Stella Palm

Stella L. Palm, 82, of Great Falls, died from complications following a stroke on March 6 at Peace Hospice with family at her side.The funeral service will be held on March 22 at 2:00, at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 600 3rd Ave. North. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Stella was born January 2, 1931 in Fairview, Montana to Mary (Brandt) and Edward Fortin. She was one offour children. She graduated from Havre High School and attended Northern Montana College. On May 19, 1949, she married Phil R. Palm in Havre. Stella worked in the registrars office while Phil finished college at the University of Montana. They raised three children in Great Falls.Stella had many and varied interests during her life including skiing, golf, reading, current events and politics, and PEO sisterhood.She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing with some of the same friends for decades.She was a big sports fan, particularly of the UM Griz and either attended or watched every football game. Stella and Phil traveled to many countries and throughout the U.S., loving new adventures. She enjoyed her childrens and grandchildrens activities and had a keen interest in what was new in their lives.She especially loved the family cabin on Whitefish Lake that she and Phil built in1962. For many years she would spend entire summers at the lake with her husband and children. Our mom and grandmother was always up for yet another bonfire on the beach, catching frogs with grandkids, or a swim with the kids.Along with her husband, she established the Phil and Stella Palm Scholarship at Great Falls High School, and 18 students have been the recipients of a full scholarship to a Montana university.Stella is survived by her three children; Cindy James and husband Bob of Great Falls, Gary Palm of Cygnet Lake, and PhilPalm and wife Jeannie of Woodinville WA; and six grandchildren, Ryan and Aaryn Schuster, Collin and Anne Schuster, Laurel and Eric Mills and Philip Palm, Evan Palm, and Wyatt Palm; and two great grandchildren, Oliver Mills and Stella Schuster.Stella was preceded in death by her husband Phil in 2011, brother Robert Fortin, brother-in-law Bill Murray, and her parents.Happily, Stella recently returned from a one-month trip to Arizona and California. She visited her delightful sisters Pauline and Rosalie and their families, along with other friends. She had a wonderful time!We will always remember her lively personality.Memorials are suggested to the Animal Foundation of Great Falls, P.O. Box 3426, Great Falls, MT, 59403.