obituaries Richard ‘Dick’ Giffin POLSON — Richard “Dick” Giffin, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, at the age of 90. He was born Dick in MisGiffin soula on March 19, 1931, to Robert and Martha Giffin and the family later grew to include his twin brothers, Bill and Bob Giffin. While working at the Missoulian, he met a pretty co-worker from Stevensville, Noma Scruggs. A movie date turned into a marriage of almost 69 years, during which, they were the definition of true love. Dick and Noma welcomed their only daughter, Shawn, in 1960. Throughout his life he placed family first and could be found at any of his grandchildren’s school or sports events that allowed attendance. His childhood in Missoula was full of adventure. As a preschooler, he rode his tricycle from his home to the Missoula Mercantile downtown to see his father. Dick’s family owned the Hamburger King down by the railroad depot in Missoula. He spent many years there working and enjoying the customers. Some of his proudest
moments included taking burgers to WWII soldiers on the trains that would come through Missoula. His not-so-proudest moment was spilling a milkshake down the dress of the mayor. As a young man, Dick also served his community as part of the National Guard. Dick spent many years as a linotype operator at both the Missoulian and the Flathead Courier/Lake County Leader. He later decided to change careers and dedicated countless hours as Lake County’s Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator. Dick would often use his daughter Shawn and her friends as “victims” of disaster drills and then treat them to Richwine’s Burgerville, which was the home of his favorite burgers and milkshakes. Throughout his life he served his community as a volunteer firefighter answering calls day and night in his trusty red coveralls and rubber boots. He took real joy in driving the truck. Dick was also an active member of many community and fraternal organizations including the Elks, Masons, and Shriners. He served as an officer and worked happily on community projects with these groups. His real love outside of his family was golf and he shared that love with his family. Dick loved to take his grandsons golfing and would begin every round with a trip
through the McDonald’s drive-through window in his cart. He will be missed terribly by us all. He loved and supported his family. He was the kind of father that took his daughter prom dress shopping and skiing with her friends even though he didn’t ski. He yelled at basketball games, knew all the best jokes, marveled at his grandsons’ golf shots, and kept their gas tanks full with his not-so-secret “money handshakes”. The pride that Dick showed for each person in his family can never be matched. He always made us feel loved and made time for us at a moment’s notice. A “family man” in every sense of the word, he lived for his loved ones until his very last day. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bill. Survivors include his wife, Noma; his daughter, Shawn (Rod) Harris of Ronan; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Nathaniel (Elise and Henley, Harper, Hollyn, and Hayden) Harris of Missoula, Nick (Ashleigh and Hayes and Hudson) of Frenchtown, and Nolan ( Jenny and Ellie) of Helena. Memorial Services will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Polson Community Church at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to your local youth golf program or your local
fire department. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www. lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
Kristine Meili RONAN — Kristine Sara (Moy) Meili passed away from cancer on Nov. 30, 2021. She was born on Jan. 17, 1949, in Missoula to O. Marshall and Vivian E. Moy. Kris always expressed her faithful love for Jesus, her Savior. He was her best friend. She loved talking to Him and about Him. He always comforted her with His abiding friendship. She remembers well the times He showed up in Kristine her life Meili through the powerful Holy Spirit. Kris has now joined Him and is at peace, joining her parents, her nephew Tyler, and her grandparents. Kris grew up at 1114 Poplar Street, a gorgeous home. She attended Prescott grade school, Hellgate High School, and the University of Montana, where she earned a degree in elementary education. While there, she participated in the Kadettes, an Army ROTC all-female
Valley Journal
drill team. A tall, sharp looking beauty. As a child, Kris was surrounded by her older twin brothers, who at times made her life just barely tolerable. Still, she enjoyed family gatherings at the ranch up Marshall Canyon, which her grandparents bought in 1914. There, she grew up around horses and had her own quarter horse. In high school, a riding accident broke her back. She mended well, but it bothered her in later years. Kris also enjoyed swimming in Flathead Lake and Holland Lake. Because of her love of Flathead Lake, Kris rented a cabin in Skidoo Bay for several years. She enjoyed spending time there relaxing, and she invited family and friends to enjoy the place with her every summer. Kris worked one summer during college as a waitress at Eddie’s Café in Apgar. She loved being in Glacier. After graduation, Kris taught third and fifth grades in Browning, for several years before moving to Ronan. She loved teaching elementary school and she loved her students even more. Peg Rowe, a close teacher friend said, “Mrs. Meili, as most everyone in the valley called her, was an awesome teacher. She managed her class in a firm but loving way.” Kris knew that her students would remember her reading the “The Great Brain!” stories to them. Peg Rowe said, “Her greatest
legacy through was her very deep and real love and concern for the children and families of her beloved Ronan.” So many were blessed by her acts of kindness. Barnaby Smith, another teacher, invited her to join his family Kristine Meili on numerous occasions. She became like an aunt to his kids. He said, “She would always bring her coconut cream and lemon meringue pies to share. We enjoyed chatting about Westerns, history, school, and her favorite book series, ‘The Outlander.’” After Kris retired from many years of pouring her heart into teaching, she continued to serve her community by volunteering to work with kindergarten students. She even helped some high school graduates financially so they could further their education. Because of her love for her town, Kristine is leaving a gift for graduating Ronan high school students. In her name, she wanted to set up a scholarship fund to help deserving Ronan graduates advance to higher educational institutions. It was her desire that whoever was helped by this fund
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