Alfred and Joan Manas

Alfred and Joan Manas

HAMILTON - It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of both of my parents, Alfred and Joan Manas. Alfred Edward Manas passed away in his Hamilton, MT home on March 28, 2021 at the age of 85. Joan Marie (Walfrid) Manas passed away on April 4, 2024 at the age of 86 in Tulsa, OK with her daughter at her side.

Alfred Edward Manas was born on July 28, 1935 in Vacaville, CA. He graduated from Woodland High School in 1953 then served his country in the U.S. Army. Joan Marie Walfrid was born on May 29, 1937 in Yuba City, CA. She graduated from Woodland High School in 1956 then went to work as a teller in Knights Landing.

Alfred and Joan were united in marriage on January 13, 1962 at the Carmel Mission. They began married life in Robbins, CA where they were owners of the Robbins Pool Bar as well as other businesses in Winters and Sterling City.

In 1979 they retired and moved to Montana's Bitterroot Valley where they lived until Alfred's passing. Joan subsequently relocated to live with her daughter and family in Oklahoma.

Alfred was a hard-working small-business owner, but in his leisure time he enjoyed hunting and fishing. It was this love that led him to retire with his family to Big Sky Country. There, he and his wife purchased the Spooner Creek Ranch and spent the next 26 years living their Montana dream on 120 acres in God's country.

In 2005 they moved "into town," where they could relax while continuing to bask in the beauty of the Bitterroot. Joan, while mild-mannered, was the rock of the family. She was a loving mother and grandmother with many talents. She was a dedicate tennis player for over 40 years having competed on several teams in California and Montana.

She spent over two decades mastering the Promise Stitch method as both a student and a teacher. Her numerous quilts were hand-made with love, and she gifted them generously to her family and friends. After the passing of her husband, she resided with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson where she continued her quilting and made their new house feel like a home.

Alfred and Joan are survived by their daughter, Andrea (James) Shaw; their grandson, Ethan Shaw; and Joan's siblings: Bo (Colleen) Walfridson, Gus Walfridson, and Elizabeth Amini. Alfred and Joan were preceded in death by Alfred's parents, Michael and Gabriela Manas; Joan's parents, Anders "Gus" and Helen Walfridson; their son, Neil C. Manas; and Alfred's siblings: Matthew Manas, Mike Manas, and Gloria Ackley.

Graveside service for both Alfred and Joan will be at the Knights Landing Cemetery on July 3, 2024. Love you to the Bitterroot and back!