Larry Tommerup

Larry Jerome Tommerup, 68, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at Odessy Hospice in Tucson, Ariz. He was born June 25, 1939 to Clarence and Lillian Tommerup in Sidney.

He moved to Blaisdell, N.D. as a young boy, where he was joined by a sister, Carol. In 1948, they moved to Kalispell to a ranch that later became a dairy farm. He went to school the first- through eighth-grade years at Boarman School, then to high school at Flathead High.

In 1957, Larry joined the Navy to see the world. He started out working as a boiler operator, and then later went into the underwater demolition unit. He was later injured and had to leave the Navy.

In 1960, Larry met and married his wife, Dorthy (Radabah), of 47 years. They had four children, Larry Tommerup Jr., wife Joni; Laurie Hazard; Cynthia Tinnel, husband Tom; and David Tommerup, wife Vonda. In 1962, they moved to Seattle to begin his life's work in construction. He started out as a carpenter and worked his way up to vice president of several companies. His career took his family to many states so they were able to see a lot of different places.

Larry was passionate of all card games, especially bridge. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting. He was a gold medal Senior Olympics shuffleboard player and won many team and individual trophies. He obtained his private pilot license and had numerous adventures. He was a Bob Ross instructor, and taught painting wherever he traveled.

He was a Mason, Scottish Rite, Shriner and a member of Eastern Star. He was in the Shriners Clown unit and recently joined the Elks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, both sets of grandparents and an infant brother, Harvey.

He is survived by his wife Dorthy, four children, 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Carol, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He will be deeply missed by his loved ones and friends. He was a very generous man, with his time and energy.

Services will be at Johnson Mortuary on Friday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. Visitation will be at Johnson Mortuary on Thursday, Oct. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. Military honors will be conducted by the United Veterans of the Flathead. Burial will follow services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210.

Yvonne Warner

Yvonne V. Warner, 72, passed away on Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, at the Brendan House in Kalispell after a courageous battle with leukemia.

She was born Dec. 16, 1934 in Orofino, Idaho, the daughter of Roger and Dorothy Cole. Although she moved with her family several times, she grew up most of her life in Columbia Falls.

Yvonne was a loving and compassionate person, whose motto was "You can do anything you put your mind to." She spent her life ranching with her soul mate and raising three children. Yvonne had many passions which included riding, showing and training horses, modeling for local clothing stores, gardening, and most important was her love for her grandchildren.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Dorothy Cole; her sister, Frances Lambert; and her brother, Roger Cole Jr.

Yvonne is survived by her husband of 55 years, Pat Warner; her sister, Nina LeSueur and her husband Keith; her children, Cathy Loucks and husband Chuck, Julie Hanson and husband Don, and Mike Warner, all of Kalispell; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Rev. David Kauffman will officiate.

Vera Darling Dukleth

Vera E. Darling Dukleth, 86, passed away Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.

Vera was born in Sept. 19, 1921 in Columbia Falls to Ida and Arthur Green. She was the youngest of four children. She went through all 12 years of school in Columbia Falls, where she participated in sports and many of the school activities.

She was married to Floyd R. "Flip" Darling on Sept. 24, 1939 in Troy. They lived in Troy for a short time and then Flip got a job at the Bigfork Ranger Station and they lived there for nine years — raising their two children, Pat and Michael. Vera worked several years at the old Lake Cafe. She and Irene Crone started the first Brownie group in Bigfork.

In 1956 Vera, Flip and kids moved to Columbia Falls where Flip continued working for the Forest Service. Vera worked at the Davall Merc and for over 20 years at the Bank of Columbia Falls. She enjoyed taking long walks, swimming, camping, rides in Glacier Park, making quilts and afghans, and working on various craft projects. She volunteered for years at the Klothes Kloset, a church-sponsored thrift store, and at the Columbia Falls Visitors Center. Vera was a member of the Columbia Falls Methodist Church where she had been very active in many of its groups and functions. She was the churchwoman of the year in 1985.

Flip passed away in 1986 and Vera maintained her home in Columbia Falls.

Several years later ,Vera met and married an old childhood school friend, Owen Dukleth, in 1994 in Columbia Falls. They continued living in Columbia Falls, where they stayed active in the church and at the Senior Center.

She is preceded in death by her husbands Floyd "Flip" Darling and then Owen Dukleth in 2006, and brothers Wilford and Henry Green.

Vera is survived by her daughter, Pat Darling of Bigfork and son, Michael Darling of Palm Springs, Calif., and a sister, Grace Larkin, in Whitefish.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church. Rev. David Merkel is officiating.

The family has requested that memorials be made in Vera's name to the Columbia Falls Klothes Kloset.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is in charge of the arrangements.

Andrew "Andy" Hall

Andrew A. "Andy" Hall, 69, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007 at his home in Evergreen. Andy was born on July 29, 1938 in to Earl and Laverne Hall. He attended schools in Kalispell, graduating from Flathead High School in 1956.

Andy was a contractor who had built many fine homes in the valley. He was known as a caring and honest person. He was a great counselor, who had taught many people many things. He loved hunting, fishing and especially camping with his family. He enjoyed telling stories, and traveling. He was a member of the Moose lodge, former member of the Evergreen Fire Department, and a member of the Carpenters Union. He married Kathy Snyder in 2001. He is going to be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Kevin, a sister, Elaine Miller, and a grandson, Chris Shupert. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children and spouses, Rod (Kimberly) Dofelmire, Geri (Dan) Shupert, Dale (Cinnamon) Hall, Cheryl (Gene) Zechin, Becky (Darren) Armstrong, Mary Ellen Hall, Jaqqui (Mike A.) Dunning, Tim (Mary Anne) Davis and Steve (Darrell Marie) Smiley; a brother, Don Hall; mother and father-in-law Curtis J. and Harriet Snyder; 27 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Oct. 12 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with the Rev. Raymond Powell officiating. Interment followed at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.