Ann Metcalf

CORVALLIS - Ann Metcalf, age 84, devoted mother and grandmother, died peacefully at Autumn House in Corvallis, MT on January 19, 2011. Born Ann Showerman March 23, 1926 in Red Lodge, MT, she was the only child of Mabel and Archie Showerman. After graduating from Carbon County High School, she attended Billings Business College. On December 11, 1945, she married Gordon Metcalf, who was the 6th child of a family of 13 children. She loved becoming part of a large family. They resided on the family ranch near Luther, MT, in Norton, WA and Red Lodge, MT until 1954, when the family moved to Laurel, where she lived until 1998. She and Gordon celebrated 50 years of marriage with his preceding her in death on March 28, 1996. Ann subsequently resided at St. John's Chapel Court in Billings until her move to Corvallis, MT in 2008 to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Gordon Finney.

Ann's passions encompassed stamp collecting, studying Biblical history, playing pinochle, singing in the church choir, and visiting family. A major highlight in her life was a trip to Israel in 1987, where she wept at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Ann had worked as a bookkeeper at the Anderson Dairy in Laurel and Saunders Lumber Company in Billings. She was also employed by Deaconess Hospital and St. John's Lutheran Home as a nursing assistant before becoming activities coordinator at St. John's, which was the epitome of her career. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Laurel where she served as a youth leader, Bethel Bible Study teacher, and was active in ALCW. She was a 60 year member of the P.E.O. sisterhood. She and Gordon participated in Kogudus, Marriage Encounter and traveled to three states and Canada with Lutheran Lay Renewal Ministries. She volunteered at Community Hope for many years. Ann is survived by daughters Kathleen (Gordon) Finney of Corvallis, MT, Marcia Haus of Longmont, CO, sister-in-law, Gertrude Stephens of Billings, grandchildren Scott Kelsey of Longmont, CO, Stacey Kelsey of Sherman Oaks, CA, Brook Kelsey (Christene) of Hubert NC, Annell Andersen (David) of Shorewood MN, Lance Finney (Jennifer) of Webster Groves, MO, Cameron Metcalf of Missoula and Kindra Young (Nathan) of Great Falls, 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Randy Metcalf and grandson, Brandon Kelsey. For those of us who shared decades of great memories with her, she elevated the scope and quality of our friendships and our love for Christ. Ann was an unparalleled example of devotion to her family, her friends, her church, and her community. She will be missed by all who knew her for her kindness and clever, unfailing sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Autumn House, 1186 Eastside Highway, Corvallis, MT 59828 or to the Alzheimer's Association.