Francis O. 'Frenchy' Burland

ARLEE — Francis O. "Frenchy" Burland, 68, died at his home on March 21, 2005.

He was born on Dec. 24, 1936, to Olivia (Oily-Morigeau) and Francis Burland.

He was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He had an older sister, Patty, who died in infancy. Shortly after his birth, his mother died and he went to live with his grandparents, Collette and Octave Morigeau who raised him as their own.

He attended Arlee schools where he graduated in 1954 and then worked at various jobs including Van Evans Mill in Missoula. In 1957, he married Loretta Blood and began working for the Bureau of Indian as a mechanic/machine operator and bookkeeper for the Irrigation Project.

In 1962 he continued with the BIA as a Realty Specialist/Officer and retired as the head of the department after 34 years of service. From there he briefly worked for the Tribes before permanently retiring.

Frenchy was active in the community, serving on the Arlee school board from 1968 through the early '80s. He served as the board chairman from 1977 through 1980 and received an honorary diploma at the end of his service.

During his tenure, he was instrumental in working through a defeated bond issue to add on the elementary multi-purpose room, library and classrooms.

He was also a Boy Scout Leader for about eight years while his sons were Scouts.

Frenchy also volunteered for the Arlee Fire Department from 1964-1977.

Beginning in his teens, Frenchy began a lifelong hobby of mechanics and cars.

He was particularly fond of his 1960 Chevy that he drag raced often in Spokane.

He passed this love of cars on to his sons and daughter. After retirement, he and his sons opened the Jocko River Auto Sales.

Frenchy and Loretta had three sons, Richard, David and John and one daughter, Lawna. Loretta died in 1982. He was also preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Paul Morigeau, Evelyn Grenier, Josephine Steele, Joe (Bud) Morigeau, Carl Morigeau, Dorothy (Sis) Shelby, Azicda (Sis), Sonny Burland, and the twins.

He is survived by his children Richard (Kelly), David (Amy) and John and one daughter, Lawna (TJ); his siblings, Abby Gardipe, Barbara Man, Florence Gehring, Dick Burland, Betty Hernandez, Janice Durant, Sharon Whiting, Marilyn Howell, Tracy Burland and his step-mother Olivine Burland.

A dedicated grandfather, he helped with the raising of his granddaughter, Chelsey Garfield and survived by 6 grandchildren Shannon, Chelsey, Sarah, Holly, Trae, and Dominic and one great-grandchild, Cherai (with one on the way), as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Rite of Christian Burial was held March 24 held at the Arlee Community Center. Interment was in the Jocko Catholic Cemetery.

The family extends a special thanks to TJ for his help. It was above and beyond anything they could have asked for.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.