Inez Hazel Svalstad, 96, of Helena, died of natural causes at home at Touchmark at Saddle Drive on Monday, July 23, 2012.
She was born May 9, 1916 in Roberts County, South Dakota to Ole and Mabel Wike.
Inez grew up on her parent’s farm and spent many hours tending cattle in the pasture. She graduated from Sisseton High School in Sisseton, South Dakota. She attended Wichita State University for a year and left school to get married.
On October 17, 1937, she married Alvin Svalstad in Wallace, South Dakota. In 1956, when Alvin received a Fulbright Award to teach in Takoradi Technical Institute, she moved to Ghana, Africa, with her husband and four children. On their way home, the family travelled throughout Europe and Scandinavia, where Inez met some of her relatives in Molde, Norway. She was an active member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Helena and a member of the Son’s of Norway, where she and Alvin enjoyed Norwegian folk dancing. Inez enjoyed sewing, various forms of needlework, playing the piano, singing songs with her family, reading, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She loved to tell stories to her grandchildren about her experiences in life.
Survivors include her four children; Allen (Jane) Svalstad of Cut Bank, Linda (Terry) Young of Helena, Robin (Deborah) Svalstad of El Cajon, California and Dawn (Charles) Berger of Helena; seven grandchildren; Daniel (Becka) Svalstad of Cut Bank, Timothy Young of Livingston, David (Tina) Young of Billings, Laurie (Mark) Fliger of Missoula, Kirk (Sheila) Svalstad of Lake Elsinore, California, Lisa (Greg) Brady of La Mesa, California, Stephanie Berger of Missoula; eight great grandchildren, Taylor Svalstad, Caitlin Lane, Mary Young, Hope Young, Bethany Young, Ellowyn Fliger, Tianna Brady, Kevin Brady; sisters Pearl (Wayne) Wanous of Redwing, Minnesota and Clarice (Stan) Susman of Novato, California. She was preceded in death by one son, David Svalstad, her parents, her husband, two brothers and one sister.
Public viewing will be Friday, July 27, at Retz Funeral Home from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 1400 Stuart Street. Interment will be at Sunset Gardens.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of St. Peter’s, 2475 E. Broadway Street, Helena, MT 59601-9989 or to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 1400 Stuart Street, Helena. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Inez, please visit the guest book.
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Kathy and Ed Koon says
We are sorry to hear of Inez’ passing. We enjoyed her as a neighbor very much. I teased her about being the matriarch of our subdivision. When I visited with her after mowing her lawn, I was in awe of her knowledge of everything. She was a great inspiration to me. We are on a trip right now and we will miss her memorial but we are with you in thought. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Ed and Kathy Koon
Kay Wike Kiefer says
May the peace of Christ be with you all. I have sweet memories of both of your parents and still have a book that they gave me, signed on the inside cover!
Gene and Helen Wike says
Allen, Linda, Robin, Dawn and families,
We want you to know we are thinking of each of you at this sad time of saying goodbye to your loved Mom and grandmother. Her strengths, wisdom and love as she lived her life is a stronghold for each of you. May happy memories of her ease the sadness and grief you are feeling now, and be a comfort to you in the coming days.
The Lord bless and keep you.
Gene and Helen
Cheryl snell says
My grand father was Henry, Alvin’s brother. Sorry to hear of Inez’s passing. I would love to share stories of our families. I am daughter of Juanita, Bernice’s 1/2 sister. Love to connect. Thanks