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Jeanne Anita Hayward

| April 26, 2007 12:00 AM

Jeanne Anita Hayward, 49, died on Thursday, April 19, 2007, after a seven year battle. Jeanne is finally out of pain in a better place. Jeanne was dedicated to family and friends, she was so intuitive, daring and full of wisdom, knowing how to take on whatever life brought. Jeanne was an amazing, compassionate, gifted person.

Jeanne Hayward wrote the following on Feb. 9, 2004:

Miss Me - But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road,

And the sun has set for me, I want no

rites in a gloomed-filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me

A little, but not too long and not with

Your heads bowed low. Remember the

Love that we once shared:

Miss me — but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take

And each must go alone. It’s all part of

the Master's plan, a step on the road home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart, go

to the friends we know. And bury your

sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me — but let me go.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. at the New Life Christian Center, 1414 2nd St. West, Polson, on Sunday April 29, 2007. No cut flowers please, potted flowers and plants only. Sweet Adelines will sing tribute to Jeanne, a past Sweet Adelines herself with the Helena Chorus.

Singing was one of Jeanne's great loves after family and fishing.

Jeanne is survived by her husband Larry Robertson; sons Matthew Wong (Bozeman) and Jesse Robertson and daughter Alyson Robertson

Lyle R. Pettit memorial service

RONAN — He went to join the Big Rodeo in heaven to ride the broncs, bulls, and roping steers.

He also did trick roping and was a rodeo bull fighter. I hope he has time for a round or two of golf.

He went home and left us to carry on for him on Oct. 23, 2005, surrounded by his son James, daughter Becky, step-daughter Bobbi, and wife Beverly, the his love of his life and best friend.

To celebrate his 70th birthday on May 3, 1937, memorial services will be held on May 3, 2007, at Calvary Cemetery in Ronan.

Cremation has taken place, and this will be memorial service only. The family asks in place of flowers donations may be made to Guardian Angels, Cheerful Hearts, and Ronan High School Rodeo organizations.

Mildred Genevieve "Jennie" Matt-Eder

Jennie

RONAN — Jennie went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by her family and the caring medical staff of St. Luke Hospital in the early morning hours of April 18, 2007.

She was born August 29, 1914, in Ronan, to Jule Matt and Louise Poquette-Matt and was the seventh of 10 children. Jennie was a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and held her culture close to her heart, willingly sharing her knowledge of her traditional lifeways with her family and close friends.

At the age of five, she and her older brother Woodrow (Woody), and younger brother Wilfred were sent away to Flandreau Indian School, where she received her education until she was 12 years of age. Jennie returned to the Flathead Reservation, living with her family in the Jocko for many years. Eventually, in her true independence, Jennie embarked on a life that was filled with hard work, but a life she found to be extremely rewarding.

She worked in the woods for several years starting out as a tree skinner, later being promoted to a sawyer where she worked side by side with her male counterparts, much to their astonishment. Jennie went on to master the operation of the skidstear and logging trucks for her employer, taking on these positions with great pride for it was unheard of for a woman to hold such jobs during that time.

Jennie's love for the outdoors was very profound and it is because of this love she was led to seek work as a ranch hand on a homestead in Helmville. Upon meeting the owner of this ranch, she had informed him that she needed a job, and he needed her. After two years of working along side this man, it became evident to them both of them, they were well suited and had developed a bond that would last a lifetime.

On April 12, 1954, Jennie married Otto Eder. They lived together on the 160-acre homestead that had been originally settled by Otto's parents. Together they built the homestead into a thriving 1,400 acre ranch. When they had time between raising crops and working their cattle, Jennie and Otto would take off into the wilderness for weeks at a time, enjoying the wildlife and picking huckleberries. Both were avid hunters, but only hunted for the food they needed as they were strong believers in being good stewards of the blessings of nature. Jennie was known for her hunting abilities and her great skill with a rifle. She was listed in Boone and Crockett for taking one of the largest bull elk out of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Her love of nature and all it had to offer is a legacy she has past on to many.

During the past 10 years, after the death of her husband, she became increasingly close to her niece, Betty Marquart. Jennie thought of Betty as more of a daughter than anything else. These two formidable women shared a very strong and loving relationship. As Jennie's health needs became more prevalent, Betty brought her to her home to care for her. This relationship spilled over to Betty's children and grandchildren, who also spent many years sharing in Jennie's stories and memories. Anyone who knew Jennie could not help but be touched by her loving nature and generosity which knew no bounds. She leaves behind many special family members and close friends, who will miss her smiling face and sweet spirit.

Jennie was preceded in death by both parents; the love of her life and soul mate, Otto Eder; her brothers John, Tony, James, Eli, Woodrow and Wilfred; her sisters Mary Florence, Theresa and Lillian, nephews Andrew Matt, Don Matt, Camille "Sonny" Matt, Duane Delaware, and her special friend Harmon of Phoenix, Ariz.

Jennie is survived by her nieces Betty (Clark) Marquart of Charlo, Bernice Tallant and family of Seattle, and Sandra Stevens and family of Monroe, Wash.; special nephew Leonard Delaware of Hot Springs, nephew Russell (Linda) Matt of Pablo, niece Louise (Tweetie) Matt of Pablo; great-nieces Stacey Kiehn and her family of Ronan, Cheryl Colacurcio and Denice (George) Goodale of St. Ignatius; great nephews John "Duffy" (Cora) McQuade of Federal Way, Wash., Curt (Patti) Matt of Auburn, Wash., DuWayne (Denice) Matt of Federal Way, and Jeff Matt of Seattle; her special friends, Don and Julie Potcha and family, Norma and Charlie Hughes, Mike and Linda Willis all of Helmville, and special friend Kathy of Phoenix, and numerous great-nieces and nephews and their families living in and around the Seattle area and the Flathead Reservation.

Viewing was at Grogan Funeral Home in Polson on April 20. Funeral services were held April 21 at the Helmville Community Center. Officiating was Jennie's pastor, Lockley Bremner. Interment was at the Eder Ranch where Jennie was laid to rest next to her husband.

Funeral services were provided by Grogan Funeral Home, Polson.

William J. Soucie

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — William J. "Bill" Soucie, 97, died Monday, April 16, 2007, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Bill was born July 6, 1909, in Missoula to Benoit and Julia (Cyr) Soucie. He attended school in Bonner, and Missoula. He graduated from Stout Institute (University of Wisconsin-Menomonie) in 1931 with a degree in Industrial Arts. He went on to teach in the Bonner schools.

In 1940 he married Jeannette LaForge and in 1946 they relocated to Polson. Bill immediately became known and sought out for his ability to transform wood into works of art. Soucie Woodworking soon became his company and venue for supporting his family.

Not only did Bill contribute to the community through his craftsmanship but also by giving his time. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1932 and a charter member of the Polson Elks Club since 1946. As an active parishioner in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Polson, he generously gave his time and talents renovating one church and building another.

Bill made time to actively serve as a member of the Polson Public Schools school board.

He considered it a privilege and honor to address the class of 1960 and to present the graduates their diplomas.

In 1970 Bill relocated his family to Phoenix, Ariz., where he taught Industrial Arts at the Phoenix Indian School until his retirement in 1979. Bill enjoyed a retirement filled with woodworking hobbies. His innate ability to create works of art energized him to continually create new from old. He called his works "new life creations" and they are enjoyed by admirers around the world because of his generous and giving nature.

His greatest joy was being "Dad" to his four children and "Grandpere Extraordinaire" to his seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The legacy Bill leaves his family is his unselfish sharing of time and talent and his zest for life.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette; his parents, and his brother.

He is survived by his son William G. Soucie (Kathleen); his daughters Julia J. Green (Art), Annette M. Raithel (Jack), Jeannine A. Soucie (Rosalia), seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church, Scottsdale, on April 20. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, Phoenix.

Donations in memory of William J. Soucie (alumni 1931) may be sent to: Stout University Foundation Inc., 320 South Broadway, Menomonie, WI 54751. Cards and remembrances to the Soucie family may be sent to Annette M. (Soucie) Raithel, 1769 S. Waverton Cove, Collierville, TN 38017.

June Marie Wheeler Orr

RONAN — June Marie Wheeler Orr, 79, left this life behind to join her Lord and Maker and her beloved husband on April 18, 2007.

June was the first child born to Thomas Albert Wheeler and Marie Edna Cote Wheeler on June 10, 1929, at Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius. June attended grade school at Villa Ursula School and graduated from high school at Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula in 1948.

June worked at Holy Family Hospital and helped her father in the family logging and sawmill business during summer school vacations and after graduation. She worked on the greenchain in the sawmill, assisted her father on a two-man maul chain saw in the woods and helped with many other logging duties. As the oldest child, June dedicated many hours helping her mother care for her then rowdy siblings. June was an avid fisherman and had an "eagle eye" for spotting game. June married her beloved husband Lee Louis (Ike) Orr on June 1, 1953, in the Catholic Mission Church in St. Ignatius. They had seven children whom they cherished dearly, Chuck, George, Ronnie, Julie, Tracy, Barbara and Brenda.

June was a self-taught fiddle player and she and her special friends met monthly for jam sessions at June's home. Family, friends and musicians were always welcome to enjoy the music and June's hospitality. Music was a special part of June's life; for comfort, pleasure and a means of "getting family and friends together for a good potluck."

June's husband, Ike, died July 26, 1985, and June continued to provide her family unfaltering support, guidance and love. June was also preceded in death her father, Thomas A. Wheeler; maternal grandparents, Baptise and Annie Cote; and paternal grandparents, Thomas M. and Emily Wheeler.

June leaves behind her loving children, Chuck Orr of Ronan, George and Ronnie Orr of St. Ignatius, Julie (Larry) Wilkinson of Billings, Tracy and Barbara Orr of St. Ignatius and Brenda (Joss) Dillard of St. Ignatius; her special "adopted son," Tom Haynes; her precious grandchildren, Jason Orr of Ronan, Justin Orr of the U. S. Army in Iraq, Kevin and Staci Wilkinson of Billings, Ethan, Jennifer, Megan Amy, Alyssia and Brianna Dillard of St. Ignatius; her loving mother, Marie Edna Wheeler of St. Ignatius; her sisters, Jeannine (J.C.) Wheeler of Fairbanks, Alaska, Mary Ann (Bob) Weingart of St. Ignatius and Connie (Galen) Sutton of Fairbanks; her brothers Tom (Barb) Wheeler of Arlee, John (Jane) Wheeler of Kodiak, Alaska, and Dennis (Gaye) Wheeler of St. Ignatius; and many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mass of the Christian Burial was celebrated April 24 at the Church with Father Andrew Maddock, SJ, as celebrant. Burial was in the Catholic Cemetery at St. Ignatius. The family requests memorials be sent to the St. Ignatius Catholic Church Preservation Fund.

Shrider-Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services assisted with arrangements.

Ann Acree Phillips

RONAN — A beautiful soul departed this Earth with the passing of Ann Acree Phillips, 88, who died Sunday morning, April 15, at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan.

Annie Louise Acree was born Feb. 3, 1919, in Albany, Ga. When she was a small girl the family moved to Florida where she spent her childhood enjoying the natural beauty of an unspoiled countryside. Sitting in huge oak trees, reading, was one of her favorite memories.

Ann graduated from high school in Bartow, Fla., salutatorian of her class. She went on to attend Montreat College in North Carolina, earning a teacher's certificate. She returned to Florida to teach and there she met her husband, a serviceman stationed there from Montana, Virgil Phillips.

They were married in Bartow in 1944 and moved to St. Ignatius in 1945, where the young bride suffered from culture shock amidst the realities of outhouses, farm houses without running water, cows, cowboys, Indians and a Wild West environment quite unlike anything she'd known in Florida.

An independent and progressive-minded woman, she returned to college in her 40s to obtain a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana. She began teaching in Ronan in 1959, juggling her career with raising her young family.

She was a wonderful teacher, very passionate about her work and a favorite with her students. Ann taught children, her own and her students, to believe in themselves, think for themselves and promoted ethics, honesty, dignity and the value of always doing one's best.

Ann was a remarkable woman who was always a seeker of truth and a true Southern lady. She was filled with love, grace and understanding and was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her radiant smile warmed the hearts of many people and those who love her are so very thankful to have known such a beautiful, loving and kind spirit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Phillips; her parents, Edwin Acree and Alma McCarthy Acree; brothers, Edwin, Robert and Richard Acree; sister, Margaret Owen Gonzalez.

She is survived by her brother, Harry Acree; sister, Bette Ellis; sisters-in-law, Jackie, Betty Jane and Alice Acree; brother-in-law, Bill Ellis; children, Arminta Cornett, Barbara, Mike and Bob Phillips; son-in-law, Randy Keeble; grandchildren, Alina and Virgil Phillips, Justin, Sean and Sara Keeble; and great-grandchildren, Pathe Woodard and Lily Graves.

Per Ann's wishes, no funeral will be held. However, for those who wish to join her family in a celebration of Ann's life, a gathering and potluck dinner will be held at the Ronan Senior Citizens Center, 528 Main St. SW, Ronan, on Saturday, April 28, at 3 p.m.

The family has started a scholarship fund in Ann's name to be awarded to a Ronan student who plans to go into teaching. Contributions may be made to the Ann Phillips Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Bank, Box B, Ronan, MT 59864.

Mary Anne Rogers

POLSON — Mary Anne Rogers, 65, died on Sunday, April 22, 2007, at her home near Bigfork. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by her family.

Assisting her family is Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory of Polson.

Mary Louise Couture Lefthand

POLSON — Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend, Mary Louise Couture Lefthand, died Sunday, April 22, 2007.

She was born on Nov. 27, 1931, in St. Ignatius, at the Holy Family Hospital to Madeline Phillips and Alexander Couture. Mary attended school at the Ursuline School for eight years and worked as a nurse's aide. Mary graduated from the Flandreau Indian School in 1951.

She married Victor Lefthand on June 7, 1954, and had two daughters, Verna Leann and Lauren Gail Lefthand.

During the following years she had numerous jobs including cooking in Libby, while Vic worked on the Libby Dam.

She also worked with the Homemakers, then Lake County Homemakers and the elders program in Elmo.

She served as a tribal judge, and served as a State Social Service employee, which led her to working in this same field and following her good friend, Edie Adams, through the circuit of social service work for the BIA at the Flathead, Blackfeet, Fort Peck and Wind River Reservations.

She came back home and worked with Social Services and then ran for the Elmo District Tribal Council representative where she served the community for 12 years. Mary loved Christmas treeing, picking apples and huckleberries.

More recently, she enjoyed gambling and traveling with her daughter Lauren to places such as Las Vegas, Bonners Ferry, and Coeur d'Alene.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Madeline and Alexander; her sister Madeline; grandparents, Louis and Sophia Phillips, and John and Josephine (Sapine) Couture; aunts, Madeline Mathias, Mary Eneas, and Agatha Phillips, aunts and uncles Susie and Joe Couture and Elizabeth and Pete Couture; cousins Richard Nichols, Roy Couture, and Regina Matt; nephew Darren Couture; great-great nieces Tia and Rashaunda Denton, and many other beloved family and friends.

She is survived by her husband Victor Lefthand of Elmo; daughters Verna Leann Lefthand of Phoenix, Ariz.; Lauren Gail Lefthand of Pablo; aunt Helen Charlo of Elmo; sister Agnes Caye (August) of Polson; brothers Wayne Couture (Barbara) of Dog Lake, Ignace Couture of Elmo, Edward Couture (Earline) of Elmo; grandson Brandon James of Polson; great-grandchildren Elijah, Tyrel, and Keaton, and many nieces, nephews and friends. All will greatly miss her.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on April 25 in the Elmo Hall. Interment was in the Dayton Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home in Polson.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com

Charlotte Combs

POLSON — Charlotte Combs, 63, of Polson died of natural causes on Thursday April 19, 2007 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Charlotte was born to Charles and Mabel Fox at Longview, Wash. She graduated from Castle Rock High School in Washington. Charlotte worked many jobs. She operated laundromats, was a truck driver, and worked in hospitals and nursing homes throughout her lifetime.

Charlotte loved fishing, camping and raising animals.

Her parents, brother Gerald, and sister Loretta preceded Charlotte in death.

Surviving Charlotte are her husband Dale; son Dino; daughter Connie; step-daughters Cindy and Cathy; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and sisters Leta, Barbara, and Nita.

A memorial service was held for Charlotte on April 24 at the Grogan Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kevin Rettig officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com