Victor Guest

Victor Allen Wilbur Smith Guest, 88, passed away Nov. 7, 2004, at his residence in Kalispell surrounded by his loving family and his dog Inky.

He was born July 10, 1916, in Benough, Sask., the son of Monroe and Kate (Stover) Smith.

He moved to Whitefish when he was two years old. His father died shortly thereafter during the flu epidemic of 1918. His mother Kate married Russell Guest, who formally adopted Victor. He grew up on Lupfer Street in Whitefish, moving to Kalispell during his high school years and graduating with the class of 1934.

On Nov. 19, 1935, he was united in marriage to Eunice "Dolly" Uehlinger. They moved from Kalispell to a ranch on Valley View Drive where they raised four children, Mike, Gary, Sandra and Linda. This ranch was where he spent his life raising his children and spending time with his family.

In 1935, Victor opened a photo-engraving business in his basement and then partnered with Alice Tigan in this enterprise at 336 Main Street. In 1936, he graduated from photography school in Winona Lakes, Ind. Together, Dolly and Victor expanded the store and added a bookstore in 1943. In 1945, Victor joined the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant and served as a photographer.

In 1967, they sold the business to their sons Mike and Gary. Not ready to retire, they opened the House of Hobbies. After retirement, Victor and Dolly became "snowbirds" for more than 30 years.

Victor enjoyed raising his ponies, snowmobiling, flying his airplane and boating on Flathead Lake where he and Dolly were known as the "vagabonds."

Trusty Rice

Trusty Arline (Perry) Rice, 95, passed away Nov. 6, 2004, in Whitefish due to a stroke.

She was born March 21, 1909, in Swifton Ark., and raised in Emmenui, Mo.

In 1928, she married Archie B. Rice in Alicia, Ark.

Trusty worked in retail for more than 40 years, with jobs in men's, women's and children's departments until her retirement.

She was an active member of the Emblem Club in southern California until her stroke. She moved to Montana in August to live with her daughter, Alice Caldwell.

Trusty loved to do crafts and crochet. She also loved flowers. There were not many things she couldn't do. She loved to travel, and she enjoyed listening and watching baseball and following politics.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Archie B. Rice, and her son, Archie B. Rice Jr.

Trusty is survived by her children, Alice Caldwell, of Polebridge, Don Rice, of O'Brien, Ore., Betty Mendonca, of Chino, Calif., and Carroll Rice, of San Bernardino, Calif.; 14 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services took place Nov. 12, 2004 at Green Acres in Bloomington, Calif.