Aethan (Epah) Olson-McArdle
POLSON — On Thursday, March 15, 2007, Aethan (Epah) Olson-McArdle went to meet the Creator to shed his bonds of Earth and become a special little angel in God’s heavenly home.
Epah was born May 16, 2001, in Baltimore, Md. Epah, so young, yet he touched so many lives with his pleasant smile, his tousled hair and contagious personality way beyond his age. He would greet you with a handshake and strongly say, “Hello I’m Aethan, what’s your name?”
Aethan will be missed by all those he touched and will remain etched in their hearts for eternity.
Survivors include his parents, Amber Olson-McArdle and Darren McArdle; brother Dalton McArdle; sister Debra Olson-McArdle; grandparents Debra and Nick Phillips-Innerbichler, Debra and John Grinder, and Ernie and Marilyn Olson; great-grandparents Norman and Betty Olson, Jim and Rose Westerman; grandma/auntie Marge Blixt; uncles Jim Westerman, Richard Olson, Harley Olson and James Olson; cousins Andrew, Alan and Adam Westerman; great-aunt Elizabeth Phillips-Gravelle; great-uncles Ernie Matt and Darrel Papin; best friend Brandy, and a large extended family.
A wake began Friday at the Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home in St. Ignatius and moved to the Elmo Community Hall Saturday. Rosary was held Sunday night in the Hall and funeral services were held Monday, March 19, with burial following in the Dayton Cemetery.
Kenneth David Jensen
BIGFORK — Kenneth David Jensen, 61, died at his Bigfork home on March 15, 2007.
Kenneth was born in Polson on Jan. 15, 1945, the son of Harlan and Marilyn (Heman) Jensen.
Kenneth was a Vietnam combat veteran and a lifelong rancher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan O. Jensen and Marilyn Upham, and a brother Allen Jensen.
He is survived by a son, Kenny Jay, of Washington; daughters, Billi Jensen and Jodi Jensen, both of Helena, Jami Jensen-Aguilar of Fresno, Calif., Bobbi Jensen of Whitefish; brother, Tim Jensen of Kalispell and sister Elaine Hecker of Schaumberg, Ill.; grandchildren Ryan, Levi, Wylie and Alex.
Graveside memorial services will be held Friday, March 23, at 3 p.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Helena. Flowers may be sent to Ft. Harrison. Buffalo Funeral Home is caring fr the family.
Ida Mae Hess
SPOKANE — Ida Mae, 95, born in Denbigh, N.D., on May 12, 1911, went into the arms of Jesus on March 10, 2007.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen J. Ruef and husband, Pastor Ray Ruef of Liberty Lake, Wash.; son, Jay Hess and wife, Nancy of Boise; seven grandchildren, Jill Hess, Brian Hess, Sheryl Reilly, Shawna Baker, Marilyn Neve, Steve Ruef and Janice Olson; 15 great-grandchildren, Tristan, Dylan, Nicole, Cassie, Cody, Brady, Jerod, Brittany, Jordan, Tyler, Corey, Camden, Cheyenne, Adrianna and Kailey and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Hess, in 1964. The joy of Jesus shone through her as she touched many lives for good. She was very involved in her church at Liberty Lake and was a member of the Garden Club and Professional Business Women’s Club.
Ida will be remembered for her loving care of several family members in their time of illness and was a blessing to everyone who knew her.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 23, at 1 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Good Samaritan Village Chapel, 17121 E. 8th, Spokane Valley, Wash., with Pastor Ray Ruef officiating. Private inurnment will follow at the Missoula Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Cancer Care Northwest Foundation, 601 S. Sherman, Spokane, WA 99202..
Wilma M. ‘Toots’ Brooks McCollum
ST. IGNATIUS — Wilma M. “Toots” Brooks McCollum, 98, died Monday morning, March 19, at her home near St. Ignatius.
Funeral services are pending with Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home of St. Ignatius
John ‘Allen’ Hibbard
POLSON — John “Allen” Hibbard, 59, of Polson died of natural causes at his home on March 12, 2007.
Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.