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Betty Bras
Betty Jean Bras, 80, a Coram resident, passed away Sept. 5, 2003, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish, of natural causes.
She was born May 18, 1923, in Spokane, Wash., to Cy and Blanch Tonner. She married Richard Bras in 1941 in Drummond.
In 1947, she and her husband were logging in the North Fork. She was a camp cook for several years, and the family lived in a wall tent with their young children.
She was a fine knitter and made a most delicious roast beef gravy.
She is survived by two daughters, Glenna Gay Bras and Jeanie Richards; two sons, Richard Bras, of Alaska, and Mike Bras, of Coram; two sisters, Dorothy Fisher, of Coram, and Glenna Schaeffer, of Columbia Falls; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for later in October and will be announced.
Cremation was under the direction of the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.
Richard Clark
Richard G. Clark, 82, died Aug. 18, 2003.
He was born June 23, 1921, in Wamblee, S.D. He had lived in Columbia Falls since 1953. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 89 for 40 years and was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge.
He entered the Army during World War II, after graduating, and was honorably discharged. He and his bride, Viola, moved to Anaconda and then to Columbia Falls to be near his brother. Viola passed away many years ago.
He opened a auto shop and later a Farmers Insurance Agency on U.S. Highway 2, in Columbia Falls, for 20 years or so until his retirement.
Due to poor health, he has lived in San Diego, Calif., for the past three years. He was a very dear, sweet soul who will be dearly missed by many.
He is survived by a cousin, Doris Brown, of Rockaway Beach, Ore.; his best friend, Connie Dawson, and her daughter, June Collier, and husband, Russell; and her son, Russell Dawson, and his wife, Debbie.
Cremation interment will be in Glacier Memorial Garden Cemetery, next to Viola, Sept. 15, 2003, at 10 a.m. Memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge Hall, Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls.
Memorials may be sent to Hospice in Columbia Falls or Kalispell.
Robert Quinn
Robert L. Quinn, age 60, Columbia Falls, passed away to join the Lord on Monday, Sept. 1, 2003.
Bob was born to Herman and Lois Quinn on June 20, 1943, in Kalispell.
A long-time resident of the Flathead area, Bob lived among the things he cherished most--the mountains, streams and the out West lifestyle of its residents. An energetic and caring husband, father and grandfather, Bob did what he could to provide for his family and friends when in need.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Connie.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki, of Columbia Falls; his sister, Cheryl LaPorte, of Kalispell; daughters, Karen Garthwaite and Anita Quinn, of Redmond, Ore., and Colleen Bean, of Lavina; stepsons Travis Knapton, of Whitefish, and Brandon Knapton, of Payette, Idaho; 17 grandchildren; and 15 nieces and nephews.
Bob will be missed very much by his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish.
Esther Rahn
Esther Petersen Rahn, age 77, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 12, 2003. She was born in Warwick, N.D., on Dec. 8, 1925 to John and Mary Francis Berg.
Esther married Arnold Petersen on Nov. 8, 1944. They built a new home in Devils Lake, N.D., and owned Arnolds Auto Wrecking until 1963 when they relocated with their four children to Whitefish.
Esther worked at Gordy's Drive Inn until being employed by the Flathead County Nursing Home. She retired in 1987 and married Henry Rahn on St. Patrick's Day in 1989. Together they enjoyed being active members of the Senior Citizens, Good Sams Club and the Moose Lodge. They were avid fans of the Old Time Fiddlers and Accordion Players. She especially enjoyed singing with the Troubadours at various locations in the valley. Her greatest enjoyment was the time she spent with her family.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister, her husbands Arnold and Hank, her son Wayne, her grandson Lonnie and her sister Jennette,
She is survived and still cherished by her sister Ione Pierce, of Kenmare, N.D., and her children John Petersen and his wife, Linda, of Whitefish, Suzi and her husband Ralph Lamberson, of Whitefish, and Carolyn and her husband Lanny Barton, of Kalispell; her loving grandchildren, Darin Lamberson and his wife, Rhonda, Shannon and her husband, Dennis InGold, Tara and her husband, Greg Rose, Brian Barton and his wife, Kaylee, Erica and her husband, Kyle Kulm, John Lamberson and his wife, Jessica, and Josh Petersen and his wife, Jaclyn; and four great grandchildren, Julie, Jayne and Josie Lamberson and Logan Rose.
Visitation will be held at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls from 1 to 9 p.m. today, Sept. 18, 2003.
Funeral services will be held at the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003, with Rev. David Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery near Kalispell. A reception will follow the graveside service.
Beverly Dowler
Beverly "Bev" Dowler, 63, a longtime resident of Columbia Falls, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2003. She leaves behind a profoundly grieving family and a community full of friends.
Bev was born Oct. 2, 1939.
Bev had a rare capacity to love and to befriend everyone she met. Her generous nature, kindness, compassion and great wit enriched us and brought us all together ... her table was where we all gathered. Her passing will leave an immense void in the lives of those who were blessed to know her.
A lifelong battle with post-polio syndrome and constant pain is now over. We pray that she has found the comfort and peace that she longed for.
She was a dear friend, a great mother, grandmother, a loving wife, sister and daughter.
"She was the brightest star by which we all looked to for guidance."
A memorial reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at the North Valley Community Center on Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls.
Agnes Johnson
Agnes Louise (Wolz) Johnson, age 95, passed away Oct. 25, 2003, at the Brendan House in Kalispell after a courageous battle with cancer.
Louise was born July 8, 1908, in Byron, Wyo., daughter of Louis and Fannie (Lindsay) Wolz. Her parents had moved there to help colonize the region. Louise attended schools in the area, graduating from Lovell High School.
In 1927, she married Bruce Johnson, and after a short stay in California, they returned to make their residence in the Byron and Lovell area. In 1951, they moved to Billings, residing at 915 Harvard Avenue. To help with the finances, Louise always worked outside the home. For many years, she was employed at Penny's, both in Lovell and Billings. In 1961, she took over as cafeteria supervisor at the Lewis and Clark Jr. High, a position she held until her retirement.
Louise loved her home--it was her palace and she cared for it as such. She had a great interest in her garden and spent many hours keeping it beautiful. Louise loved to dance, and taught many youth groups, several times going to Salt Lake City for performances. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the delight of her life. She never missed a birthday or holiday celebration--always there was a package of homemade goodies.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bruce, in 1969; and her brother, Louis Lorraine.
She is survived by her son, Ralph, of Columbia Falls, and his wife, Joanne; two brothers, Charles and his wife, Fern, of Cody, Wyo., and Russell and his wife, Juanita, of Brighton, Colo.; one sister, Fanny, and her husband, Frank, of San Jose, Calif.; four grandchildren, Todd and his wife, Jan, of Ephrata, Wash., Cory, of Stevensville, Kyle and his wife, Mary, of Columbia Falls, and Paige and her husband, Joel, of Broomfield, Colo.; 13 great grandchildren; and her most special friend, Ray Olson.
A funeral service was held Oct. 29, 2003, in Billings. Burial will be in Cowley, Wyoming.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Hospice Home Health Options, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell MT 59901 or the charity of the donor's choice.
Janice Seefeldt
Janice "Jan" Kollenborn Seefeldt, age 57, died Oct. 21, 2003, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell from complications of multiple sclerosis. She was born in Whitefish on May 27, 1946. Her father, Lewis Kollenborn, was a lumber mill worker and her mother, Marjorie Tracey Kollenborn, was a homemaker. Jan enjoyed outdoor activities such as rafting, camping, cross-country skiing and softball.
Jan graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1966, married soon after and had two children. She worked as an abstractor for Citizen's Title Co. in Kalispell until she had to retire in the early 198Os. Jan lived at Heritage Place in Kalispell for several years before moving to Immanuel Lutheran Home in 2002.
Jan is survived by daughter Rachel Williams, her husband Bob, and their two children Jourdan and Grifin, of Lafayette, Ore.; son Eric Sipe, of Whitefish, and his three children Justin, Garrett and Anna Grace; sister Marla Robinson and her husband, Doug, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and brother Darrell Kollenborn and his wife, Cindy, of Columbia Falls.
A graveside service was held Oct. 24, 2003 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Corporation.
Carmen Knapton
Carmen Viola (Adams) Knapton, 55, of Kalispell, passed away at the home of her parents in Libby on Oct. 20, 2003, from a genetic illness. She was born Aug. 30, 1950, in Harlem to Clarence and Mabyle (Baer) Adams.
Carmen grew up along the High Line of Montana. While living in West Glacier and attending high school in Columbia Falls, she met her soul mate, Mark Knapton. After her graduation in 1969, the two became inseparable, marrying in November 1970. During their 32 years of marriage, Carmen and her husband conquered every obstacle together. Carmen had a mothering nature unequaled to anyone, raising three boys of her own and numerous other children who came to the day care she ran from her home. Many of those children became part of her extended family, so to speak.
Carmen was an avid bowler and enjoyed the outdoors with her family, participating in numerous activities.
Carmen was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Adams, of Dadson; her husband, Mark; two brothers, Rick and Scott Baer; and a half-brother and sister.
She is survived by her parents, Bruce and Mabyle Avery, of Libby; three sons, Jacob and David Knapton, both of Kalispell, and Brian Knapton, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; two brothers, Jon Adams, of Libby, and Bernard Azure, of Arlee; two sisters, Tammy Anderson, of Troy, and Shannon Avery-Cimino, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; four grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles; and the many children she graced through her day care.
Memorial services were held Oct. 24, 2003, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastors Brad Brittsan and Curtis Konecky officiating.
Glenn Dyck
Glenn Roy Dyck, 64, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 19, 2003, at his home in Whitefish, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Wolf Point, on Nov. 14, 1938, to Herbert and Marie (Toavs) Dyck.
He began his life on a farm in the Luster area north of Wolf Point. Farming would always remain close to his heart in the years to come. He graduated high school from Luster Bible Academy in 1956 and began to learn his construction trade skills with his father and brothers in Wolf Point. These skills would prove to be very useful in the years to come with varying jobs and situations. Among these were working in the Occident Elevator in Wolf Point and becoming a manager of the Boise Cascade Lumber Co.
He married Beverly Joan Millard on April 14, 1961, who was a widow with a small son, Ronald Meroney. They went on to have two more sons, John Ray Dyck and Calvin Roy Dyck, both of whom would later work with their father in the construction trade with John becoming a partner. He and Bev then moved their family to Columbus, where he worked in the local hardware store in addition to working in construction.
They then moved to Kalispell in 1972, where he worked for Arrowhead Construction as their foreman and eventually superintendent. While with Arrowhead, he worked on the Outlaw Inn, Frenchtown School and the armory in Kalispell. He later went into business with his brother, Les, to form Dyck Construction Inc. Some of their projects included, Kalispell Feed and Grain, the Pepsi Building, the John Deere Building, Valley Glass and the Valley Inn Motel. By 1981, he branched out on his own and began Glenn's Construction. Some of the major projects he handled were Kalispell Christian Center, SemiTool, DePratu Ford, Carpet Studio, Flathead Valley Christian School, Western Building Center in Columbia Falls, the remodel of Mountain Bank in Whitefish, Glacier Bank of Whitefish, Valley Bank of Kalispell, Farmers State Bank in Victor and Florence, Riverside Alliance Church, Christ Lutheran Church, Coast to Coast in Whitefish, Chuck Wagon Cafe, RV Part CarQuest Auto Parts, numerous projects at Big Mountain Resort, two subdivisions in Columbia Falls and three major additions to Snappy Sport Senter in Kalispell.
With farming remaining near and dear to his heart, he had a renewed interest, beginning early in his retirement, which he began at 62. He especially enjoyed restoring old antique tractors, and was an active member of the Northwest Antique Power Association, where he cultivated new friendships with fellow tractor enthusiasts. He also enjoyed restoring old cars and completed two 1961 Dodge Darts.
Most importantly, he was a man of God. He had a strong dedication to God's work and was a man of great faith. Even in his sickness he was worshipping and praising God for his love and mercy. He was a wonderful example to many people and was in inspiration to anyone who had the honor of knowing him. He was a man of honor and integrity, and the Lord richly blessed him. He served as a church deacon for more than 20 years and an elder for five. He went to Africa on several mission trips, where he built churches, Bible schools and dormitories.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Beverly Dyck, of Whitefish; two sons, John Dyck and wife, Cori, and grandchildren Justin, Heather, Jared and Jordon, all of Whitefish, and Calvin Dyck and wife, Bettejo, and grandchildren, Vanessa, Adrienne and Tyrel, all of Whitefish; his step-son Ron Meroney and wife, Karen, of Portland, Ore.; three brothers, Harold Dyck and wife, Lois, of Wolf Point, Les Dyck and wife, Pat, of Missouri, and Jim Dyck, of California; two sisters, Lena Hoch and husband, Eddie, of Wolf Point, and Mavis Peterson and husband, Terry, of Minneapolis, Minn.
A celebration of his life was held Oct. 27, 2003, at the Christian Center in Kalispell. Burial was at Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Christian Center in memory of Glenn Dyck for an overseas mission project. Mail to 255 Summit Ridge Drive, Kalispell, Mont. 5990l.
Sophia Schepe
Sophia Schepe, 80, a part-time resident of Polebridge since 1978 passed away on Sept. 17, 2003, at Palomar Convalescence Continuing Care, in Escondido, Calif.
Some of her fondest memories were of building a cabin with her husband, Robert W. "Bob" Schepe, from the ground up in Flathead County, which was used as a second home. She had been in failing health for several years. She and her husband Bob owned and operated The Galeria de Anza Borrego, in Borrego Springs, for 30 years, a showcase for their own paintings as well as those of many other artists and craftsmen.
She was a biologist and a teacher at Villa Park High School in Orange, Calif., for 15 years. She penned columns on nature in the Borrego Sun that later became material for a book, A Naturalist's View, published in 1986. She also lived in Springville, Utah, near the entrance of Zion National Park and loved the beautiful scenery.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bob on Oct. 5, 1999.
She is survived by her two daughters, Janelle Schepe, of Julian, Calif., and Lynette Ressler, of Ashville, N.C., and a son, Robert T. Schepe, of Idaho.
A private memorial service will be held in Cambria, Calif.
