Char-Koosta News
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For the Record...February 2007 ObituariesAntoinette
Leona 'Bubs' Acevedo Leona was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She attended grade school and high school in St. Ignatius and was very proud of her achievement, graduating with her senior class of 2002. She worked her butt off to graduate and her whole family was so proud of her. Leona attended Salish Kootenai College for one year studying early childhood development and worked for the Children's Learning Center in St. Ignatius. This was an extremely fulfilling job as she loved all the kids and all the kids loved her. Leona decided to retire at a very early age and dedicated her life as a very proud single mother of two children, son Trevor Anthony Curtis and daughter D'Vea Patience. She shared her small family with their grandparents "yi" and "papa" at the family home of Mission Dam. Leona enjoyed cruizin', visiting her "buds" and "homies" and shopping in Missoula with her sister Val and best friend Michael Marie, who were inseparable to the end. Whenever Leona and Michael had any kind of crazy night, the stories would fly with so much enthusiasm, style, voice of trouble, you couldn't help but think of the truesome twosome Sox and Sheila. Trained by the best of friends, Michael and Leona could not deny the automatic label of little Sheila and Sox, true 'til the end, side by side, and out with style. Leona loved watching the Branding Iron two women's pool team, which consisted of her mom Sox and all her cousins, She, Scoobz, Mar, Stma, and Ol' School. You could always hear her in the background screaming for the team, "Let's go Cuzint," and "Let's go Mamavedo." Leona also fulfilled her lifelong dream of visiting Las Vegas with her mother and father in December 2006. She finally got to take her first plane ride, scared at first, but the "Bubs" we know didn't stay scared for long. Now our beloved Leona will always be high above. This Valentine's Day was a very special one for her. Not only did she share it with her special friend Shep, she was able to share his birthday on the same day. They had an amazing day, sharing some unforgettable moments. Leona was always the life of the party. Her personality was so bright, you would see her shining from miles away. You couldn't help but be drawn to her. She had tons of friends of all age groups; from her friends' kids to her mom's friends, they were all her buddies. Everywhere she went, she knew someone. She will be extremely missed but always remembered by all her little homies of the Rez. Leona was preceded in death by her grandparents Lindy and Janie McClure and Leon Acevedo; uncles Vinson "Leon" Bourdon and Columbus "Sibs" Bourdon, and cousins Marlene "Muck" LaFrombois, Jesse Jake Carpentier, Charlene Kee and Ruby Bourdon. She is survived by two children, Trevor Anthony Curbs and D'Vea Patience; her parents Roxie and Frank Acevedo; her loving sister Valerie (Shilo); nephew Curtis Lee; grandmother June Acevedo; uncles Tom (Liz) Acevedo, Gary (Laurie) Acevedo, Rick (Marilyn) Acevedo, Alvin McClure and Daniel (Martha) McClure; great uncle Bill Bourdon; her very special cousins Cori McClure Matthew, David McClure and Zion Thomas Bolen. Although Leona left us at such an early age, she must have known that her son Trevor and daughter D'Vea would be left in loving hands with "yi" and "papa" and auntie Val and nunu Shilo. Pallbearers will be Jacques Graham, Adam McDonald, Jimmy Zackuse, Sheldon Shepard, Shilo Brown and Adrian McElderry. Honorary Pallbearers were Chandel Barnaby, Abby Matt, Steven Piedalue, Randy Schock, Numa Caye, Jen and Steven Hammond, Gabe Shepard, Kean Tall Whiteman, Jen Birthmark, Carmelite Matt, Desiree Peone, Sabre Lehti, Zion Thomas Boles, Amanda Decker, Gentry Brown and her numerous "homies." Michael-Marie
Cottet She reached out and grabbed life from the moment she was born. There didn't seem to be anything she wouldn't try at least once. She was constantly talking and no one quite knew what was going to pop out of her mouth at any given moment. Michael-Marie could hold a conversation with any adult and sit down and play with little kids with equal enthusiasm. She had a huge personality in a petite body. Michael-Marie attended school in Plains until high school, and then went to Ronan, St. Ignatius and Pablo. Art was her favorite subject in school and she loved to play baseball in the summer. At 18 she started working at Jore's in the packaging department and was promoted to machine operator in 2006. Her nickname from her co-workers was "Mikey." Michael Marie was pursuing her GED and looking forward to attending college. She always enjoyed the outdoors and especially looked forward to hunting season with either her dad or Uncle Doran, getting a buck this last year. On one hunting trip with her dad and Tyler, she was using her grandpa Mickey's rifle and having trouble seeing through the scope. They told her to just shoot and she did, bagging her first deer. Michael-Marie always surrounded herself with friends and family. A few of her special friends were Abby, Tatiana, Chandel, Val, Alia, Trinity and Leona. You wouldn't find Michael-Marie without her best friend Leona, best friends forever, and unfortunately that came way too soon for both girls. She loved her family and idolized her sister Launita Lynn Christy "Nita." Nita lived life to the fullest and Michael-Marie wanted to follow in her footsteps. Michael-Marie lived on ranches most of her life and thoroughly loved to be around the horses and cows. Her favorite horses were Chip and Dale. The first vehicle she learned to drive was her father's pickup truck until she moved to St. Ignatius her junior year. She lived with her family Grandma Lois, Antie Lori and sister Nita who all spoiled her greatly. The Sanders County Fair was always a favorite with her. The family would camp out at the fair from beginning to end, walk through the animal barns, attend the rodeo and the Demolition Derby. One of her most exciting adventures was taking a ride on a helicopter that helped capture and move mountain sheep from the Perma Valley. The New Zealand pilot gave her quite a thrill by flying upside down over the Flathead River. Survivors include her mother Lorene Yvonne DuMont Mitchell (Gary); father Michael Douglas Cottet (Sharon, Season and Jeremy); sister Launita Christy (Conan); brothers Tyler (Billie) DuMont, Chad Cottet and Tyson Cottet; aunt Lori DuMont and uncles Doran DuMont, Doug DuMont, Dick Molten and Mike Graham (Myrna); grandmas Lois DuMont and Harriet Cottet; nieces Katie, Cheyenne, D'vea, Drew, Chloe and Frankie; nephews Shonko, Jedi, Kanen, Trevor, Curtis, Michael Douglas, Corbin, Dylan and Ty; Jacob, Grandma Cheryl, Poppa Clint, Ona and Tom. Passing before her were Grandpa Mickey, Grandpa Percy, best friend Steven "Bubba" Ash and Leona Acevedo. Michael-Marie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Virginia
Gifford Olson Virginia was born in Lewiston, Idaho to Lester and Anna (Sulier) Gifford on November 8, 1916. When she was 6 weeks old, her father was killed. Left a young widow, her mother Anna made a trip with her baby daughter to Montana to visit her sisters who lived in Valley Creek, near Arlee, Montana. There, Anna met Ed Schall, who was also widowed and had two young daughters. Ed and Anna were married in 1920 and settled on the Schall Ranch near Arlee, where Mary Virginia grew up. She attended the University of Montana at Missoula where she met her husband, Will Olson. While raising a family of four, they lived in Montana, Washington, California, Wisconsin and Florida. Will pursued his career as a newspaper advertising man. She continued her education and graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in microbiology. Virginia's career was in medical laboratory work and she worked for many years in Pensacola, Florida at the Florida State Board of Health as a Microbiologist, retiring in 1980. Later, they moved back to Montana and lived in Polson, overlooking Flathead Lake, for many years. Virginia loved gardening in her beautiful big yard overlooking Flathead Lake and she also loved growing her African Violets. She was a member of the South Shore Garden Club and was a volunteer at the Country Store in Polson. She was a life-long voracious letter writer and was the author of the book "Mountains in the West", a collection of memories of the early families who settled in Valley Creek, Montana in the early 1920's. She loved riding horses and had a varied and interesting life as the child of some of the earlier settlers in Montana and Idaho. She was preceded in death by her husband Will Olson; her father, Lester Gifford; mother, Anna Schall and her beloved baby granddaughter, Cathy Olson. Virginia is survived by her loving family consisting of sons: Curtis G. Olson and his wife Chen Yi of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Chris Olson and wife, Susie, of Polson, Montana; William A. Olson, Jr. and wife, Judy, of Neenah, Wisconsin; and daughter Joy E. Bell and her husband, Robert Bell, of Pensacola, Florida. She is also survived by one brother, Ted Schall of Arlee; and two sisters: Cleo Lytle of Tucson, Arizona and Sidney Powell of Arlee, brother-in-law, Arnold Helding of Arlee; sisters-in-law: Betty Schall of Arlee and Dorothy Wendt of Great Falls, Montana. Virginia loved her grandchildren and they cherished her too. Surviving their Grandma are Amy Hansen, Carol Madden, Danny Olson, Andy Olson, Anna Olson, Cindy Pritchard, Jeremy Olson, and Donny Olson. Virginia is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Ronan, Montana at a later date, where her remains will be placed with her husband, William Olson. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses, staff and caregivers at Four Seasons Assisted Living Community in Coeur d'Alene, ID, where Virginia lived for the past year. They were good to her and she was very fond of them all. Local arrangements are under the direction of
Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory in Polson. Melton
David Montgomery, Jr. Monty was a hard working young man who loved and helped his parents. His first job was for the McAlear Dairy, as was many local children, with Ethel's uncle Earl. Monty learned charity and a life-long feeling for others less fortunate from Earl who often told his youthful workers to leave milk for families despite them having no milk money, because they had little ones. Monty began working for Mallory's Market at age 12 before and after school until he graduated from Polson High School in 1942. He was a good student and an outstanding all-star athlete. He led Polson teams to State Championships in most of the years he played basketball, football, and track. He loved to ice skate, but his greatest love was hunting and fishing. In later years, as Monty and Ethel flew to visit a daughter on Alaska Airlines, a flight attendant saw them holding hands and ask how long they had been married: the answer 56 years. She then asked about their long and happy marriage and Monty promptly said, "It's because we hunt and fish together". She brought them drinks "on the house". Monty served in the US Navy in WWII, training as a pilot in many bases in the Midwest. He married Ethel at the height of the war, August 29. 1944, while she was in training at MSU as a Cadet Nurse. After his Honorable Discharge, they resided in MT. Vernon, WA, and then moved to Spokane where Monty attended Kinnman Business College. In 1946, Ethel and Monty returned to their beloved Polson with two infants. Two more daughters were born at the old Hotel Dieu Hospital where Ethel was sometimes called to her nursing career. Monty ran the Union 76 station on Main Street and later the Texaco station on HW 93 at the Bridge. They had many friends and a lively social life, with Monty a lifelong member of the BPOE and Ethel in Eastern Star. Monty was always a cheerful, friendly, good businessman who looked out for his customers and his workers, who were also lifelong friends. After a time, Ethel and Monty left Polson for Billings, Denver and Spokane. Monty worked for General Motors, Asbestos Manhattan and lastly Bearing and Rim Supply of Spokane. Throughout these years, every holiday was spent in Polson and part of each summer at the McAlear cabin on Flathead Lake. He was very happy when Bearing and Rim opened a store in Missoula and he and family were able to return to their beloved Montana. After his and Ethel's retirement, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his wife, daughter Pam, son-in-law, grandsons and his best friend Chuck Dixon. Monty and Ethel celebrated their 60th Anniversary in Polson in 2004 with over 120 friends and family. Monty lived and full and rich life with his beloved daughters, grandsons and two great-grandsons. He was close to his only sister, Eva Lou Moran of Ronan, as well as his nieces and nephews. Monty was a fair and honest man in all of his dealings, loved his family and friends, worked hard his entire life, and loved nature and Montana. He had a short illness which he managed as he did his life, with dignity and humor. He will be missed by those he left behind, his beloved best friend and wife of 62 years, Ethel McAlear Montgomery, daughters Karen Kay Dunwell (Keith) of Wiltshire, England; Connie Jean Potter (Murray) of Las Cruces, NM; Pamela Marie Ebel (Fred) of Missoula; and Theresa Faye Jones of Bamberg, Germany; grandsons Jess and Chuck Ebel of Missoula, Mike Ebel (Heidi) of Salem, OR, and David Jones (Julie) of Chickasha, OK. Monty was especially happy with his great-grandsons Benjamin (Mike and Heidi Ebel) and Scott (David and Julie). Condolences can be sent to Ethel at the Village at Community Hospital where she is currently recovering from heart failure. Any donations can be made to the Polson-Flathead Historical Museum, founded by Ethel's father, J.F. "Fay" McAlear. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com George
Blood George served 20 years in the U.S. Army, including duty in Vietnam and across the United States. He retired in 1981, to raise his children in his home valley, where he worked for the irrigation project as a ditch rider until his retirement in 1993. He was always well loved by his friends and neighbors and will be greatly missed. George was born on Feb. 23, 1939, in Polson and passed away surrounded by his family Feb. 16, 2007, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. George
W. Sharp The outdoors was George's place of comfort and he could often be found fishing, hunting, driving in the mountains, and picking mushrooms for his culinary creations. He was a very talented architect and had designed the old Heidelhaus in Missoula. George enjoyed landscaping and practiced this art while living in Seattle. Comments were often heard that he had the best-looking yard in Indiantown. George had a knack for making a living doing things he loved. He was a regular stickgame player and rarely missed the Arlee Pow Wow. He was quite famous for his story telling and had several books in progress. George enjoyed his many friends, and as a compassionate man, his home was open to many people, friends old and new, who were in need. George was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Gebuck (Kenneth) Ahlborn, Helen Morrison, Joyce Lozeau, Carl Luddington, John Sharp and Delores Slawson. He is survived by his sisters, Geraldine (Billy) Larsen and Esther Baylor and his brother, Daryl Lozeau. He is also survived by the mothers of his children, Naett Sharp and Ann Masten. George leaves behind six children, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His children include Jero Sharp, Jera Stewart, John (Kathleen) Sharp, Joan Sharp, Fawn (Daniel) Malvini and Fran (Carol) Cahoon. George's grandchildren are Alyssa (Ryan) Schock, Jaci (Chad) Agustin, Sydney Allard, Kelsey Sharp, Nathan Sharp, Javan Jordon, Emerald Zuri Green, Daniel Malvini Jr., Cristy (Rick) Mitchell, Heather Cahoon (Jesse King), Francis (Katie) Cahoon, Jody (Juan) Perez, Eldon (Jessie) Cahoon, Daniel Cahoon, Brian Cahoon and Kelsey (Mike) Hansen. George's great-grandchildren are Dylan Schock, Melissa Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell, Michael Mitchell, Megan Mitchell, Amy Mitchell, Olivia Perez, Jonathon Perez, Robert Perez and Sierra Perez. Dheryl
Lee Walton Russell
E. Cone He and his wife Lois were foster parents to over 50 infants raising them from birth until adoption. Russell was a 'maintenance man' working as a mechanic or carpenter, and loved the many jobs he had throughout his life. He retired from Sun Air Electronics in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he was affiliated with the maintenance department for 25 years. Russell was active in the St. Ignatius Alliance Church where he helped establish the Christian Lending Library of St. Ignatius. He also helped establish the Willis A Boughton Library in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, along with The First United Methodist Church of Okeechobee, Florida, which honored both Russell and his wife by naming their library The Lois and Russell Cone Church Library. Russell is survived by his wife of 60 years Lois (Hummell); children Leta (Roy) Sasser, grandchildren Tania (Robert) Bachman and their children Connor and Jacob, Jayme Sasser, LeAnne (Jeremy) Sasser-Collins and children Alissa and Elijah and Christopher (Sequoia) Sasser and their children Anteries, Athena, and LiVanna and David (Mary) Cone and child Thomas Hiles. Russell will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A combination church/memorial service will be held Sunday, February 24th at the St. Ignatius Missionary Alliance Church, service begins at 10:30, followed by a covered dish dinner. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the local Christian Lending Library at the St. Ignatius Church. Dawn
Raymond Mitchell Alexander A descendant of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe, she was born in Butte, Montana to Clifford & Delores Raymond she returned to the Reservation as a young adult and married Don Mitchell. Later she married Louie Alexander. She was a loving mother and wife and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She leaves behind her special friend Rory Couture; sons Donald Isadore (Sashay Camel, wife) & Danny and daughter Tashina Rene; a sister Deanne Milanie and brothers Bill & Jim; grand-daughter Rickisha Bear; and a large extended family of in laws and friends A wake will be held Wednesday evening at the Arlee Community Center in Arlee with funeral services on Friday morning at the Center. Burial will follow in the Jocko Cemetery. Adeline
Paul Abraham Mathias Atliyi joins the ancestors, her parents: Peter Paul and Lizette Abraham, husband, Michel Mathias, lifelong husband, Alec Lefthand; sons, Barney, Patrick and Joseph Mathias; brother, Camille Kenmille; grandsons Duane Albert and Joseph Mathias Jr.; granddaughter, Tony Girl Mathias, great grandson Jeremy Stiffarm and best friend Marianne Michel. She leaves behind daughters: Margaret Mathias Friedlander and son-in law, Kenneth Friedlander, Sr., Dayton, Amelia Grant of Ronan, Edna Lefthand of Polson, Patricia Hewankorn of Dayton, and sons, Wain (Cheryl Ann) Lefthand and Kenny Lefthand of Elmo; Sisters, Oshanee Kenmille, Pablo, Helen Charlo, Elmo and Louise Abraham, Bonners Ferry, ID; Grandchildren Kenneth (Charlene) Friedlander, Joe (Mary) Friedlander, Velda (Bruce) Shelby, Tamara Hamel and Talu (Gracie) Sam, all of Pablo; Karen Friedlander and Mike McCuistion, Otis Orchards, WA, Cyndi Iron Cloud, Spokane, WA, Rhonda Friedlander and Ted Bessette, Omak, WA, Jon (Debra) Mathias of St. Ignatius, Lois Friedlander and Dave Johnson, Dayton, Kym Mathias of Pasadena, CA, Gina Johnson of California along with numerous great grand kids and great great grandkids. She became a second mother to Octave Finley, Bear Bear Malatare, Howard Michel, Terry Jack, Gabe Pierre, Levi Big Beaver and was grandmother to all who claimed her. At age 7, she spoke her first English word, mispronouncing "walla" for water. She was fluent in Latin from Catholic prayer completing her formal education at the Sisters of Charity Ursalines in St. Ignatius where she medaled in choir. As a young woman, she was employed as a jockey in area fairs, ran a saw mill with her father and husband, worked a horse ranch, served as a pow-wow policewoman, harvested seasonal fruit from the Bitterroot to the Yakima valleys and supported her family through tanning buckskins and exquisite beadwork. As a master tanner and beader, she applied the traditional techniques and designs of her grandmothers in cradleboards, moccasins, dresses, purses, and other apparel. Atliyi enjoyed hunting, huckleberrying, gathering roots, ice fishing and preparing traditional foods. She was the most powerful vocalist of her people because she believed that singing expressed spirituality and she was grateful to be apart of this glorious world. She was an avid stickgame player and enjoyed poker and waluks. She became a fixture at local casinos playing keno and bingo usually going for broke to win a big jackpot so she could stake all her friends. It was never about the money, just enjoying the company of family and friends. She was employed by the Kootenai Culture Committee to the time of her passing. Adeline expected the best of her people and spent endless hours teaching all that she knew. Atliyi was the epitomy of a compassionate Kootenai woman and while very few met her standards, in her aura we all walked a little taller and tried a little harder. She will be missed by the many close friends, caregivers and relatives from throughout the Northwest. Pallbearers will be Sonny Burke, Mose Pierre, Jr., Howard Kallowatt Jr., Michael Hewankorn, Arthur Caye, and John Malatare, Jr. Cross Bearer is Jackie Mathias. Honorary pallbearers are all her grandsons, orphaned children and all those serving in the U.S Military Armed Forces. Wake services will begin on Wednesday February 14, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the Elmo Hall. The Rosary service will begin at 8:00 pm on Thursday February 15, 2007. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday February 16, 2007 at 10:00 am at the Elmo Hall followed with burial at the Dayton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Raymond
"Cub" Baylor Ray worked as a foreman of the model shop for an appliance manufacturer in St. Cloud, Minnesota for over 20 years helping design many of the freezers we used in our homes. His first wife, Avis passed away in 1981. After his retirement, he moved back to the Flathead Reservation in western Montana and married Berna Hayford. In his later years he loved visitors and phone calls, he would say, "Oh my goodness" and smile. Survivors include his sister Lois "Taddy" Carlson and brother Francis "Hank" Baylor. Sons: Ray Jr., Craig and Darrell; daughter in laws: Debbie, Julie and Zoe. Grandchildren: Uriah, Jesse, Matthew, Desiray and Jack. Great-grandson Anthony. Step-grandsons: T.Ryan, Sean and Conner. Step-daughter Mona, several nieces and nephews. Cub was preceded in death by both wives, Avis and Berna; his sisters, Racheal Vance, Irene Markuson, Agnes "Tillie" Morrison; and his brothers, Robert, Howard "Spud". Memorial services will be held in Montana and Minnesota in May or June of this year. Any memorials may be sent to The American Cancer Association in Honor of Ray Baylor. Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home of St. Ignatius is assisting with arrangements. Lynn
Collette Shelby Lynn, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, was born on September 12, 1953 at the Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius, Montana to Dorothy (Morigeau) and Robert Shelby. Lynn grew up in Arlee. She began her education in Arlee, and went on to Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma, then to Roswell, NM and completed her education at the Southwest Indian Polytechnical Institute, receiving her degree in Graphic Arts. With this degree she went to work for the Char-Koosta, first in Dixon and then Pablo. She also worked for the Forest Service in Stevensville and also at the Irvine Lookout. She later on became self employed by post & poling, collecting pine cones and huckleberry picking; Lynn and Stella were also very well known for their excellent Christmas tree sales. Lynn was always one with the mountains. She chose to spend a majority of her time sharing her knowledge and culture with the younger generation. Whether it be a camping, fishing, or going for drive in the woods, it was always considered time well spent. Lynn enjoyed being around her family, nieces and nephews and the young people. She was an excellent mechanic and loved the outdoors where she would hike, hunt and fish amongst other things. Lynn loved to travel but she always loved it best when she came home. A wonderful woman with a big heart, Lynn was considerate to everyone, even once giving a hitchhiker the coat off her back. She will be greatly missed and will always be with us in our hearts. Lynn is preceded in death by her grandparents on each side, her parents, brothers Dennis Shelby, Dale Shelby and Rusty Fiddler, nieces Shasta and Lindsey. She leaves behind her partner of 18 years Stella Morigeau of Arlee, brothers Bruce (Velda) Shelby of Pablo and Gary Shelby of Arlee, sisters Deeda (Neil) Adams of Arlee and Zelda “Zag” (Charlie) Charlo, Connie Stevens of Deer Lodge, Arlene Brown of New Mexico, granddaughter Yolanda, god daughter Melinda Charlo and Aunt Alice “Abby” Gardipe of Arlee and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Charles
Felsman A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, Charlie was born in Seattle, WA on May 5, 1952. Raised by his parents Dorothy (Eneas) and Harold Felsman in Arlee he graduated from Arlee High School in 1971 where he excelled in wrestling, football and boxing. He then went to Haskell Indian School in Kansas before getting drafted into the US Army. Charlie proudly served his country before returning to Arlee and later St. Ignatius. Charlie worked as a flagger, fire fighter and as tree planter among the many things he made his living from. He came from a traditional family and enjoyed being in the mountains and fishing. Although Charlie never married, he had a knack for talking, he loved to talk and keep people company. He was a good friend to many and will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Joe Eneas; father Harold Felsman, uncles Pete Eneas, Carl Felsman, JoeDog Felsman and Mike Finley and great uncle Blind Mose. Survivors include his mother Dorothy (Clarence Hunter) Felsman of Arlee, brother Joe (Jeanie) Felsman of Ronan and sister Kathy Felsman of St. Ignatius as well as numerous aunts, cousins and friends. Phyllis
Jean (Archibald) Norton Phyllis had one brother and four sisters. Phyllis moved and married Charles Norton of Ephrata, WA. They wed in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on February 29th, 1940. Phyllis was a loving mother and homemaker. She loved to sew and travel and loved her two dogs Boo and Spook, who were her constant companions in later years. She will be loved and missed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Charles and three sons Leonard, William and Richard and a daughter LouElla Martin. Survivors include her three daughters Peggy Smith, Nancy Gothmann and Ethel Norton and two sons Chuck Norton and Roy Norton, many grandchildren and great grandchildren and her close friend and care provider of 12 years, Marge Rollins. Sherry
Ann Henderson Sherry, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootania Tribes, was born Feb 17, 1952, in St. Ignatius to Norris L. and Jean (DePoe) Schwarz. She married Bill Henderson on Feb 4, 1969. They resided in San Diego while Bill was in the service. From there, they made their home in Lebanon, Ore, for 29 years. During their time in Lebanon, Sherry was a homemaker and full time mother to 28 long-term foster children. After Bill retired, they made their home on Dog Lake, near Plains, where they have resided for four years. She is preceded in death by her father, Norris, grandparents, Bill and Clara Schwarz, Ray and Gerry Fulkerson; uncles Bob DePoe and Glen Fulkerson; aunts Lorraine McGee, Lauile Nelson and Marie Dixon. She is survived by her husband Bill, her mother and stepfather, Jean Schwarz and Charlie Griffith; brothers Bill (Margaret) and Michael Schwarz; one aunt, two uncles, numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Sherry's gentle, caring and giving personality, combined with her artistic and creative talents, will be remembered by all who knew her. As an organ donor, Sherry continues to give life through death. Cremation has taken place. Graveside services took place on March 7 at the Lakeview Cemetery in Polson. A celebration of life followed at the Indian Senior Citizen Center in Polson. Bunch-Toews Chapels of Plains was in charge of the arrangements. |
