Margaret K. 'Marge' Keith, 85

Marge Keith, 85, of Kalispell, passed away with family by her side on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

She was born July 28, 1934, in Plaza, North Dakota, to Barbara and Louis Kok. She was the seventh born of eight children. Marge was a graduate of Saint Leo’s High School in Minot, North Dakota, and then graduated nursing school from Valley City, North Dakota. She moved to Kalispell in the ’50s and met her husband Harry C. “Mike” Keith. They moved to Great Falls in 1960 where they raised their three children for the next 16 years. Marge couldn’t stay away from the beautiful Glacier Park so she moved back to the valley in 1976 where she eventually became the director of nurses for Immanuel Lutheran Home until retirement.

Marge was passionate about spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed golfing, cross-country skiing, Glacier Park, and singing in choirs. Marge was best known for always having a smile and a hug for everyone. Volunteering was something Marge did with great love. She was instrumental in setting up the Crisis Center in Great Falls, and in Kalispell she helped set up the dementia unit at Bratsberg Memorial. Marge continued volunteering with Al Anon, her church, and many other things.

Marge is survived by her brother Robert Kok and wife Nita Kok; her three children, daughter Terry R. Keith and partner Zak Zak-rzewski, grandchildren Christine and Mike Giardino; son Harry C. “Butch” Keith and wife Kimberly Bessen; grandchildren Teagan Keith, Trenna Zalesky and husband John Zalesky, Caitlin Keller and husband Les Keller; great-grandchild Emelyn Keller; grandchildren Daniel, Ty and Ava Bessen; son Robert J. Keith, grandchildren Nikki Felix and husband Chris Felix; great-grandchildren Gavin and Callee Meyer, Max and Meika Felix; grandchildren Staci Payson; great-grandchildren James and Makynzi Kelley; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mike Keith, three brothers John Kok, Albert Kok and Ray Kok, three sisters Genevieve Davidson, Dorothy Senner and Rita Hagan, and daughter-in-law Pam Keith.

Services for Marge will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marge’s honor to Immanuel Lutheran Home.

The Keith family is being cared for by Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell.