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Robert "Bob" Luther Olsen
Robert "Bob" Luther Olsen, born Sept. 4, 1934, passed away March 24. He was proceeded in death by his father William "Bert" and mother Leona Olsen.
Also, his brothers, Alan and Kenny Olsen. He is survived by brothers Virgil, Verle "Pic", Donald, Clyde and Butch Olsen and sisters, Barbara Ness and Delma Jean Rosenbaum. He is also survived by his son Bob Klein and daughters Dicie, Teresa, Shawna and Stephanie. He has 16 grandchidren and three great-grandchildren. Bob was a great man who will be missed by everyone who knew him.
We will always remember his unconditional love, contagious smile and ability to have fun.
Please join us for a pot luck party at Leon Community Center Club House at noon on April 11 to celebrate his life.
Meat will be provided.
Anyone who knew Bob or those of you who just want to support those of us that did are more than welcome to attend.
Alphonse Henry Clairmont
Alphonse Henry Clairmont, 86, of Ronan, passed away at his home on Friday, March 26, of natcual causes.
He was born in Missoula on April 29, 1923, to Joseh Henry Clairmont and Elsie Butt Clairmont.
He married
Irma Lingner in Polson on March 29, 1947.
They were married
49 years, until her passing in October of 1996.
Henry was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
He was a World War II Navy veteran and was a life long rancher in the North Crow, Pable Reservior and Buffalo Bridge areas of the Mission Valley.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, son Henry Eugene Clairmont and step grandson Shawn and brothers Bud, Dean and Virgil.
He is survived by 11 children: Dennis Clairmont (Nadine), of Pablo; Sherry Clairmont (Roy Adams), of Ronan; Chris Jackson (Mark), of Ronan; Nadine Rice (Clint), of Endicott, WA; Joel Clairmont (Teri), of Polson; Kevin Clairmont (Sue), of Polson; Aileen Bailey (Russ), of Ennis; Geri Herreid (Tim), of Ronan; Chet Clairmont (Trish) of Casper, WY; Yvonne Funk (Ken), of Spokane; and Roger Clairmont (Carrie), of Ronan; 31 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and a large extended family.
A traditional wake was held at the family home on March 29. Mass of the Christian Burial was on March 30.
Graveside services with military honors were at the Roan cemetery wtih a dinner that followed.
The family requests that memorials be made to the North Crow Creek Women's Club.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan assisted the family with arrangements.
Richard F. 'Dick' Schaller
POLSON -- Richard F. "Dick" Schaller, 57, of Polson went to be with his Savior on Thursday morning, Jan. 27, 2005. He leaves behind his wife Jane and son Damon.
Margaret Barnaby Matt Finley
ST. IGNATIUS -- Margaret Barnaby Matt Finley, 78, of St. Ignatius died Saturday, Jan. 29, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
Maurice J. Gould
POLSON -- Maurice J. Gould, 59, of Polson died on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at the Orchard View Group Home in Polson.
Walter Lee Cooper
SALT LAKE CITY -- Walter Lee Cooper, 77, died Jan 3, 2005, after a valiant battle with lung cancer.
Ulysses G. 'Jack' Looney
POLSON -- Ulysses G. "Jack" Looney, 86, of Polson died on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
Katherine Kirwan Reilley
Katherine Kirwan Reilley, 43, of Polson, passed away in her sleep at the family home on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011.
Katie was born in Missoula on August 11, 1967 to Patrick and Mary Kirwan. She was a 1985 graduate of Polson High School where she was an honor student, played sports and was involved in music and other activities. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. She attended the University of Montana for two years. In 1988, she married
Tylor McKay Reilley, and they then relocated to Kings Bay, Ga. where her husband was in the military until they returned to Polson in 1995. They divorced in 2004, but through that union were blessed with four beautiful children, whom she cherished with all her heart.
Katie worked for Dr. Gayle Siemers as a dental chair assistant for 16 years. She enjoyed caring for her family, her sisterhood in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and singing karaoke. She brought joy into the hearts of all who knew her with her smile.
In 2005, Katie gained a larger extended family through her engagement to Robert Paul “Bob” Hardy. Together with the children, they shared in making a home, traveling and enjoying many outdoor activities.
Survivors include her parents, Patrick Kirwan and Michael and Mary Foot; her son, Logan; daughters, Jenni, Madison and Gracie; her fiancé, Bob Hardy; brothers, James (Rebecca) Kirwan, Michael (Tammy) Kirwan and Sean Foot; sisters, Shannon Kirwan (Randy), Heather (Brande) Merganthaler, and Maria Foot; a sister-in-law, Nicole Kirwan; her aunt, Noreen Olson; 16 nephews, and nieces, and 2 great nephews.
The Lord has welcomed two precious children, as Katie has now joined her brother, Kevin, who passed away in 2010. Katie, you made every day “THAT” day and you are all the colors of the rainbow.
A memorial mass was celebrated on Thursday, Jan. 27 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson where a reception followed in the Parish Hall of the church. In honor of Katie’s life, memorials can be sent to the Katie Kirwan Reilley Memorial Fund at First Citizen’s Bank for the education of her two young daughters.
The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Katie’s family.
Samantha Sue (Wing) Schaff
The always beautiful, kind and vivacious Samantha Sue (Wing) Schaff, 27, died in a car accident on the morning of Jan. 24, 2011.
At the time of the accident Schaff was driving from her Lakeside home, which she shared with her husband of seven years Nathan, to Salon Envy where she worked as a cosmetologist with her mother Sue, sister Holly, uncle Bud, cousin Crystal and others.
Schaff, a 2004 graduate of Creveir’s School of Cosmetology in Kalispell, enjoyed her work and most of all her extensive list of repeat clients, many of whom she had known since getting her license and doing hair and nails at Studio 93. She will be remembered by them not only for her tremendous skill, but her alluring personality as well.
Although often seen to those who didn’t know her well as quiet and almost shy, Schaff was layered and full of surprises that her closest friends enjoyed discovering. No secret to even a stranger though was her bright smile and contagious laugh that she was never afraid to share with the world.
It is her kindness and her care for people and animals that she will be remembered for most. A gentle soul, always willing to help anyone in need, Schaff was a rare beauty both inside and out. That will make her impossible to replace or ever forget to those whose lives she touched, and there were many.
Schaff was born in Polson on Dec. 3, 1983, to Sue and her father Ed and baptized at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was the younger sister to her brother, Jake, and two years later received a little sister, Holly, who became a lifelong companion and friend to her.
Schaff’s laid-back attitude and sincere friendship made her well liked in school. There was no question why so many people gravitated toward her or why her circle of friends was ever-growing.
She graduated from Polson High School in 2002 and took on a job working in the sales office at Bear Harbor Condominiums. The following summer she married
the love of her life, Nathan, in a serene outdoor wedding surrounded by family and friends. From that day forward, the two were inseparable and enjoyed many adventures together.
The newlyweds toggled between living in Polson and Columbia Falls and eventually spent nearly a year in Bozeman as well while Nathan completed his college degree. While living in Bozeman, Schaff worked at Genesis Salon. The couple returned to the Flathead Valley in the summer of 2009 and just a few months ago moved to Lakeside.
Her clients kept her busy at the salon in Polson, where she always greeted them with her endearing smile, caring blue eyes, flowing blonde hair and a well-put-together outfit that was nearly always finished off with a pair of high heels no matter how bad they hurt her feet.
While Schaff enjoyed her work, she had many other passions as well — most notably animals. If she had it her way, she probably would have saved every stray cat in the state, but she was happy to give her love to her two kitties she raised with Nathan.
Schaff also enjoyed cooking, running, hiking, playing on Flathead Lake, and listening to music really loud while no one was around. She also loved to try new things and had been known to do anything from knit to rock climb in her free time.
Although she had no children of her own, kids gravitated to her everywhere she went and looked up to her. She was never unwilling to include them in her life and looked forward to sharing her knowledge with them.
With the rest of her time Schaff was a faithful friend, sister, wife and daughter, who was always there to listen, laugh with and provide a unique and insightful perspective on our world. She believed that everything happens for a reason and that everyone deserves to be happy.
Schaff is survived and deeply missed by her husband, mother, father, sister, brother, family in-law, maternal and paternal grandparents, several aunts, uncles and cousins and a countless number of friends.
Services for Schaff were held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. There was a candlelight vigil and rosary at 7 p.m. Friday and a funeral at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by with a reception and luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Schaff’s favorite non-profit causes — the cat room at the Mission Valley Animal Shelter or Lake County Life Savers.
Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
Norval Marsh
Norval Marsh, 73, of Polson formerly of Wilmington, Ohio passed away Dec. 16, 2010 at his daughter’s residence in Wilmington, in the loving and devoted care of his immediate family. He is survived by Shirley Singleton Marsh, his wife of 41 years.
Mr. Marsh was born Dec. 31, 1936, in Redvale, Colo., son of the late Donald and Lucille Clark Marsh. He was known as a teacher and school administrator, but he had also worked as a dairy farmer, mechanic and contractor. During his diverse career, he served as director of all four Great Oaks Joint Vocational schools, taught and was administrator for schools in Guam and Taiwan, and developed and implemented a joint vocational school in the Republic of Palau, Micronesia. Most recently, he had been teaching at Circle Public Schools in Montana.
He was a member of the Mission Valley Church of Christ in Polson, Montana. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Montana State University and his master’s degree in administration from Colorado State University.
Most importantly, Mr. Marsh was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a friend to many. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Henio Kaluu (Detiva) Marsh of Koror Palau and Mako Li (Melissa) Marsh of De Queen, Ark.; four daughters, Christina Maria Fain of Tumwater, Wash., Remy Jo Peck of Wickes, Ark., Cheri Kay (Jeff) Honnerlaw of Wilmington and Melody Ann (Jeff) Glenn of Fairfield, Ohio as well as many siblings, beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Takemura Hideo-Wilhelm Marsh and a sister, Marilyn Brown.
Funeral services were held at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Wilmington, with the Rev. Dr. Tom Stephenson officiating.
Marie H. Steinberger
POLSON — Marie Helen Hoff was born in Forsyth, Mont. to Rex Marvin and Eva Knaur Hoff. Mom started school at Sarpy Creek and attended rural schools until the family moved to a ranch east of Deer Lodge in May 1938. Mom graduated from Powell County High School in 1947.
On March 19, 1948, mom married
dad, Robert A. Steinberger. They began their married
life in Bozeman, moving to Portland where dad worked for Bonneville Power. In 1953, they returned to Montana and lived in Deer Lodge for 12 years. They moved to Polson when dad went to work for the Department of the Interior.
Upon his retirement in 1984, they returned to Deer Lodge. Mom opened Marie’s Rock Shop in an addition to their home. In 2005, she closed her shop due to failing eyesight. Mom desperately missed her rock hound friends from throughout the country.
Mom was never afraid of hard work; working a multitude of jobs from dishwashing to co-owning Powell County Credit Union, to granting air pollution permits in Lake County.
Mom loved summers at Rock Creek Lake. We can still see her sitting on a rock with her fishing pole. She shared with us her love of the outdoors. She was the quintessential Montana girl: hunting, fishing and camping.
Mom’s many hobbies included gardening, canning and sewing. She loved the jars of canned goods lined up in the pantry in the fall. She also loved sewing all her daughters’ clothes until they reached that fussy age of freshmen in high school. In later years, she liked nothing better than hunting agates with her buddy, Betty Coriell. Mom loved seeing her nieces, Sydney and Marissa McKee, play in the Lady Warden games. The one thing mom wouldn’t do was mow the lawn! Mom did things her way. She taught us “you don’t have to like it, you just have to do it.”
Marie is survived by her husband, Robert A. Steinberger; four daughters: Stephanie, Mia, April and Wendy; one brother, Floyd Hoff, of Helena; three grandsons; one great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. On Saturday, mom was reunited with her parents, two brothers, Donnie and Harold, and one sister, Carol.
Services were held at the First Baptist Church with Howard Neckels and David Bluford officiating. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mom’s memory to the First Baptist Church, of Deer Lodge. Jewell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Eugene (Gene) Lee Pitts
Eugene (Gene) Lee Pitts, 90, a longtime resident of Dixon and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.
Gene, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CS&KT), was the older of two children born to Geneva Houle and Virgil Lee Pitts in Valley Creek. Gene attended elementary schools in Valley Creek, Ursuline’s School in St. Ignatius, Lonepine and Hot Springs where he rode to school on horseback. When he was 11, his dad bought a dairy in Hot Springs where Gene quickly developed a strong work ethic. Seven days a week, he would wake up at 4:30 a.m., milk 30 head of Guernsey cows, and then deliver the glass bottled milk to families of Hot Springs via horse-drawn wagon. He then would run the 1.5 miles to school. After a day of school, he would run the 1.5 miles back home and return to the milk barn to do the evening milking. This busy schedule instilled an amazing work ethic, as well as a good “running start.” Running became a passion of his, and he grew to be a very successful athlete at both the high school and collegiate levels. His senior year he competed at the state track meet, where he won the mile and the 880, and he placed second in the 440, personally scoring 14 of the 14.2 team points. His record for the mile remains unbroken in Hot Springs.
After graduating from Hot Springs in 1939, Gene took the initiative to send his race clippings to the University of Wisconsin, the college national title holder in track and field and a Big 10 school. He was awarded a track scholarship there and his freshman year he was the U of W No. 1 880-meter runner, winning the famous Turkey Cross Country race, breaking the previous record by 23 seconds. U of W recognized him with a silver trophy as the freshman athlete of the year. U of W Badger head coach Tom Jones said, “Gene Pitts was known as a quiet man, slight build and stature but he always got his work done using his endurance, race intelligence and speed.” One of Gene’s favorite memories was in his sophomore year he was a member of the four mile relay team that won the Drake Relays. However, his collegiate running career was cut short when he enlisted to serve his country in World War II.
He joined the relatively new United States Forest Service “Smokejumpers” at the Nine Mile Base. He was always proud he was one of the first smoke jumpers out of the Nine Mile. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy flight program, began his officer training at the Missoula County Airport and concurrently attended the University of Montana. Lieutenant Gene Pitts shipped out for combat in the South Pacific, flying the Gull Wing F4U Corsair and the Hellcat. He progressed to becoming the Squadron leader in the “Guadal Canal.” After two years, he was shot down in combat, and then was recruited to senior test pilot, under the personal direction of Admiral Halsey until the fall of 1945.
After the war, Gene returned to Hot Springs, and started logging. He then went to Camas Prairie where he built cabins and founded a sawmill that employed 28 local people. Always in love with his community, he began coaching the Hot Springs Savages (now the Savage-Heat) basketball team. Under his direction, the team went on to win the 1946 Divisional title and won second in the state tournament.
Shortly after returning to Hot Springs, Gene went into the local mercantile in his officer uniform where he spied a beautiful auburn haired lady named Faye Oehrling. He declared that he would marry her, and two years later they were wed on July 5, 1947. They operated the Pitts Lumber Sawmill together until the mill burned down in the early 1960s. The Pitts family had now expanded to include five children, Lettie, Garry, Terry, KoLynn and Larry. Together they turned their few cows into a registered Polled Hereford Cattle Ranch of 300 head near their home in Dixon. While working on the ranch, Gene became the director of the CS&KT Community Action Program for a couple years in the early 70. A few years later, he became the Postmaster for the United States Postal Office until he retired in 1990. Retirement didn’t last long however, and he became a Utility Board member for Mission Valley Power for the next 17 years before retiring again at age 85.
Gene was very involved with all activities that his children were involved with. He was a 4-H leader for over twenty years. He was one of the founding members of the Dixon Fire Department which still serves the community and he served on the Dixon School Board. He loved his community and would brighten every conversation with his quick wit and twinkling eye.
preceded in death by: son: Larry Pitts, brother: Donald Pitts, mother: Geneva Houle, father: Virgil Lee Pitts and step mother: Serena Pitts, and sister: Donna Mae Veitch, and numerous other relatives who have been pioneers in the valley.
Survived by: Faye Pitts, wife of 63 years, Children: Lettie (John) Neuman, Garry (Christine) Pitts, Terry (Crystal) Pitts, KoLynn (Paul) Sinclair, Ginger Pitts. Grandchildren: Gregory Neuman, Stephen Pitts, Zachary Pitts, Zanen Pitts, Don Powell, Samantha Pitts, Whitney Pitts, Taylor Pitts. Great-grandchildren: Jett Pitts and Talis Pitts. Sister Nina Mae (Bud) Heitmiller of California.
Rosary will be Friday night at 7 p.m. at the St. Ignatius Longhouse. The funeral service will be Saturday, 11 a.m. at the Dixon gymnasium with a reception following at the Dixon Senior Center. There will be a 3 p.m. burial at Sunset Memorial cemetery in Missoula.
William H. Bush
William H. Bush, 86, of Polson, who passed away March 28, 2011 in Polson, was born June 27, 1924 to Frank E. and Ruth Bush in Glendive, Mont. The family moved to Milltown in 1927.
His parents and two young siblings preceded him in death along with sisters Betty Nelson and Patricia Straight; brothers Arthur M.(Bumps) and Walter E.(Toots) Bush and two daughters, Linda and Cookie.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Debbie Anderson, of Upper Milligan Road, Great Falls and brothers Richard F. and Gerald R. of Milltown and sisters Mary Beth Hatch of Eugene, Ore. and Peggy Timmer of Parachute Colo.
As a very young man, Bill enlisted in the Marines at the start of WWII and served in the South Pacific war zone until the end of the war. He was honorably and medically discharged from the Marines.
He served as a state legislator during Governor Nutter’s term. Bill worked in the furniture business and Real Estate in Missoula and was an avid hunter and fantastic fisherman. He was also active in sportsman organizations and affairs. Bill was a lifetime member of the Missoula Elks, #883.
He has spent the last five years in Evergreen and Polson Health and Rehab Center.
Grogan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, however no services are planned at this time.
