Obituaries

POLSON — With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Ray “Butch” Shelby of Polson, who passed away on Nov. 23, 2022, at the age of 77. He had fought a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on Oct. 19, 1945. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Marjorie Shelby and brother, Darell Shelby. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Betty Shelby; daughter, Jamie Cohoon (Ben); granddaughters, Jessica Dunbar and Genny Cohoon, Samantha and Kaitlyn, Teri Netzer; great-grandsons, Ben, Wyatt and Ryan; stepson, Tom Yoakum (Carol),Tommy; stepgranddaughters,; stepgrandson, Tyler Netzer; stepgreat-grandkids, Jerrick, MaeLee, Hensley and Zoella; stepdaughter Tina He...

POLSON - After a second struggle with cancer, Carol Ann Kelly was called home to our Lord on Nov. 26, 2022, at her home near Polson, surrounded by loved ones. Carol was born on Jan. 24, 1938, in Butte, to Frank and Dominica (Franconi) Sologub. She was raised on her father’s dairy farm in Elk Park, o...

ST. IGNATIUS — David Hammer, 17, of St. Ignatius, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in St. Ignatius. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home.  

POLSON — Jeffrey Jay Andrews of Polson passed early Sunday morning, Nov. 13, 2022. He was overcome by cancer at the young age of 64 years. Jeff lived life like every day was his last.  One of his favorite sayings was, “If I drive fast, I don’t have to drive safe near as long.”&nb...

GREAT FALLS — Terry E. Wersonick, 60, of Ronan, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.  

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON — Robert Douglas Waters (“Bob”), beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 11, 2022. He was born on April 28, 1930, in Glendive, Montana, to Ruth (Squires) and Junius Waters. Descending from Montana ho...

POLSON — On the evening of Nov. 16, 2022, Karol Newgard, loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at the age of 86 of heart failure, at home.  Karol was born on June 22, 1936, in Kendall, Wisconsin, to Dr. Hiram and Myrtle Koehler. She joined her older brothers William Tippett and David...

POLSON —  Gene Wallace Johnson, 78, of Polson passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, at home. He was born on May 23, 1944, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Wayne Johnson and Della Hundredmark. He was the youngest of their 11 children.  Gene moved to Polson as a young child and lived there until h...

RONAN — Theresa (Betty) Walter, age 101, passed from this life at 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Theresa was born on Sept. 29, 1921, in Fulton, South Dakota, to Julius and Nettie Giraud. She completed elementary and high school education in Fulton. After a year of college in Madison, South Dakota, s...

POLSON — On Oct. 20, 2022, Colleen Rhea Kelley, also known to her friends as “KK,” died in a car accident outside of Polson. Colleen was born on June 12, 1960, in Portland Oregon. She grew up in Missoula, attending Hellgate High School. As an adult she spent time in Vermont, California and ...