Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries published today
Read through the obituaries published in today's edition of the Missoulian.
MISSOULA — Margaret “Jeanne” Wilson, 95, of Missoula, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, June 10, 2018, with family and friends at bedside.
She was born an only child on Nov. 27, 1922, in Anoka, Minnesota, to Howard and Nora May Hill. At five her family moved to Williams, Arizona, where she graduated high school. She played the clarinet and piano and loved choir and drama. She attended Flagstaff College where she worked as a secretary and learned stenography. During WWII, she found employment in Flagstaff, Arizona, as a bank teller.
After the war she met a handsome petroleum geologist, her future husband of 59 years, Woodrow “Woody” Wilson. They married on July 28, 1950. Jeanne raised their two children as a homemaker, but rejoined the workforce in her 60s as a Hallmark store clerk. “Snowbirds” between Missoula and Mesa, Arizona, for years, they finally settled in Missoula. Into her 90s, Jeanne was still employed as a bookkeeper. She never retired.
Jeanne and Woody cruised the world. Jeanne loved Christmas and filled their homes with food, decorations and beautifully wrapped packages. Jeanne collected dolls and crafted dollhouses. She played bridge nearly every day. She was named an American Contract Bridge Golden Age Master, last year.
Survivors include her son, Dennis and wife Holly Wilson (Old Town, Idaho) and four children and families; her daughter Cathryn and husband Lamar Rase (Missoula) and two children and families. Jeanne has five great-grandchildren.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens with son Dennis officiating. A memorial service will be held at her church, Christian Life Center, July 9, 2018, at 2 p.m.
HELENA — “Mama Bear” Glenda Laurie Thiele, 60, of Helena, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at St. Peter’s Hospital of organ failure.
Glenda was born Aug. 20, 1957, to Samuel and Mary Lou Cooper in Missoula. She was named after her Grandpa Ailport and her Grandma Cooper. She grew up in Missoula and was a true patriotic Montanan. In her early years, she loved to ride bikes and play kickball. Glen loved attending the Western Montana Fair and helping in the VFW food booth. She was a member of 4H. Glen attended Sentinel High School and later earned her GED. Glenda had a sharp wit, sense of humor, would give you the shirt off her back, and lived large!
Glenda, like her Mom and sisters, started working at the 4B’s Restaurant on E. Broadway in Missoula. She eventually became a cook and always had a hard time just cooking for one! For the last seven years, Glenda worked for Helena Industries as a cutter and inspector until their closing in early April. She had just started working for Walmart and was so excited to start her new adventure in retail.
In 1982, she met James Thiele in Lubbock, Texas. They married on Sept. 2, 1983, and decided to stay in Montana. In 1989, they had twins — Matthew Dale and Meggan Carol. They were married 23 years, when Jim died of lung cancer in 2007. Glenda lost her soul-mate and “rock”; she was heart-broken and never got over the loss.
She enjoyed a great game of cribbage or pinochle. Glenda was a life member of the VFW Post 209 Auxiliary. She loved to make chocolates with her Mom and had a secret recipe for huckleberry cheesecake. Glenda loved Yellowstone National Park and could spot all the animals first!
She was preceded in death by her beloved Jim, parents, grandparents, mother-in law Carol, and brother-in-law Duane Carlton. She is survived by her son, Matthew (Elonda) of Great Falls, daughter Meggan (Joey) Edwards of Helena, sisters Cindy Carlton of Bozeman, Patti Jo Loewen (Robert Jackson) of Granite Falls, Washington, and Beth Cooper of Drummond, grandchildren Lilli, Weston, Haydyn, Willoh, and Braxton, a large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends to include Pam Moore and Mike Farrell.
Services will be held on July 7 at 2 p.m. in Helena at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan, with refreshments to follow.
Glenda will be deeply loved forever and missed by all who knew her. Rest in peace, “Mama Bear” Glen!
Please visit retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Glenda.
MISSOULA — Donald L. Pearson, born Aug. 14, 1933, in Montezuma, Iowa, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Oct. 23, 2017.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 where he was stationed post WWII in Germany. From there he moved to Anaheim, California, where he met the love of this life, Alta Engebretson. They were happily married for 60 years and had four children together.
His career started in California, took him to New Jersey and back, and eventually led him to Missoula where he built their dream home and lived for 45 years until his passing. While in Missoula he worked for Champion International as a Machine Shop Supervisor for 25 years.
He loved all things Montana: hunting, fishing and summertime boating with his kids and grandchildren, but his favorite pastime was his motorcycle rides. He owned motorcycles starting in late 1950s all the way until his death. From long road trips exploring Montana to dirt biking in the woods, if it was a sunny day you could always find him on one of his many bikes. He also loved to travel with his wife including their favorite trips to Greece and Israel.
As much as he loved his hobbies, the thing he loved the most were his grandchildren and supporting them in all their endeavors. Some of his fondest memories were his grandsons’ sporting events. He attended each and every game, including trips across the state and all the way to Oregon and Arizona. He could always be found in the back row of any event with a video camera in his hand and a smile on his face!
He was preceded in death by his father, John Pearson, mother, Aimee Pearson and infant son, Donald Ray Pearson. He is survived by his wife, Alta Pearson, brother Raymond Pearson, sister, Joyce Wallace, son, Steve Pearson, daughters, Dianne Williams & Donna Carver (Gary), grandchildren, Dustin (Krissy), Brianna (Brandon), Brandy, Kelsey, Shaley (Max), Mitchell (MaryBeth), Devin (Stormy), Dillon, Turner and Shelby, 13 great-grandchildren and so many wonderful friends from church and work.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 22 at 2 p.m. at the Christian Life Center, 3801 S. Russell St., with a reception to follow where everyone is encouraged to share his or her memories of Don.
HELENA — John North, age 70, of Helena, passed away March 1, 2018. A celebration of John’s life will be held from noon until the cows come home, on Saturday, June 23 at the family’s home, 707 2nd Street. Memorial donations may be sent to the Prickly Pear Land Trust, P.O. Box 892, Helena, MT 59624 or to The Nature Conservancy of Montana, 32 S. Ewing St. Suite 215, Helena, MT 59601, or Last Chance Public Radio P.O Box 1072, Helena, MT 59624, or any other public radio station of one’s choosing. Please visit retzfuneralhome.com to offer condolences or share a memory of John.
MISSOULA — April 19, 1934 - May 28, 2018
“Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses” is what the angels sang as they welcomed our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Sam, through the gates of heaven on Memorial Day 2018.
Sam was born in Fishtail to parents Homer and Laura Cooper. He attended grade school in Dean and high school in Absarokee. He grew up helping on the family ranch. In 1951, he enlisted in the Army and served in South Korea with the 25th Division until Sept. 18, 1954. During this time he began writing to a friend’s sister and upon his discharge, he hitchhiked to Clinton to meet Mary Lou Ailport. They married on Oct. 2, 1954. They were together for 62 years until Mary Lou’s passing in July 2017.
Sam started logging in the late 50s with Long Logging Inc. and later became self-employed. He owned logging trucks and a loader and worked with Columbia Helicopters of Oregon for several years. He loved working in the woods and never got a single tick! He later did cross-country hauling with a “low-boy”. He boasted about having five million miles under his belt and could tell you what exit to take for gas anywhere in the USA.
Sam and Mary Lou were active in their four daughters’ lives. He loved to watch football on Sundays. He loved to fish Puget Sound and drove to Alaska twice for halibut fishing. He was an excellent cribbage player and enjoyed fast games of pinochle with family! He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 209 in Missoula, held numerous leadership positions, and worked diligently to raise money to benefit disabled American Veterans. Old Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin cookies were his favorite and Mom always had a good supply on hand!
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, parents-in-law Glenn and Elsie Ailport, brother John, sister Betty, brothers-in-law Theodore, Arthur, and Thomas, and sons-in-law James Thiele and Duane Carlton. His daughter Glenda (Cooper) Thiele passed away three days after him on May 31, 2018.
He is survived by daughters Cindy Carlton, Patti Jo Loewen (Robert Jackson), Beth Cooper, brother Pete Cooper, sister Clara Torczon, sister in-law Martha Cooper, sisters- in-law Joanne (Howard) Long, Rose Ann Torrance, Nancy (Charlie) Rodgers, brothers- in-law Larry(Barbara ) Ailport, Tim Ailport, Bobby Gene (Joann) Ailport, grandchildren Clint (Jessica) Carlton, Kat Carlton, Matthew Thiele (Elonda), Meggan (Joey) Edwards, Frank Loewen (Katie B), Coltan Cooper-Davis, eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to friends and family Garrett, Ken, Jim and Faye, Jack and Susan, Sonny and Bobbie, Charlie, Nancy, Kreg and Julie for their regular visits over the last five months! Sam passed peacefully at home. His family would like to express a heart-felt appreciation for the love, care and skills shared with him by the amazing support teams of Partners in Home Care and Harvest Home Care, his sister Clara and daughters Beth and Cindy with constant support from Glen and Patti.
Services will be held at Garden City Funeral Home on Broadway and Mullan Road at 2 p.m. June 20, 2018, with refreshments and snacks to follow.
POLSON — Lesa Marie Weddle, 71, of Polson, went to fly with her angels on June 12, 2018.
She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sept. 9, 1946. She was a bright and shining light in the eyes of so many and will be missed beyond words. She was happily enjoying her retirement years. She loved traveling to see her sisters, boating, reading, painting, playing cards, and her non-admitted addiction to Candy Crush. She was in her happy place being surrounded by family and friends, having good food and drinks and a good card game.
She is survived by her daughter, Rochelle (Shelly) Moore and son, Keith Moore, both of Polson. Her grand puppy, Justin Moore of Denver, Colorado, granddaughter, Jessica Moore, and her favorite of all, her miniature English Bulldog Abbey; sisters, Peggy (Bob) Marty of Aurora, Colorado, Sandra (Bruce) Mannakee of Tucson, Arizona and Pam Young of Franklin, Indiana. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Monique Lyons, Chris Fuchs, Kelly (Ron) Bowen, Brian Mannakee, Jeff (Chloe) Boger, Kim (Jared) Sneed, Kelley (Scott) Robinson, 14 great nieces and nephews, four great great nieces and one great great nephew as well as many amazing friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard K. Hashagen and Esther (Roberts) Hashagen and her granddaughter Jazmine Moore.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The International Heart Institute, 500 West Broadway, Ste 320, Missoula MT 59802.
There will be a celebration of her life on Sunday, June 24 at noon at Cheers in Pablo. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, is assisting the family with Lesa’s arrangements.
Donna Caras
MISSOULA — Donna Caras, 60, of Missoula, died on June 15. A full obituary will follow. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home.
MISSOULA — On June 4, 2018, Joanne McElroy Braida passed and joined her husband, parents, brothers and sisters in eternal bliss. Joanne was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 11, 1935. Shortly after her birth her parents returned to Montana which had been their original home. She grew up near Miles City and was involved in band and the high school choir. She had a moment of stardom at age 14 when she sang Christmas Carols on the radio. Her father commented that her voice was that of an angel in heaven. She met her future husband, John L. Braida in Livingston where her parents had moved after she graduated high school. They were married on March 4, 1955. They had four children and lived in Great Falls where John was an engineer with the United States Forest Service. Joanne was mostly a stay home mom but occasionally worked as a night club singer so she could give a little extra to their four children at Christmas. John was transferred to Missoula in 1976 by the U.S. Forest service and this is where they remained. John passed away in 1998.
Joanne remained in Missoula and is survived by their four children, Lawrence Braida, who resides in Billings, Jeffery Braida, who lives in Great Falls, Nicole Braida, MD, who lives in San Antonio, Texas, and Timothy Braida, who lives in Missoula. In addition she has two granddaughters and three grandsons and two great grandsons.
Joanne’s cremated remains will be distributed with those of her husband in the Lewis and Clark National Forest per their wishes on a later date yet to be determined.
