Charlotte Hales

Charlotte Marie Grammy Hales, 97, a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and devoted fisherman, died March 24, 2012 at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, MT of natural causes.A memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Great Falls.Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.She came into the world August 4, 1914 in Helena, MT, and blessed the home of parents, Roy Papa and Beulah Spoonemore. Six years later, she was blessed with the gift of a baby brother, William (Bill) Spoonemore who preceded her in death in 2007.Charlottes early years were spent in Havre where she attended school and spent many hours playing outdoors with her brother Bill and participating in sports. It was during these formative years that she began to develop the values that would carry her through life. She learned the importance of integrity and hard work and would pass these principles on to her daughters and grandchildren. It was also in Havre, surrounded by her family and friends, that she would find solace in her budding devotion and faith in God. As a young lady attending the Presbyterian Church, she participated in the choir, and began a lifelong passion for singing and music. She enjoyed sharing this love of vocal music with her children, grandchildren and church congregations from Havre to Conrad to Great Falls.In1932, after earning her high School diploma from Havre High School, she married Carl R. Noyes of Chinook, MT. Together they traveled throughout the state while Carl worked in the power line industry. In 1933, they had their first child, Billie Rae and five years later their second daughter, Caryl Marie, was born in December of 1938. They were divorced in 1944.Charlotte married Ralph Hales of Conrad, MT in 1949. Charlotte and Ralph operated a farm north of Conrad and held stock and operated the Conrad Creamery Corporation until 1961.Ralph died in 1986.During World War II, Charlotte raised her two daughters and worked full time while Carl was in the Navy. In later years, she worked for the Montana Air National Guard. In 1976, Charlotte joined the American Red Cross as a disaster relief worker and traveled to many parts of the U.S. and overseas helping individuals and families in their time of need.A very efficient and organized worker, her talents were utilized in her work with the Red Cross and as a wedding planner in later years.Charlotte also sang in the choir with the Presbyterian Church, most recently as a member of the Sunrise Presbyterian Church.When Charlotte was in Conrad, she also enjoyed herself as a member of the Garden Club.Fishing was an important pastime all of her life. She taught her children and grandchildren her passion for the creeks and reservoirs of MT. Many happy days were spent at her Nugget Creek cabin close to Kings Hill fishing on Sheep Creek and Moose Creek.Charlotte was also an accomplished card player and enjoyed bridge, pinochle, canasta and pitch, participating in many card clubs throughout her years.A very important part of Charlottes life was her pet cats, enjoying many over her lifetime.Over the last few years and months, Charlotte was the inaugural member of the Senior to Senior program established by Pet Paw-See, a program that matches adult cats with seniors and provides food and litter.Her last adoptee, Sassy, was with her at Peace Hospice.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Charlottes name to Pet Paw-See.Survivors include her daughters, Billie Rae Erickson of Kalispell, MT and Caryl Marie Luckett of Chinook, MT; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Donna Mortensen McKinney and husband Keith, and their children Donovan and April McKinney of Marysville, WA; John Mortensen and wife Opal Mortensen of Twin Falls, ID; Rick Erickson of Lolo, MT, Dan Erickson and son Zachary Erickson of Los Angeles, CA, Michael Noel and Leah Noel of Great Falls.Charlotte is also survived by her nephew, Bill Spoonemore, Jr., of Billings and Phoenix, and niece Barbara Spoonemore of Billings.Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Buelah Spoonemore; and a brother, William Spoonemore.Charlotte will be greatly missed by her family, friends, her church, her card playing buddies, and the cats that owned her.