June Ash celebrates 90th birthday

KALISPELL - June Ash recently celebrated her 90th birthday at The Heritage Place in Kalispell surrounded by family and friends.

Born on March 19, 1929 in San Jose, Calif., June attended schools in California and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1951 with a degree in Social Welfare.

June and her husband Rod first came to Montana in 1952 when Rod took a job with the Forest Service as a fire lookout on Big Swede Mountain near Libby. They spent many subsequent summer vacations with their young family camping in the Mission Mountains in Swan Valley, and eventually bought a cabin near Dog Creek. When Rod retired from teaching in 1984, they moved to Swan Valley full-time.

Well-known in the Swan Valley for her commitment to conservation and community, June devoted many hours volunteering for organizations such as AARP, Audubon, Upper Swan Valley Historical Society, Swan Valley Connections and Alpine Artisans, Inc.

Swan Valley resident Sue Cushman said that June was "president for life" of the Swan Valley AARP chapter starting sometime in the 1990s.

The Ashes were founding members of the Swan Citizens' ad hoc Committee. They received the "Volunteer of the Year" from the Swan Ecosystem Center in 2003 of which Rod served as president until he passed away in 2006.

Other notable awards June and Rod received included the Flathead National Forest Danny On Award in 1993 and the "Lifetime Achievements" awards from Montana Audubon in 2000.

Cushman said polio that crippled June at age 16, remitted under her mother's care. It gradually returned as she aged despite her routine of swimming at least three times a week, outdoors when the weather permitted.

"When her husband died, she managed by determination and with the help of friends and neighbors, to continue living alone in the Swan for 10 years," said Cushman. "She really is amazing."

Kathy Kinzfogl said she had the honor to be one of June's caretakers for 10 years. She remembers June as a lifelong birder.

"I enjoyed learning more about our local birds from her," said Kinzfogl. "She continues to be interested in what is going on in the Swan Valley."

Long-time friend Sharon Lamar noted, "June is an inspiration to all of us. She is high-spirited and tackles adversity with grit and determination."

Ash can be reached at The Heritage Place, 171 Heritage Way, Kalispell, MT 59901