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Ray Edmund Preston, Jr.
Ray Edmund Preston, Jr., age 53, passed away Monday July 26, 2004 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born October 11, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois to Ray Edmund, Sr. and Doris Jeanne (Schmid) Preston.
Ray received his education through McMinnville, Oregon. He then started his career in the US Navy in 1968, serving in specialized warfare in Vietnam and aboard the USS Lincoln during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He married Barbara Ann Buchman in the St. James Church on September 30, 1973. He retired from the Navy in 1995, putting in 27 years of service for his country. His retirement brought him and his family to the Flathead Valley. He was active in helping with The Veterans Stand-down. Ray also enjoyed fishing and making others laugh.
Ray is survived by his wife Barbara Preston of Kalispell, Montana; son, Ray Edmund Preston, III serving aboard the USS Boxer in San Diego, California; a son, Eric Preston and a daughter Angelique "Angel" Preston both of Kalispell, Montana; one sister; two brothers
; three half brothers and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Ray will be held Saturday July 31, 2004 from 9-12:45 p.m. at Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
Jan N. Stewart
Jan N. Stewart, age 69, died peacefully at her home in Bigfork Friday, July 30, 2004 surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born October 15, 1934 in Pampa, Texas to Wesley and Faye (Addington) Davis.
Jan was a very caring and loving wife, mother and friend. She had a sparkling personality with a witty and sometimes mischievous sense of humor. The concerns and interests of family and friends were always placed ahead of her own. As a wife, Jan was a life partner and a best friend. She was supportive and sensitive. As a mother, Jan was full of love and compassion for her children. She did a wonderful job of balancing the tricky task of giving love without spoiling her children. As a friend, she was always eager to lend a hand or an ear. She was spontaneous and cheerful.
Jan spent her early childhood in Texas living there until 1946 when she moved to Boulder, Colorado. Jan graduated from Bolder High School in 1952. Her interests were skiing, tennis and Jan loved to dance. She attended the University of Colorado and later Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. At Northwestern she majored in television and drama. Jan was Miss Northwestern of 1954 and Miss National Press Photographer of 1954.
Jan married David M. Stewart on June 18, 1954 at her grandmother's home in Bolder. Dave and Jan celebrated 50 years of marriage this past June.
Jan was a resident of San Anselmo, California for 17 years; during that time she and her husband Dave raised their two children, Deborah and Dave. Jan was very active in tennis and various charitable groups.
In 1977, Jan and her family moved to Lindberg Lake, Montana and embraced a very different lifestyle. She loved the natural beauty of the lake nestled between the Mission and Swan Mountains. She enjoyed the adventure of living in the wilderness both in summer and winter; Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and summer boating with friends was among her favorite activities.
Jan excelled as a gourmet baker and became a renowned dessert chef. Her creative cakes, petites fours and chocolate creations not only looked spectacular, but were absolutely scrumptious. Jan was flattered when friends asked her to bake a cake for a special event or wedding and would spend happy hours crafting the perfect confection as her gift to cherished friends.
Jan enjoyed entertaining. Her parties were elegant, warm, festive and spiced with lively conversation and laughter. Jan was a talented artist, creating delicious food and beautiful decor. But her most enduring creations were her friendships for which she felt a deep gratitude.
In 1996 Jan and Dave moved to Bigfork, Montana residing on the golf course at Eagle Bend. Jan soon took up golf for the first time and became an avid golfer. Her many friends quickly learned that you did not have to ask Jan twice to play golf. She was always ready-even in wind, rain and early snow. When it came to golf, Jan was not a "wimpette" but a devoted sportswoman.
Jan was a spiritual person who appreciated the breathtaking beauty of her mountains and the golden sun rising on a new day. She recognized and focused on the positive moments in life. Jan will be remembered as a beautiful and elegant woman-both inside and out. Her warmth, kindness, intelligence and feisty sense of humor will be missed. She was that special kind of person when you spent time with her you felt better about yourself and your day. Jan was an active member of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Ferndale.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Paula Trippe. Jan is survived by her husband Dave Stewart, of Bigfork, MT; one son, Dave and wife Brenda Steward in Columbia Falls, MT; one daughter; Deborah Thompson and husband Tim of Key West, FL and her beloved Shiatsu "Skookie"
Memorial services for Jan N. Stewart will be held Friday, August 6, 2004 at 1 p.m., at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana Highway 35, Bigfork, MT. A reception will follow the services at Eagle Bend Golf Club for family and friends. A private family placement will take place at a later date. The family suggests memorials be made in Jan's memory to Hospice Home Health Care, 175 commons Loop Ste 110, Kalispell, MT; the Bigfork QRU, 810 Grand Ave, Bigfork, MT 59911 or the QRU of Condon, MT. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Crematory.
Frederick William Hartman, Jr.
Frederick William Hartman, Jr., 67 passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Thanksgiving Day at his home in Martin City, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born June 18,1937 in Saginaw, Michigan to Frederick William Hartman, Sr. and Orra Mae (Heil) Hartman. He was raised in Midland, Mich. and moved to his parents' cherry orchard on the East Lake Shore of Flathead Lake in 1976. In 1989 he moved to Martin City to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jane and Tom Church and he loved spending his winters in Arizona.
As a boy he was active in Boy Scouts, a bowling team, and loved working in their orchard picking cherries and apples. Freddie loved the outdoors and his trip into the Bob Marshall on horseback with his dad. He enjoyed fishing any chance he got. He also enjoyed sporting events. He could often be seen at football, baseball, and basketball games. Freddie's biggest joy was meeting people and shaking their hand. He always had a smile and never forgot a name. He worked for Flathead Industries in Columbia Falls with his brother, Richard, for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mae Hartman; his nephew and his brother-in-law, Tom Church. Freddie is survived by his sister, Mary Jane Church; his brother and best friend, Richard Hartman; his nephew and family, Louis, Suzanne, Lori, Emily, and Danny Church; his niece's and families, Carma, John and Billy Johnson and Brandi and Chris Sinerius; and Cathy, Mike, and Shelby Nash and Tommy Church.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and was an inspiration to us all. Thank you to everyone who came by, called, and sent cards, postcards, and letters from all over the country during his illness. It meant a great deal to him to know so many people cared about him. Freddie's memorial service will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Canyon Community Church in Coram. There will be a potluck dinner at 5 p.m. in the Ed building next to the church preceding the service.
Memorials can be made in Freddie's name to Flathead Industries of Columbia Falls, P.O. Box 1446, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 or Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, #100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Robert "Bob" G. McGuire
Robert "Bob" G. McGuire, age 59, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004 at his residence in Kalispell after a long battle with cancer. He was born March 22, 1945 in Kalispell, the son of Glenn and Beth (Calbick) McGuire.
He attended schools and graduated from Flathead County high School in 1963 before attending the University of Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah and Brown Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Upon returning to Kalispell, he met and married Beverly Lampman on Sept. 27, 1966 at Priest River, Idaho. In 1971, Bob joined the Montana Highway Patrol, retiring after 22 years of service. He continued his law enforcement career as Chief of Law Enforcement at Glacier International Airport before retiring in June 2004.
Bob will be remembered by his great smile and positive attitude. He loved the time he spent with his family and was extremely proud of his two children and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Beverly McGuire of Kalispell; his daughter Shelley Howell and her husband Greg of Polson; his son Jeff McGuire of Kalispell; his grandchildren Gage and Haley McGuire of Bismarck, ND and Kelsie, Logan and Nicole Howell of Polson; his sister Marilyn McGuire Peterson of Flagstaff, Ariz., and his aunt Agnes Faulkner of Kalispell.
Funeral service for Bob McGuire were held on Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 at Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Burial followed at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the Montana Hope Project, a children's make-a-wish program sponsored by the Montana Highway Patrol. Montana Hope Project P.O. Box 5927 Helena, MT 59604.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Crematory.
Lucille Evans
Only days after celebrating her 80th birthday surrounded bye family members, Lucille Evans passed away peacefully at a local hospital on Oct. 25, 2004 to be with her Lord.
Her illness had been brief. Lucille, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, was born Oct. 16, 1924, in Polson. She grew up in the Bigfork area with her parents, Frederick James and Bernice Mae Butterfield, and seven siblings, Lois, Francis, Fred, Helen, Dorothy, Connie and Mary Jane. After graduation from Bigfork High School in 1942, she and here sister Francis moved to San Diego to join the war effort. For two years, they worked at a factory turning out World War 11 aircraft. While in San Diego, she met a young career Navy man from Tennessee, Herman Buford 'Skinner' Evans. Their story is the stuff movies are made of. After one date, Skinner was sent to England on a tour of duty. They corresponded until his return, one year later. After their second date, they decided to marry on June 17, 1944. This past June, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. After several tours of duty, Lucille and Skinner, with family in tow, settled down in Oxnard in 1956. While in Oxnard, Lucille worked as a data input operator at a local aerospace company until she decided to become, as she described herself, a 'home engineer,' watching over her three children, Joe, Sandi and Jan.
Lucille leaves her husband, Herman; children, Joe, Sandi and Jan, and their respective spouses, Pauline, Dave and Lance; sisters, Mary Jane and Dorothy; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Following Lucille's wishes to be cremated, a memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Conrad-Carroll Mortuary in Oxnard. Come spring, family members will join together to spread Lucille's ashes in Montana, a favorite place for Lucille.
In lieu of flowers, Lucille requested donations be made to the Cancer Society of your choice. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Conrad-Carroll Mortuary, (805) 487-4911.
Barbara Ann Besel, 59
Barbara Ann Besel, 59, of Bigfork, died Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.
She was born on July 12, 1947, in Havre, to Everett and Maymie (Julkowski) Swisher. She was raised in Havre, where she attended schools. Barbara was married to Gordon Besel on July 18, 1992, in Missoula. She had worked for Tomlinson Black Realty of Spokane, Wash., for many years. After moving to the Flathead Valley, she went to work for Flathead Bank in Kalispell as a loan officer.
Her interests included her friends, family, gardening, her dog and golf. She is survived by her husband, Gordon Besel, of Kalispell; daughter Teri Szombathy of Sun Valley, Idaho; sister Patti Best of Spokane; grandchildren Alexa and Olivia Szombathy of Sun Valley, nephew Brian Best and niece Brandy Best, both of Spokane.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, with the Rev. Tom Gopp officiating. Urn burial will be at C.E. Conrad Cemetery. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. at the Besel home, 39 Gray Hawk Court in Bigfork. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 3499 U.S. 93 North, Kalispell, MT 59901. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Montgomery James “Monty” Huntington, 47
Montgomery James “Monty” Huntington, 47, died Friday, May 18, 2007, as a result of an industrial accident while at work.
Monty was born on Nov. 29, 1959, in Waconia, Minn., to David and Karen (Kroeger) Huntington. He was raised in Excelsior, Minn., and graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1978. After high school he attended the University of Minnesota at Duluth.
He worked for a few years as a lift operator in Colorado, but had worked for most of his life as a black-topper. He loved his job, which allowed him time to be able to do things during the off-season.
Monty married Debbie Harris on Aug. 1, 1992, in Prior Lake, Minn. They moved to the Flathead Valley on July 2, 1999, where he went to work for T-Bend Construction as a black-topper. Monty loved the outdoors and his hobbies showed it; he loved hockey and played hockey in a league in Whitefish. He was an avid bird hunter; he loved being a telemark skier, and was a member of the Lost Prairie Skydivers. Monty was a very thoughtful person who loved his family and had many friends. He is going to be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie Huntington, three children, Jasmine and her husband Carson Conn, Jonathan and David Quist, his parents David and Karen Huntington, and two twin grandchildren, Audriella and Victoria Quist, a brother but especially his best friend David Huntington, and his sister Staci Howren.
A celebration of Monty’s life was held May 22 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Buffalo Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Mildred "Millie" Platt, 92
Mildred "Millie" Platt, age 92, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, Montana. She was born at home in Williams, Montana near Valier on September 19, 1915. She was one of eight children born to Anna (Hofland) and Anders Hammer, and was very proud of her Norwegian heritage.
She spent her childhood in Valier on the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. She loved life in her small town and enjoyed school, swimming, dancing, trips to Glacier Park and playing cards throughout her childhood and long life.
After graduating from Valier High School in 1933, Millie attended Western Montana College in Dillon and received her two year degree in elementary education and a lifetime certificate to teach in Montana. She used that opportunity to teach in Brady, Dupuyer, Cutbank and finally in Billings where she taught Kindergarten in her home for eighteen before retiring.
In 1941 Millie married William "Bill" Platt in Cutbank, MT. Millie was teaching and Bill worked for Carter Oil Company in the refinery in Cutbank, and they had met on a blind date.
In 1950 Carter Oil moved its facility to Superior, Wisconsin and Millie and Bill moved with it. Both missed their beloved Montana, and in 1952, Bill was hired as a refinery inspector with Universal Oil Company, and they moved to Billings, where they lived until Bill's retirement in 1980. Millie retired from teaching a few years prior to Bill's retirement, and spent the years before his retirement traveling the world with him on assignment with his company. After Bill's retirement they moved to Lakeside, MT.
Millie and Bill were married for 44 years until Bill's death in 1985. Following his death, Millie became a Hospice volunteer because of the support and comfort Hospice had provided the family throughout Bill's illness. Through her work with Hospice and the game of bridge, Millie met Walter Hensley and they were married in 1990. They had five fun filled years together dancing, playing bridge, and socializing with friends until Walter's death in 1995.
Millie was also preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Olga Armstrong, Ernest Hammer, Isabelle Hammer, an infant sister, and a grandson Andy Lindsey.
She is survived by her daughters, Holly Lindsey and husband Dan; Susan Gibson - Veyna and husband Peter; and Gretchen Platt and husband Charlie Bartberger; siblings, Andy Hammer of Missoula, MT; and Shirley Elton and husband Claude of Arizona; her grandchildren, Chris Lindsey and wife Julie, Daniel Lindsey, Heather Copp and husband Mike, Rachel Johnson and husband John, Sarah Gibson and husband Ken Turley, and Ben Bartberger, her great-grandchildren, Le'Arvay, Koda, and Jake and by many nieces and nephews, and by two special step-grandchildren, Lisa Veyna Lykins and Kevin Veyna.
Millie lived a long, full life with her large extended family and many, many friends. She kept her sharp wit and sense of humor to the end and will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Memorial services for Millie will be held on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Millie's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Millie's guest book.
