For the Record
January 2011

Lewis Howard Barnaby
DIXON — Lewis Howard "Own Boss" Barnaby, 48, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2011 in Missoula.

A member of the Salish & Kootenai Tribe, he was born on Dec 12, 1962 in St. Ignatius to John and Hazel Stanislaw Barnaby.

Louie was a happy-go lucky person who enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to go hunting and woodcutting. In school he was involved with basketball, Indian Club activities and was always there to help anyone who needed something fixed. He was truly a "thumbs up" kind of dude. In his younger days he fought fires until his arthritis took over on him.

He was preceded in death by his Yaya Annie and Selah Joe Stanislaw; his kene' Catherine LaRance; his sister Mary and her children and sisters Valdena and Kathleen.

He leaves behind his parents John and Hazel Barnaby; siblings Philip (Jackie), Leo, Martin (Sharon), Tony (Sandra), Sonny Lozeau (Drenda), Vic (Dee), Larry, Joe Butterfly, Sam (Aide) and Lloyd; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

A wake began Tuesday in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with the Rosary being recited Wednesday. Mass will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with burial following in Camas Prairie.

Val Gene Louis “Big Tom” Thomas
ARLEE — Val Gene Louis “Big Tom” Thomas, 73, passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, in Arlee.

Big Tom was well-known in the Jocko Valley, his remains will be scattered later this year.

He is survived by his children Mark, Deano, Monte, Terry, Jolene, Dawn, Darren and Kevin.

James Andrew “Jimmy” Hawk
ST. IGNATIUS — James Andrew “Jimmy” Hawk, 40, passed away at his home on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011.

Born in Ronan on Aug. 2, 1970, to James L Hawk and Mary J. Paul Quequesah, he was raised in the Ronan, St. Ignatius and Charlo area, graduating from Two Eagle River School.

A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, he had been employed at S&K Electronics for the last 13 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cutting wood, being with his friends and playing with his grandson Kaleb (his number one).

He was preceded in death by his father James; and grandparents Agnes and John Peter Paul. He leaves behind his loving mother Josephine Quequesah; daughter Alyza (Shaun Hammer) and grandson Kaleb of the family home; his children Brandon and Brittany of Washington; his special friend Lisa Lozeau; his sisters and brothers: Mary Jane (Dwight) Billedeaux, Richard (Val) Inmee, Mary Ann (River) Jacob, Janice Tiegen, Rose (Tino) Samuels, Billie Collier (David Allen), Eneas (Linda) Inmee, Lola Hawk, Jami Hawk and Linda (Kenny) Ebner; aunt Janie Waubaunsee; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins along with his other half and best friend forever, Steve Clairmont.

A rosary was held Tuesday, with Mass celebrated on Wednesday, Jan. 12, in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Burial followed in the Paul Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Steve Clairmont, Russ Burland, Tim Atwin, Wendall “Woody” Red Cloud, Kevin Dupuis, and Philip “Phil” Courville.

Foster Funeral Home and Crematory were in charge of the arrangements.

Bertha “Sis” Marie Dempsey
LAYTON, Utah — Bertha (Sis) Marie Dempsey, age 82, of Spokane, Washington passed away at her son’s home in Layton, Utah on January 21, 2011. She was born March 25, 1928 in St. Ignatius, Montana to Samuel and Elizabeth Gebeau Barber.

She is a member of the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes. She grew up in Ronan, Montana. She graduated top of her class from Ronan High School in 1947. She married John R Dempsey on December 31, 1946 in Ronan, Montana. They moved to Spokane, Washington where they raised 5 children: four sons, and one daughter.

She studied Senior and Elder Care, earning an Associate’s Degree in Gerontology at the Spokane Community College.

Sis was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary in Spokane, Washington and had tended bar at the Spokane VFW for a time.

She loved music and to dance and sing. She had many friends and was known for her great sense of humor and sharp wit. She was loved for being a teller of good stories. The most important thing in her life was her family. She was a grandmother of 20 and great grandmother of 19.

She is survived by her sons, Steven Dempsey of Spokane, WA; James (Deniese) Dempsey of Layton, Utah; and daughter Janine (Larry) Taggart of Snohomish, Washington. Her parents, four brothers, her husband and two sons: J. Michael Dempsey, MD; and Daniel Shawn Dempsey preceded her in death.

Services will be announced and held at a later date.

For condolences to the family, please refer to serenicare.com.

Dennis “Cabe” Wayne Sessions
RONAN — Dennis “Cabe” Wayne Sessions, a member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2011. Dennis was born June 16, 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dennis is survived by his mother Lois Carlson of Ronan; father Bruce Sessions of Chico, CA; partner Mona Hayford of Post Creek; nephew Jay McElderry of Missoula; niece M’Lissa McElderry of St. Ignatius; great niece Rowan McElderry of St. Ignatius; niece Vanessa Ashwood of Wisconsin and nephew Brian Schlemmer of Chico, CA; his band brothers Calvin Tanner, Curstin Teigen and Charles Fyant.

Preceding him in death are all four grandparents; brother Bruce Sessions; sister Patti Sessions; and many aunts, uncles and cousins from the Henry Matt family of Arlee and Berna Hayford.

Dennis grew up as a military dependent while Mr. Sessions was serving in the Navy. At an early age Cabe, took an interest in the guitar and landscaping. Cabe lived in Washington and worked for several years grafting fruit trees, after which he moved back to Montana where he was a landscaper and was employed by several local people including Doug Allard, Toots McCollum, Gertie Joy, Bill and Pert Wunderlick and Susie Hunt, all of St. Ignatius.

Cabe enjoyed doing beadwork, being outdoors and especially fishing, football and boxing. Mostly he loved paying guitar, rehearsing and hanging out with his band brothers from the current band “Bad Blood.”

Dennis wished to leave the following message to everyone: “Quit Smoking!”

Per Dennis’s request there will be graveside services at a later date. Dennis also request that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the American Cancer Society.

Margaret Johnston
BOWIE, TX — Margaret Johnston passed away peacefully at daughter Shirne Robinson’s home in Bowie, Texas at 7 p.m. on January 8, 2011. She was 80 years old. She was born on July 5, 1930 in St. Ignatius to Florence Matt Silva and Mike P. Silva.

The Lord saw how much pain our mother was in and he took her home to be with him. Our mother is now pain free and resides in the house of Lord and with her husband Lion Johnston. She’s with her three brothers Ray Silva and Robert and Frank and sister Mary, as well as her mother. We all will miss her so very much.

She is survived by her brother Robert Silva of Osburn, Idaho; sister Helen Rhine of Polson; sons Mike McClode of Polson, Butch Moore of Arizona and George Moore of Charlo; daughters Helen Fleder of Sherman, Texas, Shirne Robinson of Bowie, Texas and Juanita Johnson of Pablo. Margaret was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Our mother was a strong woman and she kept us in line. Our mother enjoyed a variety of things. She liked to play cards with us all; she liked to sew and make quilts. She also liked to keep her yard looking nice. She liked to play poker with us. She liked to go to Worley with her sister Helen to play bingo and poker. She enjoyed going ice fishing with her son George with whom she was also a horseshoe league with for a long time. She liked to can fruits and vegetables and make tamales with her sister Helen. Mom liked to go in the mountains and pick huckleberries so she could make jelly and cakes with them.

Our mother loved to have big family diners; she liked her family around her. Our mom liked to cook. She worked for the Tribal head start as a cook in Ronan and she cooked in Elmo and in Pablo and at Blue Bay for a while. She said she liked cooking for the little kids. She also said she liked going to Blue Bay because it was so beautiful there.

Our mother was a tribal member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She was very proud of our heritage. Our mother lived a very proud and full life. She touched so many lives. We will all miss her very much. But we know she is in a better place now with our Lord. We will rejoice in Heaven when we are all together again one day.

Cards and remembrances can be sent to Juanita Johnson at 35655 Clairmont Rd, Ronan, MT, 59864

Iner J. Twoteeth
HELENA — Iner J. Twoteeth, 49, of Helena passed away Jan. 11, 2011. He was born Aug. 13, 1961, to Robert and Sharon Ann Twoteeth in Helena.

As a firefighter, Iner traveled throughout the United States and was a firefighter with the Helena Hot Shots, Miff Crew, and he was a crew boss.

Iner had many hobbies. He was a black belt in judo, and he loved to hike the mountains where he would make a fire camp and sit around with family listening to Elvis and talk about the old times.

He enjoyed working out and lifting weights, joking around with his family and friends. Iner also loved to go to the Arlee Powwow to gather with family to camp out and play blackjack. Iner truly loved his family and being around all of his nieces and nephews and loved each of them very much.

He is preceded in death by his father Robert Twoteeth; niece Tiffany Twoteeth; and numerous relatives.

Iner is survived by his wife Valarie Twoteeth; daughter Kelli Twoteeth; mother Sharon Ann Twoteeth; brothers Duffy (Jeannie) Twoteeth, Calvin (KK) Twoteeth, Kevin (Tanya) Twoteeth, James (Heidi) Twoteeth and Butch (Shaina) Nomee; sisters Bernadine Twoteeth, Roberta (Bill) Twoteeth-Warren and Roberta (Larry) White; uncle Chuck (Sarah) Twoteeth; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Service were under the direction of Foster Funeral Home of St. Ignatius.

Kenneth Roy Gordon
ARLEE — Kenneth Roy Gordon, 50, of Nevada, passed away Monday, January 10, 2011, of injuries sustained in a car accident.

Ken was born August 20, 1960, the son of Franklin and Beverly Zoe (Nelson) Gordon in Delta, Colorado. Ken graduated from Arlee High School in 1978, and graduated from Montana State University in 1981. He married Cindy Tiensvold on June 13, 1981, in Missoula. Ken worked for 3M as a Global Manufacturing Manager for 31 years. He was active with the United Way and Octagon Center Fundraising.

Ken enjoyed biking,

golfing, home improvement projects, traveling, fishing, hiking, hunting, woodworking and restoring cars.

Ken is survived by his wife, Cindy of Nevada; his three children, Daniel and his fiancé Melanie of St. Paul, MN, Steven of San Francisco and Mark of Ames; his parents, Frank and Zoe of Arlee; and brothers, Gary (Patti) of Columbia Falls and Casey of St. Paul, MN.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 15 in Ames, Iowa.

A visitation in Arlee will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Arlee Community Center followed by graveside services at noon in Jocko Cemetery in Arlee. A Reception will follow in the Brown Building in Arlee.

Memorials may be sent to State Bank and Trust in Nevada, MO in Ken's name where a memorial fund has been established.

James Bureau
SANDY, OR — Sandy resident, James Bureau died at his home with his loving family beside him on Monday, January 31, 2011 after a long battle with cancer. He was 61.

A Celebration of his life will be held at Sandy Funeral Home on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 1 p.m.

James Allen Bureau was born on November 23, 1949 in St. Ignatius, Montana to Florence McDougall. Jim was adopted and raised by Henry and Hazel Bureau in Polson and received his schooling there. On January 27, 1969 Jim entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged on May 15, 1970. He then furthered his education and attended electrical trade school in Salt Lake City, Utah. One year later, he received his electrician's certificate.

In 1971, Jim married Barbara Donovan, whom he had met in high school. They had two children, Joseph and Angela. They were later divorced.

In August of 1977, Jim met his future wife, Brenda Bevier. They were united in marriage on January 7, 1978. They had two children together, Tyler and Danny and raised their four children in Sandy.

For the last 15 years, Jim owned and operated Sandy Chainsaw. He was a well-loved and respected man of the Sandy community.

Jim enjoyed coaching his boys during baseball and football season and kart racing. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and entertaining. He spent time golfing and riding his Harley. Jim lived life to the fullest and had a zest for life. He took great pride in running his business and his heritage as a Tribal Member of the Flathead, Salish and Kootenai Tribe in Polson, Montana.

Surviving is his wife Brenda of 34 years; his sons, Joe Bureau and wife Tara of Boise, Idaho, Tyler Bureau and wife Meredith of Sandy and Dan Bureau and wife Kelsey of Boise, Idaho and his daughter, Angela Endicott and husband Jacob of Sandpoint, Idaho; sister Debra Earling of Missoula; brothers Dennis Earling of Spokane, Washington and Robbie Earling of Missoula; six grandchildren, Taylor, Ella, Aubrey, Jack, Colton and Lucas; and many cherished friends.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Sandy V.F.W. Post #4273 - P.O. Box 404 Sandy, Oregon 97055.

The Veteran's War Society will have a memorial for James at the 2011 Arlee Powwow.