Marjorie Ann Felsman Michell

ST. IGNATIUS — Marge Michell, 70, died peacefully in the loving arms of her sister, daughters, granddaughter and niece at her home Nov. 19, 2007, the same date one year ago that her special mother-in-law, Mary Michell Mills, died. Our Grama Mary was waiting at the gates of heaven for our Mom along with all her family that preceded her death.

She was born March 28, 1937, to Oswald and Annie (Ashley) Felsman, the 10th of 11 children. She learned young how to be a hard working caregiver. She was in the Ursuliines Boarding Home at the age of 3, because she lost her own mom at such at an early age. Mom grew up quick and stern. She even told us she enjoyed being raised by the Ursuliine Nuns. She and Floss were Sister Andre's favorite girls.

At a age of 14 or 15 she married the love of her life, Gilbert, and they raised five "Navy Brats!" Twenty years as a Navy wife, she passed many inspections with flying colors. After Gilbert's retirement in 1971, the family moved home, where Mom, Dad and son Randall built their home in St. Ignatius.

She was devoted to the St. Ignatius Catholic Church and the Church Ladies Guild, she also taught Catechism to many kids.

After hers and Gilbert's marriage unfortunately ended, she had to begin a new life seeking employment. She was such a hard worker, she had no problem finding work. First, she tended bar at Buffalo and Tepee, and eventually owned her own bar in Perma. She also enjoyed helping her friend in the back country with his horse packing outfit. They also had a roping arena that she enjoyed thoroughly.

After selling in Perma, she moved back to St. Ignatius and started in the road construction business as a flagger. She was very serious with this position and the company owners she worked trusted her dedication.

She and her ex-husband always remained friends and ended up in business together as owners of the Silver Dollar Bar in St. Ignatius for about 10 years. She loved it.

She also worked with the Mission Head Start as an assistant teacher and her special place of employment was at the St. Ignatius Senior Citizens Center, where she met and loved so many of the members.

For about the last 10 years she was dedicated member of the Mission Valley Honor Guard, and she played Taps for many of our fallen veterans. At one burial she played Taps twice on a tape recorder of course. She didn't hit stop quick enough (LOL), thus the nickname "Two Taps Marge." She also sewed, cooked and made sure that her "boys" were taken care of. She was very proud and honored to be a member of the Mission Valley Honor Guard.

She enjoyed sewing most of her life; she made a lot of us kids' clothes, special dresses for communion, graduations and daughter Ronda's wedding dress. Other things she enjoyed were ceramics, gardening, yardwork and just taking care of everyone else's needs. We will surely miss her.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents Oswald and Annie (Ashley) Felsman; eight brothers, Ronald, Bill Jr., Mark, Grub, Harold, Carl and Joe Dog; one sister, Alberta (Felsman) Priefert, and a special mother-in-law Mary Michell Mills.

Survivors include her sister Floss Felsman; her soul mate Gilbert J. Michell; children Gilbert R. (Beanie) Michell, Ronda (J.C.) Michell, Randall J. (Sherry) Michell, Rita Renee' (Tim) Evans and Rachel (Randy) Michell; grandchildren, Matthew, Johnny, Tommy, Conrad, Amber, Michael, Elliott, R.J. Matthew, Mary, Amanda, Ryan and Cougar and nine great-grandchildren.

Mass was celebrated Nov. 24 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission with cremation following the Mass. Marjorie Ann's ashes were buried on her Daddy's grave in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery on Nov. 25.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Mission Valley Honor Guard.

Keith Douglas Mohr

POLSON — Keith Douglas Mohr, 54, of Polson, died on Nov. 22, 2007 at his home at the base of the mountain in Polson.

Keith was born on Oct. 16, 1953 to Doug and Carol Mohr. Keith was a hard working man and a loving father, friend, brother, companion and uncle. He lived and worked throughout Canada, the United States and Costa Rica. He enjoyed the simple luxuries of life, which included his family and friends. Keith built houses and worked as a building contractor. He enjoyed working on his own house and he loved riding his Harley.

Keith liked old school Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.

Keith was a native at heart. He loved to cut wood, hunt, ride in the mountains, cruise around the lake and play cards at the powwows. He especially enjoyed watching and coaching all of his children's sporting activities. He also enjoyed watching his daughter Caroline dance and sing.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary; and his dogs Sipp and Hector.

He is survived by his children, Alonzo (Monica) of Missoula, Caroline and Louis of Polson; his companion, Melissa Horseman; step-children, Marrisa, Meriah, Nathan and Darren, all of Polson, and cousins, Douglas and Pamela Clark of North Carolina, and numerous nieces and nephews, brothers and friends scattered throughout the northern hemisphere.

Wake services began Nov. 23, at the Elmo Hall; Mass of the Christian burial was held on Saturday, Nov. 24 with burial in the Dayton Cemetery.

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

Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home, Polson.

Paul Arens Borchers

1930-2007 — POLSON — Paul Arens Borchers, 77, died peacefully at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, Tuesday, Nov. 20, as a result of massive injuries suffered in an auto accident.

Paul Was born March 1, 1930, in New York City, the only child of Harry and Adele Borchers. Due to the polio epidemic, Paul spent the first five years of his life in Hillside, N.J., with his Aunt and Uncle Basch.

Paul was selected to attend the prestigious Brooklyn Tech High School for boys and studied aeronautical engineering. At the age of 19, he moved with his mother to Pasadena, Calif. He was a graduate of Pasadena City College and attended UCLA where he received a Certificate in Industrial Relations.

Paul worked as a design engineer for Lockheed and later for Aerojet General in the liquid rocket division. He left Aerojet to enlist in the Army during the Korean war. He returned to Aerojet after his discharge.

Paul married Elizabeth Santileo in the '60s and they had one daughter, Michelle. Paul also raised his wife's two young sons, Dan and Michael and acted as their Scout leader for many years.

Paul transferred to Aerojet in Sacramento, Calif., and lived in El Dorado County. When his marriage ended in divorce, he became Veterans' Service Officer and Public Guardian for the county.

In 1973, Paul began work at the Rancho Seco Nuclear power plant near Sacramento. He was at the plant for 14 years. When it closed, he worked at the main office for the Utility District in Sacramento until he had to take a medical retirement in 1993 because of congestive heart failure.

In 1981, Paul married Shirley Kroeger. They celebrated their 26th anniversary on July 4, 2007. They lived in Shingle Springs, Calif., until 1996, when they moved to Montana with their entourage of five llamas, one mare, six dogs and two cats. Paul loved everything about Montana, and considered it truly "The Last Best Place."

He was a life member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV and 4088. He served as commander in each post. He was also a member of Mission Valley Lodge No. 78, Scottish Rite, and Mystic Chapter No. 53, O.E.S.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and step-daughter Shelley Michaels in September.

He is survived by his wife Shirley; stepsons Dan and Michael Santileo; stepson John Kroeger and five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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

Vijay Bear Eyes Wild Shoe

PABLO — Vijay Bear Eyes Wild Shoe, 5 weeks, son of Valdena Curley Wild Shoe died Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. Services are pending with Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home of St. Ignatius.

Naomi C. Erickson

GILLETTE, Wyo. — Naomi C. Erickson, born Naomi Claire Tollefson, Dec. 2, 1929, in Bismarck, N.D., the daughter of Pastor and Mrs. E. S. Tollefson, died in Gillette Nov. 20, 2007, with her daughter Cathy McCoy at her side.

Naomi married Harvey McCoy in Livingston on Christmas Eve, 1949. She later married John Erickson in Medford, Ore. in 1959.

From a very early age Naomi loved the outdoors. She loved to fish and hunt and had a variety of interests including working on cars, building houses and fireplaces.

She helped build her parents' massive cabin at Lake Mary Ronan, she had run a small gold mine in Oregon and loved to dig Sapphires. She was also a wonderful artist and an excellent cook.

There weren't too many things she couldn't do if she put her mind to it including driving a semi-truck for her husband's trucking business.

Naomi was also an excellent alcohol and drug abuse counselor.

Naomi lived in the Polson community off and on from 1950 when her parents moved here from Livingston to serve the Polson (Good Shepherd) and Ronan (Faith) Lutheran churches.

Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin and Ethel Tollefson; her son, Ronald Jon Erickson; grandson Joseph Eugene Arlint, and sister-in-law Neva Tollefson.

Naomi is survived by her daughters Cathy McCoy of Gillette, Lynn Shinn of Livingston, and Lorrie Leighton-Boster (Ken) of Glendale Ariz.; her brother, Ron Tollefson, Pablo; sisters, Elsa Duford and Sandy (Buck) Weaver of Polson; grandchildren Tanya Arlint Cundy of Gillette, Keeley (Rob) Hanson of Anchorage, Alaska, Scott Shinn, U.S. Army, Lorilee Huttinger of Laurel, Tami Antonnini of Peoria, Ariz., Todd Leighton, Seattle, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Naomi had a wonderful laugh and was fun to be around. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Edward Joseph Curley, Sr.

PABLO — Edward Joseph Curley, Sr., 46, also known as "It Was" or "Ed" was called home to the Creator on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007.

A member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, he was born in Polson on March 12, 1961, to Alice Lozeau Matt Curley.

Ed resided in Elmo with his grandparents Vincent and Agnes Curley and sisters Marcella, Brenda and Tessie.

Ed was married twice. He first married the mother of his children, Brenda Dumont Curley, with whom he shared the blessing and joy of Krystal, Amber, Sandra, Ed Jr. and Peter. Ed's second marriage was with Nancy Schall.

Ed's greatest joy was his family. He enjoyed playing basketball and outings with his children.

Ed loved animals. His dog Abby, who spent many years with him, will surely miss him.

Ed also loved the outdoors, so much he became an accomplished sawyer and woodsman.

He was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents.

Survivors include his children Krystal, Amber, Sandra, Edward Jr. and Peter; his sisters, Marcella White, Brenda (Virgil) Brave Rock and Tessie Curley; grandchildren, Brooke, Aubrey and William and a grandchild on the way; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral services were held Nov. 26 at the Elmo Community Center with Pastor Kenneth Prewett officiating. Interment was in the Elmo Cemetery.