Old Missoula

Auxiliary Starts In 1927

The Lady Eagles in Missoula were the third in the state to form an Eagle auxiliary. The organization was instituted July 20, 1927 with 66 charter members.

Of the charter members eight are active. They are Marie Arnoldy, Minnie Charlton, Jennie Erlandson, Gudrun Helding, Helen F. Robb, and Mary Vitt. Mrs. Lizzie Heckler of Portland, another charter member, died last April at the age of 89.

First Officers

The first officers were Lizzie Heckler, junior past president; Minnie Wright, madam president; Florence Gervais, madam vice president; Mary Larson, chaplain; Pearl Tripp, secretary; Carrie Christian, treasurer; Tessie Byrne, inside guard; Helen Kemenz, outside guard; and Amy Jones, conductor.

The Auxiliary finances its activities by having card parties and dances. The Lady Eagles support the Memorial Foundation, the Cancer fund, Muscular Dystrophy, and the Home on the Range for boys. They help give the Christmas party for crippled children and help secure needed equipment for them. Each year the Lady Eagles send a girl to Y-Teen summer camp. The Lady Eagles have also supported the Missoula High School Band, needy families and donated Mrs. Santa aprons for the Christmas party for elderly people.

Drill Team Started

The Auxiliary first organized a drill team in 1931 with Lyle Whitesitt as captain. The organization also assists the Missoula Fraternal Order of Eagles in projects.

In 1960 the Missoula Auxiliary is one of 18 Auxiliaries in Montana. The membership is 160 and the organization has 128 patron members. Officers are Marie Wise, past madam president; Florence Hughes, madam president; Mary Lou Behner, madam vice president; Nelly Blake, chaplain; Dorothy Thomas, secretary; Coral Bare, treasurer; Nora Gilbert, conductress; Virginia Christian, inside guard; and Huldah Wakefield, outside guard. Other officers are Anna Carlson, Anna Johnson and Mary Caterino, trustees; Nelly Bartz, musician; Margaret Hughes, mother and Cleo Clawson, auditor.