Lynne Rogers Behenna, age 72
Long-time Kalispell resident Lynne Rogers Behenna died of breast cancer on April 13, 2007 in Kalispell, at the age of 72.
Lynne’s abiding concern for animals led her to volunteer for many years with the Humane Society of Northwest Montana. Because of her personal experience with breast cancer, she also served as a volunteer for Reach to Recovery and for Hospice in Kalispell. She earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services at Flathead Community College in 1983.
Lynne was born in Millville, New Jersey on July 24, 1934, to Elfriede and Raymond Rogers. She grew up in Rutledge and Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and attended Temple University in Philadelphia. She married William Frederick Behenna in 1955; they soon moved to Kalispell, where Fred managed Kalispell Pole and Timber Company until his death in 1985.
Lynne is survived by her children, Laura Behenna of Kalispell; Wendy Behenna Ewing, her husband Steve, and children Keyvin and Shane Ewing of Northampton, Pennsylvania; Rick Behenna, his wife Conny, and children Alexander, William, and Juliana, of Chestermere, Alberta; by her sisters Jean Carter of Allison Park, Pennsylvania, Karen Sims of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and Faith Rogers of Sunnyvale, California, and their five children; and by her niece Tyra Hobbs and husband Marvin Hobbs of Kalispell.
Lynne’s memorial service will be scheduled for June.
Contributions in Lynne's memory may be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 3499 Hwy. 93 North, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Merle Henry “BUD” Eslick, age 83,
passed away Sunday, April 8, 2007 at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell, Montana. He was born October 26, 1923 at the family farm near Bigfork, Montana to Henry and Ruth (Morton) Eslick.
Merle attended Bigfork Elementary and Bigfork High School graduating in 1941. After graduation, Merle worked several jobs including farming for his uncle in Holt, Montana, logging, and working for Fenby Brothers. He also worked for the Rural Electric Association for a time.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1948, and served duty in the Korean War. After his honorable discharge in 1951, he went to work for the J. Hofert Christmas Tree Company at their Bigfork plantation. He was involved in all aspects of the tree farming business until his retirement in the early 1980’s. He then continued working the family farm raising alphalfa, cattle and sweet corn.
“Uncle Merle” was known and loved by several generations of young and old alike and will be greatly missed by those whose livers he touched so deeply.
Merle is survived by his sister, Mary Britton and brother, Joe Eslick both of Bigfork, MT; nieces, Marla Britton, Maureena Mueller and JoAnn Eslick all of Bigfork, MT; nephews, Jay Eslick and wife Barbara of Chinook, MT, Lee Eslick of Bigfork, MT and many great and great great nieces and nephews.
Memorial services for Merle will be held on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 1 p.m. in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating. The family suggests memorials be made to the charity of the donors choice.