Judy Kline passed away of natural causes Friday, December 2nd, 2022 at her home in Stevensville, Montana at the age of 84.
Judy was born in 1938 in Estherville, Iowa to Oliver and Vera Shonkwiler. She grew up on the family farm with brother Bill and attended Estherville High School.
Judy married Basil Roberts and they had a daughter Debra Jo in 1956. Basil and Judy later divorced.
Judy became employed at Berkley and Company in Spirit Lake, Iowa as a secretary and was later promoted to advertising manager. At Berkley, Judy met the love of her life, Bob Kline, the company pilot. Bob and Judy moved to Montana and were married in 1975. They purchased a home, bunkhouse and acreage on the West Fork of the Bitterroot and built three guest cabins which became the Nez Perce Ranch. They catered to hunters and fly fishers, developing many loyal, repeat customers as well as lifelong friends. Judy was an excellent cook and Bob was an expert pilot and guide.
They sold the ranch in 1996 and set up shop on Kootenai Creek Road in Stevensville, Montana to develop their e-commerce marketing business. Bob Kline passed away in 2007 at the age of 91.
Judy is survived by her stepsons, Steve Kline, Superior, MT, Robert Kline Jr., Corpus Christi, TX, Dave Kline, Mitchell, SD; sister in law Deanna Shonkwiler, Estherville, IA; cousins Barb Lee, Kalispell, MT, Nancy Maitz (Larry), Chicago, IL, Chuck Shonkwiler (Niki), Hamilton, MT, DeAnn Evans, Newport Beach, CA, Tom Evans, (Betsy), Newport Beach, CA, Kay Carpenter (Del), Cedar Falls, IA; daughter Debra Duddley and husband Bob, Missoula, MT; grandsons, Wes (Alexandra) Dudley, Bozeman, MT, Alex (Fabienne) Dudley, and great granddaughters Amelie, Philine and Rosalie, Karlsruhe, Germany.
A memorial service will be held at the Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene, 803 5th Ave.,Victor, MT on Saturday, July 22nd at 2 p.m.