Catherine 'Babe' Alger, 99
Catherine “Babe” Alger, 99, passed away Sept. 30, 2017, surrounded by her loving family in Kalispell, “to join her beloved Elmer.”
Babe was born in Anaconda on Sept. 5, 1918, to John and Katie (Quinn) Tracy. One of seven proud Irish children, she attended St. Peter’s High School. A lifelong resident of Anaconda, Babe spent the last few years near family in the Flathead Valley, however, she longed to return to her warm cherished home.
Babe spent nearly a half century working at Weiss grocery with the Casey family. There was not a holiday or event that passed that did not entail producing fruit baskets, meat trays and boxes that were delivered throughout town. You could always distinguish between a box of cereal from Weiss grocery and elsewhere – due to the nail hole in the front of the box. How else would you get the box off the top shelf without a stick that had a nail on it?
Holidays were a special time at the Alger household and there was always room for one more at the table. After a trip down home and dinner, a steady stream of visitors would stop by the house throughout the evening. Coffee, Fig Newtons and pinwheels were front and center and a turkey sandwich with Durkee’s was a little slice of heaven. The conversations in the kitchen with Babe would last into the wee hours of the morning.
Her love and support for Anaconda was always clear. She spent many hours listening to the ball games on the radio, attending sporting events or going to tournaments to watch the Saints, Copperheads and A’s play. Babe and Elmer were involved and traveled with the American Legion and were lifelong members of the Anaconda Catholic community. Babe was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She looked forward to the Tracy family reunion each summer where she would get to visit with her favorite people.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Elmer; her parents; and siblings, James, Jack, Tommy, Lillian Smith, Margaret Walsh and Eleanor Hogenson.
She is survived by her children, Tom (Terrie) Alger of Kalispell, Mary (Jim) Hamill of Missoula, and Colleen (George) Hutchens of Kalispell; her grandchildren, Erin (Josh) Mouat of Kalispell, Kellen (Anna) Alger of Helena, Jim (Kristine) Hamill of Missoula, John (Sheley) Hamill of Shoreline, Washington, Cathy (Dave) Hall of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Joe (Linda) Hutchens of Columbia Falls and Doug (Carol) Hutchens of Lake Tapps, Washington. She was blessed with 23 great-grandchildren and seven great great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. She also had a very special relationship with John, Chris and Karen Hogenson who grew up across the alley and thought of the Algers’ as a second home. Babe had a strong sense of family and dearly loved the many members of the Tracy clan, descended from John and Katie, who brought so much joy into her life.
Services will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church beginning on Sunday, Oct. 8, with visitation from to 7 p.m., followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m. The celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, with interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Holy Family.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Frontier Hospice, 42 Bruyer Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; Shodair Children’s Hospital; Anaconda Catholic Community; or a charity of your choice.
Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for Babe’s family. You are invited to go to www.darlingtonfunerals.com to view Babe’s Tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.