Ruth Diane Cox Gewald Amdahl, born March 24, 1936, in Great Falls, MT, to Percival and Millicent Cox, passed away on August 30, 2024 at Peace Hospice House. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 1:00pm at West Side Methodist Church in Great Falls.
Diane was married to Loren W. Gewald, Jr. in 1953 in Great Falls, and they divorced in 1977. Into this union were born 2 children, son Loren W. Gewald III (Helen) of Vail, AZ, and daughter Diane Pittman (Randall) of Perkins, OK.
She married Clifford J. Amdahl on August 6, 1977, in Great Falls, who predeceased her in death on May 27, 2012.
Diane attended Franklin School and Great Falls High School, and received her GED from Shelby High School.
Diane began her work life in 1953 at Aetna Finance, then Strevell Paterson Finance, which was purchased by American Finance and then by Dial Finance, which she managed until 1980. She was the first female in the state of MT to be a manager of a finance company. After leaving Dial Finance, she went to work at the (then) GFGE Federal Credit Union. She moved to Sunburst, MT in 1983 with her husband Clifford, who was a Methodist Minister, where she worked for United Savings in Shelby. A move to Kaycee, WY, found her employed as the town clerk there. Then a move to Sheridan, MT found her working as an office manager for Headwater Real Estate. In 1991, they moved to Denton, MT, where Diane worked for Judge Rapkoch in Lewistown, as his secretary. When Clifford and Diane returned to Great Falls at Cliff’s retirement in 1994, Diane worked for Paris Gibson Museum of Art until she retired in 2000.
During her working years in Great Falls, Diane was a member of BPW (Business & Professional Women), and one of the founding members of ABWA (American Business Women’s Assn), where she served as president and also received the ABWA Woman of the Year.
Diane was an alternate piano player for services at West Side Methodist Church, utilizing her skill for and love of music. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, and embroidery work creating special gifts for her children, granddaughter, friends, and church members & fundraisers. In the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Diane enjoyed riding her motorcycle! She could be found daily meeting up with her friend Cecile Smiley, and the 2 gals would motorcycle daily to work together in nice weather. She also drove alongside her first husband on their motorcycles to Washington state several times, to visit friends and attend bike races.
Besides her parents and husband, Diane was preceded in death by her 2 dear brothers, Charles S. Cox (Elizbeth), and Ralph B. Cox (Alta).
Diane is survived by son Loren and his wife Helen, daughter Diane and her husband Randall, granddaughter Erin Hall, “adopted” son Rick Enge, sister in law Alta Cox, and many beloved nieces and nephews and friends. She was truly loved by all who knew her, with her caring ways, great sense of humor, and love for all, especially the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested by the family, to be made to her beloved church, West Side Methodist Church
Author: Staff
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