Daisy Fain
Daisy Fain, 67, of Norris, passed away March 21, 2009, at the Madison Valley Medical Center at Ennis.
She was born in Manhattan on Nov. 3, 1941, to Marguerite (Pearson) Fain and John William "Bill" Fain of Norris.
Daisy started school in Norris and graduated from Harrison High in 1959. She attended the College of Nursing in Great Falls and graduated as a registered nurse. She worked in Denver, San Francisco and Bozeman, and finished her career in Great Falls. She most enjoyed working in the emergency room.
Her recreation was reading, traveling, cats, gardening and horses. Several trips to Europe and avid reading gave her a well-rounded view of the world.
She retired from nursing in 2004 and moved to Whitefish to live with her sister and brother-in-law. There she helped with running their Western store (WesTrends).
In 2007, along with her sister and brother-in-law, she moved to the family homestead near Norris. There she enjoyed gardening and helping in the store. She is most remembered for her kind eyes and warm smile.
Daisy is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Terry and Larry Shore; and cousins Mary Ann McDonnell, of St. George, Utah, Jan and Paul Stibre, of Seattle, Mary Beth Pearson, of Seattle, and Bruce Pearson, of Sheridan.
There will be no services. Donations may be made to the Madison Valley Medical Center, the charity of your choice, or by giving a little of time to visit an acquaintance or loved one.
Jim O'Brien
Jim O'Brien, 84, of Whitefish, passed away March 31, 2009, at Brendan House in Kalispell.
He was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Chicago, Ill., to Patrick and Ida (Gundrum) O'Brien. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loyola Academy. In Chicago, he met and eventually married his beloved wife Pat Quitman on June 3, 1953.
Jim was in the paint manufacturing business for many years, the last years with Valspar Paint as president of one of their divisions in Chicago. After an early retirement, Jim and Pat moved with their son Patrick and daughter Annie to Vail, Colo., in 1981, where they owned and operated the Ace Hardware Store in West Vail. Jim and Pat enjoyed 10 years in the Vail Valley before moving back to Illinois.
In September 1997, Jim and Pat followed daughter Annie and her husband Tom Britz to rural Whitefish, where they enjoyed an idyllic life on their ranch and being so cared for by those they love.
A true fan of the boxer dog breed, Jim owned at least one boxer for the last 55 years. Jim was a fan of model airplanes, both building and flying them. He belonged to a model airplane flying club in suburban Chicago.
Jim always loved fast cars and was meticulous in the care of his large automobiles. He was known to occasionally drag race against willing highway patrolmen in Illinois, Colorado and Montana — and win.
A devout Catholic, one of Jim's great comforts in life was to attend a daily devotion of blessed sacrament while living in Illinois.
Jim will greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Jim was preceded in death by his son Patrick Louis O'Brien in 2004.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years Patricia O'Brien and daughter Annie Britz and husband Tom, all of Whitefish; grandchildren Ashley Roux, of Dixon, Ill., Cooper and Keaton O'Brien, of Peotone, Ill., Olivia Britz, of Portland, Ore., and Amanda Britz, of New Castle, Colo.; and numerous precious nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held April 9, 2009, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with Father John Miller officiating.
Margherita Graziano
Margherita Pauline "Rita" Graziano, 93, formerly of Basking Ridge, N.J., passed away April 1, 2009.
She was born in Boston on Nov. 16, 1915, the daughter of Peter and Pauline (Mondino) Cerrina. The family lived in Boston, New York City, Miami and New Jersey. Rita was taught to swim by Johnny Weissmuller, she saw Frank Sinatra when he first started his career, and she saw the world-renowned operatic tenor Enrico Caruso at her grandmother's boarding house in Boston.
Rita was employed as a stock runner on Wall Street in New York long before computers were invented and worked as a hat check girl during her early adult years.
She met John Graziano when she was in her mid-20s, and they were married in New York on May 17, 1941. Rita and Johnny eventually settled in Basking Ridge, N.J.
Rita came to Montana after she was widowed in 2006. She has been lovingly cared for by the staff at The Springs Assisted Living in Whitefish, and more recently at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.
She is survived by her faithful and loving son, Peter "Rocky" Graziano, of Whitefish; grandchildren Michael Graziano and Pauline Graziano Grillo; great grandchildren Rosario and Santino Graziano Grillo, and their father, Roy Grillo; daughters-in-law Margaret Graziano and Sandra Stoutenburg; and many other family members and close friends.
Graveside services were held April 4, 2009, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Bratsberg Alzheimer's Unit at Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline Avenue, Kalispell MT 59901.
Hugh Rogers
Hugh Rogers, 50, 'reached the end of his earth's journey" on his birthday, April 1, 2009, due to injuries sustained in an airplane accident on the Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Rogers was born in Concordia, Kan., on April 1, 1959, to Bob and Marjory Rogers. He earned his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Kansas State University in 1985 and practiced veterinary medicine in Jackson, Wyo., and Driggs, Idaho, before moving to the Flathead Valley and purchasing Alpine Animal Hospital in Whitefish in 1997.
He was a highly respected and extraordinarily compassionate doctor to all creatures great and small. He had an unwavering commitment to help animals and their owners in need, regularly working on call 24/7 for extended periods of time and often without days off. He frequently used his personal time and resources to help strays and shelter animals.
Rogers was an avid outdoorsman and spent as much time as possible enjoying the wilderness of Montana. He transitioned out of this life doing one of the activities that brought him the most joy, flying his Maule M-4 plane. Rogers also combined his love of flying with his life's mission to serve those in need by devoting his plane and his piloting skills to Angel Flight, a program providing free flights to children and adults who lack medical access.
He actively supported the Red Cross, Montana Food Bank, Kalispell Jaycees, Lighthouse Christian Home, Stumptown Art Studio, Whitefish Community Foundation, Backcountry Horseman, Human Therapy on Horseback, and The Muttshack Veterinarian Relief Organization.
He is survived by his wife Roxane Rogers, of Whitefish; parents Bob and Marjory Rogers, of Kansas; siblings Emily Fehr and Clark Rogers; a wide circle of friends and the staff of Alpine Animal Hospital; and his beloved pets, Dusty, Chester, Prince, Slick and Bambino.
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.
In lieu of flowers, donations be made to Kansas State University Pet Tribute, 103 Trotter Hall, Manhattan KS 66506; The Humane Society of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 221, Kalispell MT 59903; Angel Flight, 3161 Donald Douglas Loop South, Santa Monica, CA 90405; Flathead County Search & Rescue, www.flatheadsar.com; Wildlife Return, 200 Stageline Drive, Whitefish MT 59937; or Montana Food Bank Network Inc., 5625 Expressway, Missoula MT 59808.
Clara Montgomery
Clara Mae Montgomery, 93, passed away of natural causes on April 3, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.
She was born Feb. 8, 1914, to John and Ada Ethel (Ruegsegger) Grover on her grandparents' farm northwest of Kalispell. She attended the Spring Creek School and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1933.
She married Orlyn Kinzie Elwood on July 16, 1934, and they raised four children. They later divorced.
She married Glen E. Montgomery on Dec. 9, 1967, and shared her life with him until his death in 1982. Clara worked at Montgomery Ward, Coast-to-Coast and the Kalispell Mercantile, from which she retired in 1975. In her retirement years, she was a hospital volunteer.
Clara was baptized in the Central Christian Church in Kalispell in 1926, and remained a member for life. She was a member of the women's auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for 60 years and a past president. She was a dedicated volunteer with RSVP for 15 years. She was a member of the "Craft Ladies' group at Buffalo Hill Terrace, where she lived for four years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Glen Montgomery; son Kenneth Elwood; sister Arlis Irene Ruegsegger; and brothers Vale Dallas and Lloyd Allen Ruegsegger.
She is survived by daughters Marjean Thomas and husband Frank, of Kalispell, and Lynda Tveidt and husband Ted, of Whitefish; son Jerry Elwood and wife Judy, of Kalispell; half brother Harvey Ruegsegger, of Loveland, Colo.; half sister Carol Ruegsegger, of Marysville, Wash.; seven grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one step great grandchild.
Funeral services were held April 7, 2009, at the Central Christian Church, with Dr. Jan Van der Poll officiating and burial afterward at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
The family request memorials be given to Central Christian Church, 240 Second Avenue East, Kalispell MT 59901; Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline, Kalispell MT 59901; or a charity of the donor's choice.