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Berniece McManaman DiGiusto
CLAREMONT, Calif. - Berniece McManaman DiGiusto, 79, lost her courageous battle with breast cancer on March 26, 2002. She left this world in the manner she lived her life, with grace and dignity.
Berniece was born Jan. 20, 1923, in Flint, Mich., to James and Edna McManaman. She was the second of five children.
On Oct. 9, 1943, Berniece married
Silvio Dino DiGiusto. They moved to Chicago to begin their new life together. Her days were filled with the joys of raising four children. Under her loving guidance, her children navigated the first day of school, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, T-ball, first kisses, broken hearts, proms, marriage and beginning families of their own.
In 1978, "Dee" and Berniece sold their business and retired to Boulder, Colo. Their family had grown by two grandchildren and each new grandchild brought joy to their hearts. Berniece made many dear friends in Colorado. She grew to love hiking and bowling and evening walks with her friend Ann.
In October 1988, Berniece lost her husband and friend of 45 years.
In 1993, Berniece moved to Missoula to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She bought the little house of her dreams. Her days were spent tending her flowers, traveling, watching her grandchildren grow, bowling and making new friends.
In 2000, Berniece headed to sunny Southern California to live near her son and his family. She loved to explore her new California surroundings. Berniece relished spending a lazy afternoon at the beach, or watching her youngest grandson play hockey.
Berniece was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather Harry; her husband; her brothers, Buster and Robert; and her youngest son, Louis.
Berniece is survived by her sister, Lorena Warren; her brother, James Vernon McManaman; her children, Diana and Carl Greco of Hoffman Estates, Ill., Gina DiGiusto and David Jovick of Missoula and David and Rhonda DiGiusto of Claremont, Calif.; her grandchildren, Carlo, Dino, Tai Anna, Taurean, Max, Daniel and Alan; and her great-grandchildren, Owen and Carly.
Good-bye dear mommy. We will miss the sparkle in your eyes and your little mischievous grin. We'll live our lives well and always make you proud.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Berniece's life will be held in Chicago later this spring. The family suggests donations to hospice in lieu of flowers.
Katherine 'Kaye' N. Bowker
LIBBY - Katherine "Kaye" N. Bowker, 70, a longtime Libby resident, died Friday, March 29, 2002, at her home.
She was born Oct. 9, 1931, in Milwaukee to Paul Charles Adams and Margaret (Marsh) Adams. She married
Melvin D. Bowker on Oct. 4, 1950, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He preceded her in death in 1992.
Survivors include daughters Katherine Glaze of Martindale, Texas, Merry Thompson and Judy Hutchison of Libby and Karen Moss of Wasilla, Alaska; sons Michael and Bryan Bowker, both of Libby; a sister and brother; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Libby Christian Church. Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. Monday at the Nelson and Vial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the City of Libby cemetery.
Dorothy Bell McCall
MISSOULA - After 91Þ amazing years, Dorothy Bell McCall went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2002.
Dorothy was born to Harry and Grace Tyler Bell in Spokane on Oct. 3, 1910. The Bells moved to Missoula in 1915. Her father, H.O. Bell, was a well-known businessman in Missoula until his death in 1971. The Bells were active community supporters who modeled patriotism and a spirit of generosity that Dorothy's long life also exemplified.
Dorothy's Missoula schooling culminated in a degree from the University of Montana in 1933. She was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and enjoyed many lifetime friendships from this association.
In December 1934, Dorothy married
Rodney Jay "Bud" McCall. After living in Spokane and Stevensville, the McCalls settled in Hamilton where they welcomed their first daughter, Susan Marie (Mowbray).
During World War II, "Bud" McCall served with the Marines in the South Pacific. After the war, the McCalls returned to Hamilton and again Bud managed the Bell-McCall Co. There, Dorothy became an active member of PEO. In Hamilton, the McCalls made wonderful friendships that Dorothy always treasured.
Prior to moving to Missoula in 1951, a second daughter, MaryEllen, was born. From 1951-1964, Dorothy and her family lived in Missoula while Bud managed the family business, H.O. Bell Co., until his death in 1964.
From 1964 until 1991, Dorothy resided in Portland, Ore. There, too, Dorothy had special friends that gave her much encouragement during her battle with cancer and the other dark days she courageously faced.
In the fall of 1991, Dorothy moved into the Village Senior Residence. Delighted to be back in Missoula, the highlight of Dorothy's week was lunch with her dearest friend, her sister, Betty.
She loved the many family celebrations and time spent with the Skibsted and Meriwether families. Dorothy eagerly looked forward to family visits from Alaska, Washington and Canada. Family was always a special part of Dorothy's heart and life.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bud in 1964 and daughter Susan in 1996. Dorothy is remembered as a cherished sister to Betty Skibsted, a beloved mother to MaryEllen Rae (Bill), a devoted grandmother to Molly Mowbray Connelly (Howard), Wendy Mowbray, Tyler Rae (Kim) and Erica Rae and proud great-grandmother to Bradley, Michael and Sam Connelly and Kassidy Rae. Included also are special nieces and nephews.
Dorothy's family thanks her for all her love and support. They will remember her keen interest in the arts, passion for politics, her faithful calls and cards. Most of all, her family admires her courage and determination to persevere throughout the many trials she faced through her life.
We thank all those who cared for her to make these last years some of her happiest. Though her family will miss her, they are grateful that through her faith in Jesus Christ she will dwell in peace for all eternity.
Private family services will be held.
Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.
Vernon P. Vavrick
HAMILTON - Vernon P. Vavrick, 93, of Hamilton, died Friday, March 29, 2002, of natural causes at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital.
Vernon "Pete" was born in Dodge, Neb., to Elex and Mary Vavrick. His folks moved to a ranch near Robstown, Texas, and he attended the Banquete School a few miles from Robstown. They moved to Weiser, Idaho, when he was in the fifth grade. He graduated from Weiser High School in 1927. His further schooling was one year at the University of Idaho and then he attended a machinist school in Boise, Idaho.
He married
Mabel Austin on May 18, 1935, in Caldwell, Idaho.
They resided in Boise, Idaho, where he was employed by a lumber mill. In 1941 they moved to Salt Lake City where he was employed by Remington Small Arms Plant. They moved to a ranch in Sanders County, Mont., in 1944. Later he was primarily employed at Flodin Lumber Co.
After retirement the couple went to Mesa, Ariz., to live, coming north to Montana during summer months. They moved to Hamilton in 1985.
His survivors are his wife Mabel of Hamilton; their daughter, Patricia and husband Robert Martina, and two grandsons, Christopher "Chris" and Anthony "Tony" Martina, all of Butte; a sister, Jannie Monroe of Spokane; as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.
He was a member of the Community Congregational Church in Thompson Falls and the Masonic Lodge in Thompson Falls. He was chief hunter safety instructor in Sanders County for several years. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, golf, target shooting and collecting antique cartridges.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Community Congregational Church in Thompson Falls with the Rev. Gaylund Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Thompson Falls Fraternal cemetery , with Masonic rites presented.
The family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor's choice.
