Rita Kathleen McDowell

Rita Kathleen (Maurer) McDowell, 84, passed away in the company of her family on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, in Kalispell, Mont.

She was born in Opheim, Mont., on May 29, 1932, to Harley and Mary Ann Maurer. She graduated from Flathead County High School before attending business school.

In 1955 she married Robert McDowell, her husband of 46 years. They started and raised their family in the Flathead, where she remained for the rest of her life.

She loved the forests and vistas of the valley and especially enjoyed trips into Glacier Park. She had a love of animals, both wild and domestic, and retrained an innocence that allowed her a special ability to interact with them. She also loved music and often attended concerts. Always on the lookout for a bargain, she loved to go to yard sales and search out treasures.

Perhaps her greatest joy was in visiting with people, especially her friends, and she was regularly found at the Senior Center sharing conversation into the afternoon. Her generosity, kind spirit and easy smile will be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a sister, Janis.

Survivors include two sons, Dan and Greg; one brother, Glen; and two sisters, Marilyn and Marjorie.

A remembrance was held in her honor at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, followed by a reception at the Kalispell VFW.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry or the Agency On Aging Meals on Wheels program.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website at http://www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory was caring for the family.