Erin Thompson
Erin Julie Thompson, 35, was taken along with her unborn child and her 13-year-old son, Caden Odell, on March 19, 2009, as the result of a tragic automobile accident north of Kalispell.
Erin was born Nov. 5, 1973, in Valentine, Neb., to Vince and Dianna Johnson. The family moved to Kalispell in 1974, where Erin spent most of her life.
She worked at Sage Spa & Salon in Whitefish and was adored by her clients. She loved them right back like family. Every person who sat in her chair received her whole heart.
Erin was a beacon of light, lover of all, celebrator of nature and an embodiment of peace. A free spirit, the joy of movement and dance was her second language. Watching Erin dance was a vision of celebration and uninhibited joy for life.
Erin had an infectious smile and laugh. Humor was never far below the surface, and she had a knack for relaying the funny side of a story, easily brightening any room.
Family has always been her number one joy. For 13 years, her top priority, pride and blessed honor, has been to be the mother of her beautiful boy, Caden. Her relationship with Caden was one of bundles of love, a mutual deep respect, open communication, and lots of laughs.
Erin was poetic and romantic, and had an undying optimism that someday she would find true love. She was so overjoyed when she met the love of her life, Jason Thompson. Their wedding was joyfully celebrated in August 2006.
Erin is survived by her husband Jason Thompson; parents Vince and Dianna Johnson; brother Thaddeus Johnson; sister and brother-in-law Amber and David Young; sister-in-law Lindsay Howard; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and so many people who have been touched by her light.
A celebration honoring the life, love, and spirit of both Erin and Caden was held March 27, 2009, at the Christian Center Assembly of God Church in Kalispell.
Caden Odell
Caden Vincent Odell, 13, was tragically taken along with his mother and unborn sibling on March 19, 2009, as the result of an automobile accident north of Kalispell.
Caden was born at home on Dec. 20, 1995, in Kalispell, to Erin Johnson and Craig Odell. Caden was an only child but was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his sibling.
He was a lover of nature, camping, hiking, and exploring the world. He was a fearless, uninhibited, free spirit who loved exhilarating experiences like roller coasters and snowboarding. He could also find interest and beauty in the mundane, and bring it to life for those around him.
Caden is survived by his father Craig Odell and girlfriend Sarah Elledge; stepfather Jason Thompson; grandparents Laurine and Chuck Meyer, Wesley and Rosa Lee Odell, and Vince and Dianna Johnson; uncle Thaddeus Johnson; aunt and uncle Amber and David Young; aunt Lindsay Howard; uncle Brad Odell; aunt and uncle Darren and Alisa Odell; aunts Darcy and Cherise Odell; uncle and aunt Tres and Erika Meyer, and Allison and Terry Cox; and many cousins and extended family.
A celebration honoring the life, love, and spirit was held March 27, 2009, at the Christian Center Assembly of God Church in Kalispell.
In place of flowers, the families are requesting that any donations be made to the Caden Vincent Odell Memorial Fund at Three Rivers Bank to encourage the joy of music in others for years to come.
A memorial Web site has been set up for Caden at GodBlessCaden.webs.com.
Clayton Lamb
Clayton Henry Lamb, 68, of Whitefish, passed away of congestive heart failure on March 24, 2009, at North Valley Hospital.
Clayton was born in Malta on Aug. 6, 1940, to Manuel and Agnes Lamb. They lived in Saco and then moved to Whitefish in 1950. Clayton graduated from Whitefish High School in 1958.
He married Dixie Hulett in 1958 and lived in Half Moon while working for F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. Their two daughters, Geraldine and Myrna, were born there. Clayton and Dixie were later divorced.
Clayton was an Army medic from 1966-1968. He lived in Arizona and then California, where he met Liz Cadman. They moved to Whitefish in 1975 and were married. She had three children, Lonnie, Bill and Debra. Liz died in 1979.
Clayton married Denise Weldele in 1980. They had three children, David, Mathew and Megan. They were later divorced. He also worked for a sawmill in Alaska for five years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Lamb and second wife Liz.
He is survived by his mother Agnes Lamb; brother Gene Lamb and wife Mary; sister Millie Groshong and husband Jim; sister Dorothy Anderson; children Geraldine Penland, Myrna Lamb, Lonnie Cadman, Bill Cadman, Debra Cadman, David Lamb, Mathew Lamb, Megan Lamb and Katie Green; 12 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held March 31, 2009, at the Whitefish Assembly of God. Burial followed at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell with military graveside honors by the United Veterans of the Flathead and the Montana National Guard.
Patrick Barron
Patrick Kenneth Barron passed on peacefully at home March 24, 2009, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Patrick was born in San Diego, Calif., and moved to Whitefish in 1991 to be closer to his family.
His first love was always his son Kyle. He also enjoyed being in nature, and he was an avid snowboarder. He and Kyle spent time camping, hiking and fishing. Patrick played softball for many years, and all who played with him knew his enthusiasm for the sport.
Most of Patrick’s career was spent as a cook, having attended culinary school in San Diego. His family and friends always appreciated his delicious meals as well as his intensity in the kitchen.
No one ever wanted to play rock and roll music trivia with Patrick because he always won. Not only did he like listening to music, he also enjoyed burning special CDs for friends and family.
He was known for his deeply felt passions including first and foremost his son, Kyle, cooking, recycling and sports.
Patrick is survived by his son Kyle Barron; mom and dad Marlyn and Chuck James and Ron and Sally Barron; brothers Scott Barron, Kevin Barron and Ken Riley; cousin Kim Roman; uncle and aunt Fred and Dana Bunge; many nieces and nephews; as well as countless friends from over the years.
A celebration of Patrick’s life will be held at Grouse Mountain Lodge on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kyle Barron’s trust account at the Whitefish Credit Union.
Marilyn Blumfield
Marilyn Jean Blumfield “earned her wings” on March 28, 2009, “and God took her home.”
She was born in Spokane, Wash., on Aug. 5, 1925, to Willard and Gertrude Talkington. She lived a good 83 years experiencing the joys and sorrows of life.
Joy at the birth of her son Richard, her granddaughter Teri Kaye, and her great grandson Christopher and the finding of her husband and lifelong love Robert Blumfield. Sorrow at the passing of her husband, her parents, one of her brothers and so many of the friends that she had made over the course of her life.
She made the most of life on this earth. Moving to Montana at an early age with her young son, she met and married Bob and remained in Montana living in Shelby and after the death of her husband, moving to Whitefish.
She had a zest for travel and visited four contingents, from Kenya to Singapore, as well as the whole of the U.S., from Alaska to Mexico and Virginia to California.
She is survived by her son Rick Walker and Boots Atkinson, who she considered as a daughter-in-law; stepdaughter Janet Cooper-Whetherly and husband Ian and Janet’s boys Geoff and Greg; granddaughter Teri Kay Rupp and husband Larry; great grandson Christopher; brother Bob Beyers and wife Wilma.
Per her wishes, there will be no memorial services. She only asked that all who knew her remember her in their good memories and in their hearts. A private graveside ceremony will take place in Shelby at a later date so that she can be buried beside her husband Bob.