Ellington

Lone Pine State Park Kids Day Camp Looking

Dynamic Investors

Prep for opening at Bigfork Museum

Puddle Rowing

The next Folgers Coffee Jingle?

Should Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock sue the federal government to try to stop Obamacare?

Jada Lee Utter, infant

Mark and Marla Utter announced the birth of their special angel, Jada Lee, on March 21, 2010. She stayed with us long enough to touch our hearts before she went to be with our Heavenly Father on March 25, 2010, at Children s Hospital in Seattle. During her precious time with us, she inspired many. Her will to fight was exceptional. During her stay at Children s Hospital in Seattle, her journey touched many people. She was supported in life by the many doctors, nurses and hospital staff, who provided her with tenderness and compassion. Her family and friends surrounded her with love during her time with us. She will be remembered by the many friends and family she has left behind, especially her parents Mark and Marla Utter, and two sisters, Natalia (21) and Andi (11). Services to celebrate her life will be at 1 p.m. April 2, at the First Church of God in Eureka. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.

Frank Paliga, 89

Frank Paliga, 89, entered into the hands of his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at the Pondera Medical Center Extended Care in Conrad, of natural causes. A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at the Pondera Medical Center Extended Care. Pondera Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Frank was born on March 15, 1921, in Stockett, Mont., where he grew up and attended school. He was born to Mike and Julia Paliga and was the second youngest of 12 children. During his formative years he moved to Great Falls and worked for the Great Northern Railroad. It was during this time that he noticed most of the men he worked with were being drafted into the service, due to American involvement in World War II. On his 21st birthday he followed their lead and enlisted in the Army. Paliga attended aerial gunnery school in Harlington, Texas. Soon after, he joined the Army Air Force 44th Bomber Group. Frank became an engineer and top-turret gunner for a B-24 where he eventually rose to the rank of staff sergeant. Frank was quickly sent to the European Theater where he completed 24 successful bombing raids. On his final mission he was shot down in enemy territory, where he was eventually captured. He spent just under two years in a German prisoner of war camp (Stalag 17B). After escaping on a march, he and a friend made it to Allied territory where they were rescued and in his words were soon headed back to the best country in the world, the good ole USA. For his courage, bravery and valor he received numerous citations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest honors an airman could receive. Upon his return he soon met the love of his life, Joan A. Jerome. After a brief courtship they were married in 1945. At the time of his passing they had been married for 65 years. After their marriage they moved to Libby where Frank worked as a self-taught carpenter for a period. After that he joined the Montana Highway Patrol where he was stationed at Wolf Point, Havre, Kalispell, and finally MHP headquarters in Helena. After a heart attack he quit the MHP for health reasons. After recuperating for over a year, Frank and Joan moved to the Flathead area where they resided for the next 40 years. While there, Paliga got his real estate broker s license and opened the hugely successful real estate office, Valley Realty. He and his wife ran the business for approximately 15 years before he retired to spend more time with his church and family in Kalispell. In 2007 he and his wife moved to Conrad to be closer to family. Frank had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and was self-taught in everything, from all of the building trades to guitar that he played professionally in his early and later years. He also loved nothing more than spending time with his numerous nieces and nephews. To entertain them when they were little, he would always perform his world famous magic tricks to much amazement and laughter. He was an avid outdoorsman as well. He was also a devoutly religious man. He attended the Assembly of God church his entire life and lived to help whomever was in need, regardless of time or money. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Julia; along with 10 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Joan (Jerome) Paliga, of Conrad; an older sister, Margaret Albertini, of Libby; a younger sister, Lucille Halderman, of Vancouver, Wash.; a brother-in-law, Don Jerome, of Cut Bank; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers the family request that any donations be made to the Kalispell Hospices.

Mona Ruth Shook, 85

Mona Ruth Shook, 85, of Eureka, died of natural causes Saturday, March 28, 2010, with family at her side, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Mona was born March 25, 1925, to Esther Iverson and Joseph Woods in Hibbing, Minn. The family moved to several Montana communities before settling in Browning, where Mona attended grade school. The family spent several winters as caretakers at Many Glacier, the memories of which were treasured by Mona the rest of her life. Her mother and grandmother were both seasonal cooks at Two Medicine, one of their diners being President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who complimented the fine cooking with a signed note. Mona, too, excelled in the family s tradition of cooking. Mona attended high school at St. Matthew s in Kalispell before marrying husband Dick Davis in 1941. They resided in Browning and had two sons. Dick was killed in action following D-Day and buried in Luxemburg in 1945. Following the war, Mona continued to reside in Browning, marrying Bill Show in 1946. They had one child before divorcing. In 1949, Mona married Bob Shook of Cut Bank, where he worked for the oil refinery for over 30 years. The couple had two daughters. Mona was a loving and devoted mother who focused her life on children and family. She balanced being a full-time mother of five while working first as a clerk at Cut Bank grocery stores, then at the liquor store where she made lifelong friends. She enjoyed crocheting, playing bridge, listening to music and cooking for an appreciative family. Above all, she doted on and took immense pleasure from her children and grandchildren, planning their Christmas presents throughout the year. Mona and Bob began their retirement plans in Eureka, where they bought a home on Glen Lake in 1984. Bob died shortly after, and Mona moved to Whitefish where she became re-acquainted with Ross Armstrong, a career railroader whom she first met in her school days. She and Ross moved to Glen Lake in 1993, where they have resided since. She appreciated her many friends made in the Tobacco Valley. Mona was preceded in death by her three husbands; mother, Esther; stepfather, Fred Knowlton; son-in-law, Glenn Moran; and daughter-in-law, Julie Shook. She is survived by her loving friend and companion of 20 years, Ross Armstrong, of Eureka; her five children, son, Rick Shook, and wife, Carole, of Portland; son, Terry Shook, and wife, Lamar, of Cut Bank; daughter, Suzanne Davies, and husband, Dave, of Payson, Ariz.; daughter, Robin Newman, and husband, Steve, of Eureka; and daughter, Karin Ochs, and husband, Stanley, of Glendive; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins, George Bakke of Olympia, Wash., and Thora Nelson of Stanley, N.D.; and many lifelong friends. Private family services have taken place. A celebration of life is planned this summer in Eureka. The family suggests memorials to Mountain View Manor in Eureka or Brendan House in Kalispell. Local arrangements are by Schnackenberg and Nelson Funeral Home of Eureka.

Lori Riggs, 51

Lori was born June 29, 1958, in Boise, Idaho, to Richard A. Mabe and Patricia Ann Mabe. Following a long battle with cancer, she died March 28, 2010, with her loving family by her side. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, caring sister, and a cherished friend. Her laughter brought happiness to us all. She was always there for anyone who needed a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or was just there to listen. Lori loved the outdoors, enjoying camping, fishing, hunting or just being out in the sun. Lori had a passion for cooking; something about her pies made you want to keep coming back for more. She was always ready to whip something up if someone was ever hungry. She was our rock, the glue that held our family together. Lori took pride in everything she did. Her smile and laughter will be missed by her family and all who knew her. Lori was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Ann. She is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, John L. Riggs; son, John T. Riggs, and wife, Amanda, and grandbabies, Jordan and Tessa; youngest son, Joseph R. Riggs; her father, Richard A. Mabe; brother, Terry Pirrong, and wife, Terra, and their family; sister, Liza Moffat, and husband, Joe, and family; sister, Linda Lyford; and many, many friends. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, April 2, at the Columbia Mortuary Chapel with interment following at Woodlawn Cemetery; a reception will immediately follow. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Please come and celebrate the life she lived.

Sheriff candidates square off at forum

Local business representatives packed the Lakeside-Somers Chamber of Commerce meeting to hear the three Flathead County sheriff candidates speak Tuesday afternoon.

Planning director's contract unlikely to be renewed

Embattled Flathead County Planning Director Jeff Harris has been given informal notice that his contract likely won’t be renewed after it expires June 30, County Administrative Officer Mike Pence confirmed Tuesday.

Baucus 'sells' health care to business owners

Senator discusses bill’s impacts on Montana

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., was in Kalispell Tuesday, touting health-care legislation that just cleared Congress, but conceding that implementing the bill will be a work in progress with down sides that will have to be addressed.

Law enforcement roundup

Columbia Falls Police are hunting for the man seen stuffing frozen steaks down his pants at a grocery on U.S. 2 West Tuesday.

Daybook

Today

Victims of Libby crash identified

LIBBY — The horrific two-vehicle crash on U.S. 2 west of Libby on Monday morning claimed the lives of five Lincoln County residents.

'Edible schoolyard' takes root in Whitefish

Students will help with on-campus garden, greenhouse

At first, Jay Stagg was just hoping for locally grown produce he could use in school lunches.

Sheriff Forum Lance Norman

Sheriff Forum Chuck Curry

Sheriff Forum Mike Meehan

Sen. Max Baucus in Kalispell

In this 2010 file photo, U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., addresses the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce on the effect of  health-care legislation on Montana businesses.

Senator Max Baucus in Kalispell

Harry L. Harpster Jr., 88

Harry L. Harpster Jr., 88, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born on June 15, 1921, in Burley, Idaho, to Harry L. and Ruth (Warner) Harpster Sr. He attended grade school and high school in Burley. Afterward, he worked with his father and brother Willard in the family bakery. During World War II he served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1942 until 1945, where he attained the rank of sergeant. Following his discharge, he returned to the family business in Burley. In 1948, he met the love of his life in Salt Lake City, Beverly Lorraine Maxwell. They were married in Elko, Nev., in 1949 and established their home in Burley. Harry and Beverly were blessed with a son, Robert, in August of 1960. Robert was their shining light and brought much joy to both their lives. Harry took up a new career in 1954 with the U.S. Department of Agriculture aerial photography field office in Salt Lake City, where he could pursue his talent of photography and film development. Harry continued this career until he retired in 1981 and moved to the Many Lakes area of Kalispell. Throughout their married life, they pursued and developed, to a high degree, their hobbies of painting and photography; Beverly in watercolor painting, and Harry in backcountry and wildlife photography. After their retirement, these hobbies became a full-time passion. Their involvement with these hobbies led them to develop a very deep interest in Indian culture, which they incorporated into their paintings and photographs. They were regular attendees at Indian functions throughout Montana and Canada. Harry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly; and his son, Robert; also his brother, Willard; and sister, Carol. He is now survived by five grandchildren, Amanda, Bethany, Corie, Debra and Emily, all of Salt Lake City. He is also survived by his special friends, Steve and Darlene Morgan of Bigfork, and Norman and Annabel Petty of Kalispell; as well as several nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bigfork, with burial to follow at Lonepine Cemetery, next to his wife Beverly. There is no visitation. The family suggests memorials be sent to the Lupus Foundation of America, Utah Chapter, Inc., 455 East 500 South, Garden Level 2, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Harry s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Harry s tribute wall.

Louis E. Brown Jr., 75

Louis E. Brown Jr., 75, of Bigfork, lost his battle with cancer at Brendan House on Sunday, March 28, 2010. He was born March 28, 1935, in Parma, Idaho, to Louis and Velma Brown. He was raised in Rexford, attended school in Rexford and graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka. He served in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1957 and, following his honorable discharge, worked as an electrician in California. He worked as a maintenance man at Ptarmigan Village for 17 years and later worked at Western Building Center for several years as well. He loved the Montana outdoors and greatly enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his family, who will miss him very much. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Steve and Dan Brown; sister, Nancy Thumma; sons, Ken and John Brown; and daughter, Jeanne Frank. He is survived by his wife, Nora Brown; children, Rick Hamilton and wife Debra, and Dan Hamilton; sisters, Susan Reed and husband Mike, and Patricia Stevens; brother, Jim Brown, and wife, Peggy; six grandchildren, Jimmy and Chris Franks, Matthew and Kenny Brown, and Teah and Jim Hamilton; seven great-grandchildren, Katie, Jessica, Tommie, Dominique, Destinie, Landen and Jordan; as well as several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at the First Baptist Church in Eureka with a luncheon to follow. Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Charlotte Marie Kindt Hislop

Charlotte Hislop of Bigfork passed away peacefully at Heritage Place early Sunday, March 28, 2010, following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Despite her condition, she remained hopeful and feisty, maintaining her sense of humor throughout her illness. Born in Anaconda on April 30, 1922, Charlotte was the daughter of Ernest and Florence Kindt. She was the oldest of eight children. During her early childhood she lived in Anaconda, Seattle, and finally Butte, where her family settled in the 1930s. She graduated from Butte Central High School in 1940. On July 11, 1941, she married Robert I. Hislop " the beginning of a 68-year love story. In 1959, they left Butte and moved to Bigfork, where they purchased and operated Elm Resort for more than 11 years. The resort became a centerpiece of Bigfork summer activities during their tenure as owners. They were mainstays of Bigfork community life where they made considerable contributions to the Bigfork Fire Department, Bigfork schools and St. Catherine s Catholic Parish. Charlotte was an active Bigfork Lady Lion member and served for many years as an election judge. Charlotte will be remembered as a loving wife, a beloved mother and cherished friend. In addition to her husband, Robert, she is survived by her daughter, Bonnie, and son-in-law, Hilary Nickel, of Bigfork; daughter, Lindy, and son-in-law, Jim McGill, of Bigfork; and son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Donna Hislop, of Polson. She is also survived by sisters, Marie Elich, Betty Piskolich, and Nancy Wills, all of Butte; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Liz; her brothers, Charles, Tom and Jack; as well as her grandson, David Benson. Her greatest joys in life included any activity involving her family, especially sporting events where her children and grandchildren participated. She loved camping with friends in Glacier Park and on Hungry Horse Reservoir. A devout Catholic, Charlotte was a member of Pope John Paul II Parish in Bigfork. She will be missed by surviving members of her Potluck Bunch, as well as members of her ceramics club, The Puttering Potters. Most recently she shared a love of watching the Seattle Mariners on TV with her husband and was known to keep an accurate scorebook of every game. An avid reader, Charlotte loved to share anecdotes with family and friends. Her reading led to a unique collection of quotes, sayings and stories that reflected her attitude toward life " this collection is a treasured gift to her family. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Home Options Hospice and the caring staff of Heritage Place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice, or the American Cancer Society. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 1, at Pope John Paul Catholic Church in Bigfork with a reception to follow. A private interment will be held at a later date.

Rose Boyd, 89

Our mom, Rose Boyd, left this world on March 25, 2010, and went to be with her loving husband Neil. Rose was born in Chelsea, England, on Aug. 19, 1920. She met the man of her dreams while he was serving in England during the Second World War and she was serving in the Women s Land Army of England. They married in 1944, and she traveled all the way to America on a ship coming through Ellis Island. She then rode a train across the United States to Neil s family in eastern Montana, where she waited for him to join her. From this union there were four children " Rosemary, Carol Ann Candy, Sherry Lynn and Danny. They lived in several places around Montana before settling in Hungry Horse in 1952. Rose was very active in the lives of her children and their activities, as well as in the community they chose for their home. She belonged to many of the local organizations including the VFW Auxiliary, Fireman s Auxiliary, local Scouting troops, PTA, and was a member of the local Civil Air Patrol when it was active in the 50s. Rose came to the United States in 1945 as a war bride, and one of her proudest achievements was becoming an American citizen in March 1958. Known as Granny to all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their friends, Rose was an integral part of their lives. She often accompanied each family on vacations and many wonderful memories were created. Returning to England several times for visits and being able to have one of her children accompany her each visit and see her homeland was a dream come true for her. Rose was also an avid Atlanta Braves baseball fan, and one of her biggest thrills was attending a Braves game in Atlanta! She loved gardening and in addition to her outdoor flowers she had a jungle of houseplants " and the green thumb to keep them thriving. Other interests included crafts, knitting, crocheting and ceramics, providing many beautiful keepsakes for her family and friends. She was always available to accompany a grandchild on a field trip and also did slide presentations of England for several classes of schoolchildren. Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Neil; daughter, Candy; mother and father, Alice and Charles Allbrook; and two sisters. She is survived by her two daughters, Rosemary and Butch Brester of Kalispell, and Sherry Lynn and Dan Martin of Burbank, Wash.; her son, Dan Boyd, of Missoula; as well as nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, two nephews in England; and many nieces and nephews scattered around the states. Though she was short in stature she was great in spirit and an integral part of her family s lives. Her struggles with Alzheimer s stole her from us first and a long journey it was. Mom, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, may you rest in peace until we meet you again! A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. today, March 30, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial will follow the services at St. Richard s Catholic Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

Heating-bill struggles on the rise

Despite warmer than normal weather over the past several weeks, a record number of Flathead Electric Cooperative members have had their power turned off this winter because they couldn’t pay the bill.

Tennis, anyone?

Vets memorial in critical need of funds

The group that spearheaded the veterans memorial in downtown Kalispell needs help to pay back money borrowed to construct the granite and bronze statue of a kneeling soldier.

Daybook

Today

Novel resurrects pioneer, prospector Jack Fisher

Not forgotten

Jack Fisher, a prospector with a Canadian mountain peak and a Libby area river named for him, lies in an unmarked grave at Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Keith Powell

Law enforcement roundup

Kalispell police got a report Sunday from a residence on the 1900 block of Greatview Drive that a pit bull was in the yard and had “torn up” a cat, but kids were safe inside the house. A responding animal warden took the dog to the shelter.

Libby crash victims identified

A two-car collision on U.S. 2 about six miles west of Libby killed five people Monday morning.

Irene Marie Drake, 70

Irene Marie Drake, 70, passed away Friday, March 26, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Irene was born Oct. 2, 1939, in Dunseith, N.D., to Gunvald and Ida Nelson. Soon after, the family moved to the Flathead Valley, where they remained. Irene met Edwin Drake and they were married Nov. 7, 1955, at The Hitching Post in Coeur d Alene, Idaho. Ned and Irene lived in Somers, where they had two children. She loved to cook, and she professionally cooked for the Immanuel Lutheran Home and Kalispell Regional Medical Center, from which she retired. At home, if four people were invited to dinner, she would make enough for 10. Irene loved her flower garden, sewing and hosting family gatherings. She was especially fond of camping and taking trips with her four grandchildren. Irene was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Alice Wittlake. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Edwin Drake; children, Denise O Lear and husband Mike of Missoula; Larry Drake and wife Fely of Pasco, Wash.; brothers Norman Nelson and wife Marilyn, and Bruce Nelson and wife Nita; sister Betty Sommers; grandchildren Sarah, Sharri, Lisa and Mindy; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to bring photos, memories and a favorite dish or dessert to the South Kalispell Fire Department from noon to 3 p.m. today, March 29. Please visit the Web site www.buffalohillfh.com, where there is a free site for the family, and friends can post condolences. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

David Boone

Daybook

Today

Brewing up a musical venue

Coffee house gives musicians a welcome performance spot

Bars may play an important role in the local music scene, but for acoustic guitarist and singer Jonathan Parkison, the romance is over.

After 10 state titles, C. Falls speech coach steps down

Farewell speech

After more than a quarter century spent coaching some of the best speakers in the state, Michael Christensen is resigning.

Michael and Stephanie Christensen

Law enforcement roundup

Flathead County sheriff’s deputies joined in the search for a husband and wife who had driven with three children up Blacktail Mountain Saturday before calling about 8 p.m. to report they were stuck in a couple feet of snow and were without jackets in 45-degree weather. They were concerned about the woman’s diabetes, the sheriff’s office reported.

Stillwater Christian to offer full online school

For most people, the near future probably doesn’t include hovercraft or moving sidewalks on city streets, but the odds of moving education out of the classroom and onto the Internet are high.

Gene Albert Haverlandt, 63,

Longtime Montana resident, Mr. Gene Albert Haverlandt, 63, died peacefully, Saturday, March 13, 2010, surrounded by family in his home in Wasilla, Alaska. Memorial services were held March 20 at the Valley Funeral Home Palmer Chapel, in Palmer, Alaska. A celebration of life will take place at 1 p.m. on April 10, at the Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge, 6510 Hwy. 93 South, Whitefish, in the Yaqamin Room. Mr. Haverlandt was born Sept. 8, 1946, in Kalispell. He grew up near Eureka where he learned to fish, trap, hunt and work. He graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1963. He married Linda Herron and had three children, Daphne, Darcy and Deanna, and from 1965 to 1975 they lived in and around Trego, Fortine, Deep Creek and Whitefish. He worked many professions " as a logger, a laborer for Burlington Northern and construction worker of the Libby Dam. Gene moved to Alaska in 1975, first to Anchorage, then to Chugiak, and finally to Wasilla in 1983, where he resided near his daughters until his passing. He worked construction in Alaska and as a contractor until 1986 when he began his most passionate job as a fabricator/designer/shop foreman, at Plaschem in Anchorage. He referred to himself as a jack of all trades and master of some. Gene s hobbies included flying, fishing, camping, trapping, hunting, drawing, writing, cooking and making anything he could with fiberglass. He was passionate about storytelling and often shared stories about his youth and growing up near Eureka. The family and their history was the most important in his life. He also enjoyed country music and gospel and played the guitar, teaching his girls how to sing and enjoy music. Gene s hearty laugh and generous nature will be missed. He was generous with his knowledge and would give the shirt off his back to a co-worker or employee who needed help. Even during some of his toughest financial times he would find a way to keep his employees afloat, the family wrote. Awaiting him in Heaven are his wife of 25 years, Linda W. Herron-Haverlandt, who passed away in 1990; father, Louis John Haverlandt Sr.; mother, Thelma Ruth Haverlandt; brother, Joe Neil Haverlandt; as well as many other aunts, uncles and friends he held very dear to him. He leaves behind a multitude of family and friends, including but not limited to, daughters and sons-in-law, Daphne and Greg Gurley of Chugiak, Darcy and Tim Schachle of Wasilla, and Deanna and Scott Humphreys of Wasilla; grandchildren, Chelsea and Tyler Gurley, Timothy, Jaclyne and James Schachle, and Alyssa and Alex Humphreys, all of Alaska; brother, Louis John Haverlandt Jr., of Colorado; sister and brother-in-law, Ginger and Ed St. Onge of Montana; dear nieces and nephews, Jay, Kelly, Kathy St. Onge, Suzie, Charie and Diane McDonald, Tehila, Onawa and Neil Haverlandt, Beau Hanson, and Tangie, Treena and Tricia Dickinson.

Ronald Eldon Anderson, 77

Ronald Eldon Anderson, 77, passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born on April 15, 1932, in Flasher, N.D., to Elmer and Myrtle (Schoening) Anderson. The family moved to Somers in 1936. Ron and his younger brother Gene grew up on a working farm in Somers. It was the beginning of a life-long obsession for pork rinds, pickled pigs feet and limburger cheese. In 1953, Ron married Joan Scammahorn, and they settled in Kalispell, where they raised two sons. The family enjoyed the simple things in life and took hunting and fishing seriously. Ron mastered the art of shooting and was an avid fisherman. Ron worked several jobs before landing a position with the City of Kalispell. He hired on with the garbage crew and eventually settled with the sewer department. During his time with the sewer department, Ron found and made a necklace from lost dentures that included a gold tooth. He wore it proudly and liked telling stories of his days with the department. Ron retired from the City of Kalispell in 1990, having worked there for 26 years. Joan passed away in 2001 and Ron moved in with his son John. He didn t stray far from home until he bought a 1992 Buick Park Avenue in 2008. He loved his blue car and kept it shining. He drove everywhere and had a ball installed to pull a boat trailer. He had a renewed interest in fishing and started going to Smith Lake to fish off the dock. Here he met Dawn Hashley and they became the best of fishing partners. Just as Ron taught his sons to fish, he taught Dawn a trick or two as well, and they were looking forward to another successful year. After his retirement, Ron took his game of cribbage to a whole new level. He would challenge anyone who wanted to play him and on March 15, 2010, he finally had a 29 hand. Throughout the years, Ron amassed a variety of colorful friends and stories to match. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; an infant great-granddaughter, Angelica Boyes-Anderson; and an infant step-great-granddaughter, Cloe Baldwin. He is survived by brother Gene Anderson of Edinburg, Texas; his sons, Roger Anderson and his wife Kathleen, and John Anderson and his wife Jana; two grandsons, Ivan and Erik Anderson; four step-grandchildren, Shelley Baldwin, Vanessa Holycross, Erin Carrell and Molly Doxater; as well as one great-grandson Wyatt Anderson; and several step -great-grandchildren. Graveside services for Ron will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 29, at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ron s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Ron s tribute wall.

Dr. Loren Kreck, 89

Dr. Loren Kreck, a retired Columbia Falls dentist, passionate defender of wilderness and lifelong outdoor adventurer, died Friday of natural causes. He was 89. At his request, no funeral service is planned; however, friends are planning a gathering to celebrate his life, the time and date to be announced. He was born Aug. 29, 1920, in Hollywood, Calif., to Dr. Edwin Kreck, a dentist, and Lydia Reichardt Kreck. He had three older siblings: Cynthia, Dorothy and Edwin. He appreciated his wonderful teachers in high school and at the University of Southern California. Walt Disney Studios offered him a job as an artist, but he decided to work for Douglas Aircraft building airplanes. In 1944, he joined the Marines and became a pilot. He flew corsairs off the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bennington in the war against Japan. In later years, he enjoyed his squadron reunions. He attended dental school after World War II. In 1950, he married his wonderful wife, Mary Rose Fea. They moved to Columbia Falls the next year. Six years later, he moved his general dentistry practice to Kalispell and specialized in orthodontics. He and Mary adopted two sons, David and Michael. Over the years, they also hosted four foreign exchange students. He said they were all wonderful kids and the Krecks enjoyed them all. Among his many, many friends, Loren is best known for his passion for wilderness. He was perhaps one of the most ardent, dedicated and involved conservationists in Montana history. He was instrumental in helping establish the Jewel Basin hiking area and the Great Bear Wilderness. He continued to enjoy the outdoors " hiking, skiing and floating rivers "throughout his life. He was also a sculptor, painter and model race car maker. He was a wonderful storyteller. Loren is survived by his sons, his sister-in-law, Bobby Kreck, and numerous nieces and nephews. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Tony Paul Davis, 56

Tony Paul Davis, 56, formerly of Whitefish, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2010, at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va., from complications related to open heart surgery. Tony was born May 14, 1953, in Dallas to parents, Lola Belle and Ollie Davis. He graduated from Duncanville High School in 1971, and immediately upon graduation struck out for Fraser, Colo. There he discovered his abiding love of the mountains and became an expert snow skier, working as a ski instructor at Winter Park Resort. During that time he met Constance Davis (nee Davis), whom he married in 1976, and remained wed to for 30 years. They eventually moved back to Texas in 1983, and Tony worked at the Frito-Lay plant in Irving for the majority of their 15 years there. In 1998, Tony and Connie packed up everything they owned in a single moving truck and re-invented themselves as bed and breakfast owners, buying the Eagles Roost Bed and Breakfast in Whitefish. Through continual renovation and thanks in part to Tony s knack for fixing, building and rebuilding just about anything, they transformed the modest house into a homey, inviting destination. Their guests often became friends, and many were fond of Tony s frequent laughter and warm disposition. In addition to the bed and breakfast, Tony also worked for stints at Safeway in Whitefish and Lowe s in Kalispell before moving to Sterling, Va., in 2008 to live with his son, Jason. Tony loved Montana, which enabled him to once again indulge his lifelong love of skiing and the mountains. He liked fishing its waters, and taking in the sights of Glacier National Park in his signature wool hat. The consummate handyman, his family will forever remember him with a tool belt slung about his waste, engaged in the latest remodeling project. He was also a devoted father to his sons, Jason and Nathaniel. He always enjoyed hearing about the goings-on of their lives, and was the type of father who was not only a fixture at his sons football games, but at their practices as well. He combined his love of his sons with his strong faith in the Lord and volunteered with the church youth group when they were young. Tony s faith was one of his defining characteristics, and guided and strengthened him throughout his life. Tony also loved being the grandfather of his two adoring grandchildren. Papa was commonly found reading them stories, and passed many an hour swinging them in their backyard swing. Mourning his loss are his sons, Jason Davis of Sterling, Va., and Nathaniel Davis of Huntington Beach, Calif.; their mother, Constance Sutliff, of Columbia Falls; daughter-in-law, Christina Davis; grandchildren, Madeline and Luke; brothers, Larry Davis of Irving, Texas, and Tim Davis of Cedar Hill, Texas; sister, Janice Aldrich, of Adkins, Texas; numerous cousins, nephews, extended family members, and friends. Preceding Tony in death were his parents, Lola Belle and Ollie Davis; and sister, Sharon Davis. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 7, at Irving Bible Church in Irving. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. To express condolences please visit www.carepages.com/carepages/PapasHeart. Time to rest now, Dad. We love you. See you soon...

Geraldine Geri Emmert, 77

Geraldine Geri Emmert, 77, of Raton, N.M., passed away March 17, 2010, in Raton, after a courageous, hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born June 3, 1932, in White Bear Lake, Minn. She was the first-born daughter of Frank F. Newbury and Mary Hare Newbury. In the spring of 1945, Geri moved from Wisconsin to Montana with her folks and six siblings living in a tin shack built on the back of a 1 1/2 ton 37 Chevy truck. They settled in the Olney area. Geri was a spunky, young gal who in her childhood loved to box with her older brothers. While attending Whitefish High School, she worked as a live-in housekeeper and nanny for a well-respected doctor, going home only on the weekends. After graduating, Geri went to work for Hendricksen Motors in Kalispell. It was then, on her daily carpool commuting, that she got to know the love of her life William Bill Emmert. Bill and Geri were married on Sept. 7, 1952, and would have celebrated their 58th anniversary this year. They have four children, 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Geri had a real passion and appreciation for life, laughter and family. She would often say that keeping one s sense of humor was essential to preserving one s sanity through life s many struggles. She had an exceptional knack for interior decorating and had great, largely unexplored, artistic potential. Geri particularly enjoyed travel and her long rides through the countryside with family and friends. Therapy for the soul, she would often say! Perhaps her greatest gift was her deep sense of compassion for those who were suffering emotionally or from physical illness. She would literally spend days upon days searching through her vast medical library to find some comfort and direction for those in need, at times even putting her own well-being at risk. Even though she experienced a lifetime of serious health issues she always praised God for his love and mercy. The last several years she was intensely focused on knowing God. She committed to countless hours of prayer and study of the Scripture just to get close to Him. Her family and friends take great comfort knowing she is now at peace and made whole, resting in His presence after such a long hard battle. She was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Quilling; nephew, Robert Bobby Eyre; nephew, Glen Speer; great-nephew, Erin Emmert; and grandson, Joseph Reid. She is survived by her husband, Bill Emmert, of Raton, N.M.; children, Kathy and Roger McFadden of Columbia Falls, Tina Reid of Raton, Scott and Monica Emmert of Kalispell, and Terry and Katie Emmert of Douglas, Wyo.; brothers and sisters, Frank and Sally Newbury of Whitefish, Gerald and Mary Newbury of Whitefish, Carol Newbury Howe of Livingston, Millie Newbury Gee of Denver, Colo., and Helen and Randy Petsch of La Mesa, Calif.; and also Don and Joyce Emmert, and Evan and Shirley Speer, of Columbia Falls. A memorial will be held in Kalispell at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish.

Flathead doesn't apply for Google speed test

In high school, some lucky students get the opportunity to test out of things — classes, finals, the like — simply because they’re already up to speed on the material.

Davey, Havlovick lead Polson girls to track title at Corvallis

The Daily Inter Lake

Health-care bill: Trick or treat?

If Democrats think that by passing health-care legislation they have put the matter to bed, they should think again.

Montana high court sends case back to local court

Due to repeated references to her sexual preference during a previous trial, a Flathead County probation and parole officer convicted of making a false 911 call could get a new trial.

Daybook

Turquoise truck runs into house

A turquoise truck veered off the road and struck a house on Sunburst Court around 7 p.m. Friday. The driver was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with a possible back injury.

Peace garden

A Tibetan teacher’s vision for a ‘Garden of 1,000 Buddhas’ is becoming a reality near Arlee.

A garden of 1,000 Buddhas

Elaborate peace center taking shape near Arlee

Visualize a 10-acre garden with a thousand Buddhas to inspire visitors of all faiths to reflect on peace and find compassion and happiness within themselves.

Lakeside QRU plans new building

Conditional-use permit sought

The Lakeside Quick Response Unit has one more hurdle to clear before construction can begin on a new ambulance building.

Store transports shoppers Back In Time

Local customers keep business afloat in recession

Three years ago, Elna Rooney knew absolutely nothing about antiques.

Flathead Lake on slow refill cycle

Flathead Lake is starting a slow refill, with a steady reduction in outflows at Kerr Dam and an outlook for below-average inflows.

Photo book traces Glacier's early years

Hundreds of black-and-white photos of Glacier National Park’s earliest years have been collected by college librarian Michael Ober in a new book.

Who owns you? The risk of 'unlimited submission'

Hear ye, hear ye:

Week in Pictures March 22-28

Club Rugby

Little Guy Wrestling tight

Little Guy Wrestling

Riley Allen Birch-Wood

Riley Allen Birch-Wood, infant son of Amy Birch and Patrick Wood, was stillborn on March 22, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He weighed one pound and was 12 inches long. Heaven s gain was our loss when our angel was called by our Lord. Riley came into this world too soon and was taken too soon. He will be watched over in heaven by our very special friend, Larry Henderson. Riley is survived by his parents, Amy Birch and Patrick Wood; maternal grandmother, Dixeen Cornelle; paternal grandparents, Adam and Wanda Kruckenberg; great-aunt, Valorie Galloway; and great-aunt and -uncle, Sarah and Dennis Sargent. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside services for Riley will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Fleeing fugitive hides under tarp

A fugitive was found hiding beneath a tarp in a Woodland Avenue yard around 3:45 p.m. Friday.

Bikes for Books

Co-op stalls vote on power proposal

Comments from members will be sought

A clearly divided Flathead Electric Cooperative board of trustees on Friday tabled a proposal to join a Portland-based power cooperative.

Rate increase approved

Flathead Electric Cooperative members will see bigger monthly bills starting May 1.

Filmmakers focus on Flathead musicians

It’s a simple concept: Show real people making real music because they really love it.

Outdoors advocate Kreck dies

Longtime outdoors advocate Dr. Loren Kreck died Friday at his home in Columbia Falls.

Daybook

Jobless rate goes up slightly

The unemployment rate in Flathead County climbed slightly in February to 13.3 percent.

Garden of 1,000 Buddhas

Bikes for Books

Back in Time

Robert C. Swanson, 85

Robert C. Swanson, 85, of Eden Prairie, Minn., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on March 5, 2010. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Betty, and children, Susan Kimitch of Eden Prairie, Tom Swanson of Eden Prairie, Janice Swanson of Whitefish, and Nancy Conboy of Eden Prairie. He is also survived by many loving grandchildren. Bob was a dedicated employee of 37 years at NW Bell Telephone Company. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and active at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. He was a Navy veteran, serving in the South Pacific on the USS Hornet in World War II. Bob loved traveling, especially to Whitefish, and had a passion for Minnesota Twins Baseball. Bob s final days were spent in hospice care at home, cared for by his daughter, Janice. He called her his angel, and the family is forever grateful to her for helping him live his final days the way he lived his life; with deep faith, dignity, and endless enthusiasm for his family. A funeral service was held March 9 at St. Andrew Church.

Dezaray Chyann Herman

daughter of Dale and Gina Herman of Kalispell, was born Aug. 15 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

David Wayne Seaman, 62,

David Wayne Seaman, 62, died March 14, 2010, at the Vancouver VA Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash. He was born Oct. 18, 1947, in Havre, to George and Esther Seaman, the seventh sibling of 10 in his family. He grew up in Havre and attended grade school there. In his high school years he was proud of his football and boxing accomplishments. David enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years. In 1966 he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany as a tank driver. In 1967 he volunteered for service in Vietnam and was a construction/machine operator in a combat zone. He was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and Sharp Shooter Medal. Ten years later in 1977 and 1978 he served in the Air National Guard in Oregon as an airman 1st class. He was proud to have served his country and remained patriotic throughout his life. He was a lifetime member of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the American Legion. David was married to Helen Janel Major and they lived in Portland. Together they had one daughter, Paula Rae Seaman. He remarried Dianna (Colvig) Wolff and they lived in Portland. Later he married PuCha (Kim) Park and they lived in Aloha, Ore. The majority of his work years were in Portland at Columbia Steel Mills as a molder and on the Willamette River as a longshoreman. He also owned and operated a ceramic business, Imagination Gallery. David learned how to work hard in his early years and maintained a strong work ethic all his life. David held the utmost respect and love for his entire family; they were his joy, and he made it a priority to stay connected. He was interested in global politics and economics and he shared his views with family and friends. He was proud of his own baptism in 1995 and was devoted to the study of God s Holy Word and was passionate about sharing God s promises with others. After being diagnosed with cancer he participated as a Disabled American Veteran in a scientific medical research program in an effort to help others. He was a warrior at fighting cancer for over five years. David will be remembered as a loving husband and father and a hero to his family. David is survived by his wife, PuCha Seaman, of Aloha;, daughter, Paula Seaman of Portland; and his sisters and brothers, Luella McCabe of Ridgefield, Wash., Vernon Seaman and Donald Seaman of Kalispell, Betty Ann Leap of Tacoma, Wash., Vicki Niederegger of Chinook, Janet Knauss of Libby, and Paul Seaman of Renton, Wash. He was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Black, in 1977; his father, George Seaman, in 1989, his mother, Esther (Runnion) Seaman, in 2008; and his sister, Diana Enloe in 2010. At David s request, cremation has taken place. The family has plans for a memorial graveside service on June 26 at the C.E. Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell. Cards and letters of condolence can be mailed to 2222 S.W. Spring Garden Street, Apt. No.107, Portland, OR 97219.

Norah Faith Guinn

daughter of Heath and Heather Guinn of Columbia Falls, was born Jan. 26 at North Valley Hospital

Susan Nancy Schwarz, 78

Susan Nancy Schwarz died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at age 78, at home, in her Zen room, with family at her side. She was born Oct. 23, 1931, in Manhattan, N.Y., and then lived in California and Montana; Whitefish was her home for 31 years. Susan is survived by her husband of 42 years, Charles Milton Schwarz; and her eight children, David of Venice, Calif., Diana of Tucson, Ariz., Daniel and Jolene of Whitefish and Missoula, Derek and Barb of Bigfork, Duncan and Sally of Penn Valley and Rough and Ready, Calif., Suzie and Frosty of Victorville, Calif., Scott and Ruthie of Palmdale, Calif., and Glenn and Danette of Medford, Ore. Susan had 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy, and Bill, Mills; her dear friends, Anne S. Moran, Phyllis S. Shaw, Linda Kuhlmann Wells, Chyral Berney, William and Carolyn McKinney, and many other friends and co-workers too numerous to mention. Susan was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, Hubert Charles and Ethel Carolyn Rausch; and her natural mother, Genevieve M. Guitard Davis. Susan was an amazing, remarkable woman. She was a beloved spouse, mother and friend, lifelong learner and teacher, survivor, warrior, mentor and angel. Susan attended Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, graduating in 1949, and then put herself through Los Angeles City College to achieve an Associate of Science degree in nursing (1964). She eventually earned her registered nurses degree, working as a nurse in California and Montana. From 1982 to 1992, she was employed at Big Mountain as a ski school instructor, obtaining her Level 2 Certification. In addition, Susan was a United States Forest Service skiing volunteer. She worked from 1992 to 2007 at the Violence Free Crisis Line/Flathead Justice Center, as a victim witness advocate. In May 2001 Susan was honored by the Attorney General of Montana, Mike McGrath, for providing outstanding assistance and advocacy for victims of crime. Her end of life care was managed by Home Options Hospice and Agape Home Care; the Agape In-home Care givers were also three amazing, remarkable women: Jeri, Wanda and Tiffany. A memorial gathering for local friends and family will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. this Saturday, March 27, at her home (665 Haskill Basin Road) in Whitefish. Another gathering will be scheduled for summer 2010. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Home Options Hospice at 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901. Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Sandra Maria Hayes, 77

Sandra Maria Hayes, 77, passed away Monday, March 22, 2010, in Kalispell. Sandra was born Nov. 7, 1932, in Norway, the daughter of Pedar and Maria (Thomsen) Eskedal. Sandra was raised in Grimstad, Norway, and emigrated to the United States. She married Robert Hayes in Richmondville, N.Y., in 1951. Sandra enjoyed cooking at the Blacktail Inn, and loved to knit. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hayes; and a brother, Arnold Eskedal. She is survived by her children, Gary and wife Karlina Hayes of Helena, David and wife Debrah Hayes of Somers, and daughter, Evelyn, and husband Tim McCrea of Kalispell; brother, Robert Eskedal, and sister, Doris Warner, both of New York; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Yvonne S. Voni Vitt-Hansen, 50,

Yvonne S. "Voni" Vitt-Hansen, 50, passed away on Monday, March 22, 2010, when angels came and took her to Heaven, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. She died from pneumonia, respiratory failure. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born Oct. 31, 1959, in Whitefish, the youngest of three children, to Quentin and Donna Vitt. She was raised on a farm near Somers and attended eight years at the Somers School. She loved the farm, and the outdoors with her rabbits, kittens and her pony. She graduated from Flathead High School in 1978 and attended one year of college in Havre, and three years at Montana State University in Bozeman, where she earned a degree in fine arts and had always dreamed of teaching art to children. She married the love of her life, Brian T. Hansen, on Dec. 31, 1981, and they were able to share almost 29 happy years together. She was a very dedicated and loving mother to their four children. She loved her garden, her flowers, picking huckleberries, camping and teaching them all how to cook. She loved everyone who was dear and near to her and she shared that love with them; now she is safe in the arms of Jesus. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Louie Sasse and Earnest Vitt; and her grandmothers, Cathryn Sasse and Cassie Gaurnero. She is survived by her husband, Brian T. Hansen; children, Charlie, Bill, Dan and Kassara; parents, Quentin and Donna Vitt; brother, Lance Vitt and wife, Renee, and family, sister, Cathi Iverson and husband, Dale, and family, all of the Flathead Valley; plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and other relatives. Voni, you will live forever in our hearts; until we meet again. Funeral services for Voni will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Lakeside. Burial will be in Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home Chapel in Kalispell. The family suggests memorial donations be sent to Wings Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 7852 Kalispell, MT 59904; or to the Hansen Children s Education Fund at the Whitefish Credit Union. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Voni s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Voni's tribute wall.

Big Mountain Golf Club

School bus parked in bar lot

Seeing a school bus parked in the lot of a bar on Montana 35 around 11:14 a.m. Thursday, an observer called

Five-year sentence for driver who caused crash

Seven people injured in three-vehicle wreck

A Kalispell woman was given a five-year sentence Thursday for causing a three-vehicle crash that injured seven people in June 2009.

Review set for lake trout plan

The Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes are launching a public review process for a controversial lake trout netting project for Flathead Lake, starting with upcoming meetings in Polson, Kalispell and Missoula.

Whitefish schools plan for layoffs

District to request approval of small elementary levy

With a $325,000 deficit looming in next year’s high school budget, Whitefish school officials are facing a slew of difficult decisions this spring.

Libby's CARD clinic expands

Baucus hosts groundbreaking ceremony on March 31

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., will host a groundbreaking ceremony on March 31 for the renovation and expansion of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, known as the CARD Clinic.

Plum Creek to fill 10 jobs for summer

Plum Creek Timber Co. is hiring again.

Man pleads innocent to six charges

The man involved in a high-speed chase along U.S. 2 and through Columbia Falls earlier this month pleaded not guilty Thursday to six counts against him.

Census response is civic duty

The Census Bureau has begun its once-in-a-decade job of counting the American population, but it can’t do the job right without you.

A Star on the Bars

Eleven-year-old local gymnast turns hard work into undefeated season

Rebecca Knutson is ready to move on.

Daybook

Rebecca Knutson flip

Rebecca Knutson up on bar

Rebecca Knutson

Daniel F. Deck, 96

Daniel F. Deck, 96, passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Big Sky Senior Community Living. Dan was born Dec. 3, 1913, to Jacob and Rose Deck in McArthur, N.D. He attended high school in Wolf Point and attended Northern Montana College in Havre. While at Havre, he met his future wife, Laura, who sat across from him in class. They were married in 1939 and together they raised three children. Dan led a full life with his occupations of busboy, janitor, produce manager, meat cutter, buyer, store manager and owner. His jobs took him to Glasgow, Sunburst, Cut Bank, Lewistown, Missoula, Great Falls, Vancouver, Wash., and Lyons, Colo. In 1976, Dan retired and he and Laura moved to Kalispell and Polebridge. Thirty years of retirement enabled them to entertain their friends and family at Polebridge. Dan and Laura liked to host the annual Presbyterian Church Fourth of July gathering. Dan liked to play bridge, cribbage, poker, and created art in latch hook projects. He and Laura kept busy with volunteering and their daily walks. Dan was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Laura, who died in 2004; four sisters; and one brother. Survivors include son, Denis Deck, and wife, Sandy, of Salt Lake City; son, Douglas Deck, and wife, Christie, of Thompson Falls; daughter, Danette, and husband, Ray Johnson, of Anaconda; grandchildren, Stuart Deck and wife Betsy of Euless, Texas, Stephanie Sandell and husband Sam of Tetonia, Idaho, Wade Johnson and wife Jamie of Anaconda, Russ Johnson and wife Bobbie of Portland, Stan Johnson and wife Kim of Olympia, Wash., and Leslie Deck of Kalispell; great-grandchildren twins, Layne and Logan Johnson, Claire and Ellie Johnson, and Lawson Deck. We will treasure our memories and are grateful to all who crossed his path and contributed to his healthy, long, and productive journey here. As per his request, no funeral services will be held. The family requests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell. Cremation was under the care of the KT Riddle Funeral Homes, Anaconda.

David Knapton, 33

David Knapton, 33, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2010, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, as the result of a motorcycle accident on March 16. He was born March 21, 1976, in Missoula, to Mark and Carmen Knapton. He lived most of his life in the Flathead Valley. He graduated from Flathead High School and took auto repair courses at MSU-Northern. He, like his father, wrenched both for income and enjoyment, along with fishing and hunting. He was a gentle giant, living his life on his own terms. It was a wild ride that ended too soon. David was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Lizzi Knapton, of Kalispell; two brothers, Jacob and wife, Toni, Knapton and family, and Brian and wife, Jessica, Knapton and family; grandparents, Bruce and Bitsey Avery, of Libby; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorial services for David will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, at the Faith Alliance Church in Kalispell. The family suggest donations be made to the Elizabeth Knapton Trust Fund. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for David s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view David s tribute wall.

Lillian Howke, 80

Lillian Howke, 80, died Monday, March 22, 2010, in Whitefish. She was born in Belfast, Ireland, on July 9, 1929, to William Irwin and Martha (Turkington) Irwin. Lil came to America as a young woman, coming to Whitefish to see her sister, Maudie Stidham. She remained in Whitefish with Bill and Roxie Cheevers as her sponsors and later received her citizenship in 1956. During her 62 years in Whitefish, she had been a dedicated homemaker. She later had worked at Lincoln Cleaners and for many years at Chalet City Pharmacy. She had been a member of the Whitefish First Baptist Church, enjoying her friends and fellowship there. Lil enjoyed visiting with her many friends and had been a very loving and proud mother and grandmother. Surviving her are her sons, Mike Howke of Whitefish, and Steve Howke and wife, Brenda, of Helena; a sister, Chrissie McCracken, of Belfast; five grandchildren, Tawnya Vidnovic, Michelle Howke, Emily Howke, Shelby Howke and Brady Howke; and great-granddaughter, Sophie Vidnovic; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were sisters, May Russell and Maudie Stidham; and granddaughter, Paige Howke. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Austin Funeral Home with Pastor Gene Speer officiating; interment services will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Whitefish.

Ronald P. Newgard, 60

Ronald P. Newgard, 60, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Northwest Healthcare in Kalispell. He was born May 3, 1949, in Kalispell, to Walfred and Mildred (Koski) Newgard. Ron lived and worked his entire life in the Flathead Valley, enjoying everything outdoors and in. He graduated from Flathead High School in 1967. On Jan. 2, 1968, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Susan Huso. Over their 40 years of marriage they took several cruises with their son Brad, Pearl and friends. Ronnie was an avid skier both on Flathead Lake and Big Mountain. Flipping burgers, and driving his little red Shriner mobile in parades across the state and fundraising efforts were so important to him. He did them with pride and always a smile and a Thank you. Ron was the only one on the Search and Rescue who had to be rescued, but if anyone needed anything it was Ronnie to the Rescue. Ron was a hard worker and excellent provider. In May 2003, Ron achieved his goal (with the help of Sid Young), and became the proud owner of his wooden boat, The Cherry Bond. Thanks for the Joy Ride, Ron, Full throttle ahead! Ron is survived by a son, Bradley Newgard, of Bigfork; his mother, Mildred Newgard, and a brother, B.J. Newgard, both of Kalispell; also his mother-in-law, Pearl S. Huso. A memorial service for Ron will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210; or Bigfork Q.R.U., 810 Grand Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911 Attn.: Cindy Norved. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ron s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Ron s tribute wall.

Doris Aline Phillips

Doris Aline Phillips died March 23, 2010, in Lewistown. She was born in Mountain Grove, Mo., in 1923. She was not Rosie the Rivter, but rather, Rosie the Typist, serving an admiral in the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., for most of World War II. She answered a government advertisement on a dare from friends. When a response came saying you will report, those friends chipped in to help finance the train ticket from Bartlesville, Okla., to D.C., which she took alone. Because she was only one of tens of thousands of such women, she lived in a room in a rooming house with eight other women. She married Jack Phillips, a Navy veteran of the Pacific Theatre, in 1945, and moved to the windblown, barren, Northern Great Plains of Montana and made a life. She was a classical pianist, an artist of many mediums, a gardener, a high school graduate who read and revered the classics, and a patient, gentle soul. She is survived by sons, Wayne of Lewistown, John of South Dakota, and Lon of Helena; and a daughter, Sunni, of Helena. Her sister-in-law is Emma Ridgeway of Stanford. Her grandchildren include Johnny and Wendy Phillips of South Dakota, Lars Phillips of Washington, Kaitlin Phillips of New York City, and Hannah Phillips of Kalispell.

Tony A. Hanel, 90

Tony A. Hanel, 90, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his home in Columbia Falls, surrounded by his family. He was born April 25, 1919, at Wason Flats, Mont., one of eight children. Tony and his loving wife Vivian were high school sweethearts. They were married in Miles City and they have been married for 69 years. They have three children, Jerry, Sandy and Peggy. Tony and Vivian have lived many places, including Miles City, Tacoma, Wash., Wolf Point and Salinas, Calif., and have spent the past 25 years in Columbia Falls. Anyone who knows Tony has heard his stories of living in a boxcar with his wife and son while working on the Milwaukee Railroad. He had many trades including mechanic, farmer, heavy equipment operator, gas station manager, school custodian and working for an electrical company. There wasn t anything he wouldn t try or couldn t fix. Tony enjoyed spending time with family and friends, sharing his many stories of life experiences. He also enjoyed being outdoors, doing yard work, working with wood and fixing things. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and great neighbor and friend. Tony had been a member of Christ Lutheran Church. Surviving him are his wife, Vivian; his children, Jerry Hanel and wife, Gail, of Billings, Sandy Schreiber and husband, Buster, of Marana, Ariz., and Peggy Whittlesey and husband, Rick, of Gillette, Wyo.; his brothers, Frank Hanel of Wolf Point, and Tom Hanel of Miles City; grandchildren, Scott Hanel, Carrie Schreiber, Wes Schreiber, Eric Whittlesey, Angela Shippy and Christina Whittlesey; and great-granddaughter, Tejal Hanel. Preceding him in death were brothers, Jimmy, Ray and Joe; sisters, Mary and Annie; and grandson, Brad Hanel. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway in Whitefish, with Pastor John Bent officiating. Memorials may be made to Tony Hanel Memorial c/o Frontier Hospice, 29 Second St. E., Kalispell, MT 59901. Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family.

License change affects area bear hunters

A change in Montana’s 2010 spring black bear hunting regulations requiring hunters to validate their licenses for use in Northwest Montana was revisited earlier this week by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission.

Host of Kalispell teachers retiring this year

The Daily Inter Lake

Report of beating turns out to be muddled

Kalispell voters to decide elementary levy

May ballot will include $338,000 request

Taxpayers in Kalispell Public Schools’ elementary district can expect to see a levy request on their ballots in May.

Tortoise scare

Classroom pets safe after smoky situation

Two tortoises are alive and well after a fire scare inside their terrarium late Tuesday night at Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell.

Fishing for Cans

Whitefish, county start doughnut discussions

The city of Whitefish and Flathead County took a step forward in the “doughnut” dilemma on Tuesday by agreeing to set up a committee and begin discussions about the fate of Whitefish’s outlying planning jurisdiction.

Man sentenced to state hospital

A Polson man was sentenced to 20 years in the state hospital for shooting his father in the woods near the Sanders County line in 2008.

Local skiers race in Junior Olympics

Three Whitefish Mountain Resort skiers were among the qualifying racers for the recent Junior Olympics at Mount Bachelor, Ore.

Decision needed on airport

For more than 10 years, the city of Kalispell has agitated, negotiated and cogitated over what to do with the municipal airport, and finally one City Council meeting seems to have put it all into perspective.

Proposed smoking ban sparks debate at FVCC

Would mandating that Flathead Valley Community College go tobacco-free help students quit or discourage them from seeking more education?

Heavy-equipment students honored for trail work

Flathead Valley Community College and its heavy equipment operator students have been named Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana Group Volunteer of the Year for their contributions to the organization’s Ashley Creek-to-Kila Project.

Daybook

Montana Living in Columbia Falls

Myrtle Sarah White, 93

Myrtle Sarah White, 93, passed away March 20, 2010, in Eureka. Myrtle was born Jan. 23, 1917, to Russell and Dena Ray in Helena. She had one brother, Virgil Ray. She grew up in East Helena, where she attended school and worked at Shodair Hospital. Dec. 14, 1940, she married James Jefferson White. They lived in Helena, later moving to Idaho and then to Kalispell. Over the years she opened her home and heart to many foster children, and later offered care in her home for the elderly. After James retired from the Postal Service, they made their home in Eureka. For the past 12 years, Mountain View Manor has been her home and extended family. Myrtle is preceded in death by her husband, James; and brother, Virgil. She is survived by her son, James and Carla White, of Rexford; daughter, LaZetta and David Krause of Dallesport, Wash.; and five grandchildren, Warren Krause, Stacia Stojanoff, Brandon Krause, Kim Thomson and Zane White. She has five great-grandchildren. Myrtle was a tiny lady with a heart of gold. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Federal rules may crimp airport plans

Plans for Kalispell City Airport may not be back at square one, but they may need to be retraced a few steps.

Late-night food fight

Street-vendor issue vexes Whitefish Council

Deciding how to regulate temporary food vendors has proven to be a tall order for Whitefish City Council members, one they’re still trying to digest.

C. Falls speech coach named best in Class A

Tara Norick, an assistant coach at Columbia Falls High School, has been named the state’s top Class A speech coach by the Montana Forensic Educators Association.

Smith Valley's main man stepping down

Principal ends 36 years at area schools

After 40 years in education, Smith Valley School Principal Mike Welling has decided to retire.

Glacier Knights open season April 10 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium

The Glacier Knights will open the Rocky Mountain Football League season on April 10 at the Missoula Phoenix. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Bigfork board interviews superintendent finalists

The Bigfork school board will interview two candidates for the district superintendent position today.

Bigfork, Eureka players all-state in basketball

Three players from Bigfork and one from Eureka have been named to Class B All-State basketball teams in balloting by coaches.

Road-dust deadline is Friday

Rural Flathead County residents who want to participate in the county’s dust-abatement program must sign up by Friday or they will be left in the dust.

Missing 3-year-old found in vehicle

Daybook

Whitefish Midnight Vendors

Leonard Earl Marshall, 94

Leonard Earl Marshall, 94, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. He was born on Aug. 17, 1915, near Somers, the oldest of three sons and one daughter, to Fred and Marguerite (Lawrence) Marshall. Leonard s family first came to the Flathead Valley in 1910 when his paternal grandparents moved here from Coffeyville, Kan. Leonard s father and grandfather both worked in the oil fields around southeast Kansas. While on a scouting trip to find a place to move to in Canada, Leonard s grandparents traveled through the Flathead and decided to move to Kalispell instead. His father also moved to the area shortly afterward. Subsequently, Leonard s father, Fred, met and married Marguerite Billie Lawrence from Dayton. Leonard s maternal grandfather, Elmer Lawrence, was a boat builder by trade and also built the early lodge buildings (which later burned down) on Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake. The Lawrences also built the Dew Drop Inn in Dayton and operated it as a boarding house for many years. Leonard lived with his family in the Somers and Dayton areas as a youngster before moving with the family to Roundup, where his father was employed in the oil fields. In 1925, Leonard and his brother Harland moved back to the Lower Valley area south of Kalispell to live with their grandparents, William and Emma Marshall. Leonard and Harland grew up on their grandparents farm and attended Hodgson Grade School and Flathead County High School. Leonard later attended a diesel mechanic trade school in Portland. Except for the time spent at the Portland Trade School, Leonard lived at the Lower Valley farmstead since 1925. As a young man he worked on his grandparents farm and assisted his grandparents in providing some of the area s earliest custom grain threshing services. This was done by providing work crews, a steam engine, together with water and fuel, a stationary threshing machine, and horses and wagons for grain bundles. Leonard started farming full-time for himself in 1935 when he rented the farm from his grandparents. He first operated with horse-drawn implements and made the transition to tractor power in the late 1930s. In 1939, Leonard and Corlea Nees were joined in marriage " a union that endured for nearly 60 years before Corlea s death in 1999. Two sons, Duane and Terry, were born in the 1940s. Over the years, he primarily raised grain and hay, ran a cow-calf herd, and raised pigs in a complete farrow to finish the operation. He remained active in the farming operation even after son Duane started running the farm in 1995. In addition to being a devoted husband and father and grandfather, he was active in several community activities. These included service on the local school board and the board of directors of Equity Supply Company, a local farmer s cooperative. He was also active for many years as a member of the Church of the Nazarene. In addition to his wife Corlea, he was preceded in death by his sister, Helen Strom; and his brothers, Harland and Fred. He is survived by his two sons and their families, Terry Marshall and his wife, Patti, of Billings, and their children, Mike, Tom and Krista; and Duane Marshall and his wife, Patsy, and their children, Lissa, Jill and Jennifer; and seven great-grandchildren. Private family services will be held at a later date. Johnson - Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Leonard s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Leonard s tribute wall.

Teresa Marie Zelezny, 58

Teresa Marie Zelezny, 58, of Hamilton, passed away on March 18, 2010, at her home, of respiratory failure. She was born Jan. 30, 1952, in St. Ignatius, to Eugene Zelezny and Cecelia Cissy Zelezny Iverson. Teresa was raised in Hot Springs and graduated from Mount Ellis Academy in Bozeman in 1970. Being the free spirit that she was, she lived in many places such as Wyoming, Kalispell, Missoula, Plains and Hamilton, where she met many dear friends along the way. On March 15, 1980, she gave birth to her son Quinn, who inspired her every day for the last 30 years, and she loved him with every ounce of her being. On Nov. 23, 1985, she married her soulmate, Richard P. Morton. They lived many of the happiest years of her life on their Little House on the Prairie in Camas Prairie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Zelezny and Cecelia Cissy Iverson; her brothers, Joseph and Robert Zelezny; and her beloved husband, Richard P. Morton. Teresa is survived by her precious miracle child, Quinn Zelezny, and adopted daughter, Jamie (Dena) Bergmann of Hamilton; her uncle, William Zelezny, of Rollins; sister-in-law, Frances Zelezny of Clay City, Ind.; several cousins and many, many dearly loved friends. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the C mon Inn Hotel Banquet Room in Missoula.

Donald O. Gustafson, 77

Donald O. Gustafson, 77, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born to William and Alice Gustafson in Milnor, N.D., on Oct. 15, 1932, and later came to Shelby with his family where he had attended school, graduating from Shelby High School. While in high school, he had been very active in sports. He later served in the United States Air Force, where he was honorably discharged at the rank of staff sergeant. Don had been a longtime resident of Whitefish where he had been an entrepreneur who owned and operated several businesses, including Riverside Grocery, Snak Time and Northwest Ice. Don was an Eagle Scout and later a high school basketball referee. He was a past-president and prime minister of the Whitefish Winter Carnival. A man who was proud of his family, he loved to joke and will be missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Zoe; his children, Eric of Whitefish, Tim of Reno, Nev.; and Lori of Sacramento, Calif.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Gary; and by his parents. Services will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor s choice. Arrangements are under the care of Austin Funeral Home.

Tristan Christopher Berklund

son of Christopher Dean Berklund and Jocyrose Seno Berklund of Kalispell, was born Feb. 5 at North Valley Hospital.

Freya Emily Hoge and Liliana Sky Hoge

twin daughters of Christopher and Shannon Hoge, were born Jan. 30 at North Valley Hospital.

Samuel Vitaliy Kramarevskiy

son of Vitaliy and Anna Kramarevskiy of Kalispell, was born Jan. 11 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Audrianna Nicole Fritz

daughter of Lindsay Nicole Heine and Jeremy Lee Fritz of Kalispell, was born Feb. 6 at North Valley Hospital.

Daybook

Today

Man shows poor decorating taste

Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies advised a man Sunday not to return to a hotel in Hungry Horse that evicted him after he reportedly had been spray painting the walls of a room.

Famous Dave's fire caused by water heater

The March 13 fire at Famous Dave’s restaurant was caused by a malfunctioning water heater, Kalispell Fire Chief Dan Diehl said Monday.

Park starts plowing operations

Glacier National Park road crews are starting spring snow plowing, and Going-to-the-Sun Road will not open over Logan Pass any earlier than June 18 because of construction that requires two-lane closures.

Squirrel's misstep blacks out downtown

A squirrel’s life was cut short Monday morning when it got into a circuit breaker at the Green Acres power substation on the south end of Kalispell.

Whitefish High to implement freshman academy

Starting next fall, ninth grade will look a little different at Whitefish High School.

Preschoolers liven up Wel-Life

A large group of Kalispell Head Start students and their parents livened up Wel-Life of Kalispell Thursday evening, sharing pizza and some of their favorite songs with the assisted-living residents.

Sunset along the Flathead

How will the unilateral passage of comprehensive health care by Democrats in Congress affect your voting preference in the future?

Kalispell Power Outage

Flathead County Veteran Memorial

David Moats, 81

David Moats, 81, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2010, at Missouri River Care and Rehab Center in Great Falls. David was born on Jan. 11, 1929, in Ottertail, Minn., to Stanley and Mabel (Herr) Moats. He was raised in Minnesota, where he attended school. He moved to the Flathead Valley 50-plus years ago. He was self-employed, owning his own construction company. He built many of the homes in the Happy Valley area. Dave love to hunt and fish, and he and his wife Greyling loved to socialize with his and her friends. She passed away several years ago. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his children, Randy and his wife Alisa of Great Falls, Ricky Moats of Miles City, and Connie and her husband John Fluegel of Texas; grandchildren Daryl, Alana, Toni and James; and three great-grandchildren. A celebration of Dave s life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 24, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. You are invited to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to sign his book or leave a message for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Clyde Lewis 'Gus' Sproul, 58

Clyde Lewis Gus Sproul, 58, died unexpectedly Monday, March 15, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center with his family at his side. He was born March 7, 1952, in Whitefish to Lewis Dill Sproul and Janet (Fly) Sproul. His childhood and early adulthood were spent at his family home on the Star Meadows Ranch. Gus grew up working on the ranch and logging with his dad, uncle and cousins and had worked as a skidder operator his entire life. He had been employed by F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. at the time of his death. Gus never married but his cousins and their children were his very close family. A quiet person with a heart of gold, Gus was there for anyone at any time and will be missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his aunts and uncles, Florence and Art Hedin of Kalispell, Leola Trexler of Palmdale, Calif., Ellen Cleveland of Millville, Del., and Elmer and Barbara Fly of Naselle, Wash. Also surviving are his cousins, Richard and Julie Sproul of Columbia Falls, Ruthie and Ray Barnes of Dillon, Jenny and Donny Thompson of Kalispell, Jolene and David Wolstad of Somers, Ken Cleveland of Virginia, Nancy Limbaugh of Washington and Sandra Cole of California; as well as numerous second and third cousins. Services will be at 1 p.m. today at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish with Pastor Tim Bartholomew officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Student nurse held beating heart

Sonya Solum, a student nurse who grew up in the West Valley, returned from a month working at a hospital in Taiwan with a momentous hands-on experience.

Law roundup

Kalispell police tried but couldn’t locate a tall man in a red coat reportedly passing out $100 bills in Woodland Park Saturday evening.

Artist's canvas: Etch A Sketch

Elaborate portraits can take 20 hours

Yes, they’re real.

Town meeting tackles problem of youth drinking

The STOP Underage Drinking in the Flathead Coalition will host its fifth annual meeting aimed at curbing underage drinking on Tuesday at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell.

Telemark event wraps up

Pauline Graziano

Daybook

Today

Thomas R. Conrad, 54

Thomas R. Conrad passed away on March 12, 2010, at his home in Auburn, Calif. He was born in Whitefish on Dec. 30, 1955, and was a long-time resident of both the Flathead Valley and Northern California. After serving in the Navy, Thom moved from California to Kalispell where he worked in his family s business and coached tennis for Flathead High School and Flathead Valley Community College, before returning to California in 1989. He was an active outdoorsman and athlete who was happiest hiking and fishing in the mountains and playing tennis and golf. He is survived by one daughter, Autumn Conrad; three siblings, Steven Conrad, Richard Conrad and Janet Pearsall; four nephews and three nieces; and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis and Jack Sirucek, who also were longtime residents of Kalispell. A private service will be held in California s Sierra Nevada. Contributions in memory of Thom may be made online to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Serves program which serves at-risk youth through tennis and education programs. http://ustaserves.com/donate.aspx

Marian Patricia Rohde Larson, 85

Marian Patricia Rohde Larson passed away March 16, 2010. She was born on Aug. 4, 1924, in Glasgow. Marian moved with her family to the Flathead Valley at the age of 13 and attended high school in Bigfork. She completed beauty school and worked as a hairdresser for nearly 40 years. Marian married Ed Falkner in 1946 and together they raised four children until his death in 1962. She was married to Walter Larson in 1969 and lived in Great Falls until their retirement, at which time they moved to their home in Leisure World, Mesa, Ariz. Marian was extremely active in the Kiwanis Club and her many hobbies which included china painting, high teas and intimate dinner parties. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marilyn Smith; and her son, Charles Falkner. Marian is survived by her husband, Walter; son, Douglas Falkner, and Veronica; daughter, Kathleen Colman, and Richard; grandchildren, Randy Smith and fiancee Kendra, J.T. Falkner and Pamela, Patrick Falkner, Jody Pavich and Katie Worthen; and great-grandchildren, Castin Kendall and Kora Leigh Kendall. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 23, at the Apache Wells Community Church. In lieu of flowers, Marian had requested donations to the Kiwanis Club of the Superstitions Donation, c/o Pene Mathison No. 425 Leisure World Mesa, AZ 85206.

Ellwood Al Stratton, 93

Our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend Ellwood Al Stratton, 93, left us peacefully at The Heritage Place in Kalispell on March 12, 2010. Though of average height, he cast a tall shadow with his strong yet gentle guidance and support of family, friends and even strangers, whose lives he touched. He was born the sixth of eight children to Frank and Minnie (Geery) Stratton on Dec. 29, 1916, in Unionville, Mo. When Ellwood was six months old the family moved to eastern Montana, where they lived in Chinook, Havre, and Landusky, before settling in the Flathead Valley. As a young boy, he drove a team of horses delivering wood in the Kalispell area, and later joined his father and brothers in the woods as a logger. In 1942 in Seattle, Ellwood married his girl from Kalispell, Frankie Hillis. He worked as a welder in the Seattle shipyards, and later joined the Army, serving stateside during World War II. After the war, they returned to the Flathead where he supported his family as owner of a sawmill, and as a master welder, working on the building of Hungry Horse Dam. He also worked at Westmont Tractor and on road construction. Ellwood was a self-taught handyman, and always eager to offer a helping hand to anyone. He built his home in Evergreen with logs cut by his own hands. In 1961 Ellwood and Frankie moved to Dillon to work on the Clark Canyon Dam project, leaving in 1964 to follow road construction, before settling in Missoula. Ellwood officially retired, then moved to Dillon in 1977, and began a second career as a self-employed welder, doing custom work until the age of 85. Ellwood and Frankie worked side by side for 67 years raising their two daughters, and were always there to lend a hand, a shoulder or an ear to their girls, their friends and a large extended family. He was active in the Presbyterian Church in Dillon. Keenly aware of those in need, they formed Helping Hands, quietly gathering goods, funds and emotional support for countless people. Ellwood was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Boyd, Jed, Buck and Eugene; and sisters, Audrey and Orminta. The memories of Ellwood will be forever cherished by those who survive him; his wife, Frankie; his brother, Donald, of The Dalles, Ore.; daughters, Susie and Fred Rebish, of Dillon, and Mary and John Semmens, of Polson; grandchildren, Tracey and Kendra Rebish, Kathey and Bob Hupp, Jason and Andrea Semmens, Rachael and Myles Heivilin; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved, including Jean and Ron Levang, Norma Williams and Sandy Loveall, who were able to spend the last few years near him; and by a former neighbor, considered family, Donn Bolog, of Bothel, Wash. A special thanks goes to Doretta at Renaissance in Dillon and to the staff of Heritage Place in Kalispell for their kindness and the great care they gave our Dad. Ellwood was a gentle man, a gifted teacher, a loving husband, father and grandfather, and we, his family, are honored to have been a part of his long and faithful life. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Helping Hands Fund, c/o First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 526, Dillon, MT 59725. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ellwood s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Ellwood s tribute wall.

Jane E. Friske, 74

Our beloved mother, Jane E. Friske, 74, passed away at her home in Columbia Falls on Saturday, March 13, 2010, from C.O.P.D. She was born in Osceola, Wis., Aug. 3, 1935, to Roy and Effie Olson. Her family moved to Whitefish in 1948. She and her sisters, Joan, June and Jean, The Olson Girls, thrived in Whitefish, as they helped build the family home on Waverly Place from the ground up. She attended school in Whitefish and enjoyed making treasured memories with their friends. She continued to meet with her classmates each month at the Pin & Cue for lunch and stories through the years, along with her sisters. In 1954 she met her lifelong love, Forrest Friske, and shared 53 years of marriage. Our mother s joy in life was being a devoted wife and mother, always putting Dad and us first. Our lives were filled with wonderful meals for both lunch and dinner; sandwiches and casseroles were not seen at our table. Mom always kept our home extremely spotless. As children, we were the cleanest and had the best pressed clothes in Columbia Falls. She was so organized, and many envied her organization of having everything in its place and having whatever handy, just in case you needed it, be it at home, camping, or on the road. Mom s family was her greatest enjoyment in life. Having her parents, sisters, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close by throughout the years of her life brought happy times and wonderful memories. She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Friske; her sister, Joan Woods; and parents, Roy and Effie Olson. Jane is survived by her three children, Tanna Friske of Columbia Falls, Tim and Phyllis Friske of Columbia Falls, and Tina (Friske) and Bill Berg of Marion; seven grandchildren, Justin, Josharry and Jonathon Cheff, Sarah and Nick Friske, and Erin (Berg) DeLeonard and Bryan Berg; and her most loved nine great-grandchildren that meant so much to her, Connor, Sadie, and Kensley Cheff, Kyler, Kadon, Keevyn and Kaber Cheff, and Kobie and Kalli DeLeonard. She is also survived by her sisters and their spouses, June and Jim Kuchenski, and Jean and John Petersen; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, June and Dale Bar, Barbara and Dick Ott, and Kenneth Friske; and many very special nieces and nephews. In remembrance of our mother, we hope that those who smoke will consider quitting and encourage all others to do the same. Memorials and donations may be sent to the Columbia Falls Food Bank, P.O. Box 1081, Columbia Falls, for those less fortunate to allow food to be placed on their table. We would like to thank the wonderful Flathead County Home Health personnel and nurses who have helped us over the last several years. Val and Courtney, we can t thank you enough, you were truly Mom s special ladies. A remembrance and celebration of Jane s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, at the North Valley Community Center. A private interment will be held this summer when the sun is shining in the South Fork of the Flathead Valley to celebrate our everlasting love for our mother and treasured memories of our parents. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.

Credit union makes high-tech moves

Full-service Web site, ATMs to be added this year

Whitefish Credit Union has been in business 75 years and, to celebrate, it’s giving its members a birthday gift — new technology.

A new image

Photography gives artistic outlet to local disabled man

With a camera in his hands, Mark Hulslander of Kalispell is no longer defined as a brittle diabetic with multiple seizures, but as an artist capturing tranquil vignettes of wildlife.

Woman shares compelling story of HIV

Susan, a Montana woman with AIDS, shared her compelling story recently with Glacier High School students and other young people in the valley.

Glacier Bancorp raises millions with stock offering

Kalispell-based Glacier Bancorp Inc. has raised millions in capital with a common stock offering.

Legal pot: An Rx for disaster?

The citizens of Montana no doubt had good intentions in 2004 when they overwhelmingly voted to allow medical use of marijuana.

Hundreds protest big government

Protesters lined both sides of Kalispell’s Main Street at Depot Park Saturday, waving flags and banners and holding up placards with slogans against big government, big spending and pending health care legislation before Congress.

Man gets faceful of cereal, fist

After throwing a bowl of cereal at a man and punching him in the face, a woman left an East Reserve Drive residence Saturday morning before

Hometown hero laid to rest

Community gathers in tribute to fallen soldier

In the shadow of the mountains a young soldier lived for, a few hundred gathered Saturday afternoon to celebrate his life and untimely death.

Daybook

Congress and the incredible shrinking Constitution

Con-sti-tu-tion-al — adj. (3) of, in, authorized by, subject to, dependent on, or in accordance with the constitution of a nation, state, or society.

School trustee candidates face deadline

People interested in running for a position on their local school board have until Thursday to file the paperwork.

Sen. Tester defends health care overhaul

Speaking to Flathead County Democrats at their spring dinner Saturday, Montana Sen. Jon Tester defended support for the Senate health care bill as a responsible and necessary pursuit in Washington.

Week in Pictures March 15-21

Tester Protesters

Army Pfc. Nicholas Cook Funeral

Wayne Lapp, 81

On Thursday, March 18, 2010, Wayne Lapp, a lifetime Flathead Valley resident, passed away unexpectedly following a stroke early Tuesday morning, at the age of 81. He was born on July 18, 1928, to Lena (Kauffman) and Frank Lapp. He attended Deer Park and Columbia Falls Schools, and graduated from the Hesston Academy in 1948. Wayne served with the Mennonite Alternative (PAX) Service in Germany and Algeria from 1954 to 1956 in the reconstruction effort. On June 28, 1957, he married Mary Alice Eby of Drake, Saskatchewan, and they settled on a small acreage in Evergreen, where they raised their family of two sons and three daughters. Wayne worked briefly at Plum Creek before signing on with the Fuller Brush Co., as a door-to-door salesman in the Flathead Valley, which he continued doing until his death. Wayne was well-known by many valley residents simply as the Fuller Brush man. May of 2010 would have marked 50 years with the company. He and Mary had a large corn patch, a vegetable garden and fruit trees on their property. Many enjoyed the produce he sold at the Farmers Market and the honey from his bee hives. For many years, he also had some livestock (cows, pigs, and chickens) on the farm as well. Wayne became a member of the Mountain View Mennonite Church in Creston at the age of 12, and had been an active member since that time. An avid outdoorsman, Wayne greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with family and friends. Wayne will be remembered for his faith in God, his outgoing nature and his willingness to help whoever was in need. Survivors include his wife, Mary; his five children, Robert and Julie Lapp of Lake Oswego, Ore., Sandi and Dave Heine of Kalispell, Nancy and Kent Kanagy of Albuquerque, N.M., Julie Lapp of Everett, Wash., and John Lapp of Boulder; along with 11 grandchildren, Nick, Colton and Jordan Lapp, Loren, Tyler (Jeanne), Brad and Jenessa Heine, Will and Molly Kanagy, and Sean and Ben Porter; and three brothers, Jason Lapp of Lakeside, Edward Lapp of Kalispell, and Floyd Lapp of Molalla, Ore. Services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 22, at the Mountain View Mennonite Church, preceded by the committal at 2 p.m. at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. There will be a viewing from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Memorials can be given to Mennonite Central Committee, http://mcc.org, or to the Gideon ministry. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Wayne s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Wayne s tribute wall.

Clyde Lewis Gus Sproul, 58

Clyde Lewis Gus Sproul, 58, died Monday, March 15, 2010, at a local hospital. He was born March 7, 1952, in Whitefish, to Lewis Dill Sproul and Janet (Fly) Sproul. His childhood and early adulthood were spent at his family home on the Star Meadows Ranch. Gus grew up working on the ranch and logging with his dad, uncle and cousins and had worked as a skidder operator his entire life. He had been employed by F.H. Stoltz Lumber Company at the time of his death. Gus never married but his cousins and their children were his very close family. A quiet person with a heart of gold, Gus was there for anyone at any time and will be missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his aunts and uncles, Florence and Art Hedin of Kalispell, Leola Trexler of Palmdale, Calif., Ellen Cleveland of Millville, Del., and Elmer and Barbara Fly of Naselle, Wash. Also surviving are his cousins, Richard and Julie Sproul of Columbia Falls, Ruthie and Ray Barnes of Dillon, Jenny and Donny Thompson of Kalispell, Jolene and David Wolstad of Somers, Ken Cleveland of Virginia, Nancy Limbaugh of Washington, and Sandra Cole of California; as well as numerous second and third cousins. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish with Pastor Tim Bartholomew officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, The American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Man accused of burning boy dealt new charge

A Whitefish man accused of forcing his girlfriend’s 5-year-old child into a bathtub full of scalding water, severely burning the boy, has pleaded innocent to amended information in a new charge.

Seniors shine in Billings

The Daily Inter Lake

Students turn school into restaurant

For a few hours on a recent Friday, a Whitefish school was transformed into an upscale restaurant.

Three Wildcats, one Pirate earn top basketball honors

Howell named all-state, league MVP

Columbia Falls is home to the league MVP and three Class A All-State boys basketball players this season.

Local youths qualify for state geography contest

Eleven students from Northwest Montana have qualified for the National Geographic Bee’s state competition.

Daybook

Health officials issue norovirus alert

Flathead City-County Health Department officials have issued an alert that norovirus cases continue to climb in the Flathead Valley.

Woman leaps from rolling truck

Jumping from a moving truck, a woman broke her leg Friday afternoon. After her old Ford pickup lost power at the top of Sheep Herder Hill and began to roll backward, the 27-year-old woman became afraid and bailed. The truck ran off the road, took out part of a fence and came to a stop after hitting a tree. It sustained no damage, according to the

Telemark nationals

Four-time women’s national champion Kelsey Schmid-Sommer of Whitefish begins her run at the top of Big Mountain.

Anderson edges Sabin at Telemark Nationals

Shane Anderson of Cody, Wyo., earned the top perch on the podium for a second-straight day at the U.S. Telemark Nationals at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Friday.

US Telemark Nationals wide start

US Telemark Nationals Kelsey Schmid-Sommer

US Telemark Nationals

WIHS Yearbook Fundraiser setting tables

WIHS Yearbook Fundraiser iced tea

WIHS Yearbook Fundraiser dessert

WIHS Yearbook Fundraiser Chef

James Jim H. Mann, Jr., 68

James Jim H. Mann, Jr., 68, passed away on Monday, March 15, 2010, at the Brendan House in Kalispell, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on Aug. 9, 1941, to James H. Sr., and Corine Hammer (Plouffe) Mann in Malta, along with his twin brother who died shortly after birth. Jim s mother Corine raised him alone, as his father passed away when Jim was only 1 week old. At 1 year old, Jim and his mother moved to Kalispell to live with his aunt. Jim graduated from Flathead County High School in 1960 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from the University of Montana. Jim worked in numerous capacities as a certified public accountant. While working in Spokane for LeMasters and Daniels, he earned a reputation as an outstanding auditor. Jim was able to work right up until his recent hospitalization. Jim s greatest joy was Mac, his beloved black cocker spaniel. He was a devoted son and a dear friend to many. Jim loved the Mariners, Seahawks, WSU Cougars and the Griz. For many years he was the commissioner for the Fantasy Football League at the VFW. Many will recall the special touches and humor Jim put into his newsletters each week and ingenious ideas he had in distribution of the winnings at seasons end. Jim also delighted in his Saturday coffee/breakfast meetings with the local businessmen, always exhibiting his sense of humor. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Corine Hammer; his twin brother; father; and stepfather, Harvey Hammer. He is survived by his daughter, Selina Whitford, and three grandchildren. He is also survived by a loving cousin, Kay Lee Cummings, and many dear friends. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 19, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, and just prior to funeral services on Saturday. Funeral services are at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel with Father Vic Langhans officiating. Burial will follow at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Jim s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Jim s tribute wall.

Hale Ashcraft, 89

Hale Ashcraft slipped the surly bonds of earth as a result of natural causes at his Lakeside home on Sunday, March 14, 2010. Hale was two weeks shy of his 90th birthday and he was vibrantly active up until the day of his departure. He was born on March 28, 1920, in Portland, Ind., to Wheeler and Mary Nell Ashcraft. Always the consummate go-getter with his passion for life beginning at an early age, Hale operated his first commercial enterprise when he was only 16. As the proprietor of a full service gas station in the mid-1930s, he learned the value of good communication and solid customer service. Pearl Harbor resounded across America and duty called. Hale served his country honorably in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Hale and the veterans of his day made an invaluable contribution to the lifestyle that America still enjoys. After the war, his enthusiasm, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit forged a purpose that would remain throughout his life. He advanced his knowledge by owning and operating a profitable Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership. It was during that period he gained a taste for politics that would eventually lead him to California in 1955. In 1962, Hale was elected to the California State Assembly. Upon expiration of his term, Gov. Ronald Reagan appointed Hale to the Worker s Compensation Appeals board in 1966, a post he held for 10 years. In 1972, Hale was selected as the delegate to the National Republican Convention in San Francisco. Ever the capable campaigner, Hale aided and successfully achieved the road for many in their bid for public office. His ability to comprehend and understand the periphery of the political stage made him a very savvy consultant. In some camps he was actually considered a kingmaker because of his uncanny ability to skillfully manage election campaigns. Hale continued an active participation in local politics to the day of his passing. Hale s talents went far beyond the political arena as he was incredibly apt in his charming ability to make friends, and with no guile he would just as easily win their confidence. Hale had the innate quality of connecting with people in a natural way. His genuine personality, coupled with a relaxed and casual style, made him a coveted friend and endeared him to many, many folks. He was a patriot, believed in the Republican Party ideals, a successful businessman, husband and father. To say he will be missed is a vast understatement. He was larger than life and filled the shoes of someone who impacted and enriched the lives of everyone who knew him personally. Hale married Jean Beach in 1942 and had seven children, Jim and Alyce Ashcraft of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Phil Ashcraft of San Diego, Mark and Coleen Ashcraft of Sacramento, Calif., Camille Ashcraft of Solana Beach, Calif., Jess and Jan of Post Falls, Idaho, Nick Ashcraft of Vista, Calif., and Ann Ashcraft of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif. In 1970, Hale married Nita Wentner Ashcraft, the former assistant secretary of the Air Force under Gerald Ford. Hale retired to Coeur d Alene, Idaho, in 1976 and was a co-founder of the Spokane River Association. Hale later married Jeannine Ashcraft in 1988. After Jeannine retired as the Kootenai County treasurer in 2001, they moved to Flathead Lake at Lakeside. There, they enjoyed 21 years of marital bliss. Hale had a keen affection for his pets and could be seen regularly doting over his furry children. Hale was preceded in death by his son, Phil, in 2009; and his beloved wife, Jeannine, in 2008. Hale leaves behind six children; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and scores of exceptional friendships. To know him was a delight, to grieve for him ... a privilege. Please, no flowers. Contributions can be made to the West Shore Community Library in Lakeside or the Flathead Animal Shelter. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of the final arrangements. At his request, cremation and no public services will be held. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Hale s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Hale s tribute wall.

Woman saved from aggressive dog

A man in a blue truck saved a woman from a threatening dog Wednesday evening. She and her daughter were walking two dogs along Cottonwood Road when a pit bull charged them. The man happened to drive by and diffused the situation by gently tapping the attacking dog with his truck, scaring it away.

Land-use changes sought near Kidsports

Bloomstone, the 569-unit housing development in north Kalispell that was shuttered because of a sagging market last year, comes back before the Kalispell Planning Board on Tuesday night.

Bigfork schools face $297,000 budget shortfall

The Bigfork School District is looking at its biggest deficit in recent memory for its 2010-2011 budget — a shortfall of approximately $297,000.

Wheeler now heads local Democratic Party effort

The Flathead County Democratic Party this week elected Scott Wheeler chairman and Mona Charles as vice chair in an off-year selection of officers.

Another Fair Board member resigns

Flathead County Fair Board member Susan Munsinger resigned on Wednesday, leaving two vacancies for the county commissioners to fill.

Daybook

New Daily Inter Lake publisher named

The Hagadone Corporation announced Thursday that Rick Weaver has been named the next publisher of the Daily Inter Lake.

Otter Creek deal makes sense

The State Land Board finally approved a deal for mining the state-owned Otter Creek coal tracts in southeast Montana. It’s a move that could curb planned budget cuts and possibly restore two suspended stimulus projects in Flathead County.

Spring Cleaning

Cara Webb of Kalispell rakes leaves up in her yard on Wednesday. Since leaves stayed on most trees all winter, the usual fall yard cleanup has been shifted to March.

Should the NCAA basketball tournament expand with more teams in the bracket?

Whitefish Credit Union

Documentary filming at FHS

Steve Eckels of Flathead High School being interviewed by Corey Gegner and Matt Cascella, both 24 and of Brooklyn, N.Y. for their documentary "Band" on Tuesday in Kalispell.

Phases of the Moon

Top telemark skiers compete in Whitefish

The U.S. Telemark National Championships will be contested today through Sunday at Whitefish Mountain Resort, attracting about 40 racers and families from out of town and featuring many local skiers as well.

C. Falls to leave marijuana businesses alone

The Columbia Falls City Council decided Monday it will monitor medical marijuana businesses, but not take any steps to block them from operating.

Successful seasons end with honors

Smithwick-Hann, Ingram named All State in Class AA basketball

A pair of senior standouts from Flathead and Glacier picked up All State basketball honors on Wednesday.

100 days in a 100-year-old park

Glacier photo project to be displayed Friday

First there was the snow dumping on photographer Chris Peterson as he tramped over to the east side of Glacier National Park to photograph St. Mary on May 1, 2009.

Brewery back in business

Darcie Fast tastes a few beer samples with her husband, Dan, at Flathead Lake Brewing Co. in Woods Bay on St. Patrick’s Day. The brewery, which closed last summer, will celebrate its grand reopening on Saturday.

Smoking pot 'not a criminal matter'

 Observing people smoking marijuana on the porch of a Woodland Park Drive bar, a concerned citizen called

Daybook

Flathead Electric looks for future power

Portland-based utility co-op is top option

With a 2011 deadline looming to find new sources of low-cost power, the Flathead Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees is considering joining a multistate cooperative of other electric utilities.

A strong field of candidates

This year promises to be a political rodeo, with competitive election races across the state and particularly in the Flathead Valley.

Airport Board still supports privatizing security force

The Glacier Park International Airport Authority Board remains committed to its decision to privatize the airport security force, even though a newly appointed board member wants to revisit that decision.

Flathead Lake Brewing Company St. Patrick Day's

93 Bypass

Spring Clean Up

Beauty and the Beast

Karsen Daniel Wright

son of Johnathan Wright and April Sanders of Kalispell, was born Dec. 26 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Lucy Jeanne Holloway

daughter of Kim and Brad Holloway of Kalispell, was born Jan. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Lia Lyn Feightner

daughter of Shane and Jennifer Feightner of Columbia Falls, was born Jan. 23 at North Valley Hospital.

Luke Donovan Driear

son of Lesile and Mathew Driear of Kalispell, was born Dec. 30 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Larry Lee Livermore, 69

Larry Lee Livermore, 69, passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2010, after a nine month battle with cancer at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. He was born on May 1, 1940, to Ralph and Sophie Jensen (Vergin) Livermore. Larry attended grade school in Kalispell. He went into the Reserves at the age of 14. He then entered the Navy at 17. Larry served our country seven tours in Vietnam. He retired from the service in 1980. Larry was kindhearted and had a generous gift for most. He enjoyed his nieces, cats, Pepsi, coffee and plain donuts. Larry is survived by his brother, Bill Vergin, and his wife, Carol, of Kila; a nephew, Doug Vergin; three nieces, Tamara Carpenter, Heather Truscott and husband Derek, and Jessica Danielson and husband Chad; six great- nieces and three great-nephews. He is also survived by a special friend, Bobbie, and husband, Jodi Blakely, of Idaho. There will be a celebration notice this summer to come together and share memories, food and pictures in Larry s honor. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Larry s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Larry s tribute wall.

Averie Lynn Ingram

daughter of Shilo and Travis Ingram, was born Jan. 21 at North Valley Hospital.

Maleri Lorraine Sullivan

daughter of Robert and Tiffany Sullivan of Columbia Falls, was born Jan. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Nykita Rose Nichols

daughter of Tom and Kaylyn Nichols of Kalispell, was born Jan. 10 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Natalia Sofia Young

daughter of Ron Young and Katya Khazova of Bigfork, was born Jan. 17 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Ilyssa Mae Johnson

daughter of Theodore and Alison Johnson of Bigfork, was born Jan. 1 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kiersten Dakota Knutson

daughter of Matt and Heather Knutson of Kalispell, was born Dec. 28 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Burlin Bill Laroux, 70

Burlin Bill Laroux passed away on March 5, 2010, in Natchitoches, La., the ninth of 10 children. Bill was born on April 14, 1939, near Zwolle, La., to Eva and J.T. Laroux. He graduated from Marthaville High School in 1957. Bill joined the Air Force, married Kitte Meria Kitty Clements, and three sons were born, William Billy, Richard Rick, and Anthony Tony. The couple divorced in 1966. In 1969, Bill married Judith Marie Sullivan of Helena. They lived in Sacramento, Calif., Dayton, Ohio, and then back to California where their two sons, Ryan and Jason, were born. Bill spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force serving in various locations, and retiring at the rank of master sergeant. Following his Air Force career, Bill was employed by Rand Corporation and Lockheed. Bill was particularly proud of the work they did at the Skunk Works testing and building the SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Stealth, and U-2 spy planes. Bill retired in the spring of 96 and moved the family from California to Kalispell, following the death of his beloved wife, Judy. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; his parents; three brothers, Dempsey Laroux, L.C. Laroux and N.L. Laroux; and two sisters, Lois Forshee and Pauline Berry. He is survived by five sons, William Laroux, Richard Laroux and wife Jessie, Anthony Laroux, Ryan Laroux of Kalispell, and Jason Laroux and wife Melissa and their daughter, Abigail, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; a brother, Nathan Laroux, and wife, Caroline, of Robiline, La.; and three sisters, Ruby Moffett, of Shreveport, La.; Mae Cline, of Ringold, La., and Thelma Smith of Shreveport, La. Funeral services for Burlin will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 19, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel with Pastor Tim Bartholomew of Stillwater Free Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Burlin s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Burlin s tribute wall.

Maximus Joseph Holdorff

son of Timothy and Samantha Holdorff of Kalispell, was born Jan. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Violet Eveyanna Shirley

daughter of Amber and Josiah Shirley of Great Falls, was born Jan. 15 at North Valley Hospital.

Jack Latief Matanane

on of Mighet Matanane and Elizabeth Matanane, was born Jan. 27 at North Valley Hospital.

Bridger Douglas Sunde

son of Richard and Wendy Sunde of Kalispell, was born Jan. 11 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Shay Marie Dector

daughter of Michael (Mike) and Sarah Dector of Columbia Falls, was born Jan. 28 at North Valley Hospital.

Mosby Lorene Stiffler

daughter of Andrea and Kenny Stiffler, was born Jan. 26 at North Valley Hospital.

Rea Roleia Knutsen

daughter of Greg Knutsen Jr. and Peace Ann Knutsen of Eureka, was born Jan. 29 at North Valley Hospital.

Jude Orion Bentley

son of John and Chelsea Ka Bentley of Kalispell, was born Jan. 20 at North Valley Hospital.

Kate Anika Cooke

daughter of Barb Cooke and Chance Cooke of Whitefish, was born Jan. 22 at North Valley Hospital.

Paisley Faith Jouppe

daughter of Tyler and Heidi Jouppe of Kalispell, was born Jan. 8 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Rhyanne Lexi Van Ness

daughter of Rhonda Van Ness of Polson, was born Feb. 1 at North Valley Hospital.

Marlow Vaya Ann Wallace

daughter of Kyle and Lucinda Wallace of Kalispell, was born Jan. 11 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Addyson Grace Zielanski

daughter of Jason and Kay Cee Zielanski of Kalispell, was born Jan. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Paxton Scott Flesch

son of Carl and Jennifer Flesch of Kalispell, was born Jan. 22 at North Valley Hospital.

Lydia Marie Hunt

daughter of Allen and Kelly Hunt of Whitefish, was born Jan. 17 at North Valley Hospital.

Alexander Sheldon Sydnor

son of Brian and Amber Sydnor of Kalispell, was born Jan. 18 at North Valley Hospital.

Maxwell Steve Weber

son of Tyler and Jennifer Weber of Kalispell, was born Jan. 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Kaylee Rose Bloomfield

daughter of Arian and Shanna Bloomfield of Kalispell, was born Jan. 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Isaiah James Morrison

son of Garrett and Sarah Morrison of Lakeside, was born Jan. 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Aaron Taylor Kneeland Jr.

son of Aaron and Shawn Kneeland of Bigfork, was born Jan. 1 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Riley Joann Goulet

daughter of Rocky and Brittney Goulet of Kalispell, was born Jan. 6 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Natalie Elrinn Greene

daughter of Cale and Elizabeth Greene of Kalispell, was born Jan. 6 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jeremiah Ezekiel Hilliard

son of Alicia Wagoner and ZJ Hilliard of Kalispell, was born Jan. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Tyler James Price

son of Ryan and Liz Price of Whitefish, was born Jan. 27 at North Valley Hospital.

Makynzi Grace Fraley

daughter of Christina Pasquinzo and Shawn Fraley of Kalispell, was born Jan. 2 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Nicholas Scott Cook, 19

PFC Nicholas Scott Cook, U.S. Army, died March 7, 2010, in Dab Sar, Konar Province, Afghanistan. Nick joined the Army in April of 2009, completing his basic training and jump school in Fort Benning, Ga. He was a proud member of The Rock 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, Task Force Mountain Warrior, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Fort Ederly, Vicenza, Italy. You have left us way to soon but you are soaring above as only you could. Nick was born in Fresno, Calif., on Oct. 5, 1990, the son of Jeffery and Charlotte Cook. He joined his brother Christopher and sister Melody. He was raised in Hungry Horse by his grandparents Chuck and Kathy Taylor, going to Canyon Elementary, then on to Columbia Falls Junior High, and graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 2008. Nick was an athlete from a very early age; he played T-ball and baseball. He started wrestling at the age of 6 with Columbia Falls Little Guy Wrestling, continuing until he got too old for Little Guy Wrestling. He played one year of flag football with Kalispell Parks and Recreation; then he went on to Little Guy Football, playing with them until junior high; and then played for Columbia Falls Junior High. He also played for Columbia Falls High School until he sustained an injury. Nick loved the snow and had no desire to live where he could not snowboard. He lived and breathed snowboarding, even taking trips to Austria and the Alps to be able to shred while he was stationed in Italy. As a child he enjoyed playing with and showing his goats at the Flathead County Fair. He won several times in the pack goats and also the harness goats competition. This was something that he enjoyed doing with his grandfather. Nick was a typical boy growing up. He got himself into his fair share of trouble and he got himself out of trouble. He had a passion for shoes and he could talk his grandmother into paying twice the amount for a pair than she had intended. He was an expert at wrapping his grandma around his finger. The biggest thing he finagled out of her was her car. He had way too many friends to name them all, but once you were Nick s friend, you were his friend for life. A lot of his friends went back to his preschool days. Nick was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Howard and Bessie Hatfield, and great-grandfathers, Charles E.L. Taylor; and John Mike Douhan. He is survived by his grandparents, Chuck and Kathy Taylor, of Hungry Horse; his mother, Charlotte Martin, and stepfather, Robert Martin, of Little Egg Harbor, N.J.; his father, Jeffery Cook, of Fresno, Calif.; uncle and aunt, Chuck and Beth Taylor, of Minot, N.D.; aunt and uncle, Nancy and Joe Davis, of Marion; brother, Christopher Taylor, of Hungry Horse; sister, Melody Cook-Sotelo, of Fresno; his little sister, Jacklynn Sisney, of Squaw Valley, Calif.; great-grandmother, Jane Louden, of Clovis, Calif.; his niece, Harmony Sotelo, and nephew, Caden Scott Sotelo, both of Fresno; cousins, Sandra and Therese Wallace, and Samantha, JT and Amanda Davis; and many more aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be leaves behind his pets, Cisco and Charley. Nick we love you and will see you in Heaven, our sweet young man. A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 19, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, at St. Richard s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. Burial with full military honors will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

Kage Bentley Wayne Bozarth

son of Marilee Parrish and Tim Bozarth of Eureka, was born Jan. 23 at North Valley Hospital.

No headline

Tristan Christopher Berklund

son of Christopher Dean Berklund and Jocyrose Seno Berklund of Kalispell, was born Feb. 5 at North Valley Hospital.

Brecken Kyne Evenson

son of Buddy and Echo Evenson, was born Jan. 23 at North Valley Hospital.

Kellan Patrick Manning

son of Doug and Chaela Manning of Kalispell, was born Jan. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Norah Faith Guinn

daughter of Heath and Heather Guinn of Columbia Falls, was born Jan. 26 at North Valley Hospital.

Samuel Vitaliy Kramarevskiy

son of Vitaliy and Anna Kramarevskiy of Kalispell, was born Jan. 11 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Lykietus Preston Blaize Kern

son of Summer Odom and Blaize Kern of Kalispell, was born Dec. 25 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

No headline

Griffin Alan Hattel

son of Holly Conklin and Matthew Hattel of Kalispell, was born Jan. 6 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Maecy Quinne Dexter

daughter of Dustin and Alyssa Dexter of Kalispell, was born Jan. 4 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Youngsters learn lessons on stage

Middle school puts on production Thursday, Friday

What’s the hardest part of staging a major musical production such as “Beauty and the Beast”?

Officials look for fire cause

Kalispell fire and police investigators on Tuesday continued looking into the cause of Saturday night’s fire at Famous Dave’s restaurant.

Law enforcement roundup

Man injured in motorcycle crash

A motorcyclist is in critical condition after a two-motorcycle crash early Tuesday morning.

Daybook

School superintendent gets contract extension

Darlene Schottle will be the superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools for at least three more years, after a school board vote last week.

School mailing out bond ballots

Fair-Mont-Egan asks for $1.9 million

For nearly two decades, Fair-Mont-Egan School teachers and trustees have assessed the school’s needs.

Whitefish board mulls new rules for marijuana

Proposed regulations for growing and dispensing medical marijuana in Whitefish will be considered at a public hearing on Thursday before the Whitefish City-County Planning Board.

White-tailed deer

Robert Bob DeMorest, 88

Robert Bob DeMorest, 88, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. Our father and grandfather was a man of few words ... but much love. He was gentle ... and simple. He loved his wife with a passion that was to be envied by many and had a love for all people and God s word. The heavens are rejoicing for a Saint coming home. Bob will be joined with his wife, Ruth DeMorest, in burial at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 18, at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Bob is survived by granddaughter, Robin Jean Lyon Cini; son, Gary R. Lyon; daughter, Sharron Duncan; and daughter, Lynn Owen.

Stranded driver rescued after four days

After sitting in his stuck Cadillac on a remote mountain road for four days, Louis Rogers thought he was a goner.

Oregon ranger to head forest

Northern Regional Forester Leslie Weldon has announced the two newest forest supervisors in Montana, one of them picked to head the Flathead National Forest.

Governor calls for cancellation of mining lease

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer is pushing for the cancellation of federal mining leases that were improperly issued in the North Fork Flathead drainage.

Daybook

Today

Arrest validates suspicion of vehicle

Responding to a report of suspicious activity involving a vehicle parked on Wagner Lane near Church Slough Sunday night, Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man, 36, on a warrant from another jurisdiction.

Election lists surge on final day of filing

Numerous candidates threw their hats into the ring for legislative seats on Monday, the last day to file for election to state and county offices.

Fallen Hungry Horse Soldier hearse passes CFHS

Jon Tester - Real Montana

Jon Tester campaign video

Donald C. Carlson, 84

Donald C. Carlson, 84, died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at his residence in Whitefish. Don was born July 10, 1925, at Oakes, N.D., to Jens C. Carlson and Helen (Rue) Carlson. He was raised and educated in Oakes, graduating from high school there. He served in the United States Army as a mechanic where he was stationed in occupied Korea. Don married Inez Seeling in 1948. They remained in Oakes until moving to Rudyard in 1954, where he worked in the Sanvik Brothers Store. In 1962, they came to Whitefish, where he was employed at Russ Ramlow s Coast to Coast Hardware Store. He later worked for Doug Loy at Whitefish Furniture. A very proud Norwegian, he loved family and friends. He enjoyed woodworking and could fix just about anything that was broken. He enjoyed spending summers camping, fishing a little and telling stories around the campfire with Gib Burk and the rest of the Moose Lodge crew. He was a great guy who will be missed by all. Survivors include his wife, Inez; a son, Steve and wife Suellen of Whitefish; sisters Bernice Rudisill of Grants Pass, Ore., Virginia Tiller of Arroyo Grande, Calif., and Mary Corliss of Forman, N.D.; a brother, Lloyd Carlson of Lamore, N.D.; his grandchildren, Trevor and Tyler Carlson and Stephanie Ford and husband Shane; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Green, in 2007. A gathering and luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Whitefish Moose Lodge. Memorials may be made to the Whitefish Moose Lodge, Home Options Hospice or a charity of the donor s choice. Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Fire scorches Famous Dave's

Damage from a hot-burning fire at Famous Dave’s barbecue restaurant in Kalispell Saturday night caused an estimated $250,000 in damage.

Daybook

Today

Fighting human trafficking

Confronting a global source of sadness, shame

It was on a trip to Nepal in 2000 that Linda Regnier first came face to face with human trafficking.

Linda Regnier

Deputies break up underage party

Flathead County sheriff’s deputies ended up arresting a dozen kids early Sunday who were at a drinking party on Whitefish Lake Road. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials helped round them up. One boy ran off into the woods and couldn’t be found.

Lois Wohlwend Himsl, 94

Lois Wohlwend Himsl passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at the Brendan House, at the tender age of 94. Lois was born on June 8, 1915, in Northgate, N.D., to Jennie (Hadwin) and Benedict Wohlwend. When she was in the seventh grade, her family moved to Kalispell. She graduated from Flathead County High School and the University of Montana. She was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority throughout her life. Upon graduation, she took a teaching position in Broadus. A dashing young superintendent hired Lois over the phone, and she was off to her first employment. On July 18, 1940, she married that superintendent, Matt Himsl. Matt often said Lois worked for me for three years, and I worked for her for 66 years. In 1945, and after their son Allen was born, Matt and Lois returned to Kalispell to be near the Wohlwends. Four daughters followed: Marilyn, Louise, Kathy and Judi. Lois gave freely of her time to several organizations. She was a founding member of the Hospital Volunteers and served as its president. As a member of the Republican Women, it was Lois inspiration that the Republican Women sponsored the Chocolate Extravaganza. She was an active member in American Association of University Women, Home Demonstration and the Altar Society of St. Matthews. In later years, Central School Museum became the focus of her energy. She supported the museum s fundraising efforts by establishing the Chair-ity Auction and Antique Bridal Show, which was held in her home at 305 Fourth Avenue East. The Himsls opened their historic home for various community fundraisers and events. Never idle, and an accomplished artist, she filled countless hours with creative endeavors including painting, stained glass, needlework, millinery and sewing. Christmas was a special time at the Himsl home. No space was left undecorated. The life sized paper mache angel which Lois made adorned the front porch of the Himsl home and was enjoyed by many. The family cabin on Flathead Lake was a huge part of Lois life. It was being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and parents at the lake that Lois loved the most. This is the legacy she leaves her children and grandchildren. Lois children and family are forever grateful to caregivers Connie Kenfield and the staffs at Prestige Assisted Living and the Brendan House for the tender and loving care they provided to Lois. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister Buryl. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Allen and Linda Himsl of Kalispell, Marilyn and Bernie Olson of Lakeside, Louise and Bob Robinson of Helena, Kathy and Rick Spear of Dallas, Ore., and Judi Choury of Denver; her grandchildren, Mark, Mike and Nick Himsl, Aaron and Adam Olson, Missy McCormick and Benji Robinson, and Jamison Choury; and fifteen great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial for Lois will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, at St. Matthews Catholic Church. Visitation will held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, March 15, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Central School Museum or to the charity of the donor s choice. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Lois family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Lois tribute wall.

Cheryl Ann Pierce, 65

On March 3, 2010, while in Phoenix, Ariz., Cheryl Ann Pierce, 65, went to be with her parents and Jesus in heaven. She was born on July 23, 1944, to Chuck and Lois Byers in Seattle, as Gramps was working in the shipyards for World War II. After the war, the family moved back to the Flathead Valley, where she remained her entire life. Cheryl attended St. Matthew s grade school and graduated from Flathead High, where she met Dale Pierce in 1958, and they have been together ever since. They were married on Jan. 26, 1963, and this union gave them a son, Chuck, and a daughter, Rita. Cheryl was always a very exacting housewife and mother, providing everything that was ever needed, all of the time. As the children grew older and went off to school, she used her business education to be the secretary at Peterson School until 1974, when she and Dale bought Montgomery s Welding on Center Street. This became Pierce Welding Unlimited, and then Pierce Manufacturing Company. Since then, she used her warm personality to greet customers and her business education to help him run the business. Cheryl was an unselfish individual, always giving a lot and never asking for much. She enjoyed her years as a 4-H leader with the Golden Spurs 4-H club, which led to the beginning of her many years of taking Rita thousands of miles to horse shows throughout the northwest. She especially enjoyed helping all of the kids with their fair projects, and this allowed her to work the betting windows at the horse races, as she liked people so much. She also used some of her many talents for her own ceramic projects, which usually came home with a blue ribbon. Summers in the Flathead Valley brought her to many rod runs and drag races with Dale, plus many Sundays at the motocross tracks, first to support Dale, and later with her son, Chuck, and then her nephew, Rick. She immensely enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was camping, fly fishing and picking huckleberries, or summers at her parents home on Bitterroot Lake, boating and swimming, or sometimes just floating on an inner tube. When fall came, she loved to hunt and she passed along the tradition to both of her children. She was also the only one in the family to ever shoot an elk. As the years went by, she loved Going South for the winter in the motor home with Dale and her two cats, so they could enjoy the sunshine, the swimming pool and time with just each other. Cheryl had many hobbies and was a very talented woman. She loved collecting antiques, especially Red Wing stoneware. Their home in Kalispell is a personal creation of hers, and this can be seen outside with how detailed her flowerbeds were maintained, as well as their home s immaculate interior. Her father passed along to her quite a knack when it came to woodworking. This ability to make patterns, cut out various objects and build things enabled her and Rita to embark on another adventure, the craft shows! Cheryl is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dale; her son Chuck and wife, Tina; her daughter Rita and husband Scott; and grandsons, Kyle Pierce and Zach Sanders. Also, her nephew, Rick Carlon and family; niece, Tina Colby and family; as well as many relatives and great friends that she touched while she was with us. She will be greatly missed by many, but we know that she is at peace and free from pain. At Cheryl s request, there will be no service and the family will distribute her ashes as she wished. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Cheryl s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Cheryl s tribute wall.

Ruth Nadine Passmore

Ruth Nadine Passmore went home to meet her Lord on March 10, 2010. She was born on Nov. 10, 1932, to Guy and Nellie (Steeple) Kao, in Creston. Nellie died not long after, and Guy married Rachel Osheim, who nurtured and loved Ruth. Ruth attended school in the Flathead through the tenth grade, when the family moved to Forest City, Iowa, where she graduated from High School. She attended Waldorf College in Forest City, studying parish secretary and organ performance. After college, Ruth moved back to Kalispell, and was the secretary at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and worked with the Luther League. She met and married J. Larry Passmore on July 17, 1953. She led multitudes into joyous, meaningful worship of our Lord with her talents as organist at Bethlehem, Calvary and the Church at Creston; choir director, organ and piano teacher, V.B.S. leader, Bible Club and volunteer music teacher at Fair Mont Egan School. She volunteered at the Immanuel Lutheran Home, leading the prayer group and music. Bible studies and constant prayer for those around her prepared her for her journey home. Larry and Ruth enjoyed many trips and the friends made along the way. Ministering in Tanzania was a special time of toil and wonderment for them. Ruth is survived by her husband Larry of Kalispell; son Mark and Cindy Passmore of Kalispell, son Kirk and Mary Passmore of Kalispell, daughter Miriam and Kirk Ivey of Boise, Idaho, daughter Pamela and Mark Rill of Port Orchard, Wash., foster son Bihn and Tu Vu of Reseda, Calif.; brother Glen and Connie Kao of Kalispell; grandchildren Michelle, Rachel and Miles Passmore, Carissa, Tana and Laura Rill, and Long and Kim Vu. She was preceded in death by her sister Freda Mahugh. Visitation for Ruth will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home on Monday, March 15. Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery. Memorial Services will follow at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Memorials are suggested to the MaaSae Girls Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS), 122 West Franklin Avenue #306, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ruth s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Ruth s tribute wall.

Phyllis Hill Dumon, 90,

passed away at the Marias Care Center in Shelby on Friday, March 12, 2010, from natural causes. A memorial service will be held at the Whitted Funeral Chapel at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, with a reception to follow at the Marias Heritage Center from 2 to 4 p.m. A family celebration of her life will be held later in the summer at the Dumon cabin in Coram. The family suggests memorials to the newly established Prairie Oasis Animal Shelter in Shelby. Donations should be directed to Denise McCormick or David Dumon. Phyllis was born on August 10, 1919, in Rudyard, to Harry and Esther (Robertson) Hill. As a child, she moved to Detroit, Mich., attended schools there, and met and married Joseph Dumon on June 29, 1940. After World War II, they moved to Kevin, living there for 27 years. Phyllis worked in the Toole County Treasurer s Office for 13 years, and was elected Toole County Assessor in 1966, serving two terms in office. Phyllis was also a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary V.F.W. Phyllis and Doris Rambo were instrumental in bringing Weight Watchers to Montana and western North Dakota, traveling extensively and lecturing to classes in the two states. Phyllis realized her life dream of helping others. After retiring, she and Joe spent the winters in Arizona, and summers at their cabin in Coram. She moved to Shelby after Joe died in 1998. Phyllis lived at the Marias Heritage Center for the last three years. Her latest job was a volunteer folding the newsletter for the City of Shelby, and she may have stayed up half the night to accomplish her goal. Phyllis loved so many things: she played golf, was an avid bowler, loved to entertain, and was fond of animals, especially dogs. She taught so many how to play pinochle, and would play any kind of card game for hours. Phyllis loved to laugh, and had the motto mind over matter , and the mindset that anyone could accomplish anything. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Denise and Larry McCormick of Shelby; and son, David and Kim Dumon of Somers. Grandchildren surviving are Jeff and Janelle Platt of Wilsonville, Ore., Leann and Mario Birsa of Anthem, Ariz., Dena and Mike Akers of Fayetteville, N.C., and Tori and Derek Price of Kalispell. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Johnny, Jadyn, and Julie Platt, McKenzie Wisdom, Joseph Birsa, Byron Akers and baby Akers due in August, Audrey and Piper Price, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in 1998; great-granddaughter, Taylor Wisdom, in 2009, and niece, Connie Hill Merlo, in 2010. Condolences for the family may be sent to www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.

Famous Dave's Fire vertical

Famous Dave's Fire spraying fire

Famous Dave's Fire

Fire hits Famous Dave's

A fire broke out late Saturday night at Famous Dave’s Restaurant in Kalispell.

As marijuana use booms, law enforcement stymied

Pot: A growing problem

The vagueness of a law intended to help ease the pain of patients has become a pain for law enforcement.

Anaconda ends season for Columbia Falls girls at state

HAMILTON — Lisa Laslovich scored a game-high 27 points and Chelsea Galle added 14 more to help Anaconda topple Columbia Falls 56-45 on Saturday morning in loser-out play at the Class A state girls basketball tournament.

Living richly in Richey

Whitefish native embraces life as lone history teacher in Eastern Montana town

Liz Murdock remembers exactly what was going through her mind as she drove into Richey for the first time.

Daybook

Search on for missing Lakeside musician

A man has been missing since Thursday afternoon when he left for a music gig in Idaho.

Seminar fires up diabetics to take charge

For quite awhile, Steve Panissidi of Bigfork admits, he was in denial about having diabetes.

Smoking ban hard on bar business

When Earl “Babe” Harriman and his wife, Tammie, decided to open a bar a few years back, they decided they were going to build a bar.

Law enforcement roundup

Beer eases doughnut dispute

A vehicle pulled into a Krause Lane yard and began spinning doughnuts Friday night. The vehicle then reportedly got stuck. The property owner went out to the car and canceled the criminal mischief complaint before

Marijuana illustration

Week in Pictures March 8-14

Richey teacher - wide open spaces

Richey teacher - Sunset

Richey teacher - Liz at football game

Richey teacher - Downtown Richey

Richey teacher - 7th grade at Museum

Sonya Solum

Solum with nurses

Wildkats stay in; Pirates out

HAMILTON — Columbia Falls used a strong finish to drop Frenchtown 46-41 in loser-out play at the Class A state girls basketball tournament Friday afternoon.

Skyview free throws eliminate Flathead

BILLINGS —The Billings Skyview Falcons figured out their free throw problems at the worst possible time for Flathead.

Daybook

Supporters fight firing of fair manager

Group wants Fair Board dismissed

With a groundswell of support for ousted Fair Manager Jay Scott, a group of about 150 Flathead Valley residents has vowed to do whatever it takes to get justice for a man they say was one of the best fair managers ever.

Primary race ahead for county commissioner

Among Friday’s filings for elected offices, several Democrats filed for local legislative seats that had been uncontested and a second Democrat has filed for county commissioner race, raising a June primary election for incumbent Commissioner Joe Brenneman.

Columbus rally knocks out Bigfork

BELGRADE — For the second day in a row at the Class B state girls basketball tournament, the fourth quarter did Bigfork in.

Senior tops Glacier in loser-out action

BILLINGS — It wasn’t that the Glacier boys didn’t have the spirit, they just didn’t have the shots fall when they needed them.

Law enforcement roundup

Fashionable deer not located

A deer wearing what appeared to be a clothesline around its neck was gone when

Young scientists face the judges

Flathead County Science Fair attracts more than 200 student entries

More than 200 students from 13 schools competed at the 2010 Flathead County Science Fair on Friday at West Valley School.

Whitefish Winter Classic autograph

Whitefish Winter Classic Dodgeball Vertical

Whitefish Winter Classic

Glacier Centennial art

Beauty and the Beast

Flathead County Science Fair

Speaking about HIV prevention

Robert J. Bob Murphey, 75

A loving husband, and a dear friend, Bob Murphey died of natural causes on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at home. Bob was born and raised in Los Angeles. He served in the U.S. Navy, becoming a barber after being discharged. He later joined the Los Angeles Police Department, serving the people of Los Angeles for 20 years before retiring in 1980. Bob moved to West Glacier in 1988. He loved the Flathead Valley, and playing golf with his friends at Glacier View Golf Club. Bob is survived by his wife, Robin; his brother, Chuck; his three children; and 11 grandchildren. The family is remembering Bob privately, and there are currently no plans for a public memorial. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.

James Alexander Murdock, 87,

James Alexander Murdock, 87, of Polson, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2010, of natural causes at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan. Jim was born to William and Maggie Russell Murdock on July 12, 1922, and was raised in Whitefish, graduating from Whitefish High School in 1940. Jim married Miriam L. Allred on May 21, 1955, and in 1960 they moved to Great Falls, where Jim worked as a mechanic on road construction until 1967, when the company went out of business. In 1968, he later went to work for the Great Northern Railroad, and retired in 1988. Shortly after his retirement, he and Miriam moved to Polson, where they farmed and raised horses. Jim lost Miriam, his wife of 51 years, early in 2006. In addition to his parents and wife, Jim was preceded in death by a brother; three sisters; one son, Russell; a granddaughter, Felecia; and a grandson, Terry. He is survived by his children, Ivan Murdock of Kalispell, Katherine and John Chaney of Portland, and David and Lois Murdock of Kalispell; a sister, Izabelle, and Smokey, Metcalf; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. At Jim s request, there will be no public funeral services. The family is planning a private memorial service at a later date. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is honored to assist Mr. Murdock s family.

Hold on road money defended

Governor says county, Columbia Falls have yet to sign state contracts

Flathead County and the city of Columbia Falls should know by mid-April whether they will get road infrastructure money that was anticipated but now has been put on hold as the state analyzes a deteriorating revenue situation.

Baucus defends Medicare provision

Senator fighting move to strip help for Libby from health-care bill

Responding to a purported move to omit asbestos-related Medicare assistance for Libby residents from the final health-care reform bill, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. on Thursday said the provision he fought to include is about “stepping up to fulfill a promise” made long ago.

Columbia Falls High Centennial Art Project

Glacier comes up short

BILLINGS — There was no other way Billings West head coach Doug Robison could put it afterward.

Sidney stops Polson in state girls opener

HAMILTON — Polson turned in a strong final half, but it still wasn’t enough to offset a horrible second quarter by the Pirates.

Rustlers dump Braves in AA state basketball opener

BILLINGS — The fans were impressed; the other teams were terrified.

Rams tame Wildkats

HAMILTON — Jackie Elliott scored a game-high 32 points to help Billings Central pull away  from Columbia Falls for a 64-52 victory in opening-round action at the Class A state girls basketball tournament on Thursday.

Law enforcement roundup

In order to protect themselves,

Opening more doors for youths

One of the intended consequences of having two high schools in Kalispell is coming to fruition as more students have the opportunity to participate in school activities.

Daybook

Fairfield pulls away from Vals

BELGRADE — For awhile Thursday evening, things were looking pretty good for the Bigfork girls basketball team.

Pair accused of library crime plead innocent

Two accused would-be library thieves pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning.

Board recommends against casino proposal

The Silverado Casino lost the first round Tuesday night in its bid to move into the former Quizno’s sandwich shop on West Idaho Street.

Glacier CMR Basketball AA Tourney Dejected Bench

Columbia Falls High Centennial Art Project

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Flathead Bozeman AA Basketball Tourney wide

Flathead Bozeman AA Basketball Tourney Shot

Flathead Bozeman AA Basketball Tourney Towel

Flathead Bozeman AA Basketball Tourney Defense

Flathead Bozeman AA Basketball Tourney hands up

Flathead Bozeman AA Basketball Tourney hand ball

Flathead Bozeman AA Basketball Tourney eyes up

Glacier snowshoeing

Robert Bosley Sr., 76,

went to be with the Lord on March 5, 2010, after many years of illness. Bob was born in Whitefish on Sept. 21, 1933, to Bill and Elizabeth Bosley. He grew up in the Flathead Valley and, at the age of 14, went to work as a logger on the end of a cross-cut saw. As a young man he was active in the National Guard and spent two years in Idaho working in the gold and silver mines. Upon returning to Kalispell he worked for many logging companies in the Flathead area, including DeVitt & Lee Logging, Royal Logging, Claridge Logging, Slack Logging, L.H.C., Inc., and Owen s Logging. In 1966 he formed his own logging company, Bosley Logging, and contracted to American Timber Co. His son, Rob Jr., became a partner in 1972. They worked together side by side until 1986 when he went to work for Wayne Turner Logging, until his health failed in 1989. Robert loved to stream fish, work in his yard and watch all wildlife; but his number one hobby was spending time with his grandchildren, whom he treasured. Robert married Phyllis (Baker) Fredericks on Aug. 14, 1954, and they were married 52 years until her passing in 2006. Together they had one son and he helped raise her three children. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; parents; and two brothers. He is survived by stepmother, Lucille Bosley, of Hot Springs; four children, Robert Bosley Jr., and wife, Debbie, of Kalispell, Connie State and husband, Tom, of Visalia, Calif., Jerry Fredericks and wife, Leola, of Kalispell, and Sidney Fredericks and wife, Randi, of The Dalles, Ore.; 10 grandchildren, Cory Fredericks, Robert Bosley III, Lesa (Bosley) Lindahl, Lori (Bosley) Kaufmann, Alicia (Fredericks) Hogue, Amy Fredericks, Georgia May, Michelle Marsh, David May and Charlie May; 15 great-grandchildren, Joey, Brittany, Cody, Kimberly, Izach, Landin, Kaylee, Kathleen, Melissa, Savannah, Ryan, Sierra, Kassidy, Danielle and Brandon; sisters, Arlene Lapp, Betty Norris and Carol Irby; and many nieces and nephews. Private family service will be held at Spring Creek Cemetery. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Robert s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Robert s tribute wall.

David Allison Graham, 58,

passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born on Dec. 7, 1951, in Kalispell, the son of Keith David and Lucille PeeWee Irene (Burnell) Graham. David attended Evergreen grade school and Flathead High School. He lived many years in Alaska, where he was involved in the fishing industry and then in Washington and Oregon where he was a truck driver. He moved back to Kalispell in 2006 to be near family and friends. He did odd jobs and cut fire wood for a living. David was currently employed by Glacier Memorial Gardens. He enjoyed time in the woods and especially liked visiting with anyone about everything. David was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Pee Wee Graham; and grandparents, Lloyd and Marie Graham, and Arthur and Inez Burnell. He is survived by his son, Arthur Graham, of Alaska; father, Keith Graham; sisters, Maureena Watkins, Nora Thorne, Marcie Krutsch and Margie Strack; and brother, Steve Graham. Memorial services for David will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel with Maj. Steve Svenson of the Salvation Army officiating. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for David s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view David s tribute wall.

Dallas Ray Holst, 72,

died in his home in Bigfork on March 8, 2010, of natural causes. He was born Sept. 15, 1937, in Glasgow to Ray and Helen (Legge) Holst. Dallas was raised in the Flathead Valley and went to Flathead County High School in Kalispell. After spending four years as a Navy Seabee, he worked in the oil fields around Tioga, N.D. Dallas, along with his brother Bob and their father Ray; then owned a distributorship for Olympia Beer, which delivered to the Northwestern region of Montana for many years. Dallas enjoyed fishing in Swan Lake in the summers and spending the winters in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. He appreciated a sunny day and a delicious meal, and always enjoyed telling a good story and spending time with his family and friends. Dallas was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans Association, as well as a member of the Elks. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Ann Holst, of Bigfork; son, David Holst, of Los Angeles; daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Marc Miller, of Colorado; as well as his brother, Robert Holst, of Creston, and sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Harry Haroldson, of Tacoma, Wash. Dallas is also survived by his nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell, with the Rev. Glenn Burfiend of the Kalispell First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will immediately follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the funeral home. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dallas family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Dallas tribute wall.

Robin Howell Hintz, 46

Robin Howell Hintz passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2010, as a result of a tragic accident. She was the daughter of Bonnie Jean Howell of Columbia Falls and Gale Topper Howell of Whitefish, born April 28, 1963, in Glasgow. The family moved to Columbia Falls in 1968 where she attended school. She was always a bright student. Robin was introduced to recovery in Glasgow at the age of 16; later in Helena and in Columbia Falls. She was currently living in Missoula. She graduated from Flathead High School in 1981 and then attended Carroll College. She later attended Montana State University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology: biomedical science and registered nursing. In 1983 she married Timothy Heinzman and gave birth to two of her children, Joseph Robert Heinzman in 1985, and Christine Michelle Heinzman in 1987. Robin and Tim were divorced in 1991. Robin began a relationship with Ronald Pflug in 1992, and this union produced her youngest son, Nicholas Reed Pflug Howell, in 1996. Robin s greatest joy and comfort in life came from her three children. In 2006, Robin married Harvey Gene Hintz. She was just completing several years of study at Gonzaga University where she was to receive a Master of Science degree in nursing, family nurse practitioner, in May. This great accomplishment was to take the family on their latest adventure to New Mexico where a new life awaited them. Her life with Harvey was filled with happiness, love and laughter. They took immense pleasure in riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles and relaxing by the water in summertime. She derived enormous satisfaction from overcoming youthful challenges and made her continuing education a focus of her life. She began a lifelong career in health care. Robin had an extensive employment and service portfolio that began as a habilitation aid at Boulder River School and Hospital. She gained experience as a chemical dependency technician at Shodair Children s Hospital in Helena. She was a special education para-educator in Kalispell. In Billings, she worked as a mental heath care worker for Deaconess Medical Center. Her career as a registered nurse started in 1994. She worked at Kalispell Regional Hospital/Pathways Treatment Center, VRI Managed Care, St. Patrick Hospital and Health Science Center/ First Step Resource Center, and Missoula County Detention Facility. Currently Robin was working as a sexual assault nurse examiner again with First Step Resource Center. Along with her dedication to her family, Robin made Alcoholics Anonymous and its membership a very large part of her life. She owed much of her success to her sobriety and assisted countless others in their journeys along this path. She was a rare and beautiful woman. She was preceded in death by her stepson, Joshua Pflug. Robin is survived by her loving husband Harvey Hintz, of Missoula; her children, Joe, Christine and Nick; her mother, Bonnie Howell; father, Gale Topper Howell, and Mary Jo, his fiancee; and brothers, Anthony, Robb and Karl Howell. Robin also leaves behind Michelle and Dan, her half siblings; and two grandchildren, Mason and Emmie; four nephews, one niece, and a great-niece. She will be dearly missed by a wealth of friends that she always made feel like family. A service will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies, 2510 Spurgin Road in Missoula. A potluck will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at 2701 Russell following the service to share memories and to celebrate Robin s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Guardian Angels Foundation, 2835 Fort Missoula Road, Suite 301, Missoula.

Kalispell schools tackle $820,000 shortfall

Levy request likely in elementary district

While they haven’t yet worked out the details, Kalispell Public Schools officials think they can balance next year’s high-school budget without asking taxpayers for help.

Law enforcement roundup

TV flies from car during move

A 37-inch flatscreen television flew off a car somewhere between Libby and Kalispell Wednesday afternoon. Its owner was moving and got an unpleasant surprise upon arrival at his new home.

Honoring a soldier's sacrifice

The war in Afghanistan at times seems like a conflict far, far away.

Vals face defending champ Fairfield

The Bigfork girls basketball team is no stranger to postseason play.

Exploring Glacier's trails in winter

Center offers snowshoe treks

Glacier National Park is a good place to get lost.

Daybook

Brenneman launches bid for re-election

Flathead County Commissioner Joe Brenneman has filed for re-election with just a few days remaining before the filing deadline.

Kalispell voters to decide on kitchen site

Kalispell voters will decide in May whether Kalispell Public Schools can purchase a new site for its central elementary kitchen.

40 Days for Life

Do you support the president's effort to get comprehensive health-care reform passed by whatever method necessary?

Board wants marijuana ban in Kalispell

If the Kalispell City Council goes along with a Planning Board recommendation, medical marijuana production, processing and sales would be outlawed inside city limits.

Soldier's return

Local soldier dies in Afghanistan

Army Pvt. Nicholas S. Cook of Hungry Horse died March 7 in combat in Afghanistan. He was a member of the airborne infantry.

Test article

Jacob K. Colclough, 17,

died Saturday, March 6, 2010, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, as he returned from National Guard duty. He was born April 27, 1992, in Libby, to Alan and Karla (McCabe) Colclough. He grew up in Libby and attended the Libby Public Schools. He was a member of the class of 2010. Jacob enjoyed mixed martial arts, boxing, hunting, snowmobiling, boffer fighting, and movie night at Jake Waynick s house. He worked with the McDonalds family for almost three years. His best friend, Jake Waynick, describes Jacob as a friend who always had your back. He joined the Army National Guard on April 24, 2009. He completed his basic training on Aug. 21, 2009. His goal was to make a career of the Army National Guard. Survivors include his parents, Alan and Karla (McCabe) Colclough of Libby; a brother, Jason Colclough, of Libby; grandparents, Gary McCabe of Walla Walla, Wash., Kay and Michael Funk of Libby, Dave Colclough of Troy, and Joyce Colclough of Spokane; great-grandmother, Grace McCabe, of Walla Walla; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 12, at the Libby Senior High School Gymnasium, 150 Education Way. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home, 422 W. Second Street, in Libby.

Ramona Jeanine (Shepherd) Bauer, 59

Ramona passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 6, 2010, near Libby. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, in the Commercial Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Ramona was born Sept. 24, 1950, in Oakland, Calif., to Lucile and Henry Shepherd. She and her family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1968, where she finished up her senior year at Flathead High School. She married Dan Bauer on June 7, 1969. They had four children, Shannon Leroy, Lisa Jeanine, Danielle Leah and Chad Levi. She was baptized as one of Jehovah s Witnesses in August 1968 in Spokane. She was a member of the Whitefish Congregation of Jehovah s Witnesses. Ramona was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She took each of these roles very seriously and made each one of us feel loved, special and protected. One of her greatest loves was her grandchildren. Her eyes lit up whenever she saw them or talked about them. She was a gifted artist, many of her beautiful paintings still hang in her family and friends homes. Ramona was an expert gardener, planting a huge vegetable garden every year and canning the produce. She also had a beautiful flower garden, full of many varieties of flowers. She loved going hunting and camping every year with her dear family and friends at Spotted Bear. She loved puzzles and games, especially her crossword puzzles. She was a very self-sacrificing person; she never told anyone no and never complained, no matter how difficult the situation may have been. So many people relied on her generous and kind spirit. She always had a smile on her face and a phone to her ear, sometimes both ears. She had a wonderful, contagious laugh and such a lovely smile. She always looked for the good in others, and for the best side of any situation. She was a beautiful, loving, kind, bright light in our lives. Words cannot express how much we loved her, how much we will miss her. Ramona had strong faith in the promised hope of the resurrection. (John 11:25, John 5:28, 29) She talked often about seeing her son, Shannon, again. She kept that day always in her mind. Ramona is survived by her husband of 41 years, Dan Bauer, of Columbia Falls; daughters, Lisa and husband, Charly, Ayidomihou of Columbia Falls, Danielle and husband, Jeff, Sanders of Kalispell; son, Chad and wife, Joanna, Bauer of Kalispell; grandchildren, Katie Ulrich, Coltin Dodge, Furious Sanders, Peyton Sanders, Jordan Bauer and Dylan Bauer; mother, Lucile Shepherd, of Columbia Falls; brother, Leonard Shepherd, and wife, Sandy, of Hamilton; sister, Irene Crow, of Kila; father-in- law, Roy Bauer, and wife, Flossie, of Columbia Falls; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Shannon Leroy; and her two grandchildren, Jeremy Dodge Sanders and Jade Helen Ulrich. A fund has been established at the Whitefish Credit Union for donations.

Malvin Mel Franks, 57,

went Home on Friday, March 5, 2010, at his residence in Bigfork. He was born Jan. 26, 1953, in Helena to Frank and Clara (Bartel) Franks. Mel was raised in Helena and graduated from Helena High School. Upon graduation, Mel spent six months living on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, with missionary Eddie Peterson. He lived in Ellendale, N.D., from 1971 to 1975, while he attended Trinity Bible College, where he met Virginia Ginny Ruth Bennett. They were married on Aug. 8, 1975, in Mission, S.D. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible theology from Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo. He lived for two and a half years in Edgemont, S.D., where he was pastor of Edgemont Assembly of God Church. Mel worked as a heavy equipment operator for Walter Bartel. Mel and Ginnie lived in Craig, Colo., where he worked for Tri-State Power Plant from 1979 to 2002. Mel received the President Award from Tri-State with many other awards and certificates during his time there. They moved to Bigfork in 2002, where Mel went to work for Flathead Electrical Co-Op as fleet director. Mel was a craftsman and builder; he built their home in Craig, and with Mel s assistance, Ginnie designed and they built their dream home in Bigfork " that was a symbol of their love together. He loved the Lord with all his heart and soul. He was bass singer in quartets and choirs, and was also a choir director. While living in Colorado, he always talked of his love for Montana. He liked photography, hiking, fishing, hunting, fly tying, woodworking, canoeing, motorcycle riding, traveling, wood cutting, landscaping, gardening, music, sitting on the deck looking at Swan Mountain; and he loved to go walking along the Swan River with Keeton, his dog. A bench will be built by his nephews, Ricky and Leonard Catterlin, and placed on the Swan River Walk in memory of Mel. Mel was preceded in death by his parents. Mel is survived by his wife, Ginnie Franks, of Bigfork; two sisters, Louise Mary Podgorski and Lucille Lucy Emilia Woodward; a niece; five nephews; five great-nieces; and three great-nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 15, at the Cross Roads Christian Fellowship in Bigfork, with Pastor Hal Curtis officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Ducks Unlimited, or Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 7465 U.S. 35, Bigfork, MT 59911. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Mel s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Mel s tribute wall.

Robert Bob Vish, 54,

passed away at his home in Kalispell on March 5, 2010. He was born Sept. 24, 1955, in the small town of Vulcan, located in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Bob s family moved to Montana in 1960. He was raised in Whitefish and enjoyed all of his school years there. He was a history buff, an all-star baseball pitcher and also enjoyed playing football as a proud Bulldog. When Bob was 18 years old, he entered the U.S. Air Force, serving as a security specialist in Minot, N.D. He additionally served a four-year term in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kittyhawk, as an air traffic controller. Bob had many happy memories of his West-Pac cruises, especially the initiation he experienced when they crossed the equator. Returning to the Flathead, Bob was employed at Plum Creek Timber Co., for several years and then accepted a position with Semitool when it was a very young company in the valley. He grew with its strides and enjoyed his final position with Semitool as the Asian sales support manager where his responsibilities covered Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and China. Loving history as much as Bob did, he loved the travel aspect of this position, marveling at many discoveries, including the Great Wall of China. He opened his home to many of his foreign clients who had never experienced a backyard campfire, venison steaks and a starlit Montana sky. Through the years Bob s career continued in sales and marketing with Craftsman in Wood, Artisans Custom Doors, Century Tel, Snow Creek Tractor Co., and Montana Rifle Co. To describe Bob as an avid outdoorsman would be an understatement. Hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, snowshoeing, canoeing, cutting firewood ... these loves defined him and offered him his greatest peace of mind. He also loved wood working and had made several beautiful pieces of furniture for his family. Bob had an wonderful sense of humor and truly enjoyed creative cooking ... we never knew what his turkeys would be stuffed with at Thanksgiving. Other interests included gardening, canning, smoking fish, and listening and dancing to all types of music, but old classic country was his favorite. Bob was a great father, brother and friend. He loved people, wanted happiness for everyone and always said, Today s going to be a good day ... Bob was blessed with two beautiful children whom he loved with all his heart, Adam Vish, 14 years old, of Kalispell, and Nicole Vish, 24 years old, of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Vish; mother, Alice Marston; and brothers, Chuck and Leo Vish. He is survived by his brother, Gary Rabey, and wife, Connie, of Wellsburg, N.Y.; his sister, Lyn Root, and husband, Stan, of Choteau; and brother, Shane Marston, of Kenosha, Wis. A memorial service for Bob and his family will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Main Street in Kalispell. A reception will follow at the church. The family requests that memorial contributions toward an educational fund for his son, Adam, can be sent c/o his mother, Carol Vish, to 1236 Fifth Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901.To send a note of condolence to the family please go to www.buffalohillfh.com, where this obituary will run on the Web site at no charge to the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Jeremy Adam Dodge Sanders, 13

Jeremy passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 6, 2010, near Libby. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, in the Commercial Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Jeremy was born Oct. 29, 1996, in Redmond, Ore., to Adam Dodge and Danielle Sanders (Bauer). He was a seventh grade student at Kalispell Middle School. He was active in football and wrestling. He was also a very gifted artist and enjoyed writing poetry. He was an active outdoorsman. This past hunting season, on opening day, he harvested a buck with his Uncle Chad. Then later that week, on his 13th birthday, he harvested a five-point bull elk with his Grampa Dan. Words cannot describe his extreme happiness and he shared this experience with everyone he met. He loved music and video games and enjoyed playing these with his stepfather, Jeff. He loved his family. He especially loved spending time at his Grampa Dan and Grama Ramona s home in Columbia Falls. He enjoyed hard work and helping his Grampa Dan with whatever needed to be done. He had a wonderful sense of humor, leaving everyone with a big smile and a laugh. He loved to be the center of attention. He will be missed by his close circle of friends, his buddies. We will all miss his silly smile and his great laugh. Jeremy is survived by his parents, Danielle and Jeff Sanders of Kalispell, and Adam Dodge of Bend, Ore.; his big brother Coltin Dodge, and little brother Furious Sanders, and little sister Peyton Sanders; grandfather, Dan Bauer, of Columbia Falls; uncle, Chad Bauer, and wife, Joanna, of Kalispell, and their two children; aunt, Lisa, and uncle, Charly, of Columbia Falls, and daughter Katie; stepgrandmother, Mona Sanders, of Kalispell; uncle, Jay Sanders, of Kalispell; uncle, Glenn Sanders, of Wyoming; uncle, Zach Sanders, of Wyoming; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins and other relatives. A fund has been established at the Whitefish Credit Union for donations.

Terry DuFaye Johnson, 73

Terry DuFaye Johnson, 73, of Columbia Falls passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at North Valley Hospital from pneumonia. He experienced long term dormant M.S. Terry retired from a 20-year career with the Forest Service. Surviving Terry are his wife of 50 years, Margaret Ann Sue Johnson, of Columbia Falls; daughter, Sylvia Dawn Hassett, and husband, Wayne, of Wallowa, Ore.; son, Gregory Scott Johnson, and wife, Laura, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Katie of Savanna, Ga., Jessica and Seth of Kalispell, Taylor Hassett, Angel Shriever and Mason Hassett of Portland; great-grandchildren, Evelyn of Savannah, Ga.; Tyler of Sandy, Ore., and Hunter of Portland. Terry was, and is, in the palm of God s hand. Private services for the family have been arranged per his request. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell is caring for the family.

Jade Helen Ulrich, 12

Jade passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 6, 2010, near Libby. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday March 13, in the Commercial Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Jade was born Aug. 10, 1997, in Whitefish to Lisa Ulrich-Ayidomihou (Bauer) and Justin Ulrich. She was a seventh grade student at Columbia Falls Junior High School. She had a great passion for horses. She loved riding her horse Babe and had been hoping to start learning barrel racing soon. She loved animals. She had planned to raise sheep this spring for 4-H. She enjoyed writing poetry, singing and being with her friends. She loved going camping with her family up at Spotted Bear. She was planning on taking hunter safety this year, so that she could also enjoy hunting with her family. Jade loved her family very much. She looked up to her big sister, Katie, and wanted to be just like her. She loved being with her Grampa Dan and her Grama Ramona. She loved her mother, Lisa, so very much. She loved her dear friends and neighbors, Julius, Jolene and Colby Sundheim, of Columbia Falls. She considered them her family. She was loved by so many. She was a sweet, vibrant, silly, lovable, young lady, who had so much ahead of her. Her family and friends will miss hearing her laugh and watching her dance, her cute, silly dances. We will all miss her so very much. Jade is survived by her parents, Lisa and Charly Ayidomihou of Columbia Falls, and Justin Ulrich of Issaquah, Wash.; big sister, Katie Ulrich; grandfather, Dan Bauer, of Columbia Falls; uncle, Chad, and aunt, Joanna Bauer, and their two children of Kalispell; aunt, Danielle, and uncle, Jeff Sanders, of Kalispell, and their three children; great-grandfather, Roy Bauer, and wife, Flossie, of Columbia Falls; great-grandmother, Lucile Shepherd; grandfather, Scott, and Debbie, Ulrich, of Palmer, Alaska; grandmother, Sandy, and Roger, Goodwin, of Kalispell; as well as special cousins and other relatives and friends. A fund has been established at the Whitefish Credit Union for donations.

Daybook

Body identified as Illinois college student

A man whose frozen body was found last week near Essex has been identified.

Tough openers for Braves, Wolfpack

Kalispell squads travel to Billings for Class AA state boys basketball tournament

Kalispell’s two boys basketball teams have quite the challenge awaiting them in Billings this week.

Winter Classic enters 25th year

Doug Betters sure has assembled a talented team of former and current NFL players for this year’s 25th Annual Whitefish Winter Classic.

County pursues Church Slough ramp

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has launched a public comment process for a permit that would allow Flathead County to construct a public boat ramp on Church Slough.

Crash victim survives freezing night outside

A Libby woman who endured freezing temperatures overnight after her vehicle slid off a steep embankment on a dirt road near Happy’s Inn was found alive Sunday morning, law-enforcement officials said.

Kats start with Billings Central

Polson vs. Sidney in Class A girls state basketball opener

It’s not so much who’s in this year, as it is who’s back. And that could be a problem for the rest of the field.

Three schools mourn deaths of students

Students and faculty at schools from Columbia Falls to Libby are reeling from the deaths of three youths in a crash Saturday on U.S. 2.

Law enforcement roundup

Car nearly repossessed; tow truck definitely rammed

An irate owner apparently wasn’t ready to give up his car, ramming it into the tow truck trying to repossess it. The owner then drove the nearly repossessed vehicle off from the Fourth Avenue East Residence around 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Third candidate enters sheriff's race

It’s now a three-way race for Flathead County sheriff, with patrol Sgt. Lance Norman filing as a candidate on Monday.

Canyon School gets one-year reprieve

Canyon Elementary will remain open for another year, but its future beyond the 2010-11 school year is grim.

Duran Caferro at Straight Blast Gym

Slideshow: Sykes' new religious service

Hedges at the Hockaday

Annie Alberta Halleman, 79

Annie Alberta Halleman, 79, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully at home on March 3, 2010, after a prolonged illness. Annie is survived by her husband, Charles Halleman, of Columbia Falls; her children, Diana Stone Treglown of Montana, Danny C. Stone of Louisiana, Joe Halleman of Maryland, Dan Halleman of Colorado, Marcia Halleman of Montana, and Steve Halleman of Virginia; and her grown grandchildren, Lorien A. Hanson of Montana, Ben Halleman of Colorado, and Amanda Halleman of Maryland. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, LeRoy and Margaret Felty; and brother, Pete Felty. At Annie s request, there will be no public participation and the family will conduct a private memorial for Annie at an undisclosed time and location. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.

Loud people, bonfire lead to arrest

Responding to a noise complaint early Monday morning at a residence on Fourth Avenue East North and California Street, Kalispell Police found people having a bonfire and ended up arresting a man on warrants from another jurisdiction.

County approves North Shore settlement

The Flathead County commissioners on Monday approved a $1 million settlement in the North Shore Ranch lawsuit, but OK’d an amendment that would allow the property to be purchased within 30 days and placed in public ownership.

Daybook

Today

Frustrated leaseholder moving cabin off state land

By Brian Tanko’s judgment, the choices were only bad or worse, so he has decided to move his cabin off a leased lot of state land on McGregor Lake to avoid future costs and uncertainty.

Kalispell Blockbuster store closing

With an announcement that the Kalispell Blockbuster store will close at the end of this week, video stores are becoming increasingly scarce in the Flathead Valley.

MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan interviews Mark Potok and Mark Williams

SPLC report: "Rage on the Right"

Montana Club construction

Preparing for the Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby

test page instory position

Thomas Michael Ryerson and Issabella Anne Ryerson

fraternal twins of Lindsay A. Alawine of Whitefish and Tim S. Ryerson of Olney, were born Dec. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Jazlyn Mae LaValley

daughter of Vera and Tarl LaValley of Columbia Falls, was born Dec. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Aaron James Eli Hall Jr.

son of Amanda Carolann Jones and Aaron James Hall of Kalispell, was born Dec. 13 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Tayvin Bridger Beach

son of Bridger Beach and Lorraine Bolton of Kalispell, was born Dec. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Richard K. Dick King, 85

Our uncle and friend, Richard K. Dick King of Columbia Falls, died of natural causes Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, after a short illness. Dick was born Nov. 21, 1924, in Whitefish, the third son of Edgar H. King and Margaret M. Taber King. Dick was raised in the Flathead Valley, Great Falls and the Roseburg, Ore., area. He graduated from Whitefish High School in 1942. Dick hired out on the railroad in 1943. Soon after that he enlisted in the Army, being discharged in 1946. He returned to Whitefish and continued his railroad career, retiring in 1984 with 41 years of service. Dick enjoyed the outdoors and spent many days hiking, camping and fishing, mainly in Glacier National Park. In 1970 Mel Ruder crowned Dick King of Glacier for having hiked the entire perimeter of Glacier Park, as well as most developed and undeveloped trails throughout the park. Dick completed that goal in the summer of 1969. Dick spent many summer days enjoying the beauty and serenity of Oly Lake, his favorite fishing hole. Dick was a lifelong Yankees fan and would take every opportunity to rub it in if the Yanks beat your team! He traveled to many professional games over the years and had enjoyed spring training a few years ago. He also enjoyed NASCAR and Wildcat sports. Dick had many hobbies that he enjoyed over the years, and he had been an avid collector of model trains. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Margaret; brothers, Eddie, Don and Jim; sister, Joan King Drager, niece, Peggy King; great-nephew, Lyle Seward; and sisters-in law, Ruth King, Barbara King and Thelma Blake. Dick is survived by many loving and caring friends in the Flathead Valley, and best pals, Mike Scott and Chewy. Also surviving Dick, our favorite uncle, are nieces, Robbie King, Janice Rhodes, Michelle McDowell and Kami Anderson; nephews, Ed, Kelly and Cary King, Bret and Brad Drager, and Scott and Don King. Dick also is survived by numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Dick will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives were touched by his kindness and gentle manner and his quick sense of humor. Go hike that next mountain Dick; save some fish for us! A memorial wake will be held for Pooh at 2 p.m., March 21, at The Office (the Columbia Bar) in Columbia Falls. Please join us for this special time of sharing memories of Dick. Memorials can be sent to the charity of the donor s choice in Dick s name.

Payton Mavrick Flagg

son of Natasha Flagg of Kalispell, was born Dec. 14 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Tristin Lee Cady

son of Kourtney Wright and Rick Cady of Kalispell, was born Dec. 12 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Deputies arrest man after high-speed chase

A high-speed chase along U.S. 2 and through Columbia Falls ended at Trap Road southeast of Columbia Falls Sunday when Flathead County Sheriff's deputies used their vehicles to stop a Toyota Scion that had been clocked doing better than 100 mph.

Census count begins in Flathead

The U.S. Census Bureau began hand-delivering census forms to rural residences in Flathead County last week.

Woods Bay sewer survey to be mailed

Property owners in the Woods Bay area will receive surveys as part of an effort to build a sewer system.

Veteran broadcaster wants to restore KGEZ to 'glory days'

Airwaves aficionado

John Hendricks guesses he was about 5 when he broke loose from his mother during a trip to the dentist and bounded into the KOFI radio station that at the time was housed in the same Kalispell building.

Winter Classic fetes 25th year

Former Miami Dolphin great Doug Betters provides a pithy mission statement for the Whitefish Winter Classic, which this week celebrates its 25th year of aiding critically ill children.

Garage burns near Creston

A garage and house caught fire near Creston Sunday afternoon, destroying the garage and part of the house, causing extensive smoke and heat damage to the house and sending three people to the hospital.

Classic offers events for all

The 25th annual Whitefish Winter Classic begins Thursday with the first of four action-packed days with events for people of all ages and incomes. Friday and Saturday have many free events with opportunities to meet the celebrity NFL players.

4 killed in crash near Happy's Inn

Four people died in a traffic crash near Happy’s Inn Saturday evening.

Daybook

Today

Accused assailant absent Sunday

Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies were unable to find a man accused of assault on Concord Lane after a woman showed up for work Sunday morning injured from being hit several times.

Growth, pot shops on Kalispell agenda

Kalispell Planning Board and City Council members will have their first shared work session tonight to highlight what needs to be included in a future policy on medical marijuana, discuss how the city should approach annexations and give the final run-through on a proposed zoning ordinance update.

Service at Sykes' a place to find inspiration, family

Revival meetings

Gaye Sheldon holds her head high when she walks these days.

Creston Cayuse Lane House Fire

A mountaintop tribute

Jean Isobel Shaw

Jean Isobel Shaw, a long-time resident of the Kalispell area, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at the Village Healthcare Center of Missoula. Born in 1928 in Sorrento, B.C., to Herbert Bert and Sadie Anderson, Jean was raised tending a lakeside apple orchard and grew to love all living things. Bert s father was a physician in Dundee, Scotland, but Bert felt there were opportunities in Canada and immigrated around 1910, where he met Sadie Forbes a year or two later. When the Great War arrived and Canada entered on the side of Britain, Bert volunteered to drive an ambulance on the front lines and served until the Armistice. Sadie s family had farmed the lands of central Canada for a hundred years, so after Bert was decommissioned and returned to Canada with damaged lungs, it seemed right that they should move to British Columbia to tend apple trees and start a family. Jean was born into these twin traditions of farming and medicine, but too soon she and Bert lost Sadie to illness. Sadie s sister Mary then came into their lives becoming Bert s wife and Jean s Mother. While in school, Jean excelled in biology and received a Certificate in Nursing Education from Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops, B.C., in 1951. She had a lifelong love of gardening and tending to the sick and hurt, with a special touch with both her roses and the premature babies born into her care. Soon after becoming a nurse, Jean met a young, brooding cowboy named Jim Shaw, who was up from Wyoming scouting ranch investments with his father. They were soon married, and with a new life in the United States, Jean set to nursing humans and horses and raising a family in Lander, Wyo. After the first two sons were born and a third on the way, Jim and Jean moved to Montana and eventually settled in Kalispell, where Jim established a private practice as a land surveyor and Jean resumed her work as a nurse. She came to hold a great respect for the medical profession of the Flathead Valley. She taught tolerance, understanding and the power of education. Her calm in crisis and her first-aid kit were especially important raising her three sons. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Jim, whom she nursed for many years. She is survived by her three children, James Scott Shaw of Missoula, William Ross Shaw of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Duncan Stuart Shaw of Berthoud, Colo.; and her four grandchildren, Ross, Graham, Isobel and Rachel. The family suggests memorials to the Glacier Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1515 Trumble Creek Road, Kalispell, MT, 59901-6743.

Daybook

Columbia Falls settles for 3rd at state

Wildcats whip Billings Central, end Class A state basketball play on a good note

BUTTE — Only two teams left the Class A boys state basketball tournament Saturday night on a happy note — and the Columbia Falls Wildcats were one of them.

County offers dust control program

Deadline to sign up is March 26

Flathead County once again is offering a dust-abatement program for rural residents.

Law enforcement roundup

Moon-fire causes alarm near mountain

Spotting what looked like a fire in the Swan Mountain area, a concerned resident called the

Hard-luck husky lives happily ever after

Everywhere Galen Matney and Annie, a three-legged husky, go, people take notice. Then they remember her heartbreaking story.

Buildings turn to remodeling jobs

For Ron Catlett, 2008 was a pretty decent year. Heck, it was a great year.

Cops to mount Denali in memory of fallen trooper

Stumbling through the mountains toward their car, best friends and climbing buddies Nelson Grant and Caleb Pleasants were overjoyed when they reached the vehicle around 4 a.m. one day last March.

County mandate: 'Make tough choices'

New directive calls for deeper budget cuts

The Flathead County commissioners issued a pre-emptive directive last week, asking department heads to cut more fat from their budgets.

Pirates fall to Laurel in title game

Locomotives pull away in 4th quarter, beat Polson 60-48 for Class A title

BUTTE — The Laurel Locomotives just had one more run in them than the Polson Pirates did on Saturday night.

Montana Class A High School Boys Basketball Tournament

Remodeling

Polson falls in title game CFalls finishes third

The Polson Pirates lost to Laurel in the Class A boys basketball state championship game on Saturday night. In the consolation game, Columbia Falls beat Billings Central to finish third.

Kemana Larkey playing

Week in Pictures Feb. 28 - March 6

Neve Lillian Travis

daughter of Paul and Samantha Travis, was born Feb 21 at North Valley Hospital.

Brooklynn Rose Munson

daughter of Rose Sacco Munson of Whitefish, was born Feb. 6 at North Valley Hospital.

Tayla Symphoni Praise King

daughter of Eric Baker, Jr. and Trista King, was born Feb. 19 at North Valley Hospital.

Harry Grant Hosford II, 70

Harry Grant Hosford II, formerly of Kalispell, passed away Feb. 26, 2010, in Snowflake, Ariz. He was 70. Harry was born June 18,1939, in Glasgow to Harry and Verna Hosford. Harry spent his childhood years in Kalispell, graduating from Flathead County High School. In the mid 50s the family moved to Arizona. They came to their Flathead Lake cabin every summer after school was out. Harry married Ramona Hamblin in Mesa, Ariz., in the early 60s. They had three sons, Harry Grant III, Tony and Timothy. They later divorced. In 1993 he married Paula at their ranch outside of Snowflake. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Verna; brother, John; and son, Harry Grant III. He is survived by his wife, Paula, of Snowflake; son, Tony, of San Diego; and son, Tim and wife, Tina, and daughters, Sierra and Hailee, of Apache Junction, Ariz.; brother, James David, of Oregon, and his sons, David of California, Terry of the Washington, D.C., area, and Eric of Oregon, a sister, Emma Gay (Hosford) Anderson, and husband Doug of Kalispell, their son, Doug and wife Julie, and daughter, Amber, of Wasilla, Alaska; son, Rodney, and his children, Andrew and Savannah, of Kalispell; and son, Dan and wife Reni, and their children, Jaden, Janae and Jarrett, or Kalispell. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held March 4 at the ranch in Snowflake. A family get-together is planned at a later date at the ranch.

Mason Lawrence Jones

son of Jason and Emily Jones of Whitefish, was born Feb. 22 at North Valley Hospital.

Lucas Douglas Wright

son of Eric Wright and Tara Tolley of Whitefish, was born Feb. 8 at North Valley Hospital.

Talyn Mykle Richardson

son of Brent Richardson and Lisa Caudill of Kalispell, was born Feb. 10 at North Valley Hospital.

Sofie Layne Albiero

daughter of Brian and Pam Albiero, was born Feb.5 at North Valley Hospital.

Miles David Bromgard

son of Kathy Wilburn and Jimmy Bromgard of Whitefish, was born Feb 8. at North Valley Hospital.

Chase Bradley Meyer

son of Marshal and Krista Meyer, was born Feb. 22 at North Valley Hospital.

Caleb Daniel Jackson

son of Geoffrey and Michelle Jackson of Kalispell, was born Feb. 14 at North Valley Hospital.

Evelynne Paige Dorr

daughter of Casey and Alyson Dorr of Columbia Falls, was born Feb.12 at North Valley Hospital.

Johan Christian Axelsen

son of Hans and Jeni Axelson, was born Jan. 29 at North Valley Hospital.

Douglas Joshua Tallon

son of Douglas James Tallon and Heather Leigh Anderson, was born Feb. 4 at North Valley Hospital.

Adayn Dale Brooks

son of Brandy and P.J. Brooks of Kalispell, was born Feb. 5 at North Valley Hospital.

Joslynn Michaela Holt

daughter of Justin and Cristy Holt of Kalispell, was born Feb. 10 at North Valley Hospital.

Olivia Alice Gross

daughter of Shean Gross and Ralyssa Blake, was born Feb. 8 at North Valley Hospital.

Something's Fishy

Dispatchers begin training for new 911 center

By MELISSA WEAVER

Man's body found frozen in snowbank

A man’s frozen body was discovered Thursday afternoon near Essex.

Pirates sail into state final

Polson sinks Butte Central in OT of semis

BUTTE — The Polson Pirates are going to play for a state basketball championship.

Daybook

Kalispell basketball makes history

Flathead vs. CMR; Glacier vs. Billings West in AA state basketball tourney

For the first time, Kalispell will be represented by two teams at the Class AA boys state basketball tournament next week.

Law enforcement roundup

Shovel-beater returns for more

A woman beat a car with a shovel while arguing with her boyfriend around 6 p.m. Thursday at a Kings Loop residence. The argument apparently concerned prescription medication.

Norovirus spreading again in valley

Norovirus, a nasty illness causing vomiting and diarrhea, has sickened people in the Flathead Valley and across Montana, triggering a warning Friday from health officials.

Cats bounce back

Columbia Falls drops Dillon 53-43 in loser-out action; Butte Central up next

BUTTE — Two teams who didn’t think they’d be in this position.

Polson semifinals

Polson advances to state title game after OT win

The Polson boys defeated Butte Central in overtime of the Class A state basketball semifinals in Butte on Friday and will play in Satuday's state championship against the winner of Laurel and Browning.

Remodeling

Something's Fishy

Harvest Fellowship emotional sharing

Harvest Fellowship solitary worship

Harvest Fellowship prayer over member

Harvest Fellowship Steve Benson

Harvest Fellowship food line

Kathleen Kathy Kay Anderson, 49,

of Florence, died at her home on Monday, March 1, 2010. She was born on Dec. 9, 1960, in West Union, Iowa, the daughter of Harlen and Sharon Kay (Hilgerson) Anderson. She graduated from North Fayette High School in West Union in 1979. Kathy married Mark Sauerbrei in 1981; The couple later divorced. While in high school, Kathy was in FFA and drill team. She enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening and landscaping. Her greatest love was in the summer sun on the water. Kathy had an outgoing personality and loved and cared for everyone. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She loved Montana and everything about it. Kathy was a highly successful radio advertising sales executive who enjoyed a 15-year career in the Missoula radio market. She was incredibly organized and truly cared about her clients. She had won numerous sales awards and accomplished great things in the radio and broadcast industry over the past 20 years. Kathy will be missed by many Missoula, Bitterroot and Flathead clients. She will always be thought of as a responsible, kind, incredible person and will be missed by all who knew her and worked with her. She is survived by her daughter, Mandy Kay Fadely, of Fort Campbell, Ky.; JayMe Nordahl, her life partner, of Florence; mother, Sharon Kay Anderson, father and stepmother, Harlen and Margaret Anderson, a brother, Keith Anderson, and sister, Kelli Lauer, all of West Union; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. A celebration of Kathy s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, at the Lumber Jack, 16 miles up Highway 12 west of Lolo, with Pastor Keith Virga officiating. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been set up in Kathy s name at any of the Farmer s State Banks. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of cremation. Condolences to wfh@bridgeband.com.

George Robert Dachs, 91

George Robert Dachs passed away on Feb. 15, 2010, of natural causes. George was born on June 13, 1918, in Deer Lodge to Lukas and Anna Rotzinger Dachs. He attended schools in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 1937. He then went to work for the Montana Highway Patrol in Helena, serving as bookkeeper and performing other office duties. In 1941, George joined the U.S. Naval Reserve on active duty and served in various posts, including Pearl Harbor. On Dec. 29, 1945, he married Helen Liming, who was also serving in the Navy, in Memphis, Tenn. After their discharge from the Navy, they returned to Deer Lodge where George worked for the Milwaukee Railroad as a fireman and engineer. In September 1948, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska Arts and Sciences College. In 1954 he graduated from the University of Nebraska Dental College, having been selected for the dental honorary fraternity, OKU. George practiced dentistry in Kalispell from 1954 until his retirement in 1982. He enjoyed many summers at Swan Lake where he built a log cabin for the family. He cut trees for the logs and made his own shakes for the roof. He was very proud of that cabin. George was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 2007, following 61 years of marriage; son, Terry, and infant daughter, Kathleen; two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by daughters, Cherie Shevlin, and, Joe, of Helena, and Nancy Posivio, and Bill, of Ronan; and son, Dave, and Maureen, of Cascade. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, LaVona Schrieber, of Missoula; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. March 13, at St. Matthew s Church in Kalispell. A rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening, March 12, also at St. Matthew s. Memorials may be made to the Terry Dachs Memorial Award (a scholarship award for graduating seniors with learning disabilities) Kalispell School District No. 5, 233 First Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.

George William Willie Hoops, 82,

of Superior, and formerly of Lakeside, died Feb. 27, 2010, at the Mineral County Community Hospital. Willie was born Jan. 28, 1928, in Duckabush, Wash., to Leslie Cecil and Florence Burgett Hoops, now deceased. He graduated from high school in Nichart. He enjoyed piloting planes, fly fishing and animals. Willie is survived by his children, Les Hoops of Stevensville, Kevin Casperson of Coeur d Alene, Idaho, and Deborah Sanchez of Stockton, Calif.; five stepchildren, Dave, Susie, Bob, Tammy and Bunny; and numerous grandchildren. Services are pending and will be announced by the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton. The family suggests memorials to a humane society of the donor s choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.

Law enforcement roundup

Threatening texts to wrong number

After receiving threatening text messages from an unknown person, a woman called

Daybook

Man pleads innocent in fatal crash

The survivor of a two-vehicle crash near Columbia Falls that killed a Eureka woman last month pleaded not guilty on Thursday to two felonies.

Glacier punches state ticket

Defeats Helena High 54-42 in playoff game

Illness, injury, cold shooting.

Polson rallies by Billings Central

BUTTE — Polson overcame a 13-point first-half deficit to drop Billings Central 65-53 in quarterfinal play at the Class A state boys basketball tournament on Thursday at the Butte Civic Center.

Bill would protect North Fork

Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester have introduced legislation aimed at protecting the North Fork from mining, a response to similar protections recently enacted by the province of British Columbia.

Fans hope for return of racing

Horse racing fans are rooting for a long shot — the return of the ponies to the Northwest Montana Fair.

Braves going to state

Drill Hellgate in playoff game, 64-42

Despite a 12-point halftime lead, the message in the Flathead locker room was plain and simple.

Laurel trips C-Falls in double OT

Wildcats have a state loser-out game today versus Dillon

BUTTE — No. 1 versus No. 2.

Suspect escapes after early-morning robbery in Kalispell

Man allegedly pulled gun on apartment residents

A man is still at large after allegedly robbing an apartment at gunpoint early Thursday morning.

Ross named head coach of Whitefish football

Whitefish High School Activities Director Jackie Fuller has announced that Chad Ross has been named the school’s new head football coach.

Snowpack at 'very low' levels

Hydrologist says recovery not possible this late in season

Mountain snowpack in Northwest Montana and the rest of the state is now considered “very low,” and it’s not likely to recover.

GHS vs. Helena High Boys Playoff Bball

FHS vs. Missoula Hellgate Boys Playoff Bball

Boomer in Business

Stallcup Arraingment

Retiring forest supervisor Cathy Barbouletos

Ross Pappy Smith, 61

Ross Pappy Smith, 61, died Monday afternoon on March 1, 2010, at his home in Kalispell. A family hero. He was born on Dec. 14, 1948, in Sacramento, Calif., to Dixie (McNair) and Ross H. Smith. Ross pursued a career as a fire fighter in the United States Air Force. After retiring from the service he met and married Julie Smith, mother of three, on April 18, 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dixie and Ross. Ross is survived by his spouse, Julie; and children, Colleen, Nick and Aaron; son-in-law, James; his sisters, Pat and Leanna; and brother-in-law, Vincent Smith. Memorial services for Ross Smith will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 5, at Johnson Gloschat Funeral Chapel. Urn burial will follow services at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell, with full military honors. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ross family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Ross tribute wall.

Howard M. Whitney, 82

Longtime Whitefish resident, Howard M. Whitney, 82, died Feb. 26, 2010, in Whitefish. He was born Aug. 6, 1927, at Agency, Iowa. Following graduation from VanBuren Community School, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and later with the U.S. Air Force. In 1949, he married Dorothy Reynolds and they farmed until he joined the U.S. Border Patrol in 1955. After several duty stations, they settled in Whitefish in 1961 and raised their family. He retired as supervisory agent of the northern sector after 33 years of service. During retirement he spent many happy years on Big Mountain and chasing bird dogs. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; and daughters, Beverly Palmer, Sandra Shanks, Pamela Whitney and Mary Lidstrom. Also surviving are his grandson, Whitney Shanks; and granddaughters, Samantha and Sarah Lidstrom, as well as three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Doris, Donna and Joyce; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor s choice. Private arrangements are by Austin Funeral Home.

Sykes' still serving, still up for sale

Sykes’ Restaurant heads into its third month still open and still for sale.

District, principal settle

Suspended administrator would be paid through June

Deer Park school board trustees have reached a tentative settlement agreement with the principal they suspended last month.

Resort wisely reconsiders ban

Whitefish Mountain Resort managers have wisely reconsidered a ban on after-hours, uphill travel on the Big Mountain, due to big-time blowback from many of their most avid skiing customers.

New ideas pondered for 2010 fair

Interim Fair Manager Ted Dykstra Jr. has come up with some new ideas for this year’s Northwest Montana Fair, including a suggestion to eliminate the $5 gate fee.Dykstra said he wants to streamline fair admission fees so participants don’t feel they’re getting “nickeled and dimed.” As it is now, fair-goers are charged fees for both on-grounds parking and gate admission. The idea, he said, is to draw in more people by eliminating the gate fee and save money by eliminating the workers who man the gates.But to compensate for the loss of income, Dykstra suggested charging entry fees for all livestock and other items entered through the 4-H and open-class divisions. His suggestion was to go to a $5 per head entry fee for all animals — horse owners already pay a $5 stall fee — and charge $3 for all other entries.If someone entered two pumpkins, for example, the entry fee would be $6, he explained.It’s only a suggestion, he stressed.

Law enforcement roundup

Senior dispute leads to fisticuffs

Two residents of a Crestline Avenue senior facility had to be separated by

Fair Board perseveres amid concerns

The Flathead County Fair Board is moving forward with fairgrounds business amid lingering questions from the public about why longtime Fair Manager Jay Scott was fired last month.

Flathead National Forest Supervisor Cathy Barbouletos

Welding spark ignites Kalispell fire

An ominous column of smoke rose above Kalispell Wednesday morning, but it turned out to be a small fire in a wrecking yard.

Helena teams stand in Glacier's way

The Glacier basketball teams have reached the crossroads of the season and hope to continue on into Billings for the AA state tournaments.

Flathead cagers in a playoff mood

One is home, the other goes on the road.

Fires, bears, lawsuits: Retiring forest leader has seen them all

After going through historic wildfires, a litany of litigation, budget crunches, challenges in grizzly bear conservation and much more, Flathead National Forest Supervisor Cathy Barbouletos is retiring.

Daybook

Man pleads guilty to killing of wolf

Incident occurred in October 2008

A Kalispell man pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing a wolf in 2008.

Kalispell Wrecking small fire

Flathead Glacier Girls Bball Playoff Preview

Flathead Glacier Boys Bball Playoff Preview

Front Page Instory1 Position

Business plan could help out sports complex

After two years of three-way talks, the Kalispell Youth Athletic Complex may be on the way to a permanent affordable home.

Ski resort taking comments on uphill policy

After an outpouring of opposition to a new policy that restricts winter uphill traffic at Whitefish Mountain Resort, the resort has opened a one-month public-comment period on the hiking restrictions.

Columbia Falls a state regular

Second-ranked Wildcats open tournament play versus No. 1 Laurel

Columbia Falls boys basketball coach Cary Finberg has seen his share of state tournaments and state championships in his 14 seasons on the hardcourt.

Investigators home in on cause of fire at old mill

LIBBY — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and a state fire marshal still are investigating the cause of the fire that burned the former Stimson Lumber Co., plywood plant to the ground on Thursday.

'Old Man' rests after raising $240,000

Philanthropist wraps up long walk for a cause

With fire-truck sirens blaring, a knighting from the Whitefish Winter Carnival king and a street full of followers marching in an impromptu parade, Richard Atkinson could not have scripted a better ending to his “Old Man Walking” campaign.

Daybook

Law enforcement roundup

ALERT assists after car goes airborne

A motorist in serious condition was flown via

Pluff, Polson can finally celebrate

Pirates in state basketball tourney for 1st time since ’06

For Polson boys basketball coach Brad Pluff, it’s been challenging at times, but well worth it.

Old Man Walking fist pump

Old Man Walking knighted

Old Man Walking

Polson vs Ronan Challenge Game

What should county commissioners do to resolve the North Shore Ranch subdivision lawsuit?

Jack M. Meuli, 77

Jack M. Meuli, 77, of Dayton, passed away on Feb. 25, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, from natural causes. Jack was born on Oct. 28, 1932, in Missoula to Melville and Laura Meuli. He attended elementary school in Proctor and graduated from Polson High School in 1950. Jack attended Montana State University where he met his future wife, Lois, while working on the school annual. While at college, he made lifetime friends as a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Jack graduated in 1954 with a degree in agriculture. He was in the ROTC program while attending MSU and served in the U.S. Army until 1957. On June 17, 1956, Jack married Lois Ann Ward in Billings. After his service in the Army, Jack and Lois returned to establish a ranch near Dayton in the Proctor Valley. They raised their family, daughter Jean, and son Mike, on the ranch. Jack enjoyed ranching and stayed active on the ranch his whole life. Jack was an involved member in the community and enjoyed playing cribbage and pinochle with his family and friends. Jack s focus was on his family, the ranch and the community, and he was an active leader in both the local and ranch communities. He was a member of the Proctor School board, and past president of and member of the Western Montana Stockmen s Association. He also served on the board of directors of the Montana Stockgrowers Association and was a member of the National Cattlemen s Association. Jack was also a longtime member and past chairman of the Lake County Planning board, member of the Lake County Conservation board and served on the Crimestoppers board. Jack was a founding member of the Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Session and the Parish Council at the Dayton Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois; and his parents, Mel and Laura. He is survived by two children and their families, daughter, Jean, and Pat, Kunz of Bellevue, Wash.; and son, Mike, and Nancy, Meuli of Dayton; six grandchildren, Zack, Mike and Joey Kunz, and John Michael, Matthew and Mikayla Meuli. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on March 6, at the New Life Christian Center in Polson with Presbyterian Pastor Dave Anson officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Condolences may be left to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Meuli s family.

Man pulls gun on intruding dog

Kalispell Police got a call Sunday from a Liberty Street resident who said he had a gun trained on a Rottweiler cross that was in his yard, and if the dog got aggressive he was going to shoot. An animal warden arrived and took the dog to the shelter.

North Shore hearing

Daybook

Today

Pirates bound for Butte

Polson’s Louis Mohr scores 28 as Pirates earn state trip

There was no stopping the Polson Pirates from getting to the state tournament, not this time.

Valkyries rally past Eureka, secure spot at state tournament

PABLO — Caitlin Charlebois scored 11 points, including 7-of-8 from the free throw line, as the Bigfork Valkyries outlasted Eureka 40-31 in Monday night’s Western B divisional challenge game.

County boards have varied influence

With Flathead County’s many boards of directors, not all things are created equal.

Ex-county leader Ken Krueger dies at 72

Ken Krueger was a big man — big in humor, big on work ethic, big on community, big in size.

North Shore Subddivision Public Hearing

Winter Special Olympics Snowshoe Run

Winter Special Olympics Mom Congratulates

Winter Special Olympics Alpine

Winter Special Olympics Sit Ski

Ex-mayor takes business district job

Former Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy Carbonari has been hired as coordinator of the Downtown Kalispell Business Improvement District.

Decision delayed on $1 million settlement

Flathead County commissioners agreed to postpone a decision on the proposed North Shore Ranch lawsuit settlement for one week while they consider a wealth of citizen input from Monday’s public hearing.

Colleen Mary Cluka-Gordon, 57

Colleen Gordon, 57, left to be with her lord and savior Jesus Christ on Feb. 17, 2010, in Las Vegas, with her loving family in attendance at her side. Colleen was born July 19, 1953, in Bertha, Minn., to Robert and Mary Cluka. Her family, including her two brothers and three sisters, spent time living in both Chester and Conrad before settling in Columbia Falls around 1965. Colleen graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1971. In 1976 she married Richard Gordon of Whitefish. In 1977, Colleen gave birth to her son and only child, Jesse. Colleen relocated to Salt Lake City in 1978. During her time in Salt Lake, she briefly remarried, attained an associate-level business degree and became a small-business owner. In the early 1990s, Colleen and her partner, Dennis David, moved to Lake Havasu City, Ariz., to start a new business of their own. Colleen and Dennis were the owner-operators of Petrossi s Pizza in Lake Havasu for nearly 18 years and in that time made many friends with both the locals and the seasonal snowbirds who visited every year. Colleen loved spending her time with friends and family and was an incredibly social person. She was an avid wine connoisseur and enjoyed planting flowers year round, reading and music. One of Colleen s greatest joys was the time spent with her niece Jamie and Jamie s son Ayden. Although Colleen was Ayden s great-aunt, in Ayden s eyes she was like a grandmother, and she showered him with both the love and affection afforded a grandson. She will be missed in ways that cannot be expressed in words. Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, William Bob Cluka and Mary Cluka, and brother-in-law Larry Brown. Colleen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Jamison Gordon of Olympia, Wash.; siblings Yvonne Corbett and Jim Corbett, Donald and Cozy Cluka and Ben Cluka and Michelle Price, all of Kalispell, Donna Hasson and Wayne Wick of Whitefish, and Carol Cluka-Long of Lake Havasu City; partner Dennis David of Lake Havasu City; as well as 10 nephews and nieces and nine grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Colleen s ashes will be interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls at a future date.

Daybook

Today

Land by Kidsports may become commercial

A proposal for about 25 acres of commercial development on the north end of the Kidsports complex will get a public airing at a work session following tonight’s Kalispell City Council meeting.

Law roundup

Kalispell police looked for a teen who drove through a fast-food drive-through on U.S. 93 North completely unclothed Saturday evening. They have a suspect and report that he was last seen driving south. The manager would like to press charges, police said, but the restaurant reportedly has no video of the incident.

Judy and Terry Fosbery

Christian Johnson's Acoustic Showcase

Felicia Holter Burleigh Stimson

Acoustic nights give serious musicians chance to perform live

Terry and Judy Fosbery have no fear of playing their old-style American music in front of an audience.

Pioneer reflects on century of life

Whitefish native Felicia Holter Burleigh Stimson, a retired teacher, turns 100 on Tuesday with wise advice for those of us who hope to celebrate centennial birthdays.