Esther Bauer

MISSOULA — Longtime Missoula resident Esther Bauer died of natural causes on Feb. 24, 2008. She will be remembered by Her many friends she met at the Missoula Senior Center where she worked for many years. Esther had a very full and busy life and will always be remembered as a "hard worker."

Among her many hobbies were making her famed cinnamon rolls for family and friends, Not to mention her love for gardening, sewing, canning and working crossword puzzles. Her favorite pastime was spent at Atonement quilting gatherings.

On May 24, 1935, she married Charles Bauer in Helena. They spent their first five years following construction jobs before moving to St. Ignatius in 1943 and began farming. They moved to Ronan in 1951 where they farmed and did custom hay baling and drove school buses for many years. In 1977 Esther moved to Lakeview Village in Polson and then to Missoula in 1988.

Esther was born Nov. 3, 1913, in Belt to A.P. and Katie Brutosky.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, son James Bauer, grandson Jason Walton, sister Vernie Lumsden of Milwaukie, Ore., and her parents.

She is survived by daughters Shirley (Don) Ambrose and Juanita Kimmel of Rathdrum, Idaho; sons Tom (Donna) Bauer of Missoula and Charles (Marti) Bauer of Ronan; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchldren; sisters, Bert (Art) Anderson and Rose Slanger of Choteau, Kay Larsen of Eugene, Ore., and brother Andy (Bess) Brutosky of Choteau; sister-in-law Lyla Smyth of St. Ignatius and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church in Missoula. Garden City Funeral provided the crematory service.

Flor hence Berg

Florence (Flossie) Gennille (Bellefy) Berg, 77, of St. Ignatius on March 1, 2008, of a broken heart and pulmonary lung fibrosis while surrounded by her family.

She was born June 17, 1930, to Louis and Alma Bellefy at Zerkel (Pine Center) Minn., one of 13 children. Florence was baptized and confirmed at Rice Lutheran Free Church, and attended country school and Bagley High School. She was very active in Sunday school, speech, and sports.

She started working for neighbors as a baby-sitter at age 13, and worked as a tray girl and nurses-aide in the Clearwater Hospital, and also worked in several cafes as a waitress. She moved to Great Falls in the spring of 1949, and worked at the Club Cafeteria, Top-Notch Cafe, Old Eddie's Cafe (down town), and Bair's Truck Stop.

Florence married Duane Berg at Conrad in 1950, following her husband in construction work and in doing so, worked in several eating establishments. In 1953, they moved to Iron Range in Aurora and Biwabik in northern Minnesota. She bought a farm in Shevlin, Minn. They moved back to Great Falls in 1965. Duane and Florence divorced in 1968.

She received her GED in 1969 and attended Great Falls Commercial College for one year, and worked as a bookkeeper for Country Kitchen, Mattingly Custom Foundation Enterprises and also managed a trailer court. She retired in 1987 due to physical disabilities.

She was very active in her children's lives as a Sunday school teacher, PTA member, 4-H leader, and assistant den mother in the Boy Scouts. She was treasurer for AAL; a member of Women's Bowling Association as secretary, bowler and score keeper; and a member of First English Lutheran Church in Great Falls where she was a member of the choir for many years.

Florence loved to travel and visit her family, and made several trips, including two trips to Hawaii with her daughters; Newfoundland, to visit her son while he was stationed in the military; Calgary, to visit her son; road trip to Alaska with daughter and granddaughter; and several trips back to Minnesota and Oregon. She loved playing cards, word puzzles, and making birthday, holiday and anniversary cards for family and friends. She lost a son Jim, to AIDS, in January 1994 and created a panel with the help of family and friends, which was dedicated in Whitefish on April 23, 1994. She was also a Peace Hospice volunteer.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents, one son, three sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by her sons Gary of Charlo, Dave of St. Ignatius, and Curtis of Turner, Ore.; daughter Becky (John) Lekan of Bagley, Minn., and Judy Frank of Thompson Falls; brothers Lawrence (Jane) Bellefy, Joseph (Dorothy) Bellefy, Richard Bellefy, and Marvin (Bonnie) Bellefy; sisters Mearle Montieth, and Adeline Wooliscroft, all of Bagley, and Diane Morris of Rogers, Minn.; nine grandchildren, eight great-grand children, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service were held at Grogan Funeral Home in Polson March 4 with Janet Young of Hot Springs Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Cremation followed. Private inurnment of the remains will be held at a later date. All donations to go to St. Patrick's House, 501 W. Alder, Missoula, MT 59802 in memory of Florence G. Berg. There is a memorial website at www.caringbridge.com/visit/florenceberg

It is hard for us to summarize 77 years into a few paragraphs of what a wonderful mother she was, she always put her family first, even up to her final days. She taught us one important lasting lesson: To appreciate what you have now before it's too late.

Ray N. Cordis

RONAN — Ray N. Cordis, 67, died at St. Luke Community Nursing Home Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.

Ray was born on Jan. 31, 1941, in Moiese to Charles Cordis, Sr. and Grace Cordis.

Memorial services were held March 1 at the North Crow Club House. Ray was raised on a ranch near St. Ignatius. He graduated in 1961 from St. Ignatius High School. After graduation, Ray and his brother Leon drove semi for several years before he moved to Ronan, where he was employed with Plum Creek Timber Co. for 25 years. He retired in 2003.

Ray was an active member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was baptized May 2004.

Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman. Memorable times are fishing Flathead Lake and in Anchorage, Alaska, along with the great times at hunting camp. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his son, Raymond E. Cordis, and sister Carol.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sandy Cordis of Ronan; daughter Tammy Reynolds and her husband Tom Sr. of Stevensville; daughter Julie Peterson and her husband Richard of Eagle River, Alaska; daughter Lisa Bizzle and her husband Roger of Arlington, Texas; son Mike Kelsch and his wife Debbie of Ronan; brother Leon and wife Karen of Ackworth, Ga.; brother Charles, Jr. and wife Roxey of Polson; sister Dorothy and husband Benny of Billings; sister Elvera and husband Buck of Missoula; sister Delores and late husband Boyd of Ronan; grandchildren Lisa Reynolds, Tom Reynolds Jr., Shelli Reynolds, Kimberly Peterson, Tyler Kelsch, Daniel Kelsch, Taylor Bizzle and Kiya Bizzle; great-grandchildren Alexander, Blayne and Angeleana.

Doris Burley

RONAN — Doris Jane Bratton Burley, 83, died March 2, 2008. She was born Feb. 5, 1925, at the home of her grandparents, Joe and Dora Findley.

She lived in Irvine Flats and moved to Round Butte in 1930, along with her parents, Neil and Helen Bratton, and her brother and lived there almost all of her life.

She went away to college in Bozeman, followed by a brief teaching position in a one-room school at Big Bend, and a 13-year position in Box Elder while living at Big Sandy. She and her family moved back to Round Butte in 1961 and she taught to her retirement in Ronan.

She always said that the true treasure she would leave behind was her family and she lived as though that was true.

Sue is survived by he four children: Lynn Bynum (Randy), Alan Burley (Rachel), Dennis Burley (Leigh-Anne) and Jan McAvoy (Tim); nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ed Bratton (Clara), Phil Bratton (Gay) and Gene Bratton (Jean); a sister-in-law Midget Bratton, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her husband of 52 years, Bill Burley, died in 1998.

She quoted and wrote poetry, loved written words and always read.

She spent her career life in English and library. That fit so well with what she enjoyed. Education was never negotiable and in almost all matters, she was a woman of peace and wouldn't argue or try to sway opinion. She was a haven for the "underdog." She had a gentle spirit and a love of family.

Services will be Friday, March 7, at the Mission Valley Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in her name to either St. Luke Extended Care or the Round Butte Women's Club.

Shrider-Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services of Ronan is assisting with arrangements.

Josephine Fleming

POLSON — Josephine V. Fleming, 92, of Polson died at St. Luke Community Nursing Home on March 3, 2008. Arrangements will be announced by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.

James F. Antoine

PABLO — James F. Antoine, 68, "Jimmy A." a.k.a. "Skinny Jimmy," our loving dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, left us quietly and peacefully in his sleep early Friday morning, Feb. 29, 2008. He was well prepared and made sure that he picked his own pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Jimmy was known throughout the Rez for his generosity and his hospitality. You could say he had an open door policy as friends (and strangers) came and went even when he wasn't home.

During his last few years of pain and suffering, he still managed to make you smile and laugh, usually the latter. His sense of humor was unsurpassed. You had to always be on guard when you were around "Jimmy A." or he'd be pulling a trick on you.

His favorite response to callers checking on him was "same-o, same-o." He was grateful for every year the Creator gave him and his comment every New Year's Day was, "Well, I made it another year." He was always there to listen to anyone's problems, any day, anytime, anywhere. Whether you're happy, sad or angry, he always knew how to cheer you up with his favorite words. "So… Life goes on!"

Known for his hard work ethics, he made many friends through his work as a firefighter, tree planter, Christmas trees and post & pole. Jack of all trades, he was always there with a helping hand. In his own words he would tell you how he could run a "D*** good chainsaw."

He loved to gamble and would often do a night of gambling and still go straight to work from there.

He was a kid at heart but as a father, he loved his daughters and grandchildren unconditionally. The times spent with them were his life's highs.

Preceding Jimmy in death were his parents Frank and Susie Antoine; brothers Billy, David, Paul and Richard; sisters; Rosie, "Dee" and Helen and daughter Teri Lynn.

Surviving are his daughters Jami Frances Antoine Lozeau (Butch), Jeanne Delores Irvine Antoine II (Charlie Gardipe); stepchildren Michael Jon Irvine (Angie) and Edmund "Ed" Irvine; grandchildren, Kyro, Tiana, Elizabeth (Jami/Ott), Mary (Jeanne/Tweet), Mitch, Bo and Cyrus (Teri Lynn); sisters. Alice Goodman, Marian Andrew, Cecille Antoine and Francine Antoine; nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

He was anxiously awaiting his first great-grandchild and another grandchild; both in May.

Step-grandchildren include Erin, Tailyr and Michael (MJ), Clint, Tyson, and Philicia (Ed).

We leave you with Jimmy A.'s final words of his prepared poem, The Great Spirit: "So we are off to the Arlee Cemetery, where everyone can say a little prayer and farewell for now… try to forget your heartaches as you turn and leave me there."

Funeral services were held March 3 in the Longhouse. Burial was at the Arlee cemetery.

Zada Roseleip

ST. IGNATIUS — Zada Marie Roseleip, 102, died March 4, 2008, at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan. Services are pending with Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home of St. Ignatius.

Jacob J. Henry

Jacob J. "Jake" Henry, 19, of Polson, died Feb. 19, 2008, a his sister's home in Dayton, Ore. He was born Jan. 1, 1989, in Klamath Falls, Ore., to Jay and Kathryn Nicole Baker Henry.

He attended grade school in Pleasant Hill, Ore., attended junior high in Merrill, Ore. His first three years of high school were at Lost River High school in Merrill where he was president of Future Farmers of America, vice president of the student body, and an outstanding football player. He graduated with honors from St. Mary High School in Medford where he was a Presidential Merit Scholar.

Surviving are his father, Jay Henry of Polson; mother, Nicole Davenport of La Grande, Ore.; stepmother, Evelyn Henry of Polson; grandfather, Charles Baker of Arizona; grandmother, Kathryn Baker of Nevada; grandfather, James Henry of Merrill; brother, Jeremy Eberhardt of Ellensburg, Wash., Michael Henry of Seattle, and Derrick Needle of Vashon Island, Wash.; sisters, Sunny Moore of Dayton, Ore., and Hailey Henry of Polson.

Private family services were held Feb. 22 in McMinnville, Ore.

Macy & Son Funeral Directors of McMinnville assisted the family with arrangements.

Fajada H. Swab

ARLEE — Fajada H. Swab, 26, of Arlee died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. He was born in Arlee to Karl and Linda Swab.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda.

Fajada is survived by his daughter, Elaina; his father Karl and stepmother Roxane; his brothers Demian (Wendy) and Phaedrus (Char); grandmother "Grams." grandparents Ed and Edna Hemphill; uncle Mike; aunt Martha; nieces Maria and Autumn,; and nephews Dallas and Aiden.

Memorial services for Fajada were held at the Community Fitness Center in Arlee on Feb. 29, and March 1.

Per Fajada's wishes, cremation will take place at a later date.

Contributions may be made in Elaina Swab's name at the Valley Bank Arlee. More information can be obtained at www.arleemontana.org/fajada

Richard Dresen

Richard "Dick" Dresen was born July 3, 1924 and died on Feb. 27, 2008, in Ronan. He had recently moved to Ronan from Aromas, Calif.

Dick was born to Henry and Charlotte Dresen in Windham. In May of 1943 he enlisted in the U. S. Navy during WWII.

On July 3, 1948, her married Alice Ross Meiers of Polson. They have five children, Kent Dresen, Cheri Houle, Shane Dresen, Rock Dresen and Patty Huffman. Along with his wife of 60 years and children, his memory will go on with many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are planned for a later date. Condolences may be sent to Alice, Mission View Care Center, 829 Main Street, Ronan, MT 59864.

Floyd Nevarez

Floyd Douglas Virgil Anthony Nevarez, 53, of Missoula, died at his home in Missoula on March 3, 2008.

Floyd was born on April 6, 1954, in St. Ignatius, to Leopold and Mary (Pablo) Nevarez. He attended grade schools in Charlo, Hot Springs and Mission. He attended high school in Shalako, Okla., and graduated from Ronan High School. While attending high school in Ronan, Floyd was on Ronan's first state wrestling championship team in 1973.

Floyd won the state heavyweight wrestling title that same year.

Floyd attended Technical Institute in Bellingham, Wash., for marine biology underwater training for two years. He returned to St. Ignatius where he continued his stain glass artwork and he also worked for the Post Creek fish hatchery.

Floyd moved to Missoula where he worked on antique car restoration in Bonner and as a bouncer at the Top Hat.

Floyd had a newfound faith in Jesus Christ since 1999. He was a proud member of the Pablo Baptist Church and Jocko Valley Baptist Church in Arlee.

He was known worldwide for his "Gary the Bear" stain glass art work. One of his main stain glass works of art is hanging in the Pablo Baptist Church.

Floyd also enjoyed attending the Arlee 4th of July celebration.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Raymond Santos, and Janice Nevarez.

He is survived by his one son, Darnell Hensrud of Missoula; six siblings, Julia Barton of San Diego, Joseph Santos of Ronan, Vincent "Spaghetti" Burrafato of Missoula, Diana Jones of St. Ignatius, Louis Nevarez of Ronan and Guadalupe Jones of Ellensburg, Wash., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wake service will begin on Wednesday at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. The casket will be closed at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday (today) and services will be held at 10 a.m. at the Pablo Baptist Church with Pastor Ken Prewett officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Pablo Baptist Church.

Condolences may also be left to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com