Frances Ewen, 91

Frances Arlene (Osmond) Ewen died in Missoula, Montana on August 30, 2017 at the age of 91 years. She was born prematurely at home in Worden, Montana on October 26, 1925 to Wilma Elizabeth (Jones) Osmond and Washington Percy Osmond. She joined brother, Byron. She was a fighter right from the beginning. Since she was less than three pounds at birth, she was put inside the oven of her parent’s wood stove to keep warm. She was unable to suck, so was fed barley water from an eye dropper.

Frances graduated from Huntley Project High School in 1944. On February 22, 1947, she married Edwin Ewen. Together they raised six children: Linda Laager (James), Lancaster MN; Sharlene Rivinius (Larry), Plains MT, Shirley Wilson (James), Trout Creek MT; James Ewen (Sherri), Toledo OR, Roy Ewen (Kathy), Keller TX and Marilyn Braught (Terry), Damascus OR, and were blessed with 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Ed and Frances enjoyed farming at Worden from 1947 to 1956, ranching at Trout Creek from 1956 to 1976 and operating a Phillips 66 gas station and bulk delivery business in Fort Benton from 1976 to 1986. After that, they retired to Plains to be closer to children and grandchildren. They enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards and spending time with their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Frances lived in Montana all of her life and was involved in each community via organizations such as 4-H, Girl Scouts, National Grange, United Methodist Church, VFW Auxiliary and the Plains Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed collecting recipes, playing cards, organizing her many family photographs and doing word find and crossword puzzles.

The memorial of Frances’ long life will be held on September 30, 3:30 pm at the Assembly of God Church, 300 Central Avenue South, Plains MT 59859. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, American Heart Association, or another charity of choice.