Obituaries
CHARLO — We are sad to announce the passing of Claude C. Smith, “Old Man.” He passed away on Sept. 9, 2023, at the age of 60, after a courageous battle with cancer and surrounded by his family. He was born on Nov. 4, 1962, in Ronan to Gerald and Lorelie (Pollard) Smith. Claude loved his entire family with all his heart. His legacy will live on through his boys and his grandchildren. Claude’s best accomplishment in life was his sons, whom he enjoyed many adventures with. Claude loved to hunt and fish, camp, and sit around the campfire telling stories. We will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald, and his sister-in-law, Pam. He is sur...
ARLEE —Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sept. 16, 2023. Paul was born on Dec. 13, 1947, in Tampa, Florida, to Betty and Tom Philips. Paul, his brother Tom, and sister Anne were raised on Air Force bases around the US and...
RONAN — Linda L. Johnson, 74 years of age, passed away on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born March 28, 1949, in Anaconda, to Margaret Browning (d.1987) and Hiram T. Harrison (d.1953). Linda was the youngest of 10 children. Linda graduated from Anaconda...
POLSON — Beverley Ann Lean, age 77, passed away on Sept. 10, 2023. She was born to Lewis and Alice Geary on June 26, 1946. She was raised in Butte and graduated from Butte High school in 1964. She married her childhood sweetheart Steve Lean, and they were married 58 years until his passing this past Ja...
POLSON — Randal “Randy” Doss passed away on Sept. 11, 2023, surrounded by family at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Randy was born on May 26, 1970, to Arlene Doss and Richard Doss Sr. He grew up playing baseball, surfing and spending time ...
RONAN — Elly Helen Zoganas Raptou died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 7, 2023, at the age of 86. She had no suffering, no injury, no pain. Recently residing in Ronan with her daughter, Rhea Alexandra Raptou DeLong, and her son-in-law, Matthew DeLong, Elly enjoyed her last few months in the loving car...
RONAN — Charles Michael Hartsoch, 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Ronan, on Sept. 4, 2023. Chuck was born on Jan. 26,1952, in Kalispell to Grace and Ray Hartsoch and graduated from Polson High School. He later earned a degree in architectural design from Northern Montana College in H...
RONAN — Gretchen Ann Daley Baker was born on Aug. 28, 1928, at Mrs. Culbertson’s Birthing Home in Kalispell, to Glen and Pauline Daley of Rollins. She passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Aug. 31, 2023, at the age of 95. Gretchen grew up in Rollins with her younger sisters, Lois and Glenda....
KALISPELL — Edmond (Ed) Glover Priddy, 88, passed away on Aug. 22, 2023, at The Lodge at Buffalo Hills, of natural causes with his daughter Sheila and niece Barbara by his side. He was born on Aug. 21, 1935, to R.W. “Buster” and Mae Olson-Priddy. Ed grew up on the family ranch in Dixon and ...
BIG ARM — Anita Carol Big Spring-Funke, passed away on July 30, 2023. She was born May 30, 1958, in Browning to Darlene and Adam Big Spring. Anita’s youth was spent between East Glacier and Hill 57- Great Falls MT, Chamawa Indian School in Oregon, and Kellogg, Idaho. An ambitious teen, A...