Obituaries, Sept. 10
McClure, Klein, Mathias Hovde, Auld, Funke, Grenier, Strong
Christine McClure
Christine McClure, 80, a lifetime resident of Arlee, passed away at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula. She was born to John B. Adams, and Mary Ellen Abel in Arlee, and was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She was educated in Arlee and in St. Ignatius at the Ursulines School. At a Salish Jump dance in 1947, she met the love of her life, Alvin “Snuse” McClure and married him on Sept. 16, 1947. From this marriage they had two sons: Carmen Francis and Eugene Jacob.
Christine was a hard and strong worker who was willing to help with anything. Throughout her life she and Snuse raised cows, horses, dogs and hay. She always worked side-by-side Snuse and never once complained, as she loved the work and being with her husband.
Christine loved to bead and was well known for moccasins and Indian dolls. Her beadwork can be found throughout the world including England and South Korea. Beading was her stress reliever, and one of her greatest joys in life and she was always happy to get a new order. Up to her last days, she was taking orders and was excited to begin her work.
Christine and Snuse were rarely apart, and spent a majority of their lives going to the mountains for a drive, fishing, hunting or horseback riding. She loved to get out whether it was to town, to see a new place or just a drive around the valley. No matter what it was as long as she was with Snuse she had a smile on her face.
Christine was very devoted to her family and especially to her many nieces and nephews. She helped many of her family members care for their children in the early stages of their life. At one point she said she took care of at least 15 babies throughout her lifetime. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Christine could be found having lunch at the Salish Indian Senior Citizens Center. She loved her time visiting with her dear friends and family on these days.
Christine is preceded in death by her parents; son Eugene Jacob; brothers Jerome and Lawrence; and sisters: Mary “Sugar” Stiener, Dorothy “DoDo” Coleman, Lucy Adams, Josephine Lumpry, Alex Adams and Bob Adams.
She is survived and dearly missed by her husband of 62 years, Snuse McClure; son Carmen (Cathleen Espin); granddaughters Jessica McClure (Randy) and Katie McClure (Jason); grandson Boyd (Stephanie) Caudill, and raised as her own special niece/daughter, Glenda Colman; sister Cecille Adams; her very special great-granddaughters Christine and Jessica; dear friend and nephew Ronnie Matt and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.
Rosary was recited at the Arlee Youth Community Center on Friday, Sept. 4. Wake closing began on Saturday with Mass of the Resurrection held on Saturday in the Arlee Community Center with burial following at the Jocko Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mary Quant and all hospital staff of the fifth floor of St. Patrick’s Hospital, and the Arlee Tribal Health Clinic, Gina Ardiana, Albert Plant, Tammy Matt and Mary Big Sam
Loretta Klein
Loretta Klein, 87, formerly of Polson, passed away in Los Alamitos, Calif. on Aug. 16, after a long illness.
Loretta was born on Aug. 10, 1922, at Cyllander, Iowa. She married Raymond Klein on Feb. 14, 1940. Together, they raised their three children. She worked at Cy’s Cafe and also Globe Union, an electronics factory in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She played piano for her church and together with Raymond, sang many duets in church. Then in 1963, she and Raymond moved their family to California where she worked as a supervisor at a vertical blinds factory. She then moved to Polson in 1975 when Raymond retired due to health problems. She worked at Moody’s Supermarket for several years.
Loretta’s many interest were gardening, quilting, crocheting, crafts and her greatest interest was family. She planned and organized many family reunions over the years.
Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her parents, Amanda and Clarence Reese; sister, Marie Lambertson; brother, Russell Reese and a grandson, Brett Klein. She is survived by her three children: son, Gayle Klein of Wildomar, Calif..; daughters, Donna (Klein) Feldman of Ogden, Utah.; Janet (Klein) Estep of Rinard, Iowa. Six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Loretta was cremated and interment will be on Sept. 12, in Ottosen, Iowa.
She was loved by many and will be missed deeply by all.
Paul Gary Mathias
Paul Gary Mathias III, 18, of Elmo, went to be with the Lord on Aug. 29, in Auburn, Wash.
Paul was born on Nov. 5, 1990, in Mount Vernon, Wash., to Paul Gary Mathias Jr. and Darlene Sam. He attended schools in Mount Vernon until 2007. He moved to the Flathead Reservation in 2007 and attended school at Two Eagle River High School in Pablo. He played football and basketball at Two Eagle River.
Paul loved to hunt, fish, attend powwows and play in stickgame tournaments throughout the Northwest.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul Mathias Sr. and Bessie H. Williams.
He is survived by his parents, father Paul Gary Mathias Jr., of Elmo, and mother Darlene Sam of Sedro Wooley, Wash.; three sisters: Mariya Mathias of Elmo, Sara Charles and Maggie Edwards; brother Mikie Edwards, all of Sedro Wooley, Wash.; great-great-grandmother- Helen Charlo of Elmo and several other relatives.
Funeral services are being held in Sedro Wooley, Wash and burial will be held in Hamilton, Wash. A feast will be held at a later date.
Elma E. Dunwald Hovde
Elma E. Dunwald Hovde, 87, of Polson, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center from natural causes.
Elma was born on Sept. 10, 1921, in Emory, the daughter of the late Chris and Sade Dunwald. She attended schools in Emory and Lavina. In 1948, she married Lewis Carl Harris and then ranched 35 miles out of Roundup, in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. In 1950, they sold the ranch and moved to Missoula to take ownership of the Big Chief Motel. They later sold the Big Chief and built the Harris Motel. In 1959, she and Carl moved to Polson, owning and operating a farm until Carl’s death in 1973. Upon selling the farm, Elma moved into town and later married Grant Hovde in 1979. The two of them enjoyed being a part of the Old - Time Fiddlers and Accordion Association. Taking care of her home and flowers was also very important to Elma. After Grant passed away in 2004, Elma continued to live at home until the fall of 2008, when she became a resident of Polson Health and Rehabilitation.
Besides her parents and husbands, two brothers, one sister and stepdaughter, Juanita Hovde Schall, who passed away this year, preceded Elma in death.
She is survived by her stepdaughter, Ladonna Hovde (Joe) Fryberger of Charlo; nine grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; one sister-in-law, Alice Hovde Swenson of Virginia; four cousins, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be directed to Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center, 9 –14th Ave. W., Polson, MT 59860. Cremation has taken place and a graveside service is scheduled for 2 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 10, at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, is assisting the family.
Carson J. Auld
PABLO — Carson J. Auld, 56, passed away in Missoula from leukemia.
A wake began on Monday evening in the Elmo Hall with the Rosary being held on Tuesday evening in the hall. Funeral services were held on Wednesday in the hall where military honors will be presented. A complete obituary will follow. Foster Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements
Eva Loree Funke
Eva Loree Funke, 81, of Polson, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 5, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson. Eva was born on May 14, 1928, in Harlowton, a daughter of the late Louis and Marian Harlan Pollmann. She attended schools in Reed Point, Olympia, Wash. and later graduated from Polson High School.
She married James Funke in 1946 in Polson. James died in 1986. Eva worked at several places around Polson including the Tip Top Café, Eddie’s Drug, Western Bee Supplies, and was the secretary for many years at Linderman Elementary School. She was a volunteer at the Country Store, the Polson City Library and served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. She was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. Eva had many interests and especially enjoyed fishing, golf, knitting, playing cards, bowling, gardening and being with her friends.
Besides her parents and husband, a son, Daniel, who passed away in 1975; her sisters and a brother-in-law, Lil and Neil Noble, and Carol Thomas, and a great-granddaughter, Amber Luke, also precede Eva in death.
She is survived by her four sons: James (Norma) Funke of Polson, David Funke of Polson, Fred (Sandy) Funke of Polson and Larry (Lou Anna) Funke of Federal Way, Wash.; a sister, Karen (Dan) Corcoran of Las Vegas, Nev.; a brother, Harlan “Chub” Pollmann of Ronan; grandchildren, Gwen Clairmont, Russell Redekop, Gerri Turnage, Gay Ann Luke, Jenean Clairmont, Daunielle Hume, Angela Collins, Ryan Funke, Randy Funke, Colt Funke, and Heidi Funke; 18 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
A vigil service was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father James Connor officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Eva’s name to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, 36251 N. Reservoir Rd., Polson, MT 59860, or to the Polson City Library, 2 – 1st Ave., E., Polson, MT 59860.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is assisting the family.
Richard Carl Greiner
Richard Carl Greiner was born on Dec. 1, 1917, in Correctionville, Iowa, to Carl and Althea Greiner and graduated to heaven on Aug. 31.
Raised in Polson, he grew up during the Depression. Dick lettered in all the major sports and was captain of his football, basketball and track teams. He graduated high school in 1936 and graduated with honors in electrical engineering from Washington State College in 1943, where he met the love of his life, Helen.
After college, he worked for Pan American Airways until he entered the U.S. Navy in 1944, where he served on a destroyer in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, and was hired by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation at Grand Coulee Dam later that year. In 1948, he moved his family to Hungry Horse, where he worked on the dam during the construction and early operation.
In 1957, he moved his family to Seattle and worked for Boeing on the Bomart missile project, as well as the Minute Man and ICBM projects. He and Helen returned to Grand Coulee in 1971 where he spent nine years as Chief of Engineering until his retirement in 1980.
Dick played a key part in the establishment of the first nine holes at Banks Lake golf Course. He and Helen enjoyed many years playing golf on the course.
Dick was voted “Citizen of the Year” in 1985, was president of the Rotary from 1977 to 1978, and an active member of the community and Coulee Dam Presbyterian Church for many years.
He is survived by wife Helen, daughter Jan Rodgers; sons Dick Greiner (Lisa) and Bob Greiner (Janet); brother Dean Greiner (Marilyn); sister Jean Oberem; grandchildren Jim Rodgers (Rebecca), Silas Merrick (Kate), Julia Halls (Garrett), Joel Greiner (Ashley), Chelsea Merrick, Jill Greiner, and Leah Greiner; along with six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dick was well loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Coulee Medical Center or Coulee Dam Presbyterian Church.
Memorial services to celebrate Dick’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Coulee Dam Presbyterian Church. To a life well lived!
Carol Deming Strong
Dec. 25, 1941 – Sept. 6, 2009: Carol died peacefully on Sunday morning at Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland, WA, after a very long battle with breast cancer and small-cell lung cancer. She was brave and she was a fighter.
Carol, born in Canon City, Colo., spent the majority of her life as an award-winning hairdresser. She owned Carol’s Beauty Salon in the Ridpath Hotel in downtown Spokane, Wash., for most of the 80s and was a platform artist for Paul Mitchell Systems for many years. She was also a very talented artist, seamstress, gardener and handy woman. As a mother, she was always supportive and nurturing.
Carol is preceded in death by her father John Deming and her sister Darlene Greene. She is survived by her mother Ethna Crook; her sisters: Clara Meads and Vera Jarrard; her children; Stacy Strong Guille, Ken Strong and Melanie Strong; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial Services will be held the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 12, in Spokane, Wash. For place and time please call 249-8734.