Obituaries, Feb. 11
Peone, Kanta, Gravagno, Boldt, Luke Flynn, Pefley, Miller, Rossback, Ellis, Trudell, Padilla
Marvin J. Peone
SEATTLE — Marvin J. Peone, 47, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 28, at Harborview Medical center from injuries received in an auto/pedestrian accident.
A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Marvin was born in St. Ignatius to Adeline Bernice (Marengo) and Francis Peone. He was raised on the Flathead Reservation where he attended the Urselines and Mission Schools before going to Utah to the job corps. He worked several areas before ending up in the Seattle area where he has lived for the last 20 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Dean, Kenneth, Leslie, Gary, Stanley and Alan and several extended family members.
Survivors include siblings Howard, Raymond, Douglas, Darrel, Beverly, Joyce and Sharlene, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A visitation was last Wednesday at the Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius with a vigil/Rosary recited later. Funeral services were held last Thursday in the Foster Funeral Home with burial following in the Snyelmn Sntmtmne.
Rudolph Kanta
Mass of Christian Burial for Rudolph “Rudy” Kanta, 80, of Williston, N.D., was on Thursday, Feb. 4, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Rev. Father Dennis Schafer was the celebrant and interment followed at Riverview Cemetery. Catholic prayer services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel. Friends may sign the online register book and send their condolences at www.fulkersons.com.
Rudolph Paul Kanta was born on Jan. 13, 1930, in Sumatra, to Frank and Susie (Rusnek) Kanta. He was raised in the Catholic faith with nine other siblings on a ranch which sat in the hills of Montana between Ingomar and Sumatra. He was educated at Sumatra. While in school, Rudy was active in and enjoyed sports, especially basketball.
In September 1951, Rudy enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 185th Engineer Company. He received the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in August 1953. After his military service Rudy returned home.
On Aug. 24, 1956, Rudy was united in marriage to Loretta Faulkner at Watford City, N.D. The couple first resided in Watford City where Rudy began a long career in the oil industry. Rudy learned the oil development business from the “ground up” and retired as the manager of Cliff’s Drilling Company, an oil and gas exploration company. He retired from oil in 1990. Rudy liked to stay busy, so soon after his retirement, he took a job with Dick Jensen and helped him with his farming duties and tending to his cattle. Rudy and Loretta moved to the Lake View Loop area in 1981 and have made their home there these past years.
Rudy died on Monday, Feb. 1, at his rural Williston residence, with his loving wife, Loretta nearby and in a place that he groomed and cared for carefully throughout the years.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Elks Lodge; he enjoyed the coffee buddies at Hardees and McDonald’s. He enjoyed gardening, especially growing corn, potatoes and cucumbers. Oops, there goes a little bit of the rhubarb. He enjoyed his family and grandchildren, and caring for his place at Lake View Loop.
Rudy is survived by his wife, Loretta of Williston, N.D.; daughter, Deb (Randy) Hoffman of Bismarck, N.D. and their children Kelsey and Matthew, sons; Daniel (Kristi) Kanta of Polson; and their son, Sutton, Darcy (Karen) Kanta of Grand Forks, N.D., and their children, Jamie, Lucas and Boone, grandson Ryan, brothers, Gesa Kanta of Forsyth, Mont., John Kanta of Helena, Paul (Margaret) Kanta of Forsyth, and Joe (Sandy) Kanta of Melstone; sisters, Mary Perkins of St. Louis, Mo., Ann Kanta of Billings and Terry Wilson of Melstone.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Douglas in 1980; brother, Frank Jr.; and sister, Ethel.
Michael J. Gravagno
Michael Joseph Gravagno, 46, of Missoula, passed away at 10:29 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Hospital on Jan. 27. He died in the loving arms of his family.
Survivors include his mother, Donna Wilson and her husband Darrell Hirte, of Charlo; sister Jolynn Gravagno, of St. Ignatius, her children Cara and Anthony Gravagno; sister Gwen Gravagno, of Denver, her children Francis and Nathaniel Gravagno; brother David Gravagno, of San Diego, Calif.; and grandparents Francis and Loretta Wilson of Charlo; along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Michael was preceeded in death by his infant brother, Anthony Pual, and his father Enrico Gravagno.
Michael was born in Missoula, graduated from Charlo High School and attended the University of Montana. He was the office manager and web master at Access Montana in Ronan and Polson prior to illness. His hobbies included music (singing, playing the piano, cello and saxophone) as well as skating, snow skiing, gymnastics and playing pool in leagues.
Michael was charismatic, dramatic, generous to a fault, kindhearted and loving. He had a great sense of humor to the end. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
His cremation was handled by the Whitesitte Funeral Home in Stevensville. A private family celebration of his life will follow.
The family would like to thank all the kind staff at St. Patrick’s Hospital for the extraordinary care and love they showed Michael. Contributions may be made to the Partnership Health Clinic, Ryan White Memorial Fund, St. Patrick House and the Missoula Food Bank.
Donovan R. Boldt
After a long and courageous 8-year battle with prostate cancer, and a 5-year struggle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, Don lost his battle to the illness he tried so hard to defeat.
Known as Don, 74, he was born on May 2, 1935, on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota to Roosevelt Charles Boldt and Ida Florence Boldt. Don was an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and was especially pround of his Native American heritage. Don was raised and attended elementary school in Ponsford, Minn., and graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1953. Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1955, served three years in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1959. Don was very proud of his military service and while stationed in Germany, Don met, courted and married his wife, Maria, in 1958. Two sons were born to this marriage: Randy and David.
Don enjoyed playing pool, fishing, hunting, camping and most other outdoor activities. He played on the Air Force base all-star fast pitch softball team while in Germany. He also played on fast pitch teams in Minneapolis, Bemidji, Park Rapids, Grand Portage, while in Minnesota, and in Harlem.
Don was especially proud to be a grandfather and to spend time with his grandchildren.
After working in forestry for a number of years, Don enrolled at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in forestry in 1972. Don worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on reservations in Minnesota before accepting a position as the natural resources officer at the Fort Belknap Agency, Harlem.
During this tenure, Don attended a 10-month middle management training seesion in Washington, D.C. In 1983, Don transferred from Harlem to the Flathead Reservation, Pablo, where he retired as a natural resource offical in October 1990, with 32 and a half yeras of federal service.
Don was preceeded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister. He is survied by his wife of 51 years, Maria; sons Randy and David, all of Ronan; sisters Betty, of Cloquet, Minn., Pauline of Mahnomen, Minn., Carol of Laporte, Minn., and Margaret of Lac Du Flabeau, Wis.; one grandaughter and two grandsons.
Cremation has taken place. Service arrangements are pending and will be announced at later date. Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements.
William L. Luke
William L. (Bill) Luke, of Harrison, passed away in Butte on Feb. 6, after a 3-year battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. During the time he was fighting cancer, he continued to live life with zest and a positive attitude. He looked forward to each day, and never ceased to appreciate the beauty and the wonders of the world around him. He enjoyed traveling, rockhounding, reading, photography, and classic cars.
Bill was born in Kalispell, on Nov. 22, 1939, to LeRoy and Vivian (Moore) Luke. His grade school years were spent attending Bald Rock School, northwest of Kalispell. The family moved from Kalispell to the Valley View District near Polson in 1952, and Bill graduated from Polson High School in 1957. He attended Montana State College for a short time, then worked for the Montana State Highway Department survey crew from 1958-1961. He obtained a B.A. degree in business administration and accounting from Central Washington University in 1981.
In January 1962, Bill moved to Seattle, Wash., and began working for the Boeing Company. He worked for the company for nearly 33 years in aeronautical engineering, flight manuals, finance systems, and the defense and space group. He retired in 1994.
On Nov. 17,1962, Bill married Betty Corlett, in Black Diamond, Wash., and they had four children: Ronald (Jackie) Luke, of Crestview, Fla.; Laura (Guy) Olsen of Federal Way, Wash.; David (Chanon) Luke, of Black Diamond, Wash.; and Dianne (Matthew) Ridgway, of Helena. There are 11 grandchildren: Eric, Kyle, and Ian Olsen; Quinn, Zane, Willow, Ayla and Harlee Luke; Angel Hamby, Kristie Scarborough and Samantha Adams. There are 12 great-grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife, Betty, in Harrison; mother, Vivian Luke, of Polson; sister, Carol Richmond of Kalispell; brothers Clifford (Bobbie) Luke, and Ralph (Lynda) Luke, of Polson; and Duane (Elenie) Luke of Lacey, Wash., as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy Luke.
Memorial Services will be held at the Harrison Community Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Febr 13. Donations may be made to the Easter-Seal Highland Hospice, 3703 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT. 59701-6897.
Roberty George Flynn
Robert George Flynn, 69, of Cut Bank, passed away on Friday, Feb. 5, at the Northern Rockies Medical Center after a 5-year battle with brain cancer. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Whitted Funeral Chapel in Cut Bank.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Linda Alex/Eckley Flynn of Cut Bank; daughters, Roberta (Bruce) Walter of Culbertson and Amy (Bob) Bauer of Cut Bank; sons John (Pamela) Flynn of Midway, Utah, Richard (Lisa) Flynn of Roosevelt, Utah, George (Rosemarie) Flynn of Polson and step-son, Aaron Kruse of Kalispell; sisters, Julie Hust of Bothell, Wash., Laurel Disbrow of Auburn, Wash., and Bernadean Flynn of Tacoma, Wash.; brothers, Jim Flynn of Oshkosh, Wis. and Arlen Flynn of Fairview; as well as 21 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Robert was born on Dec. 22, 1940, in Fairview, to Robert and Althea (Capen) Flynn where he grew up and graduated from high school. He then served in the armored division of the U.S. Army for 3 years and was discharged in 1961. Robert married Linda Alex/Eckley April 3, 1969, in Havre.
Over the years, Robert had worked as a city manager for the towns of Chinook and Wolf Pont, served as Blaine County Sheriff for a time, county road supervisor for Glacier County and most recently as equipment supervisor for Riverside Construction before retiring in 1992.
Robert was a member of the Elks and Moose Lodges and enjoyed fishing, hunting and golf. He especially loved boating on Flathead Lake and camping with family and friends whenever he had the chance.
After retirement, Robert and Linda became “snowbirds” spending their winters in Yuma, Ariz., where they made many special friends.
Condolences may be posted at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.
Doreen Margaret Pefley
On Feb. 5, Doreen Margaret Pefley, 63, of Polson, courageously left her family and friends to celebrate her walk with Our Lord and Savior. Her grace, smile and kindness touched so many. She enjoyed so many aspects of life and lived life the way God intended. Doreen helped so many family and friends smile, learn how to laugh, comfort the hurt, and brighten every day with her infectious smile and laughter.
On Sept. 3, 1946, our Lord graced this earth with Doreen. She was born to Roy and Lois Noyes in Seattle, Wash.
Doreen married her soul mate Dennis Pefley in Billings on March 20, 1965, where they began a wonderful adventure together.
Being the only female in the house, she patiently raised three sons and one husband.
Doreen worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Hot Springs High School, Harbor Pharmacy and the SportsPage Bowl.
After retirement, she and her husband have enjoyed many fruits of their labor in travel, becoming avid race fans, taking cruises, spending time at their Swan cabin, hunting and riding her four wheeler.
Her parents and her youngest son, Denny Pefley, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband Dennis Pefley; sons Curtis Pefley of Ogden, Utah and Troy Pefley of Spokane, Wash.; her sister Patricia Gunsch of Billings; six grandchildren: Wyatt, Morgan, Brooke, Jenna, Denny and Isabelle; numerous nieces and nephews and an untold amount of friends she treated as family.
A closed casket visitation was held at the Grogan Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Lonepine Hall in Lonepine with burial to follow at the Murray Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers for Doreen will be Curtis Pefley, Wyatt Pefley, Troy Pefley, Denny Pefley, Glenda Woods, Lisa Kienbaum, Dave Noyes and Vint Pefley. Donations may be made to Polson City Library or to the donor’s choice. Condolences may also be left to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Fern Mollohan Giltner
Fern Mollohan Giltner, 85, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Evergreen Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Fern was born on May 25, 1924, in Burns, Kan., the sixth child of T.K. and Lena Mollohan. She was schooled in El Dorado and Iola, Kansas, and the Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center, Mass. She served as a church director of Christian education in Detroit, Mich. and Springfield, Mass., and later was for 15 years a counselor and administrator at the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. She was author of the book, “Women’s Issues in Religious Education,” published in 1985. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Polson.
Fern is survived by John Giltner Sr., her husband of 55 years; a daughter, June (Jeff) Dunnington of Sugar Land, Tex.; sons John Giltner Jr. of Polson and Timothy Giltner of Delaware, Ohio; grandchildren Kaitlyn Giltner of Lewis Center, Ohio, Gretchen Giltner of Columbus, Ohio, and Patrick and Jordan Dunnington of Sugar Land, Tex.; a brother, Myron (Carolyn) Mollohan of Valley Center, Kan., and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service of celebration and remembrance was held at the First United Methodist Church, Polson, on Saturday, Feb. 6. The Reverend Mark Calhoun officiated. A reception at the church will follow the service. Memorial gifts may be made in Fern’s name to the First United Methodist Church, Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, is assisting the family.
Katherine Washula Miller
Katherine Irene Washula Miller, 95, a longtime resident of St. Ignatius, passed away on Feb. 5,at St. Luke’s in Ronan. Katherine was the fourth of eight children born to Mike and Pauline Washula. She was born in Canada on Dec. 7, 1914, shortly after the family arrived there from the Ukraine. She was raised on Frenchman Creek north of Malta.
Katherine came to the Mission Valley in 1933. She lived with her sister here and graduated from Mission High School in 1934.
On November 16, 1935, she married Merle Miller in Missoula and they made their home in St. Ignatius. Katherine and Merle had four children: Wayne, Barbara, Thelma and Mike. Katherine worked at Dubay’s Grocery store for years, and was best known for her upholstery business, and her crocheted baling twine rugs.
Katherine was preceded in death by her husband Merle in 1990; brother John Ivanovitch; five sisters: Ann Hirschman, Susie Cote, MaryAnn Buffington, Pauline Toczek and Rosine Davis; her son Wayne Miller; her grandson Ray Stonehocker and a son-in-law, Dean Brown.
Katherine is survived by her daughters: Barbara (Larry) Griffiths, Thelma Brown; son Mike (Amy) Miller; grandchildren: Kim Archambeault, Kelly Larson, Kasey Miller, Kandi Clausen, Dell Griffiths, Robin Griffiths, Randy Griffiths, Shane Griffiths, David Stonehocker, Shelly Stonehocker, Tina Stonehocker, Toby Bartel, Theresa Bryant and Chloe, and Amy (AJ) Miller; 37 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren; sister Nell Buffington, daughter-in-law Joy Morigeau and numerous nieces, dephews, step-grandchildren and many many friends.
She played basketball for Mission High and was a loyal Bulldog fan for 76 years, rarely missing a home game until this last year. She walked up to the school and would sit through several games, sitting on the top bleachers and helping her friends up and down the bleachers. She spent many hours doing volunteer work at the senior center and playing cards with her friends there.
A memorial service will be held during the summer when all of her family and friends can gather to celebrate her life.
Clara Ann Rossbach
“You are as old as you feel!”
ST. IGNATIUS — Clara Ann (Nick) Rossbach, 59, began her journey on Feb. 1.
She was born on July 24, 1950, to Hy Nick and Mary Andrew Sherwood in St. Ignatius. She attended the Urselines, in Wellpinit, Wash.and St. Ignatius schools. Growing up, she spent most of her time with her Yaya Mary “Stousee” Finley learning the traditional ways, which helped her with her job as a teacher. She taught Salish at Two Eagle, Mission schools, Blue Bay Cultural Camp and the Agnes Vanderburg Camp. Clara had also worked as a nurse in Minneapolis and St. Ignatius.
If you knew Clara she was an upbeat girl full of life. She was an 18-year-old in a 50 year-old-body. Clara was always cheery and full of laughs, humming her songs, indulging in her sweet tooth with chocolate Pepsi and Hershey chocolate bars. Clara also enjoyed telling stories, gambling, camping, stickgames, attending powwow with Ste’me and scary movies. It was hilarious to see her scream. A fan of JaRule and Tupac, she enjoyed rap music and most recently became a fan of “Twilight.” She collected her little homies — dolphins and knick knacks.
As a young woman, she met Robert Peltier who she later married. She remarried William Delmer George Rossbach and they had four children together.
Clara was preceded in death by both husbands and her parents; a step-father Lil’ Dan Sherwood and John Ignace; brothers Mose Nick, Arnold Sherwood, Thomas Sherwood and Donald Sherwood; sisters Mary Ann Williams and Rose Ellen Sherwood and infant daughter Yavonne Rossbach; grandmothers Mary Stousee Finley and Oshanee Kenmille; a nephew Eli Francis Sherwood and two grandchildren Moses Whitegrass and Dancing Bear Rossbach, also her dog Joy Bell and her cats Casper and Tina.
Survivors include the love of her live Tazzy; sons Cavey (Abilene) Rossbach of Dixon andWilliam “Dunie” Rossbach of St. Ignatius; daughters Waleya Lynn Rossbach of Arlee and Jessica (Julius “Bubba” Whitegrass) Conko of St. Ignatius; sisters Susan Sherwood, Nancy “Bear” Sherwood, Julie “Twerp” Sherwood (Dave Ashley) all of St. Ignatius, Agnes “Any’e” Sherwood (Jeff “Huck” McDonald) of Arlee, Denise “Nee/Nee” Sherwood of St. Ignatius and Joanne Nick Augustine; brothers Warren Teasley, Eneas Nick of Usk, Wash., Francis Sherwood (Dorthy), Daniel “Jr” Sherwood all of St. Ignatius; aunts Helen Sherwood and Margaret Gardipe; her grandchildren Ontequa, Cavey, Naziah, Kelly, Aarron, Rory, Susette, Preston, Nateesha, Donald, Snc’le, Skylar, Donilyn, Carlee and Deon and great-grandson Robert; nieces Mary Jo (Frank), Carol Ann, Mary (Brian), Anast’a (Carl), MichaelAnn, Glenda (John), April (John), Lyssia (Emery), Geraldine, Kaona, Rita, Lavonne, Lonnie, Rose, Natisha and Deidra (Bo); nephews Michael (Angela), Arnie, Tony, Jerome, Levi, Alex, Duran (Candy), Daniel (Chanel) and those who in her kind heart she adopted as her own.
A traditional wake began on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with the Rosary being recited on Friday, Feb. 5, in the Longhouse. Mass was celebrated on Satuday, Feb. 6, in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment was in Snyelmn Sntmtmne.
Lisa Marie Ellis
Lisa Marie Ellis, 40, of Polson, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, at Polson Health and Rehabiliataion Center from natural causes. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time. A full obituary will run later. Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.
Clifford M. Trudell
Clifford M. Trudell, 98, of St. Ignatius, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Closer to Home Assited Living Cneter in St. Ignatius.
Military graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, in the Ronan Cemetery. Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan is assisting with arrangements.
Henry Crestino Padilla
Henry C. Padilla died of natural causes on Saturday, Feb. 6, at his home in Ronan. He was born on July 24, 1919, in Julesburg, Colo., to Patricio and Lorenza Padilla.
His family moved to Montana in the 1930s, where Henry attended a variety of schools in the Bitterroot and in Missoula, finally settling in the Moiese area, where he graduated as valevictorian of this class from Charlo High School.
After graduation, Henry moved to Seattle to work in the shipyards during WWII. He saved money to by 80 acres in Ronan for he and his parents to raisxe sugar, beets and dairy cows. Henry and his wife, Lenore, married on July 30, 1949, to live on the far for the next 24 years, where they reaised four sons and two daughters. He retired from the farm in 1973 where he had milked 100 cows and farmed 400 acres. After retirement from the farm, Henry worked for Bilile Irrigation into his mid-70s.
This past July, his family celebrated Henry’s 90th birthday, along with he and his wife’s 60th wedding anniversary with friends and family. Henry’s grandkids will always remember him fondly as a very kind, gentle and patient man. He must have been because he taught almost allof them how to drive on the back roads of Ronan, As for the great-grandkids, it took Henry a while to warm up to them, and their abundant energy. His affecty was generally reserved, but with a little coaxing and persistence the little ones won his heart.
Henry is preceeded in death by his parents, Patricio and Lorenza; two brothers, Pat and Sham; two sisters Aurora Eiseman (Missoula) and Albira Sloan (Ronan).
He is survived by his wife, Lenore; two sisters Betty Hopkins (Ronan) and Anita Stevenson (Great Falls) and one brother Socorro (Tony) Padilla; his six children: Stan (Carol), Lee, Terri (Dennis) Johnson, Mark (Margaret), Craig (Merrie) and Jeannine; 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchidren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan. A reception will floow at Parish Hall.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service of Ronan is assisting with arrangements.