Darlene Ruth Lozeau Heaton, 78

Darlene Ruth Lozeau Heaton, 78, of Ronan, passed away in Polson Aug. 4, 2012.

She was born Sept. 23, 1933, to Catherine "Katie" Coffey and Alexander Lozeau in St. Ignatius.

Darlene was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She was educated at Flandreau and Chemawa Indian schools before finishing her education in Arlee.

She was introduced to her husband by Herb Marango, and she married her husband Aubrey "Jake" Heaton June 30, 1951, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The family made their home from what seemed like everywhere from Florida to Alaska, living numerous places. She was a manager of the Dupuis Smoke Signal until her illness forced her retirement.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Hank and Randy; two grandsons, Jacob and Christopher; and sister, Levi BigBeaver.

Survivors include husband, Jake, of Ronan; daughters, Abby and Greg Dupuis of Polson, Penny and Steve Anderson of Polson, Susan and Rich Johnson of Missoula, and Cathy and Jon Patton of Polson; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Alvina Burns and Tina Lozeau; and brothers, Terry Lozeau, Gene Lozeau, Ken Gingras and Harry Lozeau.

In lieu of flowers, make a donation in Darlene’s name to the American Cancer Society.

A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. this evening, Aug. 7, in the longhouse in St. Ignatius, with Mass being celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Condolences may be sent to fosterfhandcrematory.com