Obituaries
The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices for people who have lived in the Bigfork area. To submit, e-mai editor@bigforkeagle.com or call 837-5131. Deadlines are every Monday at noon.
Martha J. Owens, 81
Martha Jane Owens, 81, died Jan. 28, 2010. Surrounded by family, Mrs. Owens died peacefully at her home on Flathead Lake.
Martha Jane Owens was born April 26, 1928, in San Angelo, Texas. The daughter of Tillman Anslem and Ola Kathyrn Casey Wood, Martha Jane was the middle of three children.
Raised in Oklahoma City, Martha Jane met the love of her life, James Donald Owens, at Classen High School. Inseparable from day one, the pair was married in 1946. Jim Owens preceded her in death June 6, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Dean Wood.
Martha Jane was the light, humor and love of her family. She was the main ingredient in making a house a home. Refreshingly honest and vehemently loyal, Martha Jane was a force to be reckoned with. Known for her quick wit, sharp tongue, contagious laughter and deep devotion to her family, Martha Jane made every task, trip or gathering exciting and full of fun. Boredom was not in Martha Jane's world, and she did not allow it in those around her, either. Nothing was ever impossible or too difficult to do.
Martha Jane is survived by her sister, Linda Hauhuth; three daughters, Kathy Bygren, Leslie Hinkle and Martha Mills; and son, Steve Owens. She has six grandchildren, Tyler Bygren, Casey Bygren, Drew Cable, Kelley Bygren, Carly Owens and Lacey Owens. She also has two great-grandchildren, Chloe and Carter Bygren. Martha Jane Owens was an original thinker and was never mundane or typical in anything she did or said. She was warm, loving, intelligent and just simply, the best mother and friend one could ever hope to have. She will be forever missed.
A celebration of Martha and Jim's lives will be held March 6 at a time and place to be announced.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Martha Jane's family.
Lanelle S. Smith
Lanelle Sliger Smith died Feb. 10, 2010, surrounded by her family at her home in Bigfork of acute leukemia.
She grew up in Madisonville, Tenn., and was the daughter of Daily C. and Greta Sliger.
Lanelle enjoyed playing the piano and the clarinet and was part of the high school band. She graduated from Hiwassee College. On Aug. 23, 1959, she and Stanton E. Smith, Jr. were married in her hometown. Twenty-five years later, her daughter Elizabeth married Paul Siblerud in the same church with the same pastor.
Stan and Lanelle had two children, Elizabeth and Stan III. They lived in Atlanta, Ga, Greensboro, N.C., and then Southern California. After retirement, they moved to Montana to be near their beloved grandchildren.
Lanelle was a member of PEO and DAR. She was also an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing several times a week with her wonderful friends. This past March, her husband Stan, died of lung cancer five months prior to their 50th wedding anniversary.
Lanelle was also preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; sister, Elizabeth; and nephew, Jim Scott.
She is survived by her son, Stan of Atlanta; daughter, Elizabeth and son-in-law, Paul Siblerud of Creston, and their children, Rachel, Jeremy and Leah; sister, Allene and her husband Robert A. Scott of Madisonville; and nephews, Robert, and Allen and his wife, Mary Jo, and their families.
Funeral services for Lanelle were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork. A private family burial followed.
Memorials may be made to Home Options/Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Kalispell, MT 59901, or a charity of choice.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Lanelle's family. Visit www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Lanelle's tribute wall.
Submit an obituary
The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices for people who have lived in the Bigfork area. To submit, e-mail editor@bigforkeagle.com or call 837-5131. Deadlines are every Monday at noon.