Jacqueline Cornelius

Jacqueline "Jackie" Evelyn Smithey Cornelius, 83, died peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 5, 2010, at her home in Whitefish.

She is survived by her daughters and their families, Judy, Irwin, Beth and Marilyn Bennett, of Kalispell; Laurie, Dwayne, Gregory and Brian Thramer, of Columbia Falls, and Mary and Marc Gallo, of Seattle.

A celebration of her life will be held on her birthday, April 3, 2010, at the Whitefish Community Center, home of the Golden Agers, 210 Second Street.

Verna Ruffatto

Verna Ruffatto, loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away at her home in Whitefish surrounded by her family on Jan. 4, 2010.

Verna was born April 9, 1920, at Washoe to Kusti Koski, a hard-working coal-mining father, and Kerttu (Gertrude) Krook, a loving, caring mother. Being of Finnish heritage, they moved to the Finn Hall in Red Lodge. She moved to Butte at the age of nine and grew up during the time when the city was booming and rich with cultural diversity.

During the Depression, Verna left school at age 15 to help support her family. She gained employment as a nanny, helped at the family farm and worked at Yellowstone National Park.

Some of her fondest memories were of ice skating and attending formal dances at Columbia Gardens in Butte, where she met her husband Dominick. They married in 1941, lived briefly near Mount Hood and Portland, Ore., and eventually settled in Fremont, Calif.

Verna received a master's in education and taught second grade for many years. She and Dom retired in the Bitterroot Valley in 1980 and eventually moved to Whitefish in 1993.

She and Dom adopted their two children, Christopher and Michael, and dedicated their lives to raising them. They were rich with love and support for anyone in need and opened their homes to countless family members and friends.

Verna touched many lives and will sincerely be missed by countless, loving relatives and friends who are honored to have loved and been loved by this very special person.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Dom, and her sister Katherine and brother Waino.

She is survived by her sons Chris and Michael Ruffatto; daughter-in-law Susie Ruffatto; grandchildren Ben, Kelly and Brian Ruffatto; brother Wally Koski and wife Elsa; nephews Ray Koski, Mark Koski and Art Mikkola; and nieces Maureen Pryzblski, Karen Schweitzer and Linda Ruhkala.

Services took place at St. Charles Boromeo Catholic Church in Whitefish on Jan. 9, 2010.

Memorials may be made to the educational programs of the Whitefish Lake Institute..