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Clyde Marvin Mellberg Jr.
Clyde Marvin Mellberg Jr., 58, died in an auto-pedestrian accident on September 4, 2002, in Sandy, Utah. He was born on May 16, 1944, in Cheboygan, Michigan to Anna Lentini and Clyde Marvin Mellberg Sr. He married Mildred Christofferson on July 24, 1964, in Jackson, Wy.
A tribute to Clyde Mellberg
Our town has had such a horrible year of loss: so many wonderful, colorful people gone or seriously injured. And now the tragic news of the death of our beloved friend and landlord, Clyde Mellberg; struck down and killed instantly by an inattentive driver in Salt Lake City as Clyde returned to his Millie with the morning paper. Just like that, one of our town's leading citizens and one of our dearest friends is gone. A short tribute to our friend Clyde would be these four words I've already used: "beloved friend and landlord." I ask you: have you ever read those words together Think about that, landlords everywhere; you have much to learn from Clyde Mellberg. But a short tribute is not enough for our Clyde (and Millie). There's more to be said. So much more. The next time you drive your kids to school on Geyser, look closely at all those immaculately groomed, trimmed and painted houses, mobiles, buildings and offices. They go around the corner onto Gibbon, too and east on Parkway C. Twenty-some properties in a row, each showcasing Clyde's workmanship, pride and respect for his tenants-us! Each a legacy of class from one of our town's biggest taxpayers. Lindy and I called our friend "Mr. Monopoly" and he loved that name. He started here 20 years ago with "Baltic Avenue" (in which we've lived for 11 years) and has moved at least one space every year since. "And I'm going to"put a hotel" on every one of my properties," he said ten years ago, "even your Baltic Avenue!" And he did. On every one. "Property in West Yellowstone, especially rental property, is easy to find and buy. What counts is what it looks like after you buy it." That Clyde Mellberg quote sums up this town's loss better that anything Lindy and I could possibly write. Every tenant in "Clydesdale"', as we proudly call our neighborhood, will tell you stories of Clyde and Millie's generosity-from fresh Utah fruit baskets to the cords of wood cut and delivered free every fall for those of us with wood stoves. (It was Clyde who got the permits, custom-cut, split and delivered it all.) There was always a good bottle of wine delivered on special occasions like your anniversary or Thanksgiving or Christmas. It was Clyde who did all the snowplowing, usually several times a day. Nobody on this planet worked harder than Clyde Mellberg and it was all about pride of workmanship and service to his renters. Lindy and I have lived in our wonderful little town for 13 years now. One of the joys of a small town is getting to know the movers and shakers, the town leaders, the local legends, the town icons. Here you do more than read about them; you have coffee, or cocktails (or a milkshake) with them; you stand next to them at the July 4th parade; you wish them a Merry Christmas during the Stroll; and you attend their children's and grandchildren's graduations. Most have instant name recognition; Clyde Mellberg didn't. But no one was more committed to West Yellowstone than Clyde Mellberg. No one worked harder than he did, and few will leave such a proud legacy. In the end, though, after all his achievements have been noted and recognized, it all comes down to one profound emotion: Oh, Clyde, our Clyde, how we will miss our wonderful friend.
Donna Grace Spainhower
1922-2003
Donna Grace Spainhower, 80, of West Yellowstone passed away March 21, 2003 following a short but courageous battle with cancer. She was being cared for at the home of her son in Bozeman by her loving family, friends, and the wonderful folks from Bozeman Hospice.
She was born April 15, 1922 in St. Anthony, Idaho to Charles and Ella G. (Garner) Rote. The family lived on a ranch near the Centennial Valley in Southern Montana. Her mother traveled by dog team to Monida, Montana and rode the train to St. Anthony where she stayed with friends until Donna, the third of four children, entered the world.
The family moved to the Bar N Ranch just west of West Yellowstone in 1926 where they lived until her father's death in July of 1928. Her mother then moved the family into West Yellowstone where she operated a cabin camp, and raised Donna and her siblings. Her mother married Donna's step-father, Clyde McCourt, in 1933.
Donna married E.L. "Dutch" Spainhower February 6, 1940. They continued to live in West Yellowstone where they raised two children, a son, Ron, and daughter, Elaine. From 1953 to 1960, they spent the winters in Bozeman, but always returned to West Yellowstone where Donna worked for the U.S. Postal Service. She was appointed Postmaster of the post office there in July of 1978. She retired in 1988.
Donna was a proud third generation Montana native with a deep love for Montana and her Montana heritage. She was devoted to the many visitors to her home which included buffalo, elk, moose, Canadian Geese, bluebirds, and chickadees. She loved and admired the outdoors and became an avid downhill skier and fly fisherwoman at the age of sixty. She also spent many happy hours hiking with friends, discovering Montana's back country. Spring was a favorite time of year when Donna admired Montana's new life and feasted her eyes on the wildflowers covering the hills around her home.
Donna's passionate spirit lifted and touched the lives of everyone around her. Her beautiful smile will live on in the hearts and minds of her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, George and May Garner, and Abraham and Margie Rote, all early settlers in the Henry's Lake, West Yellowstone area; her parents; step-father, brother, Calvin Rote, and sister, Louise "Skippy" Moses.
Donna is survived by son, Ron Spainhower; daughter, Elaine Morgan; sister, Ethel Mae Meyer; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at the Fir Ridge Cemetery, north of West Yellowstone. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice. A gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date.
Helen "Ocile" Portman
1926-2003
Helen "Ocile" Norman Portmann, 77, of West Yellowstone, Montana, passed away May 11, 2003, following a courageous two-year battle with lung cancer. She was being cared for in her Idaho Falls home by her loving family, friends, and the wonderful folks from Aspen Hospice.
She was born March 10, 1926, in Powers Ville, Missouri, to Oscar Oliver Norman and Ida Ellen Baumgardner Norman. She lived her life on the Diamond "P" Ranch in West Yellowstone, Montana, and brought joy to young and old renting saddle horses and giving each visitor a wonderful Montana experience.
Ocile married Martin "Port" Portmann in 1950 and homesteaded the Diamond "P" in 1953. They adopted two children, Toni and Rex. They spent winters in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with the horses and the cows, and would spend the summer and fall on the Diamond "P" working the ranch and enjoying hunting for deer, elk, antelope and moose.
Ocile had a deep love for the blue skies of Montana, the breeze on the top of her hill, and her menagerie of animals of all types. She never met a stranger and she gave so many children the 'first ride of their life' on horses like Rosie and Winnie. Her welcoming smile and her ability to match horse to rider delighted people from all over the world. Those memories of the 'nice lady with the horses' will live in the hearts of family, friends, and customers the world over.
Her husband, Port, her daughter, Toni, and her son, Rex, survive Ocile, and nine grandchildren. Her sister, Marie Yeoman, lives in Missouri.
A Celebration of Ocile's life will be held at the Diamond P Ranch on July 5, 2003, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83402-4092. Phone (208) 522-2751 FAX (208) 522-5413.
John Edwin Eagle
1908-2003
John Edwin Eagle, professor emeritus of San Diego State University, died March 8, 2003 at Alvarado Hospital from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Ed was born in St. Anthony, Idaho on August 14, 1909 and was the second oldest of 10 children. His parents, Ida and Samuel Eagle were founding pioneers of the West Yellowstone townsite. They received a business permit in 1908 and opened a general store, still managed by family members. Ed always looked forward to annual trips to Montana for family reunions, the Eagle Company meetings and sharing stories of his youth.
After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University in 1930 Ed taught mathematics at several high schools throughout the state. In 1937 he married Marjorie Foote of Billings who was also a teacher. Ed earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Stanford University. Dr. Eagle taught at San Diego State University for 28 years.
He is survived by his wife Marjorie; his daughter and son in law, Elizabeth and Thomas Nemeth of San Diego; grandson Major Thomas Nemeth USMC, his wife Susan and their daughters Lea Marie and Hayli of Oceanside, CA; and grandson John Edwin Nemeth, his wife Rachel and their daughter Hannah of Redondo Beach, CA. Ed is also survived by sister Bettie Nelson and her husband Luther, and sister Rose Menzel of Bozeman; brother Joe Eagle and his wife Kay, and brother Wally Eagle and his wife Frankie of West Yellowstone.
Burneal 'Neal' Clemmens Swanson 1924-2003
Burneal Clemmens (Neal) Swanson, 79 of West Yellowstone, passed away Sunday October 5, 2003. He was born August 19, 1924 in Ceresco, Nebraska to Clemmens and Ebba (Erickson) Swanson.
Neal grew up in Ceresco, Nebraska where he graduated high school. After graduation, he spent some time in California before returning to Nebraska to help at the family corn shelling business. Through his travels he found Yellowstone National Park, and the area spoke to his soul and sense of adventure. Along with his brothers, he managed the boat docks at Fishing Bridge and Yellowstone Lake in the late 1940's. His love of people and story telling made him a natural candidate to drive the narrated yellow "Gear Jammers" in the park, in the early 1950's. He met Gracie Menke at a hometown dance in Lincoln, Nebraska. After they were engaged Gracie came to visit Neal in Yellowstone while she was on vacation from Elgin. They were married in Bozeman in July 1954. A few years later they entered the restaurant business in West Yellowstone, and still run the Old Town Café today.
Neal and his sons started the Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone and Neal spent a lot of time supporting his sons' skiing addictions. He loved the outdoors and liked to fish. He looked for any excuse to go on a road trip.
He struggled with cancer in his 50's, had a recurrence in his 60's, and was cancer free until a year and a half ago. He continued to work until he was no longer able. He loved to laugh. He believed everyone had a story to tell and he loved to listen to them. Neal never met a stranger. He was a spiritual, compassionate, non judgmental, and accepting man. He never let a soul go hungry regardless of their ability to pay. He lived life to the fullest every day.
Neal is survived by his wife, Gracie; daughter, Jeanine (Randy) Roberson; sons, Kent (Jeannette) Swanson and Carl (Anna) Swanson; grandchildren, Heather (Scott) Johnson, of Bozeman, Jeremiah Roberson of Salt Lake City, Kayla, Dustin, Chase, Spencer, and Colten Swanson and Yana, Tiara, Tiffany, Tanner, and Dylan Swanson; great-grandchildren, Shantell, Tyler and Caitlyn; brother, Gilbert (Joan) Swanson of Tempe, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents a brother and three sisters.
There will be a funeral service on Friday Oct. 10 at 1:00 p.m., at the Community Protestant Church in West Yellowstone followed by interment in Fir Ridge Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation, PO Box 956, West Yellowstone MT 59758.
