Ferne Cohen

Ferne Lewis Cohen passed away Oct. 13, 2009.

She was was born Jan. 21, 1923, in Rochester, N.Y.

Ferne was a treasured wife, mother and grandmother. She married Martin Cohen 64 years ago. Their first home together was in Santa Ana, Calif., where sons Jeffrey and Richard were born.

While the boys were finishing high school, Ferne returned to Chapman College to obtain a master's in social work. She worked as an employment counselor for the state of California.

From the start, the family was always outside camping, skiing, hiking and enjoying the outdoors with their camper that was a life-long joy for her. Traveling throughout the country and camping in the great national parks was a favorite. Her reverence for the environment led to her environmental activism, which was no less important than her community activism.

Ferne always nurtured her family's awareness of the environment and community. This awareness led her to a lifetime commitment of volunteer service.

While living in Southern California, she was active in Community Chest, American Association of University Woman and Sea Sage Audubon Society. She continued her community service when moving to Whitefish in 1988 with Flathead Audubon, Glacier Orchestra, Citizens for a Better Flathead, Montana Society for the Blind, Temple Bet Harim and the Whitefish Library.

She always had a welcoming smile to everyone she met and had a way of empowering other to see clearly and reach higher, whatever their goals might be.

She is survived by husband Martin, of Whitefish; son Richard Cohen, of Whitefish; and son Jeffrey Cohen, wife Renee, and their children Rivkah and Daniel, of California.

A celebration of life will be held in January 2010.

Richard Cain

Richard Alan "Dick" Cain, 79, of Livingston, passed away Oct. 13, 2009, at St. Peter's Hospital, in Helena, following a short illness from heart and kidney failure.

Dick was born July 30, 1930, in Livingston, the third of three sons of Oliver M. and Estelle (Venable) Cain. He attended Livingston schools, graduating from Park County High School in 1948.

In August 1945, he began work as a crew caller for Northern Pacific Railroad. He entered the Navy in October 1950 and served in Guam, Japan, Okinawa and at Whidbey Island, Wash.

Dick married Mariellyn Currier on Oct. 26, 1952, in Livingston, and they lived in Anacortes, Wash., while he was stationed at Whidbey Island.

Following his honorable discharge in July 1954, the couple returned to Livingston, and Dick resumed his work with the railroad, serving in numerous clerical positions. He retired as the chief clerk in July 1992 after 47 years of service.

Dick was an active member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church; Livingston Lodge No. 32, A.F. & A.M.; Livingston Scottish Rite Bodies; Al Bedoo Shrine Temple; and was a Past Exalted Ruler and District Deputy of Livingston Elks Lodge No. 246. Dick also enjoyed acting and performed in several plays at the Blue Slipper Theatre in Livingston.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mariellyn in December 2007; his parents; brother Donald Cain; and niece Cheryl.

He is survived by his daughter Candace Cain, of Helena; son James Cain, wife Sandy and their children Katie, Ian, Brennen and Lauren, all of Whitefish; brother Robert "Bud" Cain and wife Doreen, of Spokane, Wash., and their children Donald, Kathleen and Curtis; and several cousins.

Cremation has taken place, Memorial services took place Oct. 20, 2009, at Holbrook United Methodist Church, in Livingston. Graveside committal with masonic and military honors followed in Mountain View Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 835, Livingston MT 59047; or to Shriner's Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Attention Memorial Department, Spokane WA 99210-2472.

Diana Jo Stevens

Diana Jo Stevens, 67, passed away peacefully on Oct. 16, 2009, in Mesa, Ariz., her home since 1976.

Born in Whitefish on May 23, 1942, the daughter of Ernie and Margie Hileman, Diana spent her early years enjoying the multitude of offerings of her beautiful hometown. Her family lived the quintessential small town lifestyle, complete with priceless access and views of mountains, lakes, national parks, acres of lush and open space, and the defining railroad track and passing trains, where her father would waive from the little red caboose where he served as conductor.

Diana graduated from Whitefish High School in 1960 and attended business college in Spokane, Wash. She then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she married Garth Black and had two sons, Stephen and Garrett. The family relocated to Tempe, Ariz., and Provo, Utah, before moving back to Arizona, where Diana became a legal secretary.

She later married Edward Stevens, her loving companion of 21 years. She loved and cherished her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served in many capacities, including her ward's Relief Society Presidency.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents; sister Sharon (Allen) Jacobson, of Columbia Falls; and her son Garrett Black.

She is survived by her husband J. Edward Stevens, of Mesa; son Stephen Stevens, wife Char and four children, of St. George, Utah; sister Lynne Duff and husband Mark of Whitefish; three stepsons; two stepdaughters; and 12 step-grandchildren.

Services were held Oct. 24, 2009, at the Mesa East Stake 18th Ward Chapel, in Mesa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Robert Upton

Robert Dean Upton entered into eternal rest on Oct. 21, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Ohiowa, Neb., on June 27, 1936, the third son of Verne Lewis and Naida May (Roder) Upton.

The family moved to Hastings, Neb., and later Lincoln, Neb., where Bob completed his formal education at Lincoln Senior High School. Upon graduation he joined the Navy and served for more than 24 years, rising to the rank of Master Chief.

After completing his long and distinguished career in the Navy, Bob joined the San Diego Union Tribune, applying his knowledge and expertise as a pressman for 16 years. Upon retiring from the newspaper, he moved to Kalispell to enjoy his retirement years hunting, fishing and golfing.

He met and married Fumiko Yamauro Upton in 1962 while stationed in Japan. After she died in 2001, Bob met and married Bonnie Sorensen West, formerly of Whitefish, on Feb. 27, 2005.

He enjoyed traveling, attending concerts, good times with family, friends and neighbors, and his involvement at Stillwater Free Lutheran Church.

Preceding Bob in death were his father and mother; his wife Fumiko; and his brother Verne.

He is survived by his sister Jean Behrends and husband William, of Houston, Texas; niece Ann Behrends and husband Ron Bolin, of Deridder, La.; brother William Upton and wife Betty, of Superior, Neb.; nieces Pam Hoefs and husband Mike Hoefs, of Lincoln, Neb., and Vickie Sweet and husband Harold, of Superior, Neb.; sister-in-law Willie Upton, of Irvine, Calif.; nieces Nancy Kenney and husband Jim, of San Antonio, Texas, and Carol Sue Dummit and husband Bruce, of Carlsbad, Calif.; and cousins Larry Warren, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Fred Warren, of Toano, Va.

Services took place Oct. 25, 2009, at Stillwater Free Lutheran Church, in Kalispell.

The family suggests memorials to Stillwater Lutheran Church or Kalispell Regional Hospital.