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Marion Ferguson
Marion Ferguson, 104, passed away at the Pines in Polson on Oct. 16, 2013. No services are planned and burial will take place in California. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the arrangements for the family.
Obert A. “Obie” Tu
Obert A. “Obie” Tu was called to the Lord suddenly on Dec. 25, 2013, Christmas Day, in Yuma, Ariz. at age 72. He was born December 15, 1941, in Circle, Mont. to Olaf and Ada Tu.
Obie attended Circle High School where he played basketball and graduated salutatorian. He served in the Army in Vietnam after attending Rocky Mountain College in Billings. He then moved to Polson, where he worked for Mission Valley Power, starting as a lineman and retiring as Operations Superintendent after 34 years. He met Sharon Raymond and married
her March 23, 1969. Obie and Sharon raised three sons and one daughter in the Polson area. Sharon passed away in July 1997. He then met the second love of his life, Carol Weaver, in Yuma. Carol and Obie were married
on December 12, 2011. Carol and Obie spent their time between Yuma, Polson, and traveling. Obie was an avid outdoorsman and wood craftsman. He also enjoyed a good card game, sports, and most recently golf. He really loved to laugh. The most important aspect of his life was his family and friends. He was a loving husband and father and a proud grandfather (Papa).
Obie leaves behind his wife Carol; three sons, Jon Sonju and wife Ranae of Anchorage, Alaska; Rick Sonju of Thompson Falls; Doug Tu and wife Michelle of Columbia Falls; and one daughter Teresa Davis and husband Ashley of Lake Stevens, Wash. He also leaves behind one step-son Mike Turner and wife Renee of Cerritos, Calif.
He leaves behind eight grandchildren as well. Jon, Erik, and Greg Sonju. Courtney, Alyssa, and Dayne Tu. Easton and Morgan Turner. He also just became a great-grandfather to Lilliana Sonju.
Funeral services for Obie were held on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m., at the Good Sheperd Lutheran Church in Polson, with lunch following. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in Obie’s name to go to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.
Roy Wahlberg
Roy Wahlberg (82) of Mesa, Ariz., passed away Jan. 13, 2013. He was born Aug. 26, 1930 in Winslow, Ark. Roy served in the US Army as a dental lab technician in Frankfurt, Germany. After service in the United States Army, Roy entered the Civil Service as a dental lab technician at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. He went on to become the Director of the dental lab training program at the Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution. He was a proud member of the Kiwanis Clubs spanning over 50 years. He was a member of the Polson Elks Club and a volunteer with the Montecahto Fire Department, Polson. Roy was also a member of the United States Power Squadron, Phoenix, Ariz. Roy is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Wahlberg; Brother, Earl Wahlberg; three sons, Ralph (Gaye) Wahlberg, Eric (Crystal) Wahlberg, Richard “Rick” (Terri) Wahlberg; four grandchildren, Troy & Lindsey (Ralph) Wahlberg, Tracey Wahlberg (Ralph), Craig Wahlberg and Kyle Wahlberg (Eric), and three great-granddaughters, Jolie, Madison and Lexi (Troy). He is preceded in death by his first wife, Erika Wahlberg; and two brothers. Celebration of Roy’s life was held Friday, Jan. 18 at the Leisure World Ballroom in Mesa, Ariz. Instead of flowers, the family would deeply appreciate donations to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4150 North Drinkwater Blvd., Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Telephone: 480.946.0663
James (Jim) Edgar Foley
James (Jim) Edgar Foley died on March 11, 2014 in New Braunfels, Texas at the age of 77. Jim was born in Helena, Mont. on September 11, 1936 to Patrick and Bonnie (King) Foley. Jim spent his childhood and attended school in Polson.
Jim was a first generation American from an Irish immigrant father. He learned the value of hard work early in his young life by working on his parent’s farm.
Jim served in the Navy from 1955 to 1959. During his Navy and civilian career, Jim traveled to countries all over the world, including Vietnam, Antarctica, Mexico, Africa and New Zealand. Jim prided himself in his hard work and patriotism. He was active in the VFW and was instrumental in founding and erecting the Chafee County Veterans Memorial in Poncha Springs, Colo.
Jim loved to fish, tell stories and help others. He is survived by his three children Bonnie (Steve) Harrington of New Braunfels, Texas, Betsy (Ken) Nordstrom of Cedaredge, Colo., Tim Foley of Lucerne Valley, Calif. and his three step children Marina (Carl) Irvine, Colleen Carpenter and Donna (Matthew) Miller. Jim had 10 grandchildren and13 great grandchildren. No services will be held at this time.
Cindy Mikesell
Cindy Mikesell stepped from our door to begin new adventures on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. We wish she had more time with us but her bags were packed with old memories and dreams. Missed will be her soft caresses, the brush of hand, the look that was given with a smile or frown. There is a light as long as those of us who knew and loved her draw strength from her memory. Our paths will meet again for this is a journey we all must take.
Those who knew Cindy go with her in spirit. Now the bed is empty of snuggles and the usual morning clatter is void of sounds of breakfast cooking, telephone ringing and day plans. Missed and loved, the darkness of this passing is profound. Cindy we love you.
Cindy is the daughter of Shirley and Eldin Alexander. She was born in St. Louis, Mo., on May 11, 1957. She raised three boys to be proud of. She owned and operated two thriving business, MMSR Trucking and Mission Mountain Rain Gutters. She leaves her friends and family with love and wonderful memories.
We can share the joyous stories – mischievous and misfortunate – crafted to celebrate and inspire family and friend. All are invited to celebrate life that touched so many. Bring your memories, love and laughter and join us at the Second Chance Saloon in Ronan on March 1 at 4 p.m.
Robert William (Rob) McDonald, M.D.
Robert William (Rob) McDonald, M.D. was born March 8, 1968 in Weymouth, Mass. In late may, 1968, Robert was adopted by William T. (Bill) and Esther Louise (Pink) McDonald of Wayland, Mass. In early August 1968 the McDonald family moved from Massachusetts to Dana Point, Orange County, Calif. Robert grew up and lived there until he moved to Hoover, Ala.
Robert attended Capistrano Valley Christian High School in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., graduating in June, 1986. Robert was active in both football and basketball during his high school years, was popular socially, and received very good grades.
In September 1986 he entered the University of California at Irvine. In June 1990 Robert graduated with two bachelor's degrees, one in Biology and the other in linguistics. At graduation he was very fluent in Spanish and proficient in French.
After graduation from UCI Robert (he now preferred to be called "Rob") joined the Emergency Medical Technician staff at the UCI Medical Center in Santa Ana, Calif. Because of many of the patients in that Center were either Hispanics, speaking little or no English, or Vietnamese, understanding a little French but no English, Rob aided treatment of trauma patients and generally assisted doctors and nurses in communicating with both ethnic types of patients.
In the summer of 1994 Rob's parents moved from Dana Point, Calif., to Hoover, Ala., where his father took a post-retirement job with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine. Rob decided to apply to that University for graduate studies, and graduated in June 1996 with two master's degrees, one in Public Health Administration and one in Business Administration.
Subsequent to his graduation Rob took a position with the AIDS Research Center and UAB and was sent to Lusaka, Zambia, Africa, as director of an AIDS Research and Treatment Clinic managed by the UAB AIDS Research Center at UAB. Rob served for nearly three years as director of that Zambian Center. In that beautiful African location Rob began to develop his photographic talents, which continued to improve and mature throughout the rest of his life.
Returning from Zambia, Rob announced that he was going to apply to the UAB Medical School. He was admitted in September 2004 and received his M. D. degree in June 2008. At the end of his second year of Medical School, Rob was elected President of his Class for the third year. At the end to his third year he was elected permanent president of the Class of 2008.
After graduation from the UAB Medical School Rob immediately began a 4-year internship at the UAB School of Medicine, specializing in Internal Medicine. After completing that internship, he undertook an additional 2-year residency at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga., specializing in Infectious Diseases. He completed that residency in July 2013.
After several interviews and some soul searching, Rob accepted a position as a staff physician at St. Joseph's Hospital, Polson, in September 2013. He was a member of the medical staff at St. Joseph's until the day of his accidental death by drowning, July 19, 2014. He loved St. Joseph's Hospital, the people and the town of Polson, the Flathead Lake, and the State of Montana. Rob was married
and divorced twice. There were no children.
Rob is survived by his parents, Bill and Pink McDonald of Darby, Mont., an older brother, William L. McDonald of Coolidge, Ariz., and an older sister, Lisa Marie Lewis of Darby, Mont. He is also mourned by many friends and relatives throughout this nation, as well as from Zambia and Canada.
Memorial services for Rob will be held on Saturday, August 2, at 1 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catjolic Church, 1002 4th Avenue, Polson.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.
Shirley Ann Shepard Morigeau
Shirley Ann Shepard Morigeau passed away Feb. 8, 2013. She was born in Ronan on Nov. 30, 1934; she was the youngest daughter of eight of Hugh and Lucinda Shepard. She was raised on a farm near Ninepipe reservoir outside of Ronan attending grade school and graduating from Ronan High School in 1952 as the first Miss Ronan. After graduation, Shirley attended two years at Kinman Business School in Spokane, earning her business degree and was employed with Miller & Poston. Shirley came home during the holiday season and met the love of her life, Walter Douglas Morigeau, at The Ranch Super Club in Polson in 1953. Shirley became Doug’s pen pal for 2 1/2 years while he served for our Country through the Korean War. On Sept. 8, 1956, they wed in Ronan. Shirley was extremely kind hearted with a spiritual aspect to life. Her loving touch reached out to many within the community and to her extended family. She was predeceased by her sons, Michael and Kurt and daughter Rene’. Shirley’s heart was extremely torn by losing her children. She was predeceased by her parents, Hugh and Lucinda Shepard; brothers, Hugh (Bud) and Donald; sister-in-law, Trudy Shepard and brother-in-laws, John Lonam, Melvin Halseth and Chuck (Roland) Rubel; her in-laws, E.W. (Bill) and Sylvia Morigeau. Survivors are her loving soul mate of over 56 years, Walter Douglas; her son, Kenneth of Fort Worth, Tex.; her daughter, Denise of Polson; her grandchildren, Marcy and her son, Jonathan of San Jose, Calif., Ryland of Fort Worth, Tex., Timothy of San Jose, Calif. Shirley’s sisters, Cecelia Halseth Cheff (Floyd) of Missoula, Lillian Lonam of Spokane, Va. (Priscilla) Rubel of Charlo, brothers, Glenn (Sonia) and Ted (Mary) Shepard all of Spokane; sister-in-laws, Lucille of Portland and Nancy of Wyo., along with numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley will be greatly missed by many that were touched by her kindness and love for God and mostly by her beloved Dog, Sammy. A visitation for Shirley will be held at Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, and a Vigil and Rosary Service will be held thereafter. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, with a full burial at Lake View cemetery to follow.
Constance Wamsley
Constance (Connie) Wamsley, daughter of Madeline and Winfield Clark, was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, May 10, 1924, and died July 23, 2014.
She grew up in Canistota, S.D., where she graduated from high school in 1942. In 1946, she received her B. A. in English from the College of St. Catherine, in St. Paul, Minn. After graduating, she taught English and speech at Parker High in South Dakota for one year.
On August 18, 1947, she and Francis Wamsley were married
at St. Mary’s Church in Salem, S.D. They settled in Spokane, Wash. where Francis completed his college education at Gonzaga University. With their first two children, Mary and Dennis, they moved to Charlo, where Fran joined his father in the G. W. Wamsley General Merchandise business. Three more children, Madeline, Maureen, and Mark, joined the family there.
In 1960, Connie returned to teaching at Charlo High School where she taught until 1965. While in Charlo, she was active in the D’Aste Women’s Club, the Charlo Garden Club, and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
When Fran and Connie moved to Sidney, Mont., in 1965, she continued her career as an English and speech teacher, forensics coach and Dean of Girls until her retirement in 1983. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma in Sidney and Polson from 1968 until 1995.
After their retirement, the Wamsleys lived on the South Shore of Flathead Lake at Polson in the summer and in Tucson, Ariz. in the winter. Most recently she lived in Billings, Mont.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband Fran, her parents, Madeline and Winfield Clark, her stepfather, Maynard Hack, her sister, Margaret Davidson and grandson Joshua Wamsley.
Survivors include sister-in-law Mary Margaret Wamsley, daughters Mary (Bonnie) Wamsley, Madeline Cooper, and Maureen (Clinton) Filler, sons Dennis (Nancy) Wamsley and Mark Wamsley, 15 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Steve J. Pick
Steve J. Pick, age 81, of Billings, passed away on Monday, Dec. 30, 2013 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive, Montana. A Memorial Service with military honors will be held later this summer at Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana, where Steve enjoyed fishing. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Steve was born in Los Angeles, Calif. on February 22, 1932, to Joseph and Sybel (Baker) Pick. As a child he moved with his family to Spokane, Wash. His first paying job was as a mechanic for the motorcycle police in Spokane. Steve loved motorcycling and he raced all over the northwest, winning the round track championship trophy in 1951.
Steve enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War, and served as a rifle marksmanship and sniper instructor at Camp Roberts, Calif., until his honorable discharge on September 2, 1954.
Steve worked with Dr. Albert Starr of the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center to create the world’s first durable artificial mitral valve in 1960.
Steve was a career machinist, opening up his own business in Long Beach, Calif., in 1963, specializing in professional car racing engines for A.J. Foyt and Jerry, Bobby, and Al Unser. He also produced parts for North American Aviation. In 1985 Steve joined Waggoner’s Trucking in Billings, Montana, and was in charge of new product development before moving to Polson, Montana, in 1991 and working at Tamsco, designing the casts and molds that this company used to manufacture electronics. Steve was also involved in creating an indexing machine used to make drill bits for Jore Manufacturing in Ronan, Montana. Steve designed a collapsible communications aerial used on Army vehicles in the Gulf War. Steve also holds ten United States patents.
Steve married
Peggy Howell Aerni in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on August 26, 1994.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Penny Pick.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy of Billings; three daughters, Gina Pick of Los Angeles, Calif., Shawna Rourke of Las Vegas, Nev. and Tina (Tim) Harris of Dallas, Texas; one son, Steve Pick of Redding, Calif.; four step-children, Debbie Byron of Redding, California, Amber (Allen) Hrubes of Glendive, Jason (Leigh) Aerni of Greeley, Colorado, and Judd (Colleen) Aerni of Austin, Texas; one brother Ron (Val) Pick of Spokane, Wash.; thirteen grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.
Donations may be made in Steve’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Sherrie (Peek) Lookabaugh
Sherrie (Peek) Lookabaugh, 66, of Glide, Ore. was taken from this earth Oct. 6, 2015. She is preceded in death by her parents Dewell and Virginia Peek; Rom and Donna Lookabaugh, nephew Gregory Peek. Survivors include Jim, her husband of 47 years, son Dustin (Aurora), grandsons Matthew, Michael, Daniel, great-granddaughter Aurora Lookabaugh, brothers Virgil (Anita) Peek, Lindy (Joydell) Peek, sisters Beverly (Gene) Doty, Jeannie (Dan) Beaver, Margaret Peek and Karol Bird, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial will be held at a later date.
ARVID O. MOSTAD
Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2016
This hard-working, creative and well-loved man died at age 74 from pulmonary complications after open heart surgery. He was surrounded by his wife and family.
Arvid was born on Oct. 11, 1941 in Langdon, N.D. to Edgar and Ida Mostad; he was the second youngest of 13 siblings. As a small child, he moved with his family to Polson. Following high school graduation, he proudly served in the United States Navy as an electrician on destroyer-class ships.
After the Navy, he attended University of Montana where he graduated with an accounting degree and soon after earned his CPA license. He worked briefly with the IRS before opening an accounting firm in Polson.
The accounting firm, which he built with his wife Shirlee Christensen, grew into M&C Marketing.
They moved M&C Marketing to Oak Harbor, Wash. in 1984 where it operated as a successful business through 2015 when Arvid retired.
Arvid was passionate about working hard and doing things right. He could be counted on to help with any project and was generous with his time and talents helping friends, neighbors and family.
He loved the ocean and his boats, and spent many weeks every year exploring and revisiting his favorite American and Canadian San Juan Islands.
He enjoyed working with his hands, riding his tractor, walking on the beach, playing with his grandchildren, and laughing with friends and family.
He will be remembered for his tireless energy, his ability to figure out how anything worked and his remarkable generosity.
He is leaving a legacy of laughter, love of the outdoors, hard work and creativity.
His entrepreneurial spirit inspired and supported 1, 000's of business owners around the country to build their businesses and support their families. We have deep gratitude for all that he has given us and the world.
We wish that his grandchildren would have had more years with him to learn how to plant flowers, dig ditches, work with wood and tie knots.
He is survived by his wife, Shirlee Christensen; his children and their spouses Sara Mostad and Greg Wolgamot, Matt Mostad and Mary Beth Anthony, and Sam and Mai Mostad; his step-children and their spouses Michele and Mike Hardenbergh and Mike and Janae Christensen; his twelve grandchildren; and his siblings Helga Martin and Darlene Tarin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Ida Mostad; sisters, Shirley Thompson and Bernice Longtin; and brothers, Leland, Wayne, Bud, Gene, Loren, Maynard, Warner and Elroy Mostad.
A celebration of Arvid’s life will be held Sunday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m., at Seafarers’ Memorial Park Building in Anacortes, Wash.
Ruth (Snow) McCollum
Ruth (Snow) McCollum passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 4, 2014. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Croxfords Funeral Home of Great Falls. Visitation and rosary is Sunday at Croxfords Funeral Home, funeral service is Monday at St. Ann’s, times to be announced.
Ruth was born February 21, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kan. The oldest of four daughters, she was raised on a small farm. With no brothers to assist in chores, Ruth had routine duties to perform, building a strong work ethic she carried with her. During World War II, she met Harold McCollum, “the love of her life”, who was in pilot training. They married
on September 5, 1944. At the conclusion of the war, Ruth accompanied Harold to Great Falls, where they raised four children - three girls and one boy.
Ruth was a homemaker who kept a tranquil and loving environment for her family. Ruth had a wonderful disposition, she never had a cross word with Harold. They enjoyed life together.
Ruth traveled extensively with Harold throughout the USA, Canada, South America and Europe. They participated in 20 cruises covering Hawaii, Mexico, Bahamas and the Mediterranean. Ruth and Harold summered in Polson, Mont. on Flathead Lake where family gathered over the years. Camping was a regular family activity, enjoying campsites throughout Montana and vacation travels.
Ruth was a devout Catholic all of her life. She was a parish member at Holy Family Parish and St. Anne’s Cathedral. She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and a registered descendant of the Mayflower. She was in a bridge club for over 50 years, was active in bowling at The Elks and enjoyed golf. Ruth was respected by all she had contact with, including employees of Modern Equipment Co. and McCollum Modern RV’s.
Recently, Ruth celebrated her 90th birthday. On that occasion, feelings were expressed by her daughter: “I’m wishing you a day of beautiful memories. I remember lots of summer-day lunchtime picnics in the backyard...with the blanket spread out on the grass. And, letting us have old sheets and curtains for our tents...on the clothesline in the summer and thumb-tacked to the walls and ceiling of the rec room in winter. You let us be kids, but were always right there when we needed help or guidance. Thank you, my beautiful Mom, for giving me a wonderful childhood. I appreciate that even more as I get older. All my love to you on this very special occasion! Love you so very much, Carole.” Feelings expressed by her sister: “You have so many gifts to share…so many ways to make the world more beautiful. You’re a wonderful person, and I’m proud you’re my sister. I love you very much, Dorothy.”
In addition to her husband, Harold, Ruth is survived by her four children; Carole Carberry (Sumter, S.C.), Donna Newlon (Modesto, Calif.) Rick McCollum (Paradise, Mont.), Rita McCollum (Seattle, Wash.), a sister, Dorothy Sweeney (Williamsburg, Va.), twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed and always loved.
The family wishes to thank Cambridge Court for their outstanding services over the past year while Ruth was there. Also, to hospice for their services in easing Ruth’s passage.
Harold, Carole, Donna, Rick and Rita
