Isabelle Oliver Montour

Isabelle Oliver Montour

Isabelle Oliver Montour left this life on Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. Isabelle was born in Williamstown, Kansas, to Emmett and Effie Laster. She lived in the Williamstown/Perry area most of her life. She married William "Bing" Oliver in 1931. They had three children. Bing passed away in August 1964. Isabelle married Edward J. Montour in 1980. He survives, as do her sister, Virginia Page, Nortonville; and her three children, Joyce Spoon Birt, Fleming, Colorado; W. Brent Oliver, Topeka; and Sally Oliver, Perry. She is also survived by six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was an intelligent, beautiful and talented woman. She was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. A superb craftsperson, she made numerous heirloom quilts, quilted Teddy bears, and crocheted afghans, as well as many other beautiful items for her family and friends. She loved to write and was a consummate storyteller. For a time in the 1950s she worked as a reporter for the Perry Mirror. Mrs. Montour was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. She wished to be buried with a thimble on the middle finger of her left hand. Now she can make quilts for the angels. Her family and friends will miss her dearly. Mrs. Montour will lie in state after 3 p.m. today at Parker-Price Mortuary in north Topeka, where visitation is from 7 to 8 p.m. today. Services will be held Wednesday, June 25, at 1 p.m. at Parker-Price Mortuary. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery, north of Perry, Kan. The family is deeply grateful to God and to the many friends and loved ones, medical professionals and staff at St. Francis Hospital and Midland Hospice House for their loving care to Isabelle. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice House, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kan., 66606-2800 or to Calvary Lutheran Church, 4211 N.W. Topeka Blvd., Topeka, Kan., 66617-1799.