Charmaine Davall
Charmaine Davall passed away peacefully on Jan. 30 at the Whitefish Care Center.
She was born in Columbia Falls on Feb. 5, 1933, to Carl and Valentine Daniels. Her first job as a teenager was working for Mel Ruder at the Hungry Horse News.
She married Don Davall in 1950 and they had three daughters. Together they operated Davall Mercantile along with Don’s parents. When the mercantile closed, Charmaine turned it into her own antique store. She loved attending rummage sales and estate sales looking for treasures. She had many customers who became friends because they loved to see what mom had found.
Charmaine was a homemaker who took pride in her skills. Her home was always immaculate. She always had fresh baked items to offer anyone who stopped by. And if the ground was not frozen, Charmaine could be found working out in the yard. Flower gardening was her specialty. People would go out of their way to drive by and see her beautiful blooming yard. Pictures and articles on Charmaine’s gardens were in the newspaper many times.
Charmaine was an avid fisherman. It did not matter to her whether it was rafting down the river, trolling on a lake or still fishing. She was also an excellent fly fisherman. She either caught the biggest fish or the most fish. One of her highlights was a fishing trip to Alaska.
Charmaine’s other hobbies were embroidery, sewing and many types of crafts, including extravagant gift wrapping. She loved to collect fabric, lace, beads, buttons and ribbon. She also loved dolls and teddy bears and was a member of the Flathead Valley doll club for several years. She also enjoyed her membership in the Red Hat Society.
One of the joys of Charmaine’s senior years were the Sunday afternoon potluck/pinochle card parties with her friends Gladys Shay and Marion Andrew. Their friendship spans more than 60 years.
Dr. Robert Hager has been a friend of Charmaine’s for over 40 years. He greatly enhanced her quality of life and enabled her to remain independent. He shared his friends and family with Charmaine, including his husband Drew Otto and their very good friend Pierre Petrau, who became an extra right arm to Charmaine, helping her with errands and working in the yard. They spent many hours sharing stories and enjoying good food and fellowship. They are part of the family.
Charmaine was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Wilma Doane, her ex-husband Don Davall, and her nephews Casey Doane and Carl Galloway.
She is survived by her sister Linda Bailey and husband Chuck, of Congress, Ariz.; daughters Karen Huston and husband Rick, of Mililani, Hawaii, Leslie DeVries and husband Marvin, of Conrad, and Diana Pullec and husband Allen, of Hastings, Neb.; granddaughter Casey Schultz and husband Jake Jamison and great grandsons Piper Schultz and Jasper Bergschultz, all of Missoula; and niece Kathie Arvidson and husband Butch, of Columbia Falls.
To pay tribute to Charmaine’s life, consider planting a garden, making a home-cooked meal for the family, or baking fresh cookies or a homemade pie. Charmaine supported Relay for Life and donations of time or funds can be made to the organization in her memory.
A celebration of Charmaine’s life will be held outdoors when the weather is better.