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Judy Ann Ragsdale-Hurley
Judy Ann Ragsdale-Hurley, 58, of Hamilton passed away on Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Hamilton of cancer.
Daughter of Clyde and Doris Ragsdale of Stevensville, Judy was born Nov. 28, 1946, in Santa Monica, Calif. All through school, she was a member of the choirs and a member of the singing group The Conquerors. Judy graduated from Venice High School in 1964, going on to finishing school in Palos Verdes, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her brother, James Ragsdale, in 1982. Survivors include her parents, Clyde and Doris Ragsdale of Stevensville; two daughters, Doris Swiat of Corvallis and Virginia Bruce of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; one son, John Hurley of Glendale, Calif.; a sister, Beverly Aguirre, of Stevensville; a brother, Robert Ragsdale, of Kansas City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Beren, Noel, Mitchell, A.J., and Cameron; one grandniece and two grandnephews, with one on the way.
Judy took great care and pleasure in her family and church. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds, making gifts for her grandchildren to take to their teachers, and enjoyed sewing and baking. Judy loved Christmas and everything this season brings.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton with Pastor David Gerig officiating.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, Mont., 59840 or to the American Cancer Society.
Judy Ann Ragsdale-Hurley
Judy Ann Ragsdale-Hurley, 58, of Hamilton passed away on Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at Marcus Daly Memorial Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Hamilton of cancer.
Daughter of Clyde and Doris Ragsdale of Stevensville, Judy was born Nov. 28, 1946, in Santa Monica, Calif. All through school, she was a member of the choirs and a member of the singing group The Conquerors. She graduated Venice High School in 1964, going on to finishing school in Palos Verdes, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her brother, James Ragsdale, in 1982. Survivors include her parents, Clyde and Doris Ragsdale of Stevensville; two daughters, Doris Swiat, of Corvallis, and Virginia Bruce of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; one son, John Hurley, of Glendale, Calif.; a sister, Beverly Aguirre, of Stevensville; a brother, Robert Ragsdale of Kansas City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Beren, Noel, Mitchell, A.J., and Cameron; a niece, Jennifer; a nephew, Geoffrey; one grand niece and two grand nephews, with a third on the way, and many other loving relatives.
She loved to sing and had a voice like an angel. She took great care and pleasure in her family and church. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds, making gifts for her grandchildren to take to their teachers, and enjoyed sewing and baking. She loved Christmas and everything the season brings.
Her life reflected love as she encouraged and changed the lives she touched.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton, officiated by Pastor Dave Garig of Calvary Chapel.
The family suggests memorials to Marcus Daly Memorial Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, Mont. 59840, or the American Cancer Society.
JAMES MYERS
KALISPELL - James Ray Myers, 91, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at a care home in Kalispell.
A funeral service was held Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell with burial at the C.E. Conrad Memorial cemetery.
Myers was born on June 11, 1911, at Columbus to Ira M. and Myrtle B. (Tucker) Myers.
Ray received his teaching certificate from Eastern Montana College in Billings and began teaching in Lone Pine in 1935. He moved on to teach in Missoula and then entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 to serve his country during World War II.
Ray met and married
Violet "Vi" Arneson in October 1942. After serving in the Navy, Ray returned to Missoula and resumed his teaching career. The family moved to Kalispell in 1949 and Ray became principal at Cornelius Hedges Elementary School. He served in that position until his retirement in 1976.
Ray was a member of the Montana Teachers Association for 41 years and served in the Montana Principals Association for 27 years. He served as the president of the Montana State Principals Association in 1975. During his years in education, Ray received a B.S. and a master's degree from the University of Montana. He attended classes toward his doctorate at Stanford University, University of Utah and in Hawaii.
Ray loved music and was involved in Bethlehem Lutheran Church choir and Flathead Symphony Orchestra. He organized the Kalispell Gleeman Chorus in 1950 and was active in the Flathead Barbershop quartet. Ray also was active in the Elks Club for more than 64 years and the Kalispell Lions Club for more than 50 years. he was past district governor for Lions Club International in 1962-63. During the years in Lions, Ray and Vi attended many conventions including those in Nice, France, and Hawaii.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Ila Kossel.
Survivors include his wife, Violet of Kalispell; sons, James (Linda) Myers of Pullman, Wash., and Kenneth (Karen) Myers of Havre; six grandchildren, including Karley McKay and Kristopher Myers of Havre; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Mel Myers of Kalispell.
Memorials may be made to the J. Ray Myers Scholarship Fund, c/o Richard Wallace, Wells Fargo Bank, 201 First Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.
Arrangements were under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
Catherine Elizabeth Derrick
Catherine Elizabeth Derrick, 79, of Stevensville died on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at the Bitterroot Valley Living Center in Stevensville.
She was born on Feb. 5, 1925, in New York City, and was the daughter of Claude and Catherine E. (Reis) McCormick. She received her education in New York and in California. On Feb. 23, 1943, she and Charles Woodrow Derrick were married
in Yuma, Ariz.
Catherine worked as a riveter and a secretary for Conair Aircraft during World War II.
She and Charles moved to the Bitterroot in October 1971 and opened Derrick Gun Shop on U.S. 93. The couple later moved to the Burnt Fork Manor in 1990.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994. Due to illness she moved to the Bitterroot Living Center in 2001.
Catherine is survived by her son, Bill Derrick, of Stevensville; two brothers, Jim McCormick in Los Angeles and Thomas McCormick in Oceanside, Calif., and a sister, Virginia Monday, in La Jolla, Calif.; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
No formal services will be held at this time. The Whitesitt Funeral Home and Cremation of Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Louise Mienke
Thelma Louise Mienke, 77, of Missoula and former Stevensville resident died at Evergreen Nursing Home in Missoula on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004.
She was born on April 9, 1927, to Leonard and Fern Hayes in Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Bernard Mienke, and a son-in-law Gary Haase.
Thelma is survived by sons, Kenny, Benny and Leonard Mienke., two daughters, Kathy and Linda, a sister, Margaret Cahill, in Iowa; 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Thelma will be on Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville, with burial at the Riverside cemetery.
EDWARD HOFER
WHITLASH - Edward "Ed" Hofer, 63, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003, at his farm home of a heart attack.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Whitlash Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Ernest Doyle and the Rev. John Maatta officiating. Following burial at the Whitlash cemetery, a luncheon will be held at the Whitlash Community Hall.
Ed was born in Raley, Alberta, Canada, to Jacob and Elizabeth Hofer on May 20, 1940. He received his early education at Sterling, Alberta. Most of his secondary education was completed at the Prairie Bible Institute at Three Hills, Alberta. He finished his senior year at the Western Mennonite High School in Salem, Ore., where he graduated in 1959 and met his future wife-to-be, Esther Landis.
Ed attended Hesston College in Hesston, Kan., for a year before being recruited by the draft board during the Vietnam Conflict. In lieu of active military duty, he spent a three-year stint working for the Selective Service System as an orderly at the Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, Ind.
Ed married
Esther Landis on June 3, 1966, in Vancouver, Wash. They made their home on the family farm near the Sweetgrass Hills south of Whitlash, which was purchased by the Hofer family in 1952. In addition to farming with several brothers, Ed also maintained his realty sales license and was associated with Fort Benton Realty for 20 years. Ed loved his life as a Montana farmer and rancher and was active in the family business at the time of his sudden death.
Ed was well-known in the north Chester community. He attended the Whitlash Presbyterian Church and served on the board of the Whitlash Community Hall. He was an active participant of the Sweetgrass Hills Family Camp, serving on the planning board for moer than 20 years.
Ed loved southern gospel music. The past several years he enjoyed the Southern Gospel Quartette Convention at Red Deer, Alberta. Some of his favorite music was performed by the Dixie Melody Boys.
In his youth Ed loved to play hockey. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. In addition, he was a lifelong spectator fan of boxing. He also collected Hesston rodeo belt buckles for his son.
Ed was always a sociable man with a big friendly smile. His family reported that "he never met a stranger." One of his greatest enjoyments in life was drinking coffee and visiting with friends and neighbors.
Ed was preceded in death by his father, Jacob Hofer in 1983; and sisters, Katherine and Elizabeth.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Esther Hofer of Whitlash; son, Jim (Teresa) Hofer of Whitlash; daughter, Lori (Clayton) Christopherson of Windsor, Colo.; seven grandchildren; mother, Elizabeth Hofer of Whitlash; mother-in-law, Ruth Landis of Albany, Ore.; brothers, Herb Hofer of Omaha, Neb., Dr. Jack Hofer of Upland, Calif., Peter Hofer of Three Forks, Joseph Hofer of Helena, Marvin Hofer and John Hofer, both of Whitlash; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester.
Chester W. Stevens
Chester W. Stevens, 88, of Hamilton and formerly of Thompson Falls, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital hospice center. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Daly-Leach Chapel.
Velma Gertrude Layman
Velma Gertrude Layman, 92, of Darby passed away early in the morning, Friday, Dec. 10, 2004, at the residence of her nephew, James H. Cothern, and wife, Della, near Darby. Final arrangements are pending.
Ronald Brothers of Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory, 415 S. Second St. in Hamilton, is caring for the family.
Kristina M. 'Kris' Wroble
Kristina M. "Kris" Wroble, 54, passed away early in the morning, Friday, Dec. 10, 2004, at her home in Corvallis surrounded by her family and friends. Final arrangements are pending.
Ronald Brothers of Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory, 415 S. Second St. in Hamilton, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Antoinette J. Rideg
Antoinette J. (Klemish) Rideg, 73, of Huson passed away in the afternoon, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Final arrangements are pending.
Ronald Brothers of Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory, 415 S. Second St. in Hamilton, is assisting the family with arrangements.
THOMAS COCHRAN
FORT BELKNAP AGENCY - Thomas "Tom" L. Cochran, Wus Nee A Ni (Running Bear), Sr., 66, died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003, at a Havre hospital.
A wake service began Saturday evening at the Thomas Cochran residence and a rosary was held Sunday evening. A funeral Mass was scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the residence. Burial was to follow in the Cochran Family cemetery.
Tom was born at Fort Belknap Hospital on April 27, 1937, to William "Willie" and Henrietta (Main) Cochran. Tom was raised in Hays and for a short time in Seattle, Wash., Butte and Oswego by his uncle Raymond "Rum" and aunt Rose Connor. He attended school at St. Paul's Mission and in later years received his G.E.D.
In November of 1973 he met Carol Ann Cliff and they were married
on Oct. 6, 1979. They had three children. Tom had nine children from a previous marriage.
Tom was a very loving and devoted father; he loved his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews very much. Tom was a carefree man, who had a love for everyone and everything he came in contact with. He dearly loved his home and family.
In 1954 he joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1957. With the exception of a short time living and working in construction in San Bernadino, Calif., he was still a Montana man at heart. He worked construction at the Glasgow Air Force Base, as a police officer for Fort Belknap Law and Order, and as an ambulance driver for the Fort Belknap IHS until he retired due to an injury.
Tom loved to tell stories to everyone. In 1998 his health started to deteriorate drastically. Tom believed in the traditional ways. Although his health wasn't very good he completed his four years in the "Big Lodge" and attended sweats and singing until his health would no longer let him. Traditional dancing was one of Tom's loves of life. He had a "special friend" Jude King, who helped him pave his way to the "red road of life."
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Carol Ann Cochran of Fort Belknap; daughters, Wynema Rae (Mario) Small of Bismark, N.D., Leslie Ann (Delvin) Ereaux, Charlene Jackson, Roseann (Clayton) Hawley and Jeannie Timms, all of Ft. Belknap; sons, Louis (Gena) Cochran of Fort Belknap, Robert (Chris) Cochran and Raymond (Claudia) Cochran of Great Falls, Michael E. Cochran, Vernon R. (Joyce) Cochran and Albert Healy; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many adopted children, aunts and uncles, all of Fort Belknap.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Cochran and Henrietta Main; adopted parents, Raymond and Rosie Connor; and daughters, Agnes Mary Cochran and Henrietta Cochran Jones.
Deanna Evans Howe
Deanna Evans Howe, of Enumclaw, Wash., passed away Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Auburn Hospital.
Deanna Marcille Evans was the firstborn of Mark and Lucille (Ness) Evans of Big Rock, Ill., on May 31, 1938. She was joyfully greeted by them and the new Evans and Ness grandparents as well as many excited aunts and uncles. Deanna excelled in academics and both vocal and instrumental music. Her family moved to Hamilton in 1954 where she studied to become class valedictorian. After attending the University of Montana, she worked in both Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska, experiencing the new statehood. While with NC Machinery, she transferred to Seattle where she lived in West Seattle, Burien, and Lake Union. For many years Deanna pursued her love of singing with The Puget Sound Chapter of Sweet Adelines Chorus and a quartet in Burien.
Alva Howe and Deanna were married
34 years ago on Dec. 24, 1970. They built a home in Enumclaw where they raised two sons, Mike and Andy. Deanna continued her work in public accounting. More recently, she worked with the Enumclaw School District. Upon retirement, she and Al indulged in her love of travel and of their home and family.
Dea is survived by her loving husband, Al; son, Michael (Brenda) and granddaughter, Christy Howe of Pandora, Ohio; son, Andrew (Kim) Howe of Issaquah, Wash.; sister, Jo Ann (Dwayne) Hinman of Seattle; uncle and aunt, Keith and Bea Evans, of Hamilton;, aunt Marvel Evans Davis, aunt Betty Beck, aunt and uncle, Nell and Ed Evans, aunt Rita Ness and aunt Marge Ness, all of Illinois; aunt Peg Ness of Wisconsin; niece Kimberly (Tim) Abrott, Kayla and Evan, of Seattle, and nephew, Dr. Kyle Hinman of Albuquerque, N.M. and many cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec., 10, 2004, at the Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1725 Porter St., Enumclaw., Wash. The family suggests donations to The American Diabetes or American Stroke associations.
