Obituaries, Feb. 25

Luedkte, Rudd, Vicars, Unger, Boehler

Alma Josephine Morigeau Luedtke

RONAN — Alma was born on March 19, 1910, to Matilda Gebeau Morigeau and John Morigeau. She was the seventh of 12 children born and raised at the family home in Valley Creek.

On Friday morning, Feb. 19, with her loving son at her side, Alma shed her tired, broken body and passed into the loving arms of her lord and savior, Jesus Christ. This day was just one month prior to her 100th birthday. At the time of her passing, she was the oldest living member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Alma’s childhood was filled with wonderful memories of a large family working on the ranch raising cattle, horses and tending to their large gardens and orchard. The family had a huge cellar, which was always well stocked as they were all avid hunters and fished. They welcomed weary travelers on horse and buggy, along with hosting community barn dances, as the ranch was located on an old stage stop. Her father had an icehouse and sold ice, fruit and smoked fish.

Alma began her formal schooling at the Ursuline schools in St. Ignatius, where she remembered waking up to flames and rescuing her siblings. She continued her boarding school experience in Chemawa, Ore., and Rapid City, S.D. When she was 14 years old, she was called home to care for her ailing father.

At age 21, Alma met and married Elmer Luedtke. Elmer was working at her brother John’s garage in Arlee. Their union was blessed with two children, Ed and Shirley. The family resided in Arlee, Dixon, Great Falls and Anaconda before moving to Trentwood, Wash., where they were employed at Kaiser Aluminum during the war. The couple eventually divorced and Alma returned home to the reservation.

Alma cooked at the Blue Bay Resort in the early ’60s and eventually made her home at the Kicking Horse Job Corps cooking for the students. Upon her retirement she moved into a lovely home on Clairmont Road in Pablo, where her grandchildren and great-grandchildren spent many hours and gained wonderful memories. Alma was a fabulous cook and passed her legacy onto her children, grandchildren and their spouses. The entire family has special recipes of Alma’s that are their favorites.

Alma had a fabulous sense of humor and delighted her family, nieces and nephews with jokes, toasts, funny sayings and her mathematic skills. She even brought her prankster skills into the kitchen, adding rubber bands or wool to pancakes for her husband and grandchildren on April Fool’s Day. She made everything fun, even burnt eggs. If they were lacey around the edges she would serve them proclaiming, “These are the fancy kind.”

Alma was a very beautiful, well-dressed woman. She loved silver and turquoise jewelry. She took great pride in her appearance and caught the eye of those who saw her.

Alma loved to go camping and spent many summers in her beloved camper trailer at her sister Laura’s home on Flathead Lake. She was an avid gardener and loved to play games. She spent hours playing cards, dice and Rummy Cube with her family. She had a passion for gambling and never missed a chance to play bingo or go gambling in Reno with her lady friends. Just a month ago at her son Ed’s 75th birthday party, she beat the family at a game of dice.

Alma loved to fish and spent some of her happiest times with a rod and reel in her hands. She was very excited to travel to Alaska and fish with three of her grandsons and their families. Many summer days were spent with loved ones fishing on area streams, Flathead Lake or the Flathead River.

Alma was a pet lover and had several faithful companions. Grandchildren fondly remember her dogs Putsie, Jock, Collette and Peachy.

For the past 14 years Alma resided at the St. Luke Extended Care facility, where she was greatly loved and cared for by the staff. They will surely miss her smile and sharp tongue. During these years, Alma’s beloved grandson Danny was her closest friend and companion. Danny made sure his Granny did not want for anything. He would take her out for visits, holidays, family parties and even a couple of fishing trips. They even attended one of Alma’s favorite events, the Arlee Powwow, two years ago. Every adventure Alma and Danny shared produced a fond memory for him and his wife, children and grandchildren. They were all very blessed to have these special years with Alma. It was also a very special time for Alma as she so loved to be around the children and was fortunate to share time with her great- and great-great-grandchildren. She would always tell them just exactly “what she knew for sure.”

Alma was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Arthur, John, Walter, Elmer, Carl and Jack; sisters Grace, Letha, Laura, Lorena and Dehlia; son-in-law Gene Young; grandson Norman Young; and great-great-grandson Tyler Luedtke.

She is survived by her son Ed Luedtke of Hayden, Idaho; daughter Shirley Young of Rathdrum, Idaho; grandchildren Valarie (Mike) Dunlap, Scott (Vicki) Luedtke, Danny (Bev) Luedtke, Kent (Brenda) Luedtke, Andrea (Pat) Malone, Erica (Brad) Bell, Erron Luedtke, Dale (Victoria) Young, Bill Young, Diane Young and Brian (Kelly) Young; 33 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends who loved her.

A wake began on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius, where a rosary service were held at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Wake closing was on Thursday at the Longhouse with Mass at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

A family private burial service will be held on March 20 when Alma will be cremated and laid to rest with her mother at the St. lgnatius Catholic Cemetery. A celebration of her life will also be held that day at 1 p.m. at the Indian Senior Citizen Center in Ronan.

Arrangements are being provided by the Foster Funeral Home of St. Ignatius and Mission Valley Crematory of Ronan.

Bruce A. Rudd

RONAN — Bruce A. Rudd, 74, passed away on Feb. 18 at his home in Ronan.

Surviving family includes his brother Randy Rudd of Gresham, Ore.; cousins Stan Kinny and Patty Ennis of Laurel; his daughter Mary F. Rudd and her four children Daniel Lee, Samual Alexander, Justice Marie and Jason Jay-Allen of Ronan; son James Pierce and children Lil’ James and Jason of Butte; and son Dennis Pierce of Ronan.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and life long friend Juanita Marie Matt; his mother Francis Rudd of Gresham, Ore. and father Stub Rudd; sister and brother-in-law Marion and Eddy Tefft of Portland, Ore; brother Otis Rudd of Gresham, OR and an Aunt Edith Kinny of Laurel.

Bruce was born in Contact on Jan. 11, 1936. He liked to travel. He always kept himself busy. He was a professional painter, and was also a skilled mechanic. He enjoyed working on his own cars and sharing his knowledge with his two boys

 He joined the Navy at a young age where he became a Navy Seal, traveled the world and fought for our country in the Korean War.  He honorably served our country from May 1953 to January of 1957.

He married the love of his life, Juanita Marie, in 1979. Together they raised their two sons and later had their daughter Mary Frances.

Bruce had many friends of all ages. He was a very friendly, giving person. He loved to cruise the backroads, enjoy the scenery, conversation, wildlife and freedom.

He was an excellent cribbage player, who loved the game and rarely lost a game.

He enjoyed drinking his coffee in the morning and watching the Price is Right with family and friends. He had a twinkle in his eyes and a smile that was contagious.

He will be missed dearly.

 Wake services will bgean this Saturday evening at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius, Rosary was on Sunday with Mass at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Monday, Feb. 22, where military honors will be presented.

Allen Vicars

POLSON — Our dear brother, Allen Vicars, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Feb. 13, at his home in Polson.

Allen was born on June 15, 1950, in Livingston to James and Mamie Vicars. He was the youngest of five children. He attended Saint Mary’s Grade School, Park County High School, and then attended MSLJ where he graduated with a degree in education. Allen taught school for a couple years, and was in business, for a short while with his brother Bill. He then lived for many years in Spokane, Wash., before moving to Polson, where he resided for the last few years.

Allen was a fun, loving fellow and the “World’s Greatest Sports Fan.” He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his adopted family, the Bill Brownell’s in Polson.

Survivors include sisters Kay Russell of Butte, MaryAnn (P.J.) Moran of Livingston and a brother Bill (Charlotte) Vicars of Minnesota. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother, John; nephews; niece; brother-in law and several aunts and uncles.

Cremation has taken place and services are pending for April in Livingston. Memorials in Allen’s memory are requested to Saint Mary’s School in Livingston or a charity of your choice. God keep you in his care Al!   

Reynold John Unger

Reynold John Unger passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the age of 80, at his home in Polson. He was surrounded by family, and died peacefully after battling cancer. He was born on Jan. 22, 1930, in Poplar, the fourth of six children to John and Minnie Unger.

Reynold graduated from Savage High School 1947. In 1954, he married Sylvia Joanne Martinson in Kalispell. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56 and was stationed in Germany. After discharge from the Army, he returned to ranching in Polson and later continued ranching in Plains, Huntington and Vale, Oregon. In 2001, he returned to Polson to retire.

Reynold enjoyed visiting with family and friends, fishing, playing pinochle, traveling and he always had a joke to tell. He had a life-long interest in 4-H that started in childhood and continued throughout his ranching life. He was also a member of the American Legion and VFW. His faith in God was the center of his life and he was active in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church as a council member and an elder for more than 50 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Minnie Unger, and brother Lawrence Unger.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia Joanne Unger; five children, Elaine (Bill) McLean, Karen Nunn, John (Sandra) Unger, Paul (Kristen) Unger, and Sandy (Tim) Webb; three sisters Marie Leivestad of Cartwright, N.D., Martha Kroemer of Billings, and Rosalia Skaar of Sidney; a brother Edward (JoMay) Unger of Polsonpl; along with 16 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, aunts, nieces and nephews.

Visitation for friends and family was held on Friday, Feb. 19, at Grogan Funeral Home, Polson. Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. M. Kaarre officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1608 2nd Ave. W., Polson, MT 59860, or Partners Home Care, www.partnershomecare.org. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for the family of Mr. Unger.

Mary “Mae” Boehler

SIDNEY — Mass of the Christian Burial for Mary “Mae” Boehler, 77, of Sidney were on Monday, Feb. 22, at St, Matthew’s Catholic Church with Father Ned Shinnick as preside. Wake services were on Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Fulkerson Memorial Chapel. Cremation will follow services under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.

Mary “Mae” Florence Boehler passed away suddenly at the Sidney Extended Care nursing facility on Feb. 17. She had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born in Chicago on June 1, 1932. Her parents, who preceded her in death, were Florence Gertrude and Harry “Scotty” Skinner. She had two brothers, Reuben, who went by “Bud,” and Jim, deceased, as well as two sisters, the oldest, Elsie, and her identical twin, Marian, known as Joy.

Growing up in America’s second largest city during the Great Depression and World War II helped shape her perception of the world, and she often told fascinating stories of big city life during those times.

She met her husband, Virgil, who was from near Hebron, N.D., in Chicago while he was visiting there on leave from the Navy. They were married June 14, 1952 and their first child, a son they named Scott, was born there while Virgil completed his Navy tour.

 Upon his discharge, the young family moved to the Hebron area where Virgil helped his parents with harvest, then was employed at the Hebron Herald, the beginning of a life-long newspaper career. Kevin was born one year later followed the next year by Cole and the year after by Mary. Mark, Kim and Lisa all came along a few years later.

In the meantime, the family lived in Devils Lake and Bismarck, ND, then relocated to Fairview in 1966 when Virgil went to work at the Sidney Herald. At one time the oldest Boehler child, Scott, was a senior in Fairview High School while the youngest, Lisa, was a first grader.

Mae was a devout Catholic and lived as Christ instructed, always loving all of God’s creatures and people unconditionally, including and especially the least of them. But she especially loved babies and children.

 She raised her own brood of seven while attending to the children of other parents in the Fairview family home. When a migrant program nursery was established she worked there and later managed that program for 13 years. Later, when the family moved to Sidney, she continue to babysit for other young parents, including for her own children’s children. Eventually she opened and operated a day care in Sidney.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Mary developed a character beloved by all, “Mazie The Clown.” Mary’s father, Scotty, had clowned at an amusement park in Chicago and Mary had inherited all his paraphernalia, as well as his legendary sense of comedy and humor. Her sister, Joy, and Joy’s son and daughter-in-law, also took up the ancient art and performed as a troupe in Chicago. Eventually Mary’s daughters, too, developed their own clown characters and performance group. They often entertained at fairs, parties and spiritual retreats.

 Mary and Virgil separated in 1984 and later divorced. It was at this time Mary went back to school, earning a nanny certification at a California institute. She was hired by the Gendelman family of Milwaukee to help rear the family’s three sons and daughter. Mary stayed with the family 15 years until her retirement in 2001. During that time she traveled America and went abroad several times to Ireland, England, Germany, Italy and France, once accompanied by her twin, Joy, and twice by her “adopted daughter,” Karen (Nickens) Stimpson.

 Mary was very active in her church and was a quiet but potent force in the state Cursillo movement.

 When she retired, she lived in an apartment next door to her daughter, Lisa, and Lisa’s family in Polson, Mont., overlooking beautiful Flathead Lake. She was very happy there and enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren until overwhelmed by her disease.

 She leaves behind: her son Scott of Livingston; grandchildren Jaci, Jacob, Adam and Leah and former daughter-in-law Bette Jean; son Kevin of rural Sidney (Karen), grandchildren Ryan and April, and great grandchildren Sienna and Holden (April); son Cole of Butte (Marilyn) and grandson Scott Ladd; daughter Mary Miller of Glendive (Tim); grandchildren Sarah, Melissa Beitel (Brian) and Zacharia; great-grandchildren Emma and Baylor (Melissa) and former son-in-law Pat Knaff; son Mark of Charlotte, N.C. (Lisa Cay) and grandchildren Nick and Shiloh; daughter Kim Ann Koenig of Ronan (Kim Dan), grandchildren Mary, Benjamin and Jacob Orrin, and great-grandchildren Quience and Zachariah (Jacob); and daughter Lisa Skalsky of Polson (Todd), and grandchildren Brooke, Morgan and LaiLa.

 Virgil preceded her in death Dec. 5, 2000.

Mary was put on Earth to care for people and to show people how to care for and love each other. When she moved to Angel Avenue at the nursing home, even there she went about trying to care for other patients and help staff.

 She touched everyone who knew her with her tenderness, big heart and moral example. She will be so missed by so many.