Stella Marie (Zobach) Smith, 86
Stella Marie (Zobach) Smith, 86, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, at the Brendan House in Kalispell. She was born March 18, 1919, in Kalispell to Perry J. and Mary J. (Wark) Zobach.
Stella received her early education in the Egan School and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1937. She was a lifelong resident of the Egan community. After high school, Stella worked for the Glacier Dairy and the Forest Service.
Stella married Earl S. Smith on Dec. 5, 1946, in Kalispell. Together they raised two sons on the farm they worked until their deaths. Stella was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church, and a leader in the 4-H organization for more than 20 years for which, in 1964, she was honored as "Lady of the Valley."
Stella was very proud of her family and found much joy in their accomplishments. She was gratified to have lived to see all six of her grandchildren graduate from college. She also appreciated her many close friends, as they meant the world to her.
Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, in 1997.
She is survived by two sons, Doug and his wife, Cheri, of Carson City, Nev., and Ken and his wife, Danlynne, of Kalispell; also six grandchildren, Kenny of Blacksburg, Va., Amy of Redding, Calif., Ivan of Spokane, Laura of Redding, Corbin of Qatar in the Middle East, and Erin Doyon and her husband, Greg, and their children, Nate, Hannah and twins due in September, all of Franklin, N.H.
She is also survived by special cousins, Walt and Nancy Gibson and Barbara Scifers.
Memorial services for Stella will be held at 10 a.m. today, Aug. 13, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends please make donations to the charity of their choice in Stella's honor.
Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Stella's family.
Betty V. Brill, 85Betty V. Brill, 85, of Polson, passed away as she slept Wednesday morning Aug. 10, 2005, after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. She was born in Polson in 1919 and was a graduate of Polson High School. During the World War II years, she worked in the offices of the Los Angeles school district. Returning to Montana, Betty met and married Royse Harlan Brill in 1947, and they migrated to Seattle, where they raised a son, Ron. They enjoyed several years living on the San Juan Islands, where Betty continued with her work for the local school district. Again, returning to Polson, her life interest included serving the Montecahto Club, organizing a Kitchen Band, which gave many performances throughout the valley, being active in Eastern Star, volunteering at Fishes & Loaves and the Polson Flathead Historical Museum, as well as the Polson Chamber of Commerce. Betty was well known throughout Western Montana because of her volunteer activities, and if there was a bridge game being played, Betty could well have been at the table. Her husband, Royse Harlan Brill, her parents, Jim Hoskinson and Emma Hoskinson Wynne, and her sister Bobbie Mann preceded Betty in death. Survivors include her son, Ron Brill, of Redmond, Wash.; her nieces Sydney Sandrock and Shannon Mann of Golden, Colo., and Sheridan Mann of Blackhawk, Colo.; her sister, Sharon Bergman, of Polson; and her very close friend, Dana Blush, also of Polson. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial remembrance will be held in the fall.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in her name to the Polson City Library, P.O. Box 820, Polson, MT 59860; or Lake County Hospice, 711 Main Street S.W., Ronan, MT 59864. Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson.