Ethel was born in Hinsdale, Montana on April 5th, 1920 to John and Tillie Rasmussen and was the second of eight children. She grew up on the farm and was the valedictorian of the Hinsdale class of 1937 where she played basketball for the Raiders. In 1939 she married Richard Partridge in Glasgow. They lived in Malta and Havre before moving to Glasgow. Together they had seven children. Ethel was a stay at home mother until her youngest children started school when she went to work at Sears in Glasgow and later for the Glasgow School District. She was active in the Southside School PTA as she had children in the Glasgow school system from 1946 to 1973. She was also an active member of the Methodist Church and was a state rep for the United Methodist Women for many years. She was a long time member of Degree of Honor. She served many years as a volunteer working elections at the courthouse. Ethel was instrumental in helping start the Valley County Food Bank from its humble beginning in the basement of the Methodist church. Her leisure time was spent in her garden, doing yard work, and spending time at her cabin at Nelson Reservoir, where she spent three days a week throughout the summer months. Life went full circle for Ethel in her later years, living for a time at Nemont Manor and Valley View Home where for years she had volunteered doing prayer readings, devotions and fixing hair for the residents.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents John and Tillie Rasmussen, four sisters and two brothers, her husband Richard in 1980, daughters Sandra Sandidge in 1995 and Sheila Coates in 2001.
Ethel is survived by sons Frank of Chinook and John (Debi) of Glasgow: daughters Sharon (Dave) Ferguson of Helena, Susan (Richard) Jaworowski of Denver, and Patti (Randall) Fought of Perrysburg, Ohio; sisters Delila Holderman of Glasgow and Dorris Reiber of Tacoma. Fifteen grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews from her large family.
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Liz Hahn says
My beautiful aunt Ethel. Remembering holiday dinners at her house!
Carrie Koppy says
So true, Liz. What I remember most is how she watched over me right after our folks got divorced, and made sure I had nice prom dresses (that she handmade) and had an emergency place to go if I couldn’t get out to Fort Peck. When the sisters would gather in Great Falls, you could always depend on Ethel to have a great project that everyone helped accomplish. I loved her with all my heart.
Dede Ferguson says
So very sorry for your loss!! Much Love from the Missoula Fergusons!!