Elizabeth J. 'Jeanie' (Gardipe) Burland
PABLO — Elizabeth J. "Jeanie" (Gardipe) Burland, 61, died July 3, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
She had battled many health problems.
Jean was born April 30, 1946, in St. Ignatius, to William and Juanita (Pellew) Gardipe. She grew up in the Evaro and Mission area.
Later, she attended school at Villa Ursuline in St. Ignatius and Boulder.
She then married the love of her life Hubert "Hub" Burland in 1969 at Pablo. She enjoyed camping, fishing, watching her son's stock car racing, doing jigsaw puzzles and her fill-it-in puzzle books. She especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and all family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Juanita Gardipe; her husband, Hubert Burland; brothers, Morris "Muggs" and Lyle David "Dave" Gardipe; sisters, Rosemary "Penny" Moulton, Paulette "Pauly" Bisson and Jeanette (Paulette's infant twin) and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her stepfather, Harold "Pa" Kent of Charlo; daughter Christine Burland (Paul Mahseelah, Jr.), son Russell Burland (Jackie AimsBack), all of Pablo; her grandchildren Levi Burland, Aaron Burland, Tiffany Colman and Kiersten Mahseelah, all of whom she loved very dearly; brothers and sisters Charles "Scotty" Gardipe of Evaro, Charlene (Jim) Sijohn of Wellpinit, Wash., Bruce "Butch" (Evie) Gardipe of Worley, Idaho, Linda Gardipe of Ronan, Marilyn Gardipe of Pablo, James (Rose) Gardipe of St. Ignatius, Marvin Gardipe (Sylvie Aimsback) of Charlo, and Bernie (Tim) Atwin of Ronan, and nieces and nephews too numerous to name.
Mass was celebrated Friday, July 6, in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission.
Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery in Ronan.
Sam P. Smith, Jr.
POLSON — Former Polson Mayor Sam P. Smith, Jr., 86, died of natural causes on July 7, 2007, in Evergreen Care Center in Polson.
Sam was born Feb. 18, 1921, in Alexander City, Ala., to Sam Phillip Smith, Sr. and Luxie Tallulah Graves-Smith. In 1924 when the family farm was purchased by Alabama Power Company to create a dam for a hydroelectric plant, the family relocated to Quincy, Fla., and began farming tobacco. The farm still remains with the Smith family.
After graduating from Greensboro High School, Sam enrolled in Alabama Poly Tech (renamed Auburn University). With the threat of war on the horizon, he moved to Baltimore and went to work in the Glen L. Martin airplane factory.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed, he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 505th parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of the 82nd Airborne Division with whom he served in the European Campaign through Sicily, Italy and Normandy. For performance in the invasions, the 505th was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Sgt. Smith was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Sam, as were the service members of his era, was extremely proud of his part in securing and maintaining the freedoms we, as a nation, enjoy.
In 1945 he married Sylvia Eunice Tjon, whom he met while both were convalescing in a United States Army Hospital in Ashville, N.C.
Upon their discharges from the service, Sam and Eunice moved to Quincy and remained for two years. After the birth of their son, Phillip, they moved to Wolfpoint and lived with Eunice's family on their family farm. In 1948 the family moved to Polson where he worked construction with his brother-in-law, Mars Rolfson, for two years.
Daughter Janice was born in St. Joseph Hospital in 1949.
Sam purchased the Phillips 66 station and started Smith Motors, a Dodge, Chrysler & Plymouth dealership in 1950.
His second daughter, Marcia, was born in 1962.
In 1965 he purchased the old Safeway building and converted it into the showroom, parts department and a five-bay service area of Smith Motors. This is currently the city hall and fire station for the City of Polson.
During his 22 years in Polson, Sam was elected mayor in 1957, president of Chamber of Commerce, president of Rotary, member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and a life member of the Elks Lodge #1695. He often mentioned the movie Timberjack. which was filmed on location in Polson during his tenure as Mayor, and the "lively" parties the cast and crew enjoyed at the Rocky Point Lodge; and the Rebel's Barracuda, a 280 Inboard hydroplane boat he and his son raced in the Copper Cup (Phil flipped the thing) and other races in the area.
In 1970, Sam began working in Kalispell for Stockton Mobile Homes and in 1972 married Carol Schultz.
Upon retiring from his partnership in Stockton Mobile Homes in 1978, he and Carol moved to Lake Wales, Fla. They were divorced in 1985.
With his health failing in 2002, Sam moved to Knoxville, Tenn., to be with his daughter Marcia and son-in-law Chris Rosser.
In 2005, he returned to Polson fulfilling his wish to spend his remaining years in the town he loved.
He is survived by his children- Janice Smith-Kasson (John) of Polson, Samuel Phillip Smith, III of Polson and Marcia Rosser (Chris) of Knoxville, and a sister, Thelma Fisk of Platka, Fla., and several nieces and nephews.
No services are planned. Cremation and arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory of Polson.
Remembrances of Sam may be sent to Marcia and Chris Rosser, 6708 Musket Trail, Knoxville, TN or at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Chuck Dixon
POLSON — A memorial service will be held in honor of Chuck Dixon on Wednesday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at the KwaTaqNuk Resort in the Michelle/Victor Room in Polson. A buffet luncheon will be provided following the services. Please join the family and share your memories of Chuck with them. Grogan Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Susan Linda Sturman
POLSON — Susan Linda Sturman, 46, a beloved daughter of Zion, was born on Oct. 27, 1960, in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Silver Spring, Md. Susie moved to Heaven on Sunday, July 8, 2007, at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan, following a serious illness.
Susie was surrounded by devoted friends and family. Susie called herself a "Jewish Believer," a Jew who believes that Jesus is Lord and Messiah of Israel. She actively supported ministries that helped bring Jews home to their land in Israel.
She loved Israel and looked forward to her next visit there. Susie shared her love for Jesus with others and was quick to teach about her Jewish culture. She taught church groups and school classes about Hanukkah and opened her home to others at special holidays.
Susie loved the outdoors and traveling. She hiked, kayaked and enjoyed walks with her golden retriever. Susie played basketball for the University of Connecticut and received her Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology from George Washington University . For many years she coached girls basketball at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., before moving to Montana in 1994.
She worked for eight years at Two Eagle River School, where she taught staff and students about experiential education. She organized activities and trips into the outdoors to help others enjoy nature as she did.
Susie loved to eat good food. She was an excellent cook and treated others to her latest Mediterranean dish. Susie was very devoted to her family. She grew up in Maryland with many happy memories of boating on the Chesapeake Bay.
She especially loved her other family, Peb and Kim, with whom she had lived for nearly 17 years. They survive her as do her parents, Gilbert and Lori Sturman of Silver Spring, Md.; brothers David (Tracy) of St. Ignatius, Howard (Robin) of Columbia, Md., five nephews, and one niece.
A graveside service was held for Susie on Wednesday July 11, at the Ronan Cemetery with Pastor Lynn Lapka and Pastor Frank Cummings officiating. Remembrance services were held July 11, at the Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius with Pastor Lapka and Pastor Cummings officiating.
Donations may be made to Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius, for contributions to the Israeli ministries that were so close to Susie's heart.
Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Lois L. Montesano
RONAN — Lois LeMoyne Montesano, 83, died at St. Luke hospital on July 4, 2007.
She was born May 24, 1924, in Gresham, Ore., to Opal Ann Canole Kelly and Mathias Keele (Kelly). Her family then moved to California. She graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Calif., and went to work for the telephone company as an operator. While working for the telephone company she met her husband, Nicholas "Nick" Montesano and eventually married in 1956. They lived in San Jose, Calif., for 49 years before moving to Montana to be near their daughter.
Throughout her life, she was a devoted volunteer for many organizations such as the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, California Wheelchair Games, Girl Scouts of America, and American Heart Association. She served on numerous school boards and spearheaded many programs for the schools her children attended.
Lois enjoyed sewing, knitting, needlepoint, and gardening. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Roual Kelly, and sister Mary Atkins.
She is survived by her husband; daughters Nikki Montesano of Ronan and Kelli Perez of Fairfield, Calif.; son Rocci Montesano of Oakland Park, Fla.; grandchildren, Jami Snyder of Palm Desert, Calif., Randy Grimes of Paso Robles, Calif., Justin Snyder of Ronan, Kevin Grimes of Paso Robles, Joseph Perez of Fairfield; a great-grandchild Cale Snyder of Ronan; sister Theresa Foster, Palo Alto, Calif.; brother Robert Kelley of Blythewood, S.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today (Thursday, July 12) at the Shrider-Thompson Mortuary in Ronan. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society.
Rodney Little
POLSON — Rodney Little, 71, of Polson, died of natural causes on Wednesday, July 4, 2007, at his home.
Rodney was born on Nov. 27, 1935, to Floyd and Velma Little at Colville, Wash. Rodney married Kathleen Marie Milner in 1955 at Reno, Nevada. They later divorced and then he remarried Kathleen Marie in 2005 at Polson.
Rodney served in the U.S. Army. He was a logger, oil field worker, and worked in the plywood mills. He was a member of the VFW. Rodney enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and his family.
His parents and grandparents preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife Kathleen Marie Little; son Daniel Raymond Little; sister Randy Petzel; brother-in-law Roy Petzel; one grandchild, and two great-grandchildren.
Rodney was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Audrey Munn
POLSON — A celebration of life for Audrey Munn will be held Saturday, July 21, at 1101 Shasta Lane, Polson, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Mrs. Munn died peacefully on March 5, 2007. At her request no service will take place — just a gathering of family and friends in her honor.
James G. Zackuse, Jr.
ST. IGNATIUS — James G. Zackuse, Jr., 21, died at his home in St. Ignatius on Thursday morning, July 5, 2007.
Jimmy was born on May 29, 1986, in St. Ignatius to James G. Zackuse, Sr. and Lorene (Bourdon) Zackuse. Jimmy was a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and was attending Salish Kootenai College in Pablo. He had worked for the summer youth, firefighting, and jailer at the Tribe, placed systems in cars, worked at Boom City in Tulalip, Wash., and was currently working at Grey Wolf Casino.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, powwows, playing pool, disk jockeying, making music and visiting with family and friends. Even though he lived in Montana he took many trips to visit family and friends to Tulalip. He was respectful and never passed by without a hug, letting you know that he loved you. He had a true heart of gold and will be greatly missed.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ruth and William Zackuse, Sr., Columbia Falls, and Francis M. Bourdon and his father James G. Zackuse, Sr.
Jimmy is survived by his mother, Lorene Zackuse of St. Ignatius; sisters, DeeDee Birthmark of St. Ignatius and Dorene Bourdon of Pablo; his godparents, Uncle Billy Zackuse of Tulalip, and Auntie Rachel Arlee of Pablo; nieces, Jennifer Birthmark, Tash Birthmark, Malina Bourdon and Becky Ashley; nephews, Gregory Weatherwax and Gabriel Andrew, and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Mass was celebrated July 9 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment followed in Snyelmn Sntmtmne.