Obituaries

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 Falls in 1947. Ione graduated from Hoads School of Beauty in 1952. She worked at Lavelles Beauty Shop for three years before moving to Ronan and opening her own beauty shop in 1956.  Ione met and married Thomas Gale Fitzpatrick of Hot Springs, Montana in 1959. To this union four sons were born and later Mary Ann Matt came into their lives through foster care and raised by Tom and Io...

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...

POLSON — Beverley Ann Lean, age 77, passed away on Sept. 10, 2023. She was born to Lewis and Alice Geary on June 26, 1946. She was raised in Butte and graduated from Butte High school in 1964. She married her childhood sweetheart Steve Lean, and they were married 58 years until his passing this past Ja...

POLSON — Randal “Randy” Doss passed away on Sept. 11, 2023, surrounded by family at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson after a courageous battle with lung cancer.   Randy was born on May 26, 1970, to Arlene Doss and Richard Doss Sr. He grew up playing baseball, surfing and spending time ...

RONAN — Elly Helen Zoganas Raptou died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 7, 2023, at the age of 86. She had no suffering, no injury, no pain. Recently residing in Ronan with her daughter, Rhea Alexandra Raptou DeLong, and her son-in-law, Matthew DeLong, Elly enjoyed her last few months in the loving car...

RONAN — Charles Michael Hartsoch, 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Ronan, on Sept. 4, 2023.  Chuck was born on Jan. 26,1952, in Kalispell to Grace and Ray Hartsoch and graduated from Polson High School. He later earned a degree in architectural design from Northern Montana College in H...

RONAN — Gretchen Ann Daley Baker was born on Aug. 28, 1928, at Mrs. Culbertson’s Birthing Home in Kalispell, to Glen and Pauline Daley of Rollins. She passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Aug. 31, 2023, at the age of 95. Gretchen grew up in Rollins with her younger sisters, Lois and Glenda....

KALISPELL — Edmond (Ed) Glover Priddy, 88, passed away on Aug. 22, 2023, at The Lodge at Buffalo Hills, of natural causes with his daughter Sheila and niece Barbara by his side. He was born on Aug. 21, 1935, to R.W. “Buster” and Mae Olson-Priddy. Ed grew up on the family ranch in Dixon and ...