Rita Kay Pilgrim

Rita Kay Pilgrim, 79, of Polaris, MT, passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Village Nursing Home in Missoula, MT.

She was born on August 20, 1944 in Portland Oregon to James R. and E. Margaret Cummings Jorgenson. 

Growing up Rita lived in Oregon, North Dakota and Montana. After graduating high school in Polson, Montana she attended Kinman Business College in Spokane, Washington. It was in Spokane where she met her first husband Edward C. Liska, they were married October 24, 1964. Together they had two children LaDonna and Michael. They later divorced in 1979. After that she moved to Polson, Montana with her kids and got a job working for the County Attorney’s office.

Rita met the love of her life in Polson, William C. Pilgrim (Bill). They were married in September 1983. They later moved to Missoula and operated V-1 gas on Russell St.

Over the years, Rita and Bill enjoyed dancing, bowling, camping, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, riding 4-wheelers and their side-by-side. She also loved reading her books. After retiring from V-1, they moved to their cabin in Polaris, MT and spent many years wintering down south.

Later in life she was diagnosed with MS. She did very well with her diagnosis for a long time. The heat really got to her but she never complained about anything.

Rita is preceded in death by her parents, older brother, Darrel Jorgenson, and her twin brothers Gene and Jerry Jorgenson.

She is survived by her husband William; daughter, LaDonna (Gordon) Hals; son Michael Liska. Stepdaughter Linda (Dave) Huffaker; stepson, William Pilgrim. Her grandchildren Levi Shepard, Lindsey (Rand) Pritzkau, Carson Shepard, Kirah Plummer, Melyssa (Toby) Orme, Thresa (Dan) Nelson, Michelle (Jessy) Coffman, Kyle (Chessa) Holthaus, Randy Bauer and Jodi Pilgrim (Dan Brooks). Along with her newest great grandson Rhett Pritzkau who called her GG. 

A private family celebration will be held at a later date.