Obituaries

ST. IGNATIUS - Marsha Joy McDonald Frey, “Ms. Frey” to all her students, at age 79, passed away in her home in St. Ignatius on Dec. 24, 2024. Marsha was born Feb. 5, 1945, in St. Ignatius to parents Viola Peone McDonald and Walter McDonald. She was a great-granddaughter of Angus McDonald and a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Marsha was raised near Fort Connah and then moved to the family ranch on the hill near McDonald Lake at age four. She went to school and graduated in 1963 from St. Ignatius Schools. She started college at Carol College and finished at the University of Montana in 1967 with a B.S. in elementary education. Marsha married Raymond Fr...

POLSON - Charles “Charley” Lynn Hahn, 79, of Polson, went to Heaven on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. A devoted husband, father, Navy veteran, and accomplished professional, Charley lived a life defined by service, faith, and dedication.  After graduating from Portales High School in New Mexico,...

POLSON — George E. Maass, age 90, passed away Dec. 20, 2024, at St. Joseph Medical Center. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.

RONAN — Marion Wayne Bennett of Ronan, MT, went to be with his lord and savior Dec. 30, 2024. He was born on March 24, 1942 in Prescott, AZ, to Jack Wayne and Mabel Bennett. Marion was the oldest of 3 children (Marion, Jacklyn and Dennis). He was raised in Mayer, AZ. He attended Mayer schools from kind...

ST. IGNATIUS — With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Clarence “Mack” McConnell, a devoted husband and father, an active member of our community, a news man and author on Dec. 31, 2024 at the age of 81. Raised in the Mission and Flathead valleys, Mack graduated from the University of...

POLSON - It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of our brother, Todd Joseph Funke, 64, born on Nov. 21, 1959. Todd peacefully passed away on Nov. 8, 2024, following a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas E. Funke Sr.; his mother, Patricia Ann Funke; his eldest...

 RONAN - Gladys Rose Zach Mattson passed away peacefully at the age of 105, Nov. 14, 2024, in Ronan. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Toivo Matt Mattson; her father, Joseph Thomas Zach; mother, Ella Elizabeth Bistricky; brothers, Vernon Joseph Zach and Ernest Milton Zach; and daughter in-law...

ST. IGNATIUS - Jero Jay Sharp, 66, of St. Ignatius, passed away at his home on Nov. 2, 2024, just a few yards from where he was born. A proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Jero spent most of his life on the Flathead Reservation, a place he deeply cherished. Born on Wednesday, Oct....

ELMO – Velma Faye Caye, age 64, was called home on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at her residence. She was born on Aug. 1, 1960, in Polson, to Albert and Alma (Mittens) Caye, the first of their seven children. She attended grade school in Elmo, first through eighth grade, and graduated from high school ...

RONAN - Judith Ann Radke Janssen, was born on June 10, 1947, in Sidney, the first child of Julia and Clint Radke. Judy passed away suddenly on Nov.18, 2024, in Missoula. Judy grew up in Sidney attending Sidney schools. While she was much older than many of her siblings, she loved all five of them and spok...