Obituaries, May 14
Demarais, Sanford, Tremper, Peterson, Bailey
Lance Demarais
PABLO — Lance Martin Demarais (Fyant) passed away on May 7. He was born on May 31, 1984 in Providence, R.I. to Melody Demarais. Raised in Pablo by his parents Melody and Louis Fyant, he attended school in Ronan and Two Eagle where he made many friends. He enjoyed many outdoor activities, especially fishing with friends. Lance was a kind, hard working man who was most recently employed at American Truss. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ernest Martin Demarais of Malta and many other relatives on both sides.
He is survived by his parents Melody and Louis Fyant, his love Rosie Gurule, brother Louie, as well as a large extended family and all his friends.
Services were held at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius beginning Saturday. Rosary was recited at 8 p.m. on Sunday with closing at the Longhouse beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday. Lance will be buried at Jocko Cemetery in Arlee.
Eugene Sanford
Eugene Stanley (Jim) Sanford went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 9. He was born on Jan. 26, 1929, to John and Katherine (Clason) Sandord in Big Sandy. In May 1953, he married Phyllis Mae McCarley, who he loved for another 56 years. In 1959, he moved his family to Polson and he went to work for Carl’s Union Service Station. He drove bulk for Carl’s Union and Bjork’s Distribution until he retired in 1991. In his younger years, Jim enjoyed swimming in the Missouri River, working on the ranch and playing guitar at the country dances. Later in life, he enjoyed traveling, camping creating beautiful pieces of stained glass art, playing the guitar for his family and being with his grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his son Stan Sanford; his daughter Carla Buys and his son-in-law Ray Buys (who the family would like to say a special thank you to for taking such good care of Papa). He also leaves a brother, Tom Sanford (Mary); sisters Judy Johnson (Dick) and Vera Matson (Art). Grandsons Jon Buys (Rhonda), Harlan Sanford, Tyler Sanford, Bray Buys (Monica), Bryan Buys, and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister Eleanore Sanford and grandson Jack Sanford.
No formal services are being held. The family suggests memorials be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 1-877-537-5277 or to Lake County Hospice, 676-7300.
For entries of kind, honorable and committed, Webster could have just said “see Jim Sanford.”
Dolores Tremper
Dolores (Dol) Mildred Tubbs Tremper, 79, a life-long resident of Missoula, died peacefully in her home on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, surrounded by all of her loving family.
She was born on Jan. 3, 1930, in Missoula to Clarence and Marguerite (Malloy) Tubbs. Dolores graduated from Missoula County High School in 1947, where she met the love of her life, E. Frank Tremper. Dolores attended the University of Montana and worked as a secretary for the U.S. Forest Service.
On August 26, 1950, she married E. Frank Tremper. She worked as a secretary for the Navy while Frank was in the service.
Dolores and Frank shared 49 wonderful years of marriage and raised six children, all of whom were born in Missoula. Dol was completely devoted to her husband until his death in November 1999. She loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild and her extended families: Huguet, Tubbs, Fabatz and Tremper.
She will always be remembered for her quick wit, infectious laughter, unconditional love, gentle spirit and overwhelming generosity resulting in fun shopping sprees with her twin sister. She cherished her friends in the “Birthday Club”: Donna Huguet, Molly Caplis, DeLoris Engen, Phoebe Johnson, Justine McMenus and Carlene Johnson. Dol also enjoyed a monthly bridge club for many years.
Survivors include her twin sister, Donna (Claude) Huguet of Missoula; three sons, Franklin C. (Linda Gregory) of Missoula, Timothy R. (Kathy) of Port Orchard, Wash., Thomas P. of Vancouver, Wash.; three daughters, Debra T. (Bill) Williams of Lolo and twins, Tamara G. and Teresa K. of Polson; six grandchildren, Ryan (Annie) Williams of Salt Lake City, Utah, Russell Williams of Missoula and Robyn (Jacob) Szczukowski of Lolo, Timothy, Trisha and Tessah Tremper of Port Orchard, Wash.; one great-grandchild, Alexzander Szczukowski of Lolo; brother-in-law, Bill (Barbara) Tremper of Polson and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be her sons, Frank, Tim and Tom and her grandsons; Ryan, Russell and Timothy. Honorary pallbearers include Claude Huguet, Bill Tremper, Jim Caplis and Bill Williams.
Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; parents, Clarence and Marguerite Tubbs; her sisters, Kathleen (John) Donlan, Grace (John) Fabatz; her brother, Robert (Florence) Tubbs; her brother-in-law Robert (Helen) Tremper; nephews, Mike and Robbie Huguet; great nephews, Randy Sutey and Jesse Huguet.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Missoula and Fr. Gary W. Reller of St. Anthony’s Parish for their compassionate, competent care.
Visitation will be 5-7p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at St. Anthony’s Parish. A rosary vigil will follow at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 15 at St. Anthony’s Parish with a lunch reception. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony’s Parish, 217 Tremont Street, Missoula 59801 or Immaculate Conception Church, 1002 4th Avenue East, Polson, 59860 or any charity of your choice.
Robert W. Peterson
Robert W. “Bob” Peterson, 50, of Dayton passed away on Saturday, May 9 at his home.
Bob was born on August 14, 1958, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a son of Deverl J. and Marjorie Peterson. He graduated from Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas and attended Southwest Texas State at San Marcos, Texas and also attended Devry Technical College and was a quality control engineer for DRS in Polson. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, archery and shooting.
On Sept. 27, 2003, Bob married his loving wife, Miki Ulmer in Polson.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Waldo and Linda Peterson, Polson and Victor and Myrtle Peterson, Preston, Idaho.
Survivors include his wife, Miki Peterson of Dayton; parents Deverl J. and Marjorie Peterson also of Dayton; a sister, Vicky May of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; a brother, Kelly John Peterson of Provo, Utah; two nephews, Daniel and Douglas May, both of Calgary, and his mother-in-law, Ruth Houle of Sisseton, S.D.
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, May 13 at the Grogan Funeral Home, 101 6th Ave. E, Polson. Bob’s funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Polson, with President Lee White officiating. Friends may also visit an hour before the service at the church. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting the family.
Vernon Dewey Bailey
Vernon Dewey Bailey passed away at home on Monday, May 11 after a courageous battle with bone cancer.
Vern was born on July 14, 1952, in Polson, the son of Dean and Lovie Bailey. He attended Polson schools, graduating in 1971. While in school, he was an active member of 4H, Future Farmers of America and was an accomplished wrestler.
On June 4, 1977, he married the love of his life, Christine Andersen and to this union, two sons were born: Andy and Greg. He felt his boys were his greatest accomplishment and was very proud of them.
Vern worked on the Bailey farm, at Marvin’s Mobil, was manager ad Polson Stove Shop building Earth Stoves, Castlio Well Drilling and finally at Beacon Tire Center for 18 years. He was an avid welder and built many decks, ramps and awnings for many people around Polson.
He loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting with his sons, brothers Howard and Mark and his friends. He lived his whole life in Montana and enjoyed all it has to offer. He was just where he wanted to be.
Vern cherished his large family and their many get-togethers, which are always full of fun and good food. He was always available to help his family and friend when needed. In return, his family has pitched in to help Vern and Chris in any way they could since Vern’s illness.
Vern lived a life that was truly an inspiration. His kind and thoughtful ways, his great sense of humor and his never ending positive attitude have left a lasting impression on all who were blessed to know him. Chris said no matter what kind of day Vern had, he always came to the door whistling. Vern’s pockets may not have been lined with gold, but the love of family and friends certainly made him a rich man.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dean; his little sister, Doral; a nephew, Jamie; granparents, Homer and Flora Bailey and George and Nora Kelly.
Survivors include his mother, Lovie Bailey; his loving wife, Christine; sons, Andy and Greg; nine brothers and sisters, Jan (Duane) Olsen, Jaquy (Kai) Christensen, Jim (Bev) Bailey, Donna (Jerry) Benson, Walt (Kelly) Bailey, Carolyn Bailey, Russell (Aileen) Bailey, Todd (Helen) Bailey, Randi Bailey (Don Garcia); Chris’s parents, Howard and Joan Anderson; brother-in-law, Mark Anderson; sister-in-law, Audrey Anderson, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends all whom loved him dearly.
A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 15 at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Funeral services will be held on at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16 at the Linderman Gym in Polson. A reception will follow at the Valley View Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in Vern’s name to Camp Mak-A-Dream, c/o Children’s Oncology Camp Foundation, PO Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806 or to a children’s charity of one’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting the family.