Ethel M. Read

Ethel M. Read, 93, of Missoula went to home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. Ethel was born to the late Everett and Ella (Dries) Mitchell in the family home in Missoula on June 11, 1920. Everett's work assignments as a millwright required the family to move frequently in western Montana. Ethel recalled she went to three different schools in the first grade. In 1938 Ethel graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell and graduated from Deaconess School of Nursing in Spokane, Wash., in 1941. She served her country during World War II in the Army Nurse Corps in Guam and Hawaii. After the war ended she earned her bachelor's in nursing from the University of Washington and was subsequently hired as a public health nurse for Sanders County. In the fall of 1953, Ethel and her fellow public health nurse hired Kenneth Read, a registered sanitarian, to serve Health District II, comprising Lake and Sanders counties. Ethel and Ken fell in love and married Feb. 12, 1954. Their 59-year marriage was blessed with four children and seven grandchildren.

Ethel loved to serve others. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister and friend. She was a gracious hostess, always ready to serve coffee and cookies to drop in guests. She and Ken participated in a ministry with Riverside Healthcare for a number of years participating in monthly Sunday services and in monthly birthday parties for residents. She volunteered to help people in times of family emergencies, particularly when there was a need for nursing skills.

Her favorite pastimes included gardening; picking huckleberries; picnics in Pattee Canyon; crocheting; playing pinochle and bridge; and working crossword, Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles. She was a voracious reader.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Norman, Alva and Alan; her grandson Jonathon Read and her granddaughter Megan Read. She is survived by her husband; daughter Deanna (Bruce) Noonan of Moses Lake, Wash.; sons, Glen (Lisa) of Riverton, Utah, Larry (Theresa) of Belton, Mo., Warren (Molly) of Kirkland, Wash., and her grandchildren, Steven Noonan of Seattle, Michael Read, Joseph Read, both of Kansas City, Mo., Jordan Read of San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Jessica Read of Riverton, Utah, and her step-grandchildren Deeanna Noonan of Sacramento, Calif., and son Skylar Clymer; Dan Noonan of Los Angeles; Heidi Van Dyke of Kirkland and daughter Hayley Van Dyke and James Van Dyke of Great Guana Cay, the Bahamas.

Ethel's family wishes to thank her many friends who demonstrated care and concern through their visits and cards. A special thank-you goes to Pastor Vicki Horn, friends, and fellow members of Grace United Methodist Church. The family wishes to express our deep gratitude to the Home Instead ladies and Partners in Home Care nurses, physical therapists and social workers for their dedicated care and concern for Ethel.

Ethel's memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Grace United Methodist Church, 1750 S. 10th W., Missoula. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, Missoula; Partners in Home Care Hospice, Missoula, MT; or Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Read Ethel Read's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.