Obituaries

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Virginia Gail Vaughn (Gilchrist-Burghardt), 64, passed away on Dec. 10, 2020, at the University of Washington Medical Center with her three children by her side, Sean Gilchrist, Jamie Congdon and Ashley Crowe.  Gail was born in 1956 to Robert and Virginia Vaughn in Burbank, California. She moved to Montana in 1978 with husband Scott and son Sean. They raised their three children in Bigfork until she and daughter Ashley moved to Polson in 1998. Gail was a beloved teacher in Polson elementary schools for 27 years and ended her career with a Masters in Educational Technology, and a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She devoted countless...

POLSON — Barbara Maria Wood Medland, passed away peacefully at her home in Polson with family by her side at the age of 90 on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. Barbara was born on Sept. 7, 1930, to Raymond and Ella Wood in Brooklyn, New York.  She and her five sisters grew up in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, wh...

POLSON — William Ray Thibodeau (Tibby), left this life for the racetrack in heaven on Dec. 6, 2020. He died of natural causes surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born in Missoula to William (Ray) and Beatrice (McLaughlin) Thibodeau on June 3, 1943. Bea remarried Wellington (Bill) Palmer in 1946 b...

RONAN — “No-one enjoys Or’Bits, but if one is going out … do it with dignity and smile. Whatever you achieve in life; know that you loved and were loved.” — Marion Smith Jr. Marion, a Montana native, passed away to higher calling on Nov. 9, 2020. He was born to Marion ...

PABLO — John R. Anderson went to sing with the angels on Dec. 5, 2020. He was born on July 8, 1931, in Halsey, Nebraska. On Aug. 12, 1951, he married JoAnna Lincoln. They had three children, Steven, Fredrick, and Bonnie. He was in the U.S. Navy for five years and a meat cutter for 40 years.   J...

RONAN — Margaret May Dawson, age 89, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at St. Luke Community Hospital. Margaret was born on May 28, 1931, to Henry and Louise Felde in Clearmont, Wyoming. She graduated from Stevensville High School. She worked as a dry cleaning presser for many years. After reti...

PABLO — Virginia M. “Ginny” Ness (Schlepp) passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. She was born to John and Mathilda Schlepp on July 13, 1942, in Cohagen, Montana. She attended school in Cohagen and Jordan, Montana, graduating in 1959. She received her CNA certification...

LINCOLN — Barbara J. Wingender French, passed suddenly on Nov. 13, 2020, at her home in Lincoln, Montana. Barbara was born on Jan. 13, 1955, in Winnemucca, Nevada, to Randall and Mary Christine Wingender. She was a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead reservati...

POLSON — Ormand Bruce Eastman, age 94, passed away on Nov. 7, 2020. Ormand was born in Whittier, California, the first child of Barney and Katheryn (Doty) Eastman. He went through his school years in California. In 1944, when he turned 18, he enlisted in the Navy and spent the balance of WWII on the de...

MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA — Charles William (Bill) Putnam, 85, Minot, formerly of the Grand Forks and Alsen area, North Dakota, died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in a Minot nursing home. Bill was born on Oct. 26, 1935, at Grand Forks, North Dakota, the son of Charles and Louise (Rund) Putnam. He was raise...