Alma Marie Sage

Our sweet Alma Marie Sage went home with the angels on May 22, 2022.

Rie was born to Frank and Lottie Heckathorn on 10/20/1928 in Ekalaka MT and joined 8 siblings at their sod house on the eastern plains. Always the hardest worker, she enjoyed farm life and all its challenges, while also giving her freedom to explore and have fun with her family.. She developed a love of cards, playing with her siblings and winning most of the time as she laughed at their various antics. She loved her siblings and remained close with them until her passing.

The family moved from Ekalaka to the west Woodside area, where they continued the farming life, raising animals and enjoying the Bitterroot Mountains. What a change from the brutal winters on the plains!. She attended and graduated from Corvallis High School and later joined the Corvallis Creamery as the head state milk tester. While driving a truck for the creamery in the parade, she met a dashing young man named Vern Sage who immediately knew he had met the best young lady in the valley and they were married on 1/1/49 and were together 72 years, until Vern's passing. They traveled throughout Montana while working construction and during this time their son Russell was born in 1949 and son Rodney was born in 1951. They made their home in Miller Creek, in Missoula, and started S and S Welding, where she was the boss lady and general manager of every darn thing that needed done from 1968 until they retired and several years later closed the shop. This gave them more time to go on 4 wheeling adventures and fishing trips to the Pacific ocean where Rie loved to catch the biggest fish of the day. They also split their time between their home in Florence MT and their home in Quartzite, AZ where many 4 wheeler trips across the desert were enjoyed by visiting family and friends. In the evenings, after the rides, beers were shared and stories were told around the campfire and much laughter ensued. There were get togethers in Haugen, MT, at son Russell's cabin, and Rie and Vern also purchased land nearby and built a cabin. 4 wheel trips to the top of the hill were a must and Rie loved the campfires and visiting with her large family and friends .Fun was had by all as she had a wicked sense of humor and made everyone comfortable. Pinochle and card games were always at the top of the list and many games were played with her family and guess who usually won!

Rie was predeceased by her parents, sisters Janice, Catherine, Beverly, Velma, Leona and brother Ed, her step daughter Verna, daughter in law Jeanie and Rie's husband Vern. She is survived by sisters Vera(Bill dec.) and Jane (Ron) both of Hamilton, sons Russell (Carol) in Haugen and Rodney (Cheryl) in Florence, Grandchildren Stephen (Becky), Bob (Heather), Ruschel (Russ)„ Shane (Kelly), Shanda (Steve), Jaime (Kevin) and Cathleen (Matt) and 18 Great Grandchildren and a Great Great Grandson on his way very soon, a large extended family and very dear friends.

Rie will have a celebration of life on June 8th at 2:00 PM at the Rustic Hut in Florence and afterward, will be interred to join her husband in the niche wall at the VA Cemetery in Missoula. Everyone is welcome, so please come and share your memories and enjoy a beverage with us.