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ANNIE KULJIS
POLSON -- Annie (Anka) Kuljis, died at her daughter's home here on Sept. 11, 2002. Annie was born Anka Mladineo in Komiza, Yugoslavia, on Dec. 17, 1913. She attended school in Yugoslavia, became a seamstress and taught sewing. In 1938, she married Visko Kuljis. They came to America in 1939. The couple lived in Washington until Visko's death in 1972. She moved to Montana in 1993. She was a member of the Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Ana; her husband; and 14 brothers and sisters. Annie is survived by her sons, Vincent (Tacoma, WA), and John (AK); her daughter, Antoinette Meeds (Polson); eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be announced later.
ROBERT B. MURPHY
RONAN -- Robert "Bob" Blanchard Murphy was born in Missoula to Mattie (Spencer) and Joseph Murphy. Bob died on Sept. 17, 2002, at Community Medical Center in Missoula. Bob was reared in Ovando. He later served in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II. In 1950, he married Doris Mae Snoke. They resided in Ovando until 1959, when they bought a ranch west of Ronan in Round Butte. The couple later divorced. Bob also lived in Pennsylvania before returning to Montana. He was a cowboy and guide, and a "jack of all trades." He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Douglas; and a brother, Harold. Bob is survived by two children, Dennis (Missoula), and Linda (Alan) Madsen (Ronan); two granddaughters; a brother, Tom (Bonnie) Murphy (Missoula); and sisters Mary Hogan (Springfield, MO), and Janie (Stu) Nicholson (Great Falls). Funeral services were conducted on Sept. 18 in Ronan. Memorial donations may be made to the Faith Lutheran Youth Group in Ronan or to a charity of the donor's choice.
JEANNE NORMANDEAU
POLSON -- Jeanne Normandeau, 83, died on Sept. 1, 2002, at St. Joseph Assisted Living here. She was born on Nov. 24, 1918, to James Arthur and Frances (Engle) MacGeorge in Charlo, where she graduated from high school. She married James Normandeau in 1941. She worked at home as a beautician for most of her working career. She and Jim also raised cattle in the Polson area. She was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, BPOW and Royal Neighbors. Jeanne liked to play bridge and loved horses. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She is survived by two sons and their spouses, Ronald and Kathy Normandeau (Missoula) and Dwayne and Carol Normandeau (Spokane); a daughter, Zoe Normandeau (Eugene, OR); six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Sept. 7 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mountainview Cemetery in Ronan. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Assisted Living, Polson.
JOHN M. STEPHENSON
POLSON -- John M. "Hawkeye" Stephenson, 53, died on Sept. 20, 2002, of natural causes at his home here. Born on April 7, 1949, in Seattle to Lillian (Johnson) and John Wesley Stephenson, he attended schools in Washington. John joined the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. After the service John lived in Duvall, WA. He moved to Polson in 1997. He learned to be a mechanic while in the Army, but for most of his life made his living as a freelance tree-topper. John was kind-hearted, and loved kids, animals, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and sports. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marie and Carl Johnson. He is survived by his parents, Lillian Stephenson (Polson) and John Wesley Stephenson (Kings Mountain, NC); two brothers, Gary Stephenson (LaVerne, CA) and Richard Stephenson (Polson); a sister, Janice Myers (Polson); and numerous other relatives. A memorial service was held on Sept. 28 at the Polson Community Church. Memorials may be made to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, Polson Community Church, a youth group or other charity of the donor's choice.
'BARNEY' TOWNSEND
POLSON -- M.A. "Barney" Townsend, 84, died on Sept. 5, 2002, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He was preceded in death by his wife, Averal "Bobbie," his parents and siblings. He is survived by his sister, Hope Koenig (Dayton, OH); a half-sister, Stella Petersen (Circle Pines, MN); half-brothers Jay Townsend (Jamesville, WI) and Bob Townsend (Lakeworth, FL); and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials are suggested to the Polson Volunteer Fire Department or Polson City Library. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.
EDGAR P. ALLEN
ST. IGNATIUS -- Edgar P. Allen, 98, died on Oct. 17, 2002, at St. Luke Extended Care Center in Ronan. Born May 4, 1904, in Martin, SD, to Samuel and Nellie (Carlow) Allen, he was raised and educated in South Dakota and at the University of Kentucky at Lexington. Edgar worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs starting in 1935 as the safety education instructor at large for all the reservations west of the Mississippi. Then in 1947 he moved to St. Ignatius, where he was the first supervisor of the shop for the irrigation project. Ed built his own home and was proud of the fact that he had been a Mason since 1935 and had been a former Grand Master Mason. dgar married Iris LaFluer in 1923; she preceded him death in 1989. Also preceding him in death were a son, Max, and a grandson, Patrick. Survivors include his wife, Alda (St. Ignatius); sons Norman Allen (Thompson Falls) and Charles Allen (Choteau); foster daughters Bernie Lovell and Kathy Whalen (both of St. Ignatius); seven grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. In accordance with Edgar's wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are planned.
CAROLYN R. BROOKS
ARLEE -- Carolyn "Shorty" Rose Brooks, 44, died on Oct. 17, 2002. Carolyn was born in St. Ignatius on April 11, 1958, to Louie and Mary Lucy (Matt) Parker. She was raised and educated in Arlee, graduating from Arlee High School, and finished her education with a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Montana. She was employed by Mission Valley Power. Carolyn married Timothy Brooks of Washington. She was a member of the Salish-Kootenai Tribes. She was a traditional dancer. When time permitted she loved to do beadwork and pick huckleberries. She was preceded in death by her father; sisters Rhonda and Twila; and a niece. She leaves behind her mother, Mary Lucy Parker (Arlee); her children, Cristy and Timothy Louie Brooks (Arlee); a sister, Cheryl Parker (Arlee); her brothers and a sister-in-law, Darwin and Mona Parker (Hot Springs), Timothy Ray Parker (Coulee Dam, WA), and Randal Parker and Mark Felsman (both of Arlee); godchildren Dawnelda Parker, Rosalie Parker and Dennis Plant Jr.; Larry Villegas, whom she always had regarded as her father; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A wake was held at the Arlee Indian Senior Citizens Center. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Oct. 22 in Arlee. Interment followed at Jocko Catholic Cemetery.
LYLE 'CHEYENNE' BROWN
HOT SPRINGS -- Lyle "Cheyenne" Brown, 58, died at his home here on Oct. 12, 2002, as the result of injuries received in an accident in the woods earlier in the week. Chey, a member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes, was born on Nov. 3 in Bremerton, WA, to Thomas W. and Dorothy (Morigeau) Brown. The family moved to Ronan (his mother's hometown) after World War II. Chey received his early education in Ronan and in a one-room school near Long Valley, SD, on the Pine Ridge Reservation (his father's home). n 1957, the family moved to San Francisco, where Chey attended junior high and senior high school, graduating from Mission High School in 1962. He later attended the University of California at Berkeley, and Salish Kootenai College. Chey and Georgene Smith of the Oneida Tribe in Wisconsin were married in 1962. She died in 1969. His parents and two brothers, Phillip M. and Thomas W. Jr., also preceded him in death. Chey was active in Indian youth affairs in the Bay area and was part of the landing on Alcatraz Island in 1970. He later helped with fishing-rights protection efforts at Frank's Landing in Washington. He also worked in construction for several years as a welder and carpenter, and as a custodian in Seattle. He returned to Ronan in 1979 after his father's death. Chey became well-known for his natural ability as a carver of Indian images in stone and wood. He combined his carving and welding abilities to co-create a large metal sculpture on the SKC campus with Blackfoot artist Dwight Billedeaux. His works have been displayed in Washington, South Dakota and Montana. Some are on permanent display at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut and at The People's Center in Pablo. Some are in private collections. He was also an accomplished fancy dancer, and later a traditional dancer, at powwows all over North America. His son, Tony, who survives him, followed in his father's and grandparent's footsteps and became a world-champion fancy dancer and hoop dancer. Chey is also survived by Tony's wife, Christine, and their four children: Jade, Devin, Skyler and Mariah (Saskatchewan, Canada); four older brothers and their wives: Donald and Elizabeth (Turtle Lake), Bob and Donna (Elko, NV), Jerry and Patricia (East Shore), and Edward and Gladys (Evaro); his sister and her husband, Nancy and Pete Vaughn (Charlo); and numerous nieces and nephews and close associates and friends who called him "Brother." A wake was held at the St. Ignatius Longhouse. Mass was celebrated on Oct. 17 at the St. Ignatius Mission, followed by burial at Ronan Cemetery. The family asks that memorials be made to The People's Center of Pablo.
DENNIS C. BURLAND
ST. IGNATIUS -- Dennis Charles Burland, 54, died on Oct. 15, 2002, at the family home in Kalispell. Dennis, the son of Lloyd "Sonny" Burland and Alta (McDonald) Burland was born in Missoula on Nov. 15, 1947. He grew up in St. Ignatius and Ronan, where he was one of the first students at Kicking Horse Job Corps. While at Kicking Horse in 1966-67, he and his brother started a rodeo program. Following the Job Corps, where he received his GED, he went to Bismarck, ND, where he went to the United Tribes Technical Center before joining the Army in 1967. For the last 18 years, Dennis worked for the Forest Service in Bigfork. He retired in 2001. He was a member of the Conf. Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He also loved to shoot pool and was on pool teams for the Pablo Bar and the Rainbow Bar in Kalispell. Dennis loved life and people. He was loved for his sense of humor and good nature and will be especially missed by his co workers, friends and "Bud" friends in Condon, Kalispell, and Bigfork. Dennis married Marsha (White) Bosnick; they were later divorced. On Feb. 13, 2002 , Dennis remarried to his longtime companion, Donna Hill of Kalispell. Dennis was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his mother. He leaves behind his wife (Kalispell); a daughter and son-in-law Brandy and Steve Murphy (Coeur d'Alene); a son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Heather Burland (Coeur d'Alene); father Lloyd "Sonny" Burland (Ronan); a sister, Charlotte "Babe" Rose (St. Ignatius); a brother, Gary Burland (St. Ignatius); a step-daughter and her husband, Corrina and Hill Gutknecht (Missoula); four grandchildren, Katelyn (Idaho), and Nichole, Kristina and D.J. (all of Missoula); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A wake was held in St. Ignatius. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Oct. 17 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment with military honors will follow in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
ALMA E. CAYE
ELMO -- Alma E. Caye, 64, died on Nov. 9, 2002, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Alma, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, was born on Jan. 1, 1938, in Browning, MT, to John and Christine (Boy) Mittens. She grew up and attended schools in Browning. She moved to Dayton in 1956. She married Albert Caye in Couer d'Alene, ID, in 1958. They lived on the Pleasant Valley Ranch near McGregor Lake for two years and then in Kellogg, ID, for two years. They moved back to her family's home in Browning for a bit before moving to Elmo. They lived in Glasgow from 1978 to 1979, during which time, Alma received her Early Childhood Education degree. The couple also lived in Hot Springs for awhile. Alma ran a day care center in Elmo for a short time. She loved to pick huckleberries, go on Christmas tree cutting trips, sewing, baking, beading and playing in stickgame tournaments. She especially looked forward to trips to Bonners Ferry, ID, to play bingo at Thanksgiving every year. She was preceded in death by four sons: Aaron, Francis, Jerome and August; her sister, Veronica Newrobe; her parents; and her step-father, Tony Santerno. She is survived by her husband, Albert (Elmo); four daughters and their spouses: Velma Caye (Elmo), Genevie and Brad Eneas (Big Arm), and Alberta Caye and Felicity Caye (both of Elmo); three granddaughters, Christine Johnston, Valerie Caye and Miranda Kenmille; six grandsons, David Kallowat, Duane Kallowat, Allan Kenmille, Laurence Kenmille, and Bassu’ Eneas and Youstah Eneas; two great-grandsons, MaKeelin Glass and Ozayo Burland; one great-granddaughter, Rakeena Caye; two sisters, Colleen Swims Under (Big Badger, MT) and Dorothy Mittens (Tacoma, WA); a brother, Billy Mittens (Browning); and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives in Elmo and Browning. Traditional wake services began on Nov. 11 at the Elmo Hall. Mass was celebrated on Nov. 13 at the hall. Burial followed at the Dayton Cemetery.
REX J. CHEFF
RONAN -- Rex Joseph Cheff of Ronan died on Nov. 9, 2002, at the age of 92. Rex was born Nov. 4, 1910, the first child born in the new town of Ronan. He was baptized in the St. Ignatius Mission, where he went to school and spent his first two years learning to speak English. He was the second of 14 children born to Marie and Ovila Cheff, who came to the Flathead in the late 1800s from Ontario, Canada. As a boy he was a good hunter and fisherman and helped the family income with his trapping. He had an excellent and strong singing voice and loved singing and dancing at the local pow wows as well as in the church choir. After a very colorful life, he became a chiropractor in 1950 at the age of 40. He spent the rest of his life helping others. As a boy he learned a lot about herbs and healing from the old medicine men and his parents. He combined the modern teachings with the old ways and tried to help all who came to him, whether they could pay or not. Many thought he had special powers in his hands and touch. He is survived by six younger brothers: Bud Sr. and Charles (both of Ronan), Floyd (Missoula), Louie (Detroit), and Herman and Clarence (both of Michigan); a sister, Josephine Schwack (Missouri); daughters Beatrice Ditmars (Kauai, HI) and Annette Whitney (Mich.); son Dwight (Wash.); many grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Donations can be made in his name to the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana.
