Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Obituaries published today
Read through the obituaries published in today's edition of the Missoulian.
MISSOULA — Kim Olson died in her sleep Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, in her Missoula home.
Friends are invited to join the family at graveside for the interment of ashes, Monday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at the Missoula City Cemetery.
MISSOULA — “Mike” John Michael McLean, 67, peacefully passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, at his home June 9, 2018, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Born May 27, 1951, and raised in Butte to Donald William and Alice Florence McLean, he was fourth born between two brothers and six sisters. He moved to Missoula to pursue a B.A. in Social Work at the University of Montana. He married his wife Lori Elizabeth Roth on Nov. 24, 1979, raising a daughter and son together.
Mike was a passionate person for many things life had to offer but his strongest asset was his compassion for people. He devoted his life, helping, mentoring, and touching countless lives, working in Missoula County as Youth Probation Officer for more than 45 years. A jack of many trades and enjoying working with his hands, he was always willing and eager to step in and offer a helping hand no matter the task. A proud Husband, Father, Papa, Brother, Uncle, and Friend, he would put others before himself and always family first. Strong and firm in his faith, he was a devoted Seventh Day Adventist, comforted through his battle knowing he would sleep peacefully until the beautiful morning when Jesus would come for him.
Preceded in passing are his parents and sisters Vicki Ernest, and Shelly Gelling. He is survived by his wife and children Jenny Lynn Burch (David) of Missoula, Todd Michael Roth McLean of Frenchtown, three grandchildren Eryka Lynn McLean, Kayla Brook Wendt, Michael Thomas Burch all of Missoula. Siblings Don McLean, Connie Simon, Patti Voss, Kathy Jory, Tim McLean, and Lyssa LaVelle. Many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Mike had an impact on everyone he encountered and will be missed tremendously.
The family invites all who have been touched by Mike or have a story to share, to join them in a celebration of life (casual attire) on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at 1 p.m. in Mountain View School’s Gym (1010 Clements Rd., Missoula, MT). Mike always enjoyed potlucks, so if you would like, please bring a side to share. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at whitesittfuneralhome.com.
MISSOULA — Elaine H. Brown, 97, of Missoula. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at Garden City Funeral Home. Inurnment at Sunset Memorial Gardens will follow at a later date. Condolences may be shared and a full obituary read at gardencityfh.com.
Luella Elvera DeSilva
MISSOULA — Luella Elvera DeSilva, 101, died on July 2 at home with her family by her side. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home. Services and obituaries to follow.
MISSOULA — Elaine Garnett, 86, passed away at Beehive Homes on July 4. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 9 at 11 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home followed by a reception.
HELENA — Barbara Cheryl Fifer, born in Ohio to Stan and Martha Fifer, was named by her father after Barbara Stanwyck, the model of a fiercely independent woman. His career instilled her love of writing, while her mom fostered her musical creativity with the piano. She adored stories she heard from her Uncle Wade, her best bud during those early years. It’s no wonder she became known as a writer on Lewis and Clark, Montana and Western History, as well as a respected editor of fiction and non-fiction, alike.
Tracking history became inspiration for her eighth-grade science fair project on Radiocarbon dating, for which she placed second in the state. An independent thinker, she was editor of her high school newspaper for Sidney (Ohio) Daily News. Then, continued for two more summers at SDN as an intern. She often credited Bill Amos of Amos Publishing with honing her professional writing skills. She graduated from Ohio University with a BA in creative writing in 1969. Later that year she married Cliff Rackley in Helena beginning her love for Montana. Vivian Palladin mentored her at Montana, the Magazine of Western History, where Barbara became Assistant Editor. An interval in Pennsylvania working at Bro-Dart taught her additional cataloging, indexing and layout skills.
But Montana persisted. She returned to Helena where she lived until the end of her life. She worked for Montana magazine, then, turned to freelance writing of more than 17 books. Her final book co-written with Jerry L Bryant continued the love of the west: a nonfiction biography of Deadwood’s Al Swearingen. She used her experience, creativity and analysis to form raw manuscripts into books ready to be published. For these effects she was recognized by Sidney High School in their Hall of Fame in 2011.
She loved Jazz, Dixieland, and Reggae and Eastern Indian food. Was no costume scary enough for her favorite holiday, Halloween. She believed in the Rainbow Bridge, certainly, by now, meeting with Scannon, Sam and Lavina, and creature. She expertly critiqued short stories, novels, films and music. She liked a lively discussion, a biting satire, supporting womens’ and workers’ rights, was fluent in Spanish and had a photographic memory. She knew the power of showing, not telling, in her prose and editing. She loved the stories from each of the stamps on her passport, feeling most alive when experiencing something new.
Barbara passed on a fine summer day in June 2018, having 70 revolutions around the sun. Her parents and former husband, Cliff, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Linda (Jimmy) Burkhard; cousins: Chris Bynum, Terry Weatherhead, Tomala, Jim, and Doug Spillers, and the Weatherhead Clan from Columbus: Cynthia, Martha, Beth, and Ginger.
Cremation has taken place. To honor Barbara, please consider donating to these organizations:
Montana Association for the Blind, P.O. Box 465, Helena, MT 59624
Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604
Various Chapters of the Lewis & Clark Heritage Trail Foundation
