Glacier takes comments on Swiftcurrent project

WEST GLACIER — Glacier National Park is beginning civic engagement for a proposal to close the Swiftcurrent developed area to the public to facilitate proposed road and parking improvements and a water system replacement.

NPS has developed a story map describing the proposal, available for review and comment online at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/Swiftcurrent.

Comments can also be sent to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Swiftcurrent Developed Area Proposal PO, Box 128, West Glacier, MT 59936. Comments are due by July 30.

The park is proposing to close the Swiftcurrent developed area during the construction period, from the fall of 2024 until spring of 2026. The

Swiftcurrent developed area is in the Swiftcurrent Valley located west of the Many Glacier Valley on the east side of the park. The area closure would include the summer of 2025, during which time the public would generally not have access to the Swiftcurrent developed area. Day hiking would be facilitated for the trail system from the Swiftcurrent Area.

The closure would be in place during the fall of 2024, spring and summer of 2025, and spring of 2026. Impacts to visitors would be most noticeable during July and August of 2025, when services that are typically open to the public would be closed. There would be very little change to the availability of services during the fall and spring shoulder season, since services in the area are normally closed during these times.

LaVonne Olmsted

ST. IGNATIUS –LaVonne Olmsted, 78, returned home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, after battling pancreatic cancer.

LaVonne was born and raised in St. Ignatius and attended college at Concordia College in Portland, Oregon. After marrying her husband Ron in Chicago in 1972, she returned to Montana in 1975 and began a 30+ year career with the post office that included 20 years as postmaster in St. Ignatius. She was active in the National League of Postmasters and awarded Postmaster of the Year recognition for the state of Montana.

LaVonne is survived by her husband, Ron; daughter, Wendy; sons, Michael and Brian; and granddaughters, Miranda and Avery.

Services have been held.

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

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

Patricia Sheumaker

RONAN — Patricia

Roark Sheumaker was called home after a major stroke on June 27, 2023. She was born in Charlo on Aug. 22, 1940, to Rommie and Helen Roark. She attended school in Charlo and Missoula, then obtained her GED and graduated from beautician school in Missoula. She opened her shop, Pat’s Beauty Boutique, in Ronan and worked until her previously broken back got the best of her.

As a talented pianist, she played for church, weddings, and funerals most of her life. She also taught ballroom dancing in Missoula. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Ronan.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Willis Sheumaker; daughter, Kelly Trujillo (Patrick); three sisters; and four brothers.

Patricia is survived by her longtime companion, Gordon Rungborg; daughter, Tammi of Ronan; sister, Judy of Calimesa, California, two grandchildren; six great grandchildren and many other family and friends. 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.

STANWOOD, WASHINGTON

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Leslie Anne Gilbert was born on July 2, 1946, to Glen and Ruth Vergeront in Denver, Colorado. Anne passed into heaven at the age of 76, on April 13, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington.

Anne is survived by her sons, Will and Jeremy Gilbert and grandson, Jacob Gilbert; her brother, Chip and his wife Karen; her brother, Charlie Vergeront; nephews, Jerry, Marc, Michael; nieces, Tawni and Alison and all of their families.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Ruth Vergeront; sister, Betty Vergeront; and husband, Bill Gilbert.