Lela Alida Swarts Biggs,92, of Townsend, passed away on July 10, 2015 in Albany Oregon.
Lela was born in Helena Montana to John Paul (JP) and Alida Swarts on August 6, 1922. She lived in Lombard, Toston, and Townsend during her childhood years. She attended Broadwater County High School graduating in 1940. She went on to earn a certificate in Education from Billings. Lela married Kenneth D Biggs on October 24, 1946. They were married 58 years until Kenneth’s death in 2004.
Lela taught elementary grades in Maudlow, Crow Creek, and Townsend during her teaching career. Lela majored in History and minored in Music. These subjects were her favorite throughout her life. She loved teaching and she loved every child she taught. She cried at the end of each school year because she knew she would miss the children she had gotten the privilege to teach that year. Lela taught well over 400 full time students and countless others during times she substituted. Her favorite grade to teach was 2nd grade.
Lela enjoyed being a lifelong learner. She loved books, music and the Bible. She was constantly reading and doing Bible studies wanting to learn more. Lela devoured history books. She was also incredibly patriotic. She loved her country believing in the freedom and justice it stood for. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxilary. She and her husband Kenneth attended as many concerts and theatrical performances as their schedule would permit. They also enjoying jazz, band music, classic, opera and symphony. Lela enjoyed her family and they enjoyed her and she was the family historical knowing history of all branches of the family. Lela had moved to Washington and Oregon after the death of her husband Kenneth but her heart was always in Montana and she said it was the only place she would ever feel at home. She loved to garden, had an amazing green thumb and she loved to attend church. Lela loved the Lord Jesus. We can only imagine how thrilled she is to be in His presence now. She lived her life every day as a daughter of Jesus and was our prayer grandma who we could ask to pray for us and we knew she would without question. Lela was gentle, kind, unselfish, and loving.
Lela is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth D Biggs, mother Alida Swarts, father John Paul Swarts, sisters Idabelle Swarts and Lorraine (Mickey) Luhr, son Kent Thane Biggs, granddaughter Janelle Biggs and son in law Eugene Ray Wessner.
Lela is survived by her children, Diana Lee Heller (Dave) of Albany Oregon, Craig Kenneth Biggs (Vicki) of Albany Oregon, Lela Renee Wessner of Silverdale, Washington. Grandchildren Ron Heller, Kendra Heller Kelly, John Biggs, Jerry Biggs, Isaac Biggs, Brian Plagmann, Jillyan Plagmann, Candice Smith, Brandon Wessner, Bryanne Wessner Salman, Ryan Wessner, Drew Biggs Nesbitt, Aaron Biggs, and Melissa Biggs, 20 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Lela had many nieces and nephews. There were no in laws or children by marriage everyone was just family and she loved them all.
Funeral service will be held at Trailhead Christian Fellowship on August 7 at 2:00 p.m. In Townsend, Montana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Center for Law and Justice, PO Box 90555, Washington DC 20090-0555. To offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Lela please visit below.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Friday August 7, 2015
Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church
US Highway 12 East
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Immediately following the church service
Friday August 7, 2015
Social Center of the church
,
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Friday August 7, 2015
Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church
US Highway 12 East
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Immediately following the church service
Friday August 7, 2015
Social Center of the church
,
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Denise Moudree says
I am sorry I did not know until now that Lela passed away earlier this month. I had gone online to read the IR to my mother, Shirley Moudree, as she recently has been unable to read. There were so many things I didn’t realize about Lela! My mother, also a school teacher (she is now 93), taught at Lombard and Crow Creek also, My in-laws used to live near Maudlow. We, too, lived in Toston. What a small world. My heartfelt condolences.
I live in Oregon and will not be able to attend the services for your mother, but I wish I sure wish I could. I’ll be thinking of you all.