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L. Loring Brock, M.D.
Former Bigfork resident L. Loring Brock M.D., passed away in the presence of his family on Nov. 19, 2003, at his home in Green Valley, Ariz. Loring was a dedicated servant to the Lord, his family and his patients.
He is survived by his wife, Mona (Ging) whom he married in 1962, in Denver; two sons
, David and his wife Carolyn of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Daniel of Indianapolis; two grandsons, Loring and Evan; and a sister, Barbara Daugherty of Lexington, Ky.
Loring graduated from Ohio State University in 1948 as a medical doctor. He interned at Indianapolis General Hospital, and did his residency in internal medicine at the University of Chicago from 1949-1951. He was at Fort Warren in Cheyenne, Wyo., from 1951-53 as a captain in the Air Force.
He was a Fellow in Cardiology at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1954-55. He began his private practice in cardiology in Denver in 1956. In 1975, he developed the Heart-Lung Center with primary emphasis on prevention, early identification and rehabilitation.
Loring possessed a strong Christian faith and was active in multiple Bible study fellowship groups.
In 1985, Loring retired and moved with his family to Bigfork. He then led the Successful Aging Program and was appointed director of the Health Promotion Center for the Elderly in Flathead County. In 1997, Loring and Mona moved to Green Valley, Ariz.
Loring lived his life fully. He served uncountable numbers along the way. He will be missed and fondly remembered by many.
Memorials may be sent to the University of Arizona, Savar Heart Center, P.O. Box 245046, Tucson, AZ 85724-5046.
Arrangements were under the direction of Kirkpatrick Funeral Home.
James Nathaniel "Jimmy" Ness
James Nathaniel "Jimmy" Ness, 22, passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at his home in Kalispell, after a courageous fight with cystic fibrosis.
Jimmy was born July 10, 1981, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, the son of Lillian (Stubbert) Ness and James R. Ness. He was very sick when he was born, but God made him well so he did not die when he was a baby. He grew up doing what normal kids do, and he felt pretty healthy most of his life. In all he did, he put his whole heart into it.
About 1991, Jim was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a disease that attacks the lungs and liver. In January 2003, Jim had a double lung transplant because his own were so scarred. After the transplant, it was a rough recovery, but within three months Jim was back on his feet and with the new lungs he could finally breathe. He no longer had to cough all the time as he did before the transplant. For seven months he could do some of the things he always wanted to. In October of this year, Jim started to feel rough. In November he felt real weak and light-headed. On Dec. 11, he "went home to be with the Lord," surrounded by his family and friends.
Jimmy graduated from Flathead High School in June of 2000. He attended Montana State University for a year, and then went to Flathead Valley Community College for almost a year, studying photography. He worked for Montana Mapping, which he really enjoyed. He worked with two great people-his boss, Rick, who treated him like family, and Peggy.
Jimmy loved to hunt, fish, do photography, watch movies, kick back and hang out with his friends. He was an avid San Francisco 49ers football fan. He would have graduated from college in the fall of 2003 with an associates of arts degree, had he not been sick.
Jimmy always knew how to make people laugh; he had a sense of humor about him that always kept you smiling when you were around him. He was a very bright and smart person. Going through life with cystic fibrosis, he kept pushing on and accomplished many things when most people would have just given up under the same circumstances. He kept a positive outlook on life.
He loved Jesus and kept Him close to his heart. "Jimmy is not gone for he will live on in all of us. May Jim's courage inspire you in all you do, and may his smile always warm your heart. When you go through tough times in life just think of Jim and have his same courage to pull you through. Take a deep breath, and that alone will make you realize that you have it pretty good."
To all those who knew Jim he left a video message and in it he said, "I know these are sad times but please do not be sad. Rejoice for me for I am in a better place now. I love you, I will miss you, and good-bye."
"Jim, you have inspired so many people, we all love you and we will see you again soon in heaven. Breathe easy for you're in God's hands now. You will be with us everyday."
Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, James R. Ness, in June of 1990.
He is survived by his mother, Lillian Ness, of Kalispell; two sisters, Daniella Ketchen, and her husband, Dean, and their children, Saige and Savanna, all of Kalispell, and Valentine Hopp, and her husband, Thomas, and their children, Rebekah, Josiah, Gabriel, Caleb and "baby boy on the way," all of Marion; a brother, Chris Stubbert, and his wife, Guyla, and their children, Dennis, Jesse and Aurora; Aunt Sandy and Uncle Mike Jacobs of St. Francis, Kan., Aunt Virginia and Uncle Lonnie of Wrangell, Alaska; Joe and Jenny Tuck, Julie Tuck and Caleb, Bonnie, and Justin Tuck, all of Kalispell, Jared Tuck of Florida, and Mary Tuck of Kalispell, Rick and Mindy Breckenridge, and boys, of Proctor, Peggy and Jim Mathiason, Bev Kerzman, Scott Mast and Josh Louden, all of Kalispell; and all the friends who knew and loved you, Jimmy and whom we counted on. "You will be greatly missed but you will always be with us, always ..."
The memorial service was held on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Country Way Church of God. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
Lelia Stephens
Lelia Stephens, 82, of Bigfork, passed away on Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at the Brendan House in Kalispell after an extended illness. She was born March 14, 1921, in Barboursville, Ky., to Pete and Martha Baker. Lelia received her education at Knox Central High School in Barboursville.
She married Ralph Pickett in 1940 and they later divorced in 1952. His family is what brought her to Montana. Lelia moved to Bigfork in 1951 and married Sam Stephens on New Year's day, 1954. They were married 44 years until Sam passed away in 1998. They had one daughter, Donna, who continues to run the family liquor store business in Bigfork.
Lelia worked in the restaurant business, including Hennessy's Steak House for many years, and owned and operated the Koffee Kup Cafe in downtown Bigfork before her many illnesses. She was also a past active member of the Bigfork Rebekah Lodge. Her illnesses led them to Yuma, Ariz., where she enjoyed their winter home for over 20 years. Highlights of each winter were gambling trips to Laughlin, Nev., where she enjoyed participating in slot machine tournaments at the Pioneer Club.
Lelia was preceded in death by her husband Sam; her parents; two brothers Pete and Ed Baker; and three sisters, Freda Osborn, Lila Robinson and Hazel Jones.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Paul Lawson of Bigfork; four sisters, Reva Edwards of Avon Park, Fla., Betty Mendro of Las Vegas, Nev., Kate McKinney of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Sue Baker of Yucca Valley, Calif.; brother-in-law, Donald "Bud" Robinson of Bigfork; along with two special people in her life, Anne Leuty and Debbie MacLachlan, her second "adopted daughter," and several nieces and nephews.
Those who knew and loved her will be blessed to know that she is finally out of pain. Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 6, at 2 p.m., at the Little Brown Church in Bigfork with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating. Burial will follow at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Bigfork. Visitation will be at the Johnson Mortuary & Crematory on Feb. 5 from 2 to 6 p.m.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Bigfork QRU, 810 Grand Avenue, Bigfork, MT 59911.
Helen Elizabeth Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, 81, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She was born Oct. 20, 1922, in Kalispell to Henry and Tina (Wirtjes) Weaver.
Helen grew up in Creston and graduated from Flathead High School in 1940. On March 21, 1941, she married her sweetheart Leo Clark. This union brought forth their five children. Helen worked at Four Seasons Motor Inn as an office clerk for 30 years. She thoroughly enjoyed the people she met and cherished the long lasting friendships she made.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leo in November 1980; a daughter Delpheen; and a granddaughter Tina Clark.
Survivors include two sons, Joe Clark of Kalispell and Jerry Clark of Tacoma, Wash.; two daughters, Doris Jean Heil of Columbia Falls and Julie Douglas of Woodinville, Wash., and their respective spouses; her much loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; younger sister Doris Burns and husband Lester; half-sister Kathryn Bacon; and her aunt Maimie Weaver.
Memorial services were held Monday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m., at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Darold Reiner and Lay Minister Jerry Schreck officiating. There was no visitation. Urn burial will take place in the spring of this year.
Arrangements were under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Crematory.
Agnes L. Hafferman
Agnes L. Hafferman, 94, "painted the last brush stroke on the canvas of her life" at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell on Friday, Jan. 23, 2004. Agnes was born Sept. 17, 1909, in Warland to Orin and Maggie Brist. Her family later moved to Somers where two sisters and five brothers were added to the family.
Agnes attended elementary school in Somers and later boarded in Kalispell while attending Flathead County High School. In her class, she met her future husband, William F. Hafferman, and soon after graduation Agnes and Bill married and made their first home in Lakeside.
Later they lived in Ashley Lake, the Yaak and Troy, while Bill was employed as a hoister in the logging industry. In the summer of 1940, Bill and Agnes moved to Libby to operate the H. Earl Clack Gas Station and Gables Grocery and Modern Cabins. Agnes managed the store and Bill continued to work in the woods. During the two years Bill served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II, Agnes managed the business alone.
In 1951, Agnes and Bill built Hafferman's Grocery and Frozen Food Lockers, which is now the site of the Hi-Way Deli. Upon retiring from the grocery business, they built the Meadowlark Motel and Campground on U.S. 2 West of Libby.
During her active life, Agnes loved to fish and her car could be seen parked in many areas around the county lakes, rivers and streams. She was also well known for her artistic ability and many of her oil paintings can be seen in locations around Libby. In addition, Agnes owned and operated her own ceramic shop from which she taught ceramic lessons while engaged in operating the Meadowlark Motel. Huckleberry picking was always the highlight of the summer for Agnes. Her jams, jellies, and wine were always a welcome treat.
The greatest honor bestowed on Agnes during her busy life was in 1966 when she was named Business and Professional Women's "Woman of the Year." Agnes was also a member of the Women's Club for 60 years and a past president. She was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church Ladies Guild and also active as a Gray Lady.
Agnes enjoyed accompanying Bill to the Montana Legislature during the 16 years he served as state senator. Regardless of where they traveled, there was no better place on earth than Libby.
Agnes was preceded in death by her husband Bill; her son Bill; great-grandson Steven; great-granddaughter Ashley; sister Madeline Hanson; brothers Orin Brist Jr., Robert Brist and Thomas Brist; and parents Orin and Maggie Brist.
Agnes is survived by her daughter Norma Sanders of Twin
Falls, Idaho; daughter-in-law Betty Hafferman of Libby; sister Jessie Goodwin of Cheney, Wash.; brothers, Kenneth Brist and wife Rose of Alabama, and Claude Brist and wife Mary of Oregon; seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
Services were conducted on Friday, Jan. 30, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Libby. Burial was in the City of Libby Cemetery. Local arrangements were by the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Weston Dale Whitney
Weston Dale Whitney, 73, grandson and great-grandson of one of the early Bigfork families, passed away at his home in Seabeck, Wash., Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004. He was born in Bigfork on Oct. 30, 1930, to Ralph W. Whitney and Alice Mock Whitney.
He lived in Ferndale until the age of 11 and attended the two-room Ferndale school that is now St. Patrick's Episcopal Church. The family home was the original Ferndale one-room school converted into a house by his carpenter father. His family moved to Port Orchard, Wash., at the beginning of World War II.
When Weston was 21 and a senior at Central Washington College of Education, he was involved in an automobile accident that left him a paraplegic. Confined to a wheelchair, he went on to complete his education, receiving bachelor's and master's degrees in education and becoming the first handicapped person to be certified to teach in the state of Washington.
He married, had three sons, was a teacher and principal, sold real estate, and developed a farm unit in the Columbia Basin in Washington State. During his retirement, he developed an oyster farm on Hood's Canal and became a member of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association.
Weston is survived by his wife, Jean of Seabeck, Wash.; sons David of Edmonds, Wash., Dale and Steven of Juneau, Alaska; and four grandchildren,
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Alice Whitney, and his sister, Sharon Whitney Schmidt.
Weston's family in the Bigfork area include his brother Larry Whitney of Ferndale; nephews Jeff Whitney of Ferndale and Andrew Schmidt of Bigfork; uncles Jack Whitney of Bigfork and Wayne Whitney of Swan Lake; plus numerous cousins and grandnieces.
Services were held on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the North Mason United Methodist Church where he was a member.
Patricia Louise Kirby
Patricia Louise Kirby, 77, passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2004 at her home in Woods Bay. She was born Oct. 18, 1926 in Everett, Wash., to James J. and E. Ramona (Moody) Lee.
Patricia graduated from Snohomish High School and Everett Community College in Washington. She worked as a bookkeeper, librarian, motel owner, and as a salmon fisherwoman. She was active in the Catholic Church and both Boy and Girl Scouts. Patricia held ham radio operator's license #AL7D2. She had lived in Alaska, Port Angeles, Wash., Libby and Trout Creek. She moved to Woods Bay one year ago.
Patricia is preceded in death by her first husband Milton Hausserman in 1994, and her second husband John Kirby in 1998; her parents; and two sisters, Peggy Morley and Donna Bray. She is survived by her 11 children: Shirley Hansen Dufner, Margaret J. Danley, Bob A. Hausserman, Diane L. Schrefields, Barbara J. Laney, David S. Hausserman, Marianne Karr, Theresa L. Mason, Joseph B. Hausserman, Susan P. Western, and Angela C. Gott; 30 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and step-children, Teri Dowell, Gary, John and Kurt Kirby.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, March 27, 1 p.m., at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Bigfork. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Ste. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home cared for the family.
William Henry "Bill" Wolfe, Sr.
William Henry "Bill" Wolfe, Sr., 70, passed away at his home in Somers on Friday, March 12, 2004. He was born in Detroit, Mich., on Dec. 7, 1933 to Frank S. And Anne Catherine (Gillespie) Wolfe.
Bill received his early education in Anaconda and Somers and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1951. He then enlisted in the Air Force and, after completing basic training, was stationed in Great Falls. He met his future wife, Sharon Sargent, there and they were married on Dec. 19, 1954, in Sacramento, Calif. Upon his discharge, they moved back to Somers where they raised their family.
Bill worked for Montana Plywood for several years. For the past thirty years, he owned and operated Wolfe's Iron Art. His beautiful and original iron work can be seen in many lodges and log homes throughout the Western and Northern states. Bill was a skilled fabricator in several mediums, as well as an accomplished artist and musician. Bill and his brother Bob formed the Wolfe Brothers Band and played throughout northwest Montana. In later years, Bill and Sharon formed a duo with a guitar and piano.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Sharon in 1995; his parents; and two sisters, Mary Lou Swenson and Alice Jeanne Wood. He is survived by four daughters, Cyndi Norvell and her husband Mike of Anchorage, Alaska, Sandra Delafluente of California, Debbie Shaddon and her husband Clint of Marion, and Donna Wolfe of California; one son William Henry "Bill" Wolfe, Jr., of Somers; two brothers, Robert "Bob" Wolfe and his wife Frances of Kalispell, and Jack Wolfe of Somers; four sisters, Jo Ann Hill and Barbara Lengstorf, both of Whitefish, Rosalyn Milam and Carolyn Kent, both of Kalispell; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Bill's life was held Saturday, March 27, at the Somers Fire Hall. Arrangements were under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Crematory.
