Clarice 'Jake' Tootell
POLSON — Jake Tootell is delighted to join the choir praising the Lord in heaven. She died on March 29, 2007, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
Jake was born on Dec. 16, 1931, in Plaza, N.D. to Harry and Ruby Jacobson. She moved to Bozeman, as a youth where she met the love of her life, Donald Tootell, while in the eighth grade. They married on Aug. 31, 1948, in Spokane. Their family was expanded by the births of their children, Linda and Chris.
Jake supported Don while he attended and subsequently graduated from Montana State University. She and Don lived in various locations during his career, including Durango, Colo. She entered Ft. Lewis College there as a non-traditional student, and was joined by her son Chris for two of those years. She fulfilled her dream, relished her education, received her teaching degree, and graduated as valedictorian from Ft. Lewis College in 1971. She shared her enthusiasm and gifts while teaching in Arvada, Colo.
In 1987, Jake and Don retired to their Flathead Lake vacation property, which they had owned since 1972. She frequently expressed awe for God’s creation as witnessed from this vantage point.
Jake was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Polson, Mission Valley Chorale, Masumola Club and Polson Country Club. She and Don also volunteered as crisis foster parents.
Jake took piano lessons later in life and played beautifully. Her exuberance for life was evidenced by her appreciation for music … she was known to frequently break out singing, at times to the dismay of her family.
Jake loved to golf, read, play bridge and gather with others around the dining room table. She faithfully volunteered at Evergreen Health & Rehab Center, led the residents in singing oldies with gusto and received a volunteer-of-the-year award for this ministry.
She was an extremely hospitable person and never knew a stranger, only friends she had not yet met.
She was a woman of strong Christian faith and was grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ for his provision of Grace. Jake always gave of herself completely and loved her family and friends unconditionally. She provided her loved ones with tireless support, even cheerleading.
Jake had an indomitable spirit as was illustrated by her trip to Norway nine months after Don’s death in 1994. She followed through on the trip to Norway, which they had planned together before his passing.
Jake and Chris Christensen developed a close friendship in the years following Don’s death. Chris had been their respected mutual friend. They enjoyed a companionship that sustained them both until his death in November 2004.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents, her dear friend Chris, and numerous other family members.
Jake is survived by her two children, Linda Tootell Thomas and her husband Thad of Boise, Idaho, and Chris Tootell and his wife Jenny of Missoula; grandchildren, Erin Adams-Griffin and her husband Morie, Jake Adams, Joe Adams, Ryan Tootell, Kjelsi Tootell, Lindsay Tootell, Austin Tootell; great- granddaughter Micah Adams-Griffin; brother and sister-in-law George and Lenora Jacobson and brother-in-law Bob Tootell, and numerous other friends and relatives. Jake was an animal lover and adored her canine companion “Sunny” and feline friend Isabella “Izzie.”
A memorial service was held April 3, at the First Presbyterian Church of Polson with the Rev. Dave Anson officiating. Later this summer she will be laid to rest next to her husband Don at the family plot in Bozeman.
Memorials may be made to the National Alzheimer’s Association or a charitable organization of your choice.
The family gives a special thanks to those lovely friends and caregivers who were with Mom at the lake before her move to Missoula, including Chris and Viktra Bumgarner, Steve and Christina Pittenger and Laurali Sego. We’re also thankful to the Missoula Springs Memory Care and Dr. David Gorman for the kind, competent, and respectful care they provided.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Bernice Boughton
RONAN — Bernice Boughton, 93, died of natural causes Wednesday, March 28, at her home.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan and Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City.
Emory R. ‘Dougie’ Swaney
ST. IGNATIUS — Emory R. “Dougie” Swaney, 86, died Wednesday, March 28, at Community Hospital in Missoula.
A wake began March 30 at the Longhouse with the Rosary being recited that night in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Wake closing began Saturday morning in the Longhouse followed by celebration of Mass in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment was in the Decker Cemetery near St. Ignatius with military honors. were presented.
Edgar L. Thorsrud
FINLEY POINT — Wearing his cap and vest, Ed Thorsrud tipped his wings one last time in the early morning hours of March 27, 2007, waving goodbye to his cabin on Finley Point and bidding friends and family farewell, seemingly eager to embark on one more exhilarating flight.
While Ed will be sorely missed by many family members and friends who benefited from his gentle kindness and generosity of spirit, we are comforted to imagine his reunion with Deanne, the love of his life, who died 32 years ago. Ed died of natural causes at the age of 84.
Ed was born Aug. 5, 1922, in Watford City, N. D., son of Norwegian immigrants and brother to Garfield, Jennie and Sverre (Sam). In 1927, the Thorsrud family moved to Missoula. His Norwegian skiing heritage led him to explore the Montana alpine long before the advent of ski lifts. He attended Missoula County High School where he competed in the very first high school ski meets, competing in both alpine and Nordic events.
After graduating from high school, Ed trained as a smoke jumper and became a member of the second group of smoke jumpers in United States history. World War II had begun and he quickly was promoted to teach military personnel how to pack chutes even though he was only 18. He joined the war effort immediately following the fire season.
During World War II, Ed flew for the Army Air Corps ferrying troops and cargo from England to the Continent. After the war, Ed returned to Missoula where he enrolled in the University of Montana under the GI Bill.
During college, skiing continued to play a big role in Ed’s life. He even met his future wife while skiing, when he gave Deanne a lift up to Big Mountain. After many more skiing adventures with friends and family, Ed had a bride from Plains and together they had a full but all-too-brief life together with four wonderful children.
Flying was Ed’s passion and his livelihood. He was a pioneer in the early days of mountain aviation, flying various planes, including Tri-Motors and DC-3s for Johnson Flying Service into remote mountain airstrips. He delivered essential cargo to the backcountry and transported smoke jumpers and firefighters to fires throughout the west. There was no airstrip too short or rugged for Ed to handle.
In the mid ‘50s when the business of aerial fire fighting was in its infancy, he flew specially equipped Ford Tri-Motors on slurry missions for Johnson. This experience led him to invest in his own slurry planes, including a TBM and B-25. He dropped retardant for years in Alaska, Montana and Idaho, taking him away from his family for long absences during the fire season.
This provided Deanne ample excuse to move the family to Flathead Lake for the summers — a Thorsrud tradition that continues today. Eventually Ed moved to Finley Point full time, settling into one of the many homes he and son Lloyd built in their years working together. Summers at the lake were always busy and filled with visiting family and friends. His dog, a cup of coffee, good radio reception and a view of the Bird Islands were about all Ed needed to be content over the quiet, solitary winters at the lake. It helped to know that the next bustling family summer was never far around the corner
Along with wife Deanne, Ed was preceded in death by sister Jennie, brother Sam, and several faithful four-legged friends including Easter and Halley.
He leaves behind his children Lloyd (Claudia) Thorsrud, Darci (Lane Coddington) Thorsrud, Tana (Onno) Wieringa, Betty (Skip) Higgins; his brother Garfield (Audrey) Thorsrud; grandkids Siri, Shay, Casey and Kyle; and numerous nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
Although often stoic and solitary, Ed loved his friends and showed kindness to all he met. “The more the merrier” is how he welcomed the many visitors to his Flathead Lake home, and “the more the merrier” is how his family would like to welcome you to a service and reception to celebrate Ed’s life. The service will take place at 4 p.m. Friday, April 20, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Missoula, with a reception following at Shadow’s Keep. Gifts in Ed’s memory can be made to the Museum of Mountain Flying, 713 S Third St. W, Missoula, MT 59801.
Jane Mildred Fouty Whiting
POLSON — Jane Mildred Fouty Whiting went to rest on March 29, 2007. We will miss her kindness and her beautiful smile.
Jane was born in Missoula on Jan. 16, 1947, to Walter and Gladys Jo (Lozar) Fouty. Jane was a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe. She attended school in Polson and graduated from Polson High School in 1966.
She also attended Salish Kootenai College and the University of Montana.
Jane yearned for truth and happiness her entire life. In 1975, while living in the Mission Mountains near St. Ignatius, she learned that the Bible promises a clean, peaceful earth filled with righteous people.
She appreciated God’s promise of a future with no death, depression or pain. Jane devoted her life to sharing that truth with her family, friends and neighbors. She was especially motivated by Revelation 11:18 which promises no physical or moral damage of the beautiful planet which she loved.
Jane met Jack Whiting and was attracted by his sense of humor and strong work ethic. They wed in a simple country wedding on Sept. 6, 1975, in Dayton. Together they moved to their farm in Big Arm where she resided until her death. Jack and Jane ran a goat milk dairy, called Whiteline Dairy, and later they operated Jack Whiting Siding and Polson Storage.
Jane adored her children. She and Jack raised their daughters, Ann and Asia, with love and imagination. Jane taught them to be proud of their heritage, to create beauty and to love every part of life. She had a special connection with her grandmother, Mary Morigeau Lozar, who even helped her sew her wedding dress. Mary, like Jane, was an entrepreneur, nurturer, gardener and a kind-hearted woman.
Jane was an artist. She could make everything from homemade butter to willow baskets. She enjoyed summer evenings on the houseboat on Flathead Lake. She also loved her animals. From childhood on she loved tall, pretty horses.
She was an expert horsewoman and spent many weeks in the backcountry of Montana including the Chinese Wall last summer, on the back of her favorite horse, Chico Rio.
She was a brave and talented woman in so many respects and it was honor for those who knew her.
We have fond memories of Jane in her warm bright kitchen surrounded by her laughing family. Her example has inspired us to love Jehovah our God and to keep learning about what the Bible promises.
Jane Whiting put her heart and soul into everything she did. She will be missed and remembered.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Gladys Jo (Lozar) Fouty, and her brother David Fouty.
She is survived by her husband Jack Whiting of Big Arm; daughters Ann Whiting of New York City and Asia (Loren) Gray of Kalispell and siblings Robert Fouty, Walter (Joan) Fouty, and Debbie Fouty, all of Polson; nephews Mike Fouty, Steve Fouty, Roth (Mandy) Fouty and Steven Statham, Jr.; nieces Strohm Fouty and Kristen Statham; Uncle Stephen “Bud” Lozar and his wife Maggie of Polson, and numerous cousins, great aunts and uncles.
A memorial service was April 4 at the Polson Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses followed by a gathering at the KwaTaqNuk Resort.
Funeral arrangements were made by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.groganfuneralhome.com
John C. Paulson
John C. Paulson of Laurel, brother of Bernadine Lovell of St. Ignatius, died March 11, 2007, in the Billings Hospital.
John was born Jan. 12, 1928, in Forsyth to John and Genevieve Paulson. John Sr. died when John Jr. was just a small child. Mrs. Paulson later married Fred Collins who raised John.
John married Marilou in Miles City on June 20, 1954. They had two children, Mark and Linda Paulson, both of whom were born in Miles City. John and Marilou later divorced and John married Violet Thomson in Miles City.
Surviving are his wife, Violet; his childlren, Mark Paulson and Linda Fitz, both of Miles City; five stepchlldren, Ole (Linda) Thomson of Prescott, Ariz., Roxy (Sterling) Silver and Kym Olsen of Miles City, Ray Thomson of Washington and Jodi (Tim) Wombolt of Laurel; 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Mike Collins of Melstone and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Coffin of Osburn, Idaho; seven sisters, Bernadine Lovell of St. Ignatius, LaVonne Williams of Pasco, Wash.; Barbara Trotter of Grand Coulee, Wash.; Alice (David) Wynn of New Kirk, Okla., Cherie (Dennis) Pierce and Maxine (Tom) Sebastin, both of Evansville, Wis.
John was preceded in death by his baby daughter, his parents; his sister Marion and her husband Leo Collier and daughter Frances Ewalt; brother Fred and wife Betty; daughter Nancy and son Clifford Collins; niece Stacy Collins; and brother-in-law Dan Lovell and his son Leslie.
John Paulson’s wishes were that no services be held.
Margery Miller Hilton
ST. IGNATIUS — Please join the family of Margery Miller Hilton at Pleasant View Cemetery graveside of Everett Hilton to lay to rest Margery Miller Hilton on Saturday, April 7, 2007, at 2 p.m. Lunch will be served at the new Methodist church at the top of Post Creek Hill following the service.
Margery died Jan. 12, 2007. The complete obituary was printed April 25.
Memorials may be marked for further education, St. Ignatius School District.
Margaret I.
‘Mike’ Roberts
DEER LODGE — Former Polson librarian and artist Margaret I. “Mike” Roberts, 92, died March 27, 2007, with a great deal of dignity, wit, and a sense of humor at the Colonial Manor in Deer Lodge.
She was born in Bonita on July 31, 1914, as the sixth of eight children to Frank and Rose Roberts. She attended school at Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula.
Mike worked as a waitress and cook in her earlier years. She took a course in practical nursing during WWII and cared for several patients in the Missoula area, and then served as night clerk for the Clark Fork Manor for five years.
At the age of 73, she moved to Polson where she worked as a librarian and took up painting. Later she moved to the Colonial Manor in Deer Lodge where she became special friends with every employee. Mike loved words and always used them with finesse and great intelligence in her poetry, in conversation and at Scrabble.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Rose Roberts; brothers Irving, Buster, Edward, Merton and Bob Roberts; sisters, Kay Chamley and Mikkie Gould, and beloved great-grandson Cory Freedom Driessen.
Mike is survived by her loving daughter, Fay “Mickey” Neubauer (favorite son-in-law Wayne), and son Gary “Flip” Erb (Alice), and nine wonderful grandchildren: Terry Sullivan (Tom Gilbert) of Garrison, Shannon Driessen (Dennis) of Garrison, Kathy Mullins (Glen) of Deer Lodge; Brad and Guy Neubauer of Deer Lodge, Kary Erickson of Littleton, Colo., Kim Dunn (Carl) of Boulder, Colo., Montana Mike “Kip” Erb (Cindy) of Homestead, Fla., and Shawn Cearley of Missoula.
She also begrudgingly leaves 10 perfect great-grandchildren: Zach and Paige Neubauer, Brannon and Taylor Cearley, Briana Mullins, Erin (Eric) Grendron, Jenna Linman and Caitline, Hannah and Josie Erb.
Mike was loved by those who appreciated cleverness mixed with a little acidity and a lot of humor, and she will be dearly missed. Cremation has taken place. A private family memorial service was held at the Colonial Manor in Deer Lodge on April 1. Memorials may be made to the Powell County Senior Center of Deer Lodge.
Marie H. Carey
RONAN — Marie H. Carey, 64, of Ronan, died at her home on Tuesday, March 27, 2007, after a long illness.
Funeral services were held March 30 at the Ronan Alliance Church with Pastor Jeff Kingery officiating.
Interment followed in the Mountain View Cemetery. Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services was in charge of arrangements.