Ilene Ramona Plouffe

GREAT FALLS – Ilene Ramona Plouffe, 91, was taken by the hand of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 31, 2014.

A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2014, at Emmanuel Bible Church, 3400 11th Ave S. Pastor Ken Waag of Faith Lutheran Church officiated. There will be a private burial in Malta at a later date.

A Montanan all of her life, Ilene was born April 13, 1923 at a homestead near Loring, Montana. Her birth was assisted by a mid-wife. She was born to Norwegian parents, Lewis and Bertha Dyrdahl. Ilene attended 8 years of grade school at the Hermanson School in the country, west of the farm. She then completed her four years of high school in Loring. Ilene obtained a teaching degree, and began teaching at a country school in Straiter, east of Malta. She later moved to Malta to teach fourth and fifth grade.

She soon met her future husband, Amos A. Plouffe, after he returned from serving in the Navy during World War II. They were married on December 21, 1946 in Malta. They later moved to the Great Falls area. After her children began grade school, she worked 22 years as a bookkeeper and receptionist for Dr. John Hanley. Her next career move would be as a professional shopper at the Holiday Village mall, purchasing clothing and gifts for her children and grandchildren. The family mentioned on numerous occasions that she was the most stylish Grandma ever. For her entire life, Ilene was a member of the Lutheran Church, the latter 25 years as a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Great Falls. We give a special thank you to her loving friend Fran, who brought her to church and breakfast most Sundays and to Pastor Ken Waag for his loving attentiveness to her.

She is survived by her daughter; Cheryl (Skip) Wardall of Centennial, Colorado; her son; Howard (Jayne) Plouffe of Highwood, Montana; grandchildren David, Ryan (Brittany), Jared, Jenna, Callie Plouffe, Mark (Shatzie) Wardall; great grandchildren Ayslynn, Cayden, Torin, and Matthew.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Amos, of 56 Years; parents Lewis and Bertha Dyrdahl; siblings Norman Dyrdahl and Anne Johnson; grandchildren Matthew and Kristy.

Our Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and friend will be lovingly missed. The family is very grateful to the loving, dedicated staff at the Goldstone Assisted Living home for making her last days comfortable and secure.

Memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church building fund, 3125 5th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405.

Condolences for the family may be posted online at http://www.schniderfuneralhome.com.