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HELEN CRAIG
ST. IGNATIUS -- Helen Gould Craig, 92, died on St. Patrick's Day at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan. Helen was born on Oct. 9, 1912, in Yakima, WA, to Albert and Maude Hustead Williams. Raised throughout the Northwest, Helen was a sickly child, spending most of her time at Shriners Hospital because of polio. After she graduated from high school she married Robert Lester Craig in California, where they made their home before moving back to the Northwest. Robert was a carpenter and she worked for her family's fruit business, helping them with the cold storage and vending stands. In 1994 after her husband died she moved from Enumclaw, WA, to St. Ignatius to be close to her family. Helen was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. She enjoyed crocheting and made everyone in family a keepsake. She was preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters and three sons, Donald, Gerald and Jack. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Dick and Bobbie Jo (Oklahoma) and Delores and Robert Woodruff (Charlo), MT; 13 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins as well as a large extended family in Montana and Washington. The funeral was held on March 20. Burial took place at Enumclaw on March 23 in Evergreen Cemetery.
JAMES DEVLIN
POLSON -- James Devlin, 78, of Polson, died of natural causes on March 29, 2005, at the Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. Jim was born to Neil and Jenny Devlin on Feb. 11, 1927, in Finley, N.D. He attended school through the 12th grade in Finley. In 1944, he enlisted in the Army and served in Japan for two years. He then attended college at Jamestown, N.D. Jim married Beverly Olson in 1952, and they raised three daughters and three sons. Jim had a varied career in the printing business, as a hardware store manager and working for Loren's House of Carpets in Missoula, where he worked until his retirement. Jim was musically gifted. He played drums for various bands and also had a great tenor voice. He and his brothers sang barbershop together and loved to entertain family and friends. He also loved to dance. He and his family loved camping. Beverly died in 1988. Jim then married Gina D'Angelo in 1995, and they resided in Polson until Jim's illness became so severe that he spent his last two years at the Veteran's Home in Columbia Falls. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jack and Neil; his first wife, Beverly; and a daughter, Erin Devlin. Jim is survived by his wife, Gina; daughters, Terese (Jon) Foulke of Big Arm and Colleen Devlin of Post Falls, Idaho; sons, Perry (Joyce) of Butte, Brian of Missoula and Mark (Laurie) of Polson; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; an older brother, Ward; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held on April 1 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Polson with Father Gary Reller officiating.
ALBERT FISHER
HOT SPRINGS -- Albert L. "Al" Fisher, 65, died on March 27, 2005, at Polson. Born in St. Ignatius on July 2, 1939, to Joseph Fisher and Florence Pelletier Fisher, he was reared up the West Fork of the Bitterroot and later raised in the Jocko and Niarada areas by family after his mother died. Al attended MSU where he was an art major and studied several other fields. However, he was a woodsman by trade. Al also worked for the Tribes but the forest was always his first love. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-parents Mamie and Pete Fisher; his wives Dorothy (Craft) Fisher and Karen (Satterlee) Fisher; a stepson, Bobby "Bozo" Craft; and brothers and sisters George, Bill, Pat and Kenny Fisher, Lucille and Virginia; and two sisters who died as children. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Fisher of Billings; his daughter Mamie "Ede" (Lloyd) Barnaby of Ronan; sons Donald Richard Fisher of Spokane and James Fisher; step-children Steve Craft and Theresa Craft; brother Wesley Fisher of Salem, OR; as well as a number of grandchildren, close friends, cousins, nieces and nephews. A wake was conducted at the Arlee Community Center. Mass was celebrated on April 2 at the Jocko Catholic Church. Interment followed in the Jocko Catholic Cemetery.
SAMUEL GEE
ARLEE -- Samuel V. "Sam" Gee, 64, died on March 14, 2005, at his residence here following a brief illness. Sam was born on July 20, 1940, in Missoula, to Samuel and Muriel Gee. He attended school there before serving with the Navy for four years. Following his discharge, he worked on a ranch in Utah, before moving back to Missoula in 1959. He went to work as a truck driver. He then worked part-time for a paving company. n March 5, 1994, he married Patricia Ann Hinman in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Sam was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Pat (Arlee); one son; two daughters; three step daughters; brother, Cork (Terry) Gee (Missoula); sisters, Esther Mackey and Mary Miller (Missoula); and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held on March 18 at Garden City Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to the Lake County Hospice.
BECKY HELDING
ARLEE -- Becky Schall Helding, 82, died on March 27, 2005. She was the wife of Arnold G. Helding for 64 years and mother to Carl and Linda. Becky was born to pioneers Ed and Ann Schall of Arlee. She was the eldest of five children with three half-sisters. Becky and Arnold lived in Missoula on Fifth Street for more than 25 years. They built their home in the 1970s on Valley Creek Road, north of Arlee, where Becky bred and raced thoroughbred horses. She was a past president of the Montana Horse Breeder's Association. Becky's other passion was ragtime piano. Becky played the piano and entertained at many parties. She and Arnold were partners in Wood's Second Hand Store in Missoula for 40 years. Becky's favorite charities were the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane and Lake County Hospice Program. She grieved the loss of many good friends and relatives over the years including her son, Carl, and grandson, Camas, of Nome, Alaska; brother, Bill Schall of Arlee; sister-in-law, Edna Helding Evanko of Missoula; brothers-in-law, Bob Helding of Crystal Lake and John Helding of Sun City, Ore; and half-sisters, Kay and Fran Schall. She is survived by her husband, Arnold (Arlee); her daughter, Linda Helding Schure and son-in-law Robert Schure (Maryland and Arlee); granddaughter, Heidi Helding Burns (Brad) Peters; two great-granddaughters, Gabrielle and Ashley Peters (Boise, ID); daughter-in-law, Lisa Helding Gray (Kenai, AK); sisters, Sidney (Tuffy) Powell (Arlee) and Cleo (Benton, deceased) Lytle (Tucson, AZ); brother, Ted (Juanita) Schall (Arlee); sisters-in-law, Anna Helding (Dick, deceased) Weidenhaft (New Orleans) and Betty Schall (Arlee); brother-in-law, Tony Evanko (Missoula); and many other in-laws, out-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. Becky wanted her life to be celebrated with ragtime music. There will be no memorial service at this time.
JAMES W. HOLLEY
POLSON -- James W. Holley died here on March 4, 2005, after a long illness. He was born on April 8, 1921, in Terry to James and Mary Walker Holley. James graduated from Lodge Grass High School in 1938 and attended Montana State College (now University) in Bozeman. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was stationed in Italy, where he served until 1945. He graduated from the UM in Missoula in June 1947. He worked for General Motors until he bought and operated Flathead Bowl in Polson. There he met Myrna Farrell, whom he married on Nov. 4, 1950, in Polson. In 1953 they moved to Seattle, where he worked at Boeing for 32 years. After James retired in 1985, he and his wife moved to Surfside, WA, on the Long Beach Peninsula. They returned to Polson in 1995. James is survived by his wife; their children and spouses, Alyson and Jim Stogsdill (Sodotna, AK), Jim and Lisa Holley (Seattle), and Michael and Marte Holley (Los Angeles); and granddaughter Holley Stogsdill (Anchorage). Also surviving are his siblings, Mabel Fuller (Rochester, MN), Fern Kenyon (Bellevue, WA), Helen Thompson (Auburn, WA), and Keith Holley (Rochester); and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will take place at a later date. James was an avid reader and in lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Polson Public Library, P. O. Box 820, Polson, MT 59860.
ANN MAGEE
BILLINGS -- Ann Josephine Palin Magee, a member of the Salish Kootenai Tribes, died here on March 25 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Tom Sharpe. Ann was born on March 19, 1912, to Eli and Annie (Revais) Palin in Dixon, the fifth of eight children. She was educated in Dixon and graduated as valedictorian before attending Hinman College in Spokane and Montana University. In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her sister Rose Bailey of Dixon. Funeral services were held in Livingston.
V. PEARL NEWTON
POLSON -- V. Pearl Newton, 87, died on March 2, 2005, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula from natural causes. She was born on Oct. 15, 1917, in Lincoln, NE, to Frank and Florence Wining Schmidt. She grew up in Nebraska and graduated from Eagle High School in Eagle, NE, and moved to the Mission Valley in 1936. She married Raymond Newton on Oct. 22, 1937, in Kalispell and they ranched near Polson. Raymond died on Dec. 12, 1974. Pearl married Al Breazeale on June 24, 1987, and he died on March 17, 1998. She was a member of the Mountain View Women's Club, 4H leader, loved bowling, dancing, gardening and was a seamstress. She was preceded in death by both husbands and a daughter, Deanna Dae Newton; her parents; a brother, Don Schmidt; half brother Delbert Griffin; and several stepbrothers and stepsisters. Pearl is survived by a daughter, Shirley (George) Eye (St. Ignatius); two grandchildren, Gordon Eye (St. Ignatius) and Sherilyn (Darwin) Stoner (Belgrade); three great-grandchildren, Cody, Beau and Allie Stoner (all of Belgrade); sister-in-law Jeanne Schmidt (Eagle, NE); stepsister Pauline Boardman (Reno, NV); half-brother Earl Schmidt (Quartzsite, AZ); two stepbrothers, Bud Beach (Eagle) and Roy Beach (Sacramento, CA); and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on March 5 at the Grogan Funeral Home, Polson. Interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the United Methodist Church of St. Ignatius, St. Luke Extended Care or the Polson Senior Citizens Center.
WILMA REICHMAN
ST. IGNATIUS -- Wilma Jean Reichman, 81, formerly of the Sedan area west of Wilsall, died on Feb. 26, 2005, here. Funeral services were held on March 4 at the Sedan Community Center. Interment followed in the Woosley Family Cemetery. Wilma was born on Dec. 26, 1923, to Homer and Effie Johnson on a farm five miles west of Hume, IL. She was the middle child in a family of 13 children. She graduated from Hume High School in 1940. After World War II started, she went to work helping hospitals in the Chicago area. There Wilma met a U.S. Navy sailor from Montana, Warren N. Reichman. They were married on Oct. 5, 1943, in Los Angeles, just before Warren shipped out with the fleet. Wilma attended Pepperdine College, worked and waited for Warren's return two years later. After the war, Wilma came to the Sedan area where Warren was raised. They ranched for two years then moved to Missoula where Warren attended journalism school at the university. The couple owned and operated a newspaper and print shop, the Madisonian, in Virginia City for the next 18 years. After they sold the business, they moved to Bozeman in 1970. Wilma worked for the Gallatin Laundry until Warren retired. They moved back to Sedan in 1983. Warren passed away in 1997, so Wilma moved to an assisted living home in St. Ignatius to be closer to her daughter. In addition to Warren, preceding Wilma in death were eight of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by two brothers and two sisters. Wilma is also survived by her three children, Roger and Carla Reichman (the Sedan area), Michael and Kathy Reichman (Billings) and Tamara and David Steindorf (Charlo). Wilma's descendants include seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Wilma was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star and a past worthy matron of the Virginia City chapter. She joined the Shields Valley Chapter of Past Worthy Matrons when she retired to Sedan. She became a member of the Sedan Women's Club and the Shields Valley Senior Center in Wilsall. Memorial donations may be made to the Shields Valley Senior Center in Wilsall or to the Cancer Society.
JOSEPH SEBESTIN JR.
POLSON -- Joseph Sebestin Jr., 90, died on March 21, 2005, at the Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center here. Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, in 2001 and a son, Charles Edward Sebestin. Joseph is survived by his son, Joseph F. Sebestin, and his wife Lori (Dayton); three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters Julie (Lincoln Park, MI), Helen and Mary (Florida) and Margaret (Alabama); and a brother, George (Lincoln Park). Rosary was recited on March 29 at the Grogan Funeral Home of Polson with Father Gary Reller officiating. Burial followed at Lakeview Cemetery.
MARGARET STONE
CAMAS PRAIRIE -- Margaret Ann Stone died at her home here on March 8, 2005, with her family at her side after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer. Margaret was born April 12, 1944, to Bill and Dorothy Wiese in Seattle, the third of four children. She attended private Catholic schools for all her academic career. She graduated at the top of her high school class from Holy Names Academy and graduated second in her class from Marylhurst College with a major in English and a double minor in math and philosophy with a teacher's endorsement. After graduating from college in May 1965, she taught various high school classes at Friday Harbor (WA) High School. On July 30, 1966, she married Gene Stone. They traveled all over the U.S. while Gene worked for Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Co. In 1976 the family moved to Camas Prairie, where Gene still resides. Gene and Margaret delivered mail for 28 years, serving people along highways 200, 135, 28 and all of Camas Prairie. Margaret was very active in her community, serving on the Hot Springs and Camas Prairie school boards, Sanders County Bookmobile Board, and she was very active in 4-H along with her children. Margaret volunteered at the Camas Prairie School. Margaret loved reading, sewing, putting together puzzles, gardening, and taking care of her house and yard. Margaret was preceded in death by her dad in 1992 and her mom earlier this year. Margaret is survived by her husband Gene of the family home; son Greg (Polson); daughter Jeanne and her husband, Joe (Plains); grandchildren, Pfc. Samuel Da Giau (Fort Polk, LA), Airman 1st Class Todd Da Giau (Lackland Air Force Base, TX), and Dannie and Ben Da Giau (Plains); sister Dorothy Wilson (Port Orchard, WA); brother Bill Wiese and his wife, Judy (Seattle); brother Mike Wiese and his wife, Sharon (Bainbridge Island, WA); and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. A celebration of Margaret's life will be held in May when her grandsons can attend. Time and day will be announced.
