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HELEN MAY COWIN
TACOMA, Wash. -- Helen May Cowin died here on Sept. 23, 2001.
She was born April 30, 1917, in St. Ignatius to Thurman and Mary Sousley.
She was adverturesome in her youth, once hopping a train with her husband, Ray (who was looking for work), as it was leaving for Spokane, WA, from Ronan.
She strived for perfection in all she did, such as cooking, keeping house, sewing and gardening. Her rose garden even attracted the attention of passersby, who would ask for permission to photograph it.
Trauma to the left side of her brain at the age of 39 left her with a metal plate in her head and the loss of her independence. She spent a number of years in hospitals and nursing homes before taking up residence with her sister, Grace, for 22 years, and then her niece, Joyce, for almost 17 years.
She w preceeded in death by her brother, Henry Sousley, and her parents.
She is survived by her son, Sid Cowin (Anacortes, WA); her daughter, Mary Webber (Klamath Falls, OR); a sister, Grace S. Kaflestad (Tacoma, WA); a brother, James Sousley (Kennewick, WA); five grand-children, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
MABLE J. FORBES
RONAN -- Mable J. Forbes, 94, died on Oct. 23, 2001, of natural causes at the St. Luke Extended Care Facility here.
Mable was born Nov. 19, 1906, in Hampton, ND, to John Victor and Ida (Moe) Anderson. She lived in Minot, ND, where she attended schools and graduated from high school in 1925. She then worked for Soo Line Freight.
Mable married Edwin S. Leinan on June 2, 1928. They lived in Minot; Portland, OR; and Spokane. Edwin died Aug. 30, 1951. They had two sons, Norman Leinan, who died in 1973, and Ronald Leinan (Sacramento, CA); and a daughter, June Hanson (Pacheco, CA).
In 1958, Mable married Milton L. Forbes of Frazer. They moved to Ronan on Oct. 2, 1968. Together they worked to start the Ronan Senior Citizens Center, where she was a charter member. She was also a member of the Faith Lutheran Church.
Milton died June 21, 1980.
She has two stepsons, Milton H. Forbes (Texas) and Marcus Forbes (Fairbanks, Alas.); and two stepdaughters, Cleo Van Kuster (McAllen, TX), and Shirley Amundson (Kalispell). She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Oct. 25 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Faith Lutheran Church or to the American Cancer Society.
FLORENCE RAY GREGG
POLSON -- Florence Ray Gregg, 88, died on Nov. 5, 2001, at her home here.
Florence was born in Ronan on June 13, 1913. She was the daughter of Nellie M. Sloan and Arthur J. Ray.
She attended schools in Polson and graduated from St. Patrick School of Nursing in Missoula. Florence worked in Missoula, Seattle, North Dakota and Alaska. Upon returning to Polson, she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital and in the office of Dr. John Dimon.
In 1947, she and Harold Gregg were married in Cut Bank.
She loved a clean house and lots of flowers. Florence liked to fish, bowl and spend time in the Swan River country.
Florence was preceded in death by all her family members except one brother in Butte. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass was held Nov. 10 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Polson, with the Rev. Gary Reller officiating. Inurnment followed at Lakeview Cemetery.
RAY R. HARTSOCH
POLSON -- Ray R. Hartsoch, 80, died of natural causes on Nov. 7, 2001, at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center here.
Ray was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Ray, ND, to Alfred and Charlotte Hartsoch.
He attended Hartsoch School near Ray. He moved with his family to Kalispell at the age of 15.
Ray worked in the woods and farmed with his father. He moved to Longview, WA, where he worked for Reynolds Aluminum for a short time before joining the U.S. Army Aircorps during World War II. He served in England during WWII.
He married Grace Ober in 1946 in Polson.
Ray worked for the Polson Plywood plant for several years. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren along with rock collecting, western music, camping, fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
He was preceded in death by a son, Robin, and several brothers and sisters.
He is survived by wife, Grace (Polson); two daughters, Sandi Alexander (Kalispell) and Roxanne Cooper (Las Vegas); one son, Chuck Hartsoch (Polson); 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; six sisters; and one brother.
A memorial service was held on Nov. 12 at the Church of the Nazarene in Pablo. A military graveside service followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
MARSHA LYNN HOLMES
RONAN -- Marsha Lynn Holmes, 53, died at her home here on Oct. 22, 2001.
She was born Dec. 26, 1947, in Ritzville, WA, to Ted and Francis Smith. She graduated from Othello High School in 1966.
On Jan. 2, 1967, she married her high school sweetheart and best friend for the last 35 years, Timothy Holmes.
Marsha's passions in life were her two children, Molly and Shannon, and her grandchildren, Justin, Megan and Taylor.
She was an avid outdoor enthusiast. Her interests included gardening, hunting and especially fishing. Her favorite place to be was with Tim at their cabin in Thompson Falls.
She is survived by her parents, Ted and Fran Smith (Ronan); her husband, Tim (Ronan); daughter, Molly Harriman (Charlo); son, Shannon (Cindy) Holmes (Missoula); grandchildren Justin and Megan Harriman and Taylor Holmes; brothers, Mark (Suzi) Smith (Ovando); Geoff Smith (Othello, WA); and Paul (Chantel) Smith (Moses Lake, Wash.); an aunt, Alleda Arnold (Connell, WA); numerous nieces and nephews; and her faithful Schnauzer friend, Smokie.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather Edwin Smith, grandmother Kate Snyder and brother Ned Everett Smith.
There were no services at Marsha's request.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice.
JEANETTE F. HOPPE
POLSON -- Jeanette F. Hoppe, 91, died from cancer on Nov. 7, 2001, at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center here.
Jeanette was born Feb. 4, 1910, at East Grand Forks, MN, to Harry and Lucia King.
As a child, Jeanette moved with her family to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. She attended schools in Bonners Ferry and graduated from high school there.
She married James Price in 1928 in Bonners Ferry. They had two children together, a daughter, Billie, and a son, James Allen Price, who preceded her in death.
She married Russell Hoppe of Libby on Aug. 8, 1954, in Coeur d'Alene, ID. He died in 1985.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Val Donna Hopkins and Harriet "Honey" Haugen; and a granddaughter, Lisa Price.
Jeanette lived in Libby for 40 years. She enjoyed children, dancing, flowers, music, singing and playing piano.
She is survived by a daughter, Billie (Gem) Mercer (Polson), eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
A graveside funeral service was held on Nov. 9 at Libby City Cemetery.
