Paul A. Hansen, 78

Paul A. Hansen, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at his residence in Bigfork, Montana. He was born on April 12, 1931 in San Francisco, California the son of Paul and Ina (Rasmussen) Hansen.

He was a proud member of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Local #16 in San Francisco. Paul took an early retirement, left the San Francisco area and moved to Woods Bay where he owned and operated Vikings Lair. In April 1977, he married Nina Bell in Polson, Montana.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Ina Hansen of Aarhus, Denmark and San Francisco, California and a sister Ina Dobleman.

He is survived by his loving wife Nina Bell Hansen, children, Jan Harper, Kim Hansen, Paula and Larry McLean, David and Patrice Mendro, Carrie and Leo Then; John and Ann Mendro; along with eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Memorial services for Paul will be private by the family. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Bigfork Quick Response Unit, 810 Grand Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Johnson – Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Paul's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Paul's guest book.

Jane Erva Shope Hyatt, 71

Jane Erva Shope Hyatt passed away on July 3, 2009 at her home on Flathead Lake. She was born in Helena, Montana, June 29, 1938 to Erva Love Shope, and Irvin "Shorty" Shope, a Montana artist.

Jane was raised in Helena, MT where she often rode horseback with her siblings in the mountains outside of town. She graduated from Helena High School in 1956 and attended Montana State University where she met Harry Hyatt of Havre, MT. They were married in Helena on September 13, 1958 and moved to Tucson, AZ in 1959. Jane received a BS degree from the University of Arizona in 1960. They had two children, Karen and Christopher, who were both born in Orange, TX.

Jane worked as a volunteer in hospitals and in schools. She served on the board of Family Service and sold real estate in IL. In 1980 they purchased property on Flathead Lake, MT where she became a cherry orchard farmer. In 1991 they moved to Johannesburg, South Africa where they lived 8 years and traveled globally. After having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2004, she and Harry built a lakefront home at their Flathead property. Jane immensely enjoyed this project and had the wonderful opportunity to spend time viewing this pristine scenery, the birds, and wildlife that surrounded it.

They also lived in the Chicago area (Morris and Kildeer), Omaha, Dallas, Houston, and Germany.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Joyce Johnson, and a niece, Mary Alice Stevens. She is survived by her patient care giving husband, Harry Hyatt of 50 years; her daughter, Karen Hyatt of Chicago, IL; her son and daughter-in-law Chris and Jennifer Hyatt of Whitefish, MT, and three grandchildren; Audrey Rose, William & Charlie Hyatt; her sister and brother-in-law Judith and Richard Stevens of Great Falls, MT; her brother-in-law Donald Johnson of Westford, MA; and brother Richard Rhydes of Whidbey Island, WA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held July 8, 2009 10:00 am at the Community United Method Church in Bigfork, MT., with interment following at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, MT. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests you make donations to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center/Dr. Michael Wang Research, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030-4009 or Home Options Hospice, 711 Main Street SW, Ronan, MT 59864.

Johnson – Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Jane's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Jane's guest book.

Betty Minor, 84

Betty Minor passed away early on the morning of Apr. 22 after losing her battle with melanoma. Her family and her many friends are saddened by the loss of Betty and husband Ray, who predeceased her in December 2008.

Betty was born in 1925, and raised in El Cajon, graduating from Grossmont High School in 1942. After high school, she worked as a secretary for Western Electric in San Diego and even spent some time working in New York City. In January of 1946, she met her one true love, Ray Minor. She often told us that the moment she met him, she knew that he was the one. The marriage that took place six months later lasted more than sixty years and is regarded by everyone to be an example of what true love should be. Betty had three children, Linda, Janice/Buzzie (Jim Langford) and Jim (Robin) who shared in the happiness and love that Mom provided.

Mom's talents were many. She was an expert in all household business, and there was nothing that she could not mend, cook or find a home remedy for. Mom was the queen of 'homemade' and her creations filled our stomachs, our closets and our hearts. She also had a talent for the arts and sang in a choir and had an impressive portfolio of sketches.

When Mom and Dad retired in 1976, they began spending their summers on the Swan River in Montana. Building and maintaining their retirement home, Minorvana, kept them young and provided the perfect setting for Betty to entertain her many visitors. She loved to float the river on her inner tube and did so into her eighties. A trip to Montana was never complete until Mom guided you through the rapids and pointed out the osprey nest.

In addition to her children, Mom is survived by her three grandchildren; Wes, Kellen and Carly Minor. We miss you Mom, but will hold you in our hearts forever.

Ray W. Minor, 89

Ray Minor passed away at home early on the morning of Dec. 27. All who knew him will miss our dad.

Ray was born in 1920, right here in San Diego, and graduated from Hoover High school in 1938. Dad enlisted in the Army, and was stationed in Nome, Alaska. After completing his service, he returned to San Diego where in 1946, he married his one true love, Betty Jo Chidester.

Dad played basketball and softball here and often spoke of his teammates and the friendships that sports brought to him. He had three children, Linda, Janice/"Buzzie" (Jim Langford), and Jim (Robin) who all share a deep love and admiration for the wonderful home and sense of family that Betty and Ray created for them.

Dad worked at North Island Naval Air Station. He started working in 1946 as an apprentice electrician and retired in 1976 as a Superintendent of Overhaul and Repair. This gave Mom and Dad the chance to build their retirement house in Bigfork, Montana. Their home, "Minorvana", on the Swan River was truly a fountain of youth for the Minors. The fun we had and friendships they made will live in our hearts forever.

Dad was truly a great man who never said a cross word and always saw the good in every one and everything. In addition to his wife and three children, Dad is survived by his three grandchildren; Wes, Kellen and Carly Minor.

We miss you Dad, but will remember you forever.

A celebration of Mom's and Dad's lives will be held Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at their Bigfork residence. Call Jim for further information 837-6844.

Bernard "Barney" Ill, 92

Bernard "Barney" Ill, passed away Friday July 3, 2009 at his residence in Bigfork. Barney was born January 13, 1917 in Southern California to Harold and Gertrude (Kiershea) Ill. Barney served his country in the Army Air Force and enjoyed flying the B-25 Mitchell Bomber. Upon discharge after the War, he was employed with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and retired after 31 years. Barney met and married the love of his life Ethel Tartkington on July 17, 1943 in Visalia, CA. They were married for 61 years before Ethel preceded him in death in 2004. Barney was a life member of the Elks Lodge in Kalispell. He enjoyed camping, listening to jazz and dixieland music, making model airplanes and race cars. He had a love of working on his own vehicles, as well as building and rebuilding motorcycles. He is survived by his two children Marilyn Courtney and Kenneth W. Ill, both of Bigfork, Montana, along with 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice or to the Humane Society in Kalispell. At his request, there will be no public services. To send condolences please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.