Jennifer Page

Former Great Falls resident Jennifer T. Page, 65, of Tucson, Ariz., died of complications from Alzheimers disease Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at Villa de Hope in Tucson.Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Anns Cathedral on Friday, September 23, 2011, at noon. Burial will take place in Mount Olivet Cemetery, followed by a reception at Meadow Lark Country Club. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Jennifer was born June 6, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio to William H. and Dorothy (Cordes) Verkamp. She attended Ursaline Academy and went on to college at the University of Dayton. Jennifer was active in the University and held leadership roles in student government and social organizations. This is where she met and dated her husband, Fred - a date that has lasted 48 years. Jennifer earned a B.A. in social work and graduated with honors.She brought her compassion to people as a social worker in Washington D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, as she and Fred moved around the country.In 1973, Jennifer and Fred relocated to Great Falls, which began her love affair with the West, but especially, with Montana. During the early years, she was active in her childrens elementary school and church activities. She was an incredible homemaker, and was known for her creative and elaborate childrens parties, Halloween costumes, and magnificent Christmas trees and dcor.Active in the Junior League of Great Falls, Jennifer worked on many projects to better the community, and became a volunteer at the C.M. Russell Museum. Her involvement with the Junior League lead to employment at the Museum, where she rose to the position of director of education. In this role, her passion for Montana and art were perfectly matched with her creativity. Jennifer assisted in and developed such programs as Teepee Camp, Cowboy Camp, Charlies Traveling Trunk, and Ride the Russell Trail. Closest to her heart were the docents that she worked with and their dedication to the program. Her love for the Russell Museum, Montana, and all the people she worked with and met, never subsided.Always an adventurer, she enjoyed traveling, horseback riding, skiing, rafting and hiking, especially with her family. She was a friend to all who met her, and the most beautiful person you could ever know.Survivors include her husband of 44 years Fred Page of Great Falls and Tucson; a daughter, Courtney (Page) Pech of San Francisco, CA; a son, Adam Page of Tucson, AZ; and a brother, William H. Verkamp Jr. of Fullerton, CA.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 3003 S. Country Club Road, Suite 207, Tucson, AZ 85713, or the C.M. Russell Museum, 400 13th St. N., Great Falls, MT 59401.