James Anderson
James M. Anderson, 79, died peacefully at North Valley hospital in Whitefish on Feb. 23, 2010, with complications of emphysema.
He was born May 5, 1930, in Seattle. He had been a longtime employee of the Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring as assistant superintendant of transportation in Spokane in 1985.
James was a third-generation railroader, beginning his career in Seattle in 1953 and furthering his work in Shelby, Vancouver, B.C., Klamath Falls, Ore., Whitefish, Minneapolis, Minot, N.D., and Spokane before returning to Whitefish at his retirement.
His legacy is his wood carvings of a life-size cross and crucifix and madonna in the church of St. Thomas Moore, in Spokane. He enjoyed his many friends, neighbors, breakfast group and family. Prior to his illness, he was an avid hunter, short-time skier, fisherman and camper.
Surviving him are his wife of 57 years, Carol; sons Scott, Mark and Tom and ex-wife Suzanne; grandchildren Nick, Jessica and Aaron, of Spokane, Kelley and wife Dayna, of Atlanta, Ga., and Ryan and Hayley; and his beloved cats Diesel and Elizabeth.
Private services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, c/o 10 G. Street NE, Suite 580, Washington, D.C. 20002 or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Doris Hanson
Doris Hanson died on Feb. 17, 2010, in Washington state.
She was born in Richville, Minn., and graduated from Whitefish High School. She married Iner Hanson in 1937. They were married for 62 years. They lived in Whitefish and retired in Olympia, Wash., to be near family.
Doris spent 35 years as the bookkeeper/office manager for F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. Known as "The Earring Lady," she collected 5,000 pairs of earrings. She enjoyed many activities, such as dancing, entertaining, ceramics and crocheting. She was a member of Soroptimist International, Women in Timber and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Doris lives in the hearts of her relatives and friends. She exemplified personal integrity, independence, tolerance and generosity,
She was preceded in death by her son Zane Hanson.
She is survived by her daughter Bonnie Nielsen and husband Tore; grandchildren Julie Japhet and husband Mark, Tammy Salem and husband Bob, Todd Nielsen, Brad Nielsen and Lisa Nielsen-Spieier and husband Robert; and seven great grandchildren.
Doris requested no public service.
Kenneth Krueger
Kenneth H. Krueger, 72, passed away Feb. 27, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Ken was born July 28, 1937, in New Salem, N.D., to Fred and Wilma (Holle) Krueger. He lived in New Salem until he was 10 and moved to the Stillwater River area of the Flathead Valley in 1947. He attended Sparks and Linderman schools and graduated from Flathead County High School.
Ken worked for Skyline Dairy for many years as a route driver and then plant supervisor. He left to become a full-time farmer. He married Betty E. Mattheisen on Sept. 1, 1957, in Kalispell.
"Work, work and more work" was Ken's motto through life. He was a member of the West Valley School Board, the Cooperative Finance Corporation and the National Barley Board and was appointed to the Montana Wheat and Barley Board by Gov. Ted Schwinden.
Ken also served on a trade mission to Japan and Taiwan, hosted a trade contingent from Japan on the family farm, served as chairman of the Montana State Electric Cooperative Board, conceived and started the Round-Up For Safety program with Flathead Electric Cooperative, served as Flathead County Commissioner, and served the Stillwater Grange for several years as Master.
He is preceded in death by his parents, twin sister Karol Krueger, daughter-in-law Julie Krueger, nephew Rick Shepard and brother-in-law Johnny Mattheisen.
He is survived by his wife Betty; son Gary Krueger, wife Jessica and their children Derek and wife Kristen, Trent, Ryan and Carissa; daughter Kelly Craig, husband Jeff and their son Steven; and numerous friends.
A celebration of life was held March 3, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Glenn Burfeind officiating. A private burial will be held at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of choice.