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James W. Hale

| May 1, 2008 11:00 PM

James W. Hale, 67, died Saturday, April 19, 2008.

Mr. Hale, a native of New Iberia, La., was the son of the late Widney Hale and the former, Jean Elsworth.

Jim was a beloved husband to his wife and soul-mate, Carol, of seven years, a loving father to his two children, Lisa and Kevin, and a proud grandfather. He was very much a "people person" and loved and was loved by all who knew him. He was a very devoted friend to many, and treated everyone with equal dignity and respect. Words cannot express the type of person Jim was or what he was like.

Jim was an adventurer, a modern day Renaissance man of sorts, who enjoyed life to the fullest at all times, loved being in the mountains of Montana, and looked forward to his many hunting expeditions that he took with his family and friends. He was a very hard worker, a wonderful storyteller, an avid hunter and fisherman, a talented photographer, a lover of nature and wildlife, and a writer and lover of poetry, only to name a few.

Jim was a wonderful conversationalist who could hold the attention of anyone who listened. He was a very inquisitive person, who always seemed interested in knowing the "why" about the happenings of the world and universe around us. He was a "Jim" of all trades, and put his whole heart into everything that he did. It seems that once he put his mind into it, there was nothing that Jim could not figure out.

His carpentry skills were superb and enjoyed working with his hands. His love and respect for nature inspired him to build his greatest, most treasured work of art: his log cabin that he and his son, Kevin, built some 27 years ago in Polebridge. Jim was a physics major while attending SLI (now known as The University of Louisiana at Lafayette). He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the Northfork Preservation Association. Jim touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife, Carol F. Hale of Lafayette, La.; daughter, Lisa Gallagher and husband, Phil of Aransas Pass, Texas; son, Kevin Hale of Nolenville, Tenn.; grandchildren, J. P. Gallagher of Aransas Pass, Texas, Shawn and Danielle Davis of Winter Park, Fla.; sister, Dorothy Martin of Saucier, Miss.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard and David Hale.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 23 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Reverend Mario Romero, Associate Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, officiated the funeral services. A rosary was recited in the funeral home.

Interment took place in Rose Hill Cemetery in New Iberia, La.

Pallbearers included Robert "Mac" McJimsey, Rodney Savoy, Phil Norse, Jimmy Sons, Kevin Hale, Larry Hurst, Shawn Davis, J. P. Gallagher and Phil Gallagher.

In place of flowers for James W. Hale, the family is requesting for donations to go The Center for the Study of Macular Degeneration, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5060.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Hale family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.

Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive in Lafayette, La., is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Kaylynn Nelson

Kaylynn LeAnn Nelson, 19 months old, passed away peacefully in her home in Kalispell on April 24, 2008. Kaylynn was born on Aug. 18, 2006 to Jonny and Debbie (Red) Nelson. She loved to dance and run around in mismatched shoes. Kaylnn was a joy to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her father and mother, Jonny and Debbie Nelson; sister, Amber Nelson; brothers, Walker and Austin Nelson; grandparents, Jackie and Leonard Nelson of Kalispell, and Senna Fagal and Dan Rusenach of Columbia Falls; aunts and uncle, Loran and Crystal Rardon of Kalispell, Jessica and Joel Timlick of Kalispell, Peggy and Darin Levinsky of Whitefish, Evelyn and Vince Luce of Columbia Falls, and Bret Nelson and Monica Hayes of Kalispell; and several cousins.

Kalynn's funeral will be held on Friday, May 2 at 1 p.m. at Columbia Falls Assembly of God. Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Columbia Falls. A memorial dinner at the church will follow the service.

There will be visitation prior to the funeral from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., also at Columbia Falls Assembly of God.

Dennis "Mike" Willcut

Dennis "Mike" Willcut, 62, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at his home with his devoted wife of 42 years at his side. He was born in Fargo, N.D. in 1945 to John and Barbara Willcut. He and his large family moved often in his youth until they settled in Kalispell. There he met his wife Rita "Karen" Fishel.

Mike was proud to have worked hard to provide for his family in the logging and timber industry. He did many different jobs, including sawyer, truck driver, skidder operator or "whatever needed done." He was always extremely proud of the home that he and his wife built in the North Fork and raised their family in. Mike was very proud of his children and grandchildren and rarely missed any of their events.

After his brother, and best friend, Roger, passed away he was somewhat at a loss until he was introduced to Black Powder Rendezvous and that community of people readily accepted him and he fell right in. He subsequently introduced his children, grandchildren, brother, John, and sister, Mary, to Rendezvous and they make many memories together.

Due to Mike's long illness, he was faced with many challenges and always faced them with a smile and good sense of humor. He was quick to laugh with others and quicker to laugh at himself. As his disease progressed, his speech often became difficult but his friends at Rendezvous took to calling him "Smoothtalker," a moniker that stuck and always brought a smile to his face.

Preceding Mike in death were his parents, John Willcut and Barbara Cornelius, and his best friend and brother, Roger Willcut. He is survived by his wife, Karen Willcut of Columbia Falls; daughter, Stacia and husband Dean Thompson of Columbia Falls; son Travis and wife Vicki Willcut of Kalispell; grandchildren, Samantha McDonald, Tyler Thompson, and Scott and Bridger Willcut; brothers, Jim and wife Twila Willcut, Tim and wife Dolly Willcut, John and wife Debbie Willcut; and sisters, Barbara Crowell, Sharon Burns, Mary and husband Dan Jensen and Sandy Willcut. Mike is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mike blessed and inspired all who met and knew him. Honoring Mike's wishes there will not be a funeral but an event celebrating his life. It will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.

Francis Guest Sr.

Francis "Fran" LaMar Guest Sr., 85, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2008 surrounded by loving family at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell, under the care of Hospice. He was born May 24, 1922 in Twin Falls, Idaho, the youngest of four children born to Edward Mailon and Ada (Cook) Guest.

When he was 12 years old he went to work at a grocery store to help support his family. From that point on, Fran always maintained gainful employment. In high school he was on the track team, running the mile; he played the French horn both in the high school band and in the community band. A gifted singer, he sang in various choirs throughout his life; in high school, at church, and in the Glee Men Choir (later to be known as Valleyaires). He was the vocalist at many weddings, funerals and special church events.

After graduating from high school in Twin Falls, Idaho, Fran moved to Tacoma, Wash., where he went to work in the shipyards before joining the Merchant Marines. He served on several oil tanker ships, one being the U.S.S. Wiley, as an oiler and junior engineer during WWII and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1945. He met Venus Gloria Qualls in Tacoma, and they were married on July 19, 1944 in the Alberta Temple in Cardston, Alberta, Canada.

Living in the Flathead Valley since 1945, Fran worked at Gambles then at Hall Motors, as office manager and accountant; and next at a lumber company called Superior Buildings. He started as an accountant and later become a co-owner, retiring in 1983, after 31 years of service. Fran had the pleasure of building two homes in the valley, and always seemed to be working on one or the other.

Fran was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions, including, branch president, counselor in several bishoprics, in the Young Men's Program and serving many years on the Stake High Counsel.

Fran served as the physical facilities representative for many years and oversaw the remodel or construction of all the L.D.S. chapels in the area. In 1997 Fran and Venus were called to serve a mission in Rochester, N.Y., where they served in the mission office for one year.

Everyone that knew Fran loved him and was strengthened by his great testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He served in the community in many areas, including as a PTA president, on the school board for District 5 for 10 years, and on the Montana State School Board. Fran also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Fran was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Venus Guest of Kalispell and five children: LaMar Guest and wife Bobbi of West Jordan, Utah; Muriel Reed and husband Oren of Kalispell; Marlene Francis of Troutdale, Ore.; Mark Guest and wife Grace of Kalispell, and Kevin Guest and wife Lori of Riverton, Utah. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Andrea, Rebekah, Erin, Emily, Ethan, Justin, Jeremy, Heather, Lindsey, Audrey, Daniel, Nathan, Holli, Ryan and Stephani; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Fran were held Saturday, April 26 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel in Bigfork, with Bishop Jon Marshall conducting. Burial followed in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was Friday April 25 in the Johnson & Gloschat Chapel. The family suggests memorials be given to Hospice, Home Options, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 300, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson & Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Fran's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Fran's guest book.

Jennie Lindsay

Jennie Jo Lindsay, 68, died Friday evening April 26, 2008 at her home in Big Sandy after a long fight from open heart surgery. Cremation has taken place and her memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1 at the Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Stokes officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the service. A memorial service will also be held in Hugo, Colo., her home town where she will be laid to rest on her family's homestead in Hugo.

Jennie was born June 11, 1939 to Harry and Grace (Hiatt) Lofdahl at the Lofdahl homestead in Hugo, Colorado. She married Joe Lindsay on Jan. 31, 1960. They had five children: Jon, Jeff, Joe, Mark, Jim and Jana. The family moved from Boulder, Colorado to Montana in 1978.

Jennie was an avid gardener. She raised five children and in her spare time she managed to retire from a full-time job at JC Penny. Jennie was loved and will be missed greatly by her entire family.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Jennie is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joe Lindsay of Big Sandy; five children: Jon (Shannon) Lindsay of Wittman, Ariz.; Jeff (Cindy) Lindsay of Fort Benton; Joe Mark (Kay) Lindsay of Byers, Colo.; Jim (Sheila) Lindsay of Hot Springs, S.D.; Janna (Shawn) Decker of Columbia Falls, Montana; 12 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brothers, Pat Lofdahl of Deer Trail, Colo. and Neil Lofdahl of Buckeye, Ariz.; sisters, Mary (Al) Dorsey of Chandler, Ariz.; Phyllis (Fred) Hanners of Hugo, Colo.; Pam (Tom) Stombaugh of Deer Trail, Colo.; Martha Dzik of St. Paul, Minn.; brother in-law, Gerald (Ellen) Lindsay of Havre; sister in-law, Nelda Roberts of Lamar, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Veronica (Austin) (Rowe) Born

Veronica Mary (Austin) (Rowe) Born, 75, passed away on April 27, 2008 in Kalispell. She was born Jan. 12, 1933 to Lawrence and Florence Austin in Leola, S.D.

Veronica married her first husband, A.J. "Bud" Rowe on Oct. 18,1949. They moved to Montana and traveled the state, raising their six children in many towns, following Bud's job in highway construction. They settled in Columbia Falls in 1965 and later divorced. Veronica worked for many years at the Canyon Bar and Columbia Bar in Columbia Falls.

She married Charles Born and lived in Billings for many years. They later divorced, but remained friends.

Veronica was a past officer of the Columbia Falls Women's Bowling Association, winning many local and state awards. She was an avid fisherman, enjoying many weekends camping and fishing with her family until her health forced her to stop.

Veronica was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Charlotte Schlosser; and brothers, Leslie, Robert and Loren Austin.

She is survived by four daughters, Susan Conklin (Kim) of Columbia Falls, Carol Hagen (Duane) of Columbia Falls, Mary Levitt (Lon) of Kalispell and Veronica "Jody" Bury of Kalispell; two sons, Alvin "Jim" Rowe of Great Falls, and Sam Rowe (Phyllis) of Kalispell; 12 grandchildren, Michael Rowe (Darlene), Matt Bohmer (Ann), Sam Hagen (Shari), Jenny Davis (Michael), Kelci Warf (John), Michael Levitt, Nichole Recer (Chad), Patrick Levitt (Cindy), Ryan Rowe (Kara), Danielle Rogers (Brian), John DeVera (Danielle) and James DeVera; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Geraldine Bingen (Sanford) of Colome, S.D., and Rose Ann Uribe (Al) of Billings; and brother, Arlon Austin of Billings.

A rosary was held Wednesday April 30 at Columbia Mortuary. A funeral service is Thursday May 1 at 1 p.m. at St. Richard's Catholic Church.