Obituaries

ST. IGNATIUS — Florence Hayden, 88, passed away on Oct. 29, 2023. She was born on Oct. 1, 1935, to Frank and Pauline Knopp in Pablo. Florence spent her youth on a ranch south of Ronan where she was one of six children Horses were the center of her life. She had a gift for training horses, and she spent a lifetime competing on horses. She earned countless awards and titles in various disciples of equine competition, from rodeo and Omoksees to large show throughout the NW United States.   Florence worked from home, training horses. She also worked retail in western wear / tack stores and briefly in advertising. She was an accomplished sketch artist, seamstress and and musician. ...

RONAN — Dale Everett Morgan, age 74, passed away Nov. 28, 2023. He was born June 30, 1949, in Charlo to Robert and Esther Morgan. He was the oldest of six kids.   Just before graduation from Ronan in 1967, Dale decided to join the Army and quit school. While in the Army and home on leave, Mary ...

THOMPSON FALLS — Donald W. Burrell went to be with our heavenly Father on Nov. 6, 2023. Don was born to Wayne and Vi Burrell on Dec. 4, 1942. He was raised in the Moiese Valley. He graduated from Charlo High School in 1962.  Don was in the Army from April 1964 to April 1966. He worked for many ...

POLSON — Kathleen Washington, age 77, of Ronan, passed away on Nov. 16, 2023, at St. Patrick Hospital after a car accident on Nov. 12, 2023. Kathleen was born on Oct. 22, 1946, the first of three children, in Hollywood, California, to Steven E. Washington and Helen Warren. She graduated from East Ba...

RONAN — Janet E. Largent, 89 years old, passed away in Ronan on Nov. 2, 2023. She was born in Silvana, Washington, on Jan. 8, 1934, to Marvin and Ellen Jensen. She is survived by her children, Lee, David (Linda), Margret (Robert) Wootten, and Marvin (Jeri); her siblings, Mackie (Joe) Town, Norma (To...

POLSON — Richard John “Dick” Christopher passed away on Nov. 11, 2023, a Saturday evening, in the caring embrace of his family and compassionate administrations of St. Joseph’s Hospital’s medical team. He is survived by his children, their loving spouses, and a growing legacy of...

POLSON — Bruce Leslie Thomas, 77, of Polson passed away on Nov. 8, 2023, at Logan Hospital in Kalispell. He was born on Sept. 25, 1946, in Kalispell to Leslie and Una Thomas. As a young boy he lived in his mother’s old family home in Rollins before his family moved to Polson in 1954. He attended ...

RONAN — Lorraine S. Frost, RN, at the age of 70, passed into the arms of Jesus, on Oct. 21, 2023. Lorraine or Raine, as she was known to family and friends, was born on May 9, 1953. Growing up in Central California, Raine was a true child of the 60s and 70s and lived her life with the motto of “j...

ST. IGNATIUS — Charles Russell ‘Rusty’ Cordier, was born to Victor and Pearl Cordier on May 30, 1935. He passed away on Oct. 30, 2023, from complications related to dementia.  He is now with the love of his life Yvonne Rose Cordier. Rusty was born and raised in St. Ignatius and was ...

ST. IGNATIUS — Mercedes Joy Kelly, a remarkable soul who faced immense pain with unwavering bravery, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2023. Mercy was born Nov. 17, 1958. Her indomitable spirit and comforting words of “Oh, it will be ok,” were a source of strength to all who knew her. Mercy...