Claire Wilson

Claire Louise Wilson, 62, passed away on Feb. 10, 2008 after a courageous 13-year battle with brain tumors. At the time of her death she was surrounded by her beloved family and pets at her ranch in Bigfork.

Claire was born June 5, 1945 in Johnstown, Penn., and moved to Phoenix, Ariz., with her family when she was 2 years old. She attended high school in Flagstaff, Ariz., and graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1965. That same year, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry Wilson. Their sons, Mark and Brian, were born in 1968 and 1973. Claire and Larry raised their family in Arizona until moving to Whitefish in 1984. Since 1992 they have lived in Bigfork where Claire had a tremendous passion for raising cutting horses at her River Bend Ranch.

Claire was an advisory board member of the Montana Land Reliance. She loved Montana and had a special fondness for the grizzly bears. She so appreciated the Montana Land Reliance for their efforts in protecting the open spaces and key animal habitat. Claire was a devoted animal advocate, and with her donation to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, she made possible the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center, named in honor of her mother, Charlotte Edkins. Claire was also a former board member of the Maricopa County Humane Society in Arizona, and a devoted supporter of the Humane Society in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico where she lived in the winter. Her love for animals and her desire "to protect those who cannot protect themselves" is just one of her many legacies.

While it would be impossible for Claire to choose her "favorite" animal, for she loved them all, she had a particular soft spot for bears. She once hosted a sow grizzly bear and her two cubs at her home in Bigfork to keep them out of trouble until it was time for them to go back into the mountains to den. She adored nature and the outdoors. Claire loved sharing her favorite hiking trails in Glacier National Park with her family and friends and riding horses at her ranches. In the past few months, when she was no longer able to hike or ride, the view out of her window of the beautiful mountains, deer, eagles and occasional bear, sustained her.

Claire is survived by her husband, Larry; son, Mark Wilson and his partner, Brandi Guild as well as two grandchildren, Brooke and Casey Wilson of Bigfork; son, Brian Wilson and his partner, Charles Ramsey of Brooklyn, N.Y,; sister Carolyn Bower and her husband, Brad Bower of Boise, Idaho; niece and nephews, Caitlin, Scott and Nick and his wife, Caitlin Revell; and father, Don Edkins and his wife, Connie. Claire also leaves behind her beloved dogs, Jennie, Sadie and Lucy. Claire was preceded in death by her mother, Charlotte Edkins.

Claire's strong, yet gentle nature and sparkling blue eyes will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Her family will miss her so deeply as will all the earth's creatures great and small.

The Wilson family wishes to thank the kind people from the Kalispell Regional Medial Center for their dedication to keeping Claire comfortable during her final months. They also want to thank all of their friends who have so lovingly stood by them during this ordeal.

Everyone is welcome to help celebrate Claire's life on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. at the River Bend Ranch in Bigfork. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Capital Fund Campaign of the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 3499 Highway 93 North, Kalispell, MT 59901. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Tyson Armijo

Our beloved, Tyson E. J. Armijo, a.k.a. "Big T," passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, 2008. He was 22.

Tyson blessed his small family with his arrival on Jan. 30, 1986 in Pocatello, Idaho. He attended Canyon Elementary School and continued his education through his sophomore year in Columbia Falls.

He had been employed as a prep cook at Spruce Park Cafe. He also worked as a general laborer for Glacier Precast and as an automobile detailer for Eisinger Motors.

Tyson enjoyed installing car stereos for his friends, redesigning vehicle interiors, and a bit of the outdoors; rafting with his mother and friends or hanging out with his fishing buddies, Dustin and Jerry Ray, in their favorite fishing spot.

His hilarious sense of humor will be missed by so many, as will his compassionate, caring, huge heart.

It was a privilege and a great joy to have Tyson in our lives, especially for his mother and family.

Tyson is survived by his mother, Deborah Allan of Coram; his sister, Brooke Rice and husband Andy; nephews Brayden and Seamus in Dallas, Texas; and his brother, Ben Rice and wife Tessa, and nephew, Landon, in Rock Springs, Wyo. He is also survived by his grandparents, Bill and Margie Padgett, Norman and Mary Ann Allan and Anne Berden of Afton, Wyo., and many aunts, uncles and cousins located in Montana and Wyoming.

Tyson will always be a part of our hearts.

Memorial services will be held at the Hungry Horse Chapel on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tyson's name at the Whitefish Credit Union to help with expenses. All excess funds will be donated to a methadone treatment program.

Janet Breaux

Janet E. Breaux, 65, went to be with her Lord after a long struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) on Feb. 16, 2008. She loved the outdoors and helping others. She is loved and will be missed by many.

She was born Feb. 21, 1942 to Harold and Violet Swor at Coulee Dam, Wash. She is survived by her husband, Giles D. Breaux; sons Glen Kinsey and Cleveland Breaux; daughters Shannon, Hatico and Levicy Fox; sisters Carol Dettmann and Linda Smith; and many grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Feb. 16, and cremation has taken place.