Amelia Kieffer

Amelia "Millie" Weigand Kieffer, 93, died at her home Jan. 29, 2006.

Amelia Daniel was born March 9, 1912, in Garden City, Kan. She and Sam Weigand moved to the Bitterroot with their immigrant parents to work in the sugar beet fields. They met and were married in 1929. They had one daughter, Edith.

Throughout their lives they worked together and were able to purchase their own farm. Sam died in 1988, but Millie remained on the farm. Their lifelong dream and goal was to pass the land on to their daughter and three grandchildren.

Millie deeply cared for and loved her family. Her daughter grew up on the farm and when she married Don Wark, they continued to live and farm. Their children grew up and worked on the farm with their parents and grandparents. Don died in 1995.

In 1990 Millie and E.T. "Casey" Kieffer, a friend who had also been widowed, were married. Together they have lived on the farm since their marriage enjoying a semi-retired life taking pleasure in their garden, tending the yard, shopping, traveling, eating at local restaurants, pinochle, her cats Tommy and Peaches and the Denver Broncos. Millie referred to John Elway as "My John Boy."

Millie is survived by her husband Casey; her daughter Edith Wark (Merlon "Skip" Koch); grandchildren Don (Diane) Wark Jr. of Missoula, Jim (Merridee) Wark of Boise, Idaho, and Lori (Bruce) Park of Prescott, Ariz.; and great-grandchildren Lacie Wark of Missoula, Travis and Dustin Wark of Boise, Cori Park of Boise, and Jena (Chuck) Sonefelt of Great Falls, all of whom were dearly and deeply loved by their "Granny." She is also survived by her stepson Dave (Hazel) Kieffer of Libby.

No services were held and if anyone wished, memorials be made to the Victor Senior Center, P.O. Box 35, Victor, MT 59875, where she was a devoted volunteer.