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Ann J. Duple
MISSOULA - Ann J. Duple, 54, passed away July 17, 2002, at St. Patrick Hospital.
She was born Aug. 24, 1947, in Brainard, Minn., to William and Elaine Pajula.
Ann is survived by her sisters, Karen Soper of Plains, Diana Rabasa of Downey, Calif., Linda Bliss of Pahrump, Nev., and Lana Shourer of Fairdale, Ky.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
No services are planned.
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to the Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies.
Gaither Donald Martin
COLUMBIA FALLS - Gaither Donald Martin, 76, of Columbia Falls, died Thursday, July 25, 2002, at Brendan House in Kalispell.
He was born March 14, 1926, in Carlton to Gaither R. and Clara M. Martin.
He was a veteran of the Navy (1943-46) and the Army (1949-69). He served in World War II, the Korean War and in Vietnam. He earned many medals, including the Bronze Star twice for valor.
He married
Doris E. Halvorson in 1951 in Missoula. She preceded him in death in 1997.
Survivors include his partner, Marie Basaraba; his children, Boni Dummler, Pat Kelley, Kandee Pierce, Gaither Martin Jr. and Ken Martin; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service with military honors will be 2 p.m. Monday at Woodlawn cemetery. A reception will follow at the Senior Citizens Center in Columbia Falls.
Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is in charge of arrangements.
Duane L. White
HAMILTON - Duane L. White, 63, of Hamilton, passed away Thursday, July 25, 2002, at his place of business, D & W Millwork in Hamilton.
Duane was born April 10, 1939, in Hamilton, the son of the late Gerald D. and Mary C. Thomas White. He grew up in Riverside, north of Hamilton, and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1957.
He attended an electronics school in Seattle and upon returning home worked at Taber Mill until it closed. He joined his father in ownership of D & W Millwork, which he continued operating after his father's death in 1984. Duane was well known for his meticulous craftsmanship and had many satisfied customers.
Duane and his sister, both avid roller skaters, purchased the Hamilton Roller Skating Rink from Les Wheeler in the early 1960s and were members of the Roller Skating Rink Operators Association (RSRDA). Their love of skating led them to become teachers of roller dance, freestyle and speed skating. Their students were their children whom they took all over the Northwest for skating competitions and proficiency tests.
After selling the rink, they continued to teach in Missoula.
Duane's personal interests included old cars, and he was a member of the Bitterroot Valley Dusters. He was a photographer of animals, wildflowers and people. His interest in electronics led him to become a licensed ham radio operator. He was an avid Star Trek fan - a real "Trekie."
Survivors include his sister, June White of Hamilton; his brother, Melvin and wife Gail White of Enumclaw, Wash.; a nephew, David; niece Linda; and great-nephew Sam.
He was also preceded in death by his mother in 1985.
A service to celebrate Duane's life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Daly-Leach Chapel, with the Rev. Stephen Millar officiating. Private family urn placement will take place later at the Corvallis cemetery. Visitation for friends and family will be from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the chapel.
The family suggests memorials to the Bitter Root Humane Association, 262 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, MT 59840.
Chester G. Christenson
COLUMBIA FALLS - Chester G. Christenson, 84, of Columbia Falls, died Tuesday, July 23, 2002, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish.
He was born Nov. 22, 1917, in Omemee, N.D., to Charles J. and Eugenie Christianson.
He served in the Army from 1942 to 1946.
Chester married
Irene C. Johnson on May 8, 1948, in Bottineau, N.D.
Survivors include his wife Irene C. Christenson of Columbia Falls; son Kevin Christenson of Columbia Falls; daughters Gail Christenson of Cheyenne, Wyo., Janine Gardner of Columbia Falls and Merdith Foy of Cheyenne; nine grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Inurnment will follow at St. Richard's Catholic cemetery.
Marie G. Geldrich
FORT WORTH, Texas - Marie G. Geldrich, 85, a retired ranch wife, passed away on June 26, 2002, in a hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Her daughter, Elizabeth, was with her at the time of her death.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, in Augusta, beginning with a Mass at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Augusta, followed by burial of the ashes at the Augusta cemetery. A reception will be held afterward at the parish hall.
Marie was born on Aug. 22, 1916, in Bozeman. A graduate of Victor High School, Marie worked her way through two years of college at the University of Montana in Missoula before taking a position at the Allen Dude Ranch west of Augusta. There she met head wrangler Pete Geldrich, to whom she was married
at St. Matthias Church in Augusta in November 1940.
Pete and Marie settled on the Geldrich family ranch on the Sun River west of Augusta and then purchased the Bowman ranch on Willow Creek where they lived with their two sons, Peter James "Jim" and Joseph Francis "Joe" until the ranch was sold in 1955. In addition to her strenuous work as a ranch wife, homemaker and mother, Marie participated in many community activities in Augusta, including the Altar Society, the Home Demonstration Club and the Cub Scouts, serving as den mother.
In 1957, the family purchased a ranch at St. Ignatius, where daughter Elizabeth Marie "Betty" was born. They sold the ranch and moved back to Augusta in 1959. A year later, they leased a ranch near Dixon, and later purchased a ranch near Charlo, where they continued to ranch until their retirement in the early 1970s. Pete and Marie moved to the North Crow Creek area outside of Ronan, and later to Pablo, where Pete died in 1984.
A few years afterward, Marie moved to an apartment in Kalispell where she made new friends, became active in volunteer activities, and was able to indulge her interest in travel. She lived on her own in Kalispell until 2000, when the onset of Parkinson's disease made it necessary for her to live in a nursing home near her daughter in Texas.
Throughout her life Marie worked very hard and complained very little. She remained physically active for as long as she was able and was mentally alert to the end. She had many hobbies and interests, including gardening, cooking, crafts, reading and travel. She was a wonderful wife and mother, a good friend and neighbor, and her life is an example of virtue and strength to her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her sons, Peter James "Jim" Geldrich and his wife Carolyn Mantek of New City, N.Y., and Joseph Francis "Joe" Geldrich and his wife Darlene of Charlo; daughter Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Burns and her husband Mike of Azle, Texas; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother Larry Sanders and his wife Bernice of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.
