Obituaries

RONAN — Richard LeeRoy Johnson of Ronan, passed away, unexpectedly, on Oct. 10, 2023.   Richard was born in Laramie, Wyoming, on Oct. 6, 1970. He attended his early elementary school years in Long Beach, California, and then returned to Walden, Colorado, where he attended until high school. As a teen, he developed a love for sports and cars. At age 16, Richard moved to Greeley, Colorado, to attend AIMS Community College, where he learned the auto body trade. Richard was extremely proud of his artistic capabilities and demonstrated it in his airbrushing, graphics, pin striping, detailing, and painting of automobiles.  Through the years, he also learned several constr...

POLSON — Henry John “HJ” Pieper, age 76, died at home with his family on Oct. 12, 2023. He was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Emil John and Zina Madaline Pieper. Henry graduated from Ronan High School in 1966, joining the US Army and serving in Vietnam the years of 1966-1969. He was empl...

POLSON — Our dear wife, mother, sister, Nana and friend, Cheryl Rodden Maldonado, 68, of Polson, passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side on Oct. 16, 2023, following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Cheryl was born in Oakdale, California, on Jan. 19, 1955, to Grace Marie a...

POLSON — Travis Scott Green, known as Moz to many, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 14, 2022, at the age of 54, in his home in Polson, MT.  Born Oct. 18, 1968 to Barbara and Eli Green, Moz grew up in Phoenix, AZ with his sister, Wendi, and their many friends. After graduating from Gerard Cathol...

WASHINGTON — Gene D. Jorgenson, 74, of Stanfield, Oregon, passed away on Sept. 17, 2023, in Kennewick, Washington. Gene and his twin brother, Jerry, were born on Aug. 17, 1949, in Hettinger, North Dakota, to James R. Jorgenson and E. Margaret Cummings Jorgenson. He moved to Arlee, as an infant and late...

Polson — Nieves Dubuque died surrounded by her children on Nov. 6, 2022. She was 74. She was born in Suncallo, Bolivia, on June 2, 1948, daughter of Ventura Siñani Aruquepa and Anasta Atto Ramos. She had 10 siblings. She moved from Bolivia to Washington, D.C. and made a life with her husband ...

POLSON — Ione Lois Fitzpatrick passed away on Sept. 20, 2023, in Polson. Ione was born on Aug. 10, 1934, in Sidney to Louis E. and Mabel L. Pollard. She was the second of three children. She attended Newlor School, five miles from Sidney, Montana, through the 7th grade. The family moved to Columbia Fal...

CHARLO — We are sad to announce the passing of Claude C. Smith, “Old Man.” He passed away on Sept. 9, 2023, at the age of 60, after a courageous battle with cancer and surrounded by his family. He was born on Nov. 4, 1962, in Ronan to Gerald and Lorelie (Pollard) Smith. Claude loved his ...

ARLEE —Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sept. 16, 2023. Paul was born on Dec. 13, 1947, in Tampa, Florida, to Betty and Tom Philips. Paul, his brother Tom, and sister Anne were raised on Air Force bases around the US and...

RONAN — Linda L. Johnson, 74 years of age, passed away on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born March 28, 1949, in Anaconda, to Margaret Browning (d.1987) and Hiram T. Harrison (d.1953). Linda was the youngest of 10 children.  Linda graduated from Anaconda...