Merle Thomas

1913 - 2014

Merle Sellers Thomas

Hamilton —Corvallis - Merle Sellers Thomas, 100, quietly passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014. Merle had been living with family and friends Dean and AudRey Kromarek at their home in Stevensville for several years before her passing. Sitting by her side was her special guy Tupper, the English Bulldog.

Merle Knudson Elliot, Sellers, Thomas was born December 23, 1913 in Portland, North Dakota, the oldest daughter of Carl and Effie (Larson) Knudson. Merle was one of seven children born to Carl and Effie. All of the Knudson children were born in Portland, North Dakota and all were baptized by Rev. A. E. Lien at the Bruflat Lutheran Church in Portland. Merle was also confirmed at the Bruflat Lutheran Church in 1928. Merle's early years in Portland were memorable. She learned how to drive her Fathers Model T car with her brother Kermie doing most of the pushing and had her first paying job at the age of eight (8).

Merle's Grandfather, Chris owned the flour and feed store in Portland. Merle and her older brother Kermit and younger sister Verna spent many afternoons at the store speaking Norwegian with their Grandfather and others at the store. They learned at a young age how to ask for pennies to buy candy in proper Norwegian.

The family moved to Minot, North Dakota when Merle was a teenager. She finished High school in Minot graduating at the top of her class. In 1937, Merle's parents and the rest of the family moved to Great Falls, Montana. During the depression years Merle moved to Billings, Montana and worked for both the Montgomery Ward stores in sales and the candy counter at Woolworths. She also found that she had a real talent for sewing and worked at a tailors shop making uniforms. Merle sewed many beautiful outfits for family and friends. She especially enjoyed making formal dresses and men's suits. There was nothing that Merle could not do. She upholstered furniture, drove truck, operated farm equipment, painted houses, took care of horses and livestock and still managed to always be "put" together. Merle returned to Great Falls and attended Business school majoring in Business Management and bookkeeping.

In 1949, Merle married Dr. Ray A. Elliot and moved to Forsyth, Montana where Dr. Elliot had his practice. During their years in Forsyth, Merle and Ray raised Arabian horses and Norwegian Elk Hounds as a hobby. They were actively involved in the Masons and Eastern Star. Both were long time members of these organizations. Their home in the country was always open to friends and family. Special and dear friends to Merle and Ray were cowboy poet Wallace McRae and his wife Wana, and the local Mayor John and Ruth Melcher. John Melcher made several chairs and gifted them to Ray and Merle on one of their wedding anniversaries. The friendship with John and Ruth Melcher continued even after John was elected to the US Senate. Merle and Dr. Elliot stayed in Forsyth until 1963 when he accepted the position of Hospital Administrator in Hobbs, New Mexico.

It was during this time that Merle received training as a Medical Secretary. She was a member of the National Registry of Medical Secretaries. Merle, also took classes in Lubbock, Texas while Ray was ill and in the hospital there. She studied to be a Lab Technician and was a certified phlebotomist.

In 1964, Dr. Elliot passed away in Hobbs, New Mexico. After Ray's passing, Merle remained in New Mexico. Her Brother Owen's daughter, Linda came and stayed with her until she closed Ray's office and sold their home. During this time she was asked by Dr. Fontinol, a family friend to help in his office for a short time period.

Merle returned to Great Falls. Montana and went to work as the office nurse and secretary for Dr. L. Howard. Merle eventually returned to Missoula, Montana to be close to Dr. Elliot's Aunt and Uncle Edna and Alwin Chapman. They were part owners of the Missoula Laundry and Dry Cleaners. Merle bought several pieces of property in Missoula and was renovating them to be rental properties. She was introduced to Howard N. Sellers who was a Real Estate Broker and close friend of the Chapman 's. Howard and Merle were married in Missoula, Montana in 1966. They continued to purchase and renovate properties in Missoula until Howard's passing in 1971. Merle was a licensed Real Estate Broker and attended Business College to secure a degree in accounting. After Howard's passing Merle stayed in Missoula and continued to run the rental/sales business that she had established with Howard.

In 1977, Merle married Dr. Leo A. Thomas of Hamilton and she then made her home in Hamilton where Dr. Thomas was employed by the Rocky Mountain Lab. On Dr. Thomas's passing in 2005 Merle returned to her home in Missoula where she resided until she moved to Stevensville.

Merle was a member of the Ladies Oriental Shrine in New Mexico and a member of the Daughters of the Nile. She was Past Matron of Immanuel Chapter 54 in Missoula and Olive Chapter in Great Falls. She had dual membership with Leona Chapter in Hamilton and Immanuel Chapter in Missoula. She had several Grand Chapter appointments, Grand Martha, Grand Representative of Missouri, Eastern Star Chair, Assistant Grand Chapter Warden. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women's Association.

Merle was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Effie (Larson) Knudson, her brothers and sisters: Kermit Knudson, Verna (Knudson) Johnston, Eldon (Gunnar) Knudson, Joyce (Knudson) Knudsen, Kathryn (Knudson) Peck and Owen (Ole) Knudson.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dr. Ray Elliot, Howard Sellers and Dr. Leo Thomas.

She is survived by step daughters Janice (Elliot) and Jim McGill and their family of Cambria, California and Denise Sellers and her family of San Diego, California, sister-in-law Doris Knudson of Kalispell, Montana and many nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews and many many friends.

Funeral services and private viewing will be on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel with Reverend Doug Peterson officiating. There will be a reception immediately following services. Burial services will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2014 in Great Falls, Montana at Highland Cemetery, a reception will be announced at the interment service.

daly-leach@cybernet1.com