Anna Marie Wipplinger Brady

HELENA — Anna Marie Wipplinger Brady, 94, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, at the Aspen Gardens Assisted Living in Helena.

Ann was born on Feb. 28, 1913, to Frederick and Anna Wipplinger near Plentywood. The family eventually homesteaded near Moiese. Ann was the oldest of nine children raised on the family farm.

After graduating high school in Dixon in the early 1930s, she worked a few years at Galen. She then worked for a department store doing alterations. Seeing that she could make a living at this, she started her own sewing shop.

Thus began a lifelong career as a seamstress and dressmaker. Her work was exceptional and she had many loyal customers.

Ann married Jack Crotty and they made a home in Butte for many years. When he died she continued her business and eventually met and married James Brady. At retirement age they bought a portion of the homestead in Moiese from the rest of the family, upon the death of Ann's mother.

They built a home there and raised cattle, horses and built a fish pond.

Upon Jim's death in 1994, Ann, at the age of 81, continued to keep up and live on the land.

Never one to rest, she was active with cows, horses and commitments to her church, the Dixon community and her friends. She will be truly missed.

In addition to her husbands, Ann was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Andy, Fritz, Herman and Jack; and three sisters, Virginia McAllister, Ruth Henry and June Thompson.

She is survived by her sister, Martha Velie of Indian Wells, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass was held Dec. 4 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Charlo. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery at Ronan.

Memorials in Ann's name are suggested to the Senior Centers of Charlo and Dixon. Service arrangements were under the direction of Retz Funeral Home, Helena.

Florence 'Lenora' Palmer

POLSON — Florence "Lenora" Palmer, 90, of Kalispell, formerly of Polson, died of natural causes on Sunday, Nov., 25, 2007, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

She was born Dec. 17, 1916, in Wadena County, Minn., to Clyde and Lavina Lee Bachler. She attended school in Polson, graduating from Polson High School in 1937. In 1938 Florence married the love of her life, William Earl Palmer, in Polson; he died on April 4, 1972.

Florence spent much of her time working on the family farm, along with working and cooking meals at Price's Cafe in Polson, Rim Rock Cafe in Thompson Falls, and the Mountain View Nursing Home in Eureka.

Her husband, two sisters and her only brother preceded Florence in death.

She is survived by her daughters Jane Schiele Gabanyicz and husband Nick of Kalispell, Ida Howell of Libby, Gladys Harlan and her husband Bill of Missoula; son Sidney "Sid" Palmer and his wife Nancy of Kalispell; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter.

The funeral service was held on Nov. 29 in the Grogan Funeral Home with Pastor Ed Vainio of Missoula officiating. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery.

Memorials in Florence's name may be made to Flathead County Hospice. Condolences to the family may be sent at www.groganfuneralhome.com

Thomas Timothy Torres

RONAN — On Dec. 21, 1928, Thomas Timothy Torres was born to Cleto M. (Joe) Torres and Emily Rivera Torres in the middle bedroom of the family home in California.

Tom was one of nine children and he fondly looked back on life and times shared at the "405." He attended school at Whittier High School and enlisted in the United States Navy.

Tom proudly served his country for the duration of World War II and served six months on the aircraft carrier Siboney in the South Pacific. He then attended trade school and worked as an electrician for more than 30 years.

Tom was a wonderful father to six children: His eldest son, Stephen Chadwick of California, daughter Lisa Herman of Oregon, son Tom Torres Jr. of Idaho, son Joe Torres of Nevada, daughter Leslie Remington of Texas and daughter Charlie Cote of Montana.

Tom was married 52 years to Diane. They lived an awesome life together serving the Lord, their family and the land. They shared a passion for ranching that led them from California to Nevada and finally to Montana, where they have spent the last 27 years.

Tom lived a full life and accumulated many dear friends. He had a vast variety of hobbies, interests and talents. He loved classic cars, hot rods, speed boats, drag racing, anything pertaining to speed. Whether it was street racing his 1/8-by-1/8 stroker down Whittier Boulevard, running his '42 Ford coupe at the Salt Flats of El Mirage, speedboats on the Colorado River or running his '77 Chevy at the drags this fall in Anaconda, Tom enjoyed every second of it. He had a gift for music that he shared and blessed many people with. He was a self-taught harmonica player, a skill he picked up driving logging trucks in Happy Camp, Calif.

Many lasting impressions were made on the memories of many people while listening to his music. Tom was a steward of the land. He worked with great deliberation and pride when it came to farming and ranching. He enjoyed several good horses and cow dogs over the years, many he counts among his friends. Cutting horses were in his blood. Tom showed in the '80s with many of the industry's greats. Several rides working cattle at home were Fort Worth-worthy.

Working and playing, he spent a lot of time in the saddle. Yet among all his passions in life, his family tops the list. His wife loved him, his children honored him and his grandchildren adored him. Paper and ink will never do justice because that kind of love cannot be defined.

The morning of Nov. 28, 2007, was cold, clear and beautiful. On that day, Tom's body failed from a battle with lung cancer and all that the disease brings with it. However, the battle was not lost, for every day after that he will walk with Jesus. There is no greater victory than that.

Mass was celebrated at Dec. 3, at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Military graveside services were held at the Ronan Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Cheerful Heart, P.O. Box 688, Polson, MT 59860.

Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan assisted with the arrangements.

Walter Douglas "Doug" Rea

POLSON — Walter Douglas "Doug" Rea, 80, of Polson, died on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at his home.

Doug was born on Sept. 2, 1927, at Bellingham, Wash., to John and Ruby Rea. He attended schools in Bellingham. Doug served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during WWII.

Doug worked in retail sales most of his life and retired from Sears Co. He was very good with carpentry and built a house for one of his friends. Doug like hunting, fishing and enjoyed his neighbors and their children. He enjoyed giving boat tours on Flathead Lake to his family and friends. Doug really enjoyed his family pets, especially his wolf.

Montana was his dream place to live and he moved here over six years ago.

His parents, brothers, sisters and a stepdaughter preceded Doug in death.

Surviving him are his wife Lena; daughters Dori, Deena, Denise; step-children Denise and Jimmy; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Wilma Roughny, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Doug's name to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, 239 North Reservoir Road, Polson, MT 59860.

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

James Verner Shennum

Jim Shennum, 87, a former resident of Missoula and Ronan, died Oct. 6, 2007, in Mesa, Ariz. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be mingled with those of his wife, Marie, and interred at a memorial service in Ronan in the spring.

Steven C. Vyrostek

MISSOULA — Steven C. Vyrostek, 56, owner of Blue Realm Aquatics, died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007 at his home in Missoula.

Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held later this week.

Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home, St. Ignatius, is handling arrangements.