Ethel R. O'Hern

Ethel R. O'Hern, 83, of Townsend, MT, passed away from natural causes on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 at Village Health Care Services in Missoula. Ethel was born November 7, 1927 in Missoula to Frank Ezra and Rhoda Mae (Clifton) Reinoehl. She was raised on a ranch on Klein Schimdt Flats in Ovando where she attended school through the 8th grade. Ethel graduated from Missoula County High School in 1946. After high school graduation she attended Telegrapher School in Spokane. She became the first woman in Montana to be a First Trick Operator for Northern Pacific Railroad. This was the beginning of 46 years that she put in with the railroad first with Northern Pacific and then Burlington Northern. Ethel worked at various train depots throughout Montana including: Perma, Avon, Twin Bridges, Townsend & Trident. She also worked short stints in Idaho and Washington. Ethel married Lewis Stenerson in March 1947 and they later divorced. She married Clifford J. O'Hern in September 1956 and they spent the next 26 years together until his passing in 1982. Ethel loved to sew, quilt, knit and crochet. She enjoyed making quilts, afghans, hats, mittens and gifting them to others. There are many people who have been blessed with one of her works of art. Her grandchildren always looked forward to Christmas as she made them new Christmas ornaments every year for their tree. If Ethel didn't have a knitting needle or crochet hook in her hand you could find her reading, gardening, cooking or canning. She also loved to spend time with her family rather it be fishing, hunting or just visiting. After working for the railroad for 46 years she could not just sit idle so she cooked at the Horseshoe Caf��sh in Townsend and also for the guests at the Lazy AC Dude Ranch. She was very active with the American Legion Women's Auxiliary where she held state and national offices. She also enjoyed going to the Senior Center for lunch and to play cards. After her retirement you could often find her driving the 'elderly' to their various appointments in Townsend or to Helena. Ethel was a hard worker, she never met a stranger and you always knew where you stood with her. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and her many friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifford: her parents: a sister, Ellen Backstrom: two brothers, Claude & Perry Reinoehl and a sister-in-law, Madeline Reinoehl. She is survived by her 4 sons: Steve (Penny) O'Hern of Ronan, Cliff (Mary) O'Hern of Alamogordo, NM, Dave (Sherry Gray) O'Hern of Alberton and Doug (Joy) O'Hern of Townsend: 2 grandsons, Ty (Tonia) O'Hern of St. Ignatius and J.D. O'Hern of Bismarck, ND: 2 granddaughters, Debbie (Scott) Lund of Ronan and Mary Latisha Deal of Joliet: 4 Step-grandchildren, Shannon Bertram of Mobile, AL, Travis (Yvette) Bertram of Bellingham, WA, Lance (Nancy) Gray of Manawa, WI and Tawny Gray of Idaho: 7 great grandchildren, Dalton & Haley O'Hern, Maggie & Kylie Lund, Trevor, Makayla & Emily Deal: 4 step great-grandchildren: Lance & Shayla Bertram and Michael & Amanda Gray: a brother, Frank Reinoehl of Missoula: 2 sister-in-laws, Betty Reinoehl of Greenough and Elsie Reinoehl of Missoula. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 1st at the Townsend United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m.. A luncheon will follow the memorial services at the American Legion Hall on Main Street in Townsend. Private inurnment will be at Deep Creek Cemetery at a later time. The family would like to thank Dr. McHood and Dr. Gorman for the great care that they provided to our mother and grandmother. Those wishing to leave memorials may do so to your local American Legion Auxiliary. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. O'Hern's family.
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