Edna Groshong

Edna Lee Groshong, 94, passed away Feb. 3, 2010, at Heritage Place, in Kalispell.

She was born July 22, 1915, in Belfield, N.D., the daughter of Ernest and Nora (Drake) McAdams. She trained for nursing at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Ore., becoming certified in 1946.

She met Chester Groshong and was 33 when they married. Her only son Bruce was born in 1951 in Spokane.

They moved to Whitefish, where Edna became head nurse at Whitefish Memorial Hospital. She was a nurse for 51 years, retiring at 81 from Woodland Park Hospital in northeast Portland.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester, in 1976; sisters Mabel, Doris and Inez; and brother Orville.

She is survived by her son Bruce Groshong and his family, of Spokane; stepsons James Groshong, of Spokane, and Fred Groshong, of Salem, Ore.; stepdaughters Bonnie Groshong, of Billings, and Jane Haines, of Missoula; sister Betty Kinniburgh, of Kalispell; 13 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and six great great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at a later date in Portland. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice and sent to Bruce Groshong, 1519 East Sharpsburg Avenue, Spokane WA 99217.

Christopher Sword

Christopher Lee Sword, 49, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Feb. 6, 2010.

Chris was born March 13, 1960, in Ashland, Ore., to Phil and Kathleen Sword. He was a 1978 graduate of Whitefish High School and a graduate of the University of Montana Technical Center.

He operated a full service station and auto repair shop with his father in Columbia Falls in the 1980s.

Chris married Kris Tierney and moved to Alaska, where they had three children. As a longtime resident of Dillingham, he owned and operated Sword's Automotive.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He was a friend to everyone, loved his children and his family, and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his sister Shannon Sword and his son Cody Jack Sword.

Chris is survived by his children, Kara and Noah, who reside in Alaska with their mother, Kris Tierney; parents Phil and Kathleen, of Columbia Falls; brothers, Steve Sword and wife Yvette, of Summer, Wash,. and Kevin Sword and wife Susie, of Boise, Idaho; nieces Kastina, Chelsea and Tiffany; and nephew, Trevor.