Eileen H. (Nordtome) Franson Albright

Eileen (Nordtome) Franson Albright, 74, passed into the loving arms of her Savior, August 21, 2021 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.  She was born in Kalispell, Montana on July 25, 1947, to Bud and Margarita Nordtome.  She grew up in Stryker, Montana and loved to spend time waterskiing on Dickey Lake with her sisters.  She was a bookworm, loved to knit and crochet, did well in school and was always on the honor roll.  She graduated from Eureka High School in Eureka, Montana.  Stryker was 21 miles away from her high school, and she held the high school record for being able to drive that stretch of road the fastest.

She attended college in Minnesota then moved to Shelby, Montana for work and that is where she met and married Gunnar Franson.  They had 2 daughters, Brenda and Cyndy.  Eileen was a stay at

home mom who raised and nurtured her girls in the love of the Lord.  She loved working in her yard and growing a yard full of gorgeous flowers.  Every Christmas, her and Gunnar worked hard selling and flocking Christmas trees and wreaths. When her children were older, she went back to work at Shelby Floral and Gift and then as a ward clerk at Toole County Hospital where she made several friends over the years.  She loved to worship and was very active at the First Baptist Church in Shelby and in Christian Women’s Club.

Her and Gunnar later divorced, and she moved to the Seattle area where she enjoyed the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  There she owned and operated commercial greenhouses.  She sold produce and bedding plants to the area’s farmer’s markets and grocery stores.  While in Washington, her grandsons were born of whom she was very proud: Jimmy, Andrew, Ben, Sean and Colin.  She loved being a grandmother and relished every moment she had with her grandchildren.

Eileen moved back to Shelby when her grandkids were in their elementary years, and then later married Jerry Albright in April of 2016.  She and Jerry spent time fishing, traveling and were active in their church.  She loved to attend her family reunion held every year in the area of Montana where she grew up.  She loved to camp, fish, be with family and friends and even waterskied up to about 5 years ago. Jerry was the love of her life and took very good care of her in her last years, making her smile even when she seemed not to recognize anyone else.

Eileen is survived by her husband, Jerry Albright and his family: sister, Arlene (Paul) Meissner, daughter, Kathy (Mark) Duffy, granddaughter, Markie Duffy, grandson, Brandon Albright; granddaughter, Dani (Alfie) Collings.   Survivors include her sisters, Doris Samard and Barb (John) Desch and nephews and nieces; her daughters, Brenda (Wayne) Rogers and Cyndy Grinde (Jason Bliss); grandsons, Ben Rogers, Sean Rogers (Kiana Jorata), James Grinde (Kaity Ireland), Andrew Grinde, Bennett Bliss, Colin Wolf; and great grandson, Calix Rogers.

Memorials can be sent to the First Baptist Church in Shelby and the Montana Veteran’s Memorial Flag that flies west of Shelby.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 10, at 10:00 AM at Shelby First Baptist Church.