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F. Eleanor Bell, 81
Eleanor Bell, 81, died Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, in a Kalispell Hospice facility from complications related to a fall suffered at her home. Eleanor was born Nov. 24, 1928, and raised in Ontario, Calif., before moving with her husband and five children to her current residence at Lake Five. Eleanor was well known for her love of animals and had numerous cats, dogs and other creatures of nature. She nursed many young birds, squirrels and other wounded animals back to health in hopes of returning them to their homes. Never one to leave an animal hungry, the raccoons, deer, squirrels and birds will miss her generosity and feeding schedule. Surely they are chattering right now as to why their dinner is late! Eleanor loved her log house and living in the woods. She spent hours working on her garden and enjoyed the colors that bloomed each spring and summer. Never one to shy away from giving her opinion, she was a great political debater and hard nose Republican. Many will remember being on the losing side while arguing with Eleanor; she held tight to her ideals and opinions. Eleanor is survived by her friend and ex-husband, Jerry Bell; six children, Kathy of Ontario, Ore.; Karol of Riverside, Calif., Marty and Christine of Helena, Bruce and Donette of Upland, Calif., Shirley and Arlen Kolodejchuk of Coram, and Paula and Mike Daniels of Salt Lake City; six grandchildren, Timber, Holly, Cody, Emily, Olivia, and Caitlin Woods; as well as two great-grandchildren, Owen and Audrey Hull. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter; and her grandson, Tanner Kolodejchuk. Upon Eleanor s wishes, no services will be held. A private graveside service for the family will take place Thursday with interment at St. Richard s Cemetery, Columbia Falls. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Eleanor s name can be made to either the Tanner Kolodejchuk Memorial Fund at Parkside Federal Credit Union, Columbia Falls; or Best Friends Animal Society, Kanab, Utah. The children of Eleanor would like to thank Dr. Doug Griffith, as well as the nurses at Kalispell Regional Medical Center for their mom s care over the past week. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.
Katy Pearson, 43
Katy Pearson, 43, beloved mother, wife, daughter and sister, left us much too early on July 3, 2010, after a brief illness. Kathleen M. Conn was born May 11, 1967, in Whitefish, the oldest daughter of W. Vance and Judy K. Conn. After graduating from Whitefish High School in 1985, she was a nanny in California for one year before coming back to her beloved Montana. She then attended Mr. Rich s Beauty College in Missoula and started her 23-year career as a hairdresser in the fall of 1987. In 1992, she met the love of her life, Raymond W. Pearson, from Troy; they married on Nov. 20, 1993. Their son, Walter J. Pearson, was born to this loving marriage in November 2001, and joined her at work for the first six months of his life. He is adored by all her clients and many of them would stop by her shop just to say hi to him. Katy was a devoted mother and was an instrumental part of developing Rainbow s End Preschool and Daycare at United Methodist Church in Whitefish, where she was a board member for many years. Katy was a member of the Women of the Moose, Whitefish Chapter No. 597; was a behind-the-scenes volunteer for the Whitefish Winter Carnival; a dedicated parent helper for Walter s class at Muldown Elementary, where every Monday she assisted the children with reading; and on the board of directors of the E.A. Hinderman Memorial Scholarship committee. Katy was preceded in death by her mother, Judy K. Conn; and her grandparents, Walter H. Conn, Jean Conn, Robert Jones and Sylvianne Jones. She is survived by her loving husband, Raymond; son, Walter; her father, W. Vance Conn, and his companion, Gail Litchfield; her sister, Janis Bensch, and husband, Paul, of Jamestown, N.D.; best friend, Debbie Quick; the ladies at The Hair Hut; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and all her friends from high school. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 9, at the United Methodist Church, 1150 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Walter J. Pearson Account, c/o Whitefish Credit Union, P.O. Box 37, Whitefish, MT 59937-0037; or Rainbow s End Preschool and Daycare, P.O. Box 4248, Whitefish, MT 59937-4248. Austin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Howard Howie J. Bear, 75
Retired United States Air Force Colonel Howard Howie J. Bear, 75, of Montgomery, Ala., passed away Tuesday morning, June 22, 2010, after a long illness. Col. Bear was born Dec. 4, 1934, in Kalispell, to Marion and Marie Bear. He was raised in Kalispell. Upon graduation from the Montana School of Mines, he was a high school math teacher, a proud member of the Masonic Lodge No. 42 A.F. and A.M., and a member of the Montana Air National Guard. His dedication to his country led him to a career in the United States Air Force where he provided honorable and distinguished service as a tactical fighter pilot. Col. Bear enjoyed a long and celebrated career in the military as a wing commander and with several command assignments, and he earned numerous decorations and medals, such as the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and other medals earned for distinguished service in Vietnam. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force and locating to Montgomery, Col. Bear was instrumental in the growth and development of Max Federal Credit Union, where he provided service as a board member for many years. We celebrate the life of Col. Bear, a man who loved his country and his family, Howie to his friends and neighbors, and beloved Poppie to his three grandchildren. Col. Bear was preceded in death by his parents, Marion L. and Marie K. Bear. He is survived by his wife, Rae, of Montgomery; his son, Mark, and Robyn Bridges, of Auburn, Ala.; his three grandchildren, Carlyn, Samantha and Sam Bridges Jr., all of Auburn; and sisters, Marilyn Servoss of Kalispell, Meredith Mott of Destin, Fla., and Glenna Small of Kalispell. He was also loved and admired by a host of nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Mr. Bear will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, June 28, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. In honor of Col. Bear s deep love and compassion for animals, the family requests that donations be made to a local humane society. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Howie family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Howie s guest book.
Where there's smoke, there's fear?
The smoky haze that has settled over the Flathead Valley in recent days can lead one to ponder the "carbon footprint" of Mother Nature, in contrast with the carbon emissions of various industries and governments that are likely to be defending themselves from global warming lawsuits in the near future.
It's budget math 'for dummies'
Suppose you make $22,000. Then suppose you spend $25,000. That means you are borrowing $3,000 to pay for the extra goodies you and your family can't really afford.
Lost wallets returned to owners
Mereanus and Shirlene Petersen were heading into Kmart last month to do some Christmas shopping. As they were walking through the store a man in his mid-20s or 30s came up to them holding Mereanus' wallet and asked him if it was his.
Big Mountain's operating loss linked to Northwest dry winter
Winter Sports Inc.'s annual report reflects a tough year financially for the ski and summer resort on Big Mountain.
Two tales of honesty
By CAROL MARINO
Mardi Gras success
Whitefish Winter Carnival was a wonderful month-long celebration. None of the activities could happen without the enthusiasm and support of the committee, the business community and all of the fantastic citizens of Whitefish and the surrounding area. The spirit of The Big Easy was really with Mardi Gras Whitefish Style. Thanks to the following:
Benefits of Medicaid expansion for behavioral health population
Idahoans have a long-standing belief and tradition of being there to help our neighbors when they need it. Not because we want the credit or because we feel obligated, but because that’s who we are. When a fellow Idahoan needs a helping hand, we offer it because it’s the right thing to do. This is true across the state and this value is a foundation in Idaho’s more rural communities, like Kellogg, where I work every day as a mental health therapist.
Community college continues to expand facilities
Flathead Valley Community College is busy expanding and improving, said college president Jane Karas during a talk June 20 at Grouse Mountain Lodge.
Debbie Jean Caferro
The celebration of Debbie Jean Caferro’s life was held June 21 at the Whitefish Assembly of God Church followed by a luncheon and graveside services. The Celebration honored a truly amazing woman. The nearly 500 people who attended her service were a testimonial to how many lives she touched and the lasting impact she made on each one.
Hungry Horse man's 10-year sentence revoked
A 42-year-old former Hungry Horse man’s felony sentence from 2006 was revoked by Flathead County District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht on Feb. 28 after he allegedly racked up numerous probation violations.
Council debates property purchase
By BRENT SHRUM Western News Reporter
Kids and Tobacco
I have to give 15-year-old Keith Johnston a lot of credit.
Flooring plant in C-Falls future? Maybe
Even though the economic health of the Flathead Valley has taken a turn for the worse, there are likely brighter days ahead — and as soon as this spring.
Work to start on emergency services center, bond financing continuing
Whitefish Pilot
Tax time
It has again become time for we homeowners, many of us long-standing, to pay our real estate taxes and to understand future consequences of the recent reappraisal.
High school absence policy reviewed
The Whitefish High School student handbook states 'students can accumulate 10 absences each semester. If a student has over 10 absences and tardies in any class, he/she will be given an F and lose credit in the class."
Winter Classic celebrates 25 years of giving
The Whitefish Winter Classic will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Thursday through Sunday, March 12-14. Over the years, the organization has raised more than $1 million to assist Flathead Valley children with non-covered medical costs.