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Darlene Elliott Gehring
Darlene Elliott Gehring, 82, of Stevensville died at Bitterroot Valley Living Center in Stevensville on Wednesday, March 27, 2002.
She was born on April 24, 1919, in North Norris, S. D., and was the daughter of Ray and Mae (Mewes) Phillips.
She received her education in Missoula and worked in Montana, Washington and California. She returned to Stevensville in 1986, where she has since resided.
She was preceded in death by her son. She is survived by her many friends.
Memorial services will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville on Tuesday, April 2, at 3:30 p.m. with the Rev. Vicki Horn officiating. The Whitesitt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bruce Ludlow
Bruce Ludlow, 77, of Stevensville died at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton on Thursday, March 28, 2002.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1924, to William and Gertrude (Bruce) Ludlow in Lorenzo, Idaho. He was the oldest of three children.
Bruce graduated high school at Rigby, Idaho. He was drafted and inducted into the Army Air Corps, where he served as a flight navigator from 1943 to 1946.
He met his wife, Norma Ricks in Rexburg, Idaho, and they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 12, 1947. Norma and Bruce were blessed with four sons, Kent, Robert, Scott and Gene and a daughter, Beth.
He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry in 1949. He then taught veterans "on-the-farm training" in both Idaho and Montana, relocating to the Bitterroot in 1951. In 1955, the Ludlows purchased a dairy farm in Stevensville. Bruce continued in the dairy business, later partnering with his son, Robert until 1990.
Bruce was an active member of the LDS Church, and served as Bishop of the Stevensville Ward as well as numerous other positions during his lifetime. Bruce and Norma also labored as LDS missionaries in Holbrook, Ariz., San Antonio, Texas and Atlanta, Ga.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Nathan Ludlow.
He is survived by his wife, Norma; sister Betty Ellis and brother Kenneth Ludlow both of Idaho Falls, five children, Kent of South Jordan, Utah, Robert of Stevensville, Scott of Clemson, S.C., Gene of Lolo and Beth Kemp of Warren, Ohio; 28 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Bruce's life will be held on Monday, April 1, 2002, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stevensville. Visitation will be at the church at 10 a.m. prior to services.
Burial will follow at the Victor Cemetery, with full military honors by VFW Post #1507. The Whitesitt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are asked to the LDS Church Missionary Fund.
Ryan Thomas Richards
Ryan Thomas Richards passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord March 29, 2002, surrounded by loved ones after a year- long battle with cancer. Ryan was born to Thomas and Cheryl Richards on Jan. 17, 1977, and later became the older brother of Eric Richards.
Ryan was a student of the Hamilton School District until he graduated with honors in 1995. Ryan participated in basketball, track and football during high school. Ryan played 14 years of baseball, concluding his career by representing the Hamilton Red Sox and the MSU club team. Ryan and his friends would frequently travel the hour to Lost Trail Ski Resort to hit the slopes. Ryan would spend his evenings at the local gym. Staying in top physical condition was always a top priority in Ryan's life.
Ryan went on to Montana State University-Bozeman and achieved a bachelor's degree in biological sciences in the year 2000. Ryan was a seasonal employee of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
As a child and throughout Ryan"s life, he enjoyed family outings such as camping and fishing at Painted Rocks Lake. After a long day of trolling we all looked forward to the infamous Saturday night steak dinner. Ryan also enjoyed hunting with his father, brother and best friend, Jim Neaves. Ryan was an avid sportsman who had a love for the outdoors.
Ryan would be awake and in his tree stand with his longbow hours before the sun would come up, hoping to catch a glimpse of the passing whitetail.
Ryan met the love of his life in the summer of 1998, Miss Shannon Wicks of Hamilton. They became engaged in February 2002. They shared a love that most could only dream of. It's a bond that will never be broken. Ryan and Shannon saw themselves in each other's eyes and that is a reflection that both will never forget.
Ryan is survived by parents Tom and Cheryl Richards; brother Eric Richards and fiancee Shannon Wicks, all from Hamilton; half brother Tom Chaffin of Corvallis, and half sister Cindy Fournier of Stevensville. Other survivors include his grandmother Pauline Olin of Everett, Wash., and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Ryan was preceded in death by grandparents Martyn and Pearl Richards of Corvallis, his grandfather Alvin Olin of Everett and Rip and Tear, his beloved springer spaniels.
Ryan touched every one he met. He will be remembered for his bravery and strength. Through his year-long illness, his sense of humor and his bright smile eased the burdens of all around. Ryan's generosity and thoughtfulness made him unforgettable; whether you called him Ryan, Earl or Cap he will be remembered as a great son, brother, lover and friend.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton with Pastor Tim Altschwager officiating. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Class of '95 Ryan Richards Memorial Scholarship, c/o Ravalli County Bank P.O. Box 150 Hamilton, MT 59840.
Vernon P. Vavrick
Vernon P. Vavrick, 93, of Hamilton died Friday, March 29, 2002 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton of natural causes.
Vernon "Pete" was born in Dodge, Neb., to Elex and Mary Vavrick. His folks moved to a ranch near Robstown, Texas, and he attended the Banquete School a few miles from Robstown. They moved to Weiser, Idaho, when he was in the fifth grade. He graduated from Weiser High School in 1927. His further schooling was one year at the University of Idaho and then he attended a machinists school in Boise, Idaho.
He married Mabel Austin on May 18, 1935, at Caldwell, Idaho. They resided in Boise where he was employed by a lumber mill. In 1941 they moved to Salt Lake City where he was employed by the Remington small arms plant. They moved to a ranch in Sanders County in 1944. Later he was primarily employed at Flodin Lumber Company.
After retirement they went to Mesa, Ariz., to live, coming north to Montana during summer months. They came to Hamilton in 1985.
His survivors are his wife, Mabel of Hamilton; their daughter, Patricia and husband Robert Martina; two grandsons, Christopher (Chris) and Anthony (Tony) Martina all of Butte; a sister, Jannie Monroe, of Spokane, Wash., as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.
He was a member of the Community Congregational Church in Thompson Falls, and the Masonic Lodge in Thompson Falls. He was chief hunter safety instructor of Sanders County for several years. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, golf, target shooting and collecting antique cartridges.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 1, at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Community Congregational Church in Thompson Falls with the Rev. Gaylund Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Thompson Falls Fraternal Cemetery with Masonic rites presented.
The family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor's choice.
Kim D. Johnson
Kim D. Johnson, 45, of Hamilton, passed away Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002, at his residence.
Born on June 14, 1957, in Orlando, Fla. He moved to live with his father in Great Falls where he received his education. Kim then moved to California where he finished up his education in Corcoran, Calif. On Sept. 13, 1981, he married Jacquelyn S. Smith in Carson City, Nev. He then returned to Great Falls in 1992 with his wife and sons.
Kim and his family moved to Hamilton in the Summer of 2000.
Kim enjoyed auto mechanics and auto body repair, enjoyed antiques, repairing and selling. Had a good sense of humor and incredible knack for landscaping. He was an all around fix-it man who loved music, particularly Bob Seger and Charley Pride. At the time of his death he was employed by S & S Auto Body.
Surviving include: His wife, Jackie, sons, Bryan David and Brandon Lee all of Hamilton; his mother, Mary Riley of Merced, Calif.; brothers and sisters, Jack Mitteness of Riverside, Calif., Vern Johnson of Merced, Cheryl Lovett of Virginia, Pena Morris of Fresno, Calif. and Kevin Johnson of Stockton, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by his father Charles V. Johnson and his nephew Anthony.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel with Bishop Howard Recht conducting. Private Family urn placement will take place at a later date.
The family suggests memorials to the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department.
