Obituaries, Aug. 27
Waite, Chittenden, Knerr, Tanner, Hackman, Hertz, Dreir, Kurzenbaum, Rudolph, Hoyt
Eunice Pearl Waite
Eunice Pearl Waite, 79, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. She was born on June 29, 1930, in Lockwood, Calif., to Otis Pearl and Martha Stiverson.
She attended a one-room school in Lockwood and graduated from Billings Senior High School in Billings. She married Ray Waite on Feb. 20, 1960, in Billings. She loved to garden both vegetable and flower gardens. She also loved to sew, especially for her children and grandchildren.
She and Ray were foster parents for many years. She loved children and loved being around her children and grandchildren. She loved to cook and being a homemaker. She was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents Otis and Martha; son Jason Waite; a brother Harry Stiverson and a sister Luella.
She is survived by her husband Ray Waite of Kalispell; three sons, Richard Brum of St. Ignatius, James Waite of Billings and William Waite of Hawaii and a daughter Lynn Pomponio of Deary, Idaho and two half sisters, Carol and Martha; 16 grandchildren and 28 great – grandchildren.
There are no services planned at this time for Eunice.
Johnson – Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Eunice’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Eunice’s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.
John P. Chittenden
ST. IGNATIUS — John P. Chittenden, 46, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 15 at his home.
Born in Martinez, Calif. on April 24, 1963, he was raised in California and Colorado and had lived in the Colorado Springs, Colo. area where he had trained to be an electrician until five years ago when a disability caused him to move Montana to be closer to family.
He is survived by his mother Phyllis Forget of St. Ignatius; his brother Patrick Forget of St. Ignatius; three sisters, Sharon Wright of Colorado Springs, Aletha Benoit of San Jose, Calif. and Roxanne Schlafli also of Colorado Springs; seven nieces and nephews: Sean, Corky, Tanner, Michelle, Jessica, Samantha and Christina, as well as an extended family who loved him dearly.
Cremation has taken place and services are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Ronan and for later in October.
Rita Knerr
PERMA — On Aug. 16, Rita Knerr, 96, found peace. The beginning of a new Journey, one of no pain and where eyesight is at least 20/20 and the pastures are always green. She is reunited with the love of her life and even though they were physically separated for many years, spiritually they were always connected. Rita waited patiently for the time they would be together again.
Born om Feb. 28, 1913, at the family ranch near Colorado Springs, Colo., by the Black Forest with Pikes Peak in the background, to Harry and Euretta White Cummings, the youngest of four girls. Her early years were spent on the ranch. She spent the next several years traveling through California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, living a year or two at different places so she could attend school, moving to Montana, living in Moiese and Ronan, graduating high school in Ronan. Finally moving to Perma, where she would spend the rest of her life.
Rita met her future husband on a blind date. When they were introduced, he made his horse rear up while he took his hat off and bowed to her.
Rita was a Civil War enthusiast. Her grandfather was from the North and spent 18 months in Andersonville Prison, while her grandmother was a niece to Southern General Sterling Price who later became the governor of Missouri. Her grandparents were next door neighbors to Frank and Jesse James.
Except for her stays in the hospital, followed by short nursing home stays for therapy, she was able to spend her final years at home, made possible by Jim Curtiss, who has been there for her for the last seven years to make sure she got to wherever she needed to go and be there for whatever was needed. The last several months were personal care which wouldn’t have been possible with out him.
Rita is survived for the most part by her most faithful admirer, friend and companion, her daughter Joyce. They shared love that was rarely ever spoke of but was surpassed by none!
Joyce’s unselfish and limitless commitment to her mother deserves the utmost respect. This became obvious and apparent to those who were closest to them in the later years. And to Mona, who was always just a phone call away and whose voice would always brighten Rita’s day no matter how sick she might have been, a very heartfelt thank you. We would like to also express our gratitude to the people at Evergreen for their care and concern for Rita. It was truly a blessing to see so many caring people. Rita is also survived by sons Archie and Bruce and daughter Edna, and an large extended family of grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Rita was a very honest person and would always look for the good in people and forgive those where none could be found.
Extended family, besides Jim, also include Mona Allen of Perma and her husband Buster. She was preceded in death by her husband Archie in 1991; three sisters and four infant babies.
Graveside services were held last Friday at the Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Montana Talking Book Library in Helena or a charity of one’s choice.
Carmel Devon Tanner
ARLEE — Carmel Devon Tanner was born on June 21, 1932, in Columbus, N.D. He died at his home in Arlee on Aug. 17.
Carmel attended schools in Arlee and Missoula. He served in the U.S. Army.
He married Shirley A. Gebeau on December 31, 1955, and they spent the next 53 years together. Carmel spent his life in the Jocko Valley working as a rancher and farmer on the ranch he built with his family. He was a loving and loyal husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his family; wife Shirley, son Harley (Joey); daughter Carla; grandchildren Tom (Jennifer), Cody (Kathleen), Craig (Lindsay), and great-grandchildren, Megan, Tyler, Ashley, Cody, Thomas and Brooke; brother Harold (Viola), sisters Geneva (Victor), and Ruby (Bud, deceased), and sister-in-law Bodine (Vic) Matt and numerous nieces and nephews.
Carmel has joined his parents, Edi and Julia Tanner; siblings, Geraldine, Asher, Harry and Basil.
Carmel was laid to rest on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the family ranch in Arlee with military honors. A reception followed at the Arlee Community Center. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Cancer Center at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula.
Harvey J. Hackman
Harvey J. Hackman, 83, of Polson died peacefully from kidney failure at his home in Polson on Friday, Aug. 21.
Harvey was proud to have been born on April Fool’s Day in 1926 in Missoula and the family always enjoyed the fact that his surviving wife of 59 years, MaryLou (Tootsie) was born on Friday the 13th.
He is survived by his wife MaryLou; his children are Carol and husband Paul O’Bagy of Stevensville; twin sisters Charlene and husband Dan Crevar and Cheryl and Bryan Sedita all of Polson, and sons Hardee of Missoula and Brett and his wife Kim of Clinton. A surviving granddaughter, Carrie and great-grandsons Kohl Tracy and Josh Duff of Potomac; a surviving grandson Brandon Hackman attends Montana Tech in Butte and Brandon’s mother Liz Hackman lives in West Glacier. One brother, Conrad, of Frenchtown and several nieces and nephews, also survive Harvey. Mention must also be made of the special relationship between Harvey and his best friend since the first grade, Donald Rummel and his wife Marie of Astoria, Ore. The family dog Zeke, another best friend will surely miss sleeping with Harvey.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Harvey & Hazel Hackman; stepmother Edith Kroust; sister Helen Ogg and brothers Harold, Chuck and Warren.
In his early years, Harvey enjoyed logging with his brothers and later worked as a carpenter with his brother Warren, all in the Missoula area. In 1980, Harvey and his wife relocated to property overlooking Flathead Lake where he took great pride in his golf-course lawn and vegetable garden. The view of the lake from his Polson home perfectly matched a picture postcard Harvey had saved for many years prior to their moving.
Everyone who knew Harvey enjoyed his sense of humor, his witty sayings and jingles, and his whistling. Most of all, he always enjoyed his own jokes and was quick witted to the end. He will be missed more than he would have ever guessed.
The family is deeply grateful for the friendship and help provided from Harvey and MaryLou’s neighbors, Dave and Bee Cottington. We would also like to thank Linda Edwards and Carol Sturm of Hospice for their support.
Cremation has taken place and in accordance with Harvey’s wishes, formal services will not be held.
Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Richard Hertz
CHARLO — Richard Hertz, 79, of Charlo, went home on Thursday, Aug. 20 from Parkinson’s Disease while at Community Medical Center.
Richard was born on June 6, 1930, in Glen Ullin, N.D., to August and Anna (Skalsky) Hertz. Upon the death of Anna and August’s second wife Maria, August married Albertina Doll in 1933. In April 1935, Richard, brother Eugene and parents August and Albertina moved to Charlo.
Richard graduated from Charlo High School in 1952. In 1954, he was drafted into the Army until his discharge in 1956. On Aug. 29, 1959, he married Betty Baltz. They lived in the Charlo area and raised their three children.
Richard ran a grade-A Dairy for almost 30 years. He served on the Board of Directors for Consolidated Dairies, as well as for the Mission Range Credit Union. He was a member of the American Legion Post 126 of Charlo.
Preceeding him in death were his father August and mother Albertina.
Survivors include his wife Betty; sons Bernard (Sharon) and Chris (Valerie) and daughter Lorraine (Willie); grandchildren August, Anastasia, James, Kayla, Tonya, Michael and Chelsey; and one great-granddaughter Kylee; siblings Eugene, Loretta, Erwin, Duane, Clem, Linda and Douglas and their spouses and families.
A rosary was held this past Thursday evening at the Foster Funeral Home of St. Ignatius with Mass being celebrated on Friday in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in St. Ignatius. Interment will follow in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery where military honors will be presented.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Legion Post 126 of Charlo, the D’Aste Historical Church or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson‘s Disease research.
Mae B. Dixon Dreier
Mae B. Dixon Dreier passed away on July 21 in Seattle, Wash. at the age of 92. She was born on Sept. 24, 1916, in St. Ignatius. She was proceeded in death by her husband, three sisters and parents. She is survived by her daughter, Billie Mikesell and son-in-law Larry Mikesell of Shoreline, Wash. She was also survived by her four grandchildren: Larry Mikesell (Cristi) of Burke, Va., Shauna Gumbel ( Paul) of Oak Harbor, Wash., Jeff Mikesell of Colorado, Chuck Mikesell ( Diana)of Lynnwood, Wash.; six great-grandchildren: Amy, Matt, Amanda (Matt), Tony, Andrew (Erin), Brandon and three great-great-grandchildren: Cody, Alexia and Tristan. She was also survived by three nephews: George Biggs (Bobbi) of St. Ignatius, Glenn Biggs (Louise) of St. Ignatius and Leland Kibler(Dee) of Libby. In accordance with her wishes, a family celebration of life was held in Seattle, Wash. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 5 in St. Ignatius at the Pleasant View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the Sandpoint Senior Center, 820 Main St, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Carolyn Kurzenbaum
Carolyn Catherine Oster Kurzenbaum, 71, courageously with dignity and amazing strength, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Aug. 21.
Carolyn was born on Oct. 6, 1937, in Bozeman to Julius and Eleanor Oster. In her childhood, her family lived for a short time in Camas, Wash., where her father worked in the shipyards and officiated baseball. Carolyn’s parents later separated, which led to Carolyn being raised by her grandparents in Trident. She was the apple of her granddads eye and he enjoyed teaching her how to fish on the Missouri River. She enjoyed her childhood in Trident and knew every railroad conductor by name that passed through town.
After her mother married Eugene Kramer, they moved back to Bozeman for a period of time. Carolyn and her parents then moved to Helena where she finished grade school and graduated from Cathedral High in 1954.
Carolyn met the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) John Kurzenbaum after high school when he was an Army Guardsman. Jerry had actually dated Carolyn’s best friend Lois before dating her. Carolyn asked Jerry to a work function and the rest is history.
Jerry and Carolyn married on May 2, 1959, at the Cathedral in Helena. After honeymooning in Long Beach, Wash., they lived in Butte where Jerry worked at Ashton Engraving then Artcraft Printers. They welcomed their first child, Heidi, on Sept. 5, 1963. Jerry and Carolyn later moved to Deer Lodge while Jerry worked as the Activities Coordinator at the State Prison.
They then moved to Missoula where Carolyn was blessed to be able to stay home and raise their children. They welcomed their son Gregory (Chip) on April 1, 1966, and Beth on Aug. 22, 1968. Carolyn was very involved in her children’s lives and in her community. She served Meals on Wheels, was president of the Women’s Club, was a Brownies and Girl Scout Leader, visited the elderly at local nursing homes and was very involved in her church, St. Anthony’s Parish.
Carolyn loved to spend time with her family and friends camping, hiking, sledding, fishing, boating, traveling, attending Grizzly games and just having fun. Carolyn raised her family in Missoula and on Flathead Lake.
After her children were in school, Carolyn accepted a job at Southside Bank which later became U.S. Bank. During her banking career, she prided herself in taking exceptional care of her customers and met so many good friends. She worked in the banking industry for 18 years.
Carolyn and Jerry moved to Polson in 1984 where they started a family business, Gull Printing. Carolyn worked as the bookkeeper – and the keeper of Jerry and Chip! Carolyn was very active in the Polson community as well. She continued to be involved in her faith and again, met amazing life long friends through the Immaculate Conception church. She also participated in the Polson Soroptomists and Art in the Park.
She remained an avid Griz Fan and attended as many football games as she could and periodic basketball games.
Carolyn became “Nana” in March of 1988 and was the most amazing “Grammy” to 6 grandchildren. Her love for her children and grandchildren could not be measured.
Carolyn has been an inspiration to all who have come in to her life.
Jerry and Carolyn moved back to Missoula in 2006 to be closer to medical care.
Her families at the St Pat’s Dialysis and Oncology centers looked forward to seeing her smiling face every time she arrived for care. Her friends continually commented on her strength and dignity. Carolyn will continue to provide her family and friends strength and support well in to the future.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her father Julius Oster; mother Eleanor Kramer and step-father Eugene Kramer. She is survived by her husband and the love of her life, Jerry Kurzenbaum (Missoula); daughter Heidi Doherty, of Calgary, Ablerta, her husband Tracy and their children Courtney, Nolan, Makenzie and Colin; son Chip of Polson; and daughter Beth Glover of Missoula, her husband Mike and their children Kyle and Drew.
Carolyn and her family thank every person who drove her to Missoula from Polson for treatment, all who provided amazing care for her the previous times and especially this last time she was in St. Patrick’s Hospital, to Dr Beatty and Dr Lakatua and their staff, all the staff at the Dialysis and Oncology Centers, her fellow parishioners and all of her dear friends who spent time with her in her last days – you are all amazing!
Prayer vigil was held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and a true celebration life will be at 10 a.m. today both at St Anthony’s Church in Missoula.
Please honor our request and wear celebration colors (minimal or no black).
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cheerful Heart in Polson MT.
We love you wife, mom, daughter, grammy and friend.
Edna Lehrman Rudolph
Edna Fern Lehrman Rudolph, 93, of Ronan, passed away on Monday, Aug. 17 at St. Luke’s Extended Care Facility
Edna was born on April 13, 1916, in Chester, near the Sweetgrass Hills. She was one of four children born to Bessie Thompson and Albert Lehrman. She attended Fairview School through eighth grade. Edna married Paul Rudolph on Sept. 24, 1938. They lived and worked farming and ranching. Edna enjoyed her role as a farm wife, homemaker and mother of two daughters. After selling their farm they moved to Chester where Edna worked at the Liberty County Hospital and nursing home in dietary housekeeping.
In 1975, they sold their home to make a move to Ronan. Edna worked at Happy Acres and Mission View Home for many years. They had been married 53 1/2 years at the time of Paul’s death.
Edna enjoyed the ranch and farm, gardening, flowers, teaching a new calf to drink and milking Holstein cows. She was right by Paul’s side doing whatever needed to be done. Her hobbies were many: reading, embroidery, sewing. Edna was a great cook, if someone stopped by at mealtime, an extra plate was always on the table. She will be remembered for homemade rolls, bread and canning. Best of all, she leaves a legacy of her faith in God, through good times and bad. She was known as the lady who prays. She was a member of the Baptist Church in Pablo.
Survivors include two daughters, Marie Datton of Basin, Wyo. and Myrtle Rudolph of Ronan, and numerous relatives and friends. Edna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and brothers: Elmer and Leonard, and a sister, Almera.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Agu. 26 at the Pablo Baptist Church with Pastor Kenny Prewett officating. Burial was at the Ronan Cemetery.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan assisted with arrangements.
Helen Pedersen Therriault
Helen Pedersen Therriault was born in Twin Butte, Alberta, Canada, on Nov. 5, 1920. She was the third daughter of Johanne and Klemen Pedersen. She received her schooling there. Helen passed away on Thurday, Aug. 20, at St. Luke’s Extended Car Facility in Ronan.
She worked in Minneapolis, Minn., form 1942-49. On Nov. 19, 1951, she married Frank Therriault in Pincher Creek, Alberta. They lived in North Pole, Alaska from 1951-55, where Frank worked as a heavy duty equipment mechanic at the Eilson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1955, they bourth a farm in Moiese. they enjoyed working onthe farm, as well as fishing and picnicking in the Big Sky Country of western Montana. Their daughter Anne was born in Missoula in 1957. Farm lief included cattle, sheep and chickens, as well as hay and grain. Picking huckleberries was another long-time favorite activity.
Due to Frank’s poor health, they sold the farm in 1971 and moved into a new home they had built in Charlo. Frank died in April 1972.
In the fall of 1972, programs and services for the elderly were being organized in Lake County. Helen helped with many of these programs and served on the board of directors for the Charlo Senior Center. She also served on the Lake COunty Council on Aging in Ronan and on the Area VI on Aging Board in Polson. Helen was the site manager for the nutrition program at the Charlo Senior Center for 19 years. She retired in 1991 in order to have more time to with her family.
Her home was always open to her twin grandsons and their friends and classmates. She was a volunteer grandma for the third grade reading program at Charlo schools for nine years. SHe was an avid sports fan and enjoyed all sports activities at the Charlo schools from the Little Dribblers basketball program, Charlo Youth baseball and on all the way to all the Charlo High School games and tournaments. Helen enjoyed working in her yard and garden. Many people passing by her home exclaimed over the riot of colors when her flowers are all in bloom. She also worked on beautiful embroidery on pillowcases, dish towels and dresser scarves.
She enjoyed her retirement to the fullest, taking many trips on the senior citizen bus and spending a lot of time with her grandsons, Jason and Joel Fuhrmann. Becoming a grandmother and being able to see her grandsons grow up was extremely rewarding to Helen, as she didn’t know any of her own grandparents. On Nov. 11, 2007, Helen suffered a severe stroke. She made the transition gracefully from independent to assisted living.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; two sisters and her husband Frank. She is survived by her daughter Anne Fuhrmann; son-in-law Dale Fuhrmann and twin grandsons Jason Fuhrmann and Joel Fuhrmann; sisters Alma HEap and Esther Hewett; brother Harry Pedersen; brother-in-law Douglas Hewitt; sister -in-laws Josephine Therriault, Jane Rutledge and Jeannette Therriault; 14 neices and 18 nephews.
Friends paid their respects this pas Monday afternoon at the Shrider-Thompson Funeral Chapel in Ronan. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 25 in the Mission Valley United Methodist Church Burial followed in the Ronan Cemetery.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan assisted with arrangements.
Christopher Lee Hoyt
Christopher Lee Hoyt, 41, of Polson, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 23 in Polson. Chris was born on Oct. 30, 1967, in Polson, son of Ross and Darline Hoyt of Big Arm. He graduated from Polson High School and lived and worked construction in the Big Arm – Polson areas. He also spent five years as a welder in Casper, Wyo.
Chris went to work as a Montana Highway Patrolman after completing his training in 2002. He went to work on Jan. 2, 2003, where he was stationed in St. Ignatius for a year. Chris transferred to Polson where he had currently been stationed. He thoroughly enjoyed his job and tried very hard to educate and help the people he came in contact with.
He is survived by his life partner, Tammy McGill of Polson; his three sons, Traven, Kellen and Morgen, and their mother, Eileen Glanville, all of Polson; his parents, Ross and Darline Hoyt; his brother, Tom Hoyt of Pablo; paternal grandmother, Blanche Hoyt of Kalispell and maternal grandmother, Josephine Joyce of Tooele, Utah; his aunts, Patricia (Paul) Dittion of Tooele, Utah and Debbie Medalen of Portland, Ore.; an uncle, David Joyce of Missouri; a great-aunt, Bonnie Kirsch of Ronan, and numerous cousins, friends, and acquaintances.
Chris’ family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for everyone’s assistance during this most unfortunate time.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Linderman Gymnasium in Polson with Rev. John Payne officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to either the Mission Valley Animal Shelter or to the Educational Fund that has been established at 1st Citizens Bank, Polson, for his three sons.
Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The Grogan Funeral Home of Polson is assisting the family.