Andrew
Ronan — Martina "Tina" Andrew was born in Ronan, Montana on July 13, 1948 and she passed away at the family home on June 18, 2008 at the age of 59.
Tina was the youngest of seven children born to Andrew Andrew, Sr. and Harriet Beaverhead, she was born as a twin along with her brother Martin.
Tina, her brothers and her sisters spent their early years on the family allotment along Spring Creek just east of Ronan. After the death of their father they moved up to the present day family home or "The Hill" on Mollman Pass Trail.
Tina and her siblings attended and were confirmed at the Urselines in St. Ignatius. Then they went to school in Ronan. Then Tina and martin went to the boarding school in Flandreau, South Dakota.
After graduating and returning from Flandreau, she went to Secretaries School in Los Angeles as part of the BIA Relocation Program of the sixties, through this program she was able to work in Juneau, Alaska for a time.
Tina loved to travel and she and Martin traveled to many powwows with their Yaya and Selah , Pete and Josephine Beaverhead. She also loved to camp out. She could out hunt out fish " and out shoot 'the boys'." She spent many years planting trees - cutting firewood with her brothers before becoming the family matriarch.
You could hear Tina lugh from a mile away."She loved to laugh and joke around, but she also had a big heart to match her big laugh." She opened her home and heart to many "orphan kidz" as she put it.
She took care of her twin brother's son Max after his hunting accident."Tina did her best to live life to the fullest." Enjoying every moment that she could because she knew that life was short."She was also very proud of her 18 years of sobriety " always attending the Sobriety Campout at the Arlee Powwow Grounds and receiving her Trail Blazers Jacket award.
Tina was preceded in death by her parents Harriet Beaverhead and Andrew Andrew, Sr.; stepfather Martin Finley; grandparents Josephine and Pete Beaverhead; brothers Max, Andy and Martin Andrew and Jody Finley; sisters Diane and Geraldine; sister in law Enid Ann Andrew; son Douglas; grandchildren Heather Rose, Jonathon Douglas and Aarron Chadwick; grand aunt Mary Small Salmon and aunties Rosie Bird and Angie Matt and nieces Michelle L. Courville Lois Small Salmon.
She is survived by her children Wayne and Marcelene; brother Dan Andrew; sisters Carol Deanie Finley and Levi Lozeau Big Beaver; grandchildren Andrew "A.J." James Couture, Jeffery Adam Wilson, Lawson Sanders, Ronny Patten, Misty Dawn Barnaby, Tashina "Boo Bear" Barnaby, Valdena "Dena Bell" Barnaby, Anton Atwin, "Couture Boyz", Randon Lefthand and Marcus Beaverhead; greatgrandchildren Sky Anthony Raymond Barnaby Harrison and Maria Michelle Couture; nieces Sandra (Tony) Charette, Kim (Mike) Charette, Angelic (Shawn) Shlensker, Brandy Gardipe, Billie Jo Healy, Eloise Currie and Katherine (Candy Bar) Saloway; her nephews Gene Beaverhead (Bink), Chauncey Beaverhead (Lisa), Joe Andrew ( Judy), Steve Arca, Michael Jon (Angie), Marion George Saloway (Jackie), Garette Finley (Jamie) and Junior Gardipe; numerous cousins and extended family, as well as many, many friends. She has touched many hearts and loved many people.
Services began Thursday evening, June 19, 2008 at the Longhouse. Traditional Tribal Prayers and Remembrance of her life will be held Friday, June 20th at 8 pm in the Longhouse. Closing and services will begin at 11 am Saturday, June 21st in the Longhouse with burial following at the Beaverhead - Andrew Cemetery on Mollman Pass Trail.
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Arends
Ingrid H. Arends, age 72, of Ronan passed away on Saturday, June 21 at St. Luke Community Hospital of natural causes.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at the Ronan alliance Church at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in the Ronan Cemetery.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan is assisting with the arrangements.
Baker
Glen M. Baker came into this world Valentines Day February 14, 1948 in Bozeman, MT. He entered into the arms of Jesus June 17, 2008 at the Mountain View Care Center in Ronan. Glen moved with his family to a small farm in the Round Butte community west of Ronan in 1956. Glen attended Ronan schools and after high school moved to the Polson area. A debilitating illness in his early teens limited the use of his legs, but could not take away his spirit. He was a self taught musician and songwriter. He played guitar and electric bass in country western bands across western MT, including The Montana Lineman and Country Gold. Glen was a man of many talents including being an accomplished artist and inventor. Glen loved to spend time with his "coffee buddies" at Prices Cafe and later at the Driftwood. They solved many of the world's problems, but the world just didn't know it. Glen is survived by his mother Gretchen Baker, brother Barry (Shirley) Baker of Ronan, sisters Laurie (Greg) Boyd of Missoula, Jeanine (Allen) Simons of Seeley Lake and a niece and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Mury Baker, his grandparents and a brother Jack Baker. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Friday June 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mission Valley Untied Methodist Church on Post Creek Hill with Rev. Karen McRae officiating.
Cote
William N. "Bill" Cote age 91 of St. Ignatius passed away on June 10, 2008 at St. Joseph hospital in Polson from natural causes. Bill was born January 1, 1917 in St. Ignatius to Baptise and Annie Cote.
Bill married Christine "Susie" Washula on February 9, 1934. Together in St. Ignatius they worked and raised their children Dan, David, Pat, Lawrence, Bonnie and Jesse.
Bill attended grade school at the Jesuit Father's boarding school in St. Ignatius. He didn't care for school, so in the fourth grade his dad told him school or cut chord wood, he chose woodcutting. From that day on he was self taught in all he did, from playing the violin, whittling a chunk of wood for a stock for his rifle to horseshoeing.
In his early years he worked for the irrigation project in St. Ignatius and build a log snow survey cabin in the Grey Wolf area in the Mission Mountains, which is still in use. Build a mechanic ship in Ravalli and operated for several years.
Bill worked all his life in the surrounding area as a mechanic, working in the woods, sawmill worker, carpenter, Jesuit Father's ranch foreman and cabinetmaker. He was well known for his kitchen and gun cabinets.
Bill and "Susie" built a remote mountain cabin on son Pat's place in the North Crow area to spend leisure time. After his wife "Susie" died in 1973, Bill was mostly retired and spent as much time as he could at the cabin; where he cut and split his own fire wood, studied his bible, played his violin and enjoyed life especially being with his family. After Bill could no longer drive, he moved to Ronan living at the Maxwell Apartments and most recently moved to Millpond Assisted Living Home in St. Ignatius.
Bill started the traditional "Cote" hunting camp in the late 1940's in the dry creek drainage area near St. Regis and would often spend the entire hunting season and the camp with his dog "Sparky" and most recently "Jake" tending the fires to keep a comfortable camp ready for family and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife "Susie"; sons Dan, David and infant son Francis; brothers Ben and Leonard; Sisters Emily, Dora and Hazel.
Bill is survived by sons Pat, Ronan, Lawrence (Cheri), Charlo, Jesse (Connie), Olympic, WA and his daughter Bonnie (Ralph) Scheffler, Florence. Bill is also survived by three sisters living in St. Ignatius; Edna Wheeler, Jean Bosley and Lila Smyth, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and other family members. Bill's dog Jake stays at his cabin waiting for him to come home.
Services were held Saturday, June 14th at 11:00 am at the Ronan Alliance Church, with Pastor John Payne officiating. Music was by Alexa Cote and Shyanne Coppock with Diane Torres, pianist. Burial was at the Calvary Cemetery in Ronan next to his wife Susie. Pallbearers were grandsons Gary Cote, Randy Cote, Jeff Cote, Scott Scheffler, Michael Cote, and great grandson Will Cote. Honorary Pallbearers were all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren. A luncheon followed at the Alliance Church.
Memorials may be given in the name of Bill's Great-great-grandson, Decker Cote, who has been diagnosed with Autism. " A Dream for Decker" account has been set up at the Valley Bank of Ronan or any branch office.
Johnson
Veda Kent Johnson, 89, passed away Thursday, June 19 at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan.
Veda was born Nov. 17, 1918 in Rupert, Idaho to Anne and Samuel Kent, 5th of 8 children.
She was preceeded in death by her husband Rex, her parents and all her siblings except her sister Ver na Krantz of St. Ignatius and her brother Harold Kent of Charlo. Also surviving are her nine children and their families, including 23 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.
Her children are: Barbara (Rod) Wamsley of Charlo, Mt; Dick (Rose) Johnson of Polson, Mt; Delores Fuller of Santa Cruz, Ca; Jim (Sandy) Johnson of Great Falls, Mt; Joan (Bill) Bick of St. Ignatius, Mt; Dan (Kathy) Johnson of Spokane, Wa; Chuck (Clara) Johnson of Chandler, Az; Bob (Fern) Johnson of Plains, Mt; Shirley Johnson of Missoula, Mt.
Veda was proud of her 24 years as Charlo School Lunch cook. Her student helpers looked forward to sharing the extras she always had for them. Besides family times together, her greatest enjoyment was travel, anytime, anywhere.
Services will be held Tuesday, June 24th at the Ronan LDS Church at 11 a.m. with viewing at 10 a.m. Following graveside services, there will be lunch for friends and family at the church. Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan is assisting with the arrangements.
Mendoza
Larry Frank Mendoza, age 56 of Polson, passed away at his home on June 12, 2008 from natural causes. Larry was born on May 22, 1952 to Louis and Josephine Mendoza at Torrance, California. Larry completed high school in Anaheim, California. He joined the US Army and served his country in the Vietnam War. Larry worked construction as a laborer. He moved to Polson in 2006. Larry enjoyed hiking and fishing. His wife Connie preceded him in death in 2006, also his mother Josephine Mendoza and brother Louie Mendoza preceded him in death. His father Louis Mendoza and his step-mother Gloria of CA, step-son Michael of WA, sister Vivian Bullchild of CA, brothers Joseph and John Mendoza of CA and several nieces and nephews, including niece Angela Bullchild and great-niece Alyssa Bullchild of Polson. Larry lived with Angela and Alyssa after he moved to Polson. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time. You may send the family condolences at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Plummer
Phyllis Isabel Jensen Plummer was born to Ivan and Gladys Breum in Wolf Point, MT on July 11, 1920. In 1926 her family moved to the Yakima, WA area. In 1927 she started school, where she finished through her junior year of the high school. On September 10, 1938 she married Leonard Jensen and moved to Miles City, MT where she and leonard had two boys; Larry and Bob.
1951 found the family moving t a ranch in the St. Ignatius area. Larry got married and Bob served three years in the United States Army. Phyllis worked 10 winters in the Holy Family Hospital. During these years she also worked for Dr. Roger McHarry in his office in St. Ignatius.
Her husband Leonard was killed in 1973. She was alone for eleven years. During that time she worked for Lennox with her son Bob. She cared for her parents in their late years. In 1984 she married Wallace Plummer and moved to College Place, WA. They moved several times during her years with Wally. In 2000 she and Wally moved back to Ronan. Wally passed away in March of 2002. Phyllis sold her home in Ronan and moved to Pablo with son Larry. She was a life time member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and an avid worker for her Lord.
In 2006 when Larry and Eunice moved to Caldwell, Idaho, she moved with them. On June 20, 2008 she went to sleep to await the resurrection.
She is survived by her son Larry (Eunice) Jensen, Daughter-in-law Gabrielle Jensen, 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, a sister, two husbands and son Bob and grandson Robert.
Funeral services will be held on Friday June 27, 2008 at 3 p.m. in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ronan. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery in Ronan. Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan is assisting with the arrangements.
Zepeda
St. Ignatius — Salvadore Zepeda, 59, of Billings formerly of St. Ignatius passed away Saturday, June 21st in St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings.
Born in Salinas, California to Jesus & Amelia (Dumont) Zepeda, he was raised in California, Oregon and Washingtonbefore joining the Army.
An accomplished commercial fisherman and logger in Alaska, he also owned and operated a race car outfit when he lived in Texas. He would return to the Flathead Reservation many times in his life but most recently had made his home inBillings.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Alice Hayzlett Zepeda.
He is survived by his brother Frank of St. Ignatius, MT and his twin brother Danny of Longview, WA and a sister Lupe ofMyrtle Creek, OR.
A wake will begin Wednesday evening at 6 pm in the St. Ignatius Community Center with the Rosary being recited at 7 pmWednesday at the Center.
Wake closing will begin at 1:30 pm Thursday at the Center with Mass being celebrated at 2:30 pm Thursday in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission.
Interment will follow in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery where military honors will be presented.