Verda Mae Bell, 80, lifelong Ronan resident passed away on June 16, 2005 at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan where she had resided since 2001. Verda was born on Jan. 21, 1925 to Oscar & Ruth Elizabeth (Browning) Lundvall. She grew up on the Lundvall farm on Round Butte attending Round Butte School and Ronan High School. In Nov 19, 1943 she married Leonell “Lee” Bell, & moved to the Bell home.

She was married to Lee for 41 years. Together they raised 6 children. She enjoyed her flowers, raised a large garden, took a great deal of pride in her home & was an excellent cook. Verda excelled in her ability to bake. She enjoyed her home & learned her decorating skills from everything around her. In addition to raising six children of her own Verda & Lee took in & provided a home for 35 foster children; she worked for Head Start program; she served for several years on the board of Lake County Youth Guidance home; she served on the Mental Health Board; she was a member of the Lake Co. Democratic Central; & help to develop the Tribal Youth camp; & assisted Lee in monitoring the Tribal South Fork of the Jocko gate. She was a member of the Round Butte Women’s club; Charlo Women’s Flower club; & Ronan Women’s Senior Bowling League.

Verda participated fully in ranch life from caring for newborn calves in the house, when necessary, to a complete understanding of ranch related economics & legislation. She was an avid reader, enjoying everything from the Bible to Psychology Today & many other readings that caught her interest. She joined the Catholic Church when she married Lee & has remained a Catholic for 62 years. Verda had a great sense of humor & a smile for everyone. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Verda is survived by five children: Kathleen Beauchot (Charles) of Miles City, MT., Eloise Anderson of Ronan, MT., James Bell of Snoqualmie, WA., Althea Bell (Mike) of Ronan, Melissa Michel (Leonard) of Ronan, MT. A sister- Dixie Anderson of Pasco, WA., & a brother- Bill Lundvall of Oceanside, Calif. She is also survived by several grand-children, great grandchildren, nieces & nephews.

She is preceded in death by Lee, her husband of 41 years, & her daughter, Patricia Vermedahl; & an infant son; both her parents; brothers- Carl, Bud, John; Sisters- Frieda, Mildred, Marie & Betty. A rosary will be held on Sun, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart

Catholic Church in Ronan. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Mon. at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Gary Reller officiating. Inurnment of cremains will follow at the Ronan Cemetery. A reception will follow at the parish hall Arrangements & cremation are by Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory.