Alice Kleffner Dove, 84

Alice Jean Kleffner was born November 17, 1942, in Great Falls, Montana, the daughter of Paul and Thelma (Putnam) Kleffner. She grew up on a beautiful ranch south of East Helena, attended St. Ann's school in East Helena, and graduated from Cathedral High School.

In the summer of 1961, while working as a secretary at Montana Highway Patrol headquarters, she met the love of her life. On March 3, 1962, she married William Larry Dove. Thus, she began the most important career of her life: that of wife and mother.

Bill's career with the Highway Patrol began in Missoula, and in 1965, he was transferred to a traffic position in Whitehall. Alice enjoyed being a stay-at-home Mom and was active in church and community activities.

After raising her children, she served two terms as City Judge in Whitehall. Following Bill's transfer to Helena in 1993, she worked as a deputy clerk in the Clerk of Court's office.

She retired in 1999 and, with her husband Bill, managed the Kleffner Ranch until the historic ranch was sold in 2005. In their retirement years, Alice and Bill enjoyed traveling and spending time with family.

In addition to her parents, Alice was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Carol Ann, in 1964 and infant son, Robert Charles, in 1968. She is survived by her loving husband, William Larry, sons Bill (Kate) of Bozeman and Jim (Natalia) of Columbia, MO, and daughter Karen Dove of Seattle, WA. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Dylan Schreder of Seattle, WA; Austin (Katie) Schreder of Columbia Falls, MT; Nichole Heisler of Seattle, WA; Billy (Mari) Dove Jr. of Eustice, FL; Spencer Pappas of Portland, OR; Andrew Dove of St. Louis, MO; Alexis Dove of Columbia, MO; and the most recent addition to the family, great-grandson William C. Dove of Eustice, FL.

Also surviving are siblings Janet Waldron of Helena, Charles (Lynne) Kleffner of Bigfork, Colleen Schulte (Mike) of Butte, Dorothy Kleffner of San Raphael, CA., Irene Ewing of Spokane, WA, and Linda (Pat) Nichol of Kalispell, MT, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A vigil was held on Tuesday, June 25th, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home (3750 N. Montana Ave). A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 PM on Wednesday, June 26th, at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church (120 W. Riggs St) in East Helena. The rite of committal will follow the Mass at St. Ann's Cemetery. A reception will follow the committal in the lower level of the church. Please visit http://www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Alice.