For the Record
September 2011

David Edward Chenette
CHARLO — David Edward Chenette, 74, passed away September 25, 2011, at his home in Charlo. He was born in St. Ignatius to David A. Chenette and Margaret Houle.

Dave attended schools in Ronan and Hot Springs. He retired in 2001 as a maintenance supervisor for the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Dave returned to Montana where he continued his lifelong interest in hunting, fishing and dog handling. He enjoyed serving as a Habitat Manager for Pheasants Forever and landscaping his acreage in Charlo.

Dave is survived by his wife Betty; Washington relatives: former wife Lynn Rodgers; son Brian Chenette; daughter Michelle Hughes; and grandchildren Orion and Aurora Hughes; niece Tori Young-Scott; sister Leona (Dec.); brother Jerry Chenette (Janice); niece Diana Keller; nephew Robert Young, Jr.; sister Leona (Dec.) of Nashville, TN; Dec. sister Phyllis’ children residing in Lewiston, ID. Annette Russell, Steve and Jeff Johnson; uncle Donald Chenette of Pahrump, NV; Oregon relatives: niece Traci Chenette and stepdaughters Rebecca Duffy (Robert); and granddaughter Allena Salas, Kristin Emminger (Bill); and grandson Jaden Emminger; stepson/helper Michael Schroedel of Dixon.

Dave was a proud CS&K Tribal elder and blessed with many close cousins from the Houle, Crawford, and Doney families of the Flathead Reservation. He is missed by his Labrador, best-friends Montana Maggie and Big Jake of the Ninepipes.

Cremation has taken place. A family celebration of Dave’s life is being planned.

Taressa Rae Burke-WolfTail
ELMO — Taressa Rae Burke-WolfTail was born early September 15, 2011 and passed away shortly after at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Polson due to premature birth.

Parents are Kimberly Burke (of Elmo) and Gordon WolfTail-Wells Jr. (of Heart-Butte).

She is survived by her mother, Kimmie; her father, Gordie; her older brother Isaiah WolfTail-Wells; her “papa” Willie Burke; “ya-ya” Michelle Mitchell; and her “amas” Sheila Mitchell (Michael Hewankorn); her great-grandparents: Anastasia Burke (Joe Finley), Nina Swimmer (Ford Swimmer) William Burke Sr. (Dorothy Burke) and George Mitchell (Lynette Mitchell); aunts: Brittany Hewankorn, Stephanie Thomas, Alisha Thomas, Kaila Snell, Karli Burke, Marcela Matt (Artie Matt), Miranda Wells, Vanetta Wells (Ram Wells) Darcy Enick, Odessa WolfTail-Wells, Bobbie Pepion; uncles: Kurtis Snell (Shavonne Whitworth), Eneas Hammer Jr. (Noelle Deneault), Brandon James, Leonard Burke, Michael Burke, Charles Jackson (Yolanda Jackson), Jordan Jackson, William WolfTail (Crystal WolfTail), and Lonnie Enick, Deshane Greene; her sister-of-the-heart SunRose Hewankorn; great-aunts: Cecille Burke, Darlene Burke, Rosie Burke, Shelley Parker, Tammy James Pino (Ryan Pino), Dovita Finley, Delinda Nickoli (Frank Nickoli); great-Uncles: Arnie Burke, Clayton Burke (Rene’ Kenille), Ron Mitchell (Toni Mitchell), Denny Parker, Kevin James (LoLita Crespin), Jima James (BreAnne James); and her many, many cousins.

She is preceded in death by her grandfather Gordon Wells, Sr., great-grandparents Art and Gloria Trahan, Joseph Jackson, Clara Old Chief, and William Wells.

A graveside service was held Saturday, September 17, 2011 in Dayton.

Josephine Mae Hernandez
ST. IGNATIUS — Josephine “Josie” Mae Hernandez, 59, passed away September 11, 2011 at St. Patrick’s Hospital.

A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, she was born in St. Ignatius to Eli and Agnes (Hewankorn) Alexander on November 21, 1952. Raised in St. Ignatius, she went to Great Falls to become a dental hygienist and later returned to work for Tribal Health Dental in St. Ignatius. Josie also worked as a teacher for Headstart and was currently employed at Two Eagle River School as a cook for the past few years.

Josie enjoyed picking huckleberries and mushrooms, being with her grandkids; cleaning, visiting and hanging with her girls (Amber, Gabe and Misty) and chasing all the kids out of her house.

She was preceded in death by both parents; brothers Isaac, Levi, “Porky” William and Francis Alexander; sisters Rose Morigeau, Cecilia Alexander and Christine Gates; her nephew Elijah Alexander and a daughter Jolene Plouffe.

Survivors include her daughter Amber (Ray) Galarneau; sons Levi Alexander and Thomas Gates; brothers Louie Alexander and Richard (Bernie) Alexander and “the boys” and Andy (Florence) Alexander; sister “Lulu” Alexander; her nieces Gabrielle (Charles) Alexander, Jessica Morigeau, Tina Morigeau, Monique (Adrian) AfterBuffalo, Jennifer (McLuvin) Amaya and Wilhelmina Adams; her nephews Richard Morigeau, Jarvis Ashley, Isaiah Ashley, Anthony and Eli Alexander; her four spoiled brats Katrina Stevens, Misty Rain, Isaac and Levi, 30 grandchildren, as well as numerous aunts uncles and cousins.

A special thanks to her aunties Helen, Millie and Kathy and cousin Dorothy for all their help.

A traditional wake was held in the Longhouse and the Rosary was recited on Tuesday evening. Wake closing was Wednesday in the Longhouse with Mass celebrated in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment followed in Snyelmn Sntmtmne.

Albert Gerard Ackermann
RONAN — Albert Gerard Ackermann passed away Sunday September 4, 2011 at 8:23 am at his home in Ronan. He left behind his wife Kathy of ten years and three children from another marriage, Arlene and Dennis of Ronan and Gary of Pablo. He had twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his twin brother Joe Ackermann of Tehachapi, CA and sister Virginia Clements of Clinton.

Al was born March 29, 1946 in Burbank, CA and later graduated from high school in Lakeport, CA. He had married and went on to discover that his love for airplanes would be a big part of jis life. He was an aircraft pilot and flew Cessna 172. He later worked for Lockeed L-10-11, then Rockwell International B1-B, then McDonald Douglas C-17.

He decided to move to Ronan where he lived and died.

Al never stopped loving planes. He made model airplanes that hang throughout the house. He had a great sense of humor and loved his family till his death. Fly the skies Al, you’ll be missed.

A special “Thank you” goes out to his father-in-law ray LeBrun of Ronan for his love and support for the whole family.

Funeral services will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 35933 Round Butte Rd in Ronan on Thursday, September 8 at 10:30 am. The church doors will be open after 9 a.m. for flowers.