Diana Kouns, 74

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the Apple Barrel Antiques Market, 3250 U.S. Highway 2 E., Kalispell, for Diana Mercedes delPulgar Morton Kouns, who passed away on Oct. 7, 2017, after a short, unexpected illness.

Diana was born Nov. 28, 1942, in Manhattan, New York, to Santiago and Christina (Mornwig) delPulgar. She lived in New York until 1961, when, with toddler and newborn infant in tow, she moved to California to join her husband. They lived in California until 1969, when the family relocated to Vientiane, Laos, for two years, returning to California where she lived until she moved to the Flathead Valley in 1992.

She spent most of her adult life working in the banking industry. In her later years, she worked in various food establishments throughout the Flathead Valley where she made lifetime and enduring friendships.

Diana enjoyed “minding the store” for her friend Carol at the Apple Barrel every Saturday, and meeting her friends, Shelby and Lynn, for Friday morning breakfast. She also enjoyed cooking for her family, antique and thrift store shopping, reading and going to lunch with her son. One of her favorite pastimes was traveling the back roads of Northwest Montana with her daughter, and their canine companions, Tucker and Terra. They never knew where they were going, but they would set off together on a new and exciting adventure every time. Loving to explore any dirt road off the beaten path in the mountains surrounding the Flathead Valley, they discovered some of the most beautiful sights that Montana has to offer, even finding five small lakes in one day. Diana was also an avid animal lover and throughout her life, rescued and cared for many dogs and cats, many of which survive her.

Diana was married twice, first to Howard “Duke” U. Morton and later to Robert C. Kouns.

Diana is survived by her beloved family, sister, June Palmer, of South Dakota; children, Derek Morton and Christina Morton-Scott, both of Somers; four grandsons (by her daughter), Tomar C. Scott and Brandon T. Scott, both of Ohio, Cory E. (Nicole) Richardson of California, and Cortney B. Richardson of Somers; six great-grandchildren, Christian, Christianna, Jada, Jersey and Braden, all of Ohio, and Cameron E. Richardson of California, and her numerous friends. She also leaves behind her constant companion, Tucker, her beloved dog.

In lieu of flowers, we know our mother would appreciate a donation made instead to the Spay and Neuter Task Force of Flathead Valley or any animal rescue group in her memory.

Diana’s ashes, along with her mother’s, will be spread at a later date to be determined by the family.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.