Obituaries

  POLSON — Ronald Duane Coulter, 81, of Polson, Montana, passed away on Feb. 27, 2026. Ron was born on May 25, 1944, to Cliff and Vera Coulter.  He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from Aug. 1963 to July 1967.  His time in the service was a meaningful chapter in his life and one he carried with pride. In June of 1968, he married the love of his life, Judy Mills. Together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and devotion. Ron worked for Polson Ready Mix for 31 years, retiring in 2006. He was known for his strong work ethic and dedication throughout his career. An avid outdoorsman, Ron loved to hunt and fish. Some ...

POLSON — Charles “Ray” Wall, age 85, passed away at home from Alzheimer’s complications on March 3, 2026.  Ray was born on May 17, 1940, to Frank and Elsie Courville Wall in St. Ignatius. Ray married his wife Julie Clairmont in 1961. They were married 64 years when Ray passed ...

POLSON — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Koehler Newgard who left us far too soon on Nov. 29, 2025. Paul was born to Gerald and Karol Newgard and raised in Polson.   Surrounded by the beauty of Flathead Lake and the Mission Valley, he developed a strong love fo...

ST. IGNATIUS — Ruth Wilkinson, 90, passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2025 at her daughters’home in St. Ignatius. Ruth was born the second of seven kids to Carl and Arbutus Hulquist of Sagle, Idaho. Ruth got married at a young age to Edward Wilkinson and they had 12 children together - seven...

MISSOULA -Terrence “Terry” Lynn Kelley passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025, surrounded by close loved ones. He was 84 years old. Terry was born on Sept. 6, 1940, and spent his youth in Ronan and Spokane, Washington, later graduating from East Valley High School. He lived a life rich with cu...

BOULDER - James Leroy Wilkinson, 69, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, at his home in Boulder, Montana. Jim was born the second of 12 kids to Ed and Ruth Wilkinson.  Jim was a passionate artist who loved life and making memories with family and friends. He spent his life doing a varied numb...

PABLO - Mark William Krause, age 65, passed away on Aug. 5, 2025, at his home in Pablo. A full obituary will follow. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.  

RONAN - William “Bill” Bartel was born to Alden and Marcella Bartel on July 22, 1956, in Enumclaw, Washington, and left us far too soon on July 24, 2025. Bill moved to Montana in the second grade, and it was there, among the open pastures and rural charm, that his deep love for ranching took r...

RONAN — Elizabeth Hildreth Cummings Preston, 99, died from natural causes on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan, with her family by her side. Beth was born June 14, 1926, in Sidney, Montana, the daughter of Rial Wilson Cummings and Gladys Evangeline (Wheeler) Cummings....

    POLSON — An affinity with water flowed through William Owen Lambson’s life, from his childhood in Lexington, Kentucky, to his death July 7, 2025, at his home near the edge of Flathead Lake.  He was born Oct. 13, 1962, in New Orleans to Theodora Niemeyer Lambson and Rog...