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RAYMOND WHITWORTH
VALLEY CREEK - Raymond M. "Ray" Whitworth, 57, went to be with the Creator on Feb. 9, 2006, at St. Pat's in Missoula. Delivered by his aunt Agnes Vanderburg during the floods of '48, Ray was born on May 18, 1948, at Finley Creek to Fred and Harriett (Adams) Whitworth. He was raised up Valley Creek most of his life and received his formal education from Arlee. A lifelong rancher and cattleman, Ray was active in the industry from his ranch in Valley Creek, as well as helping his father with his outfitter's business in the Bob. He also enjoyed being with his family, hunting and fishing, camping with his friends and a real good visit. Ray married Margaret Jerold and to this union came John and Diane. However, as with many things in life, things did not work out and they later divorced. He remarried Judy Johnson and they were blessed with Jim and Jeri "Sis." Judy and Ray have shared all the wonderful things that they could do together for the last 28 years. He was preceded in death by his father Fred, sister Annette and nephew Shawn Whitworth. Survivors include his mother Harriett (Valley Creek); his wife Judy (Valley Creek); his children John (Frenchtown), Diane (Fairbanks, AK), Jim and wife Laurie (St. Ignatius) and Jeri "Sis" and husband Joe (Norman, OK); four grandchildren Jessica, JR., Connor and Danika; his sisters and in-laws Lauraine and George Johnson (Camas Prairie), Geri Moran (Valley Creek) and Nadine and Dennis Clairmont (Pablo); his brothers and in-laws Fred and Vickie (Niarada) and Floyd and Denise (Arlee) with whom he shared a special bond when Floyd gave Ray his kidney in February of '96. He is also survived by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A wake began on Sunday at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with the Rosary being recited on Monday evening, also at the Longhouse. Services were held on Feb. 14 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission with interment following in the Jocko Cemetery near Arlee.
BEULAH WIGFIELD
POLSON -- Beulah Sandenaw Wigfield, 93, died of natural causes on Feb. 9, 2006, at St. Joseph Medical Center here. Beulah was born in Martinsdale on March 21, 1912, to Bertina and Thomas Sandenaw. Her parents were both born in Sanda, Norway. Her father came to America first and settled in North Dakota. His birth name was Torgerson, but since there were so many Torgersons living there, he changed his last name to Sandenaw, which was his mother's maiden name. Beulah's mother was in poor health, and she wanted to go back to Norway for a visit. Beulah, her mother and her brother, Arthur, went to Norway where they lived for a year. While there, she learned to speak Norwegian, and when she returned to Martinsdale, she had to learn to speak English again. When Beulah was four years old, her family moved to Harlowton. Her mother died two years later and she became the lady of the house. By the time she was nine years old, she did the cleaning and cooking for her family. She and her brother both graduated from Harlowton High School. While she was in high school, she worked and kept books for her father's grocery store. On Sept. 15, 1932, she married John Wigfield at his parents' home in Harlowton. John had just finished college, and they moved to some acreage John's father owned west of Polson, in Irvine Flats. They had two daughters, Joan and Joyce. The girls helped their father round up cattle, brand calves and many other jobs. They lived at their ranch in Irvine Flats for 43 years and Beulah spent her time there cooking three meals a day and washing clothes for the hired men, who also lived with them. They needed a lot of help for plowing, haying, milking cows, picking rocks and building a barn. After selling the ranch, they bought a home on Bayshore Drive in Polson, where Beulah lived for 25 years. Her husband preceded her in death in 1993, and in 2000, she moved closer to her daughter, Joyce, and her husband, Marvin Carlyle. Beulah enjoyed playing bridge, going to the Hobby Club and bowling. She was a member of Rebekah Lodge and the Polson Community Church. Beulah was preceded in death by her husband, John; her son-in-law, Nat Scarcella; her grandson, Craig Carlyle; her brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Loretta Sandenaw; and her sister-in-law and her husband, Ruth and Mitch Phillip. Surviving Beulah include her daughters, Joan Wigfield Scarcella (Long Beach, CA), and Joyce Wigfield Carlyle and her husband Marvin Carlyle (Polson); three nephews; three grandsons; four nieces; three great-grandchildren; several grandnieces and grandnephews. She also leaves her toy poodle, Angel, whom she loved dearly. Funeral services were conducted on Feb. 11 at the Polson Community Church. Donations may be made in Beulah's name to the Polson Community Church.
LESTER COLMAN
ARLEE -- A member of the Conf. Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lester was born on Nov. 11, 1967, in St. Ignatius to Sam and Dorothy (Adams) Colman. Raised on the Flathead Reservation and in western Montana, Lester went to school in Ronan, Superior and Polson. After he completed his education he worked as a fisherman on the boats in Alaska and as a fire fighter for the tribe. It was here that he earned his nickname "Sawdust." Lester enjoyed being with his family and friends. He was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Dorothy; a brother, Rick Lozeau; an uncle, Homer Colman; aunt and uncle Jack and Sugar Stiner; niece Nicole Colman and numerous cousins. Survivors include his daughter, Tiffany; his brothers and sisters Wayne (Debby Courville) Colman, Linda (Chuck) Zeiler, Amos Colman, Glenda (Bodge Whitworth) Colman and Arnold (Dernell) Colman; his aunts and uncles Alvin "Snuse" and Christine McClure, Cecile Lumpry and Russell Husband; as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A wake began on March 18, 2006, at the Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home in St. Ignatius, then moved to the Longhouse in St. Ignatius, where an evening prayer service was held. Funeral services were held in the Longhouse. Interment followed in the Jocko Cemetery in Arlee. Pallbearers were Charlie Bird, Bull Durgeloh, Joe Cahoon, Dave Kudlock, Jim O'Neill and John Green. Honorary bearers were Lyle Colman, Lance Colman, Carmen McClure, Aaron Felix, Gary Stiner and Marvin Colman.
NADINE COUTURE
PABLO -- Nadine Helen Couture, 68, of Pablo, died on March 8, 2006, at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Gary DuCharme. Survivors include her children, Wes Couture (Billings), Tammy Couture (Reno, NV), Ronnie Couture (Pablo) and Herbie Couture (Great Falls); 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Carol Tenney and Myrna Johnson (Polson); brothers, Harold "Bud" DuCharme (Polson), Ken "Mick" DuCharme (Seattle), Herb DuCharme (Evaro), Butch DuCharme (Los Angeles), and Toke DuCharme, Beeb DuCharme, George DuCharme, and John DuCharme (all of Polson). Wake services began at her home in Pablo. Rosary was recited on March 10 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment took place on March 13 at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson. Condolences
CHARLO DICK
Charlo Dick died on March 21, 2006, in a car wreck. She was born on June 7, 1953. She was a member of the Conf. Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. The Charlo name came from the last traditional chief of the Bitterroot Salish. Charlo was brought to Oregon along with her sister Wahneta and adopted by Vern and Velma Finke. She was the mother of Jennifer Bell and Autumn Rigelman. She had eight grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother Virginia Charlo; her three brothers Mike Charlo, Charlie (and Zelda) Charlo, Louis (Cindy) Charlo; sisters Tiny Charlo, Francine (Joe) Dupuis, and Sissie (Boge) Plant. She is preceded death by her father, Louis B. Charlo, Sr. She had recently moved to Cascade Locks. She had lived in the Mt. Tabor area all her life. A memorial service for Charlo was held on March 27 at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 39th and Steele. (Condolences)
HAROLD GUNLOCK
POLSON -- Harold Gordon Gunlock, 89, of Polson, died of natural causes on March 6, 2006, at the Evergreen Care Center. Services will be held at a later date. The family requests memorials to the St. Joseph Retirement Center, 11 17th Ave. E., Polson, MT 59860. Born on May 21, 1916, in Columbus, ND, he was the son of Shell and Magdalena (Lena Schumann) Gunlock. After the death of his father in 1926, Harold and his older brother, Kenneth (now deceased), quit school to help their mother manage the family farm and raise the younger siblings. He hopped trains to California at age 15 in an attempt to earn money for the family. On July 1, 1936, he married his lifetime friend and schoolmate, Lillie O. Arneson. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. The newlyweds moved to Bonners Ferry, ID, to seek work on the Chisholm Ranch as there was no work during the Depression in North Dakota. They made the big move to Montana in 1954, settling in the Post Creek area near St. Ignatius, and ran a dairy farm there for 40 years, dryland farmed and later raised beef cattle, before selling the home place and moving to Polson. Harold took many ribbons for his Percherons and Belgiums. They participated in many shows, parades and wagon trail rides. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth (previously of St. Ignatius); and many distant relatives and friends. He is survived by his devoted wife, Lillie (St. Joseph's Retirement Community, Polson); sons, Eugene Gunlock (Esther Anne) and Daren Gunlock (Debbie) (all of Polson); daughter, Sandra Gunlock Baker (Robin) (Lehi, UT); eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brothers Wayne Gunlock (St. Ignatius), Merle Gunlock (Williston, ND), Leland Anderson (Burbank, CA), and Clarence Anderson (Anchorage, AK); sister, Phyllis Holte (Hayden Lake, ID); cousin, Elsie Nygaard (Ronan); other out-of state cousins; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service took place on April 15, at the Senior Citizens Center in Ronan. The family requests memorials be made to St. Joseph's Retirement Community, 11 17th Ave. E., Polson, MT 59860.
AMELIA ROSE HARRIS
ST. IGNATIUS -- On March 31, 2006, with her family at her side, Amelia Harris left this world to join her husband Verne, her "sweetie" of 46 years. Amelia was a lifelong resident of Mission. She was born on Aug. 16, 1921, to Leo and Laura Rouillier. She attended local schools and graduated from Mission High School in St. Ignatius. After graduation, Amelia worked in the area until beginning in her career as a wife, mother and grandmother. Amelia married Verne Harris on March 13, 1950. The happy couple was later blessed with two daughters, Kay and Jo. In 1973, Verne and Amelia welcomed into their family two sons-in-law, Leo LaSalle and Lloyd Phillips. In the following years they felt blessed with the births of their grandchildren, Katie, Stacy, Jenny and Cody. Most recently, Amelia was thrilled with the birth of her great-grandchild Bridger, and at the time of her death, was eagerly awaiting the birth of two more great-grandchildren. Amelia found pleasure in the simple, but important, things in life. She never aspired to possess the "finer" things in life, but instead treasured the happy times she shared with her family. Amelia's love for children of all ages made her home a gathering spot for her daughters, her grandchildren and the many nieces and nephews that she always placed above everything else. As a devoted sports fan, Amelia supported the Cubs and rarely missed watching a fame. She faithfully followed the Mission Bulldogs and although she could no longer attend the games, she eagerly waited for the 10 p.m. news, a phone call or the morning paper to hear the latest scores. Amelia will be greatly missed by her daughters and their husbands, Kay and Leo LaSalle of Anaconda, and Jo and Lloyd Phillips of St. Ignatius; her grandchildren Katie and Matt Lowery of Lolo, Stacy LaSalle of Anaconda, Jenny and Lyle Cronk of Deming, WA, and Cody Phillips of St. Ignatius; and her great-grandchild Bridger Lowery. Amelia also shared great love with her nephews Bill and Tim Rouillier and niece Jill Hart and their families. She is also survived by one sister, Yvonne Frey; and four sisters-in-law, Emma Jean Rouillier, Jo Ann Rouillier, Joyce Bras, and Madeline Nelson. Amelia was preceded in death by her husband Verne; and by her brothers Paul and Sam Rouillier. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Lake Co. Bank in St. Ignatius to establish a scholarship fund in memory of Verne and Amelia Harris. Services were held on April 5 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church.
GERTRUDE JOY
ST. IGNATIUS -- Gertrude Gariepy Joy, 93, died of natural causes on March 9, 2006. She was born on Sept. 17, 1912, in Lambert, MT, to Norman and Mable Boyd. She graduated from high school in Richey, MT, in 1930 and went to work at the local bank. Fred Gariepy also came to work at the bank about the same time, romance blossomed and they were married on July 14, 1931. They lived and worked in Richey and Ronan before establishing Lake County Bank in March of 1945. Gertrude was kept busy with her young family during the first few years but found herself becoming very involved in many community activities. In the 1940s, she helped start the Campfire Girls program. She also was a member of the Catholic Ladies Guild, the local PTA and the Hospital Guild. Her services to the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society date back more than 50 years. She went back to work at the family bank in 1954 and worked there until her retirement in 1981. She also served on the Board of Directors of Lake County Bank. Gertrude had five children and she lost her beloved husband in October 1972. She found love a second time when she met El Joy. They were married in January 1981; he died in Oct. 1999. Gertrude's biggest love was gardening; her flowers and garden attest to her green thumb. She also loved fishing, hunting, crochet, knitting, playing cards and dancing. Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Mable Boyd; her first husband, Fred Gariepy; her second husband, El Joy; her brother, John Boyd; her sons Pete and Steven Gariepy; her daughters, Sharon Rider and Mary Lou Gariepy; her granddaughter, Cheryl Gariepy; and her great-granddaughter, Dawn Gariepy. She is survived by a son, Larry Gariepy, and his wife, Letty; daughter-in-law, Joanne Gariepy; son-in-law, Dean Rider; sister-in-law, Fern Boyd; and four step-daughters, Norma, Melva, Deanna and Doris. She has 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Mass was celebrated on March 15 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Interment followed in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
THELMA KELLY
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mex. -- Thelma Augusta Maria Knopp Kelly, 86, of Carson, CA, and formerly of Montana, died of pneumonia and pancreatic cancer on March 18, 2006, at the home of her youngest daughter here. She was surrounded by her loving family. Thelma was born on Sept. 27, 1919, at the family homestead on Corral Creek in Dawson Co. to Frank Max Knopp and Katherine Wilhelmina Malhstedt Knopp. In 1930, her mother, Katie, died. Her father remarried in 1933 to Pauline "Polly" Mable Lofts. When drought caused Frank to lose his homestead in 1934, the Knopp family moved to Pablo because Polly had family in the Mission Valley. Thelma worked for the Almon Hocker family as she attended Ronan High School. Upon graduation in 1938, Hocker told her to "learn business" so she could always have food on the table. After working for other families in the Mission Valley to earn money for school, she started Great Falls Business College in 1940. After graduating with honors in 1942, she worked in Great Falls for a short time before moving to Long Beach, CA, where she became secretary to the marine engineer of Long Beach Harbor. During World War II, she was active with the Red Cross. With the war winding down, Thelma moved back to Montana and became the private secretary for Mr. Barnes at the Missoula Mercantile. While working at the Mercantile, she met another employee, Leonard Thomas "Tom" Kelly. They were married in 1947 in the Episcopal Church in Missoula. They moved to Kansas City, MS, and Denver, CO, as Tom pursued his degree in radio and electrical engineering. To help Tom get through school, Thelma began the first part of a long career of working for the federal government. After her children had "graduated" from 4-H, Thelma became involved in feeding programs for the homeless and making quilts for women and children in domestic abuse centers. She also helped assemble layette sets for needy women. She thoroughly enjoyed making hundreds of flannel baby sleepers for these women though her favorite program, "His House," a ministry of the Salvation Army. Because of her tireless and selfless giving to "His House," she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year by the Salvation Army. She loved to travel. Thelma's favorite pastimes included quilting, gardening, arts and crafts, and going to fairs. Her children, grandchildren, friends and relatives have many gifts made by the loving hands of Thelma. Her deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior sustained her through thick and thin. She was preceded in death by her parents and step mother; husband Tom; and brother Glen Knopp. She is survived by her four children: daughter Lynn Kelly (Polson), daughter Cynthia (Tim) Curran (Torrence, CA), and their children, Tiffany and Katelyn; son Timothy Kelly (Carson, CA); and daughter Patricia (Nelson) Walker (Albuquerque), and their children, Cashmere and Austin. Thelma is also survived by three sisters, Esther Hamel (formerly of St. Ignatius and now of Libby, and Punta Gorda, FL), Florence Hayden (Florence), and Joy DesRosier (Whitehall); one brother, Frank Knopp Jr. (Melford, WI); as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Thelma's funeral service was held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on March 25. A memorial service was held on April 8 at the Harbor Christian Center in Wilmington, CA. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to one's choice of a homeless shelter, feeding shelter, a domestic abuse center, or a home for unwed mothers.
