Obituaries, Jan. 15, 2009
Knight, Lemire, Stoneback, Zumwalt, Kuhnhausen, Fitz-Kelly, Cooley, Holland, Bartholomew
Shawn Patrick Knight
Shawn “Sam” Patrick Knight, 43. of Polson, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from natural causes. He was born on August 13, 1965, to Melvin and Annette (Knight) Wright. He attended schools in Fremont, Neb. and Polson. Shawn worked as a cook at both the 4Bs Restaurant and Prices Café in Polson.
He was preceded in death by his father Melvin Wright and grandfather James Knight. His mother and stepfather Annette and Dick Wiese of Polson; a daughter, Kelsey Hagen of Missoula; two brothers Kevin and Scott Wright; and a sister Jill Wright, survive him.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 10 in the United Apostolic Pentecostal Church with Pastor Valeda VanDerSande officiating. Arrangements and cremation under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.
Dr. Rosaire Eli Lemire
Dr. Rosaire Eli Lemire, 89, of Billings, died on Jan. 5, at Valley Healthcare Center.
Rosaire Eli Lemire was born March 11, 1919, in Ronan. His twin died shortly after birth, and Ross spent the next several weeks in a shoe box- he was so small. But he was healthy and grew quickly. As an adolescent if he was asked to a party, his mother made him eat a whole meal before hand so as not to embarrass the family by eating too much at the party. As he grew older and school work grew more important, he lived in either Ronan or Missoula depending on whether his mother liked his current teacher. He then went to the University of Montana, where he graduated as a Sigma Chi, and made many friendships which lasted his entire life. This was followed by medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. There he met his future wife Rita Chapman, who initially didn’t care for “that wild reservation boy.” However, after several years as a medic in the Korean War, he must have settled down and she saw him in a new light- they were married in 1951. He was chief of medicine at the VA hospital in Omaha for several years before moving back to Montana in 1956, settling in Billings. By 1960, Ross and Rita had four children, and Duke the dog.
Ross had a very busy medical practice, took calls at all hours of the day and night. Because of this most of his vacations were spent at Flathead Lake, where there was no phone (sometimes no running water) and he could sleep as much as he wanted.
He was a great lover of the outdoors, cleaning rattlesnakes from the backyard, fishing and bird hunting as much as he could. And he loved to play poker once a month with his old college cronies - no children allowed!
He was also a great story teller - some of which he could not finish because he was laughing so hard at what was to come. This aspect of him was probably one of the most missed, as he got older his memory and word finding got harder and harder until he no longer spoke. And despite this, until recently, he was still bright and always had a smile for a pretty girl. He will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rosaire and Mary; his brothers, John and Shull; his wife of 54 years, Rita; and numerous dogs.
He is survived by his children, Mary Beth (Cary) Sanderson of Billings, Shull (Kathy) Lemire of Missoula, Sarah (Spinner) Van Arsdale of Billings and Anne (Bill) Vaubel of Austin, Texas; and 13 grandchildren: Jason, Chris (Joann), Zach, Ford, Kayla, Angela, Nicole, Mattie, Andrew, Brandon, Erin, Elie, Eric; sisters-in-law: Joan Lemire, Mary Pat Nicola, Margaret Jean Gasnick, Carol Chapman; and various nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Ross Lemire was held at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. The casket was open prior to the vigil and mass. Vigil services were also held at St. Pius X Church. Funeral Mass was held on Saturday at St. Pius X Church. Cremation will follow.
Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, 1106 N 30th St, Billings, MT 59101 or St. Labre Indian School, 2110 Overland Ave., Billings, MT 59102. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.michelottisawyers.com.
Leola Jeanne Stoneback
Leola Jeanne Stoneback of Orofino, Idaho, 67, passed away on Dec. 21 at the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle from long term illnesses. She was born in Madison, S.D. on June 26, 1941, and grew up in Madison, S.D., Waterloo, Iowa, Sandpoint, Idaho, Kalispell and Hot Springs before moving to Orofino, Idaho, in 1975.
She was an ambitious and creative person who loved crafts, gardening and her animals which included several years of showing the chihuahuas she raised. Many people who knew her marveled at her strength and courage. Leola spent 12 years as a rancher’s wife raising their three children and sharing the operation of the Merritt ranch in Hot Springs, before moving to Orofino where she owned and operated the Green Acres Nursery for several years, as well as The Puppy Palace, where she groomed and boarded animals. She lived in Kodiak, Old Harbor and at several logging camps in South Eastern Alaska for several years, she operated a large boarding facility in Kodiak, served as a village public nurse in Old Harbor, and cooked in the logging camps in South Eastern, Alaska. Other professions she held were as a chef and a long-haul truck driver.
Leola was highly regarded as a Past Matron of Eastern Star in Hot Springs.
She is survived by two sons, Gary Merritt, retired Navy and wife Jeanette, Marysville, Wash., Roger Merritt and wife Leigh, of Sidney; her daughter Mary Jo Merritt, Orofino, Idaho; two sisters Sharleen (Stoneback) Ashcraft brother-in-law Dr. Walker J Ashcraft, of Hamilton, Diana (Stoneback) Fraley brother-in-law Richard Fraley, Ret. USCG, Palmer, Alaska; and her brother James Stoneback, Ret. USCG sister-in-law Virgie (Zimmerman) Stoneback, Elgin, N.D. She is also survived by grandchildren, Stacy Merritt, Heather Merritt, Ali Jo Merritt, Dustin Merritt, Jason Merritt and Brennen Merritt; nephews Lt. Col. Paul Ashcraft, Brian Fraley, James Stoneback, Neal Stoneback, Eric Stoneback, Chris Stoneback and niece Jeannie (Stoneback) Marshall.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley S. and Wilma M. Stoneback.
In lieu of flowers, donations to any service dog organization in honor of Leola’s dedicated Labrador Retriever, Emmy, her devoted companion and service dog who misses her mistress terribly. International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), 38691 Filly Drive, Sterling Heights, MI 48310.
Hazel Lauretta Frey Zumwalt
Hazel Lauretta Frey Zumwalt, 84, passed away on Jan. 2 in Polson. Although the following information is factual and of benefit, it certainly does not tell anyone who she was or what she meant to those who loved her. We would like to share who Hazel Lauretta Frey Zumwalt was to us, as well as a few facts.
She was Hazel, Mom, Grandma, Grandma Z and Dr. Zoomie, and we are sure many other characters throughout her life that we don’t know about. And each character title has a story behind it.
She did not talk much about her childhood memories, but with luck and her blessing, we were able to put together scrapbooks that begin with the early 1900’s on an Iowa potato farm. Eventually the family made their way to Montana and settled. On February 16, 1924, Hazel became the youngest member of the Frey clan, joining five brothers and one sister. The Frey family moved from Bundy to St. Ignatius when Hazel was 2. She graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1944. On June 14, 1944, Hazel became a young bride to Percy “Bud” Zumwalt. Bud and Hazel had a son, Robert and a daughter, Vicki. Both her husband and son preceded her in death in unfortunate accidents 10 weeks apart in 1965. Perhaps that is one reason she kept the story of her life well guarded. Her parents, Alfred Frey Sr. and Mina Ladehoff Frey, and all five brothers have preceded her in death as well.
Her hometown of St. Ignatius was a place where she knew everybody and everybody knew her (along with the vintage white Volkswagen she drove). She was a nurses aide at the hospital in St. Ignatius for nearly 30 years (hence the Dr. Zoomie). She enjoyed a multitude of things, which included endless 31 card games, finger pool (billiards), spending time with family and friends (and a much beloved friend Walter Morigeau), and many summer vacations with her daughter and granddaughter throughout the State of Montana and a few trips to Canada. She even took her first plane ride at the age of 63 to San Diego, Calif. after her granddaughter moved there for a short time.
Once a great-granddaughter came into the picture (Brittany Sturm) “the icing on the cake,” she was able to spend the first four months completely immersed in loving, rocking, watching, raising and taking care of her (as long as there were no interruptions when Days of Our Lives was on!). The bond she shared with her great granddaughter was a gift that Grandma Z treasured, as well as the relationship with her immediate family.
Hazel’s outlook on life was to try to find laughter wherever she could, and she shared that sense of humor with all who knew her. The gals who worked with her can testify to that. She spoke her mind, was strong willed and stubborn, and she never seemed to complain even when things were tough. We would not have it any other way! She accepted the circumstances of her life these last seven years with grace and dignity few can manage. She is our hero.
Hazel Lauretta Zumwalt was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother to two children, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and a friend and confidant to many. She was brought into the world Feb.16, 1924, in Bundy and passed peacefully of natural causes in the early morning hours of Jan. 2 in Polson at her home of seven years, Home Sweet Home Assisted Living. She is survived by her daughter Vicki Riebe (Gary); a granddaughter Wendy Sturm (Scott); and one very special great-granddaughter Brittany Sturm; her sister Grace Brooks (Russell) of Missoula; and many nephews and nieces, etc. Vicki’s marriage to Gary brought three step-grandchildren and their children/grandchildren to the family as well. She has many friends, some who have gone on before her and some who are still here to say goodbye. We will miss her very much for now but we believe we will be with her again in heaven.
Cremation has taken place at the Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson. A memorial service will be held sometime in the spring and the details will be published at that time. Condolences to the family at wwwgroganfuneralhome.com
Alma Jean Kuhnhausen
Glenwood, Wash. resident Alma Jean Kuhnhausen passed away at her home on Jan. 7 at the age of 65. She was born in Grant, Mich. on May 12, 1943, to Herbert Eugene and Vivian Rose (Baxter) Prosser.
On Nov. 15, 1959 Alma married Harold D. Kuhnhausen in Hemlock, Wash. Throughout her life, she worked with her husband, managing the trailer parks that he built and also waitressing, bartending and managing resorts, including Blue Bay Resort in Polson for ten years. She served as the President of the Montana Tavern Association for Lake County. Alma enjoyed keeping her hands busy with crocheting and quilting, but also liked outdoor activities such as site seeing, hunting for gold, fishing and hunting, gardening and mushroom picking. She enjoyed traveling and like to head south during the winter months. Alma loved to go to rummage sales and collected Depression and Carnival glass.
She is survived by her husband, Harold Kuhnhausen; sons Robert, Cris and Shawn Kuhnhausen; brother Kenneth Prosser; sister Betty Trautman; and nine grandchildren: Jerritt, Candi, Amanda, Timothy, Kyle, Hayden, Kelsey, Sarah and Caleb. Alma was preceded in death by her mother Vivian Chase; brother Herbert Chase and daughter Julie Kuhnhausen.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Gardner Funeral Home, 1270 N. Main Ave., White Salmon, Wash., followed by a reception. A graveside service will be held later that day at 2 p.m. at Mt. Adams Cemetery in Glenwood.
Helen Louise Fitz-Kelly
Helen Louise Fitz-Kelly, 91, of Ronan formerly of Arlee, passed away on Friday, Jan. 9 at Mountain View Care Center from natural causes. She was born on August 25, 1917, to Hubert and Mary Jane Jette Hancock on the Jette Ranch in Polson. She was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and enjoyed attending Powwows and loved the reservation and refused to leave it.
Her husband Glenn, son William and grandson Monty preceded her in death. She is survived by sons and daughters-in-laws, Zane and Carol Kelly, Rick and Rhonda Larsen, Ray and Debbie Fitz, Ernie and Iris Fitz and Richie and Debra Fitz; daughter Roberta Larsen, daughters and sons-in-law Bonnie and Jerry Walker, Linde and Damon Cortel, 19 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and 10 grandchildren by marriage.
A private memorial services was held on Sunday, Jan. 10 in the Grogan Funeral Home. A private family burial will be held during the summer. Memorials may be made to the Mountain View Care Center in Ronan, MT, in Louise’s name. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Wilma Lavern Cooley
On Jan. 9, Wilma Lavern Cooley, 74, went to be with her lord and savior; a journey she looked forward to her entire life. Wilma began her life in Petersburg, Texas, on April 15, 1934, born to Maurice and Jannie McReynolds Tisdel. She moved around until she met the love of her life, Utah Cooley in Lubbock, Texas, and married him on August 7, 1959.
Wilma lived her life to the fullest as an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, artist, published illustrator, full time homemaker, Sunday school teacher and a devoted member of the Church of Christ in every location she resided. She deeply touched the lives of all those she came in contact with and will be missed by all.
She is surivived by her husband and soul mate, Utah Cooley of Big Arm; a son Zane Cooley of Dayton; and daughters Linda Huston of West Richland, Wash., Utanna Cooley of Trinidad, Calif., and Jannie Brister of Rathdrum, Idaho; siblings Bob Tisdel of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Don Tisdel of Klamath Falls, Oregon; along with 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation for Wilma was held on Monday, Jan. 12 in the Grogan Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 13 in the funeral home with Pastor Larry Crosby officiating. Interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Medical Center. A reception will follow services at the Mission Valley Church of Christ. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Lura V. Holland
Lura V. Holland, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 6 following a hemorrhagic stroke at Polson’s St. Joseph Medical Center. Despite recent health problems, she was still able to travel and had just returned from an extended trip visiting family in both Missouri and Arizona.
Born September 29, 1920, in Auxvasse, Mo. to Naomi and Everett Sapp. She was the only one of ten siblings to graduate from high school. She married Harry E. Holland in 1939. In 1940, they operated the Chester telephone company.
While Harry served in the Marine Corps during World War II, Lura and their first two daughters lived in Missouri. When Harry was discharged they moved to Ronan and purchased Ronan Telephone Company. In 1962, they moved to the west shore of Flathead Lake near Big Arm.
Lura was a long-time member of Ronan Methodist Church and more recently, First United Methodist Church of Polson, plus an active past member of Rebekah’s. A strong sense of patriotism compelled her to participate in the VFW Auxiliary.
For pleasure she enjoyed family, friends, community activities, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, scrabble, game shows, piano, traveling, yard work and watching wildlife. She especially appreciated the beauty of the lake, the islands and Montana sky. Those who knew her were profoundly affected by her inherent good nature and sense of humor.
Lura was preceded in death by her husband in 2001, and daughter, Harriett Davenny in 1995. She is surivived by her children: Virginia Lee Beasley of Fulton, Mo., David Earl Holland of Polson, Lynda (Johnny) Ashcraft of Sahuarita, Ariz., Lynn Ray “Wish” Holland of Missoula; and a brother, O.T. Sapp of Kalispell. She has five grandchildren: Marla Shea, Lisa Riddle, Cathy Condon, Sarah Ward, Chad Ashcraft, Shawn Ashcraft and five great-grandchildren.
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dear mother, sister, grandmother and aunt. Although we will miss her immensely, we are grateful for her life and the strong sense of faith, compassion and generosity she instilled in us.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Polson, Cheerful Hearts at St. Joseph Hospital or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Lura’s life will be scheduled later this year. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Virginia Bartholomew
Loving wife and mother, Virginia Lee Poole Bartholomew, passed away on Jan. 6 at the age of 84.
Virginia was born on Aug. 22, 1924 in Seattle, Wash. She lived with her mother, Laura Lee Sanders and stepfather, Errol Sanders in California for 23 years.
Virginia later moved to Spokane, Wash. and met Walter Bartholomew. She became his wife on Oct. 24, 1947. Together they had four children, Tom, Jim, Peggy and Lori. Their family lived for many years in Spokane, Was. and later in Paradise. Virginia recently celebrated 61 years of marriage with her loving husband, Walt.
As a young mother, she spent her time canning, cooking, sewing and raising her four children. She was the mother that always added a homemade touch.
Before meeting Walt, Virginia worked at the Spokane Telephone Company. After many years together in Spokane, the family moved to Paradise. There, Walt and Virginia bought the Nip and Sip Café, which she operated while he worked for the railroad.
Virginia enjoyed golfing and participated in several tournaments over the years. She also enjoyed bingo, playing cards, bowling and knitting. Virginia expressed her creative personality through her paintings.
She was always a supportive wife to her husband, as he donated much of his time to the Masons and Shriners. As the years went on, Walt and Virginia became snow birds, traveling each winter to Yuma, Ariz. They were always accompanied by their loyal canine companions, Hilde and Heidi. In 1991, they decided to settle down in St. Ignatius and enjoy a more peaceful time near the mountains.
Virginia is preceded in death by her mother, Laura L. Sanders; her stepfather, Errol Sanders; and her husband, Walter Eugene Bartholomew.
Virginia is survived by her children: Walter T. Bartholomew (Cindy) of Spokane, James L. Bartholomew (Sue) of Plains, Peggy A. Marrinan (Michael) of Hot Springs, and Lori D. Charette (Babe) of St. Ignatius. She is survived by 10 grandchildren: Mark Bartholomew (Becky), Brian Bartholomew, Derek Bartholomew (Carrie), Erek Bartholomew (Toni) all of Spokane, Bobbi Jore (Matt) of Ronan, Bill Mitchell (Jennifer) of St. Ignatius, Sarah Marrinan (Jeremy) of Spokane, John Marrinan (Elena) of Camas Prairie, Matthew Marrinan of Whitefish and Annie Marrinan of Kalispell and 12 great-grandchildren.
Virginia will be remembered with love every day.
Virginia and Walt were always together and on this day, too, they will be laid to rest with each other. Services were held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 10 at Manito Masonic Temple, 2715 S. Grand Blvd, Spokane, Wash. Graveside service to follow at Spokane Memorial Gardens.