Dora Frieda Mahood, 94, passed away on October 10, 2023.
She was born on September 22, 1929 to Anna Dallman Goecks Knutson and Walter Fredrich Goecks. The family moved to Grandpa Goecks farm out at Kennilworth during the Depression, but moved back to Big Sandy when Dora started school. Her father died in an accident working on the Loma bridge in 1936. Her mother remarried Melford Knutson in 1938.
Growing up, Dora enjoyed school. Music was her favorite and she was the drum majorette for band as well as taught twirling. She worked at Northern Montana Bank for six years after graduation. She also taught sewing lessons for 4-H and Red Cross life saving classes at the community swimming pool in the summer.
She married Jack Mahood Jr. in 1950. They moved to Great Falls in 1961, where she participated in many activities, especially in the art community. Dora and Jack were well known as western art collectors. Dora also loved to golf and taught lessons at the country club in Great Falls. She also taught bridge lessons in her home, known for her excellence in the game. She was talented in many areas of sewing, knitting, and crocheting, and even sold many of the items she had made.
Dora owned many cocker spaniels over the years. Her last dog, Mollie, was her constant companion after the death of her husband in 2007.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sisters, Delores (Deane) Courtnage and Dorothy (Ernie) Geyer; and brother, Clifford (Cathy) Knutson.
Dora is survived by her nieces, Penny Courtnage McLean, Debra Courtnage (Steve) Braach, Holly Knutson (Donny) Holmlund, and Sarah Knutson (Mike) Magee; as well as nephews, Jerry (Darlene) Smithers and Lyle (Beth) Courtnage.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 3rd at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service at 2 P.M.
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. http://www.dokkennelson.com
