Search Archived Marriage Records
Travis Anthony Guardipee
RONAN - Travis Anthony Guardipee, born Sept. 11, 1984 in Mount Vernon, Washington, 22 years of life lived to the fullest until the Lord called his name on September 12th, 2006.
Travis received his GED, worked odd jobs and had dreams of continuing his education. With his charismatic loving personality he had the gift of making everybody laugh. Travis loved to camp, fish, hunt and eat, but he devoted most of his life to his beautiful girls. Determined and courageous he will live on in our hearts.
He parts for now with his one true love Tina Morigeau, his girls Ariyah, Lovaiya and his little Tahlanna Star. His loving mother MaryAnn Maestas of Ronan, his brothers Dustin (Brandie), Angela (Yancy McCrea) and Gavin; sister Tashiana Schlensker, Also Brendan (Jamie), Savannah, Cody, Gunner & Stormy Guardipee; nieces & nephews MiRayne, Jineeva, Austin & Elighjah. As well as his maternal grandparents Felemon & Elida Maestas of Mount Vernon, WA; Aunts and Uncles Henry (Veronica) Maestas of MT, Fel (Liz) Maestas of WA, Rachel (Jorge) of WA, Blanca (Miguel) Morales of WA, Es (Fabian) Garcia of WA, Diana (Armando) Zapata of TX, Maria (Alvado) Soliz of WA, Linda (Miguel) Morales of WA. And paternally Angel (Jamie) McClure of Evaro, Aaron (Josie) of Arlee and Mike (Patsy) Couture of WA. As well as special cousins Buddy, Monte, Isaac, Serene, Arianna and many other cousins and special friends.
Preceding him in death was his father Jamie Guardipee, paternal grandparents Dusty & Audrey Guardipee; Aunt Tami Guardipee and Uncle Martel McClure.
A wake began Wednesday in the Arlee Community Center with Rosary being recited on Thursday September 14th. Funeral services were held on Friday September 15 at the Arlee Community Center. Interment followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery in St. Ignatius.
Karen Cornelius Fenton
ST. IGNATIUS - Karen Cornelius Fenton passed away on Tuesday, September 12th, at Community Hospital in Missoula, Montana.
Although she left us at a young age, Karen lived a full and productive life, touching the lives of many. She was born August 28th, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois and was the first Indian baby born in Cook County Hospital. An enrolled member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes, she was the first daughter of Ernestine Sine Cornelius (Salish) and Arthur P. Cornelius (Oneida). Karen was extremely proud of her Indian heritage and it was always instilled in her from her earliest years to "do good for her people."
And that she did! Throughout her career, she encouraged people of all ages to improve their lives through education. She held numerous positions during her career: Counselor with Upward Bound at Eastern Montana College; Counselor with Special Services at the University of Montana; Administrative Assistant with the Tri-States Tribes Incorporated in Billings; teacher at Two Eagle River School; Director of Tribal Education for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Director of Native American Graduate Fellowship Program at Montana State University; Special Assistant to the President at MSU, serving as Tribal Relations Liaison; Health Educator on the Spokane Reservation; and domestic violence work for Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Karen was also elected or appointed to various boards and commissions. She served on the first Board of Directors for Salish Kootenai College and during her tenure also served as Chair and was a strong advocate during those important early years that the college was established. Other boards included: Close Up Foundation, Chemawa Indian School, Montana Committee for the Humanities, and Montana Commission on the Status of Women. She also served as Delegate to the White House Conference on Families as well as the White House Conference on Indian Education. She served as President for the National Indian Education Association and the Montana Indian Education Association and was instrumental in the founding of the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education.
Karen graduated from Harlem, MT High School in 1961 and received her B.S. in Business Education in 1965 from Eastern Montana College. Her first teaching job was in Hysham, Montana, where she met her husband, Del Fenton, the father of her two sons, Eddie and Gene. They were later divorced. She received her M.E. in Education Administration from the University of Montana and later went to Penn State to work on her doctorate.
She was proceeded in death by her parents in 1991 and her uncle Eugene Sine in 1997. She is survived by her sons Eddie and Gene; sister Carmen Taylor; niece Kara Bell; grandchildren Garrett, Jenna, Alexa, Anneliesa, Edmond, Gene and Leniece; and aunt Peggy Savilla and cousins Phil, Chris, Ed and Tony and Paul Cornelius - all of Albuquerque, NM and aunt Dorothy Yealey and cousin Donna of Marion, KS. Karen loved her family and was proud of her sons and grandchildren.
A rosary will be recited Friday, September 15 in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with Mass being celebrated on Saturday, September 16, in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission with Fr. Andrew Maddock, SJ as Celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Cornelius Scholarship Fund c/o Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, MT.
This fund was established in the name of her parents in 1991.
Joseph John "Joe Dog" Felsman
ST. IGNATIUS - Joseph John "Joe Dog" Felsman, 73, a former tribal chairman and war veteran died Sunday in Missoula after a long battle with cancer.
Born in St. Ignatius on Dec.11, 1932 to Oswald & Annie (Ashley) Felsman, he was raised in the St. Ignatius area and received his education from the Urslines and Chemawah Indian School. Following his graduation he joined the US Navy and served as a corpsman with a USMC detachment in the Korean Conflict. After dedicating sixteen years to the United States, he proudly received his honorable discharge.
JoeDog married Sally Ann Ross in the late 1950's and they made their home in Oakland, CA. & Seattle before settling Philadelphia, where he proudly became a lifelong member of Yearsley VFW Post and served as their commander.
However, as with many things in life things do not always work out and JoeDog & Sally Ann divorced while in Philadelphia. He then met Lois Chatburn and they made their home in Philadelphia before returning to the Flathead Reservation in 1974.
JoeDog was employed with Philadelphia Steel, the Tribes at Enviromental Health from 79 - 81, Kicking Horse Job Corps1983, Indian Health Services and served on the Council 82-92 as well as being the former Tribal chairman from January 84 to January 86. He also served on the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe Housing Board for many years.
Joe Dog had an enthusiasm for the VFW and for the Mission Valley Honor Guard for which he served as the Chaplain until just recently.
He enjoyed jogging and walking, reading and sports especially the Eagles. He was an excellent cook and was known for his chili, stew and hot sauce. He raised his grandkids James Sorrell & Michaela Buck, setting a wonderful example because he enjoyed being his family. We know that he will be missed by all and that they will keep a special spot for him at the Silver.
Preceding him in death was his parents, brothers Ronald, Bill, Oswald Jr., Mark, Harold, Grub, Carl & sister Alberta.
He leaves behind his wife Lois, children Carol Ann, Linda Sue (Kevin) Marker, Troy (Trina), Joe Jr. and Joanne (Mike Buck); sisters Marge Michel & Floss (David) Cote; grandchildren Eddie, Kevin, Kerri, Kyle, Zach, TJ, James & Michaela; a special nephew and nieces Mike Snell and Bev & Jennifer Sons and god daughter Stephanie Trahan Gillin, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a large extended family.
Flags will be lowered to half mast in honor of his passing. A traditional wake began Monday at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with the rosary being recited Tuesday in the Longhouse. Mass was held Wednesday at in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission with Military Honors being presented at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
Elizabeth "Betty" Gervais
POLSON - Elizabeth "Betty" Gervais, 86, of Polson, MT died on Sept. 8, 2006 at St. Joseph Retirement Community in Polson from natural causes.
Betty was born on April 16,1920 in Janesville, Wisc.
Betty grew up in Janesville. She attended the University of Wisconsin, University of Washington & received her master's degree in Library Science at Denver University.
She married Arthur Gervais in1939 in Fairbanks, Alaska. She and Arthur lived in several locations including Colorado and Alaska on two different occasions. They eventually moved to Sequim, WA and lived there for several years before moving to Polson, MT in 2003.
In the past year, Betty had been very active in the foster grandparent program at Cherry Valley Elementary School in Polson. She was looking forward to another year with the children. The children in Polson knew her as Grandma Betty.
Betty was also a member of the local NARFE.
She enjoyed curling, golfing, gardening, anthropology, reading and her dogs.
Betty was a true sports fan and was especially a "Griz" fan.
Betty was a very well read & intelligent woman that enjoyed life.
She is preceded in death by her husband Arthur, her parents and a son-in-law James Burton, 2 sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her daughter Toni Burton of Polson & a granddaughter, Andrea Burton of Arlee, MT. & numerous nieces and nephews.
No services are planned and cremation has taken place under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson. Memorials may be made to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter in Betty's name.
