Obituaries

Katherine Schnase

POLSON — A life spanning from the year 1919 in a small town in Yugoslavia through Ellis Island, Chicago, Wyoming and Montana to this year 2022, has ceased and the contributions of another member of the Greatest Generation are complete.

Katherine Elizabeth Burghardt Feiter Schnase, reaching her way into a second century at the age of 102, passed away Monday evening, April 5, 2022, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.

Katherine was born to Philip and Elizabeth Burghardt on Dec. 30, 1919, in Yugoslavia. She, her brother Joseph and her parents immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island on Dec. 19, 1923. From there they traveled to Chicago where they made their home. Philip was a bricklayer by trade and Elizabeth a seamstress. In Chicago, a second brother, Jacob (Jack) was born, and raised with Joe and sister Kate. Kate graduated from Park High School and secured a job at the Spiegel Store. She married Jack Feiter in 1940 and they had a daughter Jacqueline before Jack was drafted and sent to Italy during WWII. Jack died in 1944 in Italy serving our country, leaving Kate and Jackie at home. Traveling on vacation to Wyoming with her brother Jack, she met Orville Schnase (Sniz), an army buddy of her brother. Later Orville would travel to Chicago to ask her hand in marriage. Kate and Jackie then moved to the “wilderness” of Wyoming on Horseshoe Creek near Glendo to begin a new life. It was there that Carol, John and Ken were born. In 1954 Orville and Kate bought a farm/ranch west of Charlo, Montana. Kate learned about milk cows, hogs, horses, Herefords, chickens, apple orchards, rattlesnakes and driving tractors. Those things, along with meals, clothes, chores and getting the kids to the school bus on time, were routine for Kate. The family loved the homemade bread and rolls after school as well as the memorable Sunday dinners.

After the children grew and moved on, Kate and Orville moved to a 40acre farm adjacent to the original, which had been sold. There they kept the horses and raised a few cattle and Kate took a job as a cook and waitress at a local restaurant. She worked there until Orville became ill. He passed away in 1991. Kate continued to live on the farm until 1994 when she moved to Ronan where she stayed for over 20 years. In Ronan she continued to be a part of the Senior Citizens, American Legion Auxiliary and Council on Aging. She also worked at the Breadbasket. In 2016 Kate moved to St. Joseph Assisted Living in Polson where she developed a love and friendship with the residents and staff and lived there until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her husband Orville; brothers, Joseph and Jacob; daughter, Jacqueline; son, Ken; granddaughter, Sheena; and a great-grandson, Clayton.

She leaves behind sisterin-law, Ann Burghardt and children, Betsy and Peter; daughter, Carol Samson (Barry); son, John Schnase (Barb); grandchildren, Mike Winn (Theresa), Greg Winn (Sonya), David Ortiz (Lisa), Jennifer Lively (Todd), Charlotte Schnase, Nate Schnase (Leslie), Lee Schnase (Carlee); 14 great- grandchildren and 10 great great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice or to the Montana Community Foundation for the

Katherine Schnase Permanent Endowment Fund of the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County.

Services have been held.

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www. shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.

Katherine Schnase

Lori Trogden

POLSON — Lori Ann Trogden (Williams) passed away at home in Polson, on April 1, 2022, surrounded by family. She was born on Dec. 17, 1960, in Butte, to Paul and Louana Williams.

For 20 years Lori enjoyed Lori helping Trogden the people in her community find a place to call home and cherished spreading the Lords love within her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose legacy will forever

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She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Mike; and her grandson, Bradley.

Lori is survived by her daughter, Christine (Seth); son, Derek (Erin); son, Matthew; and grandchildren, Julie, Destiny, Trinity, Alex, James, Abigayle and Corbin; her sister, Brenda; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Lori were held at The Lake Funeral Home. 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.

Joseph Brooks

RONAN — Joseph Gerald Brooks, 77, passed to eternal life on April 4, 2022, with his beloved daughter Cindy, at his side, holding his hand.

Joe was born the tenth child of Perry Eugene and Mabel Bell Brooks on Sept. 30, 1944, in Portland, Oregon, where his parents had temporarily relocated to work in the shipyards supporting America’s war effort. When WWII ended, the family returned to the beautiful Mission Valley where Joe spent his childhood exploring every creek, river, forest, and mountain and developing hunting and fishing skills critical to his family’s survival.

Joe graduated from Ronan High School in 1962, where he was a star football player. There, he met Nancy Collins and his plans of college and playing Grizzly football were replaced by the hopes and dreams of a young husband and father. His son, Joe Brooks Jr., was born in 1963 and, to support his family, Joe volunteered for wartime service in Vietnam. He served in the Army’s 1st Aviation Brigade of the 11th Air Group of the 57th Aviation Company. If it had wings or a rotor, Joe could fly it, but he primarily piloted the De Havilland CV-2 Caribou Fixed Wing as part of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam. He logged over 1,000 combat flight hours and exhibited tenacity and courage in unimaginable conditions.

Upon completing his tour of duty in Vietnam, the Army assigned Joe to Fort Rucker, Alabama, to serve as a flight instructor. There, his daughter Cindy Brooks was born in 1967. Joe often reflected about the moment he met Cindy: how she opened her big eyes, looked innocently at her war-weary father, and the two became best friends for life.

After completing his military service with numerous honors, including the Army Commendation Medal for sustained acts of heroism, Joe returned to Ronan and built his family a home in the foothills of the Mission Mountains, complete with a backyard pond where his kids kept their pet ducks. In addition to working as the Ronan City Foreman and serving on the Ronan City Commission and Lake County Joint Airport Board, Joe embarked on a lifetime of successful entrepreneurial initiatives, building numerous restaurants, subdivisions, Joe’s Conoco, the Ronan-Pablo Cable TV Company, and Ronan Power Products. He parlayed these successes into the purchase of what became the JBar4 Ranch, including the homestead where his parents lived during the Great Depression. He was a devoted conservationist and implemented an easement on the ranch dedicated to protecting pheasant and wetland habitat and the trout fishery in Mud Creek.

Over the course of those years, Joe and Nancy grew apart and divorced.

Joe was later blessed to meet Loretta Shima and become stepfather to her children, Shelly and Shane. Joe and Loretta nurtured one another’s Christian faith while enjoying a loving marriage for 40 years. They shared a special bond that inspired everyone around them.

Joe was the last of his generation, something upon which he nostalgically reflected with longing for those who passed before him, including his parents, Gene and Mabel Brooks, and his nine older siblings, Loyal (Frances), Jack, John, and Bob Brooks and Dorothy (Francis) Griffey, Ruth (Leonard) Hawk, Glen (Earl) Grotjohn, Della Bauer, and Pat Krahn. We have no doubt that there is lots of joke-telling occurring in heaven right now, with howls of laughter from the Brooks clan as they embrace their baby brother who finally made it home.

Joe is survived by his wife Loretta; his children, Joe Brooks Jr., Cindy (Lance) Melton, Shelly (Larry) Cordis, and Shane (Carissa) Shima and Jennifer (Kevin) Fortney; his grandchildren, Bobbi and Samantha Brooks, Isabelle Melton, Riley (Ashley) and Rachel Cordis, and Hunter (Lauren), Fisher, and Skyler Shima; great-grandchildren, Ben, Alice, Aiyana, Kiara, and Hudson; sisters-in-law Ellen, Clarice, and Kathryn Brooks; brothers-in-law Marvin Bauer and Larry Krahn; and dozens of nieces and nephews who enriched his life and for whom he held great love.

There are no words that can do justice to the beautiful life Joe lived. He was a family man, teaching his children to hunt and fish while instilling the values of hard work, humor, courage, independence, integrity, and love. Joe was a voracious reader with his favorite subjects being the Bible, history, and politics. He was self-taught and brilliant, with the ability to discuss and debate any topic in which you were willing to engage. Joe was also generous to a fault and demonstrated an extraordinary work ethic.

We will celebrate Joe’s life with joy on April 23, 2022, at 12 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ronan. His ashes will be scattered at his parents’ historic homestead in the same place his brother Bob rests.

Joe Brooks

Tester, Daines bipartisan resolution recognizing National Park Week passes U.S. Senate

News from the offices of Senator Tester and

Senator Daines

U.S. SENATE — Bipartisan Senate resolution marking April 16, 2022 through April 24, 2022 as National Park Week passed the U.S. Senate recently.

“Our national parks help set us apart from the rest of the world, and in Montana we have some of the best,” Daines said. “Enjoying Montana’s great outdoors isn’t just a favorite pastime, it’s part of our way of life. This National Park week, I encourage folks to get outside and find their park!”

“National Parks are one of the best ideas that the Federal Government ever had, and we’re lucky to have two of the nation’s finest parks right in our backyard,” said Tester. “Glacier and Yellowstone help drive our $7.1 billion outdoor economy, provide beautiful landscapes for families to make memories, and hold significant importance for Tribal Nations throughout the West and in Montana. As a proud supporter of our National Park System, I encourage everyone in the Treasure State to get outside and enjoy one of our worldclass parks this week.”

Montana is home to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, and in honor of National Park Week entrance into all national parks will be free on Saturday, April 16.

Wednesday, April 13

Rural Fire District Board to meet

POLSON – The regular monthly meeting of the Polson Rural Fire District Board of Trustees will take place on Wednesday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at the Big Arm Station No. 2, 28565 Seventh Street in Big Arm.

Friday, April 15

Learn about business documentation

KALISPELL/ZOOM — On April 15, “Documentation” will be taught (Zoom option). Clear, concise and factual documentation that is constructive, corrective and positive is critical to any business. Receive guidance and samples for all types of employee personnel file information. Understand the importance of training for all levels of supervisors who may contribute to an employee’s file. Through a partnership with FVCC, Mission West Community Development Partners offers the chance to attend these workshops free of charge. We will enroll you in the workshops and pay the fee. To be eligible, you must own or work for a for-profit small business with ten or fewer employees located in Lake, Mineral or Sanders County. Entrepreneurs who are planning to start a business are also eligible. If you’d like to enroll, call us at 406-676-5928.

Saturday, April 16

Participate in ‘Park After Dark’ guided hike

WAYFARERS — Wayfarers is one unit of Flathead Lake State Park located on the east shore. On the April full moon, April 16, at 8:30 p.m., join a park ranger on a 1.5 mile guided hike. This hike offers a unique way to experience your local trails and the shore of Flathead Lake.

Please bring headlamps, sturdy hiking shoes, water, snacks, and warm clothes (camera is optional). The cost is $4 and reservations are required.

Call the ranger station at 406-837-3041 ext. 0 to reserve a spot.

Valley View School KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP

& Child Find

Thursday, April 14, 2022 8:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.

Must be 5 years old by September 10, 2022 to enroll in school

THE SCREENING IS OPEN TO

ALL CHILDREN AGES 3-5 any questions CALL 883-2208

Please Bring:

Immunization record & Birth Certificate

(must be a Certified Birth Certificate, not parental copy. Can be purchased at the Lake County Courthouse for $5)

Easter Eggs to be found at Lone Pine State Park

KALISPELL — Lone Pine State park is located five miles southwest of Kalispell.

Join us for an afternoon of fun activities including the great Easter Egg Hunt. The egg hunt will be broken up into four sessions starting at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and will include other activities after the hunt.

Registration is required. Call 406-755-2706 ext. 0 to register. Please sign up for just one session.

Bring an Easter basket or bag for each child to collect eggs. Participants will meet at the picnic shelter before walking on a short 30-minute loop to search for Easter eggs.

Dress for the weather as the event will be outside.

see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

MT Poet Laureate plans online program

POLSON — On Wednesday, April 20, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Montana’s Poet Laureate with Mark Gibbons will take place. You can join online at: https:/tinyurl.com/mtpoetmark or join the watch party in the large meeting room of the North Lake County Public Library. Please register at 406883-8225 by April 18. At least five patrons must register to have the watch party.

Friday, April 22

Celebrate Earth Day

BIG ARM — Celebrate Earth Day on a guided hike along the shores of Flathead Lake. Learn about the different plants, trees, animals and other features at the park. This family-friendly event is open to all ages. The hike will meet at the entrance station at the Big Arm unit at 7 p.m. The cost is $4 and reservations are required. Call the ranger station at 406-837-3041 ext. 0 to reserve a spot.

Enjoy meteor shower viewing

KALISPELL — The annual Lyrid Meteor shower will be back this year with a partial moon allowing the possibility to see a few meteors. Known for being one of the oldest meteor showers, the Lyrids will occasionally leave long trace trails through the sky. We will go on a short hike to learn more about meteor showers, then return to the visitor center parking lot for viewing. Call the visitor center at 406-755-2706 ext. 0 to register, as space is limited. Cost is free.

Cowboy Ball held at Polson Fairgrounds

POLSON — The 30th annual fundraiser banquet and auction, The Cowboy Ball, will be held on Friday, April 22, under the big tent at the Polson Fairgrounds. No host cocktails and the silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m. and the prime rib dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. This event will feature sho down. Tickets are $60 each and are available at 219 Main, Wild Horse Framing, Muley Bluz in Ronan and PFI board members. Come enjoy dinner, an auction and dancing. Proceeds benefit fairgrounds improvement.

7 out of

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

“. . . though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 Jesus IS the only way. Will you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you today?

You must trust in Jesus Christ

To learn more join us at Lake City Baptist Church • 38907 MT HWY 35 406-465-8564 • Sunday service at 10:30 a.m.

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Polson

By Pete Mangels for the

Valley Journal

POLSON — April’s full moon is on April 16, the day before Easter Sunday. It has been named the “Pink Moon.” It represents change, growth and renewal (think spring). It is also the time to get rid of things rather than save things. Garage sales come to mind. My wife says it’s time to clean out my sheds. We’ll see. Maybe I will find treasures that I forgot about years ago. I’m sure they are still there. It’s fun to say, “Oh, that’s where I left that!” “Tai Ji Quan: Movement for Better Balance” classes (Tai Chi or Shadowboxing) are starting April 12 on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10-11 a.m. for a period of 6 weeks provided by Western Montana Area VI Agency on Aging. Their phone number is 406.883.7482. The cost is $30. Only $15 if you are a senior center member.

Tax assistance: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. This is the last week to file, ends April 14.

Exercise for Mobility:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10:30 –11:30 a.m.

Tai Ji Quan, (TAICHI) Movement for

Better Balance: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10– 11 am. (See above).

Bridge: Tuesdays and Fridays – postponed but you can sign up

Mahjong: Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. (multiple tables)

Pinochle: Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. (earlier or later if you wish). We play 3, 4, or 5 players per table.

Bingo: Fridays, 7 p.m. Lots of fun, cash prizes, snacks. The number of bingo players is growing. It is the only regular bingo game in the valley. Still fun for all over 17 years of age.

Bowling: Seniors’ group every Tuesday from 1-3:30 p.m.

Hearing Clinic: Every third Thursday of each month - April 21, from 10 a.m.-noon.

Veterans’ Rep: The first Friday of each month - May 6 and third Tuesday of every month - April 17 from 10 a.m.-noon. Pool: Open billiards, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. We have purchased a new table cover and are working on new felt and bumpers. It has been at least 20 years since it was last recovered. MENU (subject to change): — Wednesday, Apr. 13: link sausage and gravy, biscuit, carrots, pea salad, lemon bars — Thursday, Apr. 14: Salisbury steak, potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, pear-cheese salad, applesauce cake — Friday, Apr. 15: fish, mac-cheese, beets, green salad, chocolate cake Monday, Apr. 18: split pea soup, roll, creamy peach salad, cookie — Tuesday, Apr. 19: corned beef casserole, green beans, frozen fruit salad, peaches — Wednesday, Apr. 20: chicken thighs, sweet/sour sauce, rice, stir fry veggies, veggie aspic, key lime bars — Thursday, Apr. 21: corn dogs, spud tots, baked beans, green salad, pears The new 2022 AARP Driver Safety Course will be held at the Polson Senior Center on Tuesday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call the center to register. The cost is $25 or $20 for AARP members. Take the course and get a Montana mandated discount on your car insurance.

Call us at 406-883-4735 or email us at: polsonseniorcenter@gmail.com or visit us at 504 Third Ave. E. We are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Lunch is available from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays for $5.

Dixon

By Heather Rush for the

Valley Journal

DIXON — The Dixon Senior Center continues to serve our community and hopes everyone is staying happy and healthy. All are invited to come enjoy dinner. Meals will be served Monday and Thursday evenings at 5 p.m. Meals are $4 per serving and are deliverable to Dixon residents upon request. We are also accepting take-out meal requests for $5 per serving.

The menu for the coming week is: — Thursday, April 14th: Easter meal – ham, all the trimmings — Monday, April 18th: ham/ bean soup, dessert — Thursday, April 21st: lasagna, salad, garlic bread, dessert

Pinochle is back. Pinochle is being hosted every fourth Monday of each month from 7-9 p.m. The next game is Monday, April 25.

Feel welcome to place an order in advance by calling 406-246-3310. All ages are always welcome.

DOG AND CAT LICENSES REQUIRED

Ordinance 2010-06 of the Ronan Municipal Codes states that no dog or cat shall be permitted to be or remain in the City without having a proper current license affixed to a collar, chain, or harness fasted to or upon each such animal. Licenses expire as of Jan. 1st of each year. 2022 Licenses can be obtained at Ronan City Hall, 207 Main SW, Ronan, MT.

St. Ignatius

By Irene Pritsak for the

Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — Our Easter dinner will be on April 20; a little after the actual day, but with all the trimmings. We hope you will join us at 5:30 p.m. for ham, mashed potatoes, fresh rolls, cherry pie salad, veggies and Amish sugar cookies for dessert. The menu: — Friday, April 15: baked fish, rice pilaf, Jell-O salad, chocolate chip cookies — April 19: beef bullets, vegetables, rolls, fruit, peanut butter cake bars — Friday, April 22: ham dinner for our delivery folks, grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, salad, cherry cheesecake. Our bake sale and bingo games are scheduled for Saturday, April 16, just in time for Easter. Please join us. Gentle yoga takes place on Wednesdays from 1-2:30 p.m. Have a great week.