Orpha Gwendolyn Edgren

Orpha G. Edgren, 98, of Polson, Montana passed away on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011. She was born February 15, 1913, in Malta, Montana, the daughter of Louis Hershman and Bessie Mummy Hershman, who were originally from Boone, Iowa. As a child, Orpha lived in Malta, and graduated from Malta High School: after which, she married Carl P. Edgren on May 10, 1933. Together, they left Montana in 1943 to make a new life in Everett, Washington, where they lived for 16 years. She sometimes helped Carl with his electrical business. In 1959 she moved again, with her husband, from Washington to Glendale, California where she worked as a missionary under the Christian and Missionary Alliance for 20 years, at the Glendale Missionary Colony. She was a charter member of Christian and Missionary Alliance, and her love for children and child evangelism led her to teach Sunday school for many years. Before she retired she worked as the Assistant Director of Suppes Home, an assisted living for retired missionaries. She enjoyed traveling to see the scenery, friends (of which she had many) and family. She and Carl moved to Polson, MT in the late 1970s to live out their days in the beautiful Flathead Valley. After caring for her husband during the end of his life, she worked many hours at the Country Store in Polson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Elva Cronkite, Dorthea Manley, Hazel Newton, Beth Lefdahl and a son, Woody Edgren, whom she adopted from her sister, Dorthea Manley. She is survived by her siblings: Delores Edwards, Bertha Whitney and Louis Jr. (Junior) Hershman: three grand children: Pamala Coutts, Debra Duque and Darron Manley: eight great grandchildren and five great, great grandchildren. Some of her grandchildren lovingly refer to her as 'Grandma Montana.' She was truly loved and will be missed by many. A viewing time is provided at Grogan Funeral Home on Sunday, May 1, 2011 from 1 to 5 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 2, 2011, at 2:00 at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson with Harvey Town officiating. A reception will follow at the Polson Alliance Church. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Edgren's family.
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