Obituaries

RONAN — Sally Deane Bailey Cook, born July 18, 1938, passed away May 19, 2024, at the age of 85, in Missoula, of natural causes. Sally was the daughter of Art and Blanche (Noble) Bailey. She grew up in Valley View. She shared her home with three older sisters and one younger brother. JoAnne Bailey Finch, being the only sibling living, resides in Polson. Sally loved being “the baby sister.” She attended grade school at the Valley View School and attended high school in Polson. Sally married Johny Cook Jr. October 16, 1955. After living in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a short time, they moved to Polson where they started their family. Their children: Rita (Jim) of Missoula, Joh...

AMARILLO, TEXAS — Joseph Elden Cullen peacefully passed away on February 12, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. He was born on Feb. 24, 1940, to Laurence ‘Tut’ and Edna Cullen in Ronan. He graduated from high school in 1958 and married Linda Heppner in Polson on Aug. 26, 1961. After high school, Joe...

POLSON — Elsie Mae (Funk) Brown, age 95, passed away at her home in Polson on Feb. 6, 2024. She was born on Aug. 14, 1928, in Joplin, Montana, to Waldo and Verna (Sauer) Funk. She attended schools in Joplin. Elsie met Deane Brown in Whitefish while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Deane and Elsie we...

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON — Marnee Kieckbush passed away in Vancouver, Washington on June 10, 2024. She was born on Oct. 19, 1932, in Helena. She lived in Ronan from 1982-1999 and co-owned the K-Klub in Pablo with her father and sister from 1982-1986. She was a huge Montana Griz fan. She then moved to Vanc...

RONAN — William C. Hocker passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on May 29, 2024, at 7:43 a.m. of natural causes at 100 years of age. He was born on March 23, 1924, in Helena. His parents were Almon Hocker and Mamie Marie Hocker of Ronan. William graduated from Ronan High School in 194...

LIBBY — After a two-year crusade against esophageal cancer, Bruce Timothy Moog was called to be with Christ on April 9, 2024, at home with daughter, Andrea D. Moog and wife, Sandra L. Moog by his side. Bruce joined his five siblings, Robert, Gary, Daren, Mick, and Shila to become the sixth blessing ...

RONAN — JoAnn Hall, age 88, passed away from natural causes on May 27, 2024, at St Luke Extended Care.  JoAnn was born on Dec. 6, 1935, to Dale and Alma (Johnson) Greenland in Kalispell. JoAnn married Anthony Olson on July 14, 1951. They soon brought their first daughter, Linda into the world, ...

MISSOULA — Sally Cook, 85, passed away on May 19, 2024, in Missoula. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory. 

RONAN — Donald Brian Woods was born in Rochester, Minnesota, on Dec. 5, 1962, to S. Dwight and Marilyn Woods. He peacefully passed away at the age of 61 on May 8, 2024, after a short battle with advanced pancreatic cancer.  Dad was the fourth of five children. He grew up in Kansas City through ...

POLSON — A memorial and celebration of life for James B. Payson and wife, Virginia Lorraine Payson, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Polson, at 11 a.m. on May 29, 2024. James Boyd Payson died on Sept. 10, 2022, in Polson. He was born on Oct. 22, 1932, in Clay County, South Dakota, to...