Ida Lola Sweeney

Ida Lola Sweeney lost her battle with cancer on July 27, 2018 surrounded by her family. She will always be remembered as our loving, supporting, caring spouse, mother, grandmother, and GG. A funeral liturgy will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Cathedral. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Ida was born in Great Falls, Montana on March 19, 1934 to Dennis and Anna Kandilas. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1952. She married the love of her life, Max Sweeney on February 13, 1954 and in her words, her greatest accomplishment was her 64 year marriage to Max and raising their half dozen kids. Ida and her ever expanding family enjoyed many summers at Seeley Lake, first in the campground with a converted school bus camper and then as a property owner. The entire family has fond memories of our time at the lake, around the campfire, in the sauna and on the trail bikes. After Max’s retirement, they enjoyed splitting their time between Great Falls and Yuma, AZ. She started playing golf (it was a must) and continued to play right up until her illness wouldn’t allow it any more. During her life, she was a very active volunteer; CCD coordinator, Altar Society, singing in the church choir, BPO Does and 30 + years of volunteering at Columbus and then Benefis Hospital (Pink Ladies). She was an active member of St. Joseph’s, St. Luke’s and St Ann’s Catholic Churches. She is survived by her husband; daughters Denise (Steve) Riggin, Becky (John) Sullivan, Diana (Nick) Larew, and Sue (Rick) Larew; sons Dennis (Tabatha) Sweeney and PJ (Donnie Lesmeister) Sweeney; grandchildren Jodi Demars, Crystal Wavrick, Patrick Riggin, Neal Sullivan, Ashley Bonn, Shay Sullivan, Nichole Larew, Austin Sweeney, Alex Drew, and Phillip Sweeney; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Dan (Berta) Kandilas and sister Mary Throne-Raff. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Agnes McNeil. Ida gave us life and taught us how to live. She brought us joy and happiness and showed us how to celebrate life. And, in the end, she demonstrated courage and allowed us to mourn together. She’ll forever be our guardian angel. In lieu of flowers, donations to Peace Hospice would be appreciated.