obituaries

Leo Harteis

DIXON — Leo Harteis was born on Jan. 5, 1946, and died on Feb. 24, 2023, from illness. Born in Pennsylvania, he lived in Western Montana for years. He was a silver smith, stone mason, and an art instructor at Salish Kootenai College. He went to art school in Pennsylvania. Survived by siblings and family, he will be missed by many. A memorial is scheduled for March 17, at 2 p.m. at the Dixon Senior Citizens Center., 35 Third St. in Dixon.

Joan Hill-Graham

RONAN – Joan Lucille Hill-Graham, age 65, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, of ovarian cancer, at her residence, surrounded by her family. She was born to Lawrence Frederick and Lucille (Pierson) Hill in Spokane, Washington. She attended schools in Wilbur, Washington, and graduated from Wilbur High School in 1975. She attended college at Eastern Washington University and graduated with honors in 1979 with a major in history with a minor in special education. She taught in the Grand Coulee Schools from 1980-1981. She went on to receive Masters Degrees in Education Administration and Special Educa- tion Administration from the University of Montana. She moved to Ronan in 1981 and taught special education for 17 years and an additional 18 years as the Special Education Director followed by four years as the Curriculum Director for Ronan School District 30. She married Scott Graham June 11, 1983, in Wilbur, Washington. She retired in 2020.

Joan was very influential in maximizing others’ potential. Her inspiration started with her children, and includes her nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-inlaw, para-professionals and friends. Joan’s inspiration was outcome based so she would check in with you about the steps you needed to do in order to reach whatever your goal was.

Joan loved the outdoors and moving to Montana was a great fit. She was an avid cyclist, both road and mountain. Joan loved floating on the rivers in western Montana. The North Fork of the Flathead River is one of her all-time favorite areas, making treks up there in summer and winter.

Joan also enjoyed history and travel and trips would be planned around historical sites. This exemplary woman, Joan Lucille Hill-Graham, has inspired many other exemplary human beings. We will miss you soulfully Joan. We love you!

Joan was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Scott, of Ronan; sons, Ian (Shiva) of Whitefish and

Andrew of Bozeman; brother, Jim (Teresa) Hill of Fountain Hills, Arizona; nephew, Eric (Janna) Hill of Scottsdale, Arizona; as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service for Joan will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.

Marilyn Baltz

CHARLO — Marilyn Joan Baltz, 78, of Charlo passed away Monday, March 6, 2023, with her loving husband by her side. Marilyn was born on Aug. 6, 1944, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Charlie and Dorothy Dennis. Her family history was very important to her. Ancestry lines link her to England, Wales, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Eastern Europe, and Russia. She graduated from Ronan High school in 1962. She attended business school in Billings and once remarked how she got by on $5 a week. On Dec. 7, 1968, she married Arlo Baltz in Ronan. They had been married 54 years. They loved spending time in nature, camping with Arlo out in the fishing boat while she listened to the radio and browsing her magazines. They would go hunting together and loved staying at the hunter’s cabin or in their camper.

Marilyn loved animals. She often named the animals like bears and deer that moved through the property. She loved those who did not have a voice.

Memories of her include her collection of bells, she would collect driftwood for display in her flower gardens and her love of forget-menot flowers. She would walk down the road to visit her mother/parents/relatives and would be pulled along by her kids, just in case we heard wild animal sounds nearby. Her sister, Norma and brother, Arlan preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband, Arlo of Charlo; three children, Barry Baltz, of Porter Texas, Karen Baltz Gibbs, of Newberg, Oregon, and Brenda Baltz, of Athens, New York; her brother, Jerry Dennis of Wichita, Kansas, and four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that per Marilyn’s wishes, donations be made to Mission Valley Animal Shelter in Polson.

Memorial services will be held later for safer travel when the weather permits.

Memories and Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shriderthompson. com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory.