Hattie Mae (Hunt) Farrell

Stevensville - Hattie H. Farrell, 92, of Stevensville passed away Friday, May 27, 2022 at St. Patrick Hospital. Hattie was born to Roy Q. and Nelita (Eldridge) Hunt on March 2, 1930 in Redding, CA. She grew up on Oak Run Road near Redding. The family spent summers on the mountain ranches and the winters on Oak Run until they moved to South Creek Ranch when Hattie was in the eighth grade. They stayed there the year round. Hattie’s dad was part owner of the W. H. Estate, which was run by his brother, George Hunt. It grew over the years to run 1500 pair of Herford and Angus cattle. Hattie grew up on a horse; first on a pillow in front of her dad, and when she got older, on a horse called Sealum. She always loved her horses. Hattie graduated eighth grade from Wilkerson grade school on Oak Run. She was the only eighth grader. Eddie Meeker was in fifth grade and Hattie’s sister Helen was in third grade and her mother was the teacher. From there Hattie went to Shasta Union High School in Redding, about a 30 minute bus ride. She graduated from there in June of 1947. Hattie started college in Chico, CA that fall. It was her mother’s idea, not Hattie’s. In December 1946, Hattie met George Farrell, who had just gotten out of the Army. On November 3, 1947, Hattie and George eloped to Reno, NV and got married. The couple had a second wedding on December 22, 1947 at the Palo Cedro Hall, CA. Hattie and George had three children, son William “Bill” Farrell, daughter, Peggy Farrell, both of which were born in Fall River Mills, CA and son Wayne Farrell, born in Redding, CA. The couple worked for W.H. Hunt Estate for three years in Goose Valley, in Burney, CA. Later, George decided to become a timber faller. They bought a house in Millville, CA and did that work for almost ten years. In 1963 the couple bought a small dairy on Middle Burnt Fork Road near Stevensville. Hattie and George operated the dairy for about ten years and the changed to beef cattle. They ran the cattle ranch until they retired. George died in 2010. The couple was married for sixty-two years. Hattie stayed on the ranch five more years with a lot from her grandkids, Wade and Deann Farrell. Hattie later bought a small house in Stevensville and learned to love living in town. Hattie played a lot of pinochle at the Stevensville Senior Center. Hattie is survived by her son, William of Missoula; her daughter, Peggi Erickson of Albany, OR; her grandchildren, Wade and Deann Farrell both of Missoula, Elizabeth Farrell of San Diego, CA; great-grandchildren, Sophia and Addison Spencer of Missoula and Mackenzie Farrell of Seattle, WA; her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Farrell of Missoula. She is also survived by here third son, Greg Flilflet of Cabot, AR, who came to live with Hattie and George his sophomore year of high school. Hattie is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Roy Q. Hunt, Jr., who lived just three days, sister, Helen Carpenter and son Wayne H. Farrell, and great-granddaughter, Joslyn Farrell. No service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations mat be made in Hattie’s name to the Stevensville Senior Center, 101 Mission Street, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneraqlhome.com.

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