Obituaries

BIG ARM — Anita Carol Big Spring-Funke, passed away on July 30, 2023. She was born May 30, 1958, in Browning to Darlene and Adam Big Spring.  Anita’s youth was spent between East Glacier and Hill 57- Great Falls MT, Chamawa Indian School in Oregon, and Kellogg, Idaho. An ambitious teen, Anita left the family home at the age of 16. She picked up many trades in her youth from waiting tables to welder’s assistant along the Hi-Line of eastern Montana. Anita’s heritage was Metis Cree and Blackfeet. She was enrolled with the Blackfeet Nation. However, the CSKT Reservation is where she laid her roots and raised her two children. She married James Adams II of Kell...

POLSON —  Janis Marie Irwin went to be with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, on Aug. 30, 2023. She was born in Muncie, Indiana on July 18th, 1952, to Merl and Alberta Green. Her mother survives her.  Jani, as she was fondly called by her family and friends, received her LPN from Ball Mem...

CHARLO — Just a couple weeks past her 101st birthday, Joyce Louise Ivens Macklin peacefully passed away from natural causes at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan on Aug. 7, 2023. Weighing just over 4 pounds, Joyce was born July 22, 1922, in Delafield, Wisconsin. She was the first child born to Anita Ivens...

KALISPELL — Ryan Dale Anderson, age 73, of Ronan, passed away on May 2, 2023, at Logan Health in Kalispell. Come help us celebrate the life of Ryan Anderson on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Polson Elks Lodge. Military Honors will be at 2 p.m. Arrangements are under the care of Shr...

RONAN — Robert Gary “Bobby” Petticrew, passed away at his home on July 28, 2023, surrounded by his family. Bobby, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, was born on April 23, 1948, to his mother, Geraldine Bisson, and father, Edgar Petticrew, in St. Ignatius. He was the fif...

POLSON — Dean Durand, 82, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at The Retreat in Polson. Dean was born to Paul and Arlene Durand on June 13, 1941. He grew up in Issaquah, Washington and graduated in 1959. He married Judy and later divorced. Dean was lured to the Mission Valley by his wife, Jo. Thou...

POLSON — A Celebration of Life in honor of Maureen Theiler will be held on Friday, Aug. 18, at 11:30 a.m. at Boettcher Park, shelter #2. In honor of her “joie de vie,” please wear bright colored clothing. Anyone wishing to share a memory or story is welcome to do so. Lunch will follow the c...

VIRGINIA — On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, James W. Blow, a beloved dad, grandfather, coach, teacher and retired Naval Officer, passed away. He was sixty-eight. Born to Agnes and Harry Blow on Dec. 29, 1954. James graduated from Emporia High School, class of 1972, and upon graduation he joined the Navy. Whi...

BILLINGS — Geraldine Swainston Maughan was born in Afton, Wyoming, on Dec. 5, 1934. She returned to her Heavenly Father on July 10, 2023, in Billings. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne (2004), and son, Dale (1983). She is survived by her children: Pam Dark, Ramona Smith, Loraine Nygard...

POLSON — Jim Ray Fahlgren, age 68, passed away on March 28, 2023, at his residence. A Celebration of Life service for Jim will be held on Saturday, July 29, at noon at the Valley View Club. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.