Obituaries, 12-25
Peterson, Ruby
Ruby Peterson was born on March 16, 1916, in Rib Lake, Wis. and moved to Missoula in the 1920s, graduated from MCHS in 1934 and married Vaughn Peterson on June 6, 1939. They had three children, Carol Ann (George) Blowars, Hall, Jerry (Carol) Peterson, Boise, Idaho and Don (Wendy) Peterson, Polson. She was a fulltime homemaker and mother, in addition to helping Vaughn in his business. She loved boat rides on Flathead Lake and car rides in the Bitterroot Valley. She and Vaughn raised their family in Orchard Homes for 30 years, and after retirement they spent winters in Arizona and summers in western Montana. The last five years she resided at Village Retirement Center in Missoula with Vaughn where she had many compassionate and skilled caregivers. Vaughn died in April of 2008. Ruby’s siblings, Ethel Noyes, Kay Buckhuouse, Eldon (Perky) and Chris Christiansen, all preceded her in death. her. Ruby is survived by her children and grandchildren Brent (Vickie) Robison, Brian Robison, Eric (Chloe) Peterson, Elke (Gabe) Peterson/Campodonico and great grandchildren: Zachery Robison, Trey and Tanner Robison, Simon and Oliver Peterson, Maggie and Katie Kehring. Ruby’s ashes will be buried in Missoula Cemetery with private family services.
Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory of Polson. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Herried, Nadine Louise
Nadine Louise Herreid, 98, of Polson passed away on Monday, Dec. 15 in Polson. Nadine was born on May 16, 1910, in Smithton, Mo. to William and Seleta Scott. She moved to Montana at the age of 7. Nadine attended schools in Polson and graduated from Polson High School in 1929. She married Clarence Herreid on August 16, 1929. Clarence passed away in 1983. Together they raised three children.
She is preceded in death by her husband, a son Lorin, her parents and a brother Floyd O. Scott. She is survived by her daughter Beverly and her husband Al Ledford of Florence and a son Darel Herreid and his wife Liz of Seattle, Wash., grandsons: Daniel Ledford and Craig Herreid and great-grandson Marshall Herried. She is also survived by another brother, Bill Scott, and sister, May Belknap. Services are pending and cremation has taken place under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory of Polson. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Stedje, Norman E.
Norman E. Stedje, 93, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born near Hettinger, N.D. on April 1, 1915, to Erick and Karen Stedje. He was the second youngest of eight children. His parents were farmers. Norman attended a rural school and then the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis for a short time. In August of 1935, Norman and his brother Arnold hopped a freight train and went to Columbus, to work on a farm. A year later they came to Kalispell. Norman found work with the Equity Supply Co. and worked there for several years.
In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Okinawa until he received an honorable discharge in 1946. In 1950, he and his brother bought the Ford and New Holland franchises from Garey Motors. They operated this business, known as Stedje Brothers, for 40 years acquiring stores in Ronan and Missoula.
Norman and Ruth Prestbye were married on Jan. 10, 1951 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell. They and their three children moved to Ronan in 1963. While living there, Norman was active in Faith Lutheran Church and in community affairs. He was mayor of the city of Ronan for 14 years. While a member of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, Norman served a term on the state and national League of Cities and Towns.
He belonged to the Lion’s organization and served on church boards at the local, district and national levels. Norman sang in church choirs, men’s quartets and with the Flathead Valleyaires. He helped develop the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp on Flathead Lake, served on its board, and traveled to promote interest in it and to raise funds for its development.
Norman was also a Gidion for several years, a member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives, a member of the Salvation Army Board, and spent a winter in Helena serving on an advisery board for Governor Stephens. Norman traveled with a group of implement dealers to Russia and several European countries to observe their farming methods. He also visited Mexico and Central America. He retired in 1990.
Norman’s wife Ruth died in 1981. On June 21, 1986, he married his widowed sister-in-law Mirth E. Stedje at Calvary Lutheran Church and moved back to Kalispell. Norman loved working with flower gardens at his home in Ronan and also working around the cabin on Foy’s Lake. His Christian faith has been a great importance and strength his entire life. He moved to Immanuel Lutheran Home in November 2003 because of Alzheimer’s disease.
Norman is preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, two brothers and his first wife Ruth.
He is now survived by his wife Mirth Stedje of Kalispell; one son; Rodney Stedje and wife Michal Ann of Ronan; two daughters; Barbara Chapin and husband Skip and Kristine Stedje all of Minneapolis, Minn.; one step-son; Douglas Stedje of Tacoma, Wash.; one step-daughter; Joy Mahlum and husband Ed of Kalispell; four grandchildren; Emily Hoffman and husband Brandon of Houghton, N.Y., Melanie Stedje of Philadelphia, Pa., Rebecca Chapin of Minneapolis, Minn., Erick Stedje at MSU in Bozeman; step-grandchildren; Daniel and David Mahlum of Kalispell, and Kimberly Stedje of Tacoma, Wash.
Funeral services for Norman were held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Evergreen at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. A reception will be held at the church following the burial at Conrad Memorial Cemetery, which will include military honors by the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley. Those who wish may memorialize Norman’s life by gifts to Immanuel Lutheran Home, Calvary Lutheran Church or the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Norman’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Norman’s guest book.
Bartholomew, Walter E.
ST. IGNATIUS — Dearly loved husband and father, Walter Eugene Bartholomew, passed away peacefully at his residence on Dec. 14, at the age of 82.
Walt was born and raised in Spokane, Wash. by his two loving parents, Walter Oliver and Dorothy. He lived there for many years with his parents and three sisters, Florence, Jesselyn and Virginia.
Walt met the love of his life, Virginia, and they became husband and wife on Oct. 24, 1947. Together they had four children: Tom, Jim, Peggy and Lori. For many years, their family lived together in Spokane, Wash. and later in Paradise. Walt and Virginia recently celebrated 61 years of marriage.
Walt lived a remarkable life. In 1944, he joined the Marines and proudly served our country. Upon his discharge in 1947, Walt obtained his barber license. He then went on to become a conductor for Northern Pacific Railroad. After several years of living and working in Spokane, the family moved to Paradise, MT. There, Walt and Virginia bought the Nip & Sip Café, which they ran for 4 years. Walt continued to work for NP Railroad for 39 years and retired in 1989. In 1991, Walt and Virginia moved to the St. Ignatius area to enjoy retirement and life near the mountains.
Walt was proud of and enjoyed being a Shriner and a member of both the VFW and the American Legion. He was also a lifetime member of the Scottish Rite and the Montana Ponemah Lodge No. 63. He also enjoyed golfing, fund raising for and being a part of Shriners’ parades, watching sports and being a snowbird to Yuma, Ariz.
Walt is survived by his wife, Virginia, his eldest sister, Florence Smallwood of Seattle, his children, Walter T. Bartholomew (Cindy) of Spokane, Wash.; James L. Bartholomew (Sue) of Plains, Peggy A. Marrinan (Michael) of Hot Springs, and Lori D. Charette (Babe) of St. Ignatius. He is survived by 10 grandchildren, Mark Bartholomew (Becky), Brian Bartholomew, Derek Bartholomew (Carrie), Erek Bartholomew (Toni) all of Spokane, Bobbi Jore (Matt) of Ronan, Bill Mitchell (Jennifer) of St. Ignatius, Sarah Marrinan (Jeremy) of Spokane, John Marrinan (Elena) of Camas Prairie, Matthew Marrinan of Whitefish and Annie Marrinan of Kalispell and 12 great-grandchildren.
Walt is preceded in death by his parents, Walter Oliver and Dorothy and two sisters, Jesselyn and Virginia.
Walt is loved by many and will be remembered always.
Visitation will be on Dec. 26 at Foster Funeral Home, St. Ignatius. Services to be held at 12 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Manito Masonic Temple, 2715 S. Grand Blvd, Spokane, Wash. Graveside military service to follow at Spokane Memorial Gardens.
Sederstrom, Selma
Selma Elizabeth Sederstrom, 89, passed away on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at her home in the Masonic Home of Montana in Helena, MT, with daughters Marlene Moseler and Jean Johnson at her side.
Selma was born Oct. 4, 1919, in Polson, MT, to Anton J. Johnson and Lillian R. Dixon, joining an older sister, Elaine. Her younger sister, Lorene, with whom she shared a birthday, was born two years later. Selma was fond of telling others that she was delivered by her paternal grandmother, who served the Polson area as a midwife.
When Selma was young, the family lived in a tent in Glacier Park for two years while her father operated a steam shovel and worked on highway construction in the park. The family returned to Polson, living in a home below the hospital that is still there. She graduated from Polson High School in 1938 and briefly attended college in Billings, MT. In 1947, Selma moved to Dillon to attend the Normal School (teacher’s college), receiving her two-year teaching certificate in 1949.
In 1949, Selma began her teaching career in St. Ignatius. Her career spanned 30 years and included teaching her two daughters and a grandson. In 1951, Selma moved to Hot Springs to teach first grade there and remained in that position for 28 years, retiring in 1980. Except for one year teaching kindergarten, first and second grades in Harrison, MT, Selma devoted her life to teaching her “little first graders.” During her 28 years in Hot Springs, she taught two generations from farming and ranching families throughout an area that included Lonepine, Niarada, and Camas Prairie. Many of her students continued to bless Selma’s life with letters, gifts and cards, phone calls and visits. She often said that retirement would have been difficult had it not been for the “little Prongua girls” whom she was able to baby sit while their own mother, Janet (Robert) Prongua taught school. Selma often expressed regret that she couldn’t “do the 30 years again.”
On August 24, 1957, Selma married John Oliver (“Oliver”) Sederstrom and they established their own farming/ranching business in the Hot Springs valley. In addition to teaching, Selma was a homemaker who believed in cooking “from scratch” and took pride in her exceptional pies, which she and Oliver shared with many a neighboring couple. Following retirement, Oliver bought a used camper and the two of them would enjoy short camping trips with neighbors Lou and Mae Page. They also enjoyed hosting many friends at the family cabin in Big Arm. In summers, Selma would visit her daughter and family in Sitka and (later) Juneau, AL, her son and his family in Santa Monica, CA, and her sister in Pittsburg, PA, and (later) Denver, CO. Besides friends and family, Selma filled retirement visiting people at the Hot Springs Manor, baking sugar cookies for grandchildren, turning various crafts into Christmas and birthday gifts, and filling photo albums for family members. She was a member of the Hot Springs Trinity Lutheran Church and the Retired Teachers Association.
Following Oliver’s death in 2003, Selma moved first to Polson and later to Helena to be near family. She is survived by two daughters, Jean Merritt Johnson (Helena) and Marlene E. Moseler (Freeland, WA), sister Lorene J. Kirby (Denver, CO), grandchildren Kendall Merritt and wife, Mary, of Lacey, WA; Kristin Long and husband, Matt, of Livingston; Melinda and Noel (Seattle, WA), and Kelly Moseler and Sarah Gallagher of Freeland, WA; and Tony and Marcia DeVoe of Brooklyn, NY; great grandchildren Jake (Helena), Tyler and Jessica Merritt (Lacey, WA), and Reagan Long (Livingston); and two great great grandchildren, Aspen Merritt (Helena) and Kai Gallagher (Freeland, WA).
Selma was preceded in death by her parents and sister Elaine, son Donald DeVoe, granddaughter Rachelle Ann Merritt, son-in-law Rory Moseler, and, most recently, her favorite cousin, “Bud” Johnson, Polson.
Services for Selma were held in the Lone Pine Hall Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11:00. Janet Young, pastor of the Hot Springs Trinity Lutheran Church officiated. Burial in the family plot at Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, MT, followed on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Hot Springs Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 824, Hot Springs, MT 59845; or the Preston Town-County Library, 203 Main St., Hot Springs, MT 59845, designated for the purchase of books for children, or the donor’s favorite charity.
Bonneau, Fred Thomas
Fred Thomas Bonneau, 94, of Polson died at his home on Friday, Dec. 19. Fred was born on June 30, 1914 in Butte to Thomas and Eva (Dussault) Bonneau.
At an early age, Fred worked for Hanson Packing Company and later worked as a mechanic at various Butte locations. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix.
Fred married Phyllis Henderson in 1936 in Butte, where they lived before moving to Brown’s Gulch.
In 1950, Fred and his family moved to Dillon and built and operated the Creston Motel until 1969, when they retired and moved to Flathead Lake, and later to Polson.
Fred was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying big game hunting & fishing until he was in his 80’s. He had many stories to tell.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Leona Barnard, and infant daughter Suzanne. He is survived by his wife Phyllis of Polson, daughters and sons-in-law; Carolee and Don Gregovich of Dillon, and Robin and Arne Kallestad of Manhatta. Grandchildren: Connie Wohrle of Spokane, Wash.; Dan Gregovich and his wife Rita of Spokane, Wash.; Cindy Gregovich of Seattle, Wash; Mike Gregovich of Couer d’Alene, Idaho. Great-grandchild Christopher Oliver of Spokane, Wash.; great-great-grandchildren, Meygan and Melissa. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
O’Hara, Sayonna Kay
Sayonna Kay O’Hara, 70, went to join that family cribbage game in the sky on Thursday, Dec. 18, due to complications of COPD.
She was born on July 28,1938, in La Grande, Ore. She was raised in San Diego, Calif. and moved to Redlands, Calif., in 1970, and in 1983, moved to St Ignatius.
During her lifetime, she worked many different jobs, including for the U.S. Post Office, North Island Naval Air Station, San Diego County Mental Health and San Bernadino County Welfare Department. She was a certified paramedic in California and when in that area, she rode with the ambulance and worked in ER at Redlands Community Hospital.
Upon moving to Montana, she worked at Mission Valley Hospital until it closed. Then, with one of her daughters-in-law, she owned Knockout Video. Her last work, prior to retirement, was doing home care in Lake County for both WestMont and Kathy Skates HomeCare.
She was predeceased by her parents and younger sister Niki.
Survivors include her husband of many years, Frank, of the family home; one daughter in Vancouver, Wash., and one daughter in Minden, Nev.; one son, Joe (Debra) at the family home; three sons in California and three sons in Oregon; also, eight granddaughters and eight grandsons, plus six great-granddaughters and eight great-grandsons in Montana, Oregon and California. She is also survived by her two nephews living in California with their families; and her best friend, Edith Ann, of St. Ignatius; and several cousins scattered around the Northwest.
“Sunnee” will be missed by her online crib playing friends, as well as the rest of the people who knew her. She was one of a kind. She has requested no services. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made to the Lake County Humane Society in her name, if you so desire.
Pickel, Alvene S.
Alvene S. Pickel, 92, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 21at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She is survived by her sons, Duane Pickel of Polson and Frank Pickel of Sacramento, Calif. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. A memorial service is pending. A full obituary will follow.
Kalitowski, Genevieve Mary
Genevieve Mary Kalitowski, 93, passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of Dec. 17 at Wheatland Memorial Healthcare in Harlowton. She was born on April 26, 1915, in Otis Orchards, Wash. to Dennis A. and Mary G. (Cassidy) Dellwo. She grew up on her parents’ homestead in the Flathead Valley near Charl, along with her sister, Margaret Jeanne, and two brothers, Robert and Philip.
After graduation from Charlo High School, she pursued a teaching certificate at what was then the Normal School at Dillon. She taught at Thompson Falls and the Twin Bridges Orphanage before her marriage to Clement “Kal” Kalitowski in August 1942 at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. In preparation for overseas duty in WWII, Kal was ordered to several locations along the east coast, including Washington, D.C. and Cape Cod, Mass. Gen followed as much as possible, and while at Cape Cod, their first son, Jim, was born. Almost immediately after that, Kal was sent overseas. She and Jim returned to the farm in the Flathead where they remained until Kal returned from the Pacific. During that time she taught school in Charlo.
After Kal’s return from the war, he resumed work with the Forest Service. They lived in Phillipsburg and Jackson. While at Jackson they had two more sons, Mark and David. In the following years the family lived at Martinsdale and Harlowton, eventually settling in Livingston. She taught music in Martinsdale and Two Dot and substituted in the Harlowton Schools. After moving to Livingston, she taught at the Rosedale School in Paradise Valley, and then finished her teaching career in third grade at Washington School in Livingston. While teaching she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Montana State University.
After retirement Genevieve and Kal traveled, played golf, danced, skied, played cards, and participated in various organizations, generally leading full and busy lives until his death in January 1982. She married Max Officer in 1984. They had some special years together traveling, golfing, going south for the winters and seldom missing a dance After Max’s death in 1992, she continued to stay active with friends and family. In her later years she found companionship with special friend, John Cornish, until his death in 2004.
Genevieve loved music and had a beautiful soprano voice. She played and taught violin and piano. Various choirs and musical performances benefited from her participation over the years. She also loved her teaching jobs, and had to be persuaded by her husband to retire so they could travel. She always seemed to be “on the high run,” as she put it. Family events were well documented by the camera she usually had along, sometimes with unwilling subjects. It was hard to say no to Gen.
A slip on the ice, which broke her ankle, forced her to move out of her home and into Frontier Assisted Living in Livingston. She lived there for five years, but a broken hip required a move into Evergreen Healthcare. In August 2007, she moved into Wheatland Memorial Healthcare in Harlowton to be near family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dennis and Mary Dellwo, her sister Margaret Jeanne Dwinell, her first husband C.L. Kalitowski, her second husband Max Officer, and her special friend John Cornish. She is survived by brothers Philip (Carolyn) Dellwo and Robert (Madeline) Dellwo; sons Jim (Esther) Kalitowski, David (Nancy) Kalitowski, and Mark (Julie Hamilton) Kalitowski; step daughters Barbara (Art) Sell, Diane (John) Zalman, and Karen Dean; granddaughters Shawna (Jed Dennler) Kalitowski and Natalie (Shawn) Finnegan, as well as numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 7, 2009, at Wheatland Memorial Healthcare. A mass and graveside service will be held in late April at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Livingston to celebrate Genevieve’s long and full life.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Livingston, to the Livingston Senior Center, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Gasser, Jay Allen
Jay Allen Gasser, 52, of Pablo, passed away quietly on Friday, Dec. 19 at his daughter’s home with his family by his side.
Jay was born on Aug. 5, 1956 to Glen and Wilda Gasser in Libby. He went to school in Pablo, and graduated from Ronan High School in 1974. His great love in life was fishing, hunting and faming with his sons and brothers and being with his family. He was a great story teller, and loved to make people laugh.
Jay was preceded in death by both his parentsa dn one sister, Lynda Schlemmer. He is survived by three sons: Evan and Casey of Pablo, Jeromy of Kalispell; three step-children: Eli, Tasheena and Beverly, all of Pablo; three grandsons, Caleb and Jacob of Kalispell, and Daylan, of Pablo. Five brothers, Glen and Dennie (Karyl) of Kalispell, Bennie (Odette) and Pat and Jerry of St. Ignatius; four sisters, Marty (Jerry) Shepard and Dee McKnight of Arlee, Joy (Lloyde) Eckley of Lolo, and Cindy (Dan) Brennan of Missoula; and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of Jay’s life for family and friends at the North Crow Club House at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27.
McCready, Steve A.
Steve A. McCready, 90, of Charlo, died on Friday, Dec. 19 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula due to injuries sustained in an auto accident near Post Creek. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29 in the Ronan Alliance Church. Burial will follow in the Ronan Cemetrey. Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting with arrangements. A complete obituary will appear at a later date.