Lillian Agate Buckalew, age 95, of Forsyth, died peacefully on Monday morning, August 14, 2017, with four of her ten children present. She was born in Forsyth, MT on Aug. 2, 1922, to Lillian May Smith Coole and Eli Glen Coole. Lillian was eighth in line with and two older brothers, five older sisters and one younger sister.
Growing up on a homestead north of Forsyth, life presented interesting challenges Lillian spoke of throughout her life. During her early school years she attended Mud Spring School north of Forsyth about a mile from her home. The children either walked to school or rode a horse. When the drought finished her family financially, they gave up the homestead and moved into Forsyth and she entered the Forsyth schools at the age of 13. Lillian graduated high school at the age of 16 and she married Paul Leo Buckalew June 1, 1939.
Motherhood took up most of Lillian’s time during earlier years of marriage. Her older children remember coming home from school, seeing her holding a baby on her hip with one hand and stirring a kettle of stew with the other hand. The smell of fresh bread or cinnamon rolls was always present. Neighboring children found refuge from the cold while waiting for the school bus and it seemed there was always an extra child who joined the family for supper. Happiest occasions were when the house was filled with music and laughter. Lillian loved to laugh and nearly always had a smile on her face. An excellent seamstress, Lillian sewed most of her children’s clothing leading to a life-long love of quilting. She made each of her children hand-quilted quilts.
Through Lillian’s last days, her favorite past times were reading, crossword puzzles, and word finds. She loved to sit, rocking a baby and singing softly. Often, one would enter her home hearing sweet sounds of her organ playing or making music with her harmonica. The Forsyth Senior Center and her wonderful friends were dear to Lillian’s heart. She always looked forward to visiting and playing Skip Bo cards. Most of all, she loved visits from all her children. Those living in the area stopped by to visit daily and all the others made one or more yearly trips home to see her.
Lillian is survived by all ten of her children: Pauline Stoll (Raymond) of Newport, WA, Joseph Buckalew (Anita) of Colstrip, Vera Dobler (Lionel) of Post Falls, ID, Linda Kopitzke (Dennis) of Forsyth, Shirley Harrsch (Gerald) of Meridian, ID, Carol Leary (Leonard) of Damascus, OR, Vivian Cogdill of Forsyth, Stanley Buckalew (Beverly) of Forsyth, David Buckalew of Elko, NV, and Raymond Buckalew (Misty) of Maple Valley, WA. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Other extended family members include step children, nieces, and nephews. Lillian is also survived by her only living sibling, Vera Schreiter (Lou) of Carlton, IL.
Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, Lillian May and Eli Glen Coole; her husband, Paul Leo Buckalew (Feb 11, 1998); brothers, Merton and Glen Ellis; sisters: Lena Opal, Ruby May, Pearl Lavina, Helen Crystal, and Clara Garnet; uncles, Peter Smith and Paul Smith who were raised in the Coole home as brothers; and grandson, Forrest (Frosty) Glen Stoll.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday August 20, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Monday August 21, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Service
Monday August 21, 2017
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday August 20, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Monday August 21, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment
Following the Service
Monday August 21, 2017
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Patti Crosby says
To the Buckalew family, so sorry for your loss! Hugs & Prayers!
Agate will be greatly missed at the Center, she was one of our regulars.
Patti Crosby
Tom and Shirley Skinner says
To all of the Buckalew family my heart hurts for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Hugs to all of you.
Connie Brown says
Linda, Vivian,and the rest of the Buckalew family you are in my thoughts and prayers. Rejoice that you were able to celebrate your Mom’s 95th birthday last month and were all together. Through memories you will keep her spirit alive!
Steph, Maddox, Ronin and Andy Finstad says
Aww so sad. Prayers to the family. She was so sweet and kind and will be greatly missed.
Barbara Del Pozzi Sundstrom says
To the family…….so great full that we all got to spend time with Agate and share her 95th birthday with her! She was a real joy to know and a real blessing to friends and family. She will be missed by many. R.I.P. Agate. Sending hugs and prayers to you all. ♡♡♡
Lil says
I’m so sorry Dave. She is at that peaceful place now. Blessings from Lil
Butch and cHARLYS SCHULENBERG says
your Mother was a beautiful Lady. So pleasant to visit with. She will be missed by all who knew Her and loved Her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Buckalew Family
Dwaine & Cathy Morris says
So very sorry, prayers are with the family. Cherish your memories.
Dwaine & Cathy Morris says
Our thoughts are prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Cherish the memories.
Kathleen Bloodgood says
Sincere sympathy to all of you. Agate was a wonderful sweet lady, she was good to everyone. Love Hugs and kisses to all.
Vickie & Dennis Krause says
Oh so sorry to hear about Agate! I enjoyed visiting with her. Heaven received a beautiful angel! Our thoughts & prayers are with her family
Cathy Byron says
Agate Buckalew was a saint. She raised a brood of outstanding kids. She created hot lunches for hundreds before the district subsidized the lunch budget. She spun magic over a scant variety of government commodities. I never heard her utter a cross word. We lost a powerful role model with her passing. It was my privilege to know her, and to call several of her children friends. My heart and prayers are with each of you. Saying the last goodbye is mighty tough even when we think we are prepared. May the good Lord’s Strength and Love bring you through these days.
Cora Myers says
My prayers, thoughts and hugs to the Buckalew family, your memories willl keep her with you always
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences. Always enjoyed my visits with Agate at the nursing home or the Senior Center.
Shelly Holum says
Prayers & thoughts to all of the family
Susan Vassau Tall Bull says
Carol, Vivian, Shirley and the rest of you I am so sorry to hear that your precious mother has passed on. Agate was a treasure that is for sure. She was always so kind to my mother and us kids all those years ago. She was a beautiful, kind and patient woman and Heaven has gained another special angel. I don’t know how she did it with a whole house full of her own kids and yet she always welcomed the neighborhood kids too! May your memories comfort each of you as you grieve. Love and prayers to you all, I am so sorry for your loss.
Shirley Sommerfeld says
My Father Al Sommerfeld and I send our prayers and deepest sympathy to The Buckalew family your grandmother will be truly missed. If there is anything we can do to help in any way please let us know.
Kirsten and Jack Crocker says
To the Buckalew Family, Agate was a wonderful woman, always cheerful. She will be dearly missed. Prayers for your loss.
Buggs and Loni Hartman says
I am so very sorry for the loss of such an amazing lady. She meant the world to me. Thank you Lillian for always welcoming me as a child. I will never forget you. I hope you are still smiling down on everyone with that sweet smile. You were one of a kind. The whole Buckalew family is in my thoughts and prayers. Loni Hartman
Joe and Jackie Schneidt says
What a sweet lady. Our sympathy to the family.
Joe and Jackie Schneidt
Sally J Barer says
May God hold each of you so close you hear His very heartbeat. Wishing you grace and peace in this time and the days to come. I find some solace that I visited Aunt Agate one last time. My world is forever changed too. Sally Stephenson Barker
Sue & Ralph Tillotson says
So sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose someone you love. Prayers to the family.
Winter Cherry says
What an amazing, loving grandmother. What a blessing I was able to be apart of her family and got to know her. She will be very missed. My prayers and love for the family.
Kay Davis Berdahl says
To all Agate’s family, so very sorry for your loss. Know that others will miss her also. She was a gem of a gal.
Bill and Rita FitzGerald says
To all the Buckalew family–The memories of growing up on the south side of Forsyth all have Agate in them! Only Marcees park separated our homes and we could see each other. Agate always had a treat for us and Paul would be sitting his chair in the living room. The winding stairs going upstairs must have sounded like a herd od elephants to Agate as we don’t ease our way up and sown.
What a great lady she was! She treated us all like here own. I will always see her in that little blue car she drove for so long.
Al our love to all of you–Rita and Bill FitzGerald
Bill and Rita FitzGerald says
To all the Buckalew family–The memories of growing up on the south side of Forsyth all have Agate in them! Only Marcees park separated our homes and we could see each other. Agate always had a treat for us and Paul would be sitting his chair in the living room. The winding stairs going up must have sounded like a herd of elephants to Agate as we didn’t ease our way up and down.
What a great lady she was! She treated us all like here own. I will always see her in that little blue car she drove for so long.
Al our love to all of you–Rita and Bill FitzGerald
Donna and Ralph Mitchell says
I am so happy everyone got to visit your mom on her birthday. I am sure it made her very happy.The feeling of loss is huge no matter how many years you have someone with you. My thoughts and prayers are with your mom and the family.
marilyn Boese says
TO EACH OF YOU WHO WERE SO BLESSED TO HAVE HAD HER FOR YOUR MOM YOUR LOSS IS HEAVEN’S GAIN. IT’S HEAVEN OR BUST
GOD MADE YOUR MOM WITH STRANS OF GOLD
AND MIXED IN SOME ANGEL DUST.
SHE WAS HIS GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT
AS SHE SPREAD HUMOR, LOVE AND TRUST.
HE ADDED TEN JEWELS TO HER CROWN
AND SHE CHERISHED EVERYONE.
NOW EACH CLAIMS THEIR SECTION OF HER HEART,
FOR HER RACE IS FINALLY WON.
PEACE AND BLESSINGS!!
MARILYN BOESE
Kathy (Willems) Pawlowski says
Sonny , Anita and family
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom and Grandma. May you find comfort in your many wonderful memories.
Juanita Ross says
Anita & Joe: Condolences at a time that life changes are just unavoidable. I always admired and appreciated you and hope that all else is well with you. Juanita Ross-formerly Buckalew.
Patty VanAsh says
Anita, Sonny and family: Sending thoughts and prayers to all of you.
jackie dassinger says
Agate was one of the first people I met when arriving in Forsyth. She was a great cook in the school lunchroom and always had a smile and a pleasant air about her. An agate in a semiprecious stone, but that Agate was precious. So sorry about the loss of your mom – but I know you have good memories. Especially thinking of you Linda, Raymond, Stan and Bev. Jackie Dassinger
Rich Willems says
Agate reminds me of my favorite print theat I enjoy seeing each year. It has a picture of an older man with a child and says 100 years from now the world will not remember what kind of house you lived in or car you drove. It will show in the lives of children. Agate is a true jewel and I am happy for her to be walking with Jesus and am grateful for the love she shared with me and the countless others.
Gracie Ann Waples Hill says
Dear Sonny and Anita and family….i always loved the “Coole Jewels” and may her crown be filled with the jewels of heaven. It is such a small world and I know that my cousins, Sally Stephenson Barker and Jodi Gardner would have loved to have been there will all of you. As I did family history and learned about special people….she is truly one of them. Blessings to all of you….Gracie Ann Waples Hill
Donna McAllister Deisher says
My thoughts and prayers are with the Buckalew family.
VERNON MAURICE PEGRAM says
I have fond memories Agate as I knew her. She was always kind and caring. A house full of kids and she was a calm and efficient in handling the household. I ate dinner which was large dinner saugesages ucaand saurkrut. Delicious meal and I haven’t been able to find the saugesages anywhere. Still look for them