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Dorothy Sanford
Dorothy Mae Deshler Bruce Sanford, 65, died May 15, 2003, after a lengthy illness at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.
She was born on Nov. 22, 1937, in Wheeler to Fred E. and Mary (Kunz) Deshler and was raised by her mother and step-father, Dean Bruce.
She married Harley "Jud" Sanford on July 2, 1955, and was married for 28 years before his passing. She worked as a cook for many local restaurants, retiring from the Husky House in 1984. She loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed crocheting and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harley "Jud" Sanford; father, Fred E. Deshler, and mother and step-father, Mary and Dean Bruce.
She is survived by five children: Jay and Sharon Sanford of Columbia Falls, Deana and William Wilson of Kalispell, Fay and Lee Hagen of Kalispell, Carl and Cathy Sanford of New Castle, Wyo., and Roberta Sanford of Drummond; 13 grandchildren, Varley and Diana Sanford of Kalispell, Rusty and Gina Sanford of Fort Hood, Texas, Dean Sanford of Columbia Falls, Jacob Sanford of Columbia Falls, Myles and Jeri Wilson of Aurora, Colo., Dani and Dustin Jones of Kalispell, Peggy Wilson of Boston, Mass., Joshua and Leahtrice Hagen of Kalispell, Helen Sanford of Laromie, Wyo., Carl Sanford, Jr., of Laromie, Wyo., Rebecca Sanford of New Castle, Wyo., and Traci Sanford of Lakeland, Fla.; 12 great-grandchildren with a 13th on the way: Jonathon, Kaila, Shelby, Harley Jud, Tayler, Vanessa, Trey, Amanda, Jessica Samantha, Madelyn, and Amber; four brothers and sisters, Gary and Judy Bruce of Kalispell, Henry and Kitty Bruce of Columbia Falls, Nancy and Paul Fauth of Whitefish, and Mary and Bruce Severon of Kalispell, and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, (today), May 22, at 1 p.m., at Johnson Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at Demersville Cemetery.
The family suggest memorials to the Immanuel Lutheran Home, Bratsburg Wing, 185 Crestline Avenue, Kalispell, Mont. 5990l.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
Marie Ann Erie
Marie Ann Erie, 71, passed away Friday, May 23, 2003, with her family beside her, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane from complications following surgery.
Marie was born Oct. 16, 1931, to Charles and Bessie Hammons in Rexford. She attended school in Rexford and Eureka and graduated in 1949. She was married to Olaf P. Erie in Missoula on Dec. 6, 1949, and they lived and raised their three children in Whitefish until 2000 when they moved to Kalispell. Marie attended college in Kalispell and Spokane, and worked as the church secretary at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish and for the Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad as a computer operator until illness forced her retirement.
Marie taught Sunday and Bible school, was a leader for Cub Scouts for many years, was an accomplished seamstress, a wonderful cook, an avid reader, grew beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, loved to crochet, do crafts, search out flea markets and travel. Most of all she loved her family.
She was preceded in death by a son, Donald, in 2002, her parents, five sisters and two brothers.
Marie is survived by her husband of 53 1/2 years at the family home; her daughter and son-in law, Linda and Randy Augusta, and son Jacob, all of Kalispell; granddaughters, Cheryl and husband Will Brandt of Seattle, Jada and Amra Erie of Tacoma, Wash., and Brittney Jo Erie of Kalispell; grandsons, Russell Devires of Seattle, Cody Dwire of Donnelly, Idaho, Jason Brown of Tacoma, Wash., and Ryan Augusta of Kalispell; her sisters, Alice Smith of Kalispell, and Irene Dempsy of Great Falls; brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Annie Hammons of Portland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many other relatives and friends.
"Her family loved her so until we had to let her go."
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 30, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell with the Rev. Larry Stappler officiating. Cremation and private burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society, P.0. Box 1002, Kalispell, MT; or to the American Heart Association, 510 First Ave. N. Room 114, Great Falls, MT 59401.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Ray Keithley Foster
Ray Keithley Foster died on June 2, 2003.
He was born December 4, 1916, in Littlefork, Minn., to Ira M. and Stella E. Foster.
He moved to Montana, where he spent his adult life working in the lumber industry and for the Great Northern Railroad.
On Dec 21, 1942, he enlisted in the service, joining the Seabees (construction battalion).
His tour of duty spanned three years, two of those years overseas in the South Pacific, participating in several island invasions with the Marines.
Upon returning to Whitefish in 1945, he continued working as a conductor with the Great Northern Railroad.
In 1959, Ray was elected chairman of the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen.
Later, he was appointed to the position of chief negotiator for conductors and brakemen during the "featherbedding" issue.
During his term of service, he successfully initiated the agreement for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for railroad employees.
He was instrumental in helping to create a medical plan and death-benefits package for employees and their families.
After 37 years as a conductor, he retired to Payson, Ariz., where he became active in the community.
Some of his service included repairing and giving bicycles to less fortunate kids; being a co-coordinator for a wood crew that cut and processed 100-plus cords of wood per year, which they donated to the community of Payson and surrounding areas; and he organized a group of volunteers to haul and deliver excess food from food banks in the valley to families in need. In 2001, Ray moved to San Diego, Calif., to be close to family.
Ray lived a full and vital life and is survived by his two sisters, Iris Byrne, Missoula, Jean Yarnell, Liberty Lake, Wash., and brother Wally Foster, Whitefish; two daughters, Toni Witt, San Diego, Teri Foster (Jim Cooper), Billings; former wife, Mitzi Bernard, San Diego; five grandchildren, Karen Witt, Colorado, Gretchen Donais (Jon) San Diego, Matt Witt (Tracy) San Diego, Don Mackenzie (Christine) Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Scott Mackenzie, Billings; nine great grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Connie Beth Dunagan (John), Whitefish, and Marcia Fauske, Spokane; and four step granddaughters, Renee Andres (Kevin), Belgrade,, and Marlies (Daniel) Toms, San Carlos, Calif., Kelly McCool, Alberta and Heather Fauske, Spokane; eight step great grandchildren; several cousins; and five nieces and three nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by a brother-in-law Lester Regan, sister-in-law Alma Foster and wife, Marge Foster.
Ray always had a "can-do" attitude and was a positive influence on many people and in many situations.
No memorial services are planned. Cremation has taken place.
Lois Scovill
L. Lois Scovill, 88, passed away April 14, 2003, after a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, at the Whitefish Colonial Manor.
She was born May 20, 1914, in Red Lodge, the third of five children of Claude and Louise Scovill.
She graduated from Columbus High School and later worked as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell in Columbus and then Billings, retiring in 1976, after 37 years of service.
She moved to Whitefish in 1994 after the death of her sister, to be closer to her remaining family, residing at Mountain View Manor until the time of her death where she made many bingo and dinner friends.
She was a member of Rock Rose Chapter, Order of Easter Star 63 in Columbus, the Ladies of the Moose-Whitefish Moose Lodge, and an avid Friday night bingo player at that location. She loved her bingo.
"Auntie Loie" will be missed by all of us who knew her well, for her love of cards and bingo, and the time spent with all her family.
May she now rest in peace.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Harold and Hand, and one sister, Berneice.
She is survived by her brother, Kenneth Scovill and wife, Thelma of Somers; nephews, Doug Hegland and wife, Rita of Whitefish, Don Hegland and wife, Sandi of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; many other nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place, and a private burial will be planned at a later date at Mountain View Cemetery in Columbus.
Memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.
Dale Howke
Dale Newton Howke, 74, a Whitefish native and long time community worker, passed away of natural causes on April 20, 2003, in Whitefish.
He was born Dec. 10, 1928, to Otto and Vonda in Whitefish and graduated from the Whitefish school system in 1949.
After marrying Elizabeth Irwin in 1951, he served in the Army during the Korean War from 1951 through 1956, and was stationed in Panama working in the canal zone. When he returned home he worked various jobs until he became employed at the Home Lumber Company for 38 years until he retired in 1991.
He and Elizabeth have two sons, Mike and Steve.
He had a strong sense of community in which he dedicated many hours to serving his town in various ways.
He was a talented woodworker who was never afraid to "get his hands dirty" and was frequently asked to work on projects around town and for his friends.
One of his passions was serving on the Flathead County Sheriff's Posse for over 30 years.
He served in most capacities including Major.
He also served as a police commissioner for the Whitefish Police Department from 1980 to 1995.
He was very active in the Whitefish Winter Carnival for many years as part of the penguin costume group, a float builder, and was named as Prime Minister in 1965 to King ULLR VI.
He also participated in Kiwanis, the Christmas decorating committee, various positions in the Whitefish Bowling Association, and other community organizations.
He was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed all outdoor activities, especially snowmobiling and fishing.
He was an excellent pistol marksman and enjoyed working as the range master for the Flathead County Sheriff's Posse.
Being a talented craftsman, he especially enjoyed working out in his workshop.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter, Paige Howke.
He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Mike and Elizabeth, and Steve and Brenda; granddaughters, Tawnya Vidvonic, Michelle and Emily Howke and Shannon Keller; sisters, Joanna Barnes, Sally Allen, Peggy Guile; one brother, Leonard; a long time companion Frances Wicen, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m., at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.
Burial will follow the memorial service at the Glacier Gardens.
Memorials may be sent to the Flathead County Sheriff's Posse.
