Elmer Joseph “Joe” Ness Jr.

Elmer Joseph “Joe” Ness Jr., age 83, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Hillside Manor in Missoula. He was born on October 16, 1929 in Wenatchee, Wash., the son of Elmer Joseph and Celestial (Noffsniger) Ness.  

He attended schools in Washington and Charlo and attended Charlo High School, where he played football. He worked many years as a ranch hand, heavy equipment operator and truck driver. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1952. He and his wife Rosie lived on their ranch at Arlee from 1983 until he became a resident of Hillside Manor in Missoula in October 2012. The family appreciates the caring staff of Hillside Manor and Partners Hospice. He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his wife Rosie of the family home in Arlee; his daughters, Doreen Krupa of Washington and Crystal Ness of Polson; and his son William Ness of Missoula; step-son Ronald Mix of Missoula; and step-daughters, Roxanna Mix of Helena and Robyn Schiefer of San Diego, Calif.; two sisters, Leora Moses of Couer d’ Alene, Idaho, and Eunice Canady of Tacoma, Wash.; and 20 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Joe were held Friday, Feb. 15, at Garden City Funeral Home. Burial followed services at Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, with a reception following in the Garden City Funeral Home Community Room. The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Partners in Home Care Hospice. Garden City Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.