ELIZABETH SCHWEITZER obituary

HINGHAM - Elizabeth "Lizzie" Schweitzer, 93, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, at a Chester rest home.

A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Hingham. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Highland Cemetery in Havre.

Elizabeth was born on Sept. 29, 1910, at Bow Island, Alberta, to George and Katherine (Dorscher) Roth. She grew up in Canada and received her formal education there.

In November of 1928, Elizabeth married Anton Schweitzer at Bow island. They made their home in Montana on the Schweitzer farm in the Goldstone community north of Rudyard. In 1939 they moved to Rudyard to a farm on the outskirts of town. Elizabeth worked diligently as a farm wife, homemaker and mother of 13.

They moved to Hingham in 1957 and bought the Chicago Store, a grocery business they renamed the Schweitzer Store. A few years later they sold the business and retired. Anton died in 1968 and Elizabeth remained in Hingham. In 1987 she moved to an apartment in Havre. In 1992, she transferred to the Eagles Manor, where she lived for 10 years. When her health began to fail in 2002, she moved to the Liberty County Nursing Home in Chester.

Elizabeth was baptized and confirmed a Catholic and remained dedicated to her faith throughout her life. She was a longtime member of Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Hingham and was active in the Altar Society. After moving to Havre, she became a loyal member of St. Jude's Parish.

In her younger years, Elizabeth enjoyed camping and fishing outings with the family. Over the years, she developed skills in cooking, canning and baking. She enjoyed being outdoors in her flower and vegetable gardens. She did her own yardwork into her early 80s. During her quiet time, Elizabeth enjoyed watching television and listening to Western music.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, George and Katherine (Dorscher) Roth; husband, Anton Schweitzer; sons, Michael, Joseph and Lawrence; grandchildren, Christopher, David and Shelley; and brothers, John, Tom, Joseph and Andrew Roth.

Survivors include her sons, Leander (Sarah) Schweitzer of Billings, Willy (Cherie) Schweitzer of Reno, Nev., Ed (Donna) Schweitzer of Hingham, Marvin (Beth) Schweitzer of Troy, Richard Schweitzer of Washington City, Utah, Don (Dodie) Schweitzer of Sparks, Nev., and Randy (Brenda) Schweitzer of Sparks, Nev.; daughters, Helen McCann of Missoula, Leona (John) Lakman of Bountiful, Utah, and Beverley Smith of Havre; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Kolody and Barbara Hoffarth, both of Medicine Hat, Alberta; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be made to Hi-Line Health Foundation in Chester or to the donor's choice.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.