Obituary - Frances M. Ordway

Frances M. Ordway, 101, passed away due to natural causes Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook.

Vigil Service will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, and funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, all at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Chinook with Father Michael Schneider officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank.

Frances' family has requested that memorial donations be made in her name to the St. Gabriel Catholic Church Maintenance Fund or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Frances' online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Frances was born on Jan. 9, 1915, in Hausman, Montana, to Jerry and Grace (Lehman) Dolezal. She was raised outside of Hausman, graduating from Hingham High School in 1934.

Following her high school years, Frances continued her education at Western Montana College for two years, and later returned to school at Northern Montana College, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in teaching. For her entire adult life, Frances taught school, primarily first grade.

In 1943, she took a break from teaching to enter the U.S. Navy, and served until 1945, when she received her honorable discharge. Frances married Robert Ordway in Helena in 1955, and the couple made their home in Cut Bank, where Frances taught until her retirement in 1977. Robert passed away in 1985, and Frances moved to Lewistown, then Big Sandy, then to Havre. In 2000, Frances relocated one more time to Chinook to be near her remaining family.

Frances enjoyed sewing and reading. She loved teaching, and touched many young lives in such a positive, encouraging way.

Frances was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert; her parents, Jerry and Grace Dolezal; her brothers, William and George Dolezal; her sisters-in-law, Helen, June and Betty Dolezal; her niece, Ruth Burleigh; and her nephew, Jerry Dolezal.

She is survived by her brothers, Robert Dolezal of Chinook and Valerian "Jack" Dolezal of Chester and numerous nieces and nephews.