Obituaries, March 12
Call, Booker, Kemler, Nelson, Lutes, Bick, Driver, Read, Nester, Rochelle, Lippincott
Mary L. Call
Mary L. Call passed away on Sunday, March 1 at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. due to complications of pancreatitis.
Mary was born in Albany, Minn. on August 16, 1934, the youngest of seven children (as her twin brother never let her forget). She grew up in Albany, and later attended college at St. Catherine’s University in Minneapolis, Minn. graduating with a degree in sociology. She met Richard (Dick) Call and they were married at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis in 1959. They moved to northern Idaho where Dick began his career with the U.S. Forest Service. They lived in Orofino, Bonners Ferry, Idaho and other small towns in northern Idaho where their five children were born. In 1978, Dick’s career took them to Columbia Falls for seven years, then to Helena until retirement. Mary and Dick then lived in Twin Lakes, Idaho, before moving back to Columbia Falls in 2003. For most of their retirement, they have been “snowbirds” living six months a year in the Phoenix area, and six months in Columbia Falls.
Mary enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved hiking and drives in Glacier Park, picking huckleberries and swimming. Her greatest joy, however, were times spent with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed family gatherings and preparing large family meals. She loved playing games with her grandkids.
Mary is survived by her husband Dick, as well as her children and their families: Celie and Ray Aylesworth and sons Mack, Josh, and Daniel of Ronan; Rich and Ana Call and their children Michael, Mathew, and Alex of Albuquerque; Chuck and Tina Call and their sons Jon, Nic, and Evan of Albuquerque; Dave and Beth Call and their daughters Abby and Katie of Scottsdale; and Pat and Tanya Call and their son, Luke of Helena. She also leaves behind her twin brother, Fr. Paul Mahowald; her sister Dorothy Quirk and brothers Ted, Mark and Tony Mahowald and their families, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her sister Margaret Dunbar.
A Vigil Service was held on Friday, March 6 at Columbia Funeral Home in Columbia Falls. The Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Richard’s Catholic Church on Saturday, March 7.
William C.G. Booker
William C.G. Booker of Polson was taken home by God mercifully and lovingly on Sunday, March 1 in Kalispell. Bill was a gentle, romantic, wonderful man with tremendous courage and compassion. He was born in 1937, was an excellent and conscientious executive recruiter for many years, forming his own firm in 1985. Before failing vision and Alzheimer’s took their toll, he loved hiking, growing flowers, dining out and he excelled at word games. His real passion was helping others — he particularly took on causes that protected children and abused women. He loved Jesus and served Him faithfully throughout his life. Bill may be absent from the body, but he is present with the Lord. He loved his family with all his heart and was loved by them.
He is survived by his wife Suzanne of Polson; step-son John (Alison) Manning and their children, Grace and Austin of San Diego, Calif.; as well as a sister-in-law Luci Booker and nephews Steve and Scott Booker in Texas.
A visitation was held on Friday, March 6 in the Grogan Funeral Home. Funeral services was held on Saturday, March 7 in the funeral home with Rev. John Payne officiating. Interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery. If you wish to make a donation in Bill’s memory, any organization that helps women and/or children would be most in keeping with Bill’s life. A reception will follow the funeral service in the funeral home before interment is held at the cemetery.
Robert William Kemler
Robert William Kemler, 82, passed away on March 3 at his home in Lakeside. He was born on May 31, 1926, in Canandaigua, N.Y. to William F. and Anna E. (Durnin) Kemler.
He grew up and went to Brighton High School in Rochester, N.Y. and then to State Ranger School, graduating in 1948. He went to Forestry School at the University of Missoula in Montana and graduated in 1953. He was a diehard Griz fan. His son will continue that tradition.
After a 28 year career with the Federal Highway Administration in Montana, New York and Minnesota, he then retired to the Flathead Valley living on Flathead Lake.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Kemler of Lakeside and his only son Steven W. Kemler and significant other, Kelly Susen of Missoula.
Memorial services for Robert Kemler were held on Friday, March 6 at the Lakeside Chapel with Pastor Dennis Reese officiating. There will be no visitation. The family suggests memorials be given to the Lakeside Chapel, P. O. Box 162, Lakeside, MT 59922
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Robert’s family. You are invited to go to http://www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Robert’s guest book.
Jane Nelson
Jane Harriet Sherman Nelson, 89, of Polson, was born on Jan. 30, 1920, dying in her beloved home of 61 years March 4, surrounded by her family.
Born in Terry she was the daughter of Dr. Leigh W. Sherman, a pioneer dentist in Eastern Montana. Since the power company generally turned the electricity off in early evening, the family was accommodated with a few extra hours of illumination that night to “light the way” for Jane’s safe arrival.
Jane’s youth in the “Wilds” of Eastern Montana was full of adventure, stories that she enjoyed recounting in later years. She loved telling of using a dead cow as a trampoline, playing with Evelyn Cameron’s tamed wolves and playing first base on the Terrier’s Baseball Team. These activities kept her busy when she wasn’t studying to become the Valedictorian of Terry’s Class of 1938.
College studies first took her to Northfield Minnesota where she unknowingly lived four blocks from her future mother-in-law. Transferring to Montana State College in Bozeman she became an avid Bobcat fan, meeting Toby, her future husband who was a star basketball player. They met when Toby put one of his frat brothers up to calling her for him, but when she didn’t like the caller’s voice, the plan was nearly foiled. Jane graduated with Phi Kappa Phi honors from MSC and belonged to the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.
Jane and Toby were married in 1942 in Bozeman. Toby was soon called into World War II where he served in Germany. He belonged to the Special Service Unit of the Army and was wounded at the Manheim Stadium while refereeing a football game. While Toby was in Germany, Jane lived with her mother-in-law due to the recent death of her own mother. Judith Ann (Jan) was born VE Day, May 7, 1945. When Jane was wheeled out of the delivery room and saw the nurses dancing in the halls, she mistakenly believed that they celebrated each child’s arrival in such a joyous fashion.
The decision to move to Polson in 1947 for Toby’s first teaching job was solidified by the fact that the new Polson Country Club had grass greens. They moved into the Lake Hotel, making lifelong friends before purchasing their home on Third Ave. where Jane resided for 61 years.
Sandy was born on Christmas Day 1948. A string of boarders filled the upstairs bedrooms to help pay the bills until the rest of the Nelson Clan arrived. Steve came along in 1951, Ginny in 1954 and Amy in 1955, completing what Jane fondly referred to as “The Nelson’s Nuthouse.”
Jane was a faithful Christian who found a nurturing home in Polson’ First Baptist Church. She lived her faith by loving her neighbors, her family and her community with fervor. One of Jane and Toby’s greatest pleasures was that of traveling. They spent many winters traveling in their motor home in search of sandy beaches and grassy links.
Jane was a coach’s wife and LOVED the Polson Pirates. She thoroughly enjoyed watching, especially her grandchildren, excel in their athletic and scholastic ventures, celebrating their successes and cheering them on whether in rain, sleet, sunshine or snow.
There was no greater patron of the Port Polson Players as she watched her crazy kids (and others) on stage. She made her staged debut billed as “The Ancient Women” in The Teahouse of the August Moon, receiving much acclaim.
Her five children and their spouses, 14 grandchildren and spouses, five great grandchildren along with a Village of wonderfully supportive friends survive Jane.
Please send memorials to First Baptist Church to benefit their Awana Program or to Mission Valley Friends of the Arts. A hearty THANK-YOU to all who loved her so well and who avoided her during her days behind the wheel as she and Rose sought that next exciting garage sale.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 7 in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Rudy Ringhoff officiating. Arrangements and cremation under the care of Grogan Funeral Home.
Philip Haynes Lutes
ARLEE — Shuffling off this mortal coil, Philip Haynes Lutes departed on March 4 from his home in Arlee, destined for parts unknown. This was the culmination of a journey that began on Oct. 20, 1934, in Chicago, where he was born, the youngest of six children to John Dewey and Helen Lutes. After undergraduate work at Brown University, Philip received a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Michigan, where he met his wife, Carolyn. The offer of a position at the University of Montana prompted Philip to move his young family in 1969 to Missoula, where he taught until an early retirement in 1994. Philip found a second, very fulfilling, career as he studied for and became an accomplished Jungian therapist. He moved to Arlee in 1993, and enjoyed exercising his carpentry skills in updating and expanding his home. Despite a debilitating cancer, he managed to maintain an independent way of life and thought until the very end. As he had hoped, he died in his home, in his sleep.
Philip’s brother Chris; sisters Lora-Lee and Barbara; sons Jeremy and Jason; daughter Sarah and grandchildren Gabriel, Julian, and Clementine bid him the most loving farewell and fond remembrances.
A memorial will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 at the Jocko Church in Arlee on Agency Road, followed by a potluck dinner at the Cougar Ranch B and B on Musket Lane in Evaro, off of U.S. Highway 93.
Arla Anderson Bick
Arla passed away peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 11 at the Senior’s Village in Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada.
Arla will be remembered by her husband Ralph of 64 years of marriage, and her children: Patsy, Cliff, Jon, Lorraine and Kathy; her 14 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
She was born in Circle. Later, her family moved to the Mission Valley. She married Ralph Bick in Ronan on Jan. 6, 1945. Here, they farmed and raised their family. Arla was active in Home Demonstration Club, PTA and was a 4-H sewing leader for many years.
In 1967, the family moved to the 70 Mile House area in B.C. where they continued to ranch until their retirement. Arla continued her community work with Fall Fairs, Farm Women’s Network, and was a founding member of the B.C. Cattlebelles Association. Arla always welcomed anyone into her home and to her table.
Memorial Services were held on Feb. 14 in Williams Lake, B.C.
Lavana Elizabeth Driver
Lavana Elizabeth “Dolly” Driver died on Monday, Feb. 23 at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan, following a brief illness.
Born in 1921 in Kentucky, she spent much of her adult life in Kalispell. Later, she lived in Kentucky and North Carolina, returning to Montana in 2004.
Dolly was preceded in death by her daughter Brenda in 1946 and husband Fred in 1998, and several brothers and sisters.
She is survived by a brother Jim Null of Minnesota and Florida; a sister Dorothy Wolfe of Kalispell; son Timothy of North Carolina; daughter Fran of Arlee and adopted son Joe Starkey of St. Ignatius and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dolly was employed for many years by Northwest Telephone (later PP and L) in Kalispell.
Her lifelong loves were Jesus, dinners, phone calls, trips with family and friends, gardening and the wild places and wild creatures of Montana.
Dolly always had plans, even on her deathbed, though she was ready to “go home” for the last couple of years. She was sweetness and steel.
No services are planned. There will be a future celebration of her life. Burial was in Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, next to her beloved daughter, Brenda. Memorials in her name may be made to the Salvation Army or other service agencies will be appreciated. Condolences may be sent to Dolly Driver, P.O. Box 116, St. Ignatius, MT 59865.
Shrider – Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan is assisting with arrangements.
Angeline Ann Read
Angeline Ann (Trollope) Read was born on March 18, 1925, to Clell and Gertrude (Schauer) Trollope in Wilbaux. She lived with her gamily on a homestead near Trotters, N.D. until 1934 when they moved to Ronan. During the Great Depression, Angie’s family survived by buying one large tree at a time and selling firewood. Angie and her brother Harry attended the Ronan Schools graduating in 1943 and 1944. Her father Clell became manager of the local pea factory.
During her senior year in high school, Angie set her sights on the local veterinarian, “Doc” Read. After a somewhat wonderfully secret courtship Doc and Angie were married in Hamilton, September 1944. They were together until May 1996 when Doc preceded her in death.
Angie was the Veterinary Clinic business manager for 45 years with their first clinic downtown and then building a large animal clinic on their farm on the northeast edge of Ronan. Angie developed an amazing memory about people, families, farms and even the animals that were touched by their veterinarian practice. Even in her last days, she would ask a nurse to tell her a family name and then give a history lesson regarding that family.
Because of this interest in people, Angeline worked tirelessly to promote the “Garden of the Rockies Museum” in Ronan. She loved collecting items, promoting fundraisers and just visiting with people who came to see the history of the Ronan area.
Angie and Doc were avid bowlers traveling to many tournaments. She also loved going to the local card parties at the Senior Centers in the valley. Over the years she worked with the 4-H programs, Red Cross swimming lessons, many school activities including planning several all school reunions. Angie was a lifetime member of the Ronan Woman’s Club and active member of Faith Lutheran Church.
Angie and Doc raised five children, Raymond (Linda) of Helena, Patti Mocabee, Marcia (Ed) Ganieany of Ronan, Tim (Dorothy) of Superior and Joe (Jill) of Ronan. She was very proud of her 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. Though Angie was noted for her many collections, her family was always her main focus. She instilled a strong work ethic in all those around her.
Angeline was preceded in death by her husband Raymond D. Read; her parents; her sister, Ruth Wycoff and brother Robert Trollope. She is survived by her brother Harry (Jerry) Trollope, of Anaconda; brother-in-law Kenneth (Ethel) Read of Missoula; all her children, grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitations were held on Friday, March 6 at the Shrider-Thompson Funeral Chael. A graveside service was held on Saturday, March 7 at the Mountain View Cemetery, followed by a Memorial service at the Faith Lutheran Church. Memorials can be made to the Garden of the Rockies Museum.
Lovell Loran Nester
Lovell Loran Nester, 90, of Polson passed away on Friday, March 6 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson.
Lovell was born on August 14, 1918, in Nodaway, Mo. to Hearld and Anis Nester. He grew up and attended schools in Missouri.
Lovell married Lillie Allison in Mississippi in 1941.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served in the European Theater and received five bronze stars during his service. After his military service, he returned to Missouri where he farmed for several years. In the early 1950s, he moved to Whitesville, Mo. and started working in construction and was a superintendent on bridge construction. He retired and he and Lillie moved to the Lake of the Ozarks and he stayed busy repairing antique furniture. They continued to live there until moving to Polson, Montana in 2005.
He enjoyed woodworking and was a member of the VFW and the American Legion.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Arrow-wanah Nester
He is survived by his wife Lillie of Polson; children- Mary (John) Myers of Dallas, Texas, J.R. Nester, Linda Allen (Bob) of Polson; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and a sister Shirley of Missouri.
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 9 at the First Presbyterian Church in Polson with Rev. Dave Anson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Uthana Rose Rochelle
THOMPSON FALLS — Uthana Rose Rochelle, 68, passed away on Saturday, March 7 at Clark Fork Valley Hospital.
Born in Spokane, Wash. on March 26, 1940, she became a cosmetologist and hairdresser moving to the Thompson Falls area about fifteen years ago to retire.
Survivors include her husband Albert E. Rochelle Jr. of Thompson Falls; a son James Allen Rochelle of Germany; a sister Gail who lives in Columbia Falls; a sister and three brothers who live out of state.
In accordance with her wishes, no services are planned at this time.
Foster Funeral Home and Crematory of St. Ignatius is assisting the family with arrangements.
Roger L. Lippincott
RONAN – Roger L. Lippincott, 69, of Ronan who passed away on Feb. 17, will be having military services at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
Foster Funeral Home and Crematory of St. Ignatius is assisting the family with arrangements.