Remembering Missoula and Western Montana neighbors: Today's obituaries
Read through obituaries from Missoulian
MISSOULA — Neva Frances McRae, 85, of Missoula, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, at home of complications from dementia and with family at her bedside. A celebration of life is planned on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at Garden City Funeral Home (1705 W. Broadway in Missoula) at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Neva’s honor to a charity of your choice. Following Neva’s wishes her body has been donated to science and after cremation the remains will be returned to the family.
SAN DIEGO, California — A historical Missoula family has lost another legendary member. Joe Turmell, the son of Alfred and Ella and the brother of John Turmell, passed away very peacefully in San Diego on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019.
Joe graduated from Sentinel High and the University of Montana. He ran for the Mayor of Missoula in 1976 and was instrumental in the establishment of the Mountain Line. He was a successful banker in Livingston, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica. Following his banking career, Joe owned a business in Mexicali, Mexico that is still in the family.
Joe was married three times, had three children, and many friends along the way.
After a memorial later this month in San Diego, Joe's' Missoula "crew" will gather next summer at Flathead to remember and honor him with one more ride on the lake.
Joes' memory will live on in the hearts and minds of many along with all of the great stories he recalled about growing up in Montana. May he rest in peace.
RONAN — On the evening of Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, Bonnie Gauthier Rice, loving mother, grandmother and sister, was called home at the age of 66.
Bonnie was born on June 23, 1953, in St. Ignatius to Louie and Mary Gauthier. She was raised on the family ranch in Arlee, the youngest of five children. Bonnie spent her early years attending school in Arlee, riding horses, doing chores and pestering her older brothers and sister. She was the family keeper of the pets, finder of lost objects and the apple of her daddy’s eye.
The family moved to Missoula when Bonnie was in fifth grade. She adjusted to life in town by staying active in Junior Riders, piano lessons and school, attending Lewis and Clark Elementary. She attended Hellgate High School in Missoula and Polson High School then finished High School at a Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding School in Roswell New Mexico in 1971.
Bonnie lived and worked in several states over the next few years ending up in Seattle in the mid-1970s. It was there she met the love of her life, Bill Rice. In 1978 Jeremy Rice was born to Bonnie and Bill. By then, Bonnie had moved to Butte, USA where she opened “Lady B’s” clothing store. After a couple of years Bonnie and Bill relocated to Kalispell for a short time before settling in Pablo. Bonnie, an enrolled member, went to work for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in 1981. Her employment with the Tribes continued until her failing health forced her retirement in 2010. In all, she spent nearly 30 years working with the Tribes in several capacities where she made many friends. She was known for her ability to say what others were thinking, creating many hilarious memories. During this period, Bonnie also worked at the family steak house, Gauthier’s. She often caught hell for buying too many drinks.
Bonnie was active in the Cursillo movement in the mid 80s and made many friends and developed a deep faith in God. Bonnie was a loyal friend and advisor. She would listen to any problem without judgement. She had friends from all walks of life and loved each of them. She was a loving aunt and confidant to her many nieces and nephews. Bonnie was great company, played a dominant game of pinochle, and enjoyed a good story, suitable or not! Her favorite thing in the world though was her granddaughter Monique. That little girl brought so much love and entertainment to Bonnie over her last couple of years, she was always happy in spite of significant health issues. She never complained.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Louie and Mary, Sister Vickie McCarthy, and former husband and best friend Bill Rice.
She is survived and terribly missed by her son Jeremy Rice and his wife Melissa, granddaughter Monique, Brothers Larry (Jolene), and Gary, both of Polson, Bob (Myrna) of Ronan, step-mother Dean Gauthier of Missoula, step-daughters Terri Gordon-Rice and Linda Westland-Rice and step son Patrick (Theresa) Rice in Washington and newest brother Bob Decker of Arizona. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cremation has taken place. A rosary will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Sunday, December 1 at 8 p.m. and Mass on Monday, December 2 at 10 a.m. at the church. Messages of condolences can be shared with the family online at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
MISSOULA — Evelyn Joyce Kemmer, 81, born in Harlowton on Aug. 21, 1938, died at home peacefully on Nov. 12, 2019.
She leaves her husband Marx W. Kemmer, daughters; Crystal L. Mickey, Theresa D. Kemmer, son Marx T. Kemmer, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and numerous extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her only sister and grandson.
Visitation will be held at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, on Friday, Nov. 22 from 6 - 8 p.m. Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3026 South Avenue W on Saturday, Nov. 23 with viewing starting at 10 a.m. and the funeral at 11 a.m. Condolences can be left for the family at gardencityfh.com.
MISSOULA — Barbara Ann Zarling, 80, of Missoula, died of dementia Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at Bee Hive Homes.
Barbara was born July 13, 1939, in Missoula to Robert and Avis Solander, and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1957. After high school she attended business school in Spokane and the University of Montana.
In 1962, Barbara married Ken Zarling. They raised three honorable children. Later, Barbara became an irreplaceable child care provider for several Missoula families and kept up with "her kids" for life.
Kindness and generosity were Barbara's constant companions. As the oldest Solander grandchild, Barbara was the hub of the family for decades; her door was always open. She enjoyed family history, reading and home design.
Survivors include her husband, Ken Zarling of Missoula, her son, Scott Zarling and daughters Lexi and Lacey, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and her brother, Terry Solander and wife Bev, of Sherwood, Oregon.
Preceding her in death were her parents, son Steve Shea and daughter Suzy Zarling.
A family ceremony will be held in the summer. The family appreciates the wonderful care Hospice of Missoula and Bee Hive Memory Care staff provided for Barbara.
BOISE, Idaho — On Oct. 8, 2019, Roger Hearst, devoted husband and father, passed away at the age of 88. Roger was often known to say, "You'll miss me when I'm gone," and we will miss him greatly.
Roger was born the middle of five children to Allen and Mildred Hearst on Jan. 2, 1931, in Thomson Falls. Roger's laughter and joy for life were infectious, making it easy for new and old friends to share thoughts and ideas.
Roger's childhood started in a remote mining camp in Neihart and later, in seventh grade, the family moved to Plains. After high school, Roger joined the US Coast Guard and after serving for four years, returned to Montana, where he attended Montana State University and eventually met Nita, his love and wife who he married in 1957.
When not studying, Roger enjoyed fishing and canoeing the Gallatin River. Canoeing trips were always an adventure. Friends could find themselves inadvertently enjoying a day swimming or sometimes remaining dry. He enjoyed exploring the Beartooth, Bridger, and Gallatin mountain ranges in search of great fishing. After years of research, the best fly-fishing spot in Bozeman was an off-limits reservoir that supplied water for the city.
During summers off from MSU, Roger fought remote forest fires as a smokejumper. After graduation, Roger and Nita moved to Dickinson, North Dakota, where he worked at the Job Corps. Several years later, the family returned to St. Regis and the Lolo National Forest. Roger oversaw the fire crews for the district. It was said that Roger had driven on every dirt road in the county at one time or another. It was not unheard of that fire crews in search of off roads to wildfires would call him to ask the best way to get into the backcountry.
Roger and Nita raised three sons, Lee, Dean, and Terry. Summer evenings included cutting firewood, picking huckleberries, catching trout from ice-cold mountain streams, hand churning ice cream (which made Roger "fat and sassy"), and watching Lawrence Welk Sunday evenings. With help from family and friends, Roger and Nita built a passive solar home in Superior. Passing the driveway to the house, travelers were amused by an always changing variety of Burma Shave replicate signs.
Roger retired from the Forest Service in 1982. Never one to sit still, Roger continued to be active in the community and served as Mineral Country Fire Warden, conservation board member, hospital board member and was active in the United Methodist Church.
While canoeing down rivers, fishing canyon streams, or hiking on the continental divide, Roger could be found taking photographs of rarely seen panoramas and historic mining communities. Roger often commented that he was "rest'n and relax'n" and would do more of that in retirement. In retirement Roger and Nita traveled to Arizona and reconnected with friends during the cold and snowy months. Roger's hikes through the desert southwest introduced him to hikers using walking sticks. Seeing an opportunity to "rest and relax," Roger would spend summers harvesting and crafting Montana-grown lodgepole saplings and take them south to the desert trailheads of Arizona for hikers to use and keep.
Roger and Nita were introduced to the NOMADS during their travels. The NOMADS, a volunteer outreach of the United Methodist Church, provides free maintenance, cleaning, painting, and other assistance to churches and community outreach facilities. Roger and Nita would eventually help on ten NOMAD sites during their desert vacations.
Roger is survived by his sisters Eleanor and Dorothy, as well as his wife and three sons/their wives, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Roger was preceded in death by his brothers Lorin and Bob.
Services will be held in the Multipurpose Room of the Superior High School, 410 Arizona Ave. in Superior on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at 1 p.m.
The family requests donations be made in Roger’s name to Habitat for Humanity, the Shriner’s Hospital or the American Cancer Association.
Please visit Roger’s memorial web page at bowmanfuneral.com.
ENUMCLAW, Washington — Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother was born on Jan. 4, 1934, to DeWilma and Amelia Weishaar Guy in Missoula. She passed away in Enumclaw, Washington on Sept. 21, 2019, surrounded by family, following a hip fracture complicated by Parkinson's disease.
Gloria's childhood was spent in many small railroad towns in Western Montana. Her father was a lifelong railway man and the family moved often, sometimes making their home in a railway car. Her high school years were in Garrison and she graduated from Powell County High School in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, and love of her life, Tommy Thompson of Gold Creek on Jan. 30, 1954. The young couple made their home in Missoula in 1958 where they raised their five children.
Gloria began her long career in banking in 1968 and retired from Western Bank in 1990 after many years as supervisor of the Auto Bank. She continued to work part-time for Mohave Bank in Lake Havasu City, Arizona after she and Tom moved to the southwest in 1991.
Although she loved her life as a career woman, Gloria's focus was centered on her husband and family. Gloria was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and her smile was dazzling. It expressed the essence of her personality-generous, kind and loving. She was non-judgmental and loved friends and family just as they were. Gloria was unfailingly supportive of her children and gave them her limitless and unconditional love. She will be remembered for her patient, easy-going, and cheerfully optimistic nature. She always made time to be present for her family.
Lifelong sun lovers, Gloria and Tom enjoyed retirement in Arizona and later southern Utah. They explored the natural beauty of the area, often hunting for fossils and arrowheads in their motorhome. They made many treks over the years to join their sons and later grandsons, hunting big game in Wyoming and Montana and to Southern California to visit their daughters. Always fashionable, glamorous and with an enviable figure, Gloria was just as comfortable in boots and jeans as she was in her beloved high heels. Multiple trips to Hawaii and Tahiti were travel highlights after the children were grown.
From childhood Gloria was a gifted artist and in retirement she made many beautiful pieces, from hand-painted birthday cards and meticulously painted ceramics to exquisite needlepoint creations. Her beautifully crafted afghans are family treasures. Gloria spent hours creating memory books for each of her children, capturing many happy times spent together. Gloria loved to play games, especially with her family, and enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, the more difficult the better, solving Sudoku and reading.
As one of her children said, Gloria lived a long, loving and peaceful life. We should all be so lucky.
Gloria is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, Thomas Thompson of Enumclaw, Washington, her children Guy Thompson (Katherine) Newcastle, Washington, Steve Thompson, Bothell, Washington, Dan (Michelle Sullivan) Hamilton, Loraine Thaler (Steve) Ventura, California, Nadine Garcia (David) Vista, California, five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, brother Stanley Guy, Pacific Palisades, California, sisters Midge Harris, Portland, Oregon and Deanna Melnychuck, Phoenix, Arizona and many friends and extended family in the Missoula area.
LAFAYETTE, California — Estelle “Bumpsy” McFarland Byrne, much loved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 9, 2019, aged 88.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph “Joe” W. Byrne, 1931-2016, and survived by many members of her large family. Estelle grew up in Missoula, graduating from the University of Montana and attending Art Center in Pasadena, California. She worked as a commercial artist before marrying and starting a family, and was an active artist her entire life, working primarily in watercolors and pastels. Estelle and Joe lived in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and on retirement, split their time between Montana, Lebanon, Pennsylvania and the Saddlebrooke community of Tucson, Arizona. They moved to Lafayette, California in 2011 to be closer to family.
We will all remember Estelle’s laugh, generosity, love for family, and passion for art. To honor Estelle and Joe, the family welcomes donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Lucas Gene Sampson
HAMILTON — Lucas Gene Sampson, 1, born Dec. 17, 2017, to Rebecca and Neil Sampson, died in the afternoon, Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Room. Brothers Mortuary and Crematory are honored to care for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at brothersmortuary.com.
Ilo Deanne Hendricksen-Hutton
WALLA WALLA, Washington — Ilo Deanne Hendricksen-Hutton, 89, died Nov. 12 in Walla Walla, Washington.
Gary J. Moon
FLORENCE — Gary J. Moon, 76, died at Community Medical Center on Nov. 13. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home and will be announced.
James "Jim" Hill
MISSOULA — James "Jim" Hill, 69, died Wednesday, Nov. 13 at his home in Missoula. Arrangements are pending with Whitesitt Funeral Home.
MISSOULA — James R. Rupp passed away in his home surrounded by his loved ones on of Nov. 11 2019. He was married to his wife Vinette, for 49 wonderful years. He was the father to five children, Holly, Kristine, Charlie, Bill and Mary. Jim was grandpa to 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He had three siblings Ernest, Sally and Mary. He loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also loved playing pool. One of his favorite things was going on adventures with his son Charlie. He enjoyed spending time with his family and some of his most dear friends, Jesse, Tammy and Richard. He will be missed and remembered by all. He will live on in our hearts. Condolences can be sent to 1839 Sherwood St. #26, Missoula, MT 59802.
