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VERA ASHCRAFT
POLSON -- Vera May Ashcraft, 86, died on Aug. 16, 2004, at her home here. Vera was born on May 9, 1918, in Hobson to Henry and Mabel Nygren. Vera played the piano and drums in a band that included Virginia. She obtained her advanced schooling in Indianapolis. Vera and her husband, Basil, moved to Helena in 1947, where she ran a hairstyling salon. They retired to Flathead Lake in 1976. She enjoyed traveling around the world, playing the organ, reading, crocheting, creating ceramics, canning, second guessing the stock market, and her family and friends. She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Polson and a 54-year member of Eastern Star. Basil preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Larry, Linda and Shannon; seven grandchildren; twin sister Virginia Dokken (Great Falls); sister Carolyn Smith (Kennewick, WA); and many nephews, nieces and relatives. Memorial services were conducted on Aug. 20 in Polson. Memorial donations may be made to Lake County Hospice, 711 Main St. S.W., Ronan, MT 59864.
KANE FUNKE
POLSON -- Kane Funke, 20, of Kalispell, died from injuries received in Iraq on Aug. 13, 2004. He was a member of the U.S. Marines. Kane was born on July 12, 1984 in Missoula. He attended grade school in Polson, and high school in Kalispell, before graduating from Heritage High School in Vancouver, WA. He also attended a sea cadet program at Vancouver. He skipped his high school graduation ceremony to enter the Marine Corps' boot camp. He is survived by his mother, Stephanie Funke (Kalispell); a sister, Ashley Johnston (Kalispell); grandparents Tom and Patricia Funke (Polson); aunts and uncles Tom Funke, Gregg and Kathy Funke, Todd Funke, Eric and Julie Funke, and Matt and Theresa Funke; and numerous cousins. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Aug. 20 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. Burial with full military honors followed at Lakeview Cemetery. A memorial education fund in Kane's name for his sister will be set up at Community Bank Polson.
MARY GEORGE
ST. IGNATIUS -- Mary Agnes "Aggie" Woodcock George died on Aug. 21, 2004, in Missoula. A member of the Conf. Salish and Kootenai Tribes, she was born on Nov. 21, 1942, to Leo (Michel) Conko and Josephine Woodcock. She was raised on the Flathead Reservation, and attended boarding schools including Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota. Aggie came from a very traditional family. She enjoyed traveling (living at one time in California and Washington), crocheting, reading and just being with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Leo (Michel) Conko and Josephine Woodcock Peuse; her adopted parents, Ken and Theresa Ness; a grandson; her sisters Jeanette Conko Torosian, Harriet Hammer and Geri Ashley Trahan; and a brother, Louis "Beaver" Conko. Survivors include her children, Teri Antoine (St. Ignatius), James Joseph "Jim Joe" Dempsey (Ronan), Marc Hill (Philadelphia), Shawn Hill (Lewes, DE), Guy Hill (Polson); 12 grandchildren, including Cyrus Antoine, whom she was raising; two great-grandchildren with one on the way; sisters Rosemary Grove (Polson), Jackie Conko Castillo (Usk, WA), and Clara Bourdon (St. Ignatius); brother James McKee (Polson); and many first cousins, who were raised as brothers and sisters to her: Dixon Curley (Ronan), Leenie Morigeau (Great Lakes, IL), Janice Ness (Billings), Liz Pierre (Polson), Dave Woodcock and Gary Woodcock (both of Oregon); Ed Ness, Bill Ness, LaVonne Ness, Millie Conko Camel, Helen Hendrickx, Eneas Conko and Joe Cahoon (all of Ronan); and Andy and Rita Woodcock, Virgie Woodcock, Dorothy Woodcock, and John Conko (all of St. Ignatius); and several aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. The wake began at the Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home and concluded at the Longhouse, both in St. Ignatius. Services were conducted on Aug. 19. Burial followed in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
JAMES A. GLASSON
HOT SPRINGS -- James A. Glasson died on Aug. 27, 2004, at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains. He was born on July 12, 1928, in Lewiston, ID, the son of Hubert A. and Alma (Jay) Glasson. James enlisted in the U.S. Army as a young man and dedicated nearly 21 years serving America. After retiring from the service, he enjoyed crocheting, cooking and traveling. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was preceded in death by his parents, a number of siblings, and his wife, Leona. He is survived by his wife, Jo; four children and their spouses, Brenda and J.D. Hart (Bullard, TX), Linda and Danny Trudeau (Granada Hills, CA), James Jr. and Becky (Fuquay-Varina, NC), and Timothy and Diana (Sanford, NC); two stepdaughters, Teri Hamilton (San Marcos, TX) and Melissa Hager (Elma, WA; 11 grandchildren; a brother, William Glasson (Nevada); and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Cremation has taken place. No services are planned at this time. A memorial service is planned sometime next spring in North Carolina.
LAURA GRANT
POLSON -- Laura Lee Todd Grant, 38, died on Aug. 14, 2004, from injuries sustained in a boating accident on Flathead Lake. Laura was born on Oct. 8, 1965, in Ronan. She graduated from Polson High School. Later she went on to play volleyball for Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR. She also attended Salish Kootenai College and Eastern Montana College. Laura returned to Polson to help run the family business at Boettcher Park. At the time of her death, she was an administrative assistant for the Lake County Solid Waste Department. Laura married Edward Todd in Polson in 1990 and they had one son, Conrad. She and Ed later divorced but remained friends. Laura's favorite pastimes included fishing with Conrad and sitting around the campfire visiting with friends and family. Her greatest joys were Conrad, music, singing duets with her sister Tami, and animals. Laura was the daughter of Russell and Lillian Grant (Polson). Family members include her biological parents, Judy Iverson (OR), Russell and Susan Sartin (OR), and Ted and Shari Iverson (Billings); brothers and sisters Todd (NE), Don (WA), Richard (CA), Erik and Ryan Iverson (OR), Karen Tucker and husband Jerry (WA), twin sister Tami Hart and husband Randy (Polson), and Carmen Iverson (OR); and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Her extended family includes Bert and Cookie Todd (Charlo), Bill Todd (Kansas City, MO), and Kyle Todd and wife Veronica (Hereford, AZ). Funeral services were conducted on Aug. 19 at the New Life Christian Center in Polson. Burial followed at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. Memorials may be made to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter in Polson or to an educational fund set up for Conrad Todd at First Interstate Bank, Polson, c/o Kristy.
BERNA HAYFORD
ST. IGNATIUS -- Berna Mae (McKeever) Hayford, 75, died on Aug. 10, 2004, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Berna was born in St. Ignatius to Mona (Marcum) and James McKeever Jr. on June 21, 1929. Raised in the Post Creek, she graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1948. Shortly after graduation, she married Art Graham and they had two sons, Robert and Stanley. She later married Gerald "Jerry" Hayford. To this marriage were added Walter and Mona. She was also married to Ray "Cub" Baylor. Berna loved her children, animals and flowers. She enjoyed bingo, checking out thrift stores, visiting with friends, and gambling. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; her son, Walter; her brother, Lester McKeever; and a niece, Jamie McKeever. Survivors include Stanley Graham and Mona (Cabe) Hayford, and Bob Graham; nieces Rita McKeever and Leslie LeBeau and their families; and nephews Allen and Casey McKeever of Oregon. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and she was laid to rest on the grave of her son. Graveside services were held on Aug. 14 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
ROBERT HOUT
POLSON -- Robert S. "Bob" Hout of Valley View died of natural causes on Aug. 25, 2004. Bob was born on June 4, 1922, on a ranch 25 miles south of Miles City to Charles A. Hout and Dora (Lippert) Hout. He married Nelda Rebhon in the 1940s. This marriage brought forth a set of twin boys, Robert J. and Ronald W., and later Caroleia, then two more boys, Charles and Melvin. Robert and Nelda later divorced. He then married Jackey Davis, and they were together until her death. In 1948, Bob moved to Polson, where he worked for the Dewey Lumber Co. and the Plum Creek Lumber Co. After almost 30 years of work, he retired to live on his ranch in Valley View. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Charles "Bud" and Fritz; and his son, Ronald W. Survivors include a brother, Frank Hout (Alaska); sisters Dorothy Adrian (Florida) and Viola Abrams (Baker); sons Robert J., Charles and Melvin; daughter Carol Matt; many grandchildren; and a few great-grandchildren. In honoring his wishes no funeral services will be held. He was laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in Polson.
GRANT HOVDE
POLSON -- Grant Julian Hovde died on Aug. 3, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital here from natural causes. He was born on Dec. 3, 1910, in Harvey, ND, to Jeremiah and Laura (Fransen) Hovde. He grew up in North Dakota and moved to Washington at the age of 16. He worked as a farm laborer and at the shipyards during World War II. He later moved to Spokane and worked as a carpenter, a brand inspector and at the stockyards. He moved to Montana in 1951 and managed a ranch in the Valley Creek area. He lived in Ronan before moving to Polson, where he has lived since. He married Ada VanDyke; she passed away in 1978. He married Elma Dunwald Harris on May 21, 1979. He was lifetime member of the Old-Time Fiddlers District No. 1, the Accordion Association, Mission Valley Elks and was one of the first state directors for the Montana High School Rodeo Association. He was the barn superintendent for 16 years at the Lake County Fair. He was the trail master for the wagon train ride for 14 years and participated for 50 years at the National Bison Range -- spending 30 of those years as a calf brander. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife, Elma (Polson;) two daughters and their husbands, Juanita and Ted Schall (Arlee) and LaDonna and Joe Fryberger (Charlo); eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; an adopted granddaughter, Ann Pierce (Apache Junction, AZ); one sister, Alice Swenson (Arlington, VA); and numerous other relatives. Funeral services were conducted on Aug. 9 in Polson. Interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
ROSALA IVY
RONAN -- Rosala David Ivy died on Aug. 21, 2004, at St. Luke Community Hospital here of natural causes. She was born in Stevensville on Jan. 3, 1931, to Mollie and Henry David. The family lived in St. Ignatius, Round Butte and Polson and then settled in Ronan, where Rosala attended school, graduating in 1949. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Spokane. She worked for a time as a switchboard operator, and later got a job at Fairchild Air Force Base as a civilian employee. There she met and married Airman Riley Ivy, and the couple moved to Victoria, TX, to be near his family. They later divorced. She then transferred to Seattle, which was followed by Colorado Springs, CO, and Wisbaden, Germany, where she worked with the Strategic Air Command for ten years. Upon returning to the States, she worked at the Pentagon and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. She retired in 1986 and returned to Ronan. She attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church and enjoyed teaching the Sunday school children. In 1998 Rosala was struck blind as the result of surgery. She lived on her own with the help of family and friends for the next six-and a-half years before other complications set in and she needed extra care. She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Henry; her parents; brothers Henry, Benny, Edward and John; and five sisters, Esther David, Marie Hamel, Martha Jones, Sue Davies and Letha Hassell. urvivors include her brothers Jake David (Oakridge, OR) and William David (Helena); and sisters Eva Myers (Oakridge), Freda Francis (Clarkston, WA), Betty Bear (West Richland, WA), Ruth Ann Gregg (San Carlos, CA), Billie Mae Jackson (Ronan) and Darline David (Portland, OR). Funeral services were conducted on Aug. 26 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ronan followed by interment at Mountain View Cemetery. The family requests memorials to the Bread Basket in Ronan, Habitat for Humanity or a charity of the donor's choice.
