Search Archived Marriage Records
FRANK DUCHARME
LEEDS, Ala. -- Frank Ducharme died here on March 7, 2003, following a lengthy illness. Frank was born July 30, 1921, to Peter and Elsie (Rein) Ducharme in St. Ignatius. He attended the Catholic School there and the Indian School in Rapid City, S.D. Frank went to California in the early 40s where he met a pretty red-haired Alabama girl, Mae Isabell. They were married in 1943. They lived and worked in Los Angeles, Victorville and Apple Valley until they moved to Alabama in 1977. Frank was an enrolled member of the Salish-Kootenai Tribes and was very proud of his Native American heritage. He returned to the Flathead Reservation many times to attend powwows and visit friends and relatives. Frank was a popular entertainer at various school and civic functions in Alabama, dressed in his ceremonial Indian outfit, showing powwow videos and talking about his tribes' traditions and history. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Mae; his mother and father, and his brother, Herman. He is survived by two brothers, Joe and Jean, and numerous nieces and nephews. Burial was in Leeds.
DIXIE D. EATON
RONAN -- Dixie D. Eaton, 84, died on March 20, 2003, at her home here of natural causes. Dixie was born Dec. 18, 1918, in Miles City to Harvey H. and Laura Mae (Hill) Crosby. She married Harold P. Eaton in Miles City. He preceded her in death in 1984. She moved to Seattle in the 1940s, working at Boeing until retirement. She also raised horses and ranched near Seattle. She moved to Ronan in 2000 to live with her son. Survivors include two sons, Hod Eaton (Ronan) and Hal Eaton (Auburn, WA); eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Eaton (Miles City). No services are planned.
ELAINE D. FORMAN
POLSON -- Elaine Dalice Forman, 61, died of cancer on March 6, 2003, at the family home near here. She married Kendal Forman of Polson on June 30, 1961. They moved to the family farm in Mountain View where they raised certified seed potatoes and Charolais and Simmental cattle. She taught first grade for one year, both in St. Ignatius and Polson, before becoming a full-time homemaker to raise her children and help with the farm. In 1983, she became an independent insurance agent. She was an enrolled member of the Conf. Salish-Kootenai Tribes. Her Indian heritage was an integral and significant part of her life. One of her greatest joys were the annual whitefishing trips to Spotted Bear made in the camping school bus for the past 25 years, with all her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of Polson; daughters and their husbands, Jenaya and Gregg Webster (Polson), Sheryl and Chris Kantola (Camano Island, WA), Sheri and Van McIntire (Eugene, OR), Maurita Forman and Michaela Forman (both of Polson); grandchildren Kyra, Daisha and Abe Kantola, Kabe, Kaiden and Baby Kendal Forman-Webster, Joshua and Austin McIntire, Briala Bisson Forman, Alicia and Jeremy Smithson and Dustin and Mitch Mitchell; sisters Kay Johnson, Carol Pastos and Rene Dubay; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by two sons, Kevin in 1996 and Ferin in 1998; her parents Abraham and Marion Dubay; and her little brother, Dennis. The family will be having a private service at the family farm where she will be buried and suggests donations be made to the Make A Wish Foundation.
BETTY JEAN GAFFORD
POLSON -- Betty Jean Gafford, 77, of Polson, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at the St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan of natural causes. Betty was born March 28, 1925, in Polson, the daughter of Doc and Gladys Corrigan. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Jack Corrigan; and a half-brother, Don Corrigan. She is survived by two daughters, Arla Tree (Stevensville) and Linda Gafford (Florida); a son, Carl D. Gafford (Polson); seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She will be missed by her family and friends for her great sense of humor. At her request, cremation has taken place and no services are planned. The family requests memorials to the charity of the donor's choice.
CHARLES E. GIBBS
POLSON -- Charles "Chuck" E. Gibbs, Jr., died on March 14, 2003, at St. Joseph Hospital here. Chuck was born on May 21, 1948 in Evansville, Ind., to Charles Edward Gibbs, Sr. and Leeoda (Harden) Gibbs. Chuck grew up and attended schools in Indianapolis and graduated in 1966 from Franklin High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966. After his discharge in 1973, he joined the Air National Guard in Calif. and served there until 1983. He then returned to Air Force active duty until he retired in 1996. Chuck married Margarita Teves on May 4, 1971, in Japan. After his military service, he and his family lived in Guam for three years where he worked as a computer service manager. He moved his family to Polson in Nov. 1999. He worked for Lake City Electric and then joined S&K Electronics for a year. At the time of his death, he was employed by S&K Technologies in St. Ignatius. Chuck was an accomplished musician. He played tenor saxophone and was a member of various bands throughout his life. Chuck enjoyed boating and astronomy and was active in the Astronomy Club. He was also an active NRA Member and was a shooting instructor. He was preceded in death by his mother; step-father, John Stout; and stepmother, Catherine Gibbs. He is survived by his wife, Margarita (Cristy) Gibbs (Polson); three children: Lee Gibbs (Guam), and John Allan Gibbs and Cristina Gibbs (both of Polson); his father and step-mother, Charles and Irma Gibbs (Polson); a sister, Sylvia Tonkin (Indianapolis); and a step-sister, Sandy O'Connor (Lyons, CO). Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on March 22 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Polson. Burial with military honors followed at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson.
CHARLES HAWLEY
SEATTLE -- Charles Francis Hawley died at the VA Hospital here on March 23. He was born in Dixon on Aug. 8, 1917, to Charles I. and Imelda (Morigeau) Hawley. He attended schools in Dixon and Thompson Falls, and earned a college degree from the University of Montana. Charles' work career included service in the Navy during World War II, the U.S. Postal Service and J.C Penney's in Washington. He was enrolled on the Fort Peck Reservation. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Adeline. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Donna Jean Grounds (Puyallup, WA); a brother, Wilford Hawley (Sheridan, WY); two sisters, Gertrude Hamilton (Olympia, WA) and Joeann Hawley (Ronan); and many cousins in and around Montana. In accordance with his wishes, there were no services. Burial was in Sumner, WA.
JOHN D. HESTER
POLSON -- John D. Hester of Polson, died on March 14, 2003, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He is survived by cousins Barbara Lunceford (Pine Grove, CA), Betty Irvin (Surprise, AZ), and Kenneth McTaggart (Senora, CA). His parents preceded him in death. Memorial services will be held in Polson at a later date. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.
RICK L. HUNTER
POLSON -- Rick L. Hunter, 48, died on March 19, 2003, at St. Joseph Hospital here from natural causes. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Hunter, and mother, Shirley Tinjum. Survivors include his wife, Maureen "Micki" Hunter, and her son, Eric Dell (Polson); sons Bill Hunter (Gillette, WY) and Brian Hunter (Polson); daughters Crystal Hunter (Laramie, WY) and Syndee Hunter (Missoula); three sisters, Debbie Jones (Polson), Sharon Olson (Grand Forks, ND), and Cindy Dake (Great Falls); a granddaughter; and his 98-year-old grandmother, Minnie Lee (Wautoma, WI). A memorial service was held on March 27 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church followed by military graveside rites at Lakeview Cemetery.
ARLENE K. KRUDDE
RONAN -- Arlene Krogstad Krudde died here on March 10, 2003, after an extended illness. She was born May 30, 1924, in Glasgow. She was the only child of Jacob and Lova Bauer. She attended school in Kalispell. Arlene married Lyman "Babe" Krogstad in Seattle in 1944. They moved to Kalispell before moving to Ronan to start a business and raise their family. Babe preceded her in death in 1968. She later married Everett Krudde in 1978. He passed away in 1980. Arlene studied to become and accredited record technician and at the time of her retirement was the head of the medical records department at St. Luke Community Hospital. Arlene had many hobbies that included traveling in Europe and Mexico. She loved to garden, read, camp and fish. Her greatest accomplishment was raising four children, all of whom survive her: two sons, Lonnie (Pittsburgh) and Richard (Ronan); and two daughters, Laurel Jensen (Vancouver, WA) and Karen Krogstad (Ronan). She is also survived by two grandsons, Tyler and Ross Jensen, and two great-grandsons, Grant and Elliott Jensen (all of Vancouver). A celebration of her life was held on March 14 at Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan.
CLARABELLE LAUMAN
POLSON -- ClaraBelle Lauman, 84, died on March 24, 2003, at the Evergreen Care Center here. She was born June 6, 1918, in Portland, OR, to Charles and Anna (Conley) McCollough. In 1939, she married Albert Lauman in Flathead County and was primarily a homemaker throughout her life. Survivors include her son, Gene Lauman (Kalispell); her daughter Darline Radabah (Kalispell); and five grandchildren. Services were conducted on March 27. Burial followed at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
