Bernard J. Gerrity
POLSON — Bernard J. Gerrity, 89, of Polson died of natural causes May 18, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
Bernard was born in Ray, N.D., to Patrick and Elizabeth Gerrity. After graduating from high school in Williston, N.D,, Bernard joined the US Army where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his four years in the Army, Bernard went to work for an airplane manufacturer, Northrup. He went on to be an apprentice carpenter in California and earned his journeyman’s license. He moved back to Montana and worked on Libby Dam, Hungry Horse Dam, and helped set up pot lines at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant.
Bernard met and married Betty Hewitt and they moved to Polson in 1968. They farmed and ranched in Valley View until they retired and moved to town. Bernard was active with Father O’Maley Council #6260 Knights of Columbus, VFW, the American Legion, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was also active as a HAM radio operator. Bernard and Betty also enjoyed traveling, especially to Bernard’s 191st Battalion Army reunions.
Bernard’s parents, brothers Robert and Francis, Dan, sister Florence, and stepson Dick Hewitt preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife Betty; son Jim and his wife Tammy; daughter Laurie and her husband Brad; stepsons Thomas and his wife Deana, Gary and his wife Denise; grandchildren Matthew, Brandon, Derek, Eric, and Emily, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday May 23, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Jim Connor officiating. Military honors followed the service at the church. Inurnment was in C. E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.
Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Doda Rene Hulsey
POLSON — Doda Rene Hulsey, 101, of Polson died of natural causes on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
She was born on May 8, 1906, in Red River County, Texas. She was the first-born child of William Henry and Mary Ella Cox. Mrs. Hulsey lived in Texas until 1984 when she moved to Polson.
She graduated from high school in Lemesa, Texas, and had a degree in Elementary Education from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. She spent 31 years teaching a variety of grade levels.
She married Matthew H. Hulsey on Jan. 2, 1924, and they raised cotton and cattle in Martin County, Texas. She enjoyed entertaining in her home and she found much pleasure in keeping a nice home for him and their daughter. Other than her teaching, she always raised a large garden and she invited her brothers, sisters and neighbors in to help themselves.
She canned much of the produce that the garden produced and always felt pleased at having all the jars filled for the winter. She found much pleasure in reading and did so until age 99 when her eyesight failed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son, son-in-law Howard Thomas, brothers, Glen, Kenneth, and Karl, and sisters Tom Blanche and Mary.
She is survived by her daughter Betty Thomas of Polson; her three grandsons, Mark (Janice) Thomas of Breckenridge, Colo., Kyle Thomas of Kalispell, and Paul (Kristi) Thomas of Charlotte, N.C.; three great-grandsons, Matt, Grant and Jack; a great-granddaughter, Catherine; sisters, Sallie Robertson of El Paso, Texas, Pauline Owens of Burleson, Texas, Monette Viau of Ocala, Fla., and Jan Ireton of San Antonio, Texas.; two sisters-in-law, Cordelia Cox of Lubbock, Texas, and Migdon Cox of Portales, N.M., five nephews and seven nieces.
She was a life long United Methodist, and memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church, of Polson.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, May 30, at 10 a.m. in the Lamesa Memorial Gardens, Lamesa, Texas, where she will be buried along side her husband.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson. Services in Lemesa are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home, of Stanton, Texas.
David Leonard Blake
RONAN — David Leonard Blake was born May 8, 1939, in Seattle. He died at his home in Ronan on Wednesday May 16, 2007, surrounded by his loving wife and children.
Dave was a resident of Ronan and a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Polson, and he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955-1958. He later attended trade school and became a journeyman carpenter. He was a master craftsman and builder most of his life.
He spent many years building in Washington and Alaska, and completed many large projects in Alaska for Peter Pan Seafoods, building large canneries and hotels. Dave most recently worked at the True Value in Ronan. Dave had many loves, including his wife of 16 years, Mariea, his family, his dogs, and rebuilding his 1950 Chevrolet Fleetwood with his dear friend, Larry Cordis.
Dave is survived by his devoted wife Marie; loving father Clyde Borgford of Wasilla, Alaska; children Mark Blake of Anchorage, David (Christine) Blake of Blaine, Wash., Robert Blake of Indianapolis, Alicia (David) Saar of Vaughan, Wash., Matt (Michelle) Blake of Gig Harbor, Wash.; step-children Scott (Randee) Shafer of Anchorage, and Melanie (Matt) Sugita of Anchorage; brother Mike Borgford of Wasilla; 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
His beloved mother, Hazel Borgford, brother Ron, and sister Linda preceded Dave in death.
Dave was a kind man with a generous heart and great sense of humor. His family and friends will forever miss him. His good friend and workmate Larry, his True Value family, dear friend, the Rev. Kathy B., will always remember him, and the Merritt family of Gig Harbor and Cordova, Alaska.
Services were May 22 at the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Polson. Celebration of his life followed at the family home in Ronan.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or Guardian Angels (Oncology), Missoula.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson.
Nina May
(Dawson) Anderson
POLSON — Nina May (Dawson) Anderson, 88, died peacefully at the home of her daughter in Polson on May 16, 2007.
She was born on May 19, 1918, in Pauline Powell County, Idaho, to William E. and Effie Dawson. She was the sixth child born in a family that eventually included eight children, two brothers and five sisters.
She lived in Logan and Smithfield Utah in her earliest years, and then moved to Rexburg, Idaho, where she completed her education. She loved learning and always excelled in her school activities.
In l935, she married her one and only love Joseph Merlin Anderson ( Dr. Merlin J. Anderson). This union was a wonderful example of love, loyalty and devotion to each other, to their family and to their Heavenly Father over the 63 years that they shared together. They were separated only for a time by his death on May 25, 2000.
As a young mother she had to join the workforce during World War II to work at the Small Arms plant near Salt Lake City. She was always supportive and worked along side her husband throughout their lives together, while they had a grocery store in Star Valley Wyo., or farming, and later as he went back to school and became a Naturopathic physician.
In 1956 they moved to Kalispell where they lived for the next 22 years. She was receptionist, accountant, nurse, secretary, and assistant throughout those years. In 1978 they moved to Orofino, Idaho, to retire.
Nina was above all else a devoted wife and mother. She is best remembered by all for her hospitality and great ability to cook and bake.
She was always an example of service and hard work. She served as the Relief Society President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and her husband Joseph also served a Mission in the Anchorage Alaska Mission.
After the passing of her husband, she spent her declining years in the homes of her children, where she will be greatly missed.
She is survived by two sisters, LaRee Winn, and Donna Anderson; her seven children: Judy (Rob) Sloan, Nancy (Ronald) Andrews, Nina (Steve) Laird, Merlin (Raquel) Anderson, Nyle Anderson, Layne (Pat) Anderson, and Norman (Dawn) Harding; 46 grandchildren, 97 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
The funeral service will be Friday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, on Whitefish Stage Rd., Kalispell. The viewing will be from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday prior to the service.
Bill (William Ivan) Kneedler
POLSON — Bill (William Ivan) Kneedler, resident of Polson since 1988, was killed in a motorcycle accident near Plains about 5 p.m., Sunday, May 6.
The founder of The Timber Touch log homes for 33 years left behind a legacy of beautiful log structures in the United States and Japan including banks, shopping centers and private residences.
Many of his outstanding designs — some homes in the local area — have appeared in magazines
An avid sailor, he could be seen on the Flathead during the summer months pursuing one of his many hobbies.
Bill is survived by a sister, Mona Nolcken of Valley River Mills, Calif., and a brother, Lemual Kneedler, also of California. Bill leaves behind two step-daughters, Kristen Brada of Kayville, Utah, and Tiffany Rumburger of Loomis, Calif.
A brief private ceremony for relatives and close friends was held at the Polson residence. A further service is scheduled on June 10 at his beloved Yuba River on Nevada City, Calif., where Mr. Kneedler spent many happy years in his youth.
Eldon H. Alexander
POLSON — Eldon H. Alexander, 82 of Pablo, died of natural causes at St. Joseph Hospital on Tuesday May 15, 2007. Eldon was born on May 10, 1925, in Delnorte, Colo., to Clyde Johnson and Ruby Pearl (Williams) Alexander. Eldon went to school in Saguache, Colo. Eldon married Shirley Boyer on Aug. 9, 1951. They raised four chldren, Later, they divorced in 1968.
He entered the Army in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1956.
Eldon drove truck throughout the United States for 45 years. He met and married Mammie Langston in 1976. He loved fishing and loved visiting with all people.
He never met a stranger. Eldon enjoyed helping his neighbors with their yard work, went to the store for groceries, and mowing lawns.
He always wanted to be busy. He did not like sitting around. Eldon liked to ride horses and could be found collecting cans and keeping the highways clean.
His parents and his wife Mammie preceded Eldon in death.
Survivors include his children, Sheryl Alexander, Rodney (Cindy) Alexander, Cindy (Rick) Mikesell, Joel Alexander; his brothers Edward, Glen, Ronald, George, Harry, and Henry Alexander; a sister Betty Kent; step-children Ole Mae (Floyd) Cartwright, Charlie (Shirley) Langston, Jimmy Langston, and Connie (Lee) Smith; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were May 18 at Grogan Funeral Home with the Rev. Laurence Mikesell officiating. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery with full military honors.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Robert (Bob) Lindsay Anderson
Robert (Bob) Lindsay Anderson, 61, died of cancer on May 16, 2007, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
Bob was born in Livingston. Most of his life was spent in either Missoula or Polson.
Bob’s happiness was in proportion to his nearness to the borders of Montana. Following an honorable stint in the army, where he served in Germany and Georgia, Bob rarely left the mountains and the plains of his state. A trip with Bob around Montana was both educational, as Bob was a student of geology, and replete with diversion, as Bob thought the journey was as interesting as the destination.
The journey was at a sedate pace, the better to savor the delights of the trip. Haste was a word not in Bob’s vocabulary. Bob never exceeded the speed limit and, as those who followed him up and down Highway 93 will attest, he was wary of even approaching said limit.
Bob graduated with a degree in carpentry and cabinetry from Spokane Community College. Bob worked with wood all his life. He could scribe a line, saw with precision, and hammer a 16 pennyweight nail. He was adept at identifying wood by the pattern of the wood’s grain. The phrase “built by Bob” was synonymous with quality, and of a particular kind of ethic that valued work made with consideration, learned skill, and appreciation.
While Bob was a man who trusted silence more than verbosity, Bob did have strong opinions, both pro (cats, stout coffee, Robert Service), and con (pretension, shoddiness, shortcuts). Bob was a wit in the most genuine sense. His wit always amused, enlightened, and enlivened.
Bob loved Johnny Cash, the Tennessee Two, Ian and Sylvia, and Gordon Lightfoot. Bob was a devotee of Westerns, and could recite quotations from John Wayne at opportune times. Bob drove a 1964 Ford truck — and that was the latest vintage of his vehicles. Of particular note was the Green Hornet sedan, which was later renamed the Toad.
Bob met Linda Price in 1972. Linda was his best friend, true love, and soul mate. They shared 35 years together, and Linda held Bob’s hand as he slipped from this world.
Bob is survived by his wife, Linda Price, of Polson; stepson Stephen Price, of Spokane; sisters Joan (Phil) Berman, of Oak Park, Ill., Roberta Anderson of Polson; brothers John Anderson of Bali, Indonesia; and David (Susan) Anderson of Missoula; Bob adored his nieces, Mary Berman and Lily Berman, both of Chicago, Lilliana Wright of New Denver, B.C.; nephew, Louis Berman of Chicago; Bob’s relatives, Walt Anderson, of Post Falls, Idaho, Tom Anderson, of Cody, Wyo. Don Dundas and Doug Dundas, both of Billings, Bob Anderson of Lake Tahoe; and their families, were all beloved of Bob.
Survivors also include his beloved mother-in-law, Jeanne Tallmadge of Polson; his brothers-in-law, Mike Price of Stevensville; George (Bonnie) Price, of Missoula, and Mark (Britt) Price, of Missoula; sisters-in-law Elaine Becker, of Seattle, and Mary Price of Missoula. It would be unwise to omit Melvin, of Polson. Melvin is a king of cats, and a faithful companion.
It was good we got to talk to you, Bob.
Memorials would be welcome at the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, 239 North Reservoir Rd., Polson, MT 59860.
“Count not your wealth in silver and gold, but in the hearts of those who love you.”
— Bob Anderson
William E.
‘Bill’ McKee
POLSON — William Erwin McKee, 87, of Polson died peacefully Saturday, May 5, 2007, in Helena after a courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer.
He was born Sept. 10, 1919, in a homestead shack on Charlie Creek near Andes, in Richland County. His parents were Harry O. McKee and Mona Holt McKee.
After completing the eighth grade in a one-room country school, Bill began working to help support his parents and four sisters. He worked on the construction of the Fort Peck Dam and began his career with Buttrey Foods in Cut Bank as a potato bagger.
On Dec. 8, 1941, Bill joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was deployed to the Pacific Theater during World War II. Bill received an honorable discharge as a boatswain’s mate, second class, on July 19, 1946.
Bill met Eleanor S. Jennings from Glasgow, who was also serving in the military as a WAVE, and they were married on March 1, 1944. Following the war Bill and Eleanor returned to Cut Bank where he resumed his 44-year career with Buttrey Foods. Bill was promoted to manager of the Fort Peck store in 1949 and managed stores in Conrad, Great Falls and Kalispell until his retirement in 1980.
Following Eleanor’s death in 1981, Bill met and married Avela Nelson in 1984. They spent the next 22 years celebrating weddings, graduations and accomplishments of their grandchildren, the births of great-grandchildren, and traveling to visit family and friends, including a cruise around the world.
Bill was an avid golfer and outdoorsman. He loved to hike in Glacier Park and skied at Big Mountain and other ski areas around the Northwest. In their later years Bill and Avela spent their winters in Palm Desert and summers in Whitefish until relocating to Polson in 2000. Avela passed away Nov. 26, 2006.
“Papa Kee” loved his family and took great delight in entertaining the younger ones as they grew up. The kids always looked forward to driving or riding in his golf cart. There were no family events that were too far away for Bill and Avela to attend.
During his life, Bill was involved in church and civic activities with the Presbyterian Church, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star, and served on the board of directors of the Whitefish Golf Club.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives and sisters Olive Wildermuth, Jean Kline and Myrna Levitt.
Bill is survived by his sister Melva Johnson of Columbia Falls; son Mike (Jeanette) McKee of Hamilton; daughter Lynn McEachran of Spokane; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. Inurnment of the ashes of both Bill and Avela will be held at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell immediately following the service.
The family requests that memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or local hospice organization.
Marjorie I. Horner
RONAN — Marjorie I. Horner, 87, died Monday, May 21, at her son’s home west of Ronan.
Arrangements will be announced by Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services.