Dorothy Emma Parpolia

Dorothy Emma Parpolia, 89, of Hamilton passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at the Hamilton Assisted Living. She was born July 5, 1933 in Dunkirk Montana to Sigurd and Johanna Lunda.

Before she started the first grade, the family took a train with all of their belongings to Minnesota, to live on a farm. Her daddy hated the snow so they moved back to Shelby Montana where she started the seventh grade and met her best friend for life Bonnie (Cockrell) Berglind.

While working for Mountain Bell as an operator, she met the love of her life, a lineman, Carl Parpolia. They married on August 29, 1953. Their first two daughters, Carla and Linda were born in Shelby. They moved to Missoula in 1960 where she worked at Osco Drug, then as an operator at the Federal Building. When her third daughter, Sheila, was born she became a full time homemaker. In 1971 Carl was transferred to Hamilton. Dorothy started working at the Ravalli County Assessor’s Office soon after, and retired at the age of 60.

Carl died in 1981, and Dorothy never remarried. She and her daughters have always been very thankful to Dorothy’s numerous friends who included her on their many adventures, even though she was no longer a “couple”. She was able to travel all over the world with them.

Dorothy had a heart for service and giving back to her community. She actively volunteered for many charitable organizations. She was especially proud to be the top fundraiser for the “Relay for Life” thanks to the generosity of her family and friends. She was a devoted member of Saint Francis Parish.

She was a very social person, who enjoyed many different activities including league bowling, pinochle, bridge and dinner/happy hour at the Elks.  She also enjoyed water aerobics and walking daily.

Dorothy never had a cross word to say about anyone and never met a stranger. If she knew it was your Birthday, you would be guaranteed to wake up to “Dorothy’s Happy Birthday gram”.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, grandson Rial Hanson, parents Sigurd and Johanna Lunda, brothers John, Albert, and Harry, and sister Hattie Appley. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Carla Hanson (Keith), Linda Slater (Steve), and Sheila Parpolia, 5 grandchildren (each one was convinced they were her favorite!), 8 great grandchildren, sister Myrtle and brothers Tony and Erik, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to thank Mindi Hogan and the loving staff at the Hamilton Assisted Living as well as the caring staff at the Bitterroot Health Hospice and the many healthcare providers who helped her through her final journey on earth.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Francis Catholic Church with a reception following in the Pastoral Life Center. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Dorothy’s name to the Bitterroot Health Hospice or the Haven House.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Emma Parpolia, please visit our floral store.