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BETTY THOMAS
RONAN -- Betty Andrea (Rider) Thomas died on Nov. 16, 2003, at Community Medical Center in Missoula. Betty was born Jan. 23, 1919, in Portland, OR. She was the second oldest of nine children born to George and Della May Rider. After her father's death when she was nine years old, she was placed in the children's home in Napa, ID, until she was 16 years old. Her mother later married Ray Fayle. Betty met Daniel E. Thomas in 1937 and they were married on June 23, 1939, in Roberts, ID. They lived in many states including Montana, Idaho, Utah and Alaska. Betty had a very rare disease that effected her eyes and ears which would have been an obstacle for most people, but she never let it get in her way. Despite her poor eyesight her house was always spotless. She was famous for her marvelous cooking and sweet smile. While living she was well known for her bravery in protecting her grandkids from the bears, chasing them away with only a broom. She is survived by her husband; three daughters, Cinda Barnes, Sharon Barnes and Coral Lockwood (and her husband, David -- all of Ronan); one son, Rex Thomas (Ronan); a brother, Raymond Fayle (MacKay, IL); 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; seven of her siblings; her daughter, Andrea Marcia Thomas; and her granddaughter, Heidi Barnes Martinez. The family suggests memorials be made to the National Federation of the Blind. Funeral services were conducted on Nov. 21 at the Ronan Christian Church. >
JOHN VINSON
CHARLO -- John V. Vinson, 81, died at his home here on Nov. 23, 2003. He was born on March 8, 1922, in Big Arm, to Robert F. and Stella (Bower) Vinson. John served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He is survived by his longtime companion, Sally Petitclerc (Charlo); his son, Bryce (San Clemente, CA); two sisters, Jean Sullivan (Great Falls) and Amy Nelson (Lolo); and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on Nov. 29 at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. A military graveside service followed at Lakeview Cemetery.
WALTER WETZEL
HELENA -- Walter "Blackie" Wetzel, 88, died here on Nov. 8, 2003. Blackie was born to William and Henrietta (Veileaux) Wetzel on June 27, 1915, near Cut Bank Creek on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Blackie managed to overcome many barriers and became a star athlete in many sports. He completed his senior year at Shelby High School and went on to the Univ. of Montana. He also attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, KS. While attending the university, Blackie was taught by Mike Mansfield, who became his mentor and one of his closest friends. Mansfield and Blackie together were given the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the University of Montana in 1990. In 1938, he married Doris L. Barlow. They raised nine children: Marlene, Bill, Helen, Walt, Don, Mike, Sharon, Christine and Lance. Blackie was also an outstanding boxer and had the notion to try the professional circuit. While attending Haskell, he boxed a tri-state champion and won the bout. His boxing career reached an intramural apex when a six-foot, three-inch student named George Letz from Conrad challenged him. It was a very knock-down-drag-out battle, but Blackie managed to pull it off. He recalled hitting his opponent with a twisting jab that split his lip. The young, defeated student later changed his name to George Montgomery and went on to be a Hollywood celebrity and star. They remained friends for years. Other special interests and items that highlighted his life were being a drummer for a jazz band, dancing with movie actress Donna Reed, and being the Medicine Man in the movie "Grey Eagle," which was filmed in the Helena area. Blackie was also very proud of being the force behind the Indian Chief logo of the Washington Redskins pro-football team. At the beginning of World War II, Blackie applied for detail at Mather Air Force Base in Calif. He was hired by the Air Force as a property and supply clerk. He expressed an interest in being a pilot but a health issue kept him from attaining this goal. When Blackie returned to the Blackfeet Nation, he developed a strong interest in tribal politics. Chief White Calf gave him a rite of passage of the chieftainship and named him "Siks-a-num" -- "Blackfeet man" or "man of the Blackfeet people." Siks-a-num served as chairman of the Blackfeet Nation and was also elected president of the National Congress of American Indians. He became friends with President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, whom Blackie named "High Eagle." Blackie was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, daughter Helen, son-in-law Manuel White and granddaughter Susan. Surviving him are five sons and three daughters; 26 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Nov. 13 in Browning. Interment followed at Willow Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 5293 Helena, MT 59604.
HERBERT YORK
MISSOULA -- Herbert John York, 77, died on Nov. 4, 2003, after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer. Preceding him in death were his parents, Otto Eddy York and Martha Venoy Cox York; his brothers, Ken and Frank; and a grandson, Cameron. Born March 16, 1926, in Miles City, Herb spent the first years of his life near Ashland. He spent the remainder of his youth in Stevensville. After his junior year in high school, he enlisted in the Air Force. On leave in July 1945, Herb returned to Missoula and married Merle Beckman of Anaconda. After the war, Herb was discharged at the request of the U.S. Forest Service to return to Montana to become a smokejumper. He jumped during the 1946 and 1947 fire seasons. He continued to work for the Forest Service during summers while attending the Univ. of Montana. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in wildlife technology and began researching for the Fish and Game and the U.S. Forest Service. His career in education included study at seven universities which resulted in a teaching degree and three master's degrees. While in school, he also worked at the Bonner mill and at the Anaconda smelter. Herb spent 33 years as a science teacher and guidance counselor at St. Ignatius High School. He was recognized with several honors for his teaching work. His physics class was honored as one of the top 10 in the U.S. He was honored by the state university system for excellence in teaching chemistry and by the National Biology Teachers Association as an outstanding biology teacher. This led to recognition by the National Science Foundation for a Presidential Award as Montana's Science Teacher of the Year in 1983. His most cherished award came in 1984, when the University of Montana declared him a Distinguished Alumni. The greatest love of his life was Merle, his wife of 58 years. Together they fought Merle's multiple sclerosis for 44 years. Retiring in 1985, Herb and Merle split their years between St. Ignatius and Tucson, AZ. They moved to Missoula in 1997, living at Grizzly Peak Retirement Community and recently at Riverside Nursing Home. Herb is survived by Merle; four children and their spouses: Gerrie and Bruce Hedquist (Albuquerque, NM), Randy and Marte (Missoula), John and Corey (Kalispell) and Steve and Kim (Polson); a special nephew, who in high school lived with Herb, Mike (Seattle); a sister, Bev, and her husband Ken Brown (Honolulu); sisters-in-law, Ralpha (Cottonwood, AZ) and Maggie (Superior); eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Nov. 8 in Missoula. Memorials may be made to the UM Foundation, P.O. Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807.
DONNIE ANDERSON
POLSON -- Donnie Ray Anderson, 45, died on Dec. 24, 2003, at St. Joseph Hospital here. He was preceded in death by his mother in March 2003. Donnie is survived by his wife Joan (Polson); stepson Vincent (Polson); two sons, Jeremiah and Michael (both of Vancouver, WA); one daughter, Star (Calif.); stepfather Larry Biggs (Texas); and two sisters, Gloria Christianson (Anchorage) and Elynn Muir (Ruidoso, NM). Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.
DORIS BENNETT
DIXON -- Doris W. Bennett, 73, died on Dec. 7, 2003, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula of natural causes. She was born Dec. 14, 1929, in Shoshoni, WY. She worked as a waitress at the 4B's Restaurant on East Broadway in Missoula from the time it opened until retiring in 1988. Doris is survived by her sons, Charles Bowers (Salt Lake City) and Timothy Bowers (Stockton, MI); her daughters, Nickie Fontaine (Frenchtown), Wanda Stokes (Dixon), Shauna Baldwin (Missoula), Pamela Cline (Salem, OR), and Princess Taber (Evaro); her brothers, Niles Halley (American Fork, UT), and J.R. Halley (Salt Lake City); her sisters, Melba Marshal and Shirley Halley (UT); 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Private family services will be held at a later date.
LOIS BISSONETTE
RONAN -- Lois Catherine Bissonette, 87, died on Dec. 24, 2003. She was born to George and Nellie Heron Sanderson on July 20, 1914, in Worland, WY, where she graduated from high school. She married Fabian Bissonette on June 3, 1934. They ranched up Six Mile in Frenchtown for more than 20 years, and moved to Ronan in the early '60s. Fabian preceded her in death in 1970. She worked in the Ronan School Lunch Program and retired at age 70. Her interests included needlework, puzzles, reading, and visiting with her family and friends. Survivors include her children and their spouses: Dorothy (Bob) Danforth, Jacqueline (Gayland) Ingalls, Vivian (Bob) Deneault, Deanna Neff, George (Linda) Bissonette, Lynn (Arthur) Bissonette-Berkeley, Norale (Meryl) Young and Twyla Bissonette; 18 grandchildren; and special extended family members LaVerne, Frank, Tim, Tom, Dan, Pat, John and Robert McGreevey (all of Ronan). Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held Dec. 27 at the Evangelical Covenant Church.
OTTO BRUECKMANN
POLSON -- Otto Robert Brueckmann, 86, died on Dec. 25, 2003, from natural causes at St. Luke's Community Healthcare Network in Ronan. He was born July 28, 1917, in South Houston, Texas, to Otto and Ida May Saunders Brueckmann. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Brueckmann, his parents, sisters Sydonia Thompson and Ida Wilson, brother Charles E. Brueckmann, and daughter Irene Brueckmann Johnson. He married Anna Jeanette Elverud in 1947 in Clark Fork, ID. Otto attended school in Pablo before serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Montana. He worked for Boeing in Seattle, did ironwork and mining in Butte, hauled milk for the Polson Creamery, was a flagman and night watchman for the state of Montana working construction on U.S. Highway 93, and later sold tools and cleaning supplies throughout western Montana. Following retirement, he spent much of his time fishing and hunting. He is survived by his wife; their children, Edward Brueckmann and wife Susan (Pablo), Robert Brueckmann and Roy Brueckmann (both of Polson), and Ida Brueckmann Corrigan and husband Garry (Polson); 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services were held at Pablo Christian Church in Pablo on Dec. 3.
