1924-2006

Adeline Portra Giese, 82, Bozeman, formerly of Bainville, passed away Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006.

She was born Feb. 28, 1924, in Bainville, to Julian and Mary Barnier. She lived in Mullan, Idaho, as well as Bainville, where she attended elementary school and graduated high school. On Dec. 20, 1942, Adeline married Peter Portra in Wolf Point. She and Pete began their family, and Adeline became the consummate mother to the six children born of this marriage. Her children have wonderful memories of her constant love and support, and they took full advantage of the "rose colored glasses" she wore in regards to them. (It came as quite a shock to learn that we weren't nearly as talented or good-looking as she always made us out to be!)

Pete passed away in August of 1965, and Adeline became mother and father to her children for several years. As a single mother, she challenged herself to take on some of the traditional "manly" jobs. It always brings a chuckle to her children when they recall her showing up in coveralls attempting to change the oil in her car, or better yet, getting out a chain saw to start a home remodel.

She was a great devourer of books, and a typical night of "sleep" meant reading until 2 or 3 a.m. Her magazine subscriptions included everything from Newsweek to Mother Earth News, and every conversation with her brought forth some fact she had read in one of her books. She was also comfortable jumping on a horse for a ride, or setting up an easel and painting - self-taught, of course!

In 1971, Adeline married Raymond Giese and added six stepchildren to the brood. Fortunately, most of the Portra and Giese children were adults by then, and the biggest dilemma became where to hold holiday dinners! It was not unusual to have 40 or more immediate family members at these gatherings. Adeline loved to cook, and her grandchildren remember fondly her never-ending meals! The smell of homemade cinnamon rolls was often the alarm clock that awakened the grandkids.

Survivors include her children: Terry (Cheryl) Portra, Denny (Ruby) Portra, Peter (Kass) Portra, Mick (Melanie) Portra, Lynne (Paul) Finnicum and Darcy (Godfrey) Saunders. Forty-six grandchildren and great-grandchildren lovingly remember her. Stepchildren surviving her include Gene, Wayne, Darrell and Craig Giese, Maureen Williams and Roxanne Nickoloff. She is also survived by her sister Lucille Rebo; brothers, Lawrence (Esther) Barnier and Albert (Anna) Barnier; and stepbrother Clarence Laford.

Adeline was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, an infant daughter and five stepsiblings.

The family wishes to give special thanks to those who cared for Adeline in the past months: Karin Cables, Alice Birgenheier, Linda Schott, Sue Nelson and all the staff at the Gallatin County Rest Home & Century Village Assisted Living.

A gathering of family and friends were held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Bozeman. On Sunday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m., a wake will be held at The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bainville. This will be followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bainville.