Celebration of Life will be held on Tues., July, 9 at 1 p.m at the Melrose Bar Patio.
Connie Lively was born to parents Olaf G. “Wally” Walhood and Pearl Myrtle (Myrt) Henrietta “Hanson” Walhood on July 26, 1930, in Fargo North Dakota. She spent her early childhood in Fargo before moving to the Seattle, Washington area when she was 12.
Many summers were spent carefree and happy with her sisters Corkie and Carol at their cabin on Lake Cormorant. She enjoyed Campfire Girls, ice skating and especially swimming. She moved to Divide, Montana with her parents in 1945 and wondered what she would do surrounded by all the mountains, which she grew to love.
She met Burr Lively, the love of her life, on a blind date and the rest is history. She and Burr were married in Melrose, Montana, on June 22, 1947. Susan and Gary soon followed. They celebrated 67 years of marriage before Burr’s passing in June of 2015.
Disaster struck on December 13 of 1954, when Connie contracted polio and spent three months at St. James Hospital. She did everything to make the most of life even though her disability was hard, especially with a young family. Her children hardly noticed that she was disabled because she took care of her family like nothing was wrong, cooking every meal and sewing clothing, etc., all the while when she was also working at the Melrose Post Office.
Christine was born in 1956 and Lee in 1960. With a lot of help from Burr and his Grandmother, she met this challenge head-on, challenge being the key word.
She was involved with the Rebekah Lodge and was a 4-H Leader. Connie was confirmed at Olivet Lutheran Church in North Dakota, but because there wasn’t a Lutheran church in Melrose, she attended the Church of the Big Hole.
She ran the Melrose Bar, along with her husband and son, for several years. As members of the Southwest Montana Tavern Association, she served as secretary. They traveled the state and made many friends. She also served as state secretary for the Montana Chapter of the National Association of Postmasters United States.
She was a voracious reader, reading 390 books on her Kindle in the last few years. That was how she was able to pass the time when she could not get around very much. In fact, when we were in the emergency room on Sunday, she said, “I didn’t get to finish my book.”
Connie became the Postmaster in Melrose in 1982 after having served as Burr’s clerk for many years before that. She enjoyed interacting with the public. She retired after 33 years of service.
She and Burr had an active social life, especially in later years. She bowled in a woman’s league as part of “Charlie’s Angels” for many years with her good friends, Brownie, Joan, Maggie, Joyce and Barbara. What a wonderful time they had.
They attended many Volunteer Fire Department conventions and National Association of Postmasters’ annual conventions. She and Burr traveled extensively, to Brazil, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska and, of course, all of the road trips looking at scenery and rock yards.
Life was made full when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren began to arrive; Gary Ovitt; Kristen Ovitt (Shane); Krisha Anderson (Jason); and Tanner Fish. Skyler, Joslyn, Rhett and Ryland filled her life with joy.
Connie passed away at Barrett Memorial Hospital on May 9, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her in-laws, both of her sisters, her beloved son Gary Lively; former sons-in-law Don Ovitt and John Robert Fish, III; sister-in-law Shirley Percival; niece Shanna Lu Reynolds.
She is survived by daughters Susan Ovitt and Christine Lively; son Lee Lively; daughter-in-law JoAnn Weststeyn and her family; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces Sandy Peterson; Karla Valentini (Rick); Wrenie Knutson (Steve); Kara Wilhelm; Kimberly Carpenter (Jerry) & Kandi Keil-Konola (Chuck); her dearest friends Maggie Lundberg and Evelyn Lohman.
We believe that she, at the time of her death, was the oldest resident of Melrose in which she resided and loved for 76 years.
Special thanks to Sherrie Goody and Karla Valentini for the wonderful care.
A Celebration of Life will be held in early July. Memorial donations may be made to Melrose Volunteer Fire Department, Shodair Children’s Hospital or an organization of the donor’s choice.
If Roses grow in Heaven, Lord, please pick a bunch for me, place them in my Mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her that I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there’s an ache within my heart that will never go away.
by Kirsten Preus
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Connie.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Connie and her family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1 p.m
Tuesday July 9, 2024
Melrose Bar Patio
120 Main St.
Melrose , Montana 59743
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1 p.m
Tuesday July 9, 2024
Melrose Bar Patio
120 Main St.
Melrose , Montana 59743
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Mark. Vucurovich says
Dear Chris and family please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother She was always a joy to be around
Denise Hahnkamp says
My sincere condolences to the entire Lively family. Connie was a true class act and was always a caring and loving lady. I will miss my visits with her at the kitchen table. ❤️
Rick Later says
With SINCERE SYMPATHY R.I.P.
Rick & Cooky Later
Jay Hahnkamp says
Connie was the cornerstone of Melrose. She was part of every kids birth, graduation, wedding, and saddly funerals. She was the most outgoing, happy, optomistic person that ever lived in Melrose.
Her disability and her personal struggles never got her down and her attitude carried the little town on the Big Hole on her shoulders.
Joe and Lori Harvey says
I enjoyed working for Connie and Burr at the Post Office and they employed me for 13 years, so they could get away! Many good memories with both, Connie and I had great visits after Burr passed! She is the happiest and kindest person I think I ever met, always was smiling and never complained about her illness. Joe and I send our deepest condolences to the family.❤️
Susie says
It is said that angels walk among us. We know this is true because Connie always showed the good sides of life. She will be missed. Our sympathy to all of the family and friends who loved and knew her. Susie and Bill
Carol A Donegan says
My Condolences to your family!! Oh Connie was one of most generous & caring ladies. My folks & your had a lot of fun. She will be definitely missed. Are folks will be having fun together in Heaven!
Carol A Donegan