Pearl Bangeman

Former Libby resident Pearl Thoreson Bangeman. 97, died on March 22, 2005 at Brendan House in Kalispell.

She was born on Aug, 31, 1907, at Rosewood, Minn., to Peter and Caroline Lappegard Mellem.

She married Thomas Thoreson on Dec. 9, 1925 at Thief River Falls, Minn., and they had two children, Arloene and Thomas Jr.

Her husband Thomas died in 1981 and in 1984 Pearl married Dan Bangeman, a longtime family friend. Dan died in May 1997.

Pearl was a member of Christ Lutheran Church at Libby for more than 50 years and after moving to Kalispell was associated with Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

She was a charter member of the Sons of Norway at Libby and was happiest in her kitchen preparing food for her family.

She was well loved and will be deeply missed. "The love of a mother lasts forever."

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and a sister.

Survivors include daughter Arloene Christianson and her husband Chick, and son Thomas Thoreson and his wife JoAnn, all of Kalispell; stepchildren Danny Bangeman, Lakeside and Barbara Haglund, Spokane; four grandchildren, Linda Mauck, Carmel, Calif.; Don Thoreson, Billings, Shari Basham and Lori Barrows, both of Libby; sisters Joyce Nielson, Libby and Florence Moore of Missoula, and brother Alvin Mellem, Palm Springs, Calif, three step-grandchildren, Terri, Wiebenga, Peg Weston and Debbi Gahard, all in Iowa; nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be conducted at a later date in Libby.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Pearls family.