By HDN Staff
Elizabeth Mary (Malsam) Jergeson, 82, of Chinook, a homemaker and retired farmer, died Monday, Dec. 10, 2001, at a Havre hospital from complications due to emphysema and osteoporosis after a fall and broken hip.
A vigil is being held Friday at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Chinook. Funeral mass will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Gabriel's with burial in Kuper Memorial Cemetery in Chinook.
Elizabeth was born at Cottonwood, north of Havre, to Anthony and Frances Malsam on April 26, 1919. Her parents were German immigrants who homesteaded
north of Havre in the Cottonwood community. She graduated from Havre High School in 1937. She married John Jergeson in 1939. They farmed north of Havre during World War II and north of Lohman for five years in the late '40s. In 1949, they moved to a farm south of Chinook, where they farmed until their retirement in 1981. Since retirement they have lived in Chinook.
Elizabeth was involved in church and community activities. She was a long-time member of the St. Gabriel's Altar Society, serving as president. She also served as president of the Blaine County Democratic Women's Club for several years. Gov. Tom
Judge appointed Elizabeth to serve a three-year term on the Northern Montana College executive board. She was also active in the various school activities that involved her five children. Following her older daughter, Louise's, bout with polio, Elizabeth and other women in the neighborhood organized annual fund-raisers for the March of Dimes where they auctioned off a quilt they made each year.
Elizabeth was well known for her beautiful yard, both on the farm and at their home in Chinook. She loved gardening, especially with her grandchildren. She found special joy and pride in her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; older sister Magdeleine, who died in infancy; and younger sisters, Helen Doctor, Mary Miron and Theresa Woodwick.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband of Chinook; sons, Raymond of Great Falls, Roger and his wife, Nita, and Greg and his wife, Barb, all of Chinook; daughters, Louise Harvey and her husband, Roger of Missoula, Evelyn Schubert and her husband, Ken of Chinook; brothers, Anthony Malsam of Havre, Frank Malsam of Spokane, Wash., and Bernard Malsam of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to St. Gabriel's Parish Council of Catholic Women or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.
