Berger

James William Berger died on June 27, 2008 at Community Medical Center is Missoula after a long struggle with cancer.

He was born November 23, 1954 in Butte, to Chris and Margaret Berger. The family moved to Missoula in 1959 where Jim attended grade and high school. He served two years in the US Army in Fort Lewis, Wash. After discharge, he returned to Missoula for a time. He had been living in Salt Lake City, Utah until returning last summer to live in Ronan with his sister. He spent the last year commuting back and forth to Salt Lake City for cancer treatments at the VA Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his father, Christian Berger; maternal grandparents Henry and Louise Felde and paternal grandparents William and Lena Berger,

He is survived by his mother Margaret Dawson (Bob) of Lolo; a sister, Vicki Erickson (Dale) of Ronan; four nephews: Shawn Rogers (Char) of Frenchtown; Darrel Rogers (Deana) of Pablo; Wayne Rogers (Valerie) of La Vista, NE; A stepson, Keith Aldrich and family of Salt Lake City; five great-nephews and 5 great-nieces. He also left behind a large extended family and many friends.

He enjoyed motorcycle riding, driving his jeep in the dunes of southern Utah, fishing and photography. In the last year he worked to pass his love of photography on to his sister, great-nephews and great-niece. He was also learning to fly-fish.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held August 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish in Ronan. Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies assisted the family with the arrangements.

Finley w/ photo

Ray Stewart Finley passed away at the Finley ranch in Lance Creek, Wyoming on July 27, 2008 at the age of 74.

Ray was born on August 13, 1933 at Grandma Stuart's house outside of Quiatis, Montana to Claude and Bessie Finley. He was raised on the Finley homestead on the Fence Creek with his oldest brother Loy and two sisters Clauda and Wanda. Ray graduated eighth grade from an old country school and attended ninth grade in Sheridan Wyoming. He married the love of his life, Edna Mae Jacobs August 2, 1951. Ray and Edna worked and began their family on the Walter Bail's ranch for ten years before moving to his parents' ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. He and Edna took over the Finley ranch in 1962. There they continued to raise their three boys Tom, Larry, and Monty. Ray and Edna lived happily on the Finley ranch until Edna's death in 2006. Before his death Ray spent time in Wyoming helping Monty on the ranch doing what he loved most. Monty and Barb had the honors of caring for Ray during his last few months of life. Tom, Larry, Monty, and Barb were at his bedside when Ray went to be with Jesus.—

Ray was an honest-hardworking rancher. He began riding horses at the young age of two, manned the sheep camp by himself at the age of nine, and operated a successful cattle and dairy ranch at twenty-nine. Rays love was for his family and cattle ranching.

Ray is survived by his sister Wanda and her husband Herb Blakemen, his three sons: Tom and his wife Iris of Casper Wyoming, Larry of Hanna Wyoming, and Monty and his wife Barb of Lance Creek, Wyoming, and numerous grandchildren and great-grand children.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Bessie Finley, his brother Loy, sister Clauda, and his loving wife Edna.

Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008 at the Pleasant View Cemetery in St. Ignatius, Montana.

Jenson

Earl W. Jenson age 81 of Polson passed away on Monday July 21, 2008 at his home from natural causes. Earl was born to Carl Esklund & Grace Maxfield Jenson in Deer Lodge, Montana on November 11, 1926. Earl's father worked for Ford Dealerships and the construction of Kerr Dam as a carpenter. Earl's mother taught school in North Dakota and Montana. Earl's father died January 25, 1938. His mother died May 5, 1943. Earl attended school in Kinshella Camp near Whitefish and in Whitefish, Polson and St. Ignatius. Earl joined the Army Air Force in September 1945, serving in the military for 39 months. After the service he was employed by the State of Alaska for 25 years, mainly for truck weighing stations. He married Dorothy Bartholet in Douglas, Alaska on April 21, 1967. A son Carl was born April 30, 1968. The last position held was as a member of the Alaska State Troopers before retiring and returning to Polson in 1978.

Earl's great love was collecting and trading license plates. He started in 1961 and has continued throughout his life making many good friends through this hobby. From 1974-1975 he was president of the Auto License Plate Collectors Association and also served as a Director of ALPCA both before and after that time. Other collectors will greatly miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother's brothers and sisters, his father's brother's and sisters, cousins: Clyde Dawson, Lorne Heth, Dorothy Heth, Eleanor Conkle, Leitha Halverson, Shirley Ferrero, Mabel Schultz, and Myrtle Sturdevant.

His wife Dorothy of Polson, son Carl, and cousins Helen Quiggle, Roy Bohlman, Janet Dolleslager, Alyce Lindberg, Raymond Maxfield, Emma Jean Maris, and Dorothy Dudek survive Earl.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grogan Funeral Home. Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. in the Immaculate Conception Catholic church, Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in the church with Father James Connor officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.

Knudson

On July 4, 1950, twenty-five-year old Barbara Knudson arrived in Ronan from Stockholm, Sweden. On July 17, 2008, Barbara died at St. Luke's Hospital in Ronan. The years between were productive and active.

Barbara, the daughter of Olga and Hjalmar Lindblom, was born in 1924, grew up and attended schools in Stockhold. She was a student at veterinary college when she married Norman Knudson, a guard at the American Embassy in Stockholm. Norman was scheduled to be transferred to China so the two decided to begin their married lives in Ronan where his sister, Jennie Howard, lived with her family.

Barbara and Norman purchased land in North Crow, started a home, a family, careers and active lives.

Barbara followed her veterinary training. In her Swedish school she had been one of only two women who learned the skills of artificial insemination. In Ronan she soon traveled from barn to barn throughout the Valley to help ranchers improve their herds.

Before the birth of their first child, Suzanna in 1951, Barbara worked in the lab and on the floor at St. Joseph's Hospital in Polson. Later she started work at St. Luke's Hospital in Ronan. Two other children were born: Anita in 1953 and Ann in 1956.

Barbara retired from St. Luke's in 1989 after many years as the registered X-ray technician. She is still remembered for the quality of her work, her energy and her sense of humor. Always ready for adventure, she spent a season in the Radiology Department in Barrow, Alaska.

Barbara was an avid competitor and outdoorswoman. She drove a stock car in women's racing, took ribbons as a competitive trail rider, joined the Back Country Horsemen on extended trips into the wilderness, and often rode her bicycle to and from work. For years, she rode with the Wagon Train, often taking a grandchild along to teach the ways of the outdoors.

Barbara became a U.S. citizen in 1964.

She was always surrounded by her family, her friends, and her animals. Three horses — Shazarah, Chubby and Toby — were her particular favorites. Her dogs included a pair of Great Danes as well as her trail dogs, Shag and Ranger. Her last animal friends were parrots — Jelly Bean, KiKi and Crackers.

Norman preceded her in deal in 1995. She leaves three children, seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and extended families.

Children: Suzanne Bahny of Helena, Anita Paul of Ronan and Ann Croft of Ronan.

Grandchildren: Charlotte Robertson of Helena, Jason Snyder of Helena, Staci Snyder of Ronan, Jake Paul of Ronan, Josh Paul of Eureka, Jesse Croft of Ronan and Dustin Croft of Ronan.

Nephews: Bud Howard of Seattle, Daryl Clark of West Cliff, Colo.

Niece: Marie Howard of Eureka Springs, Ark.

All bless the July day in 1950 and grieve the July day in 2008. She will be remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

A memorial to celebrate her life and to mourn her death will be held at a later time. The date will be announced well in advance.

Lake

Edna Anderson Iliff Lake passed away at home on Friday July 25, 2008 surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Edna Doris was born in Circle, Mont. on Nov 2, 1933 to David and Martha Anderson. In 1936 the family moved to the Mission Valley and began farming on Minesinger Trail near Polson. Upon graduation from Polson High School in 1951 she moved to California where she married Herbert Iliff and they returned to Polson to live and raise their 3 children. She was employed as a Med Tech at St. Joseph Hospital for 17 years and after Herb's passing in 1979 she married William Lake and moved to Libby where she helped Bill run B & B Drilling and added 2 more boys to her family. In 2004 Edna lost Bill after a lengthy illness and she remained in the "dream home" they built together.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, both spouses, a brother Merle Anderson and sisters M. June Anderson and S. Lynn Prendergast.

She is survived by sons David Iliff and wife Beth of Libby, Mont.; Kevin Lake and wife Libby of Great Falls, Mont.; Kris Lake and wife Tanya of Cheyenne, WY; daughters Martha Torgenrud and husband Kevin; Kimberlie McClain and husband Kevin all of Polson, Mont.; one sister Arla Bick and husband Ralph of British Columbia, 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Edna's life and her leaving were not easy but she taught by example the meaning of love, devotion and promises kept.

A life celebration is planned for June 2009. Donations may be made to St John's Hospice or the Charity of the donors choosing.

Local arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Libby, Mont.

Noggle

Dr. Charles Louis Noggle, 96, died July 24, 2008, at Mountain Meadows, 1192 Constitution Drive, College Place, Washington.

Inurnment graveside service will be held at the Lake View Cemetery, Polson, Montana, Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronan Seventh-day Adventist Church through Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Washington 99362.

Dr. Noggle was born August 8, 1911, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Charles A. and Sophia L. Gerlach Noggle. His father was a veterinarian so he was privileged as a child to enjoy riding horses. He served in the US Air Force during WW II. He married Yvonne Reed on July 22, 1937, in California, at Forest Lawn Wee Kirk O the Heather Church. She preceded him in death on October 31, 2000. He received a degree in medicine from Loma Linda University and practiced medicine as a surgeon and general practitioner in the Chicago, Illinois, area for 36 years then in Polson, Montana, from 1979 to 2001. On March 30, 2002, he and Lois Bryson were married in Polson, MT at which time they moved to the Walla Walla area. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church in College Place, Washington.

He is survived by his wife at Park Plaza Retirement Residence; a daughter and son-in-law, Chare and Walter Largent of Kalispell, Montana; a sister, Lucille Beiber of Loma Linda, California and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Robertson

Fern H. Robertson, 83, of Ronan, died of natural causes Tuesday, July 22, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 9th at 10:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan. A full obituary will appear in next week's Leader. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services.

Torgenrud

Don Torgenrud created a good life in his 65 years. He was above all a devoted husband. Don and his wife Heather were constant companions for over 36 years, happiest when they were together, whether working in Don's law practice, driving their Norwegian Fjord Horses on their farm north of Missoula, cross-country skiing or reading books in the Norwegian language they loved so much.

At Great Falls High School Don was a State Debate Champion. He took first place in the Montana Voice of Democracy contest and went to the National Finals in Original Oratory. While still in high school he began reading the great philosophers on his own and his interest in equity and justice was a constant theme in his life. After three years in the Marine Corps and a degree in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego, he worked as a carpenter and building contractor for ten years. At age 39, Don went back to school, earning a law degree from the University of Montana and opening a law office, first in Missoula and later in St. Ignatius. In 2006 he was honored with a Distinguished Service Award from the State Bar for 22 years as a charter member of the Ethics Committee.

Everyone who knew Don was impressed by his brilliant mind and prodigious memory. He could easily quote passages from books he had read even fifty years before. He could talk about many subjects with ease, honing in on the important issues and communicating ideas with clarity and wisdom. At the same time he was level-headed and down-to-earth, and the counsel he gave to others was always straightforward and practical. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and could be counted on to entertain friends with his well-told stories.

Don was born in Waukon, Iowa on October 16, 1942, and died at home on July 21, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Heather, and their two dogs and five horses, son Thor Torgenrud and granddaughter Jade, who live in France, mother Celia Torgenrud, sisters Penn Borden and Sherry Ferris and Sherry's husband Bob, all of Santa Barbara Calif., brother Leif Torgenrud and his wife Laurie, of Spokane Wash., brother Kevin Torgenrud and his wife Marty, and brother Colin Torgenrud, all of Polson. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald W. Torgenrud, Sr.

Don fought a valiant battle with cancer, sustained by his love for his family, friends, animals and books, and by his great personal courage. He will live on in all that he touched and those who knew him will always feel his presence in their lives.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate Don's life and share stories and memories on Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nordic Pines Sons of Norway Lodge, 5795 Highway 93 South, Missoula (casual dress). The family asks that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter or the Missoula Humane Society. For those wishing to send cards, the address is Heather Torgenrud, P.O. Box 490, St. Ignatius, MT 59865 or online at www.groganfuneralhome.com

Walton

Craig P. Walton, 52, died suddenly on July 21, 2008.

He was the son of Florence and Lyle Walton.

A complete obituary will follow.

Memorial service for Craig will be held Saturday, August 9, at 1:00 p.m.

at the Ronan Alliance Church, Terrace Lake Road.