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PETER JOSEPH DUPUIS
RONAN -- Peter Joseph Dupuis, 90, died of natural causes at his home here on Jan. 28, 2002, just days short of his 91st birthday.
Pete, born Feb. 12, 1911, was the fifth of seven children born to Orson and Annie Pablo Dupuis.
The "Dupuis Barn," a Mission Valley landmark, was build by his parents on their ranch in approximately 1915.
Pete was the grandson of Michel Pablo, who was known as "The Buffalo King" because his large herd of American bison roamed freely on the Flathead Reservation prior to the homesteading of the reservation lands
Pete's mother, father and six brothers and sisters (Eva, Agnes, Norbert, James, Arnold and Margaret) preceded him in death.
Following their mother's death in 1921, the four brothers lived and were educated at the "Fathers Boys School" in St. Ignatius.
Then Pete and his younger brother Arnold, to whom he was especially close, attended the Flandreau Indian School in Pierre, S.D.
Pete served honorably in World War II.
In the early 1940s, Pete married Rachel "Betty" Musfeldt in Nevada.
Until Betty's death in 1963, they followed construction projects, moving their trailer house from location to location.
Pete also worked as a miner in the Butte mines and as a heavy construction worker on highway and bridge projects throughout the Western states.
He worked as a "powder monkey" and as a "pile driver" on projects such as the Weeping Wall in Glacier National Park and the Missouri River bridge near Roy.
Rodeo was Pete's greatest love. During the 1930s and '40s, he was a well-known rodeo performer, riding broncs and bulls in competition throughout the western states and at the rodeo finals in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Pete competed under the name Pete Dupree, a variation that was more easily pronounced by the rodeo announcers.
Visitors to his home would see pictures on his wall depicting Pete and a horse matching their muscle and wit against each other for eight seconds at a time.
In 1977, Pete and Annie Orwiler were married. During their retirement years they spent winter months in Nevada and their summers in Polson and Spokane.
Pete and Annie made many friends in the trailer home communities there and in Arizona.
Annie passed away in 1991, leaving Pete with memories of the special love they shared.
About 35 years ago, Pete had to have his larynx removed due to throat cancer and since then he talked with the aid of a "voice box."
In recent years he had to deal with other health problems and diminishing capabilities, but the impressive thing about Pete was his courage and good attitude.
He never complained and was always most appreciative of any kindnesses bestowed on him by others. He was truly an inspiration.
Pete is survived by his stepson, Alvin Orwiler, and his family (Auburn, WA).
Pete is also survived by his loyal pet poodle, Buster, who is now in the loving care of Pete's sister-in-law, Mary Dupuis.
Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be interred next to Annie at the Spokane Memorial Gardens.
A memorial service was held on Monday at the Shrider Funeral Home in Ronan.
In lieu of flowers it is suggested that contributions be made to the Mission Valley Heritage Association for maintenance and continued restoration of the Dupuis Barn.
Contributions may be sent to: Pat Andersen, Treasurer, Mission Valley Heritage Association, 317 Andersen Lane, Ronan, MT 59864.
R. DARYL PROUD
DAYTON -- R. Daryl Proud, 90, died at his home in Dayton from natural causes on Jan. 26, 2002.
He was born Jan. 20, 1912, in Dayton to Roy and Frankie (Thompson) Proud. Daryl graduated from the eighth grade at Dayton and from Polson High School.
On Dec. 30, 1932, he married Berenice Thompson in Kalispell.
Daryl served in World War II and was with the Army of occupation in Japan.
After his discharge from the service he returned to his home and joined his parents in their ranching business.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Berenice at the family home in Dayton; two sons, Jim and wife Dee Proud and Billy and wife Barb Proud, all of Dayton; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Father DA Okorn
In the hope of the Resurrection, Father Dusan Anthony Okorn, 88, died on January 10 at home at The Sycamore Tree Contemplative Prayer Center in Swan Lake, Montana.
He was born on March 5, 1921 in Maribor, Slovenia. He was ordained a priest in Rome on April 6, 1947. From 1947-49, he served in Italy in Torino, Mondovi and Genoa.
Sponsored by his late Aunt Jennie Kovacic Smith of East Helena, he emigrated to Montana in 1949. For the next 60 years he served as a priest in the Diocese of Helena: as chaplain at the St. Joseph home in Helena, as assistant pastor at St. Peter's in Anaconda, St. Joseph in Butte, St. Michael in Conrad and St. Richard in Columbia Falls. He was the first pastor at St. Catherine in Bigfork (1963-1971) and pastor of St. Mary's in Stevensville (1971-1978).
In 1978-1979 he spent a sabbatical year at The Sycamore Tree and began the retreat apostolate. He was assigned as pastor of Our Lady of Swan Valley Mission from 1979-2006 with Seeley Lake from 1980-1990.
Father Okorn is survived by his sister, Rozka Dretnik, who lives in Borovnica, Slovenija, cousins Bertie (Roger) Bisson of Clancy, MT and Dr. Louis (Dorothy) Smith of Sherman Oaks, CA and nephew Jany Dretnik of London and other nephews in Slovenija.
Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on January 12 at Our Lady of Swan Valley with burial at the private cemetery at The Sycamore Tree.
Marlene E. Wilkie
Marlene E. Wilkie, 66, of Bridger, passed away on Oct. 18, 2009.
Marlene was born in Oakes, ND, on March 29, 1943, to Melvin and Edna Sandness. She grew up on a farm outside Forman, ND, with a brother Ronnie, and three sisters, Lorraine,
Shirley and Bonnie. She graduated from high school in Forman.
She married Lynn C. Wilkie on July 22, 1961. Marlene and Lynn lived in Forman; Watford City, ND; Billings; and eventually moved to Seeley Lake, where they built a home and resided for 25 years.
After Lynn's retirement, they moved to Bridger to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They built a beautiful home in Bridger, where they have resided for the past 12 years.
Marlene loved and lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, gardening, flowers, her home, knitting and crocheting. She loved to shop, attend rodeos, travel and was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins fan. She also loved to cook and bake.
Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Lynn; a son, Dana and his wife Lenor and grandson Alan; a daughter Tammy and her husband Roger Martin and grandson Jeff and granddaughter Kimberly Marlene; also, many nieces and nephews and many longtime friends.
To my wife, our mom and our grandma: we love you so much and words cannot express how much we miss you.
Services were held October 23 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bridger. Interment was at Bridger Cemetery.
Anne Elizabeth Sanders
1921-2009
Anne Elizabeth Sanders, 88 of Laurel died at St. Vincent Health Care center in Billings on November 11, 2009.
She was born on July 9, 1921 in Allen Saskatchewan, Canada to Joseph John and Mary Elizabeth (Deters) Scheffel.
She married William (Bill) Sanders on June 19, 1941 in Stevensville. They farmed 26 years then moved to Seeley Lake in 1966. Anne spent the past 5 years in Laurel
Her husband Bill died in 1978 as did a daughter Billieann Spencer and siblings Joe Scheffel, Amy Beavers and Maddy Scheffel.
Anne is survived by her children; Helen (Don) Turner Haines, Alaska and Florlene Milliron and Dave Yaeger of Laurel. 6 Grandchildren: Gail (Mark) Wickein, Don (Stacie) Turner III,
Brent (Kolcoy) Milliron, Clint (Brandi) Milliron, Shannon Spencer and Stacy (Josh) Konkol. 16 Great grandchildren; Laura and Linsey Wicklein, Sheline and Christopher Turner, Paige Heirmark, Jaidyn, Jordyn and Rikyn Milliron, Kaitlyn and Jesse Spencer, Brayden, Zayne, Kaysen, and Jayce Konkol, Cree and Jayci Milliron.
Also surviving is a brother Phil Scheffel and sisters; Rose Ryan, Mary Henderson and Regina Oldmanchief and brother-in-law Chuck Spencer.
Funeral Services were held in Stevensville on November 14, 2009. Burial was at the Riverside Cemetery.
Edward Clarence Coyle
Edward (Eddie) Clarence Coyle of Las Vegas, NV and formerly Seeley Lake, MT passed away March 22, 2009.
Eddie was born May 5, 1910 to Lillian Pietz Coyle and Edwin Coyle in Helena, Montana, and resided in Seeley Lake, Montana until 1997.
He is preceded in death by his wife Jerrie of 56 years in 2002. They moved to Las Vegas in 1997 to be closer to their daughter Benita and son Perry.
Edward is survived by his three children, son Perry of Las Vegas, daughters Benita of Las Vegas, and Terry in California; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Eddie (as friends and family called him) was truly a Montana pioneer. They owned and operated a small business (bar/restaurant/Laundromat) in the recreation resort Town of Seeley Lake for 25 years.
After retirement they ran a small trailer court until moving to Las Vegas.
Eddie was also a very accomplished amateur boxer in the late 1920s and early 1930s. His love for the sport kept him involved throughout his life as both a coach and trainer.
Eddie was also very comfortable in the wide-open spaces of western Montana; as a young man he would take people by horseback into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area during hunting season.
His second love was photography. Most of his photographs were of people who lived or worked in the Seeley Lake area and vacationers from all over the country.
As the years went by many of these people contacted Eddie to see if they could purchase their picture, he never sold them he just gave them away.
When my sister and I were little he would often joke about taking a trip over the Great Divide and of course we both were eager to go with him. But, when we got older and found out that the Great Divide was a “one-way trip” he was on his own.
Eddie lived a full, wonderful life and did it his way. He will be remembered by many as the unofficial mayor of Seeley Lake, Montana.
A memorial will be held later this summer in Seeley Lake, Montana.
Michael Joe Robinson
Michael Joe Robinson, 57, died at his home in the Swan Valley, Montana on April 16, 2009, surrounded by family and friends.
He was born July 21, 1951 in Detroit, MT, and moved to Utah at the age of 14 to live with his Uncle Frank. Starting his love affair with the west, he was born with a gun in one hand and a fishing pole in the other, an avid sportsman, always with a dog, which were many, at his side.
His house had a revolving front door which was always open, the more the merrier. He stayed in Utah, owning several businesses but could not resist the call of the wild and purchased Thunder Bow Outfitters in 1990 as an established and growing business. Since the time he had driven through the Swan Valley on a trip home from hunting in the Yaak, he told his Uncle Frank it was the most beautiful place on earth, always striving to return. He fulfilled his dream by making a living in the “Great Outdoors:.
Mike touched and enriched many lives; as the days have unfolded after his passing many stories have been told, many memories relived, of the wonderful times spent–these will live on in the lives of us all.
Mike was greatly loved and appreciated; he was so very generous and was quick to offer a hand or mentor those around him. Because of his gregarious nature, it was a guarantee he would be at all social events. He lived life to the fullest, entertaining and cooking for family and friends.
Mike loved kids, taught many how to fish and hunt, passing on his passion, zest and knowledge for life. Looking through photos to compose a montage, every picture included family, friends, fish or animals and of course his irresistible grin.
Sister and best friend Shauna said, Mike is my hero; he was the one true constant in my life.” They were very close. He may not have always agree with his Mother, but always respected and carried out her wishes.
Mike would give you the shirt off his back in a snow storm, always thinking of the other person, making sure you were OK and having the best possible experience at whatever was at hand. He brought out the best in people, making you feel important and comfortable.
he was more than generous in his support of Wildlife conservation and Hunters rights, receiving many awards from a large number of organizations. Member of Montana Outfitters and Guide Association, Life Member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Safari Club International, National Rifle Association, North American Hunting Club, National Wildlife Turkey Federation, FNAWS, he was a large donor in all organizations.
Survivors include his wife and partner Bobbie Jo, sons Ron Robinson, partner, Eldee Roundy, Tyler Roundy, all of Montana; daughters, adopted niece Kimberly, Kellog, MT; Teresa Dezos, Col. Mother, Libby Brown (Dennis) UT., Father Joe Robinson (Lee) Tennessee. Sisters Shauna Wright (Wayne Wright) (Jack Burton), UT. Tina Robinson, Tenn. Brothers Ron Hier, David (Jenny) Robinson, Joey Robinson. Uncle Frank White (Beverly), Aunt (Neen) Kline. Former wives Kathy Abbott, Mary Vance. Grandchildren, Kaylun Robinson, Brandt Roundy, Connor Roundy, Josie Brewer, Michael Brewer, Colton Roundy, Dalton Roundy, Kayla Roundy, Casey Roundy, Ashley Stratton, Jordan Dezos, Edwin Dezos Jr. III. One great grandchild Kade Stratton. Nieces and nephews, Amber Rae Burton McCoard (Mike), Amy Burton Kap (Brad), Jack Burton (Heather), Libby Lou Burton (Justin Gerritsen), Colson McCoard, Mattie Kap, Abi Kap, Nikole Slot, David Robinson, Mimi Robinson, Jennifer Robinson, Joey Robinson, Mitch Robinson, Andrew Robinson, Misty Robinson, Tom Volt.
In lieu of flowers, donations to help defray final expenses will be appreciated and accepted at First Valley Bank, PO Box 720, Seeley Lake, MT 59868, 406-677-2464 in the “Mike Robinson Benefit Fund”.
John Arias
Long-time resident and friend, John Arias, died at his home in Swan Valley on April 21, 2009.
The family will have a memorial service for John this summer at a date to be announced and private family burial will be at that time.
A memorial Mass will be offered for John on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 7 pm at Our Lady of Swan Valley Catholic Church, Highway 83 and Beck Road (MM 47-48).
Friends of John are invited to attend the Mass and the coffee social that will follow.
For more information, please call Michelle Jenkins at 754-2429.
