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Carl Axel Benson
Carl Axel Benson, 81, died at home on May 20, 2004.
He was born in Whitefish on July 30, 1922, to Bert D. and Eva Benson. Bert's parents, John and Annie, came to the Whitefish area from Colorado in 1911.
John and Bert were skilled carpenters and masons and helped build many of the buildings in Whitefish, including the Central School, Presbyterian Church and Odd Fellows Hall.
Like his father and grandfather, Carl could build and fix anything.
Carl attended school in Whitefish and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1941.
Although he had a strong opinion that women should not be assigned to work in "his" airplane engine shop, he met his match in Frances M. Mole, a woman Marine from Lawrence, Kan., who was assigned to the shop in 1944. They married later that year just prior to Carl shipping out to the Pacific.
After the war, Carl and Fran moved to back to Whitefish where they raised four children: Carol, Larry "Butch," Barbara and Michael. Carl worked all his life in the lumber industry, working some 30 years for Royal Logging of Columbia Falls.
After retirement, Carl and Fran traveled extensively in their motor home. Carl also built and flew remote controlled airplanes. He was meticulous in all he built and had a wonderful sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by Bert in 1967; Eva in 1978; and his brother, Howard, in 2003.
Carl is survived by his wife, Frances, of 59 years, at the family home; daughters, Carol and her husband, Dick Hubley, of Riddle, Ore., and Barbara and her husband, David Neumann, of Libby; sons, Butch and Mike of Kalispell; as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Carl wanted to be cremated without service and fanfare and his ashes to be scattered privately by his family after Frances' death.
Clyle Novak
Clyle A. "Bud" Novak, 73, died peacefully, with the hope of a resurrection to a paradise earth firmly on his mind, at the home he shared with his daughter, Sarah Wilson and her husband Curtis, in Whitefish.
He was born Oct. 25, 1930, in Rice Lake, Wis., to James and Ellenor Novak.
He grew up on the family dairy farm in Sheldon, Wis. After high school, he continued his education at the University of Wisconsin and later at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. He paid his own way through college by working at various jobs including horse logging in Idaho, setting bowling pins and at a mortuary. He obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's in biology. It was while he was in college that he met his beloved wife Delores, to whom he was married until she died in 1990. He and Delores had four sons and four daughters.
He and his growing family lived in several different states as he served in the U. S. Marines and then the Air Force, later taught chemistry at the University of Utah in Logan, Utah. He worked for the Game and Fish Department in the Badlands and then the Black Hills of South Dakota. He finally settled in Southern California where he worked for many years for the Southern California Gas Company as a chemical engineering projects manager, until he retired in 1989. While working for the Gas Company he managed the construction of the coal gasification plant in Beulah, N.D., as part of a joint venture in 1984-1985. After retiring, he worked as a consultant to the Gas Company and as an expert witness for the F.B.I. in chemical forensics. He moved to Whitefish in 1993.
Though he accomplished many things, secularly, during his full life, his greatest love was his ministry as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was baptized at a convention in New York in 1958, beginning an unbroken record of faithful service. He quickly gained privileges and responsibilities since 1959, including serving as a presiding minister in several different congregations and substituting as a traveling representative of the Watchtower Society. He was used as an instructor at the Kingdom Ministry School for elders in the Los Angeles and Ventura County areas, and also served as a director at the Woodland Hills, California Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Many of these privileges he enjoyed while serving alongside his long-time, equally faithful close friend, Lloyd Harding. He was loved and respected by all who were touched by his faithful Christian life course.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond; a son, Bruce in 1978; his wife, Delores in 1990, and a granddaughter, Elizabeth in 1997.
He is survived by four daughters, Susan Kaplan and husband, Howard of Agua Dulce, Calif., Gwen Eckman and husband, Andrew of Redding, Calif., Elaine Stark and husband, Lowell of Portola, Calif., and Sarah Wilson and husband, Curtis of Whitefish; three sons, Dale Novak and wife Angela of Kalispell, Brian Novak and wife, Rebecca of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Ladd Novak and wife, Susan of Portola, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Lynn Novak of Whitefish; 22 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place, and any other arrangements are being handled through Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.
A memorial service will take place at the Whitefish Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, April 17, at 2 p.m., with Raymond Foltz officiating. A second memorial will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Newhall, Calif., on April 24 at 3 p.m.
Frank A. Pettinato
Frank A. Pettinato, 82, died May 15, 2004, at home in Missoula, attended by his family.
He was born May 19, 1921, in Whitefish to Carmello and Rafaella Pettinato. His education began in a two-room school in Essex. He graduated with honors from Flathead County High School in 1939, after which he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, spending time in CCC camps in the North Fork of the Flathead and Camp Grand Manard in the Nine Mile area.
With the entry of the U.S. into World War II, Frank traded one khaki uniform for another. In November of 1942, he was stationed in Iran as part of the Persian Gulf command, which was maintaining a supply line to Russia. There he assumed administrative duties, attaining the rank of first sergeant before being discharged in 1945. When asked about his military service, he would say proudly, "I never had to fire a shot in anger."
Frank volunteered at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, the National Senior Service Corps Board of Directors, the Missoula County Cancer Association, the American Heart Association Leadership Council, the Missoula Food Bank, the Service Committee and Pastoral Council of Christ the King Catholic Church and board of trustees of the Stella Duncan Foundation, and was an active member of The Friendship Force.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Marge; children, Donald of Tampa, Fla., and Loretta and husband, Scott, of Huson; brothers, Rudy and Virgil, and their spouses; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Yolanda; and brothers, Joe, Russell, Bert and Rom.
A service to celebrate his memory will take place at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1400 Gerald Avenue in Missoula, at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 17.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the UM Foundation for the Frank and Marge Pettinato Scholarship in Pharmacy, P.O. Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807; or Partners Hospice, 2687 Palmer St., Suite B, Missoula, MT 59808.
For friends in the Flathead Valley there will be a short memorial at the Pettinato house in Essex at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17.
PAUL W. WALKOWIAK
Mr. Walkowiak, 73, died early Sunday morning, July 6, 2003 at Brian’s House in Bay City, Mich.
He was born May 31, 1930 in Bay City, a son of Walter and Josephine (Zielinski) Walkowiak. He married the former Lorraine Fortsch on Sept. 13, 1951. She preceded him in death May 29, 1998.
Mr. Walkowiak worked for the City of Bay City in the D.P.W. Department before retiring and moving to Red Lodge, Mont., where he resided for the past 11 years. Paul was an original member of the Bay City Bowman’s Club, and a member of the Montana Trappers Association and the Red Lodge Elks Club. He was an avid hunter, trapper and angler.
Surviving are six children: Aileen M. Sajewski of Tecumseh, Mich., Tim M. (Kyle) Walkowiak of Bay City, Mary K. (Robert) Bular of Mayville, Christine A. Ervay of Midland, Walter F. (Susan) Walkowiak of Bay City, and Alan P. Walkowiak of Red Lodge; ten grandchildren: Cassandra and John Heska, Samuel and Holly Walkowiak, Shawn Cnudde, Shannon Rouse, Danielle Yakich, Melissa (Ryan) Phillips, Becky Ervay and Benjamin Walkowiak; three great-grandchildren, one brother and two sisters, Eugene (Betty) Walkowiak, Rita Gunther, and Rosemary Luptowski, all of Bay City. He was predeceased by a son, David Walkowiak, and a brother-in-law, Melvin Gunther.
A committal service was held July 9 at Floral Gardens Cemetery, with Rev. Fr. Edward J. Konieczka officiating.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Brian’s House.
Norman E. Kastelle
Norman E. Kastelle, 79, of Whitefish, passed away March 22, 2004.
He was born in Whitefish on April 10, 1924, to Anton and Dagny Jensen Kastelle.
Norman grew up in Whitefish. He graduated from high school in 1943, then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the 298th Engineers Battalion in the European theater from 1943 until 1946.
He attended the South Dakota School of Mines, studying metallurgy, and was employed with several lumber mills, and for 36 years at the aluminum plant in Columbia Falls. He retired in 1989.
He married Ettie Hanson in 1946 and they made their home in Whitefish, with 53 years at 230 Dakota Avenue.
They were blessed with six daughters, Rochelle Killett and husband Jim of Nampa, Idaho; Ruth Slaamot and husband Martin of Alexandria, Minn.; Linda Phelps and husband Don of Hillsboro, Ore.; Melody Hall and husband Eddy of Goesel, Kan.; Ann Phillips and husband David of Columbia, Tenn.; and Nancy Kruger and husband John of Missoula; grandchildren Jim Killett, Tim Killett and Tom Killett; Bonnie (Slaamot) Fretland and husband Tom, Charlene (Slaamot) Williams and husband John, Robert Slaamot and wife Dawn; Tony Slaamot; Kevin Phelps, Joel Phelps, Bradly Phelps and wife Ashley; Todd Phelps; Jonathan Hall, Janelle Hall, Jason Hall, Joylin Hall, Jeffrey Hall; Amanda Phillips, David Phillips and wife Natalie, Heidi Phillips, Kristen Phillips, and Kaitlin Phillips. Great-grandchildren include Anthony, Dakota, Tyler, Tyler, Brianna, Jenna, Donnovan, Ivee and Azariah.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Melvin; and sisters, Ester Hogan VanDyke and Irma Torgerson; also a granddaughter Michelle and a great-grandson Cambrei.
He is survived by his wife of 57 1/2 years; his daughters; his sister Ruby Osman of Austin, Minn.; a brother, Orris Kastella and wife Fern of Whitefish; sister-in-law Helen of Whitefish; cousins; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation Inc., at P.O. Box 116931, Atlanta, GA 30368; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Austin Funeral Home.
Gary Sakahara
Gary K. Sakahara, 53, died suddenly March 29, 2004, at his home in Kalispell.
He was born May 22, 1950, in Whitefish, to Kenji and Miyeko (Takehara) Sakahara.
He received his early education in Whitefish and graduated from Whitefish High School. He loved his animals, the outdoors, music, sharing his skills, his knowledge and his experience with others. As an outdoors man, he began exploring the Flathead Valley as a child in the Haskill Basin and expanded his interest into the Jewell Basin, the Swan Valley and Glacier National Park. He was an avid skier and fisherman who enjoyed floating the Flathead, wildlife, nature photography and was dedicated to preserving the environment.
He enjoyed making the recreational activities available in the Flathead to his friends and visitors. He liked working with young people and sharing the skills and knowledge that he had acquired while working with his father, working at the Sportsman and through his personal desire to learn. He was so clever and patient and was able to solve any problem in his own unique, ingenious, delightful way. He will be missed. He was looking forward to taking his boat out more often, remodeling his kitchen and wanted to do a little traveling. A connoisseur of music of all kinds, he enjoyed getting together with friends to play music, to sing, and talk about music.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by his mother, Miyeko Sakahara of Kalispell; three sisters, Nancy Sakahara of Salt Lake City, Utah, Phyllis Sakahara of Oakland, Calif., and Gail Boyd of Leesburg, Fla., and a niece Sara Boyd, also of Leesburg.
A memorial service was held April 3 at Lawrence Park in Kalispell, to celebrate his life, his love of the outdoors, and his love of music.
The family suggests memorials, in Gary's name, to Flathead Industries, P.O. Box 1916, Kalispell, Mont. 59903.
Arrangements were under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
TERESA LYNN MOORE
Teresa Lynn Moore, formerly of Bridger, died July 17, 2003 in Goodlettsville, Tenn.
She was Born Aug. 4, 1970.
Services locally are pending.
