Cora Hiett

Cora A. Hiett went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 24, 2021. She died peacefully in her beautiful Missoula home of 54 years, surrounded by her family.

Cora is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Wayne J. Hiett, her five children, Kathryn, Susan, Wayne, Joe and Nancy, and 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Cora was born on October 10, 1930, in Billings to Lewis T. Higdem and Elsie Rogers Higdem. After graduating from Senior High School in 1948, Cora moved to Helena to work first for the State Unemployment Commission and then the IRS. It was in Helena that Cora met Wayne and she knew he was the one for her at first sight. They did not marry, however, until 1952 as Wayne was called to duty by the Army Corp of Engineers for the Korean War. After Wayne was called into the Army, Cora decided to fulfill a childhood dream and she enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing basic training, Cora was assigned to the Office of the Admiral of the Potomac River Naval Command outside of Washington, D.C. When Wayne completed his tour of duty in Korea, he followed Cora to Washington, D.C., where they were married on June 20, 1952. Soon thereafter, the couple returned to Montana, enrolled in the University of Montana in Missoula, and started their family.

Cora kept busy for the next several years with the many curricular and extracurricular activities of her five children. This included volunteering as “Room Mother” and Class Librarian, being an unofficial "cheerleader" at all manner of school sporting events, and being a Den Mother to many Scout troops. Even school-closing snow storms would not deter Cora from epic Suburban trips to get many kids home safely. Cora continued a number of these activities with her grandchildren. In later years, she also helped Wayne run his business, Missoula Forest Products.

In her leisure time, Cora loved to read mysteries, work crossword puzzles, play the piano, and go camping with her family. Cora was a member of the Eastern Star. For 40 years, Cora was an active member in Lolo Community Church and was responsible for the Church Bulletins for 30 years. She dearly loved her “Ladies of Lolo” Bible Study and fellowship times.

Please join us in celebrating Cora’s life at Lolo Community Church, 11897 Lewis & Clark Dr.,Lolo on Thursday, July 29 at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cora’s memory to Pinehaven Children’s Ranch or Lolo Community Church.