Hertha Ann Moore

"was called peacefully into the arms of Jesus" on Sept. 16, 2004, at the age of 87.

She was born in New Salem, N.D., on Oct. 27, 1916, and received her education in a small rural school near the family farm.

Hertha was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Frieda (Knirck) Kunkel; her husband of 46 years, William B. "Bill" Moore; daughter-in-law, Linda Moore; sisters, Margaret Schwinkendorf and Delores Kunkel; and brothers, Rudolph and Lorenz Kunkel.

Surviving her is her son, Barry Moore of Billings; her daughter and "favorite son-in-law," Lynda Kay and Don Hurter of Renton, Wash.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Hertha is also survived by sisters Bernice Luoma of Minnesota and Rosemary Kunkel of Idaho; and brother Archie Kunkel of Wisconsin, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Even though she grew up during the Depression, Hertha never felt poor. The family worked hard and the farm provided the necessities to get by and they remained rich in their spirit and faith and found enjoyment spending time together. Hertha learned strong work ethics and the values of "family" and respect for others.

Hertha met Bill Moore, "the love of her life" in Yakima, Wash., where they were married in 1938. Bill worked for the Bureau of Reclamation on the Grand Coulee Dam, and in 1945 he was transferred to the Hungry Horse Dam project in northwest Montana.

With their two young children, Barry and Lynda Kay, they moved to the Flathead Valley in Montana, fell in love with the beauty of the country and the friendliness of the people, eventually purchased five acres of land and built their dream home just seven miles out of the west entrance to Glacier National Park. They enjoyed sharing their home and the beauty of what they referred to as "God's Country" with family, friends and strangers alike.

They were active members of the Canyon Community Church in Coram, for many years. Hertha taught Sunday School and was involved in many facets of the women's ministries. In retirement years, the couple enjoyed several senior bus tour trips from Alaska to Mexico.

In 1988, Hertha moved to Renton to be close to her daughter and family. She became a member of Highlands Community Church and was

actively involved with the JOY (Just Older Youth) Group and 60s Plus.

Hertha set an example by her life; she loved unconditionally and was devoted to doing the Lord's work. Even in the last days of her life, in a weakened state, she reached out to comfort those who were in need of encouragement. Hertha Moore will be remembered for the loving Christ-like spirit she possessed. We love you Hertha, and will miss you, but we know you are in a better place now and we look forward to being reunited with you one day.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Canyon Community Church in Coram. Graveside services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Daniel Roy Dobyns, 93, passed away at his daughter's home in Kalispell on Oct. 2, 2004.

Dan was born in 1910 to Frances (Sullivan-Dobyns-Benedett) and Luther Dobyns in Cut Bank. His father and baby sister, Dorothea, died in the influenza epidemic of 1918 and were buried together in Cut Bank. In the years that followed, Dan, his mother and sister, Janay, lived in Cut Bank, Browning, Shelby and St. Paul, Minn.

He married Leona Grace Fenn in 1929, worked in a grocery store, read meters and then began learning the plumbing trade with Walt Tillman of Shelby. He served on the city council in the 1930s. Since Dan wanted to work outdoors they moved to a farm on the Marias River south of Dunkirk in 1940, where he built a home using local stones. In addition to farming, they carried the mail on the Star route out of Dunkirk from 1945 to 1958.

To accommodate his growing family and to have a vehicle for work, Dan put together what was possibly the first crew cab in the early '40s, calling it "The Cadoodle Wagon." He cut a car into three sections, put a narrow sitting space behind the front seats and welded the front and back sections together. By adding a fifth wheel hitch he could haul a hay rack or a trailer for livestock or a flatbed with a cement mixer, tools and materials for a job.

When the Marias River flooded and covered their home in 1948, Dan and Leona moved to the present farm location on higher ground where he built a brick home. As electricity came to neighboring farms, Dan modernized many homes, doing both the plumbing and the excavation work. He sometimes jokingly claimed that his mission in life was to make the outhouse obsolete.

Dan and Leona enjoyed traveling to visit their families and friends and took an especially memorable four-week trip into Mexico in "Old Itchy Foot," a Metro van that Dan had converted to a small but comfortable motorhome. He had a great love of music, entering a harmonica contest at the age of 10. Although the harmonica was probably his favorite instrument, he also played the accordion, guitar, banjo, piano and organ. He was an avid reader with an inquiring mind and a fascination with words, both English and Spanish.

Leona passed away in August of 1970, the saddest day of his life. Dan continued to farm and to do some traveling in the U.S., also touring England, Scotland and Ireland, where he kissed the Blarney Stone. For the most part, winters were spent in the Los Angeles area where his mother and oldest daughter lived. He had a natural talent for working with wood and made a wall clock for each of his children and a grandmother clock for his mother. In his own inimitable style Dan built his coffin from recycled materials (the base is an old door), added shelves and used it as a linen closet in his bedroom. His daughter, Jesse, trimmed the interior with blue poplin that Dan had purchased at a thrift store in Burbank.

Late in life he began an active correspondence. These were always written on recycled paper, filling the page from top to bottom with his unique erratic typing, with his humor and upbeat outlook on life and with his love of people, his memories and his dreams. All were mailed in recycled envelopes.

Dan sold the farmland in 1998, saying that it was not fun any more. He moved to his daughter Danette's home in Kalispell in 2003, where he made many new friends, continued to read everything in sight and to peck out letters on his typewriter. A stroke in February of 2004 took his sight but not his gentle, courteous, honest and open spirit or his loving concern and gratitude for those who loved and helped him.

Dan thought of each of his children as an unbelievably precious gift from his devoted wife, Leona, and consciously strove to help each according to their need and his ability.

He is survived by his children, Danette of Kalispell, Pat (Jack Baum and Jack Sharp) of Great Falls, Jesse and Bill Sallin of Lincoln, Juanita (Bob Decker and Ted Brickell) of Seattle, Bill and Linda Hallenberg, Junetta Bleeker, Kris Gregory of Shelby and Dan L. of Spirit Lake, Idaho; his sister and brother-in-law, Janay and Virgil Morgan of Tucson, Ariz.; and by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as well as by many fine, loving friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona, and daughter Peggy (Walter Bass and Ed Rierson-2002).

Graveside services will be held at the Dunkirk Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 4.

With all our love, to a cherished father, a sensitive and truly gentle man.

David Somers Brewer, 94, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2004, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

He was born Jan. 14, 1910, in Bozeman, to Dr. Albert David and Myrtle Olive (Kraudy) Brewer.

David, after receiving his early education, went to receive his Bachelor of Science from Montana State University in 1932, and then went on to receive his Master of Art from the Columbia University in New York in 1939.

He met and married his wife, Myrtle Kraudy, in Miles City on Aug. 8, 1940.

David taught math in high schools in Jordan, Hardin, Miles City and Missoula, until he entered the Army in 1942 where he served in the weather service throughout World War II. He came to the Flathead Valley in 1946 and purchased a farm, where he raised turkeys for 10 years. He then converted the farm to a dairy and continued operating the dairy until he retired in 1975.

David loved fishing, playing cards and gardening. He also had interests in politics and giving community service.

David was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder. He was a school board member and worked to consolidate schools into the current West Valley district. He was a high school board member for 10 years, a member of the board of directors for Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and he also served as a volunteer for the medical center. He gave his time as well to the Flathead Food Bank and was a past master of the Stillwater Grange. He was also a board member for the Montana Dairy Association.

David was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Myrtle; a brother, Leonard Brewer; and a sister, Winifred Ferkin.

David is survived by his five sons, David H. Brewer and his wife, Shirley, Roger Brewer and his wife, Marty, Mark Brewer and his wife, Denise, all of Kalispell, Glenn Brewer and his wife, Mary Ann, of Seattle, and Sidney Brewer and his wife, Joyce, of Boise, Idaho; a sister, Constance Zahl of Pendleton, Ore.; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for David will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Glenn Burfeind officiating.

The family suggests that donations be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 540 S. Main, Kalispell, MT 59901. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.

Florence A. Termaat, 81, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at her residence in Kalispell.

She was born on Jan. 9, 1923, in Lewistown, the daughter of Charles and Minnie Ruth (Ekstein) Thomas. She was raised and educated at Moore, and graduated from Moore High School.

On March 19, 1942, she was united in marriage to Harold Otto Termaat at Lewistown. They moved to the Flathead Valley in 1943 where they farmed and operated a ski resort on their ranch in Creston. They later owned and operated the Terrace Motel in Whitefish and a trailer park in Kalispell until their retirement.

She was an avid reader of Home & Garden books. She enjoyed gardening and crocheting and also enjoyed being around her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold, in 1998; her daughter, Linda Conklin, in 2003; and a grandson, Ramoan.

She is survived by two daughters, Betty Ann Courtney of Spokane and Dorothy Vivit and her husband, Ron, of Kalispell; two sisters, Helen Pratt and Ruth Tucek, both of Lewistown; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. There will be no visitation.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, 1732 South 72 West or 2050 Overland Ave., Billings, MT 59102.

Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.

Dawn Maria Smith-Maki, 50, passed away on Sept. 29, 2004, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Dawn was born in Browning on April 15, 1954. She was brought into her true family a short time thereafter. She was raised in Browning until 1970, when her family moved to Spearfish, S.D., where she attended and graduated from Spearfish High School. Dawn resided in various locations until finally settling in Kalispell with her family.

During those various years, she had many loves and had raised a family of her own. Over the years, some of the things Dawn was most proud of were attending Montana State University-Bozeman, being a small business owner and having the family she always wanted.

She loved hunting and fishing with her dad as well as spending time outdoors and in the mountains. She was well known for her traveling, her enjoyment of music and dancing, and chatting with anyone and everyone and helping as best she could along the way. She just liked to have a good ol' time and in making life a party.

Even though Dawn's later years were met with great strength and courage, they also brought her one of her greatest gifts in becoming a grandma.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe and Emma Lambert, and her father, Guy Smith.

She is survived by her husband, Everett Maki; her mom, Stephanie; her sons, Ronnie and Trevor; her grandchildren, Jordan, Ashley, Morgan and Seth Thompson; one sister, Mary Smith-Kuipers; and nephews, C.J., Timothy and Michael. She had many friends and will be missed by all, especially for her laughter and the compassion she brought to others.

A viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Robert Max Retz, 64, died at his home in Whitefish, on Sept. 30, 2004, after a very courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his family and held in the arms of his beloved grandson, Kaleb Retz.

Bob was born March 4, 1940, in Lewistown, to Forrest V. and Irene (d'Autremont) Retz. He attended St. Leo's grade and high school, graduating in 1958. He then attended Carroll College in Helena and the San Francisco School of Mortuary Science.

After completing the program he joined his father in Lewistown in the family business, Creel Newton Retz Funeral Home, where he worked for 10 years. He served in the Air National Guard for six years.

He married Jo Ellen Rutherford in St. Leo's Catholic Church on June 15, 1968. In 1970, the family moved to Great Falls, where Bob was employed as a stock broker for Dain Bosworth Inc. He was promoted to branch manager in 1976, a position he held until 1991, when he was hired by D.A. Davidson as the director of retail branch operations. He held that position until 1996.

He and Joey then moved to Whitefish to manage the North Forty Resort, a business he built with his sons in 1993 and was still active in at the time of his death.

Bob developed a passion for horses after moving to Whitefish. He loved every aspect of riding and caring for his Tennessee Walkers and Missouri Fox Trotters. He also enjoyed playing golf, skiing and touring on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Joey; their three sons, Brendon and Misty, Erik, and Ryan and Angie, all of Whitefish; and nephew Jeff Pipinich and niece Lori Pipinich, both of Phoenix. He also leaves behind the grandchildren who brought so much love and joy into his life, Kaleb, Ellie, Reagan and Jason.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Pat Pipinich.

Bob was loved, admired and respected by his family and friends for his courage, strength and integrity. He will be deeply missed.

Memorial mass will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with burial of remains at a later date. A reception following the service will be held in the Snowberry Center at the North Forty Resort.

Memorials may be made to Home Options Hospice, Camp Mak-A-Dream or Human Therapy on Horseback.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home of Kalispell is in charge of arrangements.