Avis Maxine (Egge) McAlister, age 99, died on October 9, 2020, of heart failure. She was at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born December 8, 1920, on their family homestead in Fallon, MT. Her parents Erick Henry "Hank" and Ethel Egge, along with grandpa, Sven, moved their growing family to Butte after the locusts overwhelmed their horse ranch. She and husband, Roy Burns were appropriately voted the best looking couple in Butte during the 1940s. Even though they divorced, she always considered him the love of her life. She had four children, as well as 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
After moving to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Avis made Great Falls her permanent home. She worked at the county hospital, and most notably 24 years at the Deaconess Hospital's psychiatric unit known as 2 South. She loved her job so much that she didn't retire until age 72. Even though she loved staying home, travel was also part of her life. She happily lived on Bitburg military base in Germany and later visited Hawaii, Jamaica and Hong Kong.
Avis had such a passion for life itself. In fact, even well into her 90s she said she woke up every day feeling 24 until she looked in the mirror. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, oil painting, cooking, and being with and helping her family. A family service will be held when safer travel is possible. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to a local charity of the donor's choice.
To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the O'Connor Funeral Home website.
