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SUZANNE O'CONNOR
POLSON -- Suzanne R. O'Connor, 75, died on July 6, 2005, at St. Joseph Hospital here. Sue was born Feb. 23, 1930, in Chicago, to Donald and Laura (Roberts) Royce. She grew up and attended schools in Santa Monica, Calif. Sue went on to attend Colorado College and received her bachelor of arts degree in sociology. Suzanne married Charles O'Connor in 1952 in Santa Monica. They lived near San Francisco for 32 years and five years in Bend, Ore., before moving to Polson in 1995. She was a member of PEO and the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary. Sue enjoyed golfing and playing bridge. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Don. She is survived by her husband, Charles (Polson); a daughter, Laura Pickett (Missoula); and a son, Scott (Plantation, FL). She is also survived by five grandchildren and a sister, Sally (Orinda, CA). A memorial was held on July 11 at the First Presbyterian Church in Polson. Cremation has taken place.
DAYAMI PIAPOT
ST. IGNATIUS -- Dayami Starr Joseph Piapot, 18 days old, died on July 11, 2005 in Missoula. Infant of Jami Piapot, he was born on June 23, 2005, in Ronan. Born with medical problems his few special days and hours provided precious memories for his family. He was preceded in death recently by his great-great-grandmother, Margaret Matt Finley; and his grandfather Arnie Swaney. He will be laid to rest by one of his yayas, Kelly Matt Gonzalez. He leaves behind his mother Jami (Ronan); his yaya Vicki Matt Piapot (Missoula) and Lisa St. Clair (Ronan) and grandpa Darrell Piapot Sr. (Ronan); great-grandparents Patti Piapot and Joseph Piapot (both of Spokane), Vic Matt (Dixon) and Carmelita Wood (St. Ignatius); as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Services were held on July 14 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church, with interment following in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
RICKY ROLLINS
BOTHELL, Wash. -- Ricky Eugene Rollins died on July 27, 2005, after losing a courageous battle with cancer. An avid sports fan and passionate traveler, Ricky explored all parts of the world including Australia, Thailand, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and all of Europe. Ricky was born June 9, 1953, in Polson. He grew up and attended schools in St. Ignatius, graduating from Mission High School in 1971. Ricky attended the Univ. of Montana and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education in 1975, which included studying in France. Intending to go to medical school, he further studied at Washington State Univ. to receive his master's degree in athletic medicine. His interest and circumstances changed, taking Rick into the restaurant business. Beginning as a waiter, he soon realized his talent as a manager, manager trainer and restaurant consultant. His position took him to Kansas City. MO, where he later opened The Montana Steak House. In 1996 Rick came to Bothell to open an Outback Steakhouse in Kirkland. In 1997 he was named Proprietor of the Year. He later opened Outback restaurants in Alaska, Idaho and Indiana. Rick used his restaurant to help raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of America. He used his talents as a chef and often cooked Mother's Day breakfast or Thanksgiving dinner for his employees and friends. He always opened his home to help family and friends go to school or help those who may be in need. Ricky's life, kindness and zest for life touched many hearts and will leave an everlasting impression. Ricky follows his little brother, Brian Rollins, and is survived by his beloved mother, Marjorie Rollins (St. Ignatius); brothers Daniel Rollins (Anchorage, AK), and Darryl Rollins (St. Ignatius); sisters Roxanna Ogemahgeshig (Olympia, WA), Ranae Sonju (Anchorage), Ramona Friske (San Antonio, TX), and Rowena Rollins (Polson); eight nephews; four nieces, four grandnieces and one grandnephew. Ricky's family held a small memorial at the St. Ignatius City Park on Aug. 2. In Rick's honor, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of America or donor's choice.
DANIEL E. THOMAS
RONAN -- Daniel E. Thomas, 87, died at home here on July 26, 2005. Daniel was born April 21, 1918, at home, a ranch on Medicine Lodge Creek in Small, ID. His early schooling was at Medicine Lodge and he graduated from high school at John Muir Tech. in Pasadena, CA. He went on to attend Pasadena Junior College where he majored in geology and was enrolled in ROTC. While attending the University of Idaho, he married his beautiful loving wife Betty Andrea Rider on July 23, 1937. They settled in Salmon Prairie, MT, for a short time and then moved to Seward, AK, in 1940. Daniel was then employed by the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. He enjoyed the challenges of his varied pursuits: ranching, motel management and uranium mining. Eventually, he found his true calling as a commercial fisherman both in Seward and Cordova, AK. This calling offered a lifestyle for his family which created wonderful endless memories. He retired from fishing after 32 years and settled in Ronan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; daughter Andrea Marcia; granddaughter Heidi Barnes Martinez; parents Daniel W. and Mary E. Thomas; and brother Byron K. Thomas. Survivors include his children, Cinda Barnes, Sharon Barnes, Coral Lockwood (David) and Rex Thomas (all of Ronan); brothers and their wives, Gerald W. and Jean Thomas (Las Cruces, NM), Walter J. and Betsy Thomas (West Jordan, UT), William H. and Eunice Thomas (Alameda, CA), and John F. and Joann Thomas (Cordova, AK); 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on July 30 at the Lockwood residence on Terrace Lake Road in Ronan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.
MARIA TIMM
POLSON -- Maria Lee Timm, 87, died on July 14, 2005, at Evergreen Extended Care Facility here. She was born July 11, 1918, to Herman and Annie Viola (Brown) Rigal in Casper, WY. Maria attended Casper schools, graduating from St. Anthony Elementary Catholic School and Natrona County High School in 1936. She was employed as a piano player and singer at a Casper radio station; on a dude ranch near Dubois, WY; and for "Ma Bell" as a telephone operator. She later moved to Cheyenne, WY, where she was employed as a long-distance switchboard operator with the Army. She well-remembered being called in to work on her day off, Dec. 7, 1941, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She married her partner-in-life Philip E. Timm in Cheyenne on Nov. 6, 1941. During the early war years she followed her husband around Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming where he was employed with several contractors performing flight training for the military. In 1944, Maria returned to Casper to live while Phil was on active duty in the Army Air Corps. Following the war, Phil and Maria came to the Flathead to help Maria's mother-in-law harvest her cherry crop. That was the first of many trips to the Polson area, which stimulated the couple to move the family of four to Polson on Christmas 1955 and start a new family aviation business at the Polson Airport. Whether as a wife, mother or businesswoman, Maria was her husband's partner in all things. In aviation, she ran the details of the business side of the operation, participated as a Scout leader, and a leader in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. In 2000, she and Phil moved into St. Joseph Assisted Living in Polson where she provided musical entertainment for the residents. The Phil-Maria partnership ended after nearly 60 years with his death a few years ago. She is survived by her daughter Beth and her husband Byron Christian (Polson and Las Vegas); her son, Glenn (Polson); and a grandson. Rosary was recited on July 18 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. (No other details given.)
PAUL F. TORGERSON, JR
ARLEE -- Paul was born on Sept. 20, 1931, in Fargo, ND, and died in his home here on July 26, 2005. Preceded in death by a brother, David, he is survived by his loving companion Patty Hahn; three children, Phillip, Lisa and Callie; and four brothers Bob, Stan, Tom and Terry. He spent many years in Tacoma,WA, and worked at St. Joseph Hospital as an operating engineer for 29 years. Paul served in the Army in Korea and was member of the AmVets. He was known for his sense of humor and his ability to fix anything. He was a loving father and friend and will be greatly missed . Services were held at Pleasant View Cemetery in St. Ignatius on Aug. 6.
ANTON WALCHUK
RONAN -- Anton William "Tony" Walchuk, was born on May 24, 1932. He died on July 21, 2005. He was the fourth of six children of Peter and Pearl Walchuk. He graduated from Ronan High School then trained as a mechanic in the U.S. Army. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Tony is survived by his daughter, Dena (Glen) Gormley and their children, Krista and Jason; his son, Dale (Caroline) Walchuk and their children, Levi and Holt; his sister, Lillian; brothers, Thomas, Leo, Joseph and James; and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great nieces. Tony loved the outdoors and all it offered. He spent much time hunting and fishing and loved sharing stories of animal encounters. Services were held on July 30 at the Ronan Sacred Heart Parish.
GEORGE M. WHITE
RONAN -- George White died at his home here on July 16, 2005. George will be remembered as something of a "jack of all trades" or perhaps a "Renaissance man," given that his achievements ranged from the creation of magnificent bronze sculptures, innovative dwellings including an earth-bermed house and an adobe brick house east of Ronan, building a complete RV from scratch, teaching art in the Ronan school system and Kicking Horse Job Corps Center and researching, writing, illustrating, printing and distributing manuals on Native American handcraft. One publication, "The Craft Manual of North American Indian Footwear," has sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide. Former students may remember George as an idealist and a bit of a philosopher. He was the first faculty adviser for the Ronan High School Indian Club. His idealism was further revealed by becoming a member of the Masonic Order and earning a 32nd degree and by being the adviser to the Order of DeMolay. Other friends and family members may remember George through a more personal history: that he was born on March 11, 1912, to Tressa B. and George "Doc" White, dentist; how he and his family moved from DeWitt, Neb., via rail, steamboat and covered wagon to homestead near Roy in 1914; how his older brother, younger sister, mother and father lived in a sod house struggling to make a living from the reluctant red earth; that the family finally moved to Lewistown where Doc White took up dentistry again and Tressa went back to teaching school; that George lost vision in one eye due to an accident involving blasting caps and a bonfire at the age of 12; and that he was bedridden for most of a year enduring a bout with rheumatic fever, during which time he practiced carving figurines out of wood, a skill that he later applied to a master's of fine arts degree at the University of Montana and much later to his exquisite bronze sculptures. In 1937, he became infatuated with a 19-year-old coed, Beverley Mary Edwards. A year and a half later they married. Their life together spanned 67 years and took them to Idaho to New Mexico to Colorado where George worked for the Ute Indian Nation, and finally to Ronan in 1953, where George began teaching art and science and Beverley taught piano. George is survived by his wife, Beverley; sister Annabelle Thomy; sons George, Frank and Michael; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The White family extends its deepest appreciation to Mr. Harvey Covert from the Fiji Islands, who provided consistent and gracious care 24 hours a day for the last seven months of George's life.
