Ralph Johnson

Ralph W. Johnson, 79, died Dec. 22, 2009, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish after a long battle with cancer.

Ralph was born July 3, 1930, in Livingston, to Ralph W. and Margaret Johnson. He served in the Army during the Korean War, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart in October 1953. He later served in the Air Force and in the Army Reserve, from which he retired.

Ralph operated and maintained all types of heavy equipment, from tractors to semis, which he drove most of his life. He operated in all areas of the transportation industry, including logging, road construction and oil fields from Texas to North Dakota to Alaska. To him, rebuilding a diesel engine in a snowstorm was just another day, and he wouldn't quit until it was done and then head down the road. He retired in 1998.

He married Patricia McCann in 1957 and they had four children, Mitchell, Donna, Donald and Michael. They were divorced in 1966. He later married Loureine and brought four stepchildren, Joanne, Michael, Kenneth and William, into his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Loureine Johnson; brother Bruce Johnson; and son Michael Johnson.

He is survived by his sister Ruth Cole, of Columbia Falls; daughter Donna Brown, of Hungry Horse; sons Mitch Johnson, of Four Lakes, Wash., and Don Johnson, of Parachute, Colo.; stepsons Mike Nelson, of Newport, Wash., and Bill Johnson, of Spokane; and stepdaughter Joanne Nelson, of Williston, N.D.

Graveside services took place Dec. 30, 2009, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.

Joseph Fisher

Joseph H. Fisher passed away Dec. 29, 2009, in Wenatchee, Wash.

He was born Jan. 4, 1924, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, to Halton and Cicely Fisher. He moved to Whitefish when he was 14 years old and lived there for many years before moving to Washington.

Joseph was an excellent guitarist, having entertained family and friends and patrons of the Blue Moon Nite Club and other night spots throughout the Flathead Valley.

He was preceded in death by his oldest son Teddy Fisher.

He is survived by his children LoLita Lee, Terry Stauffer, Tony Fisher, Bonita Dueno and Daniel Fisher, all of Wenatchee, Coral Harter, of Texas, Joseph Fisher, of Spokane, and Julie Hoster, of Calif.; brothers Rod Fisher, of Whitefish, and Dale Fisher, of Moses Lake, Wash.; and sister Colleen McNeil, of Columbia Falls.