Yvonne S. Voni Vitt-Hansen, 50,

Yvonne S. "Voni" Vitt-Hansen, 50, passed away on Monday, March 22, 2010, when angels came and took her to Heaven, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. She died from pneumonia, respiratory failure. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born Oct. 31, 1959, in Whitefish, the youngest of three children, to Quentin and Donna Vitt. She was raised on a farm near Somers and attended eight years at the Somers School. She loved the farm, and the outdoors with her rabbits, kittens and her pony. She graduated from Flathead High School in 1978 and attended one year of college in Havre, and three years at Montana State University in Bozeman, where she earned a degree in fine arts and had always dreamed of teaching art to children. She married the love of her life, Brian T. Hansen, on Dec. 31, 1981, and they were able to share almost 29 happy years together. She was a very dedicated and loving mother to their four children. She loved her garden, her flowers, picking huckleberries, camping and teaching them all how to cook. She loved everyone who was dear and near to her and she shared that love with them; now she is safe in the arms of Jesus. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Louie Sasse and Earnest Vitt; and her grandmothers, Cathryn Sasse and Cassie Gaurnero. She is survived by her husband, Brian T. Hansen; children, Charlie, Bill, Dan and Kassara; parents, Quentin and Donna Vitt; brother, Lance Vitt and wife, Renee, and family, sister, Cathi Iverson and husband, Dale, and family, all of the Flathead Valley; plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and other relatives. Voni, you will live forever in our hearts; until we meet again. Funeral services for Voni will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Lakeside. Burial will be in Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home Chapel in Kalispell. The family suggests memorial donations be sent to Wings Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 7852 Kalispell, MT 59904; or to the Hansen Children s Education Fund at the Whitefish Credit Union. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Voni s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Voni's tribute wall.

Denise May (Feaser) Hamilton, 55

Denise May (Feaser) Hamilton passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2010, at the age of 55 after a short battle with cancer. Born Aug. 5, 1954, in Maryland to John William Feaser and Dolores Wilderson Feaser, Denise could be considered a wild child as she was always getting into trouble with her black and gold Mustang. After graduating from Randallstown High School in 1972, Denise went to Arizona to visit long-time friend and sister Helen. In 1979, daughter Christina Marie was born. Denise was a devoted mom and sometimes worked two or three jobs to make ends meet. After moving to Troy in 1996, Denise worked for Dr. Annie Bukachek as a receptionist. When Dr. Bukachek decided to relocate her practice, Denise then went to work for BTC Grocery Store and Panhandle State Bank in nearby Bonners Ferry, Idaho. In 1999, Denise met the man who would keep her on her toes, Jordan Kittleson. November of 2000 brought Denise great pride when her grandson Jonathan William Hamilton was born. She was in the delivery room and even was tricked into cutting the cord. Denise and Jordan moved to Columbia Falls in 2003 to be closer to Christina and Jonathan. In January 2003, Denise was hired at Super 1 Foods to be a checker at the new Columbia Falls location, which opened in March 2003. At the time of her cancer diagnosis, Denise was the only original cashier left from the store s opening. She was everyone s favorite cashier, and many customers often waited in long lines just to go through hers! Denise was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dolores Feaser, and adopted brother Randy Wilfong. She is survived by daughter Christina Marie Hamilton-Smith and spouse Christopher Smith Jr.; cherished grandson Jonathan William Hamilton; devoted long-time love Jordan Kittleson, all of Columbia Falls; brother Craig William Feaser and spouse Debbie of Westminster Md.; adopted sisters Helen Midge Dickson of Elko, Nev., and Terri Cozad of Whitefish; nieces Stephanie Brown and Valerie Feaser of Westminster Md., Cheri Irving and Tina Rittenhouse of Arizona; extended family Kristine Kittleson, Dawn, Tori, Breanna and Sean Opland of Troy, and Karla Kittleson of Washington. Services will be at 6:30 p.m. today, May 24, at the family home, located at 1216 Hems Road in Columbia Falls. Anyone who knew Denise is welcome to attend. For directions, please call Christina at 270-0602. The family suggests memorials be made to the Jonathan William Hamilton college fund savings account at Parkside Credit Union. Columbia Mortuary is assisting the family.

Watch the games, not the polls

As playoff season  rises, so are the nerves in the state.

Smith, Schulz national coach of the year finalists

Two highly successful spring sports coaches from Northwest Montana are finalists for National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year awards.

Regents impressed with FVCC work

Initiative touts 2-year colleges

Flathead Valley Community College’s partnerships with the local business community got high marks during a public forum with members of the state Board of Regents on Thursday in Kalispell.

Sprinkler accident floods Justice Center

A mishap during a fire sprinkler system upgrade caused extensive flooding on three floors of the Flathead County Justice Center Wednesday night.

School lunch leader wins state honor

Jenny Montague, Kalispell Public Schools Food Services director, is a leader when it comes to serving healthy meals using locally purchased food on a large scale.

Sandra Kay (Hale) Unger, 68

Sandra Kay (Hale) Unger, 68, passed away Aug. 13, 2010, after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig s disease). She showed grace, humor and dignity throughout her illness. Family, friends and all who knew her will miss her warm heart, infectious smile and amazing spirit. Sandi was born Oct. 21, 1941, to Ann and Arnold Hale. She graduated from Whitefish High School in 1959 and continued her education at Kinman Business College in Spokane. After graduating, she returned to Whitefish and began working at Big Mountain Ski and Summer Resort, where she held many positions during the next 45 years. It was at Big Mountain where she met and married Thomas Unger in 1965. They raised two daughters, Tracy and Kelly. Sandi and Tom were fortunate to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary in May with family and friends. Sandi spent her most of her adult life working on Big Mountain. She was known as the one to go to if there was a problem, keeping tabs on everyone and everything. Skiers would bring her parkas with lift grease on them, and magically, the next day the parkas were returned stain-free! As noted to employees, Sandi was the keeper of resort history, straight-talker, lifetime season pass-holder and the longtime heart and soul of Big Mountain ... whether you knew her or not, you have benefited from her dedication to this place in many ways. Sandi was a wonderful friend to all who knew her and would do everything she could for others in her life. Sandi served on the board of directors for Whitefish Credit Union for several years. Her love of gardening ensured family and friends were surrounded by flowers on their deck. She helped to create a haven for the deer and birds in their backyard, taking the occasional visits by pesky bears, skunks and turkeys in stride. Hearing new stories about her grandchildren and grandpuppies always put a smile on her face and laughter in her voice. She is survived by her husband, Tom; children, Tracy and husband Tellus Calhoun of Albany, Ore., and Kelly Sue and husband Kelly Kadlec of Herriman, Utah; grandchildren, Jessica Calhoun, and Jaret and Trevor Kadlec; brother, Martin Hale of Whitefish; sister, Sydney Watson of Whitefish; and many other extended family members. Sandi was preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Arnold Hale. A celebration of Sandi s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Home Options Hospice in Kalispell.

Special camp helps youths deal with grief

“Wonderful” things happen when grieving children are given space to work through their sorrow.

Whitefish ready to decide on City Hall site

After weighing public input about possible sites for a new Whitefish City Hall, the City Council on Tuesday will hold a public hearing to consider a resolution that calls for rebuilding City Hall at its current site.

FVCC trustees approve tuition/fee increase

At a special meeting Monday, Flathead Valley Community College trustees approved an increase in tuition and fees for students.

Ski resorts report banner year

Ample snowfall early in the season and throughout the winter is getting much of the credit for a banner ski season at both Flathead Valley ski resorts.

Bravettes ousted by Bozeman in AA state volleyball

BOZEMAN - It wasn't the way they wanted to go out - not by a long shot.

Vacation safety tips for travelers

(ARA) - Across the country, the birds are chirping, leaves are blossoming on trees, and the snow that accumulated over a long, hard winter is finally gone. For many Americans, this means it's time to begin planning spring and summer vacations away from home. With all of the excitement of traveling,

How to efficiently cut costs and green your home

(ARA) - With the arrival of warmer weather, it can be a challenge to keep your home cool and comfortable, yet keep your energy bills in check. By taking steps now to make your home more environmentally friendly, you'll not only help save natural resources, but you'll save money, too.

Sentinel Tech teacher shelves retirement plans

MATTAWA - Jesús Maldonado retired from the Granger School District last spring after a 35-year teaching career, but he's back at it in Mattawa.

13th District reps react to budget

OLYMPIA - The Washington state legislature approved a bipartisan budget March 13, supplementing the two-year budget passed last session, but some Central Washington lawmakers were critical of it.

May 11, 2016

Lower costs make now a great time for a bathroom remodel

(ARA) - Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up.

Congress helps small business out

Just over a year ago when President Obama, then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., rammed Obamacare through Congress, no one really knew what was in the 2,700 pages of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). But small business soon learned that it wasn't so affordable.