Joseph Archer

Joseph Harry Archer, 91, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2008 at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls. He was born on May 24, 1916 in Eureka to Jim and Hanna (Webb) Archer.

Joe received his early education in Eureka and finished in Butte. He was a talented painter, fly fisherman and a classical violinist, and he will always be remembered for his sense of humor.

Joe joined the U.S. Navy in 1937 from which he was honorably discharged. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor he volunteered to re-enlist. While in the Navy he spent time both in the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. After his discharge Joe attended school under the GI Bill where he became an electrician. Joe was a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and was a past post commander of the VFW.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; his brother Jim, and his stepson Wayne Stapleton. He is survived by one daughter, Johanna Miller and her husband Bill of Libby, and grandchildren; Betty Jo Mack and her husband Keith of Troy; Bill Archer and his wife Amy of Florence; and Mike Archer and his wife Rebekah of Bloomfield, N.M.; one stepdaughter, Jeanie Cusick and her husband Gary of Sublimity, Ore., and their son, Danny Delager and his wife Leann of Texas; one stepson, Jim Richards and his wife Terry of Moses Lake, Wash., and their children; five great-great grandchildren; two cousins, Bill Archer and his wife Christine of Kalispell and their children Jim, Robert and Becky; and Deletha Nadier and her husband Ed of Kalispell.

Cremation has taken place following Joe's wishes. A memorial celebration of his life will be held this spring, when all friends and family can gather.

The family suggests memorials be sent to the Montana Veterans' Home at 400 Government Way, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Joe's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Joe's guest book.

Margaret Black

Glacier Park icon, Margaret Black (nee James), died at her daughter's home in Kalispell, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, at the age of 105, surrounded by loved ones. She was born to Walter and Margaret (Terry) James in 1902 in St. Paul, Minn., the eldest of six children. Margaret graduated from Visitation Convent in St. Paul, and in 1929 was hired by Glacier Park Company as executive secretary. It was in Glacier Park that she met Hugh Black, a park ranger. They were married in 1932 in Browning.

That year, they began the adventure of building St. Mary Resort on the east side of Going to the Sun Highway and, over the years, expanded it into a well-known destination resort, while hiring thousands of employees from all over the nation and the world to have exciting and memorable summers at St. Mary. As St. Mary grew, Margaret became the heart of the resort, captivating the love and respect of her employees, many of whom will remember her as a wonderful, gentle and generous friend. She and Hugh maintained a friendly and neighborly relationship with the Blackfoot Tribe. Margaret became Glacier's leading business women and continued being a hands-on president of the corporation until she was 98 years old; in her 90's, she became computer literate. She traveled each year to St. Petersburg, Fla., and St. Paul.

Margaret kept an active and open mind. She loved music, poetry and art. She enjoyed hiking and horseback riding, relishing everything Glacier had to offer. She encountered, with delight, nature in all its forms; the mountains around the St. Mary valley will echo with her laughter for years to come. She was a gracious and frequent hostess. She was a benefactor to many causes. Her church was an important part of her life and she was awarded the position of Dame of Malta. She will be dearly remembered by those who knew her over her lifetime. It can truly be said that this was a woman who raised a village.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband and her son, Lucky (James) Black. She is survived by one sister, Jean Arthur, and five children: Hugh M. Black (Mary Grace) of Helena, Patricia A. Huberty (Robert) of St. Paul, Minn., Roscoe W. Black (Susan) of Sun Valley, Idaho, Terry Cosgrove of Missoula, and Sally Black-Welder (Terry) of Kalispell. She had 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Mass will be held on Friday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Mary, at noon on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Memorials may be sent to the Glacier Park Fund, P.O. Box 5600, Whitefish, MT 59937, or the church of St. Mary in Babb, MT 59417.

You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Margaret's guest book.