Esther Faye Conner, 95, died Feb. 25, 2011.
Esther’s husband, Walter Zell Conner, 79, passed away one week later, on March 3, 2011, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, following an illness.
Esther Conner
was born Sept. 9, 1915, in Oka, Mont., to Ed and Vera Hooker.
She married Melvin Stevens in 1931 (widowed in 1971), having five children, Edith Hauge of Ray, N.D., and Micheal in Portland. Betty, Patricia Chittim and Melvin are deceased.
Moving to Kalispell in 1956, she managed restaurants, including the nationally known B&B Restaurant for 14 years.
In 1974, she married Walter Conner in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, helping raise four more children, Mike, Curt, Julie and Kelly (deceased). Together they owned the Log Cabin Cafe and Bar in Hungry Horse, where Esther was known for her recipes for bleu cheese dressing and homemade huckleberry pancakes and syrup.
Her home rang with laughter and everyone entering was offered something to eat, treated like family, and expected to stay awhile. She never met a freshly caught fish or Walla Walla sweet onion she did not like.
Esther was born again at age 84, confessing Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. “She is now at home with Him.”
“Grandma Esther” is survived by 21 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Walter Zell Conner
was born, May 21, 1931, in Sheridan, Wyo. His family moved to Kalispell when he was 4 years old, and he was raised here. He attended Flathead County High School.
Walter served in the military as an Air Force aviation mechanic.
He then worked for Boeing and Continental as an airline mechanic, as well as doing demolition and salvage work.
Walter volunteered for Meals on Wheels. His hobbies included boat construction and woodworking. He also enjoyed fishing and was active in his church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Ceil Jackson; his wife, Esther; and daughters, Kelly Conner and Lorie Conner.
Walter is survived by his children, Mike Conner of Marbleten, Wyo., Julie Conner of Fairbanks, Alaska, Curt Conner of Wrentham, Mass., and J.D. Conner of Texas.