OBITUARIES: Swallow, Coffman, Haack

Elsa Ruth ”Bibs” Swallow

Elsa Ruth ”Bibs” Swallow, age 94, passed away on Monday, Oct. 20, at St. Joseph Assisted Living in Polson. She was born on November 28, 1919 at Niagara Falls, N.Y. to Elsa and Paul Gutknecht.

Her father was a minister who had a congregation and served as chaplain at Ft. Niagara during WWI. She completed the family joining an older brother Paul “Buddy” and an older sister Naomi. The family moved to Monticello, Iowa where she completed her schooling through high school.

At age 16, during the heart of the depression, she moved to Lewiston, Idaho to work her way through college. In 1939 she graduated at the top of her class with a teaching degree from Lewiston State Normal School. She taught for one year at Waterloo, Iowa. She left to marry Clark Matthiessen right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The couple lived in Denver where Clark was stationed during the war. He served as a drill instructor and Elsa worked for the railroad, which was essential for the war effort.

After the war the couple moved to Hooper, Colo. where Elsa taught school and Clark was the principal of the high school. The cold weather encouraged them to move to California. They lived in the San Francisco Bay area (Petaluma). She taught second grade, got her Master’s degree and completed her career as a reading specialist at the junior high level. She was proud to have worked with Dr. Bjorn Carlson creating the reading diagnostic test of the period.

In her spare time she raised two children, Clark and Ruth, cared for her elderly parents, and was an outstanding hostess.

She was married to Clark Matthiessen for 33 years.

She moved to Dayton, with her second husband, Ezra Swallow for her retirement years. She lived in Dayton until age 90 when she moved to Polson’s St. Joseph Assisted Living.

She continued to be active with her bridge club and trips to Stevensville to visit her daughter.

Elsa had a fun filled busy life. She will be missed by her many friends and loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for Elsa will be held on Friday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1608 2nd Street in Polson. Memorials may be sent to the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry, 904 1st Street East in Polson. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family to www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.      

Joyce M. West

Joyce M. West, 74, of Polson, passed away Oct. 21 in Bigfork.  Born July 14, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wis. to John and Mildred Janecek. Joyce, was a loving mother and friend to everyone that she met.  Joyce is survived by her sons Frank of California and Jim of Libby, daughters Terri and Cheryl of Bartlett. Ill., and her sister Alice Smudde as well as numerous grand-children and one great-grand-child.  Private memorial services will be held.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the National Diabetes Association in Joyce’s Name. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the West family.  

Kathryn “Kathy” Jean (Snyder) Coffman

Kathryn “Kathy” Jean (Snyder) Coffman, 63 of Ronan, joined her loved ones that left before her in Heaven on Oct. 22, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri after her courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.  She was born July 5, 1951 in Ronan, daughter of Eldon Snyder and Ruth Kirsch Snyder Devor.  

Kathy was an earthly angel who gave to all that needed it.  She never thought of herself, quickly calling others her kids and grandkids.  She grew up in Ronan, she was 1 of 6 children.  She talked greatly of her days being the daughter of Eldon and Ruth owners of the Valley Club in Ronan.  Her early years were spent cooking and waiting tables there.  Married to Ted Coffman for many years, later they were divorced.  For over 20 years she worked at Jore Corporation where she had a group of good friends that she made a huge impact on. She enjoyed every experience in life like they were her last.  She held many BBQ’s at her home, making sure no one went home hungry.  Her greatest joys in life were her grandchildren. They were her world and she became “Super Gramma”  to them.   She also enjoyed going to the River, bowling, a good rummage sale, cooking, family gatherings, pow-wows, rodeos, and traveling to see her grandkids that lived away.  Kathy had the biggest heart in fact it was too big for this world.  Everyone that knew Kathy knew she loved them, making sure they were cared for whether they were related or not.  Her kids recall Kathy buying many Christmas presents for families that could not afford them.  She did this from her heart not for recognition.  We should all learn to live Kats way and the world would be a better place, which it was because of Kathy.  We will love you and miss you MOM FOREVER.  

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, one grandson Timothy Johnson.  She is survived by her children: Daughter Deni Lee Coffman of Clarksville, Tenn.: Daughter Becky Coffman of Ronan: Daughter Amy Coffman of Pablo; Son TJ Coffman (Amy) of Butler, Mo.:  Grandchildren: Jesse, Tyler, Cheyenne, Cameron, Carter, Rosie, Sage, Kylee, Danielle, Ted.  Great grandkids: Weston and Jamieson: Also many “honorary” kids and grandkids.  Brothers Kenny Snyder (Donnita), Kim Snyder both of Ronan. Sister Krissy Paro (Jim) of Ronan. Kay Langan (Bill) of Spokane Valley, Wash., Kelly Bailey (Walt) of Polson.  Many nieces, nephews, relatives. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Ronan Community Center, 300 3rd Ave NW, Ronan from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The Celebration will be a potluck.

Leonard Haack

Leonard Haack was born on Oct. 13,  1919 to Julius and Emma Haack in Polson.  Leonard passed away Oct. 23, at the age of 95.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers.  

During the war effort Leonard worked for North American Airlines building airplanes in California.  

He returned to the Polson area to resume farming and also met his future wife.  Sadie and Leonard celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary August 31, 2014.  

They made Polson their home.  Leonard worked as a mechanic for several car dealerships and was a boiler engineer for the local Lumber Mill located in Polson.  

Leonard and Sadie spent many enjoyable years riding with other Harley riders on the Gypsy Tours.  His 1948 Harley is now on display at the Miracle of America Museum locally.  

It was Leonard’s wish that his bike in original condition be placed on display for others to enjoy.  

He was most happy when riding his Harley, driving his tractor doing field work, or hunting and fishing.  He was always willing to help out a neighbor.  

In 1960 Leonard and Sadie took over the farm in the Turtle Lake area as Emma and Julius Haack retired.  Until 2013 Leonard was still living on the farm.  

In July of 2013 Leonard joined Sadie at the Pines of Mission Assisted Living facility in St. Ignatius.  

Leonard is survived by his spouse Sadie Haack, children; Susan (Willie) Aders Billings, LeRoy (Patty) Haack of Laurel, Ken (Mary) Haack of Arvada, Colo.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Services for Leonard were held on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. at Grogan Funeral Home located at 101 6th Ave. East in Polson.  Burial followed at Lakeview Cemetery.  Donations may be sent to Miracle of America Museum, or any of the local law enforcement.  Messages of condolences may be sent to www.groganfuneralhome.com