Vera Elder (Kortte) Spring

Vera Spring, 87, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. Vera was born October 5, 1926 in Columbia Falls to Elsie (Merkle) and Leo Rafeal Kortte. She lived an amazing life. Growing up on the family homestead near Polebridge, MT, she worked hard and played hard. Riding and using horses everyday was a part of life, all year long. She loved animals and the outdoors. Vera married Archie Elder in 1942, the day before he left to fight in WWII. Archie was killed in France that same year. Vera kept his name as her middle name the rest of her life. In 1944, Vera married Robert Emerson and they moved to Bozeman. They had one daughter, Roberta (Bobbie) before they divorced. On April 5, 1947, Vera married Samuel C. Spring. They had two sons, Samuel William (Bill) and Charles Douglas (Chuck). Sam and Vera lived and worked on the Flying D Ranch near Gallatin Gateway until Sam retired in 1982. Sam was “cow boss” and Vera cooked for the cowboys at Cow Camp. She enjoyed this job more than any other. From early spring to late fall, she’d get up at the crack of dawn to start dough for rolls and cook breakfast, immediately followed by preparations for the noon dinner and the evening supper. In between, she cleaned and scoured every square inch of the place. It was often said they didn’t need a table; they could eat off Vera’s floors! She was a perfectionist at everything she did, Vera endeared herself to all the cowboys who ate at her table. She was an avid photographer and chronicled the cowboy life on the Flying D during the 1970’s and 80’s. After leaving the ranch, Vera worked at Glacier Mountain Cheese, Ridgeline Metal Art and the Gallatin Gateway Inn. She also volunteered at the Little Bear School House Museum. No matter where she worked, Vera left her imprint. She was vivacious, friendly and always ready with a story or information. Preceding her in death are her parents, her sister, Naomi, her brother, Doug, her husband, Sam, and two grandchildren Bobby and Ricky Sales. She is survived by her daughter, Roberta Adams (Dale) of Hot Springs, her stepson, Dick Sales (JoAnne) of Camas, WA, her sons, Sam Spring of Belgrade and Chuck Spring of Bozeman, her grandchildren, Bob and Tom Adams of Hot Springs, Robin Sales of Camas, WA, Ty Spring (Crystal) of Gallatin Gateway, Kristi Spring of Billings, Chad Spring of Gallatin Gateway and Jamie Spring of Denver, CO. , thirteen great and five great-great grandchildren. A celebration of Vera’s life will be held at the Gallatin Gateway Community Center at 5 pm on Thursday, August 14th. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to Willing Worker’s Ladies Aid, Inc. or Little Bear School House Museum in Gallatin Gateway. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral and Cremation Service, www.dahlcares.com.