GENNEVEVE CARLSTROM, Obituary

Genneveve "Jennie" Malina Calkin Carlstrom, 82, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 15, 2002, after a long illness at a Havre care facility.

Cremation has taken place. Private family graveside committal service will be held at a later date.

Jennie was born Aug. 31, 1919, to Thor and Christina (Lindely) Ritland at the family homestead near Montague. She was educated at Fort Benton and Lewistown. She graduated from Fergus County High School in 1937.

On Sept. 5, 1937, she married Earl R. Calkin in Harlem. The family lived in several towns throughout their married life, finally settling in Fort Benton to farm north of Loma. To this marriage came five children. Earl and Jennie purchased the Gambles Hardware Store in Fort Benton in 1966. They owned and operated this business until Earl's health failed in 1972. Earl passed away in May of 1974.

In May of 1976, Jennie married Larry Carlstrom. They purchased the grocery store and gas station in Loma in 1978. This place of business had previously been owned by her mother-in-law, Bertha Calkin. She and Larry operated the store until April 1983, when he died. She continued on in the store until retiring in 1986.

After retirement she became active in the Fort Benton Seniors Center, holding several offices. Her lifelong passions were playing cards, crocheting, crafts of all sorts, and bowling. She also enjoyed socializing with her friends from Fort Benton and the surrounding communities.

Jennie leaves behind wonderful memories for all her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thor and Christina (Lindely) Ritland; husbands, Earl R. Calkin and Lawrence Carlstrom; brothers, Joe and Ted Ritland; sisters, Borghild "Peggy" Kobel and Elsie Beecher; and son, Geral Calkin.

Survivors include her sister, Effie Ayers of Fort Benton; children, Albert L. (Laura) Calkin of Helena, Kathrine Munoz of Newport News, Va., Robert (Michelle) Calkin of Matthews, N.C., Judy (Bob) Hembd of Havre; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Jennie's honor may be made to Northern Montana Care Center Chapel Fund, P.O. Box 1231, Havre, MT 59501, or American Heart Association, 510 First Ave. N., Room 114, Great Falls, MT 59401.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.