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Jordis Viola Swanson
Jordis Viola Swanson, of Kalispell, passed away with family at her bedside Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Lubbock, Texas, after a short illness.
She was born Sept. 29, 1927, to Jacob and Viola Jacobson Erie in York, N.D.
Jordis moved with her family to Montana when she was 10. Jordis graduated from Lincoln County High School in May, 1946.
She married
James H. Swanson on Feb. 22, 1946, in Libby.
She did the books for their family businesses for the next 30 years. She retired from Western Building, where she worked for many years.
Jordis loved to garden and had beautiful flower gardens. She was very active in the Eureka Garden Club and always won more than her fair share of ribbons at the Lincoln County Fair.
She was an avid golfer, but playing bridge was her true passion. She could play bridge with the best of them and hold her own.
Jordis resided in Artesia, N.M., the last three years with her eldest daughter.
Survivors include her children: Sandy Johnson and husband Bob; Brenda Swanson; Paula Wise and husband Fred; and James Swanson and wife Jeanne; seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; sister Ardis and brothers Norman and Gene.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her twin brother, Olaf, and two infant sisters, Lois and Marilyn.
A memorial service is planned in Eureka for this summer.
Harvey Arthur Parks
Harvey Arthur “Swede” Parks, 94, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at St. Mary’s in Eureka.
He was born Oct. 30, 1919, to Edward and Bertha (Lembcke) Parks in Harlem, Mont. Ed and Bertha came to Montana from Minnesota in 1917. Edward was from Long Lake, Minn., and Bertha from Long Prairie, Minn. Swede went to school in Harlem through the eighth grade. He quit school and started working for various ranchers and homesteaders.
On Oct. 5, 1941, Swede married
Irene Elizabeth Lohr. She was a beauty operator from Devon, Mont. They moved to Portland, Ore., that same year as Swede got a job working in a shipyard. They stayed in Portland until Swede was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. They moved back to Harlem, and he left for San Diego and over to the Philippine Islands. Swede participated in the Luzon Campaign of the Asiatic Pacific Theater, receiving one ribbon and a bronze battle star.
After the war, Swede got a G. I. loan for $10,000 to buy the local meat market but couldn’t swing buying the building. He contacted Art Rassmusen and asked him if he would buy the building so Swede could rent the meat market space from him. Art said he would be happy to.
Swede ran the meat market for a few years, then sold it. He then started his new sand and gravel business, as well as a small farm. With these two new ventures he kept very busy. He had a few cattle, and to provide enough alfalfa, he put up hay for shares for neighbors during the summer months.
Swede eventually sold all those businesses and got a job with the United States Postal Service. This job lasted for about 13 years, as the Postal Service had some major cuts. In the mid 1990s Swede went to work in Parks Hardware in Harlem, owned by his brother Jay Parks. Swede worked there until retiring in 1984. His wife Irene passed away in 1984.
Swede continued to live in Harlem, doing some woodworking, which he enjoyed very much. In 1997 he moved to Eureka, where daughter Peggy Gill lived. He enjoyed his new surroundings in Eureka, continuing to do wood working projects as well as lots of gardening. He tilled a large garden up until his passing. He will be missed by those who got to know him. He was a great story teller, gardener, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his wife Irene; one son, Larry Leroy; one daughter, Peggy Jean Gill; two brothers, Gerold and Carl; one sister, Orma, as well as his parents.
Survivors include his son Jesse Parks and wife Sharon, Conrad, Mont.; brother Jay Parks of Eureka; 10 grandchildren, including the Gill girls, Penny, Patty and Pam, their brother Paul; two Parks girls, Tawn and Tera; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.
Bob DePratu
Robert “Bob” Lloyd DePratu, 74, passed away on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish with his family by his side.
He was born July 21, 1939, in Eureka to Lloyd Arthur and Helen Effie (Nellis) DePratu.
Bob received his early education in Rexford and Eureka, graduating from Lincoln County High School in 1957. As a youngster he learned the value of hard work. While in school he delivered groceries, ran a hay crew and worked for Valcor Logging. He then attended Kinman Business University and graduated in 1959 with an associate degree in accounting. After graduation, Bob worked for Rygg Ford, selling cars in Whitefish.
Bob married
Beatrice “Bea” Ann Rogers in Eureka in 1959, and together they raised three children. In 1964 he purchased DePratu Ford, and in 1984 he added VW and Audi. Bob continued operating it with his family until his death.
Bob had a very full civic and business life as well as a political career.
His businesses included the View Mount Motel, Budget Rent A Car, Clean Kars, Inc. and Triple B Enterprises, a real estate holding company.
In 1996, Bob was elected to the Montana State Senate and was later appointed to the chairmanship of the Jobs and Income Select Committee. He was re-elected in 2000 and served on the Committee of Public Health and Welfare, Highway Transportation and the Safety and Taxation committees.
Bob was extremely busy civically. As early as 1959, he began serving the Whitefish community as a member of the Jaycees. He was a member of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, Whitefish Rotary, the Montana Auto Dealers Association as a member, president and chairman, Big Sky Life Insurance board member, First Interstate Bank board member, and he served on the board of directors of the Flathead Business and Industry Committee.
Bob was a member of the Ford Motor Company National Dealer Council and was appointed to the Ford Motor Company Consumer Resolution Board. He was a Whitefish Hospital board member and in 1968 began volunteering with the Whitefish Volunteer Fire Department, where he served 20 years with the fire department and ambulance. During this time he spent five years on the board, two years as president, and two years as fire chief.
In 2012 Bob received the Whitefish Chamber’s esteemed Great Whitefish Award that honors one person’s lifetime contribution to the community.
Bob was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served on many boards and committees.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Yvonne Mae DePratu, and a grandson, Ryan Robert DePratu.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bea DePratu; two sons: Bret (LeeZann) DePratu of Vaughn; Bart DePratu of Whitefish; and a daughter: Brenda (Sidney) Chapman of Columbia Falls; a sister: Delila Webster of Gardendale, Ala.; six grandchildren: Alison (Justin) Brandt, Christopher and Tyler DePratu, Shasta (Shane) Dean, Carson DePratu and Amanda Chapman; four great grandchildren with a fifth due in July; a 95-year-old aunt, Erma Nellis Stinson; an 89-year-old uncle, Cecil DePratu, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Emergency Services Center (Whitefish Fire Hall) at 275 Flathead Ave. in Whitefish, with Bishop Joel Stephenson officiating. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be at Austin Funeral Home on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The family suggests that memorial gifts be given to Shepherd’s Hand: 5150 River Lakes Parkway, Whitefish, MT 59937 or North Valley Food Bank: 251 Flathead Ave., Whitefish, MT 59937.
Austin Funeral Home is caring for Bob’s family. You are invited to https://www.austinfh.com to view Bob’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.
Vern “Alan” Hudson
Vern “Alan” Hudson’s spirit departed this life Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, four days shy of his 64th birthday.
He was born Jan. 7, 1950, to Omer Benton “OB” and Joyce Saunders Hudson in Missoula.
Alan grew up in Eureka, graduating from Lincoln County High School in 1968.
Alan attended the University of Montana in Missoula from 1968 to 1973, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in accounting.
On Sept. 12, 1974, he married
the one and only love of his life, Lynn Rodgers Worrell, for time and all eternity in the LDS Idaho Falls Temple.
While raising three beautiful children, they moved from Montana to Washington to Oregon, and finally settled in Central Point, Ore.
Alan was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many different callings throughout his life, including in the Medford Temple. He had an amazing testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He enjoyed working hard, growing a garden, canning, tending animals and fishing.
Alan has always loved Scouting. He helped both his sons to achieve the rank of Eagle. He was a Vigil OA member, Silver Beaver recipient, past course director and passionate champion of Wood Badge. He was a commissioner and held almost every unit leadership position there is. He was a long time Scouter in the Crater Lake Council.
One of Alan’s many talents was in wood working. Whether it was rolling pins, clocks, old-fashioned cradles for his grandbabies, or beautiful bowls, his friends and family benefited from his hand-made gifts. He especially enjoyed making toys for his grandchildren. Many cars, wooden trains, checkerboards and carousels will be cherished forever.
Throughout his battles with cancer, Alan maintained his sense of humor. At 6 feet, 7 inches tall, he was in all ways a man to look up to. Alan never had an unkind word to say about anyone. A man of undeniable faith, this gentle soul was an excellent example of unconditional love, sacrifice, morals and integrity. He strived to give his children experiences rather than things, which they will always be grateful for.
Alan left this world way too young, but his example of spiritual strength, integrity and compassion will live on in the hearts of those he left behind.
He was preceded in death by his father, Omer Benton Hudson.
He is survived by wife Lynn Hudson; mother Joyce Hudson; sisters Peggy Burgess and Patty (Tom) Dickens-Turk; children Matthew (Monica) Hudson; Mary (David) Wilken; Steven (Lynette) Hudson; six grandchildren, whom he adored: Chase, Andrew, Kaelyn, Emily, Sawyer and Natalie; nieces Nicolle and Janine; nephews Cory, Chad and Brad.; uncle Dale (Edie) Hudson; brother-in-law Leland Burgess.
Beverly Ann Osler
Beverly Ann Osler, 85, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at St. Mary’s in Eureka.
She was born Oct. 10, 1928, in Atlabasla Landing, Alberta, Canada. She moved to the Trego and Fortine area when she was 6 months old and lived there until her death.
She served at the onset of the first InterBel board meeting in 1962 and held the position of president, secretary/treasurer and trustee several times over for 33 years.
In 1963, she got her private pilot’s license and flew for five years. She was quoted as saying that the only people crazy enough to fly with her were her 82-year-old grandmother and her 3-year-old son Chris because “Grandma was too old to care and Chris was too young to know better.”
Beverly worked as the Fortine postmaster for 31 years in between all her other activities, retiring in 1996. She loved traveling and over the course of her life traveled throughout Europe, the British Isles, Scandinavian countries, Mexico, Alaska and many other places with her family and friends.
Beverly was an avid bowler and enjoyed baking and decorating anniversary, wedding and birthday cakes for people and events throughout the country.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Wylie Osler, and her parents Fred and Marguerite Titchbourne.
Survivors include her five children, Kathy, Freddie, Pat, Chris and Kelly; a brother, Ray Titchbourne; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Rosary was at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka. Mass of the Resurrection was Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the church. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.
Gregorio Ocamica
Gregorio Ocamica passed away at Mountain View Manor Jan. 11, 2014, following an almost three year battle with brain cancer.
Greg was born to Concha and Manuel Ocamica on May 9, 1943, in Ea in the Basque Country of Spain. He immigrated to the U.S. in November 1962 and lived in Boise, Idaho, until coming to the Eureka area during the construction of Libby Dam.
Greg was a driller by trade. During the Libby Dam project, he worked on the tunnel as well as the relocation of Highway 37 on both sides of the reservoir.
In 1970 Greg married
Melita Smith, and they had a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Gregory.
Greg worked on the Alaska pipeline, then moved on to Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska in 1979, where he worked in road construction until his retirement. His hobbies were collecting old bottles and playing pool.
Greg was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2011 and moved back to Eureka at that time to be near his children and grandchildren. He was a resident of Mountain View Manor from July 2012 until his death.
Gregorio’s survivors include his children, daughter Jennifer, her husband Jeff Schermerhorn and their children, Lucia and Cooper, and his son Greg, all of Eureka; and Greg’s daughter Reina and her mother, Kristen, of Missoula, his sisters Connie of Portland, Maribel of Boise and his brothers Jose of Ontario, Ore., and Anton of Spain. He also leaves behind his former wife, Melita.
Graveside services are planned for 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Tobacco Valley cemetery.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.
Roy George Lucas
Roy George Lucas peacefully left this world Dec. 21, 2012, dying of natural causes.
He was born April 28, 1939, to Mildred and Glen Lucas in Libby. His father Glen was killed in a logging accident when Roy was less than a year old, and he always knew and called his step-father Duane Whitehouse “Dad.” Soon a brother and sister joined the family, Sara Ann and Kent Whitehouse.
Roy was very involved in sports during his childhood and high school years and earned the distinction of captain of the football team and MVP several years running.
Roy received his engineering certificate from Northern Montana College in Havre after high school and was promptly employed by the United States Forest Service as a drafting engineer, designing many roads and campgrounds in Northwestern Montana. One among many that is well known in the Eureka area is Therriault Lakes campground.
Roy met and married
Bonnie Walker in 1960 and they had two daughters, Jackie and Heidi. The family resided in Libby until 1965 during which time Roy was very involved in the Jaycees. Roy was also an avid classic car enthusiast during this time of his life.
Roy loved Montana and Idaho, where he lived all his life, with the exception of a brief three year period from 1965 to1968 when he moved his young family to San Rafael, Calif., where he worked at Pacific Gas and Electric.
Roy loved to camp and be outdoors as much as possible, enjoying hunting, fishing and any activity that took him into the mountains to see God’s glorious creation. He also had an immense love of animals, especially dogs, of which he rescued several, giving them loving homes.
In 1968 Roy returned to Montana and the Forest Service, working at Murphy Lake Ranger station, Raven Ranger Station and Eureka Ranger Station. Roy and Bonnie were divorced in 1972. After taking a Forest Service transfer to Orofino, Idaho, he met and married
Karen Carlson. He was overjoyed to have Karen in his life, along with her five wonderful children: Terry, Rick, Mike, Rob, and Dena.
Roy also met lifelong friends John and Peggy Haight, whom he always considered family and who were truly a blessing to him more than they could ever know.
The couple resided in Idaho approximately 20 years, but did return to Columbia Falls after Roy’s retirement from 25 years with the Forest Service in 1990. Roy then took an engineering job in Whitefish at WMW Engineering until his heart attack in 1998, when he was forced to “truly retire.”
Roy is survived by his wife Karen Lucas of Columbia Falls; mother Mildred Whitehouse; brother Kent Whitehouse and sister Sara Ann Whitehouse, all of Libby; daughters Jackie Lynn (Lucas) LeBlanc and husband Robert Joseph LeBlanc of Fortine; Heidi Jo (Lucas) Freemantle of Jimboomba, Australia; Rick Carlson of Columbia Falls; Mike Carlson of Clarkston, Wash.; Dena Carlson of Clarkston, Wash.; 14 grandchildren: Robert, Aaron, Hannah, Maya, Kelly, Mikeal, Kendra, Dylan, Trevor, Wyatte, David, Johnny, Jeffery and Ashley; many wonderful aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by step-sons, Terry Carlson and Rob Carlson, his father Glen Lucas, and step-father Duane Whitehouse.
Roy was a wonderful man always putting others’ needs before his own. He had an infectious laugh and a wonderful sense of humor. He brightened the lives of all who came into contact with him. The void he leaves in our lives is immense, but we rejoice that he has flown away to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ and is free from the pain and sickness of this world. Good-bye our brother, son, father, husband, grandfather, uncle and friend. We will miss you.
Services were Saturday, Dec. 29, at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.
