Obituaries

COLUMBIA FALLS – Ernest Luke, 60, passed away at his home in Columbia Falls on July 11. Memorial services are planned for Saturday, July 21. Please contact the family for location and time 406-897-4757 or 406-261- 8689. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.

Teresa Thomas Lapka passed away on July 2, 2018, surrounded by family. Teresa was born March 29, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She loved to dance and entertain. Teresa taught school in Unalakleet, Nome, and Mountain Village, Alaska. She has travelled all over the U.S. Teresa is survived by her brot...

POLSON — Robert Eugene Gambrel, 67, went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of July 4, 2018. Robert (also known as Bob or Gene) was born on Jan. 21st, 1951, in Keokuk, Iowa, to Robert Leroy Gambrel and Mary Helen (LeMaster Gambrel) Ringstrom. As a child, Robert lived in Keokuk, Iowa; Chi...

POLSON — Loren Russell Dupuis passed on to the spirit world on July 5, 2018. “Russ,” as many people knew him, was the fifth son born to Floyd and Ruth Dupuis on Dec. 28, 1939, in St. Ignatius. After he graduated from Polson High School in 1958, he and a few of his buddies decided to join th...

RONAN — Arletta “Granny” Clairmont-Young, 77, of Ronan, joined her late husband Gerald “Pa” Clairmont and our father in heaven on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, due to heart complications. She was born on March 28, 1941, to Grant and Bertha Young and raised in Kalispell. She was one of...

POLSON — David Ray Anderson died of natural causes on July 2, 2018, in Polson. He was born on Jan. 10, 1933, in Buhl, Idaho, to Arvil Olaf and Edna (Worly) Anderson. His siblings included Rulon (deceased), Gail, Howard, Lois, Arvil Jr., Cliff and Karen. The young family resided in Charlo and San Die...

RONAN — Elsie Phillips Garbe, 99, passed away on June 27, 2018, at the St. Luke Extended Care Center in Ronan. Elsie was born on Jan. 6, 1919, in Great Falls to Leon and Crete D. Phillips. She grew up and graduated from high school in Highwood, Montana, and in 1937, the family moved to Ronan and E...

Loren Russell Dupuis passed on to the spirit world on July 5, 2018. “Russ”, as many people knew him, was the fifth son born to Floyd and Ruth Dupuis on Dec. 28, 1939, in St. Ignatius. He graduated from Polson High School in 1958. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at: www.lak...

Urban Bear Don't Walk walked on Sunday, July 1st, 2018 due to long-term complications of Parkinson's disease. He was born Nov. 9, 1941, to Emma (Crissler) Bear Don't Walk and Ray Bear Don't Walk in Crow Agency, Montana. His father was a member of the Apsaalooke tribe and his mother, of the Turtle Mountain Ch...

POLSON — William “Bill” Hettich, age 81, passed away May 28, 2018. A memorial service for Bill will be held Sunday, July 22, from noon-3 p.m. at Valley View Clubhouse, 40762 Valley View Rd., Polson. There will be balloons to follow off of Backroad. Arrangement are under the care of The L...