Alette Malmin Hegre

Glendive, Montana: Alette Malmin Hegre, age 97, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive. A Life Tribute service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 14, 2011 in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Celebrant Sandy Silha officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Alette was born on November 9, 1913 in Oslo, Norway, the daughter of Peder and Gustava (Larson) Malmin. She was raised on a family farm near Oslo and received her early education there. Following the death of her father, at the age of 13, she came to the United States with her two brothers. As a young lady, she worked in a Glendive rooming house with her mother where she would iron mens shirts. In 1932, Alette married William "Bill" Hegre. The two made their home in Fort Peck, Montana while "Bill" worked on the construction of the Fort Peck Dam. They later moved back to Glendive where she had resided since. Alette's life was her husband Bill, she loved driving her car, going to coffee with her friends and cleaning her home. In later years, she had worked as a volunteer at the Glendive Senior Center. Alette was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill Hegre; a son-in-law, Dan Pickering and two brothers, John and Lars Malmin. Survivors include her daughter, Gudrun Hegre Raymond Pickering of Rosebud, Montana; four grandchildren, George (Julie) Raymond of Miles City, Montana; Rick (Cindy) Raymond of Billings, Montana; Tracee Raymond and Deryl Waples of Colstrip, Montana and Alan (Tammy) Raymond of Colstrip; thirteen great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; and two nieces. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com In times of darkness Love sees… In times of silence, Loves hears… In times of doubt, Love hopes… In times of sorrow, Love comforts… And in all times, Love remembers. (from a Hallmark card, author unknown) Today we lovingly remember Alette Hegre. A proper lady of Norwegian heritage, Alette was born, raised and educated in Norway. As a young teenager, Alette had already experienced the death of her father, when another life changing event occurred. Alette’s mother decided to move to the United States to seek new opportunities. Alette and her brothers stayed with grandparents for a time. Once their mother was settled and working in Glendive, Montana, Alette and her brothers left Norway to live with their mother. After arriving in Glendive, Alette joined her mother in working at a local boarding house. At the age of nineteen, Alette married a young man who had also came over from Norway, William “Bill” Hegre. Alette and Bill began their version of the “American dream”. A first home for the couple was in Fort Peck, Montana, where Bill worked on the construction of the Fort Peck Dam. No housing was available, so Bill built a small, one room shack out of plywood for he and Alette to live in. Bill dug a hole in the ground outside the shack to keep food cool, and the stove inside was so small that he cut a muffin tin in half for Alette to make muffins, four at a time. When they moved back to Glendive, they were able to sell the shack to another worker. Living the rest of their lives in Glendive, Bill and Alette put to good use their Scandanavian traits of being industrious and frugal. They built their home on Meade Ave, and it was the only home they lived in. They loved that house. There was one time when they thought they would move into something else, and they even sold their Meade Ave. home and purchased another house, but they could not leave the home they had built, so they bought it back and never considered moving again. Bill and Alette lost a considerable amount of money in that deal, but that really wasn’t important, living in the home they had built was what mattered. As was stated, Bill and Alette were industrious. There was a time when Bill was running sheep, operating a bar, and working on the railroad all at the same time. He began to acquire properties and rentals and was able to retire when he was in his 40’s. Alette was the ultimate housekeeper, maintaining a spotless home for her family. She was meticulously clean, neat and orderly. The floors in her home were always sparkling, and she would even vacuum the garage floor regularly. She and Bill liked their home and yard this way. Alette would clean the house awnings with a toothbrush. She would pick up the needles from the pine trees outside by hand. She had a regular schedule for her cleaning and everything had its place. Alette was also very frugal. When she bought things for her home, unless they wore out, they remained in her house for the rest of her life. She would buy a gallon of milk or large quantities food on sale and freeze portions of them for later use. But she was frugal with a generous heart. A neighbor of 40 years, Penny Johnson tells how she would borrow milk or sugar from Alette when she was baking, or maybe even a bean pot or baking tin. Sometimes if Penny borrowed something several times, Alette would just give it to Penny. Penny also credits Alette with inspiring her to keep up her own yard and tells that when it would snow, if you didn’t get right out and shovel, Alette was very likely to start clearing snow from your sidewalks when she finished hers. Even these last years when Alette would hire someone to shovel the snow, often they didn’t get there quick enough for Alette and she would be out doing it herself. Alette and Bill had one child, a daughter, Goodie. Although the family was small and many of the extended family were in Norway, family was always very important to Alette. Goodie tells that her parents did make one visit back to Norway when she was about four years old. They spent several months in Norway visiting but returned to the United States when Germany invaded Norway. Goodie also tells that her mother only spoke Norwegian when she came to the United States. Alette learned English from listening to the radio and the songs that were played. When Goodie went to school, Alette would have Goodie go over her English lessons at home so Alette could better learn the language of English. Goodie recalls that her parents only spoke English in their home, unless they didn’t want anyone to know what they were talking about. Even though Goodie was an only child, Alette and Bill enjoyed having children around. Alette was very good to her niece, Gladys Wiegum. She would take Gladys school shopping, and in the winter during school, Alette would often feed Gladys lunch. Alette was very caring to her niece. A favorite memory of Gladys’ was at Christmas, when Alette would bake Norwegian cookies and breads. Gladys also recalls that Alette was a very caring grandmother, not just to her own grandchildren but also as somewhat of a surrogate grandmother to Gladys’ children, and the neighbor kids. When Alette’s grandchildren were young, they would come in the summers and spend time with Alette and Bill. The oldest grandson, Butch, remembers how good his grandmother’s house smelled. Alette would make a Norwegian potato dumpling called komla when the grandkids would visit and for special occasions. Butch loved grandma’s komla. Butch also remembers a vacation he went on with his grandparents to Yellowstone Park when he was about five. They were gone about five days, camped and saw many wonderful sights. A vivid memory for Butch concerned a knife from Norway that his grandmother had forbidden him to handle because it was so sharp. Well, Butch couldn’t stand not knowing how sharp that knife was. He got the knife out and ran his finger down the edge just to see if it really was that sharp. It was and he cut his finger badly. Butch bled all over including onto a white lace tablecloth. But Alette just cleaned him up; she didn’t get angry with him or lecture. Butch says his grandmother was the kind that just figured with things like that, you had just “learned your lesson.” One of the things Alette did with both her grandkids and her great-grandkids was at bath time. Many baths were taken in the washtub in the basement. And if Alette let you bathe upstairs, you still had to wash your hair in the washtub. It was just too messy for her to have it done upstairs. Alette always spoiled her grandchildren with plenty of candy and toys. Great-granddaughter Keri also tells that Grandma Alette would pay a quarter to get you to go to bed. Both Alette and Bill enjoyed enjoyed the children in the neighborhood. Penny’s sons, Sam and Charlie were regular visitors at the Hegre house. Bill would take Sam fishing and Alette would give always give Charlie a few dollars to spend uptown. A favorite activity for Alette when Goodie, the grandchildren or great-grandchildren would visit was to go out to eat. Grandson Alan remembers how adamant she was about paying for the meal, and how angry she would get if you paid or even tried to pay. Alette loved to eat out, especially at buffets. She thought everyone should eat what they wanted as long as it was what she thought they should eat. And desserts were very important. Some of her favorite foods were western browns, Denver omelets, salad bars and fresh fruit, homemade jellies, pies and of course desserts. Neighbor Penny would take over garden produce as Alette especially enjoyed squash and beets. Alette was always very appreciative of what was given her. And she liked to give back. When Penny and Dean would be gone, Alette would pick up their mail for them. And do you have a neighbor who would bring in your laundry from the clothesline if it started to rain? She would also help Penny weed the flowers and garden and they would get in some good visits. Butch tells about how caring his grandparents both were. If there was something the grandchildren needed, Alette and Bill would take care of it without being asked. They did not let their grandchildren go without. As thrifty as Alette was, she was very generous and giving to those around her. There were three important things Alette enjoyed doing each day, driving her car, coffee with friends, and shopping. She loved to drive, it was part of her independent nature. She would pick up her friend Bea Kalloch and they would drive to Dairy Queen for coffee with a few other friends. Or they would drive to the grocery store, K-Mart or other stores to shop. Alette did not go out alone, she went with Bill or friends or family. In her younger days, Alette had many coffee parties at her home, and Bill would always do all the clean-up. Alette told her friend Bea that having coffee with her friends was her “break in the day.” An activity Alette enjoyed was volunteering at the Senior Citizens Center. Alette would help serve meals, and Bill would do dishes while Alette had pie with the girls. Alette liked to do word search puzzles. And when she and Bill would watch television, they watched Johnny Carson, Lawrence Welk, and the news and weather. Alette and Bill were very devoted to each other. Bill took very good care of Alette and they had been married about 57 years when Bill died. Alette was very lost and lonely without Bill. Goodie and the grandchildren did not live close enough for Alette to see them as often as she wanted, and she missed having family around. Friends and neighbors became even more important to Alette. Goodie called her mother twice a day to check on her and visit. But Alette was not a complainer. She continued to do those things she enjoyed. Throughout her life her stubbornness, her sense of humor, and her independent spirit carried her through each day. She was a good hearted, kind person who loved her family and valued her friends. Alette taught her family by her example and by the way she led her life. These life lessons included learning about respect, honesty, and to appreciate other people. They were about how to “pay a little for the best food,” “tip for good service,” and that dessert is important. Alette just “wanted everyone on a good life path.” Alette enjoyed good health during her 97 years of living. When she suffered her stroke, her concerns were that she wouldn’t be able to drive and vacuum. For 97 years, Alette was a beautiful person both inside and out, to whom family and friends were most important. Alette Hegre will be greatly missed.

Alette Malmin Hegre

November 9, 1913 - April 14, 2011

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Alette Malmin Hegre

November 9, 1913 - April 14, 2011

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support