Doretta Adelaide BEDARD

FRENCHTOWN - Doretta Adelaide Bedard Running, A lifetime resident of Frenchtown, Ninemile and Missoula, passed away Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005, at her assisted living home surrounded by family members.Doretta was born the fifth of nine children to Aurise and Henry Bedard on Feb. 7, 1910, in the family's ranch home in Frenchtown. She attended Frenchtown elementary and high schools before graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula.On April 29, 1929, Doretta married Clinton H. Running, who was to become alternate ranger of the Ninemile District, Lolo National Forest. Clint preceded her in passing July 26, 1966. Clint and Doretta made their home at first in Stevensville, then for 23 years in Frenchtown. In 1953, they moved to the Ninemile Ranger Station, where they resided until 1960, when they built a new home in Frenchtown. Clint was transferred to U.S. Forest Service regional headquarters and was in that transition when he passed away.Doretta was involved with the public all of her life. She served as clerk of the Frenchtown School District and Frenchtown School Board. Her presence in the schools' front office was the source of pleasant associations for many students and teachers over the years. She also drove one of the school buses that she and Clint operated. Later she was employed in the office of the Missoula County Clerk and Recorder and the treasurer's office.Doretta graced many services playing the organ at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She was a life member of the Daughters of Isabella in Missoula.Fluent in French, Doretta loved to travel. She cooked up a storm - forever hosting holiday meals for family and relatives, and she was an avid angler. But she enjoyed most of all being with family. She was an umbrella of love, once sheltering for 1 1/2 years a family of five children whose parents were divorcing. At the same time, she found room to tuck in a nephew when her sister was suffering an extended illness. Numerous children enjoyed an occasional presence at Doretta's table, whether their parents were away on business or they simply missed the school bus ride home and were invited to spend the night.Doretta is survived by her daughters, Doreen Wilcomb of Geoergetown, Texas, and Darlene Slocum of Missoula; two of her sons, Lloyd Running of Yakima, Wash., and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Nels Running of Washington, D.C.; her sister, Lorena Towner of Fort Benton; and her brother, Alvin Bedard of Seattle. Doretta leaves 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews.She was also preceded in death by her second husband, Ryland Walford; her first child, infant son Floyd; brothers, Henry, Ulrick and Willis Bedard; sisters, Dawn (Crabtree) Hale, Florence Borchers and Isaline (Lanier) Sawyer; and grandson, Cary Wilcomb.Doretta's life will be celebrated with a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Frenchtown. Interment will be a private, family function.Doretta's final request was that in lieu of floral tributes, contributors be asked to make donations to St. John the Baptist Renovation Fund or a charity of their choice.