Dolores M. Young, 89

On Sept. 10, 2007, at 4:10 a.m., Dolores M. Young, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson. Dolores was born May 20, 1918, in Crosby, N.D., to Knute and Lulu Huso. She grew up in the oil fields of Kevin and Shelby. The family then moved to Kalispell, where she graduated from Flathead County High School. Dolores later attended business school in Spokane.

Always up for adventure, and on a dare, she eloped with the charming and handsome Rozzie Young, accompanied by her dear friends, Betty Main and Cecil Rhodes, who also eloped. They were married at a double wedding in Cutbank on Sept. 12, 1938. Dolores and Rozzie were married for 33 years until the time of Rozzie's death.

Together with a single panel truck, they established Flathead Beverage in Kalispell. Dolores was proud of her business ventures, which also included her partnership in the Strawberry Patch.

Never one to sit idle, she loved to travel with Rozzie and his band, golfing, fast cars, decorating and redecorating, and dancing at the Bigfork Inn. However, anyone who knew her knows that shopping for hours at her favorite department store was her real passion.

She filled our lives with "Lucy"-like moments with a smile and sense of humor. Dolores' love for life and music helped her to face many challenges and tragedies in her life with remarkable grace and strength. Her glass was always half full, and she was an inspiration to us all.

Thank you, Dolores!

Her brothers, Ken and Bud; her husband, Rozzie; sons, David and Dan; and son, Scott, and his wife, Evelyn, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Whelpley; daughters, Roz and her husband, John Agnew, of Bigfork, and Kris and her partner, Tracy Sherick, of Missoula; grandchildren, Angela Young, Heidi Simpson, Keo Slemberger, and Dan Agnew; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her best friend, "Bandit."

A celebration of her life was held September 15, 2007 at the Bigfork Inn. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Bigfork Quick Response Unit, 810 Grand Ave., Bigfork MT 59911; or your local Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Margaret Le Duc, 97

Margaret Le Duc died peacefully Thursday morning, Sept. 13, at her home IN Bigfork, Montana. Margaret Le Duc was born on Jan. 8, 1910, to Edward J. and Madeline Murphy at the family homestead in South Minnewaukan Township, Devils Lake, North Dakota. Margaret attended the rural school for her elementary education, Crary High School and St. Mary's Academy for her high school, and Valley City Teachers' College, where she received her teaching certificate.

After teaching in rural schools in North Dakota, Margaret and her sister Genevieve were both selected for the teacher training program at the renowned Lexington School for the Deaf in New York City, where they received degrees in Education of the Deaf. Margaret eventually became a highly esteemed member of the faculty at the Lexington School. A highlight of her professional career was a visit from Helen Keller, the world famous speaker, author, and advocate for persons with disabilities, who came to Margaret's classroom to observe her instructional methods. Her exceptional teaching skills were documented in the textbook Natural Language for Deaf Children by Dr. M.A. Groht. Margaret's complete lessons in composition were recorded in shorthand and included verbatim as exemplary methodology in this groundbreaking book.

Margaret treasured her lifelong friendships with the dedicated educators with whom she worked. She traveled to Europe in 1958 with several of her colleagues to participate in the International Congress on Education of the Deaf. The highest tribute to her work, however, came from the many students who remained in communication with her long after she completed her career in New York. Each June when the school term ended, Margaret returned to her family's farm near Crary, North Dakota, where her nieces and nephews spent wonderful summer days with their intelligent, independent, and much-loved aunt.

She married Don Wood in the 1940s. They made their home in a lovely vineyard in St. Helena, Napa Valley, California. When Don died unexpectedly seven years later, Margaret returned to New York and resumed her teaching career. In April 15, 1963, she married Greg Le Duc of Bigfork, Montana. He passed away in 1970 and Marg continued living in her beautiful home on Flathead Lake. Marg enjoyed gardening and had a truly spectacular yard. She was a member of Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, The Village Art Center and belonged to several bridge clubs. Marg will be remembered by her family and friends as passionate, loving and proud to be Irish.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Madeline Murphy, sisters Mary Byerly and Genevieve Rutten, husbands Don Wood and Greg Le Duc, stepson Grant Le Duc, nephews Richard and Kenneth Le Duc, and grand niece Kelly Rutten.

She is survived by: nephews; John Rutten & wife Mary of Devils Lake, ND; Tom Rutten & wife Char of Myrtle Creek, OR; Dick Rutten & wife Jacque of Minot, ND; Don Rutten & wife Deb of Woodbury, MN; and Robert Rutten and wife Caryl of Bismarck, ND; Keir Francisco Byerly of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and Patricio Byerly of Navajoa, Sonora, Mexico; Robert Le Duc & wife Betty of Kalispell, MT; nieces: Susan Anderson & husband Terry of Roseburg, OR; Patricia Helfenstein & husband Gary of Shillington, PA, Donna Jones & husband Richard of Portland, OR;, Patricia Weed & husband Kenneth of Whitefish, MT; daughter in law: Sue Le Duc & husband Grant of Phoenix, AZ and numerous grand and great grandnieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Margaret will be held on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 10:30 am at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork, Montana. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at Johnson Mortuary. Cremation will follow services and urn burial will be at a later date in California.

Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Margaret's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Margaret's guestbook.