Obituaries
POLSON — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Koehler Newgard who left us far too soon on Nov. 29, 2025. Paul was born to Gerald and Karol Newgard and raised in Polson. Surrounded by the beauty of Flathead Lake and the Mission Valley, he developed a strong love for the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting and riding motorcycles-especially when they took him somewhere remote and peaceful. Paul studied business at MSU in Bozeman. With one semester remaining from graduation, he proudly transferred to the School of Hard Knocks, where he earned a master’s degree. He headed for greener pastures in Douglas, Wyoming, worki...
ST. IGNATIUS — Ruth Wilkinson, 90, passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2025 at her daughters’home in St. Ignatius. Ruth was born the second of seven kids to Carl and Arbutus Hulquist of Sagle, Idaho. Ruth got married at a young age to Edward Wilkinson and they had 12 children together - seven...
MISSOULA -Terrence “Terry” Lynn Kelley passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025, surrounded by close loved ones. He was 84 years old. Terry was born on Sept. 6, 1940, and spent his youth in Ronan and Spokane, Washington, later graduating from East Valley High School. He lived a life rich with cu...
BOULDER - James Leroy Wilkinson, 69, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, at his home in Boulder, Montana. Jim was born the second of 12 kids to Ed and Ruth Wilkinson. Jim was a passionate artist who loved life and making memories with family and friends. He spent his life doing a varied numb...
PABLO - Mark William Krause, age 65, passed away on Aug. 5, 2025, at his home in Pablo. A full obituary will follow. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
RONAN - William “Bill” Bartel was born to Alden and Marcella Bartel on July 22, 1956, in Enumclaw, Washington, and left us far too soon on July 24, 2025. Bill moved to Montana in the second grade, and it was there, among the open pastures and rural charm, that his deep love for ranching took r...
RONAN — Elizabeth Hildreth Cummings Preston, 99, died from natural causes on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan, with her family by her side. Beth was born June 14, 1926, in Sidney, Montana, the daughter of Rial Wilson Cummings and Gladys Evangeline (Wheeler) Cummings....
POLSON — An affinity with water flowed through William Owen Lambson’s life, from his childhood in Lexington, Kentucky, to his death July 7, 2025, at his home near the edge of Flathead Lake. He was born Oct. 13, 1962, in New Orleans to Theodora Niemeyer Lambson and Rog...
RONAN — Donna Lou (Aadsen) Daniels, beloved sister, aunt, grandma, and friend, passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane on July 10, 2025. Donna was born on June 27, 1951, in Kalispell, to Donald and Betty Aadsen. She joined her sister, and being a year apart in age they were often mistaken...
Pat Williams once said, “If you want to know who someone really is, give them power and see what they do with it.” What our father did with his life was defend the underdog, protect our wild lands, defend the working poor, Arts and culture, Native people, and children with disabilities. He served...
