Obituaries April 1
Lozeau, Fisher, Kendley, Howard, Easter, Rathburn, Kindt Hislop, Kauffman,
Layn Kenneth Lozeau
RONAN - Layn Kenneth "Boo" Lozeau, 7, passed away on March 22 at his home in Ronan.
Layn blessed our lives on Dec. 20, 2002, when he was born in Polson. When Layn was 1, he moved to Phoenix, Ariz. so he could experience big city life. He spent four years there, camping and riding quads with the "Camping Crew." In 2008, he decided he was too hot and wanted to come back to his Reservation, so he could take up hunting and fishing.
In September 2009, Layn was diagnosed with a rare terminal genetic disease called Adrenoleukodystrophy. He did not allow that to slow him down. Layn attended school in the Ronan/Pablo schools and was a first grader. He loved school and his teacher Mrs. Hoback. Even after losing his sight and mobility he was able to attend. He was very disappointed he couldn't graduate with his first grade class.
Layn always wanted to be a cop and also to work for Ford like his daddy. In December 2009, Lake County Sheriff Lucky Larson and his deputies came to deputize him. In January, Make-A-Wish sent Layn and his family to Hawaii to swim with the dolphins.
Layn loved hunting and fishing with dad, being outdoors and working on cars with dad. Even after losing his sight, he was still the first to spot the elk, leaving none for Dad and Uncle Vic. In his short 7 years, he lived a lifetime.
Layn was such a special boy and absolutely fearless in life. He loved everyone and didn't have a mean bone in his body. He will be missed by so many family members, friends and loved ones. His brother and best friend Nash, big sissy Anjelica, sister Alicia and especially Mommy and Daddy.
A wake began last Wednesday at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with Rosary being recited on Thursday at the Longhouse. Funeral services were held Friday in the Longhouse with Pastor Gerry Oullette officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
Margie L. Fisher
Margie L. Fisher, 87, of Polson, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson.
She was born on June 20, 1922, in Deer, Ark., a daughter of the late John and Delpha Faught. Margie married Harold "Harry" Fisher in Reno, Nev., on Feb. 11, 1968. Her life was devoted to Jehovah. Margie was an avid reader, enjoyed camping and fishing with her husband, Harry, and greatly loved her family.
Besides her parents, one brother and five sisters preceded Margie in death.
She is survived by her loving husband, Harry, of Polson; five sons: Leroy (Betty) of Tulsa, Okla., Billy (Volene) of Tulsa, Okla., Jerry (Debbie) of Carson City, Nev., Terry of Carson City, Nev., Larry of Placerville, Calif.; a step-son, Chris of Carson City, Nev.; a step-daughter, Michelle of Fauke, Alaska; a sister, Marian (Ron) McBride of Marysville, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held at the Polson Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall on Sunday, March 28. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson is honored to assist Mrs. Fisher's family.
Doris Kendley
Doris Kendley passed peacefully on to be with the Lord in Polson, on March 18.
Mom was born Doris Marie Lyons, on June 22, 1917, on a family ranch near Two Dot. Doris was born the second daughter of Minnie and George Lyons. Doris was the granddaughter of Montana pioneers who came to Montana Territory in the 1860s.
When she was born, her mother proclaimed, "Another little sunshine girl." Her statement set the tone for Doris' life, as she was a friend to everyone and a source of joy to those who knew her. Mom always loved wild roses and said they bloomed on her birthday, they still will.
She attended high school in Helena. Prior to World War II, she moved first to Canada and then to the territory of Alaska, where she worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In Alaska, she met her husband of 65 years, Thomas "Ed" Kendley. Doris and Ed spent the war years in Alaska where Ed entered the U.S. Army.
After the war, the couple moved back to their home state of Montana. Doris had previously attended the University of Montana and later the University of Wyoming. She was a vital force in seeing her husband graduate from the University of Wyoming and later, that her two sons graduated from the University of Montana.
Doris and Ed moved many times, following employment opportunities in Wyoming, Washington and South Dakota, before finally returning to stay in Montana. Doris served as an excellent secretary, having worked for the General Manager of the Alaska Railroad, the General Manager of Northwest Airlines and the District Manager of the Veterans Administration in Chicago. Doris retired after 25 years of Federal Service in 1977.
The couple moved to Polson, in 1978 where they operated a cherry orchard and Christmas tree farm.
Doris was generous to a fault. She would give those less fortunate anything she could. She would often open her home to migrant fruit workers and developed many dear friends throughout her long life.
Doris is survived by her loving husband Ed; her two sons Jack of Helena and Steve of Polson; her daughter-in-law Mary and two grandchildren: Sam of Sacramento, Calif., and Haley Marie of Polson.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 24, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Polson.
The family requests that anyone who wants to do something in Doris' memory please donate to the American Red Cross, Haiti Earthquake Relief fund.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Kendley's family.
Joshua P. Howard
ARLEE - Joshua P. Howard "Joshie," 13, passed away on March 23 at Community Hospital in Missoula from complications from diabetes.
Josh was born on June 5, 1996, in Missoula to Angel and Matt Howard Sr. (BigSam). Raised on the Flathead Reservation, Josh was currently attending Charlo Middle School.
Josh enjoyed hunting, fishing and being with friends and family.
He was preceded in death by Stephen Howard, Joe Howard, auntie Traci Hernandez and grandma Lou Oldhorn.
He leaves behind his parents Matt (BigSam) and Angel; his siblings Kathy, Robert (Suset and Robin), Matt-Matt, Jeremiah and Kaileen; aunt Marie and uncle Eli Diaz and their children Amais, Kailana, Stanley, Eliana and Sarai; uncles Pat Matt Jr., Tonka Howard (Caroline TalksDifferent and baby Lillian Howard); grandmothers Linda Weaselhead and Linda Howard; grandfathers Earl P. Matt Sr. and Dallas Howard Sr.; foster parents Justin and Jane Orr and many loving and caring family members.
A wake was held at the Arlee Community Center were the Rosary is being recited on Friday. Funeral services were on Saturday in the Arlee Community Center with burial following in the Jocko Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to the JDRF in honor of Joshua Howard.
Joyce A. Easter
Joyce Ann Easter, 69, passed away on Friday, March 26, at St. Luke's Hospital in Ronan of natural causes.
She was born on Aug. 17, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Elbert and Rubie Hecker. In high school, she was the only recipient of the William Woodward Scholarship, which gave her a full ride scholarship to the University of Cincinnati where she majored in math and English, with a minor in German.
On June 1, 1962, she married the love of her life, Neil Easter, in Cincinnati. They raised two boys together, Kirk and Erik. She stayed at home with her boys for 10 years, then went to work as a teacher. She taught at Washington Courthouse, Middletown, Ohio, and Mariemont high schools. She and her family traveled every summer to Yellowstone National Park and fell in love with Montana.
In 1983, they moved to St. Ignatius, where she taught at the local school until the time of her death. She loved students and they loved her. Many students graduated because she refused to let them fail. She took her students into her heart and was like a mother and grandmother to so many students over the years. She enjoyed camping, fishing, knitting and listening to classical music. During the last few years, she particularly loved playing with her grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, teacher and friend.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert and Rubie Hecker. She is survived by her husband, Neil of St. Ignatius; two sons, Kirk Easter and wife Alison of Missoula, and Erik Easter and wife Jeanette of Greeley, Colo.; one sister, Elaine Taylor and husband Ron of Eatonton, Ga.; two nieces, Karyn Taylor of Savannah, Ga., and Missy Milligan and husband Jim of Gainesville, Fla.; two grandchildren, Kaydn and Kamron Easter of Missoula; and one great-nephew, Connor Milligan of Gainesville, Fla.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 2, in the Mission High School gymnasium. Charles (Chuck) Tellier will be officiating. A family burial service will follow at the Catholic Cemetery. A reception will follow at the St. Ignatius Community Center for all friends and family.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Mission Scholarship Foundation, care of Lake County Bank, P.O. Box 664, ST. Ignatius MT 59865.
Condolences may be sent to gardencity@missoulafuneralhomes.com.
Alma Lorraine Rathbun
Alma Lorraine Rathbun, 76, joined her beloved husband of 51 years on March 27, in Polson. Alma was born to Annie Franks DuPuis and Everett Franks Nov. 1, 1933, being the first baby born in the new hospital in Polson.
Grandma (Alma) married her soul mate and best friend Delbert Rathbun on June 1, 1951, in Polson, where they started a great journey together. From that reunion they had five children. They spent most of their lives in Polson; aside from the short time they lived in Seeley Lake, Great Falls and Bull Head City, Ariz. Grandma was a stay at home mom until the children were older. Alma started work as a waitress at the Pirate and Hut cafes in the 1960s and met so many wonderful people who told so many stories of the old days of Polson. She later went back to high school when she was 33, with two of her daughters, who were freshman and sophomores. She did two years of high school in one year, with five kids at home. It was her proudest moment when she got to walk up to the podium to accept her high school diploma in 1967. Soon after, she attended college classes in Polson at the community college, which later formed into the SKC that we know today. She then became the bookkeeper for Cal-Gas, working there for several years, also worked at Security State Bank and 1st Citizens Bank.
She met so many wonderful friends along the way, whom she always kept in touch with. Her life long friends, Irene Olson, Phyllis Sanford and Ruth Larson were there from day one and they became known as the gang of four, they were the world to her. In retirement, Alma and Delbert managed numerous motels. Grandma had a passion for traveling and loved the Greyhound Bus. In 2004, grandma took the trip of a lifetime, taking a cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia to Anchorage, Alaska, with her best friends Alice and Duane Johnson and Irene Olson. Grandma was a HUGE Mariners fan and got to attend a Mariners game in 2007 in Detroit, Mich., with her granddaughter Melissa. She loved having family get-togethers, bowling and playing cribbage any chance she could get.
Grandma had a unique power of remembering numbers. She never forgot a birthday or a phone number, even after getting Alzheimer's. Alma was Mom and Grandma to so many people who came thru the front door, inviting them to a game of pinochle, cribbage, and whatever games they wanted to play. The girl's suitors would come to the house to see and visit with "Mom," before anything else, because she always had something good cooking on the stove.
Alma is preceded in death by her parents Annie Franks DuPuis, Everett Franks and Augusta DuPuis; husband Delbert L. Rathbun; sister Donna Smith; step-sisters Dorothy Getz and Enid DuPuis; four half brothers; one half sister; grandson Jeffry L. Walters, and sister-in-law Bonnie Franks.
Alma is survived by daughters Arleen (Lloyd) Austin, Debbie (Cliff) Pittsley, Lila Davis (Guy Clatterbuck); sons Paul (Beth) Rathbun and Wade (Freda) Rathbun; sister Vera Utzke; brother Allen Franks; sister-in-law Betty Christenson; 31 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson A reception will follow the services at the Polson Senior Citizen's Center. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Rathbun's family.
Charlotte Marie Kindt Hislop
Charlotte Hislop of Bigfork passed away peacefully at Heritage Place early on Sunday, March 28, 2010, following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Despite her condition, she remained hopeful and feisty, maintaining her sense of humor throughout her illness.
Born in Anaconda on April 30, 1922, Charlotte was the daughter of Ernest and Florence Kindt. She was the oldest of eight children. During her early childhood she lived in Anaconda, Seattle, and finally Butte, where her family settled in the 1930s.
She graduated from Butte Central High School in 1940. On July 11, 1941, she married Robert I. Hislop - the beginning of a 68-year love story.
In 1959, they left Butte and moved to Bigfork where they purchased and operated Elm Resort for more than 11 years. The resort became a centerpiece of Bigfork summer activities during their tenure as owners. They were mainstays of Bigfork community life where they made considerable contributions to the Bigfork Fire Department, Bigfork Schools and St. Catherine's Catholic Parish.
Charlotte was an active Bigfork Lady Lion member and served for many years as an election judge.
Charlotte will be remembered as a loving wife, a beloved mother and cherished friend. In addition to her husband, Robert, she is survived by her daughter Bonnie, and son-in-law Hilary Nickel, of Bigfork; daughter, Lindy, and son-in-law, Jim McGill, of Bigfork; and son Robert, and daughter-in-law Donna Hislop, of Polson. She is also survived by sisters, Marie Elich, Betty Piskolich, and Nancy Wills, all of Butte; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Liz; her brothers, Charles, Tom and Jack; as well as her grandson, David Benson.
Her greatest joys in life included any activity involving her family, especially sporting events where her children and grandchildren participated. She loved camping with friends in Glacier Park and on Hungry Horse Reservoir.
A devout Catholic, Charlotte was a member of Pope John Paul II Parish in Bigfork. She will be missed by surviving members of her "Potluck Bunch," as well as members of her ceramics club, "The Puttering Potters." Most recently she shared a love of watching the Seattle Mariners on TV with her husband and was known to keep an accurate scorebook of every game. An avid reader, Charlotte loved to share anecdotes with family and friends. Her reading lead to a unique collection of quotes, sayings and stories which reflected her attitude toward life - this collection is a treasured gift to her family.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Home Options Hospice and the caring staff of Heritage Place.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice, or the American Cancer Society.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, at Pope John Paul Catholic Church in Bigfork with a reception to follow. A private internment will be held at a later date.
E. Emma Kauffman
ST. Ignatius - E. Emma Kauffman, 84, passed away on March 26 at her home near St. Ignatius, Montana.
A devoted wife and mother she moved to the area around 1998.
She was preceded in death by her parents Emmanuel and Nora (Miller) Schlabach, brothers John Schlabach and Orva Schlabach.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years David Kauffman; children Edith (David) Miller, Steve (Linda) Kauffman, Ruby (Marvin) Schrock, Lonnie (Sara) Kauffman, Lorene (Mike) Yoder, John (Loma) Kauffman, David Jr. Kauffman, BenRay (Polly) Kauffman Katie (Henry) Lehman, Harvey (Susan) Kauffman Howard (Carol) Kauffman; brothers and sisters Esther Miller, Roman Schlabach, Mabel Miller, Wilbur Schlabach, Wilma Yoder, Viola Bontrager, Alice Yoder and Omer Schlabach; 65 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren and a large extended family.
Funeral services was held on Wednesday, March 31 in the Mission Valley Community Hall on Foothills Rd near St. Ignatius.
Interment will follow in the Mission Valley Cemetery.