Gary Nelson

Gary A. Nelson, 62, of Whitefish, died Sept. 5, 2009, at Four Horn Reservoir near Cut Bank.

Gary was born May 2, 1947, at Devils Lake, N.D., to Helmer and Genevieve (Scharf) Nelson and was raised and educated there. He graduated from Devils Lake Community College and Valley City State University in North Dakota with a degree in education.

He married Carol Andrus in 1970, and they resided in Glacier County where Gary taught fifth grade in Browning and sixth, seventh and eighth grades in East Glacier.

In 1984, he and his family came to Whitefish where he transitioned to the construction trade, working as an independent contractor.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Gary loved the Montana great outdoors and is survived by countless close friends who will miss hunting and fishing with him very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gary is survived by his wife Carol; his children Sara, Jeremy and Rachel Nelson; brother Ron Nelson and wife Debbie; nieces and nephews Melissa, Jason, Eric and Cory; and his best four-legged friends, Gibber, Bandit, Kirby, Junior, Emma, Tess, Willy and Ernie.

A gathering and service will take place at the Ron Platke residence, 410 Hellman Lane, in Columbia Falls on Friday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m.

The family suggests memorials be made to Pheasants Forever, online at www.pfstore.org.; Walleyes Unlimited, online at www.montanawalleyesunlimited.net; or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, online at www.rmef.org, or mail to 5705 Grant Creek, Missoula MT 59808.

Ruth Schwickert

Ruth Kruse Schwickert died peacefully of natural causes on Sept. 5, 2009, a few days short of her 89th birthday. She was loved and appreciated for her kindness to others, her sharp wit and her devotion to family and friends.

Ruth was born in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Albert and Lillian Kruse. Near the end of World War II, she met and married Leas Schwickert of Mankato, Minn. They lived briefly in the Chicago area until Leas was discharged from active duty with the U.S. Navy. After the war, they returned to Mankato to help operate Schwickert Hardware and to raise a family.

Education was highly valued in Ruth's family and that tradition and opportunity were passed on to her and Leas' children. She attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated with a degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

She worked as a business representative for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. during the war commanding an impressive $110 per month salary. Recently, the Ruth and Leas Schwickert Memorial Scholarship was established at Minnesota State University - Mankato for the Construction Management Program.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leas and her brother Albert.

She is survived by her children Randy Schwickert and wife Donna, of Whitefish, Jill Johnson, of North Mankato, Minn., Kim Schwickert and wife Sue, of North Mankato, and Kent Schwickert and wife Jane, of Mankato; grandchildren Kjel Johnson, Kerk Johnson, Kipp Johnson, Kyle John-son, Taylor Schwickert, Lindsey Schwickert, Carly Schwickert, Ryan Schwickert, Kaylee Schwi-ckert, Megan Schwickert, Ian Schwickert and Greta Schwickert; and great grandchild Eli Johnson.

Memorial services will take place Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, in Mankato. A private family burial service will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to ISJ Hospice, Ruth and Leas Schwickert Memorial Scholarship Fund at MSU Mankato, or the Alzheimer Foundation in honor of her brother Albert.

Georgina Herman

Georgina "Gina" Herman, 36, "was promoted to heaven" on Sept. 2, 2009.

Gina was born Nov. 22, 1972, in Omaha, Neb. She moved to Montana where she met Dale Herman, and they were married on May 25, 1997. Together they had three children, Dakota, Deetya and Dezaray, whom she loved fiercely.

Gina loved the Lord, had confidence in His plans, and she was a living light of Him and His word. She was an active member of her church and choir, and anyone who came to see her in the Christian Center productions had no doubt how much she loved singing for the Lord. Gina had a passion for learning God's word and BSF; her leaders and group members watched her grow in God and His word.

Gina worked as a certified nurses aide at the Heritage Place for 15 years, and her passion and dedication for "her" residents was unyielding to give them all quality loving care.

Gina is survived by her husband and children; her mother and stepfather, Marie and Sam Tate; sister Kimi Grace, of Whitefish; brothers Shane Clevenger and TJ Grace, of Iowa; stepparents Tim and Connie Grace, of California; mother-in-law Arla Wilson, of Columbia Falls; John Taft of Kalispell; sister Donelle Holderbaum and husband Mark, of Kalispell; Dallas Herman, of Spokane; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends and a supportive church family.

A memorial service took place Sept. 8, 2009, at the Christian Center in Kalispell. A private burial in Woodlawn Cemetery is planned.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Herman Kids' trust fund at Whitefish Credit Union.