community so well.