Obituaries, Oct. 1
Lindsey, Gonzalez, Wilson, Warren, Schweigert, Johnson, Haynes, Sago
Mervin John Lindsey
Mervin John Lindsey passed away on Sept. 12, in Lander, Wyo. Mervin was born on Aug. 22, 1927, and grew up in Custer, S.D., son of Mervin and Thelma Lindsey. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Order.
He is survived by his wife, Laney Hicks, of Crowheart, Wyo., a professional wildlife artist to whom he had been married since 1990. He is survived by three children from his marriage to Janice (Kingsbury) Lindsey: Nancy Lindsey, Brad Lindsey and wife Arden, Roche Lindsey and five grandchildren: Elizabeth Geary, Jacob Liebshutz, Maggie Lindsey, Rachel Kolesnikov-Lindsey and Morgan Lindsey. In addition, he leaves a sister Nancy Dunkin and husband George; niece Lisa Lindsey, her children, Nicole and Noah; and a nephew Dustin Lindsey and wife Barbara. A son, Mark, and a daughter, Jane, preceded Mervin in death.
Merv, as he was known, got his bachelor’s degree from Northern State in South Dakota and his master’s degree from the University of Wyoming. He spent his entire life in education, writing, teaching and in administration. He taught in Watertown and Hot Springs, S.D.; Polson,; Jackson, Kaycee, Thermopolis, Byron, and Dubois, Wyo.
Merv was a progressive and innovative educator who believed strongly in nurturing the lifelong learning potential of every child. He culminated his career as principal of the Dubois Elementary School from 1974 to 1989, where he and his staff created an exemplary program that enriched the lives of many Dubois children.
Merv retired from education to engage in his other love, ranching. He spent many wonderful hours on the land and riding in the mountains. However, even in retirement, he continued his writing and his passionate advocacy for children.
Services will be held at the Headwaters Arts and Conference Center in Dubois, Wyo. at 2 p.m. on Satuday, Oct. 3.
Sam J. Gonzalez
PABLO — Sam J. Gonzalez, 40, passed away this past Tuesday at St. Luke’s Hospital in Ronan.
Born to Hill and Virginia Gonzalez in Hayward, Calif., on Jan. 9, 1969, he was raised and educated in California before moving to Arizona. It was there that he met his partner, Joyce Peone, and they returned to live on the Flathead Indian Reservation in 1996 where he worked for Jake Snout at Big Sky Heating and Air Conditioning until recent health issues forced Sam to be a homebody.
Even then he enjoyed cards and cribbage and visiting his friends, watching TV and raising cain with his dog Chomps. When possible he still enjoyed fishing.
He is survived by his partner Joyce Peone, of Pablo; his father Hill (Dora) Gonzalez of Modesto, Calif.; his son Raymond of Oakdale, Calif.; a brother, Alvin Gonzalez, of Union City, Calif., and sisters Gloria Castilla of Camp Connell, Calif., Corinna Matsell of Tillamook, Ore. and Joann Nilsen of Manteca, Calif. A wake was held at the Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius on this past Thursday; later that evening cremation took place. He will be returned to California to be laid to rest beside his mother.
Linda L. Wilson
Linda L. Wilson passed away on Sept. 20, at her home with her family at her side. She was born on Sept. 27, 1947, to Louis G. and Audrey J. (Thomas) Fisher in Havre. She attended grade school in Kremlin and Garneil. She graduated from Judith Gap High School where she was cheerleader and queen of the Jr./Sr. prom. She married her high school sweetheart on Nov. 4, 1964, at Harlowton and to them two sons were born.
Linda was an avid homemaker, loving to sew and work outside in her gardens and with her flowers. Her real joy was raising her two boys and playing baseball with them until she had to dodge their baseballs instead of catch them. She attended all their games and was their biggest fan. She later on decided to go to work outside the home; she worked for K-Mart in Missoula and Miles City for 14 years and Wal-Mart in Butte and Kalispell for 13 years. Linda was a dedicated hard worker and took pride in whatever she did, but her family was always first. Being with her grandchildren these final years and attending their activities gave her great joy. She lived in many towns traveling around with her husband always making friends wherever she went. After being diagnosed with cancer and receiving a bone marrow transplant form her brother in Seattle in 2006, she and her Lee moved to Polson to be with their grandchildren there and took several trips to Anchorage, Alaska, to visit her son, his wife and children.
Her parents Louis and Audrey Fisher preceded Linda in death.
Linda is survived by her loving husband and caretaker of 45 years, LeRoy, and sons Robert (Johnelle) of Anchorage, Alaska, and Shawn (Pamela) of Polson and brother Warren (Lynn) of Pablo and her beloved granddaughter Makaliah and grandson Dylan and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place and graveside services were held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson. Memorials can be sent to Guardian Angels Fund, 2835 Fort Missoula Rd, Suite 301, Missoula, MT 59804 or at their web site www.guardianangelsmt.org or donors choice.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson is assisting the family.
Ramona Warren
Ramona (Ekman) Warren, 87, of Kalispell, and formerly of Polson and Rollins, passed away on Monday, Sept. 21, at Quality of Life Assisted Living in Kalispell.
Ramona was born on Oct. 12, 1921, in Rollins, the daughter of the late Lynn and Ritchie Ekman, joining an older sister, Moroea. She grew up in Rollins, attending grade school there. The school was a very special place to her with wonderful memories of family and friends. After graduating from the eighth grade, she attended Polson High School where she met the love of her life, Max Warren. When they were married, they lived in Rollins for a short time then moved to Seattle during WWII, where they both worked in the shipyards. They later returned to Montana where Max started working at Kerr Dam and they then started their family; a son, David, and a daughter, Laurel. The family lived at Kerr Dam for many years.
She was a great mom who was always encouraging the family and attending school functions for her kids and grandkids. Ramona and Max both enjoyed dancing and attended senior citizen dances when they could. Ramona also loved the outdoors, sewing, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. When Max retired, they moved to their cabin in Rollins and turned the cabin into a home. Her heart was always at the lake.
Ramona is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Max who passed away in 2007; and her sister, Moroea.
She is survived by her daughter, Laurel Gates and her husband, Jerry of Kalispell; her son, David Warren of Kalispell; grandchildren, Tanya Gates of Missoula, Mat (Kelly) Gates of Kalispell, Shawna (Scott) Hemmelman of Kalispell, and Brandy Warren of Washington, a step-granddaughter, Wanda Adams of Missoula, and great-grandchildren, Justin, Cole and Connor.
Funeral services were scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, MT. with Rev. John Payne officiating. Burial followed in Lakeview Cemetery, Polson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Polson Senior Citizens Center, 504 3rd Ave., Polson, MT 59860 or to Dogs for the Deaf, 10175 Wheeler Rd., Central Point, OR 97502. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home of Polson is assisting the family.
Nancy A. Schweigert
Nancy A. (Braun) Schweigert, 71, died on Sept. 2, in Polson, after a long battle with congestive heart failure.
Nancy was born on Oct. 25, 1937, in Baker. She was one of 11 children. On June 18, 1955, she married Riggie Schweigert of Baker, moving to various places in Montana where she proudly raised five children. Nancy is survived by her husband, Riggie; four sons, Terry (Mary), Tony, Todd (Tammy), TJ (Ashley); and one daughter, Tamara; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Gene and Ted, and one sister, Bonnie Duffield. She is further survived by nieces, nephews and many friends.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service for Nancy is tentatively set over Memorial Day Weekend 2010, at Canyon Ferry Lake, Helena, one of Nancy’s most cherished places.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson is assisting the family.
Kelly S. Johnson
Kelly S. Johnson, 48, of Polson, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, Sept. 16. She was born on Sept. 11, 1961, to Kenneth and Barbara Ross. She was married in August 1984 to Roger Johnson.
Kelly was an excellent mother, daughter, sister and friend. She touched so many people’s lives and blessed hundreds of families with Labrador Retriever puppies from their kennel. She was a remarkable craftsman, interior decorator, and enjoyed the outdoors and family outings.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Roger.
Kelly is survived by her children, Kristin and Ross Johnson; her mother and father; sisters, Cindy Rossmith and Kimberly Ross and their children, Jackson, Christopher, Ashlee and Ryan and numerous other relatives and friends.
There will be no memorial service but instead the family would rather have you celebrate Kelly’s life by enjoying time with your family and making a donation to the Humane Society in her name.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson, is assisting the family.
George E. Collins
POLSON — George E. Collins, 81, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 26, peacefully in his home, after a courageous battle with cancer.
George was born on Nov. 29, 1927, in Placentia, Newfoundland, to Mary Bridget and Francis Collins. He was the second youngest of 10 children, all of whom have preceded him in death.
George was only 14 when he managed to get a job on the United States Naval Base in Placentia the 1940s. He worked on the floating dock under Chief Petty Officer Orville Sather of Havre, who encouraged George to come to the United States in l948. George traveled five days and five nights by Greyhound bus to Havre. He applied for citizenship and was immediately drafted and sent to Japan with the occupation forces. When he returned he was in the army reserves. While waiting to leave for Korea, he was transferred to the Air National Guard. After the Korean War, he started his career working for the Great Northern Railroad as an apprentice in the old roundhouse in Havre. He retired 35 years later from the Burlington Northern Railroad. He was proud to have achieved the job of general foreman of the Great Northern Shops in Havre, where he supervised 250 staff members. He felt it was quite an achievement for an immigrant from the British Colony of Newfoundland.
George met Elinor Cass at a dance at Northern Montana College, where she was going to school. When he returned from his tour of duty during the Korean War in l953, he and Elinor were married. They had four children, Mike, Patti, Debbie and Lori.
George was committed to the community and the church. He was always busy working at projects, fixing items and was dedicated to helping others. George had a wonderful sense of humor and loved the people with whom he shared his life. He was known for the “gleam” in his eye and his “spark” for life. His nickname on the railroad was “Scooter.” Along with always having a positive attitude, he was a friend to all, and enjoyed each day.
George is survived by his wife, Elinor; son Michael (Kari Klehm) of Kalispell; Patti (Keith) Woo, Ames, Iowa; Debbie (Scott) Stuart, Polson; Lori (Robert) Malcolm, Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren Sarah (Sam) Allred, Polson; Ben (Shalyea Walhood) Stuart, Polson; Patrick and Douglas Malcolm, and two great-grandchildren, Aislinn and Carter, as well as sister-in-law Ardell Hern and her family and brother-in-law Elmore Cass and his family and many wonderful friends and family.
A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Grogan Funeral Home, followed by a vigil at 7 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at Immaculate Conception Church. Memorials may be given to Cheerful Heart, PO Box 688, Polson, MT 59860. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com Grogan Funeral Home in Polson is assisting the family.
Ronald Lee Haynes
Ronald Lee Haynes, 42, of Polson, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 19, at his home in Polson. Ron was born on Nov. 11, 1946, in Cottage Grove, Ore. He attended schools in Bend and Eugene Oregon. In 1991, Ron married Christine Joyner and they later divorced in 1996.
Ron worked many jobs including working in tree service, a rock quarry and landscape maintenance. He was always a hard worker and took pride in his work. Ron loved animals, especially his beloved dog, Sheba. He also enjoyed movies, reading the Bible, stargazing, creating unique walking sticks and weightlifting.
Ron is survived by his parents, Marilyn and Don Miller and Jerry and Maureen Rice; his sons, Arron Lee Haynes, 18, of Loveland, Colo., and James Alan Haynes, 12, Eugene, Ore., and a brother, Brian Roger Haynes, of Polson, and one granddaughter.
A memorial service was held on Monday, Sept. 28, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, with Rev. John Payne officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Ron’s name to the Northwest Montana Humane Society, 3499 Hwy 93 N., Kalispell MT 59903. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory of Polson, is assisting the family.
John Sago Jr.
John Sago Jr. of Polson, went to his home above on Thursday, Sept. 24. He had been residing at Evergreen Care Facility in Polson for the previous 17 months, though in his heart he remained with his beloved wife Louise at his home overlooking Melita Island and Flathead Lake.
John was born June 29, 1926, to John Albert and Minnie Etta Sago in Big Timber. They lived on Sunny Slope Ranch where he grew up with farming and ranching in his blood. He attended Sweetgrass High School in Big Timber, after primary school at a small country schoolhouse. He moved with his family to Billings, in 1943 and attended Billings Business College. John entered military service in 1945 with the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Pearl Harbor. He served as chauffeur for Admiral “Bull” Halsey. At the end of the war, he was honorably discharged and returned to Billings.
John became involved in a church planting effort in the Lockwood Flats area of Billings, and he led the early meetings in addition to superintending the Sunday school. As the church became established, he went to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada to attend Hillcrest Christian College. He again returned to Billings and married Marjorie Anne Benner in 1951. Marjorie died in an auto accident in 1969, while their children and they were living in Huntley, east of Billings. In 1970, he married Louise Anna Pensis and moved back to Billings once again. Louise and he owned and operated A-1 Rentals on Grand Avenue. In 1988, they sold the business, and eventually retired to Polson, and built a large house so all the family could visit.
His last project, before leaving Billings for the final time, was to organize and direct the building of a new facility for the church he had helped to found decades before. Living in Polson, Louise and he traveled the nation and the world, including trips to Russia and China. John was a masterful house builder, a skill he learned from his father. His sons and he built four homes for the family. One of his greatest joys was to use his equipment and his knowledge to help others. He was unstinting in his generosity and kindness. Though he had little time to pursue the pastime early in his life, after moving to Polson he greatly enjoyed fishing for lake trout with his friends. John and Louise have been active members of the Gideons International Bible organization for over 35 years, and participated in all aspects of the ministry. He was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church in Polson, and led the singing there for many years.
He is survived by his wife Louise; his sister Joyce Appleman (Don) of Oklahoma; children Virginia Bolstad, Billings; Virginia Hooper (Ralph), Abbotsford British Columbia, Canada; Martin Sago (Nan), Polson; Andrew Sago (Joyce), Billings; John James Sago, Sturgis S.D.; Annetta Spurlock (Marty), Spearfish SD; Thomas Sago (Naureen), Columbia Falls; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Lakeview Baptist Church, Polson with Pastor Kevin Rettig officiating. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International at PO BOX 205 Polson, MT 59860 and there will also be a table at the memorial service. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting the family.