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Charlotte Hales Obituary

Charlotte Marie "Grammy" Hales, 97, of Great Falls, a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and de-voted angler, died of natural causes March 24, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.

A memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Great Falls. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

She came into the world Aug. 4, 1914, in Helena, 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.

Charlotte's 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.

In 1932, after earning her high school diploma from Havre High School, she married Carl R. Noyes of Chinook. 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 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 used 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 Montana. 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 Charlotte's 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 Charlotte's name to Pet Paw-See.

Survivors include her daughters, Billie Rae Erickson of Kalispell and Caryl Marie Luckett of Chinook; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Donna Mortensen McKinney and Keith McKinney and their son Donovan and daughter April of Marysville, Wash.; John Mortensen and Opal Mortensen of Twin Falls, Idaho; Rick Erickson of Lolo; Dan Erickson and son Zachary Erickson of Los Angeles; and 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.

Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

Published by Great Falls Tribune on Mar. 29, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

"70 years is our life span---80 years with special mightiness." (Psalms 90:10) Charlotte had 97 years of special mightiness. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of the times you spent together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Patricia Jenkins

March 31, 2012

Charlotte was a wonderful aunt and I have many happy memories of times with Charlotte. She will be missed by many people.
Lura

March 30, 2012

Charlotte's Family: God granted Charlotte many years of a long, full and fruitful life. It sounds like she enjoyed much of God's creation and had a love and faith in Him, and a love of His creatures (cats) and fish. May you each have special memories and the sincere conviction that she is now with her Redeemer. You're in our prayers.
Calvary Chapel of Great Falls
Proverbs 31:28-31

March 29, 2012

Charlotte lived a long wonderful life. Psalm 90:10 explains "the days of our years are seventy, and because of special mightiness they are eighty". Extending compassion to family and friends.

Helen

March 29, 2012

I had he pleasure of working with Charlotte during her tenure as a Red Cross disaster worker. Her devotion to duty and attention to detail, helped many families recover more quickly from their disaster caused needs. She was a true believer that "people" really matter.

Mike McGowan, Missoula,Mt.

March 29, 2012

My parents were good friends of Charlotte
Her first husband and my father worked for the same firm. I remember daughter Billie Rae from Hysham. Condolences to family.

John Livingston

March 29, 2012

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