Harold Mohn
Harold R. Mohn, 92, of Kalispell, passed away on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls. He was born on July 3, 1916, in the Flathead Valley, the son of the late Alfred and Bertha (Lee) Mohn.
Harold lived in the Bissell area near the "Meadows." He went to school at Sparks and Bissell schools.
Harold worked for many of the farmers and ranchers in the Bissell, Sparks and Stillwater areas — breaking horses, plowing, haying, logging and working in saw mills.
In 1942, at the age of 26, he entered the Army and served four years. Following the Army, he had numerous occupations; electrical, plumbing, clerking and truck driving to include four years for Texaco and nine years for Mobil. In 1949 Harold helped establish the Evergreen Fire Department of which he was a member for 17 years.
In 1947, Harold married the former Maleada Ferguson of Kalispell. They were married for 23 years until her death in 1970. In 1971 Harold married Bernice Webster of Kalispell. They were married for 27 years until her death in 1998. Harold was a kind and gentle person and will be missed.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives, Maleada and Bernice; step-son Leslie Ferguson; grandson Randy Ferguson; brothers, Mark and Orville Mohn; and a sister, Cora Christensen.
He is survived by four step-children, Leonard Ferguson of Washougal, Wash.; Darleada Cantrell and husband Dave of Seabeck, Wash.; Arleen Reese and husband Gary of Kent, Wash., and Rodney Webster and wife Beverly of Kalispell. Harold also leaves behind 25 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Harold were held Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Glacier Memorial Gardens with military honors conducted by the United Veterans of the Flathead. There was no visitation.
Johnson — Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Harold's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Harold's guest book.
Dorothy Stuckey
Dorothy Elizabeth Stuckey, 90, passed away Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Colonial Manor in Whitefish.
Dorothy was born Jan. 12, 1918, in Clayton, Ill., to Sherman and Clara Lashbrook Long. She had two older brothers, Donald and Kenneth.
Dorothy witnessed several changes in her 90 years and was privileged to enjoy many special experiences. She had the opportunity to travel and enjoyed life-long friendships with several people.
Dorothy married John Morelli, "the love of her life," in 1969 in Nevada. After his death, Dorothy moved to Montana and lived in Whitefish for a time before moving to Columbia Falls where she resided until shortly before her death.
She always enjoyed working and did not retire until she was in her early 80s.
Dorothy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dorothy will be remembered and loved by many special friends and "adopted" family members.
Graveside services will be held Friday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.
Donald Haverfield
Donald Dale Haverfield, 84, passed away Aug. 31, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center with family and friends by his side. Don was undergoing treatment for an abscess in his heart and pneumonia.
Don was born May 25, 1924 at the home of his paternal grandparents at Lonesome Butte, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Ralph Dale and Stella Leona May Courteau Haverfield. The family resided at Thoeny, Valley County, Montana.
Don attended various schools while living with foster families after his mother's death in 1932. He joined the United States Marine Corps Feb. 7, 1942 and was in boot camp at Marine Corps Base, San Diego, when Guadalcanal happened. Don was stationed in Hawaii serving with the Military Police, and at Camp Caitlin guarding foreign prisoners in 1942-43. He was assigned to the Fleet Marine Force Fifth Amphibian. In the Pacific Theater and on Guam he was with the 155 Long Tom Battalion.
After World War II Don returned to Great Falls in 1946 with USMC Reserve status. He worked with International Harvester and Agricultural Equipment Company until he was recalled to duty in September 1950 for Korea where he was assigned to the First Marine Division, First Battalion Combat Engineers. Don was at "Frozen Chosin" reservoir in 1950. A land mine blew under his bulldozer while he was building roads for military equipment sending him home from Korea. He was discharged in November 1951.
Don owned and operated his own truck, hauling birdseed to New Jersey and east coast goods back to the west. He then drove lowboy for Naranche and Konda of Butte during the construction of missile sites in Montana and reconstruction of highways damaged during the 1964 flood. He drove tanker delivering gas to the several Town Pump stations around the state until a young driver hit him head-on in December 1969, resulting in burns to his hands and head with several months of recuperation. B & F Excavating hired Don to drive mixer truck and he continued to work for them for eight years. The next eight years he worked for Flathead County Landfill retiring in 1989.
Don married Rhoda Ann Ritter in October 1950 and they had three children. They later divorced. In October 1969 Don married Susan Wolf Sampson at Columbia Falls. They purchased a home on the Flathead River complete with fruit trees and garden space. Don enjoyed his yard and was always putzing with something. Over the years Don and Sue raised pheasants, chickens, rabbits, tomatoes, roses and Shih Tzu puppies.
Don was sign painter, posthole digger and sign erector for Sue's campaigns for Flathead County clerk and recorder. He was a "Soroptimister," helping with projects and fund-raisers for Soroptimist International of Kalispell. Don and Sue have been active in VFW, Marine Corps League, Cooties and Eagles. Don has served on the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley Honor Guard for military funerals since he retired and recruited Sue to join upon her retirement.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Verle Jackson and Shih Tzu dog Misty Sue just three weeks ago. He is survived by his wife Sue, former wife Ann, sons Keith and Gary, daughter Arleea Backes, granddaughters April Dyon and Cassie Haverfield, grandsons Eric and Tod Backes, Tanner and Michael Haverfield and great-grandsons William and John Dyon, and Shihtzu Bounce. Also surviving are Don's siblings Leslie Jackson, Lucille Sorensen, Vern Haverfield, Dorothy Gagley, Susan Conrad and Alan Haverfield.
His many friends know him for his famous toast: "Here's looking down your rain barrel." He will be watching that rain barrel from above while he and Misty Sue take their morning walk.
A memorial service was held Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls with Rev David Merkel officiating. Inurnment was at Woodlawn Cemetery with military graveside rites by United Veterans of the Flathead Valley.
A reception was held at the North Valley Eagles 4081 following the service. A portion of the ashes will be distributed in one of Don's favorite hunting spots, Clark Canyon, during hunting season. Memorials are suggested to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots, 41 4th Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901, or United Veterans of the Flathead Valley, P.O. Box 3061, Kalispell, MT 59903.
Ginger Wilborn
Ginger D. Wilborn, 30, of Hungry Horse passed away Aug. 28, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center of injuries sustained from a vehicle accident on Aug. 26, 2008.
Ginger was born May 28, 1978 in Harrison, Mo., to John Wilborn and Cathy Putnam. She moved from Kansas City, Mo., to Montana in 2004.
Ginger was a much-loved bartender at the South Fork and Stoner's Inn.
At the time of her death she was an employee at Teletech, a job she was well suited for as she loved people and enjoyed technology.
In her spare time she enjoyed playing pool, rafting and spending time with Roy Moore, her family and friends.
Ginger was preceded in death by her soul mate, Roy Moore, of Hungry Horse.
Ginger is survived by her daughter Elexus "Lexy" and son Brandon "Sumo" of Hungry Horse; mother Cathy Putnam and stepfather Arthur Putnam of Columbia Falls; father John Wilborn on Harrisonville, Mo.; brother Christopher Wilborn and nephew Jonathon Wilborn of Independence, Mo.; maternal grandparents Kenneth and Frances Schillinger of Pharr, Texas; paternal grandmother Barbara of Harrisonville, Mo.; stepbrother Arthur "Putt" and his wife Shelley (Ginger's BFF) and their children Heaven, Rickey and Cole of Martin City; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
To continue on with Ginger's giving spirit she was a life bank donor.
There was a local gathering in remembrance of Ginger on Sept. 6 at Stoner's Inn at Coram.
A college trust fund has been set up for Lexy and Brandon at the Wells Fargo Bank in Kalispell.
Ginger will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Lyle Estell
Lyle Lee Estell, 74, died Aug. 29, 2008, in Big River, Calif., of natural causes. He was born in Aug. 28, 1934 in Thermopolis, Wyo., to Lloyd Estell and Edna Swanson. He was raised by Lloyd and Mildred (Nelson) Estell, and was the eldest of seven children. He married Mary Jane "Janie" Trapp on Feb. 15, 1960, in Havre. They were married for 34 years. He retired from the Hungry Horse Dam in 1989. Lyle enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and camping.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, wife and a sister.
Lyle is survived by his three daughters, Debbie Hader of Columbia Falls; Janine Estell-Steppe of Tualatin, Ore.; and Patty Peck of Hillsboro, Ore.; 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; sister Donna Flammang of Kooskia, Idaho.; Penny Walls of Boise, Idaho.; and three brothers, Terry Estell of Chinook, Merle Estell of Great Falls and Milo Estell of Libby; and Cleo Wagner of Big River, Calif.
A graveside service will be held for family at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls on a date to be announced.
Gary Davis
Gary Anthony Davis, 71, peacefully passed away from cancer, surrounded by his loving family, at his Whitefish ranch on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. Gary was born, the eldest of 13 children, on March 13, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Don Clar Davis and Elizabeth Margaret (Anthony) Davis.
Gary attended St. Mary's and St. Patrick's Grade Schools, and Catholic Central High School, in Ottumwa. He received his GED in Denver.
Gary enlisted on March 22, 1954, in the Iowa Army National Guard Artillery Unit. He was awarded the Sharpshooter Submachine Gun Medal. He served three years, being honorably discharged on March 21, 1957.
On July 16, 1955, Gary married his sweetheart, Karen Caviness, in Ottumwa. They raised four children, two boys and two girls. While in Ottumwa, Iowa, Gary was employed by Lowenburg Bakery, Davis DX Service Station, Wormhoudt Lumber and Sutherland Lumber.
After moving to Denver, in 1960, he was employed by Kellogg Lumber Co., for 23 years. He worked his way from yard manager to general manager of the company.
After the death of his daughter, Lisa, in 1982, he went into business for himself as a transportation analyst. In 2003, Gary and Karen joined other members of their family in northwest Montana, where Home Depot employed Gary until the summer of 2006 when he retired.
Gary was a family man, loving husband and father. He was especially proud of his grandchildren. He enjoyed the outdoors, family activities, hunting, target shooting and talking "guns" at John's gun shop with his brothers.
He was a great jokester, and loved making everyone laugh. He was loved and respected by those who knew him.
Gary was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa; his father, Donald C. Davis; his brother, Donald M. Davis; and nephew, Jacob Davis.
Gary is survived by his wife, Karen, Whitefish; sons, Doug and Susan, Kalispell, and Terry, Columbia Falls; daughter, Kim and Aaron Wides, Columbia Falls; mother, Elizabeth, Whitefish; brothers, David and Sue, Kalispell, Bernard, Denver, John and Terri, Coram, Thomas and Bonnie, Columbia Falls, Michael and Susie, Columbia Falls, and Dennis, Missoula; sisters, Donna and Monty Graham, Columbia Falls, Mary and Mike Ogden, Columbia Falls, Linda and Jeff Stonner, Denver, Anna Marie and Ed Pettinger, Denver, and Jeanne Darling, Columbia Falls; eight grandchildren, Katie, Ashley, Natalie, Jessica, Chase, Amanda, Colton and Chance; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was recently told his granddaughter, Katie and husband Brian, are presenting him with a great-grandchild next year.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 9, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with burial at St. Richard's Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.