Edith Marie (Miller) Ihnat

       Edith Marie Miller Ihnat, deceased on December 16, 2017, was born on April 14, 1923 at Haxby, Montana, to her parents Clara and Richard Miller. Edith was the second of five children and attended high school in Jordan, Montana. She graduated from high school at Nashua, Montana.

       She and her parents moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1940 and she and Michael Ihnat of Nashua were married in Hamilton, Montana, on February 1, 1941. They moved to San Diego, California. Mike served on the U.S.S. Hayes in the U.S. Navy. Edith was a homemaker, gardener, and made many beautiful quilts.

        Edith and her family moved to Fort Peck, Montana, where they lived for approximately 9 years, where Mike worked on the Fort Peck Dam. Edith and her family lived in various states while her husband built electrical power plants.  They returned to the Bitterroot Valley in 1977, and Mike built their home at Grantsdale. Edith took great satisfaction and joy in her children and their families.

        Edith was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Michael Ihnat, her daughter Suzanne Wendel, and her sister Janet Miller.

        Edith is survived by 6 children: Kathleen Piska (Jerry) of Atlanta, GA., Monica Ihnat (Jacque) of Yachats, OR., Michelle Hasenkamp of Northampton, MA., Michael Ihnat II (Cece) of Bufallo, WY., Roxanne Oravetz (Steve) of Camano Island, WA and Jorja Taylor (Steve) of Circle, MT.

        Edith was also survived by her siblings, Allen (Betty) of Missoula, MT., Beryl Johnson (Clete) of Stevensville, MT and Vera DeTienne of Hamilton, MT; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law: Virginia (George) Gray of Kalispell, MT; Mary Johnston of Ft. Peck, MT; and Ruth Ihnat of Pullman, WA.

        A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 4th at. St. Francis Catholic Church with Father Jim Connor officiating.