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Benjamin Asencio
Pablo - Benjamin Asencio, 63, passed away from cancer at his home in Pablo, August 23rd while surrounded by his loving family. A dedicated family man who lived for his children and grandchildren, he was born at Dirty Corner near Arlee on February 1, 1943. Raised and educated on the Flathead Reservation eventually receiving his AA degree from Kalispell Comm. College. Ben went to work for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe as a counselor in 1978. Retiring in January 2004 from the Narcotics Drug Team Specialist he had worked for as a manager for FRACAP, Outreach Counselor for Tribal Health; Drug & Alcohol Counselor; Director of Blue Bay Healing Center and IHS. While skilled at his work Ben had other loves he loved the outdoors whether it was hunting, cutting his own firewood or taking pride in have a beautiful yard he kept busy. With declining health he took up gambling while at home but nothing came before his family their accomplishments were the things that made him proud. He was preceded in death by his parents Cecelia Cullooyah & Pete Asencio and a son Geno. He leaves behind his wife JoAnne "Dode" (Antoine) Asencio; his chidren Bonnie Asencio, Ben (Brenda) Asencio, Gena Asencio, Berta Asencio (Lee Grant), Bobby (Becca) Asencio, Norita Mathias, Nikki Antoine, Carrie Antoine and Misty Whitworth (Dave McClure); his aunt Oshanee Kenmille; his sisters Virg Charlo, Josephine Gonzalez, Madeline Finley & Madeline Pierre and a brother Max Asencio; 24 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren as well as numerous foster children, cousins, nieces, nephews and all of his wife's Day Care kids to whom he was known as "Papa". Rosary was held Thursday, August 24th at the Longhouse with Wake Closing being held at 10 Friday, August 25th in the Longhouse. In accordance with Ben's wishes cremation will take place after the Closing Service.
Dorothy Frances Lester Arends Bell
RONAN- Dorothy Frances Lester was born on Sept. 22, 1918, in Watford City, N.D.; she attended school in Watford City.
In 1936, she married Luppo Arends, Living both in North Dakota and Missoula before moving to the Ronan area. In 1949, Luppo died leaving her with their four children. In 1950, she married Julian Bell, who also brought four children into the union. Dorothy and J.B. had three more children while living on their farm in the Round Butte area. They lived on the farm until they bought their house in Pablo. J.B. died that December of 1975.
Our sweet mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, died peacefully on Aug. 23, 2006, surrounded by her family. She had been residing in the St. Luke Hospital Extended Care since 2003.
She was preceded in death by her two spouses Luppo and J.B.; her parents Donald and Bessie Lester; siblings Leva, Alva, Opal, Claire, Velma and Loyal; grandchildren Doug Bell, Sherrie Tichenor, Eddie DuBois; and great grandchildren Roman Bell and Lester Couture.
Surviving siblings are Faye, Glen, Lester, Otis, Phyllis and Eunice.
Her children are Danny (Barb) Arends of the Dalles, Ore., Carol (Wayne) Tichenor of Whitehall, Dorothy Ann (Mark) McDonald of Charlo, Slim (Ingrid) Arends of Ronan, Bev (Ron) Roundy of Eagle River, Alaska, and twins Don (Val) Bell of Pablo and Donna (Brian) Corum of Ronan; and stepchildren Gene Bell of Ronan, Connie (Ed) Kinsey of Helena, Bob (Linda) Bell of Ronan, Betty Jo (Ed) DuBois of St. Ignatius. She has over 36 grandchildren and over 50 great-grandchildren. Her funeral was held at Saturday, Aug. 26, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ronan with a viewing before the funeral. Burial followed at the Ronan Cemetery.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting with arrangements.
Jadace Tomacio Duran
POLSON - Our baby boy, nephew, grandson, great-grandson and cousin, Jadace Tomacio Duran, born to Amanda Watt and Clayton Duran on March 16, 2006, at 11:41 a.m., was given to the lord on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006.
As every day began Jadace was full of smiles and joy. As we looked at him the sparkle in those big blue eyes brought love and happiness to everyone's lives.
Jadace enjoyed stockcar racing, water, hiccupping, eating, playing, making others laugh and smile. As Jadace went to be with the lord, he became an angel to other young children and his family.Jadace was survived by grandparents Bud and Darla Watt, Susan Pierre and Tom and Wendy Duran; great grandparents Janice and Clifford Kelley, William F. Watt, Clifford Duran, Marian Andrew, Patricia Cousins and Rawhide; aunts and uncles J.C. and Jennifer Watt, Michelle Nault-Duran, Desi Nault-Duran, T.J. and Lacey Duran, Patrick and Carrie Sorrell, Michael Grant, C. Gail Grant, Jodessa Senecal and Josiah Senecal; cousins Gavin Watt, Winter Watt, Cyela Nault Duran, Sharyn-Marie Duran, Jo-Jo Sorrell, Harley Sorrell and Bo Jai Grant-Schmidt. Traditional wake services will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 21, with wake closing beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Ronan Cemetery.
Donald Sydney Pitts
HOT SPRINGS - Donald Sydney Pitts, 81, passed away August 2nd in Sacramento, California.
A member of the Salish & Kootenai Tribe, Don was the son of Virgil and Geneva (Houle) Pitts, he was born in St. Ignatius on December 12, 1923. He lived in Valley Creek, MT and later moved to Hot Springs where he attended school and graduated from High School in 1941. He then went to the U of M for a year and was affiliated with S.A.E. Fraternity. Don then moved to Portland and became an orderly in the main hospital there before returning to Hot Springs where he enlisted in the Merchant Marines in 1942. Don served two years in the South Pacific. In 1944, he was honorably discharged. Returning to Hot Springs, he was engaged in many occupations: a truck driver on the new Alaska Highway and when the weather became bad he returned to Hot Springs and started a dairy company. Upon selling the dairy he went to Lewistown, MT and worked on the railroad; returning to Hot Springs to start an Excavation Business. Selling that business, he went to Sacramento, CA and worked for a dairy for 23 years plus working with the City Ambulance when called. He then retired and went into the rare coin business until he permantly retired. He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepmother Serena (Marquardt) Pitts and a sister Donna.
Survivors include one brother Eugene (Faye) Pitts of Dixon; sister Nena (Bud) Heitmiller of Hawaii; nieces Letti (John) Neuman of Polson, Kolynn (Paul) Sinclair of Yakima, WA and Teresa (Derk) Olea of Sacramento, CA; nephews Dr. Garry (Christine) Pitts of Polson, Terry (Crystal) Pitts of Dixon, Larry (Ginger) Pitts of Pablo, Robert Veitch of Helena and Stephen Heitmiller of CA and numerous grand nephews and grand nieces. At his request, cremation has taken place and private family services will held Labor Day Weekend at the Lone Pine Cemetery where he will be laid to rest by his father. Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home of St. Ignatius is assisting the family.
Yvonne Marie LaPrairie
FORT HALL, ID - Yvonne "Maria" LaPrairie, 35, passed away on August 6, 2006, surrounded by her family, after a lingering illness. She was born September 30, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, to Evelyn Felix (Alvarez) Evans of Fort Hall, Idaho and Lyman LaPrairie of Illinois. Her family moved several times between Idaho, Montana, Illinois and Oregon where she grew up. As the family grew she happily adjusted. She attended school in Illinois, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Kicking Horse Job Corps. Maria cherished her nieces and nephew, loved nurturing the plants as well as the pets she had, also loved powwowing, singing, cooking, writing letters, and doing hair and nails. Maria worked as a housekeeper and loved helping others. She always had something to give to every person who entered her life. She was a great friend to listen and talk to; perhaps her unconditional love was her greatest gift. Most of all she loved being with family and friends. She traveled to just be with them and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her father.Survivors include her mom, who is so inspiring and stood beside her daughter the whole time. Her brother whom she was so proud of, Winfield P. LaPrairie Sr. of Fort Hall, Idaho, her nephew and niece Winfield P. LaPrairie Jr. of Kamiah, Idaho and Haley Farmer of Fort Hall, Idaho; her sister Karen E. Johnson and fiancˇ Charles Apple and new nephew on the way, of Fort Hall, Idaho; her sister Irene F. Johnson and husband Myles Buchanan, nieces Mya, Chanelle, Alicyn and Alexis of Missoula; her brother Joel R. Evans and wife Christina of Missoula; her sister Lyma A. Evans and her niece LaVea of Missoula and her brother Daniel LaPrairie of Illinois. Burial services were held on August 8, 2006 in Fort Hall, Idaho. She was buried at Cedars Cemetery in Fort Hall, Idaho.
William Cheff
RONAN - William Cheff, age 42 of Ronan, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2006 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula from injuries sustained in an accidental fall. He was born September 14, 1963 in Hamilton, Montana. He graduated from high school in Ketchikan, Alaska. William served in the Army Reserves from 1986 to 2006 and served two tours of duty in Uzbekistan, before retiring with 20 years service. He worked as a guide, camp cook, and ranch hand for the Cheff Guest Ranch, and as a millwright at Plum Creek and Stimpson Lumber. He and Keely Larkin were married on November 30, 2001 at Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. He was and avid thoroughbred horse owner and trainer, and enjoyed hunting. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Adelle Cheff, Dave and Dorothy Mahoney and a niece Amanda Cheff. William is survived by his wife Keely of Ronan, parents, Kenneth Cheff of Ronan and Carole Perry of Montana, daughters Britney Nicole Cheff and Cassidy Noel Cheff, a son Colton Cheff all of Ronan. Sisters Roxena McDermott of Polson, Wendy Cheff of Missoula, Stephanie Perry of Alaska and Spring and Kendra, brothers Kenny of Polson, Casey and Jimmy both of Florida, and his grandparents Vern "Bud" Cheff Senior (Grandpa). Visitation was held at the Grogan Funeral Home and a funeral was held at the Ronan Alliance Church. Interment with military honors will followed at Ronan Cemetery.
"F" "A" Langston
POLSON - "F" "A" Langston, age 78 of Elmo, passed away from natural causes on Sunday September 3, 2006 while archery hunting in Beaverhead County. He was born February 7, 1928 in Harrison, Arkansas to "F" "A" and Ardina Langston. "F" "A" grew up in Arkansas and moved to Los Angeles, CA as a young man. He joined the U.S. Navy and served during WWII. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, "F" "A" made his home in Covina, CA for 20 years. He was a self-employed contractor. He married Dolly in Los Angeles on April 12, 1946. He moved to Arlee, MT in 1965 and continued as a general contractor. He later moved to Polson in 1978 and continued contracting until retirement. "F" "A" loved hunting, fishing and flying. He was a pilot for 40+ years. He liked to travel and spent winters in the South. He married Silvia Gelinas in December 2004. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dolly Jean and his 2nd wife Silvia Gelinas. He is survived by his children Larry Langston, Charles Langston, Paul Langston all of Southern CA. and Kenneth Langston of Northern CA, Pamela Burch, of WA, Tami Nelson of Missoula, MT, 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at the Grogan Funeral HomeChapel with Pastor Lloyd Barrie officiating. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson, MT. Condolences may be sent to the family at Grogan Funeral Home.
Jerry James Nygaard
POLSON - Jerry James Nygaard, age 65 of Polson, was called home by our Lord on Thurs. Aug. 24, 2006 at St Patrick Hospital after many years of medical struggles. Jerry was born Jan. 16, 1941 to Elsie & Henry Nygaard in Port Angeles, Wash. His family later moved to North Dakota, where he graduated high school. In 1959 they moved to Pablo, & from there Jerry served in the U.S. Army in Japan. Jerry married Virginia Butt in Pablo on May 10, 1964. He worked 16 years for Evans Products in Msla, after which he owned & operated Jerry's Quik Stop in East Msla. Jerry & Virginia eventually moved to a family farm in Pablo. Jerry owned & operated Fleetwood Vending, which he continued to operate after moving to Polson. They eventually built their home in Polson. He enjoyed the outdoors, yard work, fishing, camping. Jerry loved spending time with his grandchildren & helping other people. Jerry was an active member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife Virginia, daughter Lorri Kriskovich & her husband Scott of Big Fork & children Joshua, Zacharie, & Jennifer, daughter Shari Yoder & husband Chris and son Jeremy of Edmonds, Ok, & daughter Roxi McDermott & husband Neal of Ronan & children Kruz, Kylie, & Katie, his mother Elsie Nygaard of Pablo, sister Myrna Roseler & husband Gordon of Nevada, sister Dyane Lawrence & husband Bruce of Msla, brother Richard Nygaard & wife Twyla of Trout Creek & brother Jim Nygaard of Polson. Visitation was held on at the Grogan Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Tues, Aug. 29, 2006 in the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church at with Rev. Aaron Stinnett officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. A reception will be held at the church following the graveside services.
