Obituaries

PHARR, TEXAS — Gene Arthur Nett, 87, passed away of natural causes on May 17, 2023, in Pharr, Texas. Gene was born on Jan. 27, 1937, along with his twin sister Joann, to Arthur C. and Ruby (Connor) Nett. They joined big brother Russell, growing up on a cattle ranch beneath Haystack Butte in Augusta, Montana. Gene and his siblings grew up riding horses, milking cows, branding calves and working the ranch, while attending school in Augusta. After graduating, Gene joined the Navy before pursuing higher education to become a teacher. Gene went on to teach Industrial Arts classes and coach in Charlo and Worden, Montana, and Greybull, Wyoming, touching countless lives with his knowled...

POLSON — A Celebration of Life luncheon for Lorilie Holyk will  be held on June 17, 2023 at noon at Immaculate Conception Church   

PORTLAND, OREGON — Tatianna Nichole Kimler, 33, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2023, in Portland, Oregon, after a five-month valiant fight with a rare form of acute leukemia. Tatianna made her way home to heaven with her family by her side.  Tatianna was born July 7, 1989, at St. Charles Hos...

  MOIESE — Dick Erb’s life spanned an arc from a 20-acre vegetable farm in New York to a 240-acre hay farm in Montana, with a long and accomplished career in international economic and financial affairs in between. Born April 15, 1942, in Wantagh on Long Island, the son of David and Marga...

POLSON — Oscar Baertsch, age 107, 10 months, 20 days, passed away peacefully of a natural death on Friday, May 26, 2023, at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan. He lived the life of a true Montanan, being born to homesteaders Oscar Author and Bertha (Rowe) Baertsch in Proctor on July 6, 1915. His parents l...

RONAN — Eugene (Gene) Furman Leafty, of Ronan, passed away on May 29, 2023, in Missoula. Gene was born to Lewis Leafty and Alta Steele, on Feb. 25, 1934, in Falls City, Nebraska.  Gene joined the Navy while quite young in 1951. He served in Korea and served during the Vietnam war. He was on one...

A Celebration of Life POLSON — Colleen Rhea Kelley was killed in a traffic accident on Sunny Slope north of Polson on October 20, 2022. She was born in Portland, Oregon, on June 12, 1960.         Colleen is profoundly mourned by her mother, Mary Kelley, formerly of Polson, and ...

POLSON — Boyd Clyde Foster, age 86, passed away of natural causes on May 27, 2023, at his summer home in Polson. He spent winters in Georgetown, Texas, near Austin, and made that home his permanent residence in his later years. Boyd was born April 2, 1937, in Teigan, Montana, to William and Beatrice (S...

POLSON — Boyd Clyde Foster, age 86, passed away of natural causes on May 27, 2023, at his summer home in Polson. He spent winters in Georgetown, Texas, near Austin, and made that home his permanent residence in his later years. Boyd was born April 2, 1937, in Teigan, Montana, to William and Beatrice (S...

RONAN — Joanne Beaver Emerson, age 68, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at her home. She was born on Jan. 31, 1955, in Missoula to Larry and Patricia (Lynn) Beaver. Joanne was raised in Polson and graduated from Polson High School in 1973. She had many happy memories gr...