Josephine Gordon died Saturday morning, April 16, 2011, at Cascade Vista Nursing Home in Redmond, Wash.

      Josephine "Jo/Josie" was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Dillon, to Joseph and Catherine (Osterman) Severinski.   She grew up in Butte, attending Harrison Elementary School and graduating from Butte High School in May 1943.

      Josie married Ray Gordon on Nov. 1, 1947, and they had two children, Gary and Gayle.   In 1954, the Gordons left Butte and moved to Burlington, Wash., where Josie worked as an executive secretary for Shell Oil Refinery in Anacortes.   Four years later the family moved to Seattle where Josie was employed with EDC of Lynnwood as an administrative assistant to the president until 1985 when she retired after 35 years of service.

      Josie always loved to travel and after her retirement, she and Ray visited many parts of the U.S. and Canada as well as making their yearly trips home to their native Butte until Ray died in 1992.

      Besides Ray, Josie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Catherine Serverinski;   sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Antone (Babe) Leskovar;   sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Henry Klobucar;   and brother-in-law, Vernon Lannin.

      She is survived by her son, Gary of Chicago, and daughter, Gayle of Logan, Utah.   Also surviving are her sister, Dorothy Lannin and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

      Josie was a wonderful woman who lived life to the fullest.   She will be sorely missed by her family and all who knew her.

      Josie's final wishes were to be cremated and buried next to her husband, Ray at Evergreen Memorial Park in Seattle.   In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

      Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.

      Published in The Montana Standard on Apr. 19, 2011.