AnnaLou Bergtoll

AnnaLou (Desonia) Bergtoll, 85, entered eternal rest on August 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at the Glasgow hospital after a fatal fall at her home north of Saco, MT.

AnnaLou was born to Fred 'Chub' and Dora (Overland) Desonia at their home in Nashua on July 19, 1940. Just after graduating from Nashua High School in 1958, she married Leo Bergtoll, and they began a life together near the Frenchman Dam, located twenty-five miles north of Saco, Montana. There, they persevered through hard times, shared smiles in good times, and created family and cattle ranching legacies.

AnnaLou was well known for the hospitality of her table and famous desserts; she cooked many meals for family, neighbors, friends, and branding crews. When her three children were young, she sewed all of her family's clothes, gardened, and canned vegetables, along with driving haying equipment. She did whatever needed done. After years of toil and uncertainty on the ranch, living to see the place she and her husband had founded prosper was a pride second only to family.

She served as both a 4-H Club Leader and secretary of the Saco Rodeo Club for many years, hosted card parties, knitted and crocheted beautiful gifts, hauled her children countless miles to rodeos, and cheered on both her children and grandchildren in their many sports and competitive activities. In her later years, AnnaLou enjoyed birdwatching from her windows and vacationing to her Arizona home; she was fortunate enough to experience good health and sharp wit until her passing. AnnaLou loved her family, and her greatest joy in life was watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow. She will be greatly missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.

AnnaLou is survived by her husband of 67 years, Leo Bergtoll; their 3 children, Tami Bergtoll (Jay Taylor), Dori (David) Siewing, and Darrel (Rhonda) Bergtoll; her sister Kay (Ron) Opp; her 7 grandchildren, Levi Plouffe, Randi Plouffe, Kirbi Doble, Kazz Siewing, Kruiz Siewing, Brittani Carey, and Blaise Bergtoll. She had 15 great-grandchildren, along with the soon expected additions of one great-grandchild and one great-great grandchild. Each has a quilt, doll, or baby blanket made by Grandma AnnaLou.

AnnaLou is preceded in death by her father, Fred 'Chub' Desonia; mother, Dora (Overland) Desonia, and brothers Norman and Gilbert (Marilyn) Desonia.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28 at Wilderness Funeral Home-Malta. Reception to follow from 3:00-5:00pm at the GN.

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