E. Gail Herreid
courtesy photo
E. Gail Herreid
POLSON — E. Gail Herreid, 78, traveled on to be with her Lord after a quick stop at Kalispell Regional Hospital on Aug. 18, 2017.
Gail was born on Feb. 8, 1939, in Vancouver, Washington, the only daughter to Oliver E. Kimball and Vida Vivian (Vail) Kimball. They lived in Camas, Washington, at the time of her birth. The family moved several times back and forth between Montana and Washington until she was about 7-years old when they purchase land in the Rollins area. That first year was pretty rough with only wood heat and chopping ice to get water from the lake. The family then built and ran Kim’s Meats (still operating as M&S Meats) in Rollins. She and her brothers rode their bicycles to Rollins’ little one-room school house until going to high school in Polson. They began riding the bus to Polson, a 71-mile route. It was noted for being the longest school bus route in the nation at that time.
On April 10, 1957, she married her husband of 60 years, Sonny (Lionel) Herreid. They lived in Polson until purchasing a farm in Valley View in 1963. They raised kids and beef cows until the early ‘70s. With five kids of her own she also opened her home and her heart to several foster children.
Intending to try dairy farming, a small herd of milk cows were purchased. They were milked in an old converted chicken coop. Sonny and Gail then built a new barn and increased the herd to over eighty cows. The farm was sold in the early ‘80s and they moved back into Polson.
Gail also worked part-time in retail all while helping with the milking, haying, irrigating, and other farm chores. She made many friends during her retail career working at B&B, Gambles, Doreen’s Fashions, and St. Luke’s Hospital. After retiring she devoted her time to her church, lovingly tending her flowers and yard, playing cards with the “Gals” and working at the Country Store.
For the past 25-plus years, she and Sonny spent the summers in their spot at Camp Tuffit. There they enjoyed sharing time with old friends and making many new ones. Gail’s favorite pastime from childhood has always been fishing. This to her was not just a leisure activity; it was always to be considered a serious competition. Many fish tales abounded. Besides reading, fishing, gardening, and playing cards, she and Sonny also crafted charming bird houses, which sold at the Camp Tuffit Store.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Vida and step-father, Jack Winkley, her father, Oliver E. Kimball, brothers, Richard, Jim and Ted and an infant granddaughter, Robin.
Gail leaves behind her loving husband, Sonny, their five children –Tammie (Barry) Zeiser of Iowa, Tim (Geri) Herreid of Ronan, Teresa Herreid of Polson, Todd (Koko) Herreid of Thompson Falls and Tedd (Steph) Herreid. She also leaves over 12 grandkids and 20 great-grands.
Gail never met a stranger and will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, at 1 p.m. at her beloved church, Polson Community Church, 1814 First Street E, Polson. In lieu of flowers, please donate to South Lake County Public Library or a local food pantry. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www. thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
