Obituaries, Nov. 19

Cowan, Pitts, Fryberger, Lewis

Elaine Joy Cuklanz Cowan

Elaine Joy Cuklanz Cowan, 68, of Polson, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.

Elaine was born on April 18, 1941, in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of the late Fred and Doris Hannover Cuklanz.

Elaine made education a priority and earned several degrees beginning in 1964 at the University of Iowa, receiving her B.A. in General Science and Medical Technology, the Radioisotope Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. ,receiving a N.M. (ASCP) in Nuclear Medicine Technology in 1965 and later returned to the University of Iowa in 1968 to earn her Masters degree in Science Education and Radiobiology.

In 1975, Elaine became involved with the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology, which accredits educational programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Later, in 1981, Elaine became the executive director of the committee until her retirement in 2007. During this time span, Elaine’s dedication to the field earned her much recognition in the Nuclear Medical Society.

She was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson and a member of the PEO Ladies Group, which promotes the educational opportunities of women. Elaine loved to travel with her husband in their motor home and had the privilege of having traveled to both the Arctic and Antarctica.

Besides her parents, two brothers, George and Walter Cuklanz precede Elaine in death.

Those left with cherished memories are her husband, John S. Cowan of Polson; two step-children, John G. Cowan of Denver, Colo. and Wendy Windham of Roy, Wash.; and a brother, Harland Cuklanz of Witbraham, Md.

Visitation for friends and family was held on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Polson, with Rev. Paul Rowold officiating. Interment will occur in Elaine’s hometown of Estherville, Iowa at Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made as a donation to the Greater Polson Community Foundation, P.O. Box 314, Polson, MT 59860. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, in Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Elaine’s family.

Larry E. Pitts

Larry E. Pitts, 52, of Polson, went to be with Jesus on Monday, Nov. 9, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan surrounded by his loving family.

Larry was born on Sept. 29, 1957, in Missoula, son of Eugene and Faye Oehrling Pitts of Dixon. Larry grew up in Dixon and graduated from Dixon High School as the class valedictorian in 1975. He then attended the University of Montana and the East-West College of Massage Therapy in Portland, Ore. He was also an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

In 1979, Larry married Ginger Olson and they lived in Missoula, Portland, and later moved back to the Mission Valley, at which time he opened a massage practice in Polson, “Massage for Health.”

At age 12, Larry was diagnosed with diabetes and in 1991 received a kidney transplant in which his sister, KoLynn, gladly donated hers. Health was important to Larry and that same year, he went to work for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Health Department as a community health representative. He enjoyed this position as it allowed him to go into people’s homes to coach them in healthier living. Larry eventually became a fitness specialist at the Ronan and St. Ignatius Tribal Health fitness facilities. He hosted the PBS TV program, “Good Medicine” for many years and loved working with the media crew at SKC. It was another good outlet to broadcast his zany personality. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Mission Valley Power board, building wonderful relationships with other board members.

Larry attended the CMA Church in Polson and gave his life to the Lord there in 1989. He loved playing the congos with the CMA worship team, and for the past six years at the New Life Christian Center. From a young age, Larry enjoyed sports and became an MOA official for basketball while he was in college. He also refereed NCAA Women’s College Basketball. Always athletic, he excelled at multiple sports with the proud support of his parents. He passed on his enthusiasm for sports to his children and loved both coaching, and watching his children compete. Other parents will attest to the fact that Larry loved bragging about his kids, and was quick to work them into his conversations.

Larry loved people and people loved Larry. He was a friend to everyone and was always ready to listen and encourage all who came to him. Friends knew that they could call him at any time, day or night, and reach a listening ear and loving advice. He adored this community, and poured his life out for his native brothers and sisters.

A beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Larry was not easily overlooked and his presence lit up a room. His constant encouragement and selfless love for others has impacted the lives of many. He lived a life of integrity in his walk with the Lord, and his actions corresponded with his passionate convictions. Larry claimed that Philippians 4:13 was his life-verse, and he knew that in Christ’s strength, he could do absolutely anything. Though always small in stature, his native brothers affectionately referred to him as “little big-man.”

He possessed a fun and crazy sense of humor, which shone through his life, despite the circumstances.

Survivors include his loving wife, Ginger Pitts of Polson; daughter, Whitney Pitts of Polson and Spokane, Wash.; son, Taylor Pitts of Polson; parents Gene and Faye Pitts of Dixon; two sisters, Lettie (John) Neuman of Missoula, and KoLynn (Paul) Sinclair of Yakima, Wash.; two brothers, Garry (Christine) Pitts of Polson, and Terry (Crystal) Pitts of Dixon; five sisters-in-law, Carolyn Cole of Polson, Linda (Kendall) Dupuis of Polson, Amy (Dan) Toelke of Ronan, Bonnie (Dan) Horton of Bellevue, Wash., and Melody (Bob) Thiel of Polson; a brother-in-law, Matt (Chiko) Olson of Helena; mother-in-law, Lou (Jim) Duford of Polson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation for friends and family was held on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. A memorial service for Larry was held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Linderman Gymnasium in Polson with Pastor Shawn Madsen officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Larry’s name to Youth With a Mission (YWAM) – New Wave, at 40972 Farm Rd., Polson, MT 59860.

The family would like to thank Dr. Meg Eddy, Dr. Ed. Vizcarra, and Dr. Paul Gochis, as well as the wonderful staff at St. Luke Community Hospital for their loving and attentive care.  He considered all of you to be friends.

Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson is honored to assist Larry’s family.

Stuart Irvin Fryberg

Stuart Irvin Fryberger, 79, of Charlo, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Mountain View Care Center in Ronan.

Stuart was born on Nov. 18, 1929, in Polson, a son of the late George and Elizabeth Chamberlin Fryberger. He grew up in Charlo where he attended and graduated from the Charlo Schools in 1947. He worked on the family farm as a young man and also in the grain fields of Washington during harvest time. Stuart later went on to work for several road construction companies.

He married Nancy Turnbull on Dec. 29, 1956, in the Charlo Methodist Church. They lived in Laurel until the construction outfit moved to Charlo to rebuild the Charlo road. When the road crew moved on they stayed to take over the family farm. He also bought a farm west of Charlo where he farmed for 14 years. Besides raising sugarbeets, cattle, and other crops, he did custom farming and had a cattle hauling business. After selling the farm, he moved to Fryberger land outside of Charlo. He then worked for the Lake County Road Department on the crusher crew. He also became a director for Lake County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company until health problems forced him to step down. He then became a resident of Mountain View Care Center in Ronan.

He was an active member of the Charlo Lions Club for a number of years helping with the annual 4th of July barbeque and fireworks and various other civic projects. Stuart was also a member of the Charlo Fire Department and the Wilson’s Service bowling team for a number of years.

Stuart had many interests including riding horses and snowmobiles and later in his retirement, he enjoyed skiing and riding his bicycle. Exercise was his game. But above all, he will be remembered as the life of the party and the master of jokes.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his in-laws Florence and Ed Turnbull; a nephew, Danny Phillip Fryberger and brothers-in-law, Robert Burns and Don Walsh.

Survivors include his loving wife, Nancy of Charlo, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage; two daughters, Janis (Rick) Rafter of Ward Cove, Alaska and Connie (Saichi) Oba of Fairbanks, Alaska; one son, Greg Fryberger of Charlo; three sisters, ZoeAnn (Ed) Luthy of Kinsale, Va., Marjorie Burns of Cathlamet, Wash., and Mary (Gene) Smith of Tigard, Ore.; three brothers, Ralph (Gladys) Fryberger of Hemet, Calif., Dan (Norma) Fryberger of Buckley, Wash., and Joe (LaDonna) Fryberger, of Charlo; sisters in-law Alice Walsh of Torrance, Calif. and Betty (Fran) Mocabee of Missoula and Ronan six grandchildren: Jeri, Kiel, and Lindsey Rafter and Elli, Kekuewa, and Lupua Oba; an uncle, Paul Chamberlin, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov., at Mission Valley United Methodist Church, St. Ignatius with Rev. Karen McRae officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stuart’s memory to either the Charlo Senior Center, PO Box 1, Charlo, MT 59824, or to the Charlo Lions Club, or the Charlo Fire Dept.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Fryberger’s family.

V. Escoe Lewis

There will be a memorial service with military honors for V. Escoe Lewis held at the Polson Lakeview Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. At 4 p.m. that evening, there will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of V. Escoe and V. Viola Lewis, located on the East Shore of Flathead Lake. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is assisting the family.