Ethel Marie Moore
courtesy photo
Ethel Moore
FLORENCE — Ethel Marie Moore was born Aug. 18, 1926, in Missoula, Montana. Ethel joined the Lord on Feb. 20, 2015, at home in Florence, Montana; with her husband Leonard, granddaughter Cherie Cassidy and friend Suzie Drummond by her side. Ethel was one of six children born to Fred and Erna Minster. She was preceded in death by her parents; her two brothers James Minster and Bruce Minster; and daughter Marsha Ray Moore. She is survived by her husband Leonard; four daughters: Mary Christman of Missoula, Montana; Marjorie Sager and husband Butch of Colville, Washington; Sharon Lopau of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Janice Wheeler of Spokane Valley, Washington. She is also survived by sister Nancy Gagner and companion Jack of Florence, Montana; sister Delores (Jim) Baker of Portland, Oregon; brother Ed (Alice) Minster of Portland, Oregon.
Ethel married Leonard Moore on Dec. 11, 1943. She created a great legacy with four daughters, nine grandchildren, numerous great and great-great grandchildren. Leonard and Ethel were long time residents of the Swan Valley. Ethel worked for the US Forest Service in the tree plantations and served food to fire crews before the Forest Service closed the center at Condon. She was one of the first female cooks to work for the Forest Service in the summer of 1943. At that time the couple spent the summer in The Bob Marshall Wilderness with a team of Geologists. Ethel was adventuresome and in 1948 boarded a tri-motor plane and flew into Big Prairie with two baby girls in order to be with Leonard, who was packing for the Forest Service. During the time she and Leonard were raising their four girls, they first lived in Perma, Montana, where Leonard worked for the Highway Department and Forest Service remount. In the early 50’s, Ethel worked beside Leonard on the ranch in Pablo, Montana, then a dairy farm at Round Butte.
Ethel was a homemaker who kept the home fires burning. She was a ‘green-thumb’ gardener who provided the family with produce, along with hearty meals and beautiful flowers. Ethel will be greatly missed by friends and family; our love for her will forever be in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made to Swan Valley Meals on Wheels, Upper Swan Valley Historical Society (Condon, Montana), or Hospice. A celebration of life for Ethel with friends and family will be held at a later date in the Swan Valley.
The viewing of Ethel for family and friends will be from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at Brothers Mortuary and Crematory 1206 S. Second Street, Hamilton.
Brothers Mortuary and Crematory is assisting the family with services. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at: www.brothersmortuary.com.
