Isabel Boardman Follett

Isabel Boardman Follett, 104, died Aug. 2, 2007. She was born to William Ralph and Mary Ann Boardman in Wigan, Lancashire, England on March 8, 1903. They traveled by ship a year later and settled in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. After fire destroyed Fernie in 1908, Isabel, her grandparents, parents and six younger brothers and sisters went to live in "the bush" at the foot of the Lizard Range. The homesteads are now the Fernie Ski Resort.

Isabel met and later married George A. Follett in Fernie on May 18, 1925. After their son Doug was born, the Great Northern Railway beckoned them to Whitefish in 1927. Their daughter Louise was later born in Whitefish. In 1935, Isabel became a U.S. citizen, always proud that she was the only one in her group to pass the citizenship test because she knew the first three words of the Preamble: "We the People…"

Isabel was very active in the Presbyterian Church and was "famous" for the dinner rolls she baked for church events. Her other favorite community activities were Eastern Star and Fortnightly.

Isabel was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, husband George and daughter Louise. She is survived by her son Doug Follett (Anastasia) of Whitefish; granddaughters Lynn Stocking (Tom) of Missoula, Jen Follett McCaw (Bill) of Missoula, Audrey McNally (Michael) of Nelson, B.C. and Karen Follett (Hal Bennett) of Whitefish; her beloved great-grandchildren Geoff Stocking of Boston, Mass., Sarah McNally of Tokyo, Japan, as well as Sydney, Riley and Austyn McNally of Nelson, British Columbia. "Auntie Bell" will also be missed by her Canadian families: Dick Bryant (Fernie), Shirley Bryant (Vancouver), Warren Boardman (Jaffray) and Wilfrid Boardman (Cranbrook).

Isabel always spent her quiet time on the front porch watching the trains roll by and on the evening of Aug. 2, surrounded by her family, she died peacefully as the last passenger train of the night headed west.

Church services will be held Wednesday Aug. 8, 2007 at 10 a.m. at the Whitefish Presbyterian Church with a reception following the service. Burial will be at the Whitefish Cemetery after the reception.

Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish is in charge of the arrangements.

Myrene Gould Arneson

Myrene Gould Arneson died July 1, 2007, in Conrad. She was born April 25, 1953, in Ephrata, Wash.

She graduated from high school in 1971 in Brentwood, Calif. She and Ron Arneson were married July 1, 1978, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She was happiest in Montana where she spent most of her adult life. She worked at the Town Pump in Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Kalispell and was working at the Town Pump in Conrad when she became ill.

Myrene loved to go on adventures with all of the children, especially her great-nephew Brendan Gould, 13, of Marysville, Wash., and Rebecca Lynn Lanterman, 6, of Conrad. She loved her dogs and always had one.

She is survived by her husband, Ron Arneson of Conrad, son RJ Arneson and his wife Jonie, and the love of her life, their daughter, Kaelin, of Great Falls; a brother, Dale Gould of Kalispell; a sister, Germaine Bennett of Kalispell; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Leona Gould, her sister, Darlene Morrison, her brother, Tommy Gould and a nephew, Tommy Gould, Jr. and a niece Lynnette Gould.

She will be missed by her family and many friends.

At her request, no services will be held.

Betty Lou Smith

Betty Lou Smith, 67, of Columbia Falls, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at the Colonial Manor in Whitefish after a long brave battle with Alzheimer's.

Betty was born Aug. 28, 1939, to Goldie Emma and Lyle Averial Chapman in Columbia Falls, where she was raised and educated.

In 1958, she married Leo Franklin Smith of Columbia Falls where they raised their four children and resided until illness made it necessary for them to be cared for at the Colonial Manor.

Betty was a devoted and dedicated wife and mother. She had a merry spirit within her generous and serving heart. Her family was formed by watching her live as well as the many lives she so unselfishly touched. Betty enjoyed being with her family above all, as well as gardening, camping, fishing and being outdoors. Betty spent many years picking huckleberries beside Leo and her children. She was known for her Betty's Huckleberry Pie. Betty enjoyed sitting with Leo on their deck watching the hummingbirds they attracted with their secret recipe for hummingbird food.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Leo; her parents, Lyle and Goldie Chapman; her mother and father-in-law, Helen and Frank Smith; brother-in-law, Richard "Dick" Lindsley, Robert "Bob" Smith and wife Barbara; and a nephew, Michael Smith.

Betty is survived by her four children, Sherry and Gary Burchett of Great Falls, Tami Sue Smith of Kalispell, Terry Smith and wife, Taryn of Columbia Falls, and Tony Smith of Rapid City, South Dakota; a sister, Delores (Laverne) Lindsley at Colonial Manor in Whitefish; brother-in-law, William "Bill" Smith and wife Linda of Marion; five granddaughters, Laci Smith, BriAnna Bukoskey and Betsy Bukoskey of Kalispell, Jordan Smith and Sydney Smith of Rapid City, S.D.; three grandsons, Levi Smith and wife Karen of Helena, Jayme Bukoskey of Kalispell, and Trevor Smith of Rapid City, S.D.; one great grandson, Braden Winterburn-Smith of Helena; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Rev. David Merkel will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow the burial at the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church.

The family has suggested that memorials be made to the Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Wilma J. Casterline

Wilma J. Casterline, 79, passed away Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

She was born Oct. 18, 1927 in Kalispell.

Survivors include her daughter, Jean E. Pulsifer of Ashland, Mass.

A funeral will be held Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.