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KENNETH L. SIAS
BENTON CITY, Wash. -- Kenneth L. Sias, 70, died on Dec. 10, 2005, at his home here. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Mable Sias; an infant brother, Bobby; and his first wife, Marjorie. According to his wishes, his ashes will be sprinkled in beloved Mission Mountains, where he spent many happy hours on his horse. There will be a memorial service in Ronan in the spring. He is survived by his wife, Susan; two sons, Kenneth C. (K.C.) and Cecil L.; two daughters, Victoria A. Weeks and Cynthia M. D'Adamo; two granddaughters, Shelby C. Sias and Ashley D'Adamo; three grandsons, Andrew Hendrix, Nick D'Adamo, and Zach Richardson; a brother, James L. Sias; and two sisters, Viola M. Potter and Donna J. Bennett. Ken loved his family, friends and horses through which he made many friends. He also loved telling stories of his adventures growing up on the Flathead Reservation. He was proud to be a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, as well as to have been a U.S. Marine who served his country.
DIANE SULLIVAN
POLSON -- Diane Marilyn (Vendt) Sullivan, 57, died on Dec. 15, 2005, at her home here after a battle with cancer. Diane was born on Aug. 12, 1948, in Mandan, N.D., to Hugo and Eleanor Vendt. After high school, she attended Bismarck Junior College and North Dakota State University. In June of 1970, she married Steve Nelson, with whom she had two children, Natalie Anne Nelson and Joel Stephen Nelson. After losing her parents, Diane and Steve were relocated to Spokane where they raised their family. In 1982, Diane met Robert "Bob" Sullivan, whom she married on Dec. 3, 1983. Diane worked for 23 years in the banking industry as a teller. The mountains and their grandbaby, McKinley, pulled Diane and Bob to Polson in 2000. Diane last worked for Community Bank of Ronan as a vault teller. Diane's family was always her No. 1 priority, including the many dogs and cats she befriended through the years. As a wonderful mother and loving wife, her hobbies included skiing, fly fishing, photography, traveling, spending time in the outdoors with her friends and family, especially at the family cabin on the Thompson River. In the fall of 2003, Diane harvested her first deer. "Mummy" was a beautiful artist with a clever wit, which made life very entertaining for those she loved. Her father Hugo Vendt and her mother Eleanor Vendt of Mandan, N.D., preceded Diane in death. Survivors include her husband Bob Sullivan, her daughter Natalie Nelson Colton and her husband Scott, her son Joel Nelson, her two grandchildren McKinley and Jack Colton, and her Weimaraner, Charley (all of Polson). Other survivors include her stepson, Shane Sullivan, and his wife Amy (San Diego) and countless other loving relatives and friends. A celebration and memorial took place on Jan. 7.
SARAH SUMMERS
POLSON -- Sarah Summers, 82, of Polson, died on Dec. 16, 2005, at Mountain View Care Center in Ronan from natural causes. Preceding her in death were her husband in 1992; a daughter, Beverly Abeyta; a brother, Daniel Bradley Perkins Jr.; and her parents. She is survived by one daughter, Lana Osburn and husband Ray (Polson); a son, Dr. Francis "Bill" Summers Jr. and wife Nancy (Chicago); a sister, Leona Varner (Georgia); three grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Charles Abeyta (Kentucky). Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.
NINA STRONG
POLSON -- Lillian Strong died on Dec. 29, 2005, at her home here. Of tough Norwegian stock, Lillian was born on July 10, 1920, to James and Sophie Jacobson in Clitherall, Minn. She had five brothers and sisters. To finish school, she attended a boarding school in Fergus Falls, Minn. In St. Ignatius, Lillian met the love of her life, Robert H. Strong. They were married June 8, 1941. For about two years, Lillian lived in Seattle while Bob completed his Army service during World War II. They later moved to St. Ignatius to farm and run a dairy for the next 30 years. She was an accomplished seamstress and skill in decorating wedding cakes. She was always active in her church. She was the first female member of the St. Ignatius School Board. Several years ago, Lillian and Bob came to Polson to retire. Lillian worked at what used to be Andersons and Funk's stores and the Country Store. Lillian is survived by her husband Robert H. Strong and children, Sidney J. Strong (Seattle), David A. Strong (Chicago), R. Keith Strong (Great Falls), Wayne R. Strong (Lake Oswego, OR), Kenneth L. Strong (Goshen, CT), and Wendy G. Wilbanks (Aurora, CO). She also leaves 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service celebrating Lillian's life was held on Jan. 6 at the New Life Christian Center. Remembrances may be made to the Mission Fund of the New Life Christian Center, 1414 Second St. W., Polson, MT 59860; or Mark 2 Ministries (a ministry for adults with developmental disabilities), 20 Independence Ave., Lake Oswego, OR 97035.
EINAR AASHEIM
POLSON -- Einar Torlief "Jerry" Aasheim, 99, of Polson, died on Jan. 13, 2006, at St. Joseph Medical Center here. In his later years, Jerry loved to gather with family and friends at his lakeshore home near Polson, where he would entertain them with stories of his childhood days near Reserve, Mont., songs sung in Norwegian, or personal musings about the meaning of life. He was born on Dec. 23, 1906, in Bisbee, ND, the son of Svein and Marthea Aasheim. Jerry attended the state teachers college in Dillon and graduated from the Univ. of Montana in Missoula with a BA in 1935. He married Ettabel Mathis on Dec. 23, 1941. Jerry was the owner and president of Modern Business College in Missoula for 30 years, and the owner and manager of Montana Real Estate Exchange for 21 years. He was a member of Missoula Lions Club, Missoula Elks Club, past president of the Missoula Junior Chamber of Commerce and a member of Sons of Norway. Jerry was also past president of the Montana Business College Assoc. and a member of the Missoula County Board of Realtors. He is survived by his wife Ettabel and daughter Barbara Osher (Corvallis, OR); two granddaughters; three brothers in their 90s, Magnus Aasheim and Semming Aasheim (Plentywood) and Torlief Aasheim (Bozeman). The oldest of the five brothers, Olaf Aasheim, passed away in 1978 at the age of 73. No memorial services will be held. However, a celebration of life will be held in the spring. Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences
BLANCHE E. BAILEY
POLSON -- Blanche E. Bailey, 92, of Polson, died on Jan. 30, 2006, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan.
Funeral services were held on Feb. 6 at the Grogan Funeral Home.
Interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
MARILYN JO BARNES
DIXON -- Marilyn Jo Barnes, 73, of Dixon, died on Jan. 19, 2006, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula following an extended illness. Marilyn was born on Aug. 27, 1932, in Wichita, Kan., to Leonard and Ada Mustoe. She attended school in Wichita and enjoyed swimming, canoeing and singing. Marilyn attended Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kan.; Kansas Weslyan University in Salina, Kan.; Carroll College in Helena; and received her degree at the Univ. of Montana in 1969. Marilyn worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a land law examiner in the regional office in Missoula before transferring to the Libby Ranger District, where she worked until her retirement. Marilyn was a member of the Ronan Christian Church. As a minister's wife, she used her musical ability as a vocalist, pianist and organist in Adrian, Mo.; Abilene, Kan.; and Helena, Missoula, Libby, Troy and Ronan. While living in Missoula she enjoyed singing in the Missoula Symphony Chorale. Marilyn met her husband Stanley "Jim" Barnes at Manhattan Christian College and they were married on June 5, 1953, in Wichita. They celebrated their 52nd anniversary in June 2005. Marilyn is survived by her husband of Dixon; four children, Karen McCullough and husband Robert (Aberdeen, WA), Audrey Bullock and her husband Richard (Missoula), Kevin Barnes and wife Sheila (Huntsville, AL), and Keith Barnes and wife Cheryl (Minneapolis); 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Marilyn is also survived by her four siblings, David Mustoe and wife Libby (Lakewood, CO), Janice Kaiser and husband Roland (Longmont, CO), Neil Mustoe and wife Margret (Arcadia, FL), and Sharon Ybarra (Wichita). A memorial service was conducted on Jan. 24 at the King's Christian Church in Lolo. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to Manhattan Christian College, 1415 Anderson, Manhattan, KS 66502.
GREGORY J. BENNETT
RONAN -- Gregory J. Bennett, 72, died at his home near here on Jan. 31, 2006, of congestive heart failure. He was born in Deer Lodge on Nov. 24, 1933. He graduated from Powell County High School. He then attended Montana State College, majoring in agriculture. As a freshman, he entered the Army and served in the Korean Conflict. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he finished college in three years as a "Fighting Bobcat." After graduating in 1959, he taught vo-ag for 25 years. This included two years in Waskada, Canada, where he started a future farmers club. He was a superintendent of schools in Brockton and Flaxville and spent 13 years of his career in Ronan High School as a vo-ag and FFA adviser. Highlighting his career, he was recognized as "The Outstanding Agricultural Leader of 2002" by the College of Agriculture. Greg was president of the Deer Lodge FFA Chapter in 1950-1951. He was a president of the Montana Vo-Ag Teachers Association in 1986-87. After being a member of the Knights of Columbus for several years, Greg became a grand knight in 2005. He was a wrestling coach for many years, and on one occasion he accompanied a team of wrestlers to Iran. Greg never retired. He chose to move on and share his knowledge as the manager of the Lake County Weed Dept. He was preceded in death by his father, Sylvan; mother, Martha; three brothers, Sylvan, Jack and Bill; one sister, Julia; one granddaughter, Bridgit; and also his first wife, Betty. He is survived by his wife, Marie, and children from his first marriage, Mark Bennett (Providence, RI) and Michelle (Jerry) Bragg (Jackson, OH); his stepchildren, Linda Bennett (Polson), Craig Davis (Kalispell) and Eric Davis in the U.S. Army. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Ronan FFA Chapter. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 3 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. Military graveside services were conducted on Feb. 4 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.
BERNARD BENSON
ST. IGNATIUS -- Bernard Samuel "Barney" Benson, 83, died on Jan. 8, 2006, at his home near St. Ignatius. Barney was born on March 28, 1922, in Arlington, WaA, to Clara (Hanson) and Samuel Benson. Barney served in the Navy in WWII and made his home in Belgrade, the Willamette Valley in Oregon and St. Ignatius, where he had been a rancher. He was married for 56 years to Joan (Mahan) Benson. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Richard. Survivors include his wife Joan (of the family home), a son and daughter-in-law Gary and Diane Benson (Vancouver, WA); daughters Debbie Nelson (Lolo) and Sharon Benson (St. Ignatius and Missoula); five grandchildren; and his twin brother Virgil Benson (Bozeman). Funeral services were held on Jan. 12 at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in St. Ignatius. Interment was in the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman on Jan. 13.
RENNAL BRAMSEN
PABLO -- Rennal "Slim" Bramsen, 82, of Pablo, died at his home on Jan. 2, 2006. Rennal was born on May 4, 1923, in Missoula, to Ingvard and Camilla Bramsen. He grew up and attended schools in Missoula. Rennal joined the U.S. Marines after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He served in the Pacific Theater for almost four years during WWII. Slim lived in Oregon for several years and eventually moved to Montana, where he worked in construction for several years. He eventually became a self-employed carpenter and a "jack of all trades." He was preceded in death by his son David Bramsen; sisters Evelyn, Agnes and Ella; brothers Ted, Robert, Arne and Harold; stepsons William and Owen Hawkins; and step-daughter Julia Hawkins. He is survived by his wife Mary Pierre Bramsen and his children: Pam Spearsl (Salem, OR), Wayne (Harriet) Bramsen (Tangent, OR), Linda (Jack) Kammerer (Frenchtown), Teri (Martin) Lavell (Riverside,CA), Geri (Dave) Pierpoint (Medford, OR), Beryl (Melody) Bramsen (Central Point, OR), and Sheryl (Dan) Clark (Indio, CA); step children Gwen (Kurt) Bautch (Pasco, WA), Betty Umphrey (Arlee), Cindy Umphrey (Pablo), Billie Jo (Don) Staggs (Polson), and Calvin Hawkins (St. Ignatius). He is also survived by a brother Ray (Virginia) Bramsen (Eugene, OR) and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. A gathering of friends and relatives took place on Jan. 7 in Pablo. A military honor guard presented military honors that afternoon, also at the family home. Memorials and cards may be sent in care of Mary Pierre Bramsen, P.O. Box 303, Pablo, MT 59855. (Condolences)
