Alice Marilyn (Crumley) Motichka, 83, passed away Jan. 14, 2015, at her home at the Springs of Whitefish.
Alice was born Sept. 2, 1931, in Conrad to Charles and Arella (Fretheim) Crumley. Alice grew up on a farm about 30 miles east of Conrad. There were no sons in the family, so Alice was raised “like a boy.” At the age of 11, she started running the family combine in the fields. She attended a little country school about a mile away.
She was a graduate of Flathead County High and married James Motichka in 1949. They had a wonderful marriage for 61 loving years until James passed away in 2011. Alice and James were founding members of the Charter Rock Club.
Alice loved antique collecting, quilting, making jewelry, card playing, reading, stamp and coin collecting, camping and traveling. She had a great sense of humor, telling jokes and her famous “candy drawer.” Everyone that came to visit never left without a piece of candy.
At one time Alice was the secretary for nine different clubs. She was a member of Calvary Lutheran, was a Sunday school teacher, was involved in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and was a member of the Evergreen and Marion Fire Departments.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents, Charles and Arella Crumley; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Leo Depuydt; and granddaughter, Jennifer June.
She is survived by her loving family at the Springs, sons, James Motichka and wife Jacki, and Jack Motichka and his wife Ann; six grandchildren, Jodi, Janae, Jamie, Jesse, Jeff and Janel, 14 great-grandchildren, Jazmine, Jayla, Justine, Jaci Rose, Jaxton, Michael, Jade, Jewel, Jozie, Jesse Jr., Joe Riley, Chad, Brooke and Alex; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Jan. 15, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Glacier Memorial Gardens and a reception will be held at the Springs in Whitefish.
Memorials may be made to the Marion Volunteer Fire Department.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com , to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.