Faye Lillian Pitts

Faye Lillian Oehrling Keith Pitts, 88 years old, was taken into the arms of Jesus on March 6, 2014 surround by the love of her family after a gallant battle with breast cancer and osteoporosis.
Faye was born, September 15, 1925, in Rose Lake Idaho to a first generation German Immigrant Family. She graduated from Kellogg High School where she was a majorette, thrilling the crowd by twirling batons on fire. The school troupe went on to become the Northwest Regional Champions.
After graduation Faye was married briefly to Kenneth Keith who was killed in WW2. To assist in the war effort she moved with her sister-law, Geri Earling, to work in Portland. In 1945, she joined her mother and stepfather in Hot Springs, Montana. While working at the LaRue Mercantile she met the love of her life, Gene Pitts. Faye, would not marry until she completed her training at the Beauty School in Missoula and maintained an active license until her mid-seventies, just in case she had to return to work. They married July 5th, 1947 and settled into their sweet log cabin on Camas Prairie to run a saw mill. Their first two babies, Lettie and Garry, were born on the Prairie. In 1951 they purchased the old sawmill in Ravalli and moved the family to Dixon. Three more babies were add, Terry, KoLynn and Larry.
Given her children's many health challenges - Diabetes, Polio, and multiple head and body injuries, Faye was nickname "Dr. Faye." She spent tireless hours as a dedicated mother working side by side her children to complete school work, 4-H projects, or driving them and friends to their multiple events and activities. Dancing was Faye's passion, prompting her to teach her kids to dance in the house kitchen. In her mid- life she became a parapro at the Dixon Grade School and later an Assistant Postmaster. In her later years she was the noted caregiver for her beloved Gene. She prided herself with being his "pit bull" guiding and directing his care to his last breath.
Faye loved people and was the biggest Dixon fan. She was a tiny person, known for her ready smile, hand wave, visiting with people up and down the valley. You could often see her peeking over the steering wheel of her maroon car. She loved to drink a coke a cola while writing notes and sending out cards to people she loved. She was determined to live out her life in her Dixon home but an unfortunate fall, and broken hip lead to her recent residence at St. Joseph's Assisted Living Community, Polson. At St. Joes she was quickly embraced by old and new friends who offered her love and friendship in return. We thank the residents and staff for making her final hours so precious.
Faye was preceded in death by husband Eugene Pitts, daughter, Lettie Pitts Neuman, son Larry Pitts, brother Ed Earling, and parents Lillian and Leo Keith and Edgar and Florence Oehrling.
Surviving family are Garry and Christine Pitts of Polson, Terry and Crystal Pitts of Dixon, and KoLynn (Pitts) and Paul Sinclair, Yakima, Ginger Pitts, Polson, John Neuman, Missoula. grandchildren Greg Neuman, Stephen and (Tiffany) Pitts, Zachary (Valissa) Pitts, Samantha (Andrew) Pitts-Norlan, Zanen (Kendra) Pitts, Don Powell, Whitney (Nathan) Pitts-Danz, Taylor Pitts. great-grandchildren Jett, Tallis, and Zanen, Jr., sister-in-law Geri Earling, Bud and Nina Heitmiller and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral will be held 10:30am, Saturday, March 15th, 2014 at the Dixon Gym. A lunch will be served at the Dixon Senior Center. Interment will be 2:30 pm at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Missoula and reception at Staybridge Hotel. Messages of condolences may be shared online with the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Read Faye Pitts's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.