Obituaries

RONAN — Allen W. Swalling, 84, passed away Aug. 8, 2021, at St. Patrick Hospital, following a long battle with kidney failure and multiple other medical issues. His daughter and son-in-law were at his side. He was born on Dec. 20, 1936, to Oscar and Verna Engle Swalling in Charlo. He graduated as salutatorian from Charlo High School in 1955. While in school, he excelled in basketball, football, and baseball. While in high school he worked for Wilson & Howell Services, and shortly after graduation he started working for Lake County Road Department as a grader operator and truck driver.   In 1961 he married his high school sweetheart, Dolores Wiebke, as soon as she gradua...

RONAN — It is with mixed emotions, in one sense great sorrow and in another, relief, that the family of Merle Jore announce his passing on Aug. 11. Sorrow because we have lost a patriarch and a good man … relief because his last year was lived in too much discomfort. Merle was born, he always us...

RONAN — Carol Joann Nelson Tiernan was born on Nov. 7, 1937, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and passed away on July 7, 2021, in Ronan, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.  Carol’s father, Dr. Robert V. Nelson, was an officer in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. Carol’s fami...

POLSON — Our Joni was born at the Fort Belknap Agency in Harlem, Montana on May 4, 1983. At the young age of 38, our beloved Joni left our world on Aug. 7, 2021, in Benefis Hospital, Great Falls. Born to parents Glen Johnny Buckman and Jolene Shorte Shortman, Joni Lynn Buckman was the youngest of th...

HAVRE — Alice Kay (Blackie) Preeshl, 76, of Havre, peacefully passed away on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, after a seven month battle with encephomalacia, where her family was continuously by her side.  Alice was born on Aug. 12, 1944, to Oswald and Dorothy Teigen. Her childhood started out in Eureka, ...

GREAT FALLS — Joni Buckman passed away at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls on Friday, Aug. 7, 2021. Services are pending. Contact Lake Funeral Home at: lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com for service details. A full obituary will appear in next week’s paper.  

POLSON — A celebration of life for Doug Stam will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Polson on Aug. 21 at 11 a.m.  Doug passed away on Feb. 2, 2021.    

ELMO — Ryan Patrick Nicholas Lefthand, 35, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021. He was born on Nov. 14, 1985, in Kalispell to parents, Edna Mae Lefthand and Wilbert Lee Michel.  Ryan attended Two Eagle River School and was a collector of Star Notes and Mario Coins. He was also known for his hac...

RONAN — Marian Dunnwebber passed away at her daughter’s home on July 19, 2021, after years of declining health. She was born on Oct. 20, 1937, in Ronan, to Charity and Roy Taber. After graduating from high school, she attended Western Montana College in Dillon where she earned her teaching deg...

RONAN — Margaret Jean (Marge) Fay, age 77, passed away on July 21, 2021, at her home in Ronan, surrounded by her family. She was born on Dec. 23, 1943, in Polson, to William and Agnes (Bubnash) Skabronski. Marge graduated high school and also completed college courses.  Marge was married to Jac...