Joan Minette Hughes
Joan Minette Hughes, 87, passed away Jan. 1, 2008 at Brendan House in Kalispell.
Joan was born on Oct. 22, 1920 in Cut Bank, the eldest child of Dr. Carl and Emma Minette.
Joan graduated from Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls in 1942. She began her nursing career at the hospital in Browning, and was commissioned in the U. S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1942. She was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Wash. and Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada. She later worked at Boulder Manor in Boulder, Colo., and was co-owner of the Imperial Hotel in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Joan volunteered at the Kalispell Hospital for 15 years. She belonged to the First Presbyterian's Women's and Naomi Circles; Stephen's Ministers with the First Presbyterian Church, served as a deacon and was awarded the Presbyterian Women's Honorary Life Member.
Joan was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling, gardening, family, cooking, friends and having tea and cookies with her neighbors.
Joan married Al F. Hughes in Cut Bank in 1945. They had 62 wonderful years together. Joan was a loving, caring mother who supported her children and grandchildren in all endeavors of their lives. She was a devoted military wife, moving the family around the United States and France.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Ann (Diddy) Westermark Gulbrandsen of Great Falls; brother, Pat Minette of Cut Bank; and a great-grandchild, Brady Nelson of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Joan is survived by her husband, Al F. Hughes of Kalispell; children: Al and his wife Manon Hughes of Libby, Tom Hughes of Kalispell, Joe Hughes of Superior, Kathy and her husband Brad Asher of Twin Falls, Idaho, Minette Black and her husband Dan of Iowa City, Iowa; brother, Tom Minette and his wife Tina of Kalispell; sister-in-law Jean Minette of Big Timber; seven grandchildren: Colleen Asher of Boise, Idaho, Emily and Sarah Asher of Twin Falls, Michelle Owen of Seattle, Wash., Becky Nelson and her husband Tony of Scottsdale, Ariz., Bryan Black of Iowa City, Chelsea Sanderson and her husband Byron of Libby; great-grandchildren: Wyatt Annis of Twin Falls and Olivia Sanderson of Libby; nieces and nephews, Rita, Bob and Susan Westermark and Lori, Tim, Tom, Lena and Dani Minette.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Jan. 7 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Glenn Burfiend officiating. Burial followed at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial contributions be made to the Brendan House Scholarship Fund or to the First Presbyterian Church.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home cared for the family.