Echo (Ethel) Jean Big Spring, 68

Echo (Ethel) Jean Big Spring sadly passed away July 30, 2021, at Logan Health Hospital in Kalispell, Mont., after a sudden and brief illness. Echo was born to Adam and Darlene Big Spring (McGillis) on May 13, 1953, in Browning, Mont.

She was a proud, enrolled member of the Blackfeet Indian Nation, as well as the Little Shell Chippewa Indian tribe.

Echo moved to Kellogg, Idaho, with her family in 1967 where she attended St. Rita's Catholic School and later graduated from Chemawa Indian School in Oregon in 1973. Echo was very active in her local community; she was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 1375, St. Rita's Catholic Daughters and as a loved teacher for CCD at St. Rita's.

In the 1980s, she worked as a nursing assistant for Kellogg Living Center and loved every minute of it. There wasn’t a resident or family member of a resident who didn’t know and adore her.

Her passion for skiing led her to teach ski school to the beginners at Silverhorn Ski Area, as well as Lookout Ski Resort. She also loved mountain biking and was always dragging any one of her family members with her and showing them up even though she was older.

Echo’s favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and any child that wanted to tag along. You never saw Echo without a kid in tow. She was Grandma Echo or Auntie Echo to every child and she always had a few extras at her dinner table.

Her faith is what kept her going and she saw the good in everyone and every situation, she never hesitated to lend a helping hand to any and all that may have needed it and she did it with a smile on her face. One of her favorite places to socialize was the Silver Valley Worship Center every Tuesday, she used that time to get the weekly gift for gab and share her mutual worship with all she would visit with.

Jesus rejoiced on July 30, 2021, when Echo was finally reunited with her parents; her sister, Iris Fitz (Big Spring); her great-niece, Kaylee Ann Heavy Runner and her dear sister-in-law, Linda Big Spring (Derbyshire). She sadly leaves behind her son, Adam Cato (Sarah) and daughter Shawnee Cato, both of the Silver Valley; and her siblings, Barbara After Buffalo of Browning, Adam Big Spring of Post Falls, Idaho, Anita Big Spring of Polson, MT, James “Bam” Big Spring of Smelterville, ID, Carrie (Victor) Wilson of Wapato, Wash., Leenie (Kevin) Day of Pinehurst, Idaho, and Amy Big Spring (Roger) of Kingston, Idaho. She carries her legacy on to her beloved grandchildren, Katyann Cato, Adam Cato, Sakoya Cato, Madi Croston, Adele Dunsmore and Lanell Arnoux; and her much loved great-nephew Jacob, Karst; and her many many nieces and nephews.

Rosary and viewing for Echo will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church and services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at St. Rita's. A luncheon will follow services at St. Rita's Parrish Hall.

Echo was a daughter, mother, grandmother, aunty, cousin, sister and friend to all who she came across and she would love for anyone who knew her to celebrate her life with her family.