Obituaries

SAINT IGNATIUS — Russell Owen Wagner (Russ), 70, of Saint Ignatius, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in the Benefis Health System Hospital in Great Falls, of COVID. He was born on July 5, 1951, in Browning, the son of Keith (Bob) and Mary (Billie) Wagner. He attended high school in Hood River, Oregon, graduating in 1969. He learned to fly at an early age, as his father was a pilot and owned Agri-Aviation in Hood River. He worked for his father doing crop dusting and eventually ventured into other types of aviation. His last flying position was as an Air Ambulance Pilot for Guardian Flight and was based out of Ely, Nevada. Flying was his passion. Russ was also a talented m...

BUTTE — Marshall “Papa” Hart Thompson, age 80, of Butte, passed away at St. James Hospital after a short battle with COVID on Dec. 8, 2021.  Marshall was born in Dillon, on May 18, 1941, to Rayburn Edmund and Barbara Alicia (Gray) Thompson. Rayburn and Barbara were both teachers and...

POLSON — Linda Diane Dupuis Pulse was born on Oct. 4, 1942, and raised in Montana and was an enrolled member of the Pend d’Oreille Tribe. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones in Polson on Nov. 22, 2021. Linda was a proud mother, wife, sister, auntie, and cookie grandma.  ...

RONAN — On Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, Gina Teresa Johnson, loving mother, sister, grandmother, auntie, cousin, and friend, passed away at age 63. Gina was born on Jan. 29, 1958, in Ronan, to Adam Grant Kirsch and Bonnie Jean (Hoyt) Kirsch.  Gina grew up in Ronan on the family ranch and graduated f...

CHARLO — Evelyn Howe Allen is with Jesus today, as she was yesterday. She’s walked with Him her whole life and is home now, in that peaceful place. (Quoted from Jack Weber, her grandson.) She passed away on Nov. 28, 2021. Evelyn was born on May 18, 1932, in Dupuyer, to Tom and Lillian (Jones) ...

RONAN — Kristine S. Meili, age 72, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. There are no services planned at this time for Kristine. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider–Thompson Funeral Home.

RONAN — Edward “Mick” Cheff Sr. was born on July 28, 1945, and passed away on July 3, 2021. A memorial service will be held on Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center, 300 Third Ave. NW in Ronan.  Please join Mick’s family for an old-fashioned pie social to celebrate a ...

POLSON — Tonya Doreen Charles was born on Jan. 8, 1958, to Albert and Edith Miller of Snohomish, Washington. Tonya was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother, special aunt and best friend.  On Oct. 31, 2021, she was welcomed to her new forever home by her parents, Albert and Edith; sister in-...

POLSON — Herschel R. Mays passed away at St. Patrick Hospital, surrounded by his sons, on Nov. 2, 2021, at age 78. He was born to Lavina (Smith) and Raymond Mays on Nov. 26, 1942. In Missoula, Herschel met his one and only, Clara Mays; they were married on Oct. 26, 1963. They then had three beloved ...

POLSON — Our loving, talented, and generous mother, Grace Hartsoch, left this world early in the morning of Nov. 17, 2021. Grace was born in 1929 in Kalispell and grew up in the beautiful small town of Dayton. She was the daughter of John and Bertha Ober and sibling to sisters Stella, Esther, Virgin...