Eugene Lefthand
RONAN — Eugene Lefthand was born Aug. 18, 1945, in St. Ignatius. He began his journey on March 4, 2008, to join his mother and other loved ones who left before him.
Gene was born in St. Ignatius to Rose Andrew and Samuel Lefthand. His maternal grandparents were Mary Cullooyah Andrew and Paul Andrew. Paternal grandparents were Coomsah Lefthand and Basil Lefthand.
Gene attended school at the Ursuline School in St. Ignatius and graduated from Ronan High School. He married Jeanne Hahn and his only child, Michelle Lefthand, was was born. The marriage dissolved and his ex-wife and daughter moved to California.
Gene was a very intellectual, private man who enjoyed reading, word games, and TV game shows with Jeopardy being his favorite.
Gene worked as a hunting and fishing guide for Cheff Ranch, for several lumber mills, farms and ranches in the area. He did seasonal work such as Christmas trees and potatoes. He also did farm and ranch work in Oregon.
Gene loved his culture. He was a fluent speaker in both the Kootenai and Salish languages. He often talked about how much he had learned from his special Great-Great Auntie, Oshanee Kenmille.
Gene loved the mountains, steams, and lakes; he loved fishing, hunting, and driving the back roads. He also enjoyed the Keno and poker machines.
Gene is survived by his daughter Michelle Singh; grandchildren Rowan and Joseph of Holtville, Calif.; sisters Ann Marie Lefthand and family of California, Sharon and husband Mark Tarczynski and family of Oregon, Darlene Bird and family of Charlo, Maryanne Bird and family, and brother Charlie Bird and family of Charlo.
He is also survived by his foster family, Pat Cousins and daughters of Ronan, Kay Padilla and family of Pablo, Jim Shepard and family of St. Ignatius, Joe Shepard and family of Charlo, and Abbey Combs and family of Missoula and Joe Combs of Arizona.
Preceding him in death were his sisters Shirley Bird and Diane Muniz; his grandparents Basil and Coomsah Lefthand and Mary and Paul Andrew; his beloved mother Rose Bird Chalwain and father Samuel Lefthand; foster-parents Ruby and Harley Shepard, and many other friends, relatives and “old buddies.”
Services were March 20 at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Interment was in Ronan Cemetery. Memorial dinner followed at the St. Ignatius Longhouse.
Gertrude May (Hulshizer)
Anderson
RONAN — Gertrude May (Hulshizer) Anderson, 93, died of natural causes, March 16, 2008, with her family by her side. A Montana native, she was born Dec. 16, 1914, to Ruth and George Hulshizer at their home in Missoula. She attended schools both in Missoula and Bozeman. She worked as a bookkeeper for different companies throughout the years.
She was a mom and dad to her daughter Margaret (Jenkins) Doty, and son Russell D. Jenkins (Dian). In 1953, she married Eugene G. Anderson, who preceded her in death in 1996. They spent many wonderful years hunting and fishing at her favorite place, the cabin in the Swan Valley.
She was always ready with a story about her lifetime, especially her younger years. Her first airplane ride was to American Samoa. Besides the cabin, she enjoyed the beautiful Oregon Coast.
She wore many hats of talent and loved to treat her family with great cooking, gifts of homemade breads and jams, crocheted afghans, doilies and her beautiful paintings.
She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Velma Bass and Dorothy Flanagan; granddaughter, Peggy Jenkins and two great-grandchildren, Robert and George Masaniai.
She spent her last five years in Ronan at St. Luke Extended Care, which she called home, and to be near her son.
Thank you to all the doctors, nurses and staff who loved and cared for her. She will be greatly missed by her family that includes Margaret and Russell; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and 10 (fifth generation) great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on March 20. A brief graveside service followed the funeral.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke Extended Care, 107 Sixth Ave. S.W., Ronan, MT 59864 or the favorite charity of your choice. Condolences for the family can be left at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com
Sister
Richard Caron
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Former Polson hospital nun Sister Richard Caron, 95, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died on March 19, 2008, at Presentation Convent.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Richard was held March 25, 2008, in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent in Aberdeen. Father Leonard Kayser was celebrant and homilist.
Burial was at the Sacred Heart Cemetery with Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Marguerite was born Aug. 19, 1912, in Scranton, N.D. to Augusta (Plaisance) and Adelord Caron. She graduated from Scranton High School in 1930 and Presentation School of Nursing. She entered Presentation Convent Aug. 25, 1932, and made her profession of vows on July 9, 1935.
Sister Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education at St. Louis University, 1938, and a Master’s degree from Catholic University, Washington, D.C., 1957.
Sister Richard ministered in Holy Rosary Hospital, Miles City and St. Joseph Hospital, Polson, as Head Nurse, anesthetist, or director and instructor. She taught in the Presentation Schools of Nursing in Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Presentation College, Aberdeen, as chair of the Nursing Department. After retiring in 1990 to Presentation Convent, she managed the gift shop and prayer line. In her lifetime she was a member of various nursing organizations and was a member of the Leadership Council (1964-1970). She enjoyed reading, doing calligraphy, embossing and other crafts.
Sister requested that memorials be addressed to the Aberdeen Right to Life Association.
Sister Richard is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and four brothers.
Betty Jean
Bear
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Former Ronan resident Betty Jean (David) Bear died March 4, 2008, after a long struggle with lung cancer.
She was born April 28, 1929, in Dodson, and graduated from Ronan High School in 1947.
She married Axel Bear in June 1949 and together they raised three children; Cindy, Bob and Walt.
After being a mother and homemaker for several years, Betty took courses at the local business college and went to work as a secretary at WPPSS.
She enjoyed spending time tending to her flower gardens, spent many years teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Richland, Wash., and loved to collect beautiful trinkets. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her great-grandchildren Jayd’n, Ethan, and Julian and spoiling them with all kinds of goodies.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Axel; her parents, Henry and Molly David, and numerous brothers and sisters.
Betty is survived by sisters, Eva Meyers, Freda Francis, Ruth Gregg, Billie Mae Jackson, and Darlene David; brothers, Jake David and William David; her children, Cindy (Gene) Norberg, Bob (Terrie) Bear, and Walt (Cyndi) Bear; grandchildren, Lacy (David) Perez, Jared Norberg, and Baby Bear (due in October); step-grandchildren, Kyra Emory, Killian Emory, and Heather (Mitch) Hough; great-grandchildren, Jayd’n, Ethan, and Julian Perez; and step-great-grandchildren, Kayla Norberg and August Hough.
Funeral services were March 8 in Mueller’s Chapel of the Falls, Kennewick.
Donations may be made to Hospice House, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA 99336.
The family invites you to sign their online guest book at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com
Gladys (Bascue) Syverson
YAKIMA, Wash. — Gladys (Bascue) Syverson, a former Polson resident, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Yakima, Wash.
She was born to Amasa Weatherl and her mother was Martha Rosetta Teague. They had seven children, who will all be waiting for Gladys, the last Weatherl child, as she steps into Heaven.
Gladys grew up in Hulbert, Okla. She was born March 9, 1918, in White Oak, Logan County, Ark., and graduated from Hulbert High School. Gladys was recommended for the Teacher’s College in a nearby town. She chose to take care of her mother and help with her little brother, Harold.
Gladys had three children by her first husband, Allen Bascue. They met while picking berries in Arkansas. They corresponded by letter until their marriage July 29, 1938. Allen preceded her in death.
Gladys was grateful to the Lord for giving her three wonderful children. She had so much respect for her own mother that she stayed with her until her death at the early age of 55. Gladys laid in her mother’s bed and held her hand until the Lord took her. She also had a younger brother, Harold, to take care of. She had no place to go so she decided to marry Allen Bascue. They were married for 36 years.
Then she moved to Polson to live with her youngest child, Linda Kaye Barney. The majesty of God’s creation, the Rocky Mountains, was one of the things she stood in awe of. She quickly got the best job in town. Gladys retired from the Western Bee Hive Company. This is where she had her happiest memories and times of her life.
She met Paul Syverson, who was an “Old Time Montana Fiddler” and a retired school teacher. They had many good years — they were married 23 years. Paul died while watching his favorite show, the Grand Ole Opry, and eating a bowl of ice cream.
There she was alone again. She moved to Spokane and had a wonderful life and lots of fun at the Park Place Senior Living Center. She resided there as long as her health was good. She came to live with her youngest daughter, Linda Kaye Barney, in Yakima. She, too, was very devoted to her mother as were all her children.
She died knowing her birthday was coming. While asking her what she wanted, she replied “A new body.” Gladys is spending her birthday in Heaven and got just what she wanted. Imagine spending your birthday in Heaven with Jesus.
People who knew Gladys will always remember the many pies and old fashioned strawberry shortcakes that she was noted for by the family and all her friends. She enjoyed her many beautiful flower gardens. She would give liberally to anyone who needed a bouquet, especially for Decoration Day. This is a southern tradition that she always kept.
Gladys had a kind and joyful spirit and a positive attitude about life. Her friends and family will miss her presence. Gladys died two days after her only living brother, Herbert Weatherl, died in Vancouver. They will all be at her 90th birthday party.
Surviving family members include her daughter Linda Kaye Barney and her husband Ray of Yakima, her son Judge James Allen Bascue and his former wife, Judge Jacqueline A. Connor of Los Angeles, and daughter Sandra Rose Hatcher and her husband Tom of Spokane; seven grandchildren, Jason Blair Thompson and his wife Juli, Janelle Lynn Burt and her husband Tim, James Connor Bascue, Nicholas William Bascue, Lynette Cherece Anderson and her husband Steve, Kimberly Dawn Knigge and her husband Randall, and Robin Michelle Hatcher; 11 great-grandchildren, Amanda Bissell, Candace Dawn Pratt, Daniel Eugene Thompson, Cassandra Kaye Burt, Justin Burt, Derek Anderson, Chad Anderson, Andrew Anderson, Joel Knigge and Christopher Knigge, and five great-great-grandchildren, Felicity Joy Bissell, Carter Zane Bissell, Jocelyn Rochelle Burt, Madison Knigge. Kylie Bissell, and a daughter to be born in May 2008 to Jesse Burt.
Our heartfelt thanks to all who extended comfort to us during our recent loss. The Memorial Hospital staff was very attentive and comforting. Thank you to the Bible Believers Baptist Church for all their support and prayer. To share a memory of Gladys, visit www.mem.com
Judy A. (Henry) Dumoulin
CALDWELL, Idaho — Judy Dumoulin, formerly of St. Ignatius, died Monday, March 17, 2008, at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, Idaho.
Judy was born May 16, 1958, in St. Ignatius to Gail and Yvonne Orr Henry. She was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Judy attended school in St. Ignatius and moved to Idaho in the early 1980s.
In 1989 Judy married Joe Dumoulin and they made their home in Middleton, Idaho, along with their dogs Tiny and Prince. She was an avid collector of miniature clocks, Beanie Babies, and dream catchers.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Dumoulin; daughter, Sheri (Bob); grandchildren, Chase and Tyler of Middleton, Jay (Melissa) of Boise, C.J. (Rachell) of Vancouver, Wash.; brother-in-law, Gabe Hupko; and Judy’s siblings, Dave (Terry) Orr, Kathy Smith (Misael), Doris Gainan (Jerry) of St. Ignatius; Ray (Jerry) of Hoonah, Alaska, Frank Henry (Michelle) of Arlee, Dora Henry (Charlie) of Potomac, Dorothy Henry of Ronan; nieces and nephews, Ryan and Charmel Smith, Brandon Gainan and Tyrah, Jonathan and Amanda Salway, Sara and Shawn Orr, Bill Brown, Dustin Walker, Arri Anna and Jon-Anthony Henry, Karoline, Gayle, and Sophie Henry, Franny and Christine Williams, and numerous great-nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Carrie Felsman Orr; parents Gail and Yvonne; brother Ralph; nephews Robbie and Steven, and her beloved dogs.
Judy will be greatly missed at family gatherings playing cards and a mean game of spoons.
At Judy’s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date in St. Ignatius.
Alice Courville Roberts
POLSON — Alice Courville Roberts, 37, of Post Falls, Idaho, formerly of Ronan, died of natural causes on Sunday, March 23, 2008, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. in the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ronan. Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home.