|
 Virginia
Mae Linnell Engelhardt, born September 28, 1934, in Grand Forks, ND, died
Saturday, October 20, 2007 ending a four year struggle with progressive
dementia, alzheimer’s. Surrounded by loving family members, her passing
was a peaceful one.
The daughter of Muriel and Russell Linnell, both
deceased, "Ginny" was raised in Mekinock, ND. The family moved to
Glendive, MT in 1950 where she graduated from Dawson County High
School in 1952. Married to John R. (Jack) Engelhardt in Glendive on
June 6, 1954, the couple moved to Billings in 1955 where she resided
for the rest of her life except for one year in Scottsdale, AZ. For
her final years in Billings, Ginny lived at Highgate Assisted Living
and later at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living for older adults with
dementia. The family would like to thank Edgewood and it’s entire
staff for their love, care and commitment to their mother, as well
as all of the residents in their facility.
She is survived by her former husband, who now
lives in Mesa, AZ, and three children: Ronald Alan and his wife
Joyce of Billings; Barbara Joan Anderson, husband Jim and their
three children Heather, Joshua, and Meredith of Wheaton, IL, and
Russell Norman with Christiane de Pourtales of Phoenix, AZ. Other
survivors include two sisters, Maxine Esp of Lander, WY, and Carol
Swanson of St. Charles, IL; two brothers, Ronald Linnell of Cedar
Park, TX and Gerald Linnell of Billings and their husbands and
wives. There are also many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great
nephews and countless friends whose lives are richer for knowing
her.
Besides her parents, Virginia was preceded in
death by an infant son, Richard Lee, in April of 1960.
In addition to raising her three children Ginny
was employed outside of the home virtually all her adult life.
Beginning with Bell Telephone in Glendive; Montana State Bank after
moving to Billings; First National Bank and Philco Distributing. In
1971 she found a place with Montana Video / TCI Cable TV (now
Bresnan Communications) where she remained for thirty years. After
retiring she continued to work part time at Montana Dodge.
She also made time for Volunteer involvements
which she truly loved: physical therapy for disabled children, the
Special Olympics, mentoring / tutoring reading one on one at
Washington Elementary School and with the elderly. Bright N
Beautiful, Family Service Inc., Family Tree Center and Ronald
McDonald House also received some benefit of her time.
And she still found time for bowling in spite of her busy schedule.
Virginia began her career in Glendive and joined her first league in
Billings in 1960. This began a membership in the Billings Women’s
Bowling Association that lasted for 43 consecutive years. In that
time she participated in many leagues and tournaments, city, state
and national and donated countless volunteer hours. She served as
the associations president, vice president and treasurer and overall
served on it’s board of directors for more than sixteen years. In
April of 2000 Ginny was inducted into the Associations Hall of Fame
for Meritorious Service. In 2001 the Montana State Women’s Bowling
Association named her the Montana Woman Bowler of the Year. She only
stopped bowling in 2005.
Virginia dearly loved her family and friends,
enjoyed music, dancing and cared deeply for elderly people. For all
who have had the pleasure of knowing her it is her wish she be
remembered by the following saying: "Each day is God’s gift to you.
Make it blossom and grow into a thing of beauty."
Memorials may be made in Virginia’s name to:
Alzheimer’s Association - Montana Chapter, 3010 11th
Ave N., Billings, MT 59101 or Special Olympics of Montana, 710 1st
Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will
be 10am Thursday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. |
