Obituaries, March 25

Trahan, Howell, Brooks, Suter

Gloria Jean Phillips Trahan

Gloria Jean Phillips Trahan, 62, of Elmo, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, auntie and friend passed on, surrounded by her loving family and friends in her home on Monday, March 15.

Gloria was born on Aug. 30, 1947, to James Douglas Phillips Sr. and Mary Gravelle Phillips in Flagstone, British Columbia. She spent most of her childhood growing up in Grasmere, British Columbia, and later moved to the states where she met and married Edward Couture and had two beautiful children, daughter Crystal, and son Darrin.

She continued to raise her children in the states after her first marriage came to an end. There she later met the "love of her life" and "best friend" Arthur R. Trahan Sr. and had another beautiful daughter Michelle.

Work and education took Gloria, Art and family throughout Wyoming, Washington and Montana where they finally settled in Elmo and have lived happily since 1982.

Gloria was a quick witted, passionate and quickly made life long friendships every where she went. She enjoyed learning and sharing her knowledge and found her calling, working for The People's Center as a Curatorial Technician. Together with other staff and with her gift for getting people to work together, built a museum with many exhibits and implemented many gatherings that helped educate not only her people, but anyone that took the time to learn about the Kootenai, Salish and Pend D Oreilles peoples. She enjoyed doing things like making baskets, tule tipi's, sewing, baking, and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens with her husband by her side. Gloria was very involved in sustaining the Kootenai Language and culture. Her words of encouragement were, "learn who your family is, it gives you strength." She was proud to be a full blooded Kootenai and was always encouraging the kids in her community to learn about their ancestors and their culture. She was "grandmom" to all the kids in her neighborhood on the hill, and will be greatly missed by all.

Gloria is survived by her husband Art Trahan Sr.; daughters, Crystal Couture Houle (Jesse) of Hiles, Wis.; Michelle Trahan and fiancé Joe Usher of Elmo; stepsons, Les Trahan (Jennifer) of Ronan; Art Trahan Jr. and Daniel Trahan of St. Ignatius, and Luke Trahan of Pablo; stepdaughters, Nicole Trahan Peasely (Mark) of Arlee, Chelsea Hewankorn of Evaro; sisters, Sadie Phillips Saloway of Elmo, Angela Gorrie Paradis (Paul) of Grasmere, B.C.; Susie Gorrie/Searls of Hundred Mile House, B.C.; brother, Victor Phillips (June) of Big Sandy; grandchildren, Jesse Houle IV of Fond Du Lac, Wis; Tonya Houle of Crandon, Wis., Stephanie Cleereman of Newald, Wis., Melanie Houle of Crandon Wis., Danny Houle from Hiles, Wis., Josie Ray Usher of Elmo; great-grandchildren, Carsyn Mayer & Reece Mayer of Crandon, Wis., Cassidy Sepneski of Green Bay, Wis., Sydney Houle of Fond Du Lac, Wis, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents James Douglas Phillips Sr. and Mary Gravelle; her only son Darrin Couture; her older sister Sarah "Sally" Pierre; her older brother James Douglas Phillips Jr. "Sonny."

Gloria's only regret is not being here to spoil all of her grand and great-grandkids. But if there is one thing that we will always remember Gloria for, was her boog-a-loo dancing in her flashy shirts.

Gloria was brought to her home on Wednesday, March 17, where family received visitors. Gloria was taken to the Elmo Community Center on the morning of Thursday, March 18. Rosary services followed, and she remained there until funeral services on Friday, March 19. Interment will take place at the Dayton Cemetery, Dayton, MT.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Gloria's family.

Dean Howell

Dean Howell, 89, passed away suddenly at St. Vincent Hospital, Billings, on March 15. Dean was born in McCammon, Idaho, on Oct. 14, 1920, to Leo and Andrea (Jensen) Howell. Dean married Virginia (Ginny) Mortensen in Charlo, on October 5, 1940. Dean and Ginny began their life together as poor beet farmers in Moiese. During WWII, Dean worked in a defense plant in Seattle, Wash. After the war, Dean returned to farming until 1946 when he and his family relocated to Pennsylvania where he mastered the art of chick sexing. In 1951 he and his family returned to Polson. Dean traveled throughout Montana sexing baby chicks for various hatcheries. In 1958, Dean became a Montana State poultry inspector. He and Ginny traveled the state testing flocks for salmonella bacteria. In 1963, the Howell family relocated to Billings and Dean became a federal meat inspector for the state of Montana. Dean and Ginny moved to Roundup, when Dean was transferred to work at Sietz and Bowers Meat Plant in 1971. Dean worked at the Roundup plant until retiring in 1985. Dean loved going to auction sales; buying low and selling high. He enjoyed taking trips with the fossil and mineral club in Roundup. In 1996, Dean and Ginny purchased a summer home in Polson and wintered in southern California at the Fountain of Youth. In 2005, Dean and Ginny returned to Billings. Dean never met a stranger and enjoyed having coffee with the guys, no matter what town he happened to be in.

Dean is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Ginny. He also leaves behind daughter Peggy Pick (Steve) of Billings, and sons Leo Howell (Barbara) of Bellows Falls, Vt., Peter Howell (Polly), Wingate, N.C., and Michael Howell (Karen), Billings. Dean leaves eight grandchildren: Amber Hrubes (Allen), Glendive, Jason Aerni (Leigh), Greely, Colo., Heather Golder (Jeffrey), Brooklyn, N.Y., Judd Aerni (Colleen), Roundrock, Texas, Aaron Howell, Bozeman, Korrie Schauer, Billings, Andrew Howell, Missoula and Daniel Howell, Billings; and six great-grandchildren: Layton Hrubes, Kristopher Schauer, Taya Howell, Penelope Aerni, Ireland Aerni and Natalie Aerni. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jensen Howell (Mary), Reed Howell (Marge) and sister Vanetta Brower (Ed). Dean was a 43 year survivor of insulin-dependent diabetes and lived a long and healthy life due to the undivided attention from his loving wife, Ginny.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, March 18, at the Cremation and Funeral Gallery, 29 8th St. West, Billings, MT. A graveside service was held in Polson, at the Lakeview Cemetery on Saturday, March 20, with Bishop Gordon Terry officiating. A gathering followed at the Polson LDS Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Condolences may be sent online to www.cfgbillings.com.

John Albert Brooks

John Albert Brooks, 78, of Ronan, passed away on Monday, March 18, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.

Born in Ronan on Dec. 2, 1931, he was the son of the late Perry and Mabel Collins Brooks. For many years he was a heavy equipment operator for various companies throughout the area.

Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Ellen Brooks; four children, Gary (Tina) Brooks, Robin (Roger) Napier, Lisa (Ken) Romero, Johnnie (Wanda) Brooks; 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and per John's request, no formal services are planned. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson is honored to assist Mr. Brooks' family.

Marion M. Suter

Marion M. Suter, 88, of Polson, passed away on Monday, March 22, in Polson.

Marion was born on Aug. 12, 1921, in Paterson, N.J., a daughter of the late Martin and Emily Thelen Tanis. She attended the Sherwood Secretarial School in Hawthorne, N.J. and in 1946, married John T. Suter in North Haledon, N.J. John passed away in 2004.

Survivors include her daughters: Cathy Hudowalski and Jane Cross, and a sister, Janet Touw.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 29, at the Vander Plaat Vermeulen Memorial Home in Franklin Lakes, N.J. Donations may be made in Marion's name to the Alzheimer's Association. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting locally with arrangements.www.groganfuneralhome.com.