Obituaries, Jan. 29
Sego, Caye, Maddock, Randall, Hernandez, White, Slover, Paul
Beverley Sego
Beverley Sego, 74, was born on Feb. 5, 1934, in Eugene, Ore. Her father was a logger and the family moved to various places in Washington, Oregon and Idaho to follow his work. When she reached eleventh grade and her family moved again, she stayed behind in Okanogan, Wash. to finish high school. on May 30, 1953, the day after her graduation, she and her husband, Fred, were married in Okanogan.
They made their home in and around Bremerton, Wash., where their four children were born and raised. She also cared for several grandchildren for some of their growing up years. While caring for her children, she attended Olympic College in Bremerton.
When their children were still quite small, much of their family recreation was backpacking and fishing in the Olympic mountains of western Washington. One of her many legacies was her children’s love of the outdoors and the mountains.
When Fred took a job in the Philippines during the Vietnam War, she packed up her children and their belongings and followed him there. In her four years there, she learned to golf and bowl. She became a champion golfer and set course records at several courses after returning home, winning club championships along the way. She also became an excellent bowler and played on scratch (no handicap) leagues.
After her husband’s retirement in 1989, they moved to their present home in Polson. There they spent many years enjoying the many activities Western Montana has to offer. She continued golfing, hiking, skiing, stream fishing and camping in remote forest locations.
Excelling athletically came naturally to Beverley. In high school she played basketball, averaging 20 points a game. In school and after marriage, she played on baseball and softball teams. Her throwing and arm strength earned her the reputation of being the county rolling pin throwing and arm wrestling champion. She learned to downhill ski after her children were in their teens, acquiring the nickname “animal” for her speedy trips down the slopes. In spite of her athletic prowess, she always maintained her femininity. She was exposed to music from infancy, as her parents were both musicians. Placed under the bandstand as a baby, when she started walking, she started dancing. Dancing and singing were to become a big part of her life. Eventually she sang with dance bands and taught ballroom dancing. Many of her dance students in Western Montana, of whom there were hundreds, spoke of being blessed by her ability and personality. Her beautiful alto voice was endeared by all who heard her. For several of their retirement years, she and Fred danced in stage presentations.
In addition to being a dedicated homemaker, she worked in school administration, retail sales, as a cable TV office administrator, and as a golf professional assistant.
She is preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Pearl Slater, sisters Dorothy Langley and Dona, and brother William Slater.
Surviving her are daughters: Ramona (Douglas) Wagner of Missoula and Lorelei (Cass) Eslick of Polson; sons Fred Jr. (Angela) Sego of Poulsbo, Wash. and Steven (Shari) Sego of Polson, and brother Robert (Georgena) Greer of Oak Ridge, Ore.
Also in her care for some of their growing-up years were four of her 12 grandchildren: John Grochala of Jacksonville, Flor. and Dustin Grochala of Nashua, N.H., Kjersti Day and Ashley Stube, both of Missoula. She is also survived by 8.9 great-grandchildren.
Beverley passed away peacefully on Jan. 18 at Community Medical Center, in Missoula, with her loving family at her side.
A memorial service was scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Polson First United Methodist Church, at 301 16th Ave. East. A reception at the church will followed. Cremation has taken place, and graveside services will be at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, Montana Chapter, P.O. Box 96011, Washington D.C., 20090-6011. Condolences to family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Arnold Lewis Caye
Arnold Lewis Caye, 57, of Pablo, passed away on Friday, Jan. 23 from natural causes at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.
Arnold was born on March 31, 1951, in St. Ignatius to Abraham and Agnes Caye. He attended schools in Pierre, S.D. and high school at Flandreau, S.D. Arnold traveled and hitchhiked throughout the Northwest. He was present with AIM during the Alcatraz incident. He attended the University of Nebraska general education program.
Arnold was drafted during the Vietnam War and served his time in Germany were he was a “dog soldier.”
He married Nancy Schall in Portland, Ore. While in Oregon, he attended upholstery school. He worked building bridges all over the Northwest. He attended and received a degree in carpentry from the Salish and Kootenai College. He worked for Mission Valley Power, KCDC and Salish Kootenai Housing. He also helped build McDonald Dam and worked as an independent building contractor.
Arnold loved stick game, cutting wood, cutting Christmas trees and spending time in the woods. He especially enjoyed playing pool and won numerous tournaments. Arnold’s favorite activity was photography.
Arnold was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe.
Arnold was proud of his last two years of sobriety and enjoyed the time he spent with his children and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father Abraham Caye.
He is survived by his mother Agnes Caye and step-father August Lefthand of Polson. His three children: daughters-Nich’e Caye of Pablo, Madaline Caye and her husband Jason Nentowig of Polson, and son Numa Caye of St. Ignatius; his five grandchildren: Kamryn, Levi, Brayden, Ella and Madelyn. He is also survived by his siblings: Barbara Caye of Pablo, Delores (Grayson) Sam of Omak, Wash., Iris Caye of Pablo, June Caye of Polson, Abraham Caye of Seattle, Wash. and Alvin Caye of Pablo. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Betty Schall of Arlee.
Traditional wake services were held on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Elmo Hall. Vigil services were held on Sunday and Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday at the Elmo Hall. Burial with military honors will be at the Dayton Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.
John C. Maddock
John C. Maddock, 93, formerly of Guelph, N.D., passed away on Jan. 21, from natural causes at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan. Born on July 1, 1915, in Guelph, N.D., John was the youngest child of Charles B. and Grace P. Maddock, North Dakota pioneer farmers. It was there he and his siblings, Harold, Wallace, Pauline, Genevieve and Ruth grew up as the “Charlie Kids” and shared many adventures with their dear cousins, the “Harry Kids,” children of Harry and Mertie Maddock. Those special bonds remained throughout their lives.
John was married on Dec. 23, 1942, to Madeline Rose Tuchscher in Oakland, Calif., where he was employed in the shipyards. They moved back to North Dakota to join John’s parents on the family farm in 1943 and it was there they raised their two children, Fritz and Dee. While farming was their main occupation, John also was a mechanic for Eino Visto Implement in the mid to late 1940s and it was there he earned his first tractor, an International “B” which he still owns. He later drove school bus for the Guelph School and retired from bus driving in the early 1980s. Growing up, John developed a love for cars and mechanic work, a passion which remained with him throughout his life. It seemed there wasn’t much he couldn’t fix or put back together in spite of having only a high school education. After he and Madeline retired from farming, he had time to expand his antique auto collection and would spend his days “at the farm” tinkering with his “toys.”
In 1998, John and Madeline moved to Oakes, N.D., and spent their winters in Montana with Dee and her family. After Madeline passed away, John continued to make his annual trip to winter in Montana and spending his spring and summer months in Oakes living on his own. In 2006 after recovering from a broken hip suffered while working on his cars at the farm, he moved to Montana to be near Dee and her family. A quiet, unassuming man, he loved watching baseball, football and game shows, looking at the mountains, and spending time with family and friends. Even as his physical health declined, he could always be counted on to give great advice on how to fix his cars, and how his eyes shone when he could touch those automobiles.
John was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers, Madeline in 2000, and a daughter, Margaret Grace at birth. Surviving are his son Fritz and Deb Maddock of Guelph, N.D., and daughter Dee and Larry Oakland of Ronan. Also surviving are five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, six step-great grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter. He is also survived by Vivian Alma of Burnettsville, Ind., one of the “Harry” kids as well as many special nieces and nephews who could always count on John to help them out whether at work or having fun.
Services for John included a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Oakes, N.D., and a funeral at the Guelph United Methodist Church in Guelph, N.D., on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Burial will take place beside Madeline in the Ellendale, N.D. cemetery.
Assisting the family with arrangements are Grogan Funeral Home of Polson, and Dahlstrom Funeral Home of Oakes, N.D.
Condolences may also be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Katherine Dorothy Randall
Katherine Dorothy (Sternberg Jones) Randall passed away quietly and peacfully on Jan. 19 at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan from natural causes. Born Kathryn Dorothy Sternberg, she was the youngest child of Nicholas and Julia Sternberg. Kay was delivered by her father at the family homestead in the Hopp area southeast of Big Sandy on July 27, 1916.
She enjoyed her childhood of good times and hard work. Her father grew huge gardens and provided Kay with her love of gardening Kay attended the country school with her brothers and a few neighbor boys until she moved into Big Sandy to share a rental home with her good friend Florence Rutledge (now Leighton) until graduating from Big Sandy High School in 1934.
After high school she worked as a cook and nanny for well to do families. Soon she moved to Great Falls where she began work at the Deaconess Hospital as a switchboard operator and later as an elevator operator. Next, she was hired by the Montgomery Ward Department Store as the first woman in their store to sell furniture on consignment due to the few men available because of WWII. There she met and soon married Robert L. Jones in 1942. They moved from Great Falls to Fort Benton and back to Great Falls, buying land and building a home on the outskirts of Great Falls near the lower Sun River, where they raised four children. She was a hard working homemaker, and helped out with family finances by selling eggs, milk and butter. The fruit cellar was always full of home canned goods, the kitchen always had fresh pies and baked treats.
In 1963, the farm was sold and the family moved to Missoula where they would buy and operate the A-Z Rental Store, which they later renamed Star Rental. In 1976, Bob and Kay divorced. She continued working at Newberrys and then later at Stone’s Grocery. In 1979, she married William Randall, they divorced in 1982.
She moved to the Lake View Village Apartments in Polson and kept herself busy with the Polson Senior Center, bowling and being secretary for two bowling leagues, raising roses and strawberries in small garden by her apartment. Doing picture puzzles, playing billiards, visiting with family, and fishing for perch were always enjoyed. Many in Polson will remember Kay always crossing Hwy 93 for her daily visit to the Driftwood Cafe for lunch or dinner. She always enjoyed eating out, especially for shrimp or fish.
Kay was known all her life as a good looking woman with auburn hair, greenish blue eyes and olive skin. Tall, she carried herself with grace and took care to dress well at all times. The death of her daughter in 2002 brought on a heart attack, after a second heart attack in July, she would move to St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan and reside there for seven years. She enjoyed her stay, often commenting on the good food and nice people that helped her.
She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Judy (Jones) Williams. Her sister, Louise and her brothers Has, John, Walter, Herbert and George Sternberg all preceded her in death. Survivors include her son, Jerry Jones and his wife, Betty of Polson; daughter Joyce (Jones) Marsh and her husband Jim of Polson and Janet (Jones) Thornburg and her husband Rob of Helena, as well as nine grandchildren, nine great-grand-children, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Internment will be in the Big Sandy Cemetery where Kay will join her family in the Sternberg family plot. Memorial gifts may be sent to Mission Mountain Enterprises. Kay always had a special place in her heart for those challenged by disabilities.
Tracy Hernandez
MINNEAPOLIS — Traci Lynn Matt Hernandez, 43, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 38, in Minneapolis, Minn.
The daughter of Earl Patrick Matt and Lucille M. Old Horn, she lived in Montana 19 years and moved to Washington then to California before moving to Minnesota.
A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe she was active in the Indian Fellowship in Minneapolis.
She married Jose L. Hernandez in 1995.
She was preceded in death by her mother Lucille Old Horn.
She is survived by her husband Jose; her children Chantel Sorrel, Andrew P. Wilder, Carlos M. Hernandez, Christopher and Moses; father Earl Patrick Matt; her grandchildren: Larz Felsman and Joslyn Felsman; sisters and brothers John Hernandez, William “John” Matt, Fredrick Matt, Earl “Pat” Matt Jr., Phillip Matt, Patricia Matt, Laurie Old Horn, Angel Matt-Howard and Marie Diaz; aunties Wanda William, Anne Mitchell, Sharon Two Teeth and Regina Old Horn as well as a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.
A wake began at the Longhouse on Sunday with the Rosary being recited at 8 p.m. on Monday in the Longhouse. Christian funeral services was held on Tuesday in the Longhouse.
Interment will follow in the Hminsto Cemetery in Camas Prairie. Pallbearers are Lester Old Horn, Rick Two teeth, Duffy Two Teeth, Jazz Pierre, Paul Ross, Brian Mitchell, Linden Plant and Larry “Cowboy” Old Horn
MIchael Eugene White
Michael Eugene White, 34, of Pablo passed away on Friday, Jan.23. The oldest son of Tony and Debby Adams, Michael was born in Polson on March 28, 1974.
He graduated from Ronan High School in 1992. He continued on to work at various jobs in different places. He enjoyed fishing, construction work and fixing on motorcycles.
He had many nights having “JAM” sessions with his buddies: Joe, Ed, Scott and Kyle. If you heard music throughout Pablo it was their band.
In 1997, he was involved in a horrible motor cycle accident, where his life was almost taken; we were blessed to keep him here with us. We all took turns taking care of him, but for all of us we have to thank his friend Joe for taking him in for a year after his wreck.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris and Arthur Brueggeman, Aunty Geneva “Tootsie” White.
He is survived by his parents, Debby and Tony Adams; sisters Amanda (Randy), Trisha and Amelia; brothers Nick (Justin), John and Tony (Chelsea); nieces Kiana, Melanie, Maizy, Aaliyah, Natalie; and nephews Dallas, Isaak, Elijah, Bailey, Noah, Randy, Terrance and Little Tony and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Traditional services will began Monday with visitation at Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius and moved to the Longhouse on Tuesday where the rosary was recited. Wake closing began at 10 a.m. on Wednesday in the Longhouse with Mass following in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment followed in the Snyelmn Sntmtmne in St. Ignatius. Pallbearers were Ben Ascencio, Adam Smith, Mike Rodriguez, Leroy Black, Douglas Kenmille and Jordan Bruegeman
Billy Jean Slover
Billy Jean Slover, 74, of Ronan, passed away on Friday Jan. 23 at her home from natural causes. She was born on Dec. 19, 1934, in Lawrence, Kan. to Gerald L. and Velma J. (Riley) Gates. Billy attended and graduated from high school in Lincoln, Calif. in 1952. Billy and Edward Slover married in 1952, in Sacramento, Calif., and she later attended Mesa State College for nursing and graduated in 1974 as an LPN.
She worked as an LPN in Montrose and Grand Junction Colo., She enjoyed reading, swimming, puzzle solving and card and board games, along with her loving family.
Her parents Gerald and Velma Gates preceded her in death. Billy is surivived by her husband Ed Slover of Ronan; sons: Dan G. Slover of Palisade, Colo., and Chris L. Slover of Ronan; and a sister Betty J. Hepburn of Grand Junction, Colo. along with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Albert Clifford Paul
Dad went peacefully to be with mom and other relatives and friends in heaven on Jan. 20. He was 86. Dad was born on Nov. 28, 1922, to Anna Boyer and Dorila “Doc” Paul in the Frenchtown Valley. When he was 12, they moved by horse and wagon to a farm in Arlee. He married his high school sweetheart, Doris Christopher in 1961 and they moved to Portland, Ore. where he woked in the shipyards. They later moved back to Montana and woked on the Glory B ranch in Mission, where he trained horses, and Missoula at a sawmill. In 1952, they moved with us three girls to Dixon where they owned and operated the Dixon Mercantile until they retired in 1970 to move to Yuma, Ariz., to rock hound and Square Dance. They would come back summers to check on the grandchildren. Dad returned to his mountains four years ago when his health started to fail. He lived at Clark Fork Riverside Apartments where he made many friends, and recently also at Riverside Health Care. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Doris; daughter Esther Fowler; brother Willis; grandson Rob and great-grandson Azure. He is survived by his sisters: Burnedette Dufour of Lakeside, and Cora (Ralph) Brackett of Great Falls; daughters: Barbara (Carl) Erlandson of Evaro, and Sharon Mitchell of Arlee; and son-in-law Ken Fowler (Marcia) of Burlington, Wash. and Yuma, Ariz. Seven great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. He wished to be cremated. A service will be held at a later date.