Barbara Ames

Barbara Ann Ames, 91, our loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2021.

Barbara was born to Jesse James and Clara Magdalen Fishbeck in Whittlesey, Wisconsin, on March 6, 1929. She was the youngest of six siblings and attended high school in Merrill, Wisconsin, where she met James Lindahl. The couple wed in 1947 after he returned from World War II. They moved to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, where they raised four children. The family enjoyed country living on their small farm until James passed away unexpectedly. Barbara married Glen Ames in 1966 and they packed up the family and moved to Montana. Here they ranched and raised two more children.

Barbara was an avid gardener and loved getting her hands dirty. She enjoyed canning, baking, sewing and knitting. She loved to make ice cream and butter, and artfully decorated, intricate cakes. Ever the hostess, Barbara enjoyed gatherings of friends and family, and made sure that nobody ever left her home without a full belly. Choruses of laughter followed her closely, as did her beloved dogs. She was never one to turn away a stray. After retiring from ranching, they moved to Kalispell and owned the Kalispell motel.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husbands, James Lindahl in 1965, and Glen Ames in 2007.

She is survived by her sons, John (Linda) Lindahl of Bozeman, Roger (Kathy Hyde) Lindahl of Marion, Bruce (Judy) Lindahl of Kalispell, Todd (Cheryl) Ames of Billings and Eric Ames of Kalispell, and daughter Cynthia (Clay) Cloud of Kalispell, 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Immanuel Lutheran Communities for their wonderful care of our mother.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Until then, raise a glass of rum and coke in memory of Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Immanuel Lutheran Communities.