Hazel Emma "Peggy" Dimmitt

Hazel Emma “Peggy” Dimmitt, 90, of Missoula went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Saturday, October 29, 2016. She passed away at St. Patrick Hospital of natural causes. In the days prior to her passing, she was surrounded by loving family keeping vigil with her, as well as those coming to say good-bye.

She was born on December 25, 1925, in Darby, Montana, to Charles and Hazel Wilkerson. She was not expected to live past the first days of her life, but she surprised her doctor and her young parents by not only surviving, but thriving. Growing up during the depression taught her to be resourceful, creative, and resilient – qualities that continued to support her while raising a family of six children under less-than-ideal circumstances.

In May of 1945 she married Ray Dimmitt from Stevensville, Montana. The young couple had moved to Spokane by the time their first child was born. Further moves, prompted by job locations, brought the couple back to Montana, first to Stevensville and later to the Missoula area where they continued to raise their growing family. Although much of Peggy’s adult life was spent being a homemaker, she was especially proud of her accomplishments as the manager of Ray’s Custom Wiring, eventually working as an electrician herself.

In the early 1980’s, she and Ray became involved with the Clark Fork City Church, as well as working at the Poverello Center. After Ray’s passing in 1996, with the children grown, Peggy became more active in her community, with regular attendance at the Clark Fork City Church, including participation in the food bank sponsored by the church and in a bible study group. She was active in TOPS and went to the senior center frequently. She had a very active social life, with frequent visits with her children and lunch with family and friends. Although her body began to fail in her later years, her mind remained lucid and her faith strong to the end.

In addition to her social life, in her time at home she could be found working on several handcraft projects, including making baby quilts, crocheting afghans and doilies, doing needlework and a plethora of other crafts. Baby quilts were given to every baby in the family, babies in the church, as well as given for missionary outreach. Almost every thing she made was intended to be be given away, including lovely handcrafted ornaments for Christmas gifts. Many people - family, friends, and strangers - benefited from her compassionate and generous spirit, as well as her creativity.

Peggy was open-minded and willing to learn and try new things. She loved traveling and seeing new places, taking photographs of family, friends, scenic places, and wildlife to keep memories alive. In the last years of her life, she became a member of the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association, attending bluegrass festivals with her son, Rollie, a bluegrass musician.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Ray, daughter Diana, her parents, and her siblings, Margaret “Toots” Foster and Roland Wilkerson.

She is survived by her children: Carol and husband Clifford Carnicom from Wallace, Idaho; Roland from Missoula; Edwin and wife Sheryl from Frenchtown; Lillian and husband Cliff Mercer from Stevensville; Nancy and husband Dick Ostbye from Florence; and numerous grandchildren and their families.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 4th, 2016, at the Clark Fork City Church, 2811 Latimer, Missoula, Montana, prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the same location as the visitation with Pastor Bruce Donnelly officiating. A luncheon will follow the service prior to the burial at Sunnyside Cemetery, Three-mile Road, Stevensille at 2:30 p.m.
Garden City Funeral Home is assisting the family.