Obituaries
Jan. 8, 2008
Liggett, Mary
Mary (Toennis) Liggett, 90, former Miles City resident passed away of natural causes at Colonial Manor in Whitefish on Dec. 25, 2008. She was born in Stacey on Feb. 2, 1918.
Mary was raised in the Miles City area and schooled as a beautician as well as helping on the family farm. She was married to Harry Liggett, who preceded her in death in 1993. The couple worked on ranches in different areas of Montana as Harry had a background in cattle. Mary also worked in the school library of Park City, and had a school in Kalispell in the library. She also enjoyed working outside in her yard flowerbeds. She also was very talented in handcraft, such as crocheting, embroidery and various other activities, which showed her wonderful talent.
Her parents, Ben and Esther Toennis of Miles City her brothers James, Grant and Charles, also a granddaughter Carla preceded Mary in death.
Mary is survived by her children, Eva “Ruby” Messenzi, of Fallon, Nev., Leona (Pat) Serquina, of Pelican Rapids, Minn., Ruby (Douglas) Allison, of Great Falls, James (Chairs) Whitcher, of Columbia Falls, Guy (Sandy) Whitcher, of Las Vegas, Nev. Also surviving is sister Ruth (Ted) Hirsch, of Miles City and brothers Patrick (Agnes) Toennis, of Miles City, and Joseph (Dorothy) Toennis, of Phoenix. Ariz. Her 17 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren also survive her. She also had numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, at 2p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3. Burial was at the Glacier Memorial Gardens.
Koenig, Rev. Bernard J
Rev. Bernard J. Koenig, 82, of Ronan passed away on Sunday, Dec. 28, from natural causes. He was born on Sept. 13, 1926, in Conrad to Michael B. and Marie Kronebush Koenig. After graduating from Conrad High School in 1944. Father Bernie was drafted in 1945 and served in the army during WWII. After his discharge from the military, he returned to Conrad to work on the family farm, until enrolling in Carroll College in 1947, and graduated with a degree in business administration.
In 1952, he entered St. Thomas Seminary and was ordained a priest at the Cathedral in Helena four years later. Father Bernie’s assignments were at Browning, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Helena, Libby, Dillon, Three Forks and Belgrade, as well as in the Chancery Office in Helena. He also taught accounting, economics and religion at Carroll College for three years. In 1990 he was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Ronan and retired in July of 1997. Father Bernie never really retired as he substituted saying daily mass at St. Joseph’s Mission in Charlo and in Ronan until his health would not allow it anymore. Father Bernie enjoyed golfing and fishing and reading books about spiritual life and other books pertaining to the church, as part of his everyday life.
In Father Bernie’s own words: “I would say the greatest work of the priesthood is the joy of working with people in preaching the word of Jesus and helping them to see the tremendous, limitless love of Jesus for them and the way to live the love of Jesus with each other.”
He is survived by his siblings; Sister Mary Agnes Koenig, OP, of Chewelah, Wash., Bernice Muir of Conrad, Joan (Mike) Keegan of Spokane Wash., and Donald (Evelyn) Koenig of Conrad.
Visitation was held on Sunday, Jan. 4, starting at noon in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan. A rosary was recited at 3 pm in the church and vigil services was held on Sunday, Jan. 4 in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 5 in the church. Military honors will follow services at the church. A family mass was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Conrad with Father Michael Poole officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorials in Father Koenig’s name may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan or the retired priest fund in Helena. Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson, MT. Condolences may be posted online at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Kaminsky, Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee Kaminsky, 62, of Mesa, Ariz. passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 1. Sandi was born on June 19, 1946, in Brainard, Minn. Her family moved to Montana when she was 6 years old. Shortly after graduating Polson High in 1964, she moved to Lewiston, Idaho, where she met and married the love of her life, Jerry Kaminsky. Their partnership in marriage spanned 43 plus years, in various states and a multitude of adventures. Sandi is survived by her husband and two children, daughter Shannon (Eric) Andersen, and son Mike (Andrianna Watt) Kaminsky; four grandchildren: Megan, Logan and Sydney Andersen and Dylan Kaminsky; one sister: Jacki (Bob) Bilodeau and two brothers: Jerry (Irene) Larson and David (Vickie) Larson and her beloved cats, Sammy and Samantha. Visitation for Sandi was held on Mon. Jan. 5, at Mariposa Gardens Cemetery Chapel, 6747 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, Ariz. Funeral services followed on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4640 E. Holmes Ave. Mesa, Ariz. Interment will be back at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, Mesa. Ariz.
Poloson, Ernestine Marie
Ernestine Marie Poloson, 85, of Red Wing, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20 at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester. She was born on March 3, 1923, in Helena to Dan and Mae Deschamps Poloson. She spent her early years at their Wolf Creek home where, from infancy, she accompanied her mother on horseback and by wagon traveling over steep terrain to sheep camps. In 1929, Marie’s parents bought their own ranch near Lonepine where she attended school. Her greatest love was horses, she spent as much time as she could with them and became an excellent horsewoman. In 1948, she brought the first Tennessee Walking Horses to the Big Arm area. Marie trained her own horses including several stallions that were gentle enough for her girls to ride. The bloodline of Marie’s walkers can be found throughout western United States and Canada, and as far away as Oklahoma. In later years, Marie owned and operated Marie’s Little Salvage in Red Wing, Minn. for more than 30 years. This was the first recycling business in the Red Wing area. She was well informed on metals and operated her Bobcat Skid Steer, pick-ups and trucks with skill. Marie recycled approximately 800,000 lbs. of aluminum cans, and at least 2,000,000 lbs. of scrap metals plus glass, cardboard and appliances. Marie enjoyed all her customers and took a very active role in Red Wing politics speaking out on issues in which she strongly believed. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and two great-granddaughters that lived close by; Dana, and his two daughters, and Elizabeth, Melissa, Gabrielle, Olivia and Adrian.
Marie is survived by her daughters, Grace, Alice and Shirley; 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandaughter, sister Fay Haynes and brother Bert Poloson. She was preceded in death by her mother in 1967, her father in 1976, her brother Fred Poloson in 2004, step-grandchild Michael,andher granddaughter Robin both in 2006,
Cremation has taken place per her request. Visitation was from 2 — 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing, Minn. A memorial service will be held later in the spring in Red Wing with graveside services at Lonepine in late June. Interment will be in Murray Cemetery in Lonepine. Memorials are preferred to Lonepine Community Hall or Cornerstone Community Church, Red Wing, Minn.
Cruver, Grace Burbank
Longtime Charlo resident, Grace Burbank Cruver, passed away on Dec. 31, 2008 in Mount Vernon, Wash. at the age of 95.
Grace came to the Mission Valley in the early 30s with her parents Frank and Ora McNees. She married Richard J. Burbank on Dec. 13, 1936 and after fifty years of marriage Dick passed away in October 1987. In March 1989, Grace married Charles Cruver of Bellevue, Wash. Charlie passed away in December 1996. Since January 1999, Grace had made her home in Mount Vernon, Wash.
Grace will be remembered for her seventeen years (1956-1973) as secretary for the Charlo School System, as well as for her friendships with many Lake County residents.
Survivors include her daughters, Joan Johnson of Mount Vernon, Wash. and Donna (Dennis) Jefcoat of Chiloquin, Oregon; ten grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; seven nieces and two nephews.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17 in Mount Vernon, Washing. A graveside service is planned for August 2009 at the Ronan Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, 1122 South Third Street Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Ducharme, Kellie Lynn
POLSON — On Jan. 1, Kellie left to be united with our Lord and those family members that have passed on before her.
Kellie is the daughter of Leslie (dec.) and Harold Ducharme of Polson. She was born on Nov. 14, 1965 in Boise, Idaho. She lived in Polson for the past nine years. Kellie is survived by her dad, Harold “Bud” Ducharme in Polson; her brother Bill (Ellen) Dorman of Salt Lake City, Utah and her sister Rachael (Jim) Jardine and nephews Jack and Grey of Shelley, Idaho; her uncle Ray and Aunt Phyllis Lewin of Salt Lake City, Utah, and several relatives in Boise, Idaho. Kellie also has several aunts, uncles and cousins in the Ducharme family.
Kellie enjoyed being with family, shopping and liked her pet cats. She also liked to pick huckleberries and morel mushrooms. Kellie loved to spend time at the family cabin in the Boise National Forest.
Kellie graduated from Borah High School, in Boise, Idaho in 1983. She attended Boise State University for two years. Kellie was employed at several Best Western Hotels in Boise and later moved to Skagway, Ala. and worked as a tour guide for the White Pass Yukon Railroad.
Services were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2 at the Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius with a meal following in the Longhouse.
McCready, Steven Allison
Steven Allison McCready, 90, passed away from injuries following an automobile accident on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.
Steve was born Nov 3, 1918, in Toppenish, Wash. to Charles and Alice McCready. He attended school in Round Butte and Ronan, graduating in 1937. Steve served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard 1942 to 1946.
He crossed the International dateline to China and Japan. He recieved an expert rifleman medal and was entitled to the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, AM. Area Campaign medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign medal and the WWII Victory Medal.
On Aug. 3,1948, Steve married Marjorie Christensen Abbey and became an instant father to Gary, 7, and Dennis, 3, a role that he filled with unstinted commitment. Son Steven Charles was born on June 1, 1950. Steve and Marjorie raised quality beef cattle and were one of the first in the valley to have a large band of sheep.
Steve and Marjorie ranched in Round Butte until retiring to a smaller ranch on Dublin Gulch 1976 where Steve continued to live as caretaker after selling to Dale Wise in 1994. After Marjorie’s death, Steve spent summers wrangling dudes for Gary at the horse consession in East Glacier Park. He also guided hunters for Gary in the Bob Marhsall Wilderness until a hip replacement made riding too painful. He was remarkedly strong mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically for his age.
Steve was a long time member of the Ronan Assmebly of God Church. He also attended the Christain Church in St. Ignatius. Steve leaves an honorable legacy that will last through time and all eternity. He was the most honest man you could ever know. He was a devoted husband, a guiding, patient and caring dad and a friend to all he met. Steve would give you the shirt off his back and T-shirt too if you needed it. He touched a great many lives in his 90 years on earth.
Steve was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie on June 26, 1981; son Dennis on June 8, 2003; brothers Phillip and Virgi;l and sister Rachel Goble.
He is survived by his sons Gary (Frances) and Steve (Cheryl); sisters Dorothy Rinke, Joan McCready, Hazel Grigg, brothers Richard, Lewis, Frank, and Allen; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life was held at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, Terrance Lake Road in Ronan at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29 a reception followed military graveside rites.
The familly asks that memorials be made to the National Arbor Foundation or charity of your choice.
Danielson, Zella
Zella Danielson entered into the kingdon of God on Jan. 3. She was born in Powell, Wyo. on Sept. 16, 1916, to Guy and Mary Ellen Johnson. She received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior when she was a very young girl and was baptized by her uncle, which she fondly remembered all her life.
The family moved to Kalispell when she was 12 years old. She attended grammar and high school there. She worked for Boeing Aircraft Company during WWII as a riveter.
After the war she moved back to Kalispell, where she married Peter Danielson on Dec. 31, 1949. Her son, Steven, was born on July 3, 1956. The family later added three more sons by adoption, Marvin, Harold and Ray. The family moved to Ronan in 1959 and later moved to Pablo. Her husband Peter died in 1967 and Zella finished raising her four sons with God’s help. She established Missoin View Court in Pablo in early the 1970s. Zella’s son Steven later joined the business and they ran the business as a partnership until the time of her death.
She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan since the early 1960s. She was proceeded in death by her parents, all of her brothers and sisters: Ivan, Loren, Clebourne, Clifford, Thelma and Alma; her husbad Peter and many wonderful friends, all of whom she loved very much.
Zella loved everyone, she loved God’s creation and she especially loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God’s Holy word stats in 1:John:4:7-8: “Dear friends let us continue to love one another for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love, does not know God - for God is love.”
Zella’s funeral service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. on Jan. 8 with lunch to follow.
Ridnour, Woodrow
Woodrow “Woody” W. Ridnour, 90, of Polson passed away on Tuesday Dec. 30 at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center from natural causes. He was born on May 25, 1918, in Washburn, N.D. to Everett and Anna Johnson Ridnour. He attended and graduated from Polson High School in 1937. He married Bernice Doney in Vancouver, Wash., on March 4, 1943. He worked in the shipyards and also worked on the Noxon and Kerr Dams, and for Tower and Robinson. Woody worked for the city of Polson Street Department retiring in 1982 as the street superintendent. He served on the Lakeview Cemetery Board for many years, a lifetime member of the Odd Fellows and was a member of the Senior Citizens Center of Polson.
He loved to hunt, fish and was a great gardener and enjoyed doing things with his family and spending in time with friends at the Driftwood Restaurant, and Flathead Indian Senior Citizens Center.
His parents, wife Bernice, two brothers: Bud and Dale Ridnour, a son-in-law Stan Zaniewski, great-granddaughter Ronnie Ray Schiele and his best friend Ralph Wiggin, preceded him in death. He is surivived by his daughter Judy Zaniewski of Olympia, Wahs; son Leonard (Karen) Ridnour of Polson; and a sister, Margi Rollins of St. Ignatius; seven grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren; and Lois and Bill Ahsley of Pablo; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Friday, Jan. 2 at the Grogan Funeral home. Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3 in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Polson Senior Citizens Center following services. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.