Hilda Iverson

Hilda Marie "Ginger" Iverson, 81, of Columbia Falls, died March 30, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Ginger was born Sept. 30, 1923, in Nielsville, Minn., to Halvor and Anne (Waale) Skretvedt. She was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church and attended school in Nielsville as well.

Ginger was united in marriage to Gordon Iverson in Thief River Falls, Minn., in 1944. They lived in Thief River Falls until moving to Montana in 1965.

Ginger enjoyed life. She enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including dancing, crafts, crocheting, and bowling in which she won many trophies. She especially loved getting together with her children and playing cards with family and friends.

Ginger was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She always thought of others first and had a kind work for everyone she met. Her joyful laughter will ring in our hearts forever. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Gertrude Skretvedt and Alice Forseth; her husband Gordon; and her daughter Sharon Marie.

She is survived by sisters, Ida Solheim of Crookston, Minn., and Thelma and Ed Berggren of Thief River Falls, Minn.; sons and a daughter, David Iverson, Jack and Jane Iverson, Richard and Gayle Skees, Jerome and Laurie Iverson, Dennis and Darla Iverson, all of Columbia Falls; 13 grandchildren, Slade, Dara, Jeff, Jana, Angela, Erik, Kurtis, Dana, Jerome, Joshua, Antonia, Christopher and Devin; five great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2005, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with Pastor David Jones officiating. A luncheon and open house will follow from 1 to 4 p.m. at her son's home at 140 Falcon Lane in Columbia Falls.

Memorials can be made to Brendan House at 350 Conway Drive, Kalispell MT 59901, or a charity of your choice.

Merle Barnes

Merle A. Barnes, 68, of Lakeside, passed away March 20, 2005, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

He was born Jan. 27, 1937, in Kalispell to Clarence W. and Gertrude A. Barnes.

He served in the Air Force from 1958 to 1970. Merle is survived by his six children, Xarisa Spencer, Brett Barnes, Rebecca Hooven, Sarah Stephens, Margaret Tice and Joshua Barnes.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 9, 2005, at 1 p.m. at 630 Echo View Drive, Echo Lake. A finger-food potluck reception will follow the service.

Anthony Benton

Anthony Robert "Tony" Benton, 44, passed away March 31, 2005, at his home in Columbia Falls.

Tony was born May 2, 1960, in Albany, Ore., to Robert and Patty Benton. He had worked as a car salesman for Don K. Chevrolet and was currently working for Mission Valley Motors in Polson.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert.

Tony is survived by his girlfriend Patricia Stidmen; his mother Patty Benton; and three sisters, Linda, Terri and Karen.

Memorial services were held April 5.

Earnest Goodsell

Earnest C. Goodsell, 78, of Columbia Falls, went to be with our savior on March 12, 2005.

He was born in Nashua on Dec. 20, 1926, to Andrew and Laura Goodsell.

Ernie served in the Army in World War II and made his home in the Flathead Valley with his wife Rose in 1961.

He did numerous things to make his mark here, including helping in the construction of the Hungry Horse Dam. He was employed as a mechanic by the Plum Creek Lumber Co. for 25 years.

His love and devotion for family, and the compassion he expressed towards animals, will forever be remembered by those who knew him.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Rose, of Las Vegas, Nev.; six children, Becky Guild, of Las Vegas, Hal Goodsell, of Helena, Tina Fago, of San Diego, Calif., Wade Goodsell, of Whitefish, Frank Pellitier, of Roundup, and Patty Ann, of Pocatello, Idaho; his sister June and a brother Clarence; 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. We love you grandpa.

A remembrance ceremony and lunch will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2005, at First Baptist Church in Whitefish, 6232 U.S. Highway 93 South.

Gayla Parkhill

Gayla Arlene Parkhill, 76, went to be with the Lord on April 1, 2005.

Gayla was born July 10, 1928, to Wesley and Edith Puckett in Onalaska, Wash. She lived in St. Louis, Grand Coulee, and Colville, Wash.

Gayla married Tommy Parkhill on Jan. 31, 1948. They moved to Hungry Horse in 1951, where they raised their four children. She resided in Hungry Horse until moving to Kalispell to be closer to her daughters.

Gayla was a lifetime member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary and active in the Hungry Horse community. She was an avid "Cubby's" fan and enjoyed playing bingo with the "Bingo Babes." She was a loving mother and dearly loved spending time with her grand children.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Tommy.

She is survived by her daughters Linda (Chuck) Sieler, Mary Parkhill, of Kalispell; her sons, Gary (Sharon), of Columbia Falls, and Leslie (Dena) Parkhill, of Billings; her sister, Sherry Nerger; and her niece and nephew, Stacey and Scott, of Spokane, Wash.; six grandchildren, Nicole, Kimberly, Rebecca, Thomas, Hazel and Paul; and five great grandchildren, Natasha, Francine, Skyler, Cody, Heath and number six to be born soon.

Funeral services for Gayla were held at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls on April 4, 2005, with Pastor Nathan Bemis of Bible Baptist Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials to the Charity Fund at the Kalispell Dialysis Center or the charity of the donor's choice.