Obituaries

RONAN — David William Wilkening, born Jan. 14, 1958, passed away at home in Ronan, on the 23rd of December 2019 at the age of 61. David was the second of five children, and the first son, born to Ruth Linder Wilkening and Walter Deseniss Wilkening. He grew up in Libertyville, Illinois, and completed his PhD in Chemistry at Montana State University in 1984 where he fell in love with Big Sky Country. David was a perpetual outdoors enthusiast and energetic man; fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, and building in every place he lived. He and his wife, Angela, raised their family in Columbia Falls, then bought their country retreat in Ronan where David lived the rest of his earthly days....

RONAN — Sharon L. Anderson, age 77, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at Polson Health and Rehab.  Memorial services for Sharon are pending. An obituary will follow.  Arrangements are under the direction of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.   

POLSON — Hector Speckert, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on Jan. 7, 2020, at the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born on June 3, 1931, to Otto and Frassie Speckert in Marysville, California.  He grew up in Marysville where his family raised peaches and almo...

RONAN — Lewis LaVerne Conklin was born to Ernest and Bertha Conklin in Curtis, Nebraska, on January 26, 1936. He had five sisters: Leila, Arlene, Myrna, Elaine, Sharon; and two brothers: Leo and Bob. As a young child the family moved to LaPorte, Colorado. Lewis graduated from LaPorte High School in ...

MISSOULA — Mitchell King Waylett, born Nov. 26, 1958, left to join his mother Nancy and sister Wendy in Heaven on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. He was 61 and passed of natural causes. Mitch is survived by his loving wife Joy, father Lillis Manshadow, brother Tyler, stepmother Leisa, stepbrother Chance, stepsi...

DIXON — Verona Lindquist Young, 84, passed away at St. Pat’s Hospital in Missoula, on Jan.2, 2020. Verona was born on Jan.10, 1937, in Pine Island, Minnesota, to Agnes and Edward Wobig. Verona married John Rex Young. She worked as a caregiver; cooking and caretaking for others as well as family. ...

RONAN — Evelyn Lorraine (Phyllis Ann) Lester passed peacefully at her home in Ronan on Dec. 25 2019, at the age of 83. Phyllis was born in May 1936 to Harry and Agnes Brown. She attended school in Ronan, Ursuline Catholic school in St. Ignatius and pursued a degree in child psychology at SKC. She ma...

FLORENCE — Sam R. Hayden, 85, of Florence, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at Kathy’s Place Assisted Living. He was born on March 7, 1934, in Stevensville, the son of the late Art and Jule Hayden.  Sam grew up and graduated from hi...

NIARADA — On Jan. 1, 2020, Leigh Gordon Herman of Niarada, passed away at 90 years of age, in Polson. Leigh was born to John Otho “Coke” Herman and Louise Ulrich Herman on Nov. 25, 1929, in Kalispell. He was born into a ranching family, being the only grandson of early pioneer Johnny Herman...

ELMO — William Dean Finley, aka Uncle Billy, went home to his creator on Dec. 29, 2019. He was born on July 7, 1963, in Tawas City, Michigan. William grew up in Fairfield, California. He became a mechanic for Firestone. He took his work very seriously so he could be the best he could. He relocated a...