Obituaries, Nov. 26
Molzhon, Diaz, Thompson, Pfefferkorn, Wheeler
Gladyce C. Molzhon
Gladyce C. (Zimmerman) Molzhon, 76, passed away on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Kalispell Regional Hospital in Kalispell. She was born on Dec. 5, 1932 in Polson, to Lawrence and Virginia (Desch) Zimmerman.
She was a graduate of Polson High School in 1950. Gladyce was married to Allan J. Molzhon on Dec. 20, 1952, in Missoula. She was a devoted wife, homemaker and mother of two.
Gladyce enjoyed camping with her husband Al and visiting family and friends around the Flathead Valley and Montana. She enjoyed cooking for family gatherings and socializing. Gladyce never forgot a birthday or special occasion. Her family was very important to her. She had a great sense of humor and was never at a loss for words.
Gladyce is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Virginia Zimmerman.
She is survived by her loving husband, Allan of 57 years; son Norman and wife Kim Molzhon of Columbia Falls, and a daughter Jeanne Sand and husband Ray of Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister, Joyce Potts and husband Les of Bigfork; two grandchildren McKenzie Molzhon and Lee Molzhon, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel in Kalispell, with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating. Visitation was held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Interment will be at C. E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Gladyce’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Gladyce’s guest book.
Christina B. Diaz
ST. IGNATIUS — Surrounded by her family and friends, Christina B. “Babe” Diaz, 27, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Kalispell Regional Hospital from injuries received in an accidental fall on Nov. 11.
Tina was born on April 11, 1982, in Palm Springs, Calif. She was raised by her grandmother Beverly Diaz in Pala, Calif. and went to school at Bonsall Middle School, Fallbrook High, Ronan High and received her GED in Livingston.
She married Jesse Brown, who preceded her in death, and then Torrey Morigeau.
She loved to jet ski, watch football and cook. She was one who couldn’t live without her satellite TV – her favorite shows were “American Idol,” “Cops” and “Trauma.” Her children were the most important of all. Even though she was the manager and cook at Robin’s Early Bird Market, she was a wonderful, dedicated and loving mother and her children were her first priority.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Dakota Diaz.
She is survived by her grandparents, Beverly Diaz and Arthur W. Diaz Sr.; father David Diaz Sr.; brother David Diaz Jr.; aunts Frances Diaz Cummings and Dariene Marie Tona; uncle Dennis Diaz Sr., all of Palm Springs, Calif.; mother Willow Wynn Little Diaz of Hot Springs,; husband Torrey Morigeau; children Dakota, Destiny and Heaven and step-son Shaydon; mother and father-in-law Robin and C. Douglas Morigeau; brothers-in-law Chris, Brandon and Tyler Morigeau and sister-in-law Sarah Morigeau, all of the St. Ignatius area, as well as many great-uncles and aunts, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends whom she loved dearly.
A wake began on Tuesday at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with services held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Longhouse. Wake closing began on Thursday at the Longhouse so that she may be laid to rest in Jane Augustine Patencio Cemetery near Palm Springs, Calif.
Dorothy K. Thompson
Dorothy K. Thompson died on Nov. 18, at Lake View Assisted Living in Bigfork. She was 94 years old. Dorothy was born in Irvine Flats near Polson, on April 12, 1915. She was the fourth child of John and Alice Clair (McCarthy) Smith. Dorothy was the last surviving child of her father.
Dorothy graduated from Polson High School in 1933.She married Joe Thompson on July 5, 1934. Together, they owned and operated Mercury Truck Line for 25 years. Dorothy did the books, unloaded groceries and drove the trucks when necessary. She worked as deputy assessor for Lake County from the early 1950s to the early 1970s. Later, she moved to Missoula and became a livestock broker and an apartment manager at Mountainwood apartments until she retired.
Dorothy is survived by three children: Joan Estep of O’Fallon, Mo., Sharron (Jim) Violette of Polson, and Stan (Donna Rae) Thompson of West Glacier. She has nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great- grandchild, with another on the way and many nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her father, John Smith; her son, Wayne Thompson; sister Vivian Thompson and brothers, Paul Smith and Stanley Smith. In 1920, when she was five years old, her mother Alice Clair (McCarthy) and two brothers, Dan Smith and Alan Smith ages 9 and 7, died.
Dorothy was the connecting link in our family who will never be forgotten. We will remember her for her strong independent spirit. She worked hard to accomplish her wish that all of her children graduate from college.
Cremation has taken place and per Dorothy’s request, there will be no services. 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 Dorothy’s family.
John Leonard Pfefferkorn
John Leonard Pfefferkorn, 57, of Proctor, husband of Debbie Pfefferkorn, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson of a heart attack.
John was born on May 7, 1952, in Charles City, Iowa, the son of the late Leonard and Doris Westergard Pfefferkorn. John graduated from Charles City High School and attended Wartburg and Central Colleges, both in Iowa. On May 16, 1998, he married Deborah Hughes. He was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos.
He is survived by his mother, Doris Pfefferkorn; his loving wife, Debbie of Proctor; his sister, Linda Bartlett of Kalispell; two step-daughters and two step-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and there are no services planned at this time. Messages of condolence may be expressed to the family by sending them to Deborah Pfefferkorn, PO Box 26, Dayton, MT 59914 or online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is assisting the family.
Margaret Ann Vaughan
Margaret Ann (Howard) Vaughan, born on Sept. 9, 1936, died peacefully on Nov. 21, at St. Luke’s Extended Care in Ronan, with family by her side.
Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., to Pat and Sally Howard (Flossie Cottingham) she graduated from South High School and, later, Michigan State University. She married Paul R. Vaughan on June 18, 1959. They had three sons. Margaret worked as a school teacher for a short time until the family moved to Mankato, Minn., where she lived until shortly after her divorce. She never remarried. She then lived in Escondido and Fresno, Calif., and finally Montana.
Margaret was always fond of music and singing. She spent many years with Sweet Adeline in Mankato attending several regional competitions. Her love for music was surpassed perhaps only by her love for the Lord. Singing in choir and serving in ministry brought her great joy. Her most recent service included a mission trip to Romania to help build a church with Teen Challenge. She also served locally in her community as a Foster Grandparent helping children read at Glacier View Christian School. She was a member of Mission Valley United Methodist Church.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Pat and Sally Howard; her brothers Gerry, Robert, and Jim Howard; and her sister Phyllis Davis. She is survived by her sisters Sue (Bruce) Bruscia, Sally Pasco, and Janet Darby; her sons Timothy (Robin), Peter, and David (Amy) Vaughan; her grandchildren Jessica, Ryan, Hannah, and Philip Vaughan and Rishley Cain, along with many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in the springtime of 2010. 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 Margaret’s family.
Desiree Paullyn Wheeler
ST. IGNATIUS — Desiree Paullynn Wheeler, newborn, was made an angel on Sunday, Nov. 22, when she was born prematurely at St. Luke’s Community Hospital in Ronan.
She was greeted in Heaven by her sister Lesha Wheeler, her uncle Paul Wheeler and grandfather Bill Wheeler.
The daughter if Donna Cook and Shane Wheeler,she is also survived by her brother Marvin; sisters Jessica and Julianne; grandparents Judy (Terry) Wallaser all of St. Ignatius and Claudia and Roger Cook of Missoula.
The family is planning a service to be held next summer and will announce the time prior to the service.
Foster Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.