Ina Whalen

Ina May (Tucker) Whalen, 86, of Great Falls, a former registered nurse, died of cancer Saturday, October 22, 2011, at her home. Funeral Liturgy will be held Friday, October 28, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with a Rosary being said at 1:30 p.m., prior to the Mass. Inurnment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements and will host the reception after inurnment.Ina May was born May 12, 1925, in Great Falls, Montana, the daughter of Melvin and Katherine (Cinker) Tucker. She was raised and educated in the Belt, Montana-area, attending school in Belt Park and graduating from Belt High School.During World War II, Ina May enrolled in nurses training with the Cadet Nurse Corps, while attending the Columbus School of Nursing. After receiving her RN Degree, she completed post-graduate studies in obstetrics at Lying-In Hospital in Rhode Island.Upon returning to Montana, Ina May worked as floor supervisor in obstetrics at Columbus Hospital and floor nurse at the Conrad Hospital.She and Emmett J. Whalen were married on May 17, 1950, at St. Marks Catholic Church in Belt. Together they raised six childrenfive daughters and one son. Ina May believed in giving back to her community through service in various civic, school and church organizations. She was a 4-H leader for over 20 years and was also a Cub Scout leader for many years. For 30 years Ina May was very involved with the service organization Epsilon Sigma Alpha. While serving as state president she organized the ESA Scholarship Program for Montana college students. As an active parent in her childrens education, Ina May served many volunteer roles in the schools, including PTA president. Other organizations benefiting from Ina Mays volunteerism include the local Easter Seals and the Red Cross. She was an AARP Drivers Training instructor and an instructor for the Arthritis Foundation.Ina May was a devout Catholic, offering her services to the church as a Eucharistic minister. For many years she led youth and adult Bible studies and lived her motto, Let Go and let God!Ina May was also devoted to her family. More than anything, she enjoyed spending time with her loving husband, her children, her precious grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Other interests that brought her joy were painting, reading and traveling.She is survived by her husband, Emmett Whalen of Great Falls; a son, Mike Whalen of Whitefish; five daughters, Theresa (Brian) Leland of Bozeman, Peggy (Paul) Floro of Petersburg, AK, Cecilia (Spencer) Freeman of Colbert, WA, Monica (Dan) Whalen of Salt Lake City, UT, and Cynthia Whalen of Queens, NY; six grandchildren, Tonya Freeman, Roisin Whalen, Becky Freeman, Meghan Leland, Brianne Leland, Molly Pace and great-granddaughter, Penny Whalen-Dega.She was preceded in death by brothers, Orville Tucker and Melvin Tucker, and sister, Jacqueline Lembke.In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church and School, 409 13th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.