Germaine J. (VanDessel) Angle

Germaine J. (VanDessel) Angle, 92, of Livingston, Montana, passed away Wednesday, December 21st, 2016, at her daughter Susanns home in Phoenix, Arizona. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 5th, 2017, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Livingston. Graveside committal and burial will follow the service at Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside service at the St. Marys multipurpose room. Germaine was born on March 18th, 1924, in Havre, Montana, to Francis and Dora (Lange) VanDessel. She grew up on the family homestead near Joplin. She went to school in Joplin and at times when the weather was bad she attended boarding school at St.Thomas in Great Falls. She was a graduate of Joplin High School, Class of 1944. Following her graduation she moved to Missoula with her parents, where she attended The Modern Beauty School in Missoula. After graduation Germaine worked for a short time as a beautician in Helena. On September 3rd, 1948, Germaine was united in marriage to Joseph Wellington Angle in Thompson Falls, Montana. When Joe was transferred by the railroad to Livingston, they built their home together on Front Street, moving in before the plumbing was finished. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Darlene, Don, Sandra, Susann, and John. They shared 13 years of marriage before Joe passed away suddenly on October 19th, 1962. Left with five kids to raise, Germaine worked hard, making their clothes, cutting their hair and using all the vegetables in her large garden to feed her growing family. Everyone helped with harvesting and canning for the long winters. She never complained about the difficulties she must have had during this time. There were still camping trips and drives into Yellowstone with five kids in tow. Somehow she also found time to be a Cub Scout Den Mother. Germaine was excellent at embroidery and quilting. She especially loved to crochet, taking on such projects as bedspreads and full tablecloths. Germaine provided daycare for many children over the years. These kids simply became a part of her family. Affectionately calling her "Ang-ee" were BillieJo, Heidi and Randy Broadbent; Zach and Meagan Shada; and Adia Smith, along with grandchildren Kris, Kammy and Ashley Angle. All remember baking bread for the county fair, working in the garden, and helping deliver Meals on Wheels. Supervision was minimal, she was by no means a helicopter Grandma. She told the kids to "go play," and while she was happy when summoned to watch whatever production the kids had created, she was also content to rest her eyes and let the kids climb the "mountain" behind the house. Discipline was simple, 'if you don't stop crying I'll give you something to cry about!' Ang-ee didnt raise any snowflakes. Lunch was often pizza bread which consisted of sandwich bread, ketchup, and cheese. She was famous for her made-from-scratch soups that were delicious even though everyone knew that at least one ingredient was added because it "was about to go bad." Germaine has been a member of the St. Marys Catholic Parish since 1950. Her activities with the church included the Altar Society, choir, usher, and the 50+ group. She also made rosaries for the first communion and confirmation children and for Catholic Missions. Germaine was the Atlanta Braves #1 fan. She didnt miss a game and was sure she could manage the ball club better than any coach they ever had. Sometimes she thought she could play better than the players, too. An attempt to convert her to be a Cubs fan this fall didnt quite take even though they won the World Series. She will take her Braves team jersey and Tomahawk with her to the next big game, wherever that may be. Germaine, Jerry, Mom, Grandma, Only Grandma, Ang-EE, Grandma Grape Always in our hearts, forever in our memories, we love you and miss you! Germaine is survived by step-daughter LuEllen (Jim) Wood, children, Darlene (Don) Cartmell, Donald Angle, Sandra (Lloyd) Thompson, Susann Stevenson, John (Sherrey) Angle; 12 grandchildren, Johnny Angle, Teresa Struzek, Brian Cartmell, Shannon Schneller, April Curtis, Kameah Angle, Candice Mingo, John Stevenson, Joseph Stevenson, Kristofer Angle, Kamron Lookhart and Ashley Angle; 20 great-grandchildren, to whom she was known as Grandma Grape; four great-great grandchildren; sisters, Doris Tayer and Mary (Babe) Stout; sister-in-law, Mona VanDessel; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Germaine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joe, and brothers, John, Leo, and Arthur (Bud) VanDessel. The last years were not easy. We are forever grateful to all her caregivers and those who simply stopped by to see how she was doing. Special thanks to daughters Susann and Darlene, for taking great care of mom while she was in Phoenix! Memorials in Germaines name are suggested to the St. Marys Catholic School in Livingston or the Sage Hospice, 5111 N. Scottsdale Rd. #20, Scottsdale AZ, 85250 Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.