Obituaries

William Olson

RONAN — William “Bill” Emil Olson, 76, passed away Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at St. Luke Medical Center in Ronan. His battle with cancer was fought with the same dignity with which he lived his life.

Bill grew up in Missoula and graduated from Sentinel High School. He then spent many summers on his uncle’s cattle ranch outside of Hall, Montana. Bill graduated from the University of Montana in Business Finance. While in college, he pursued service deferment and the girl next door, Peggy. Advanced ROTC was the path in his college years and in 1968 he was commissioned in the Army Military Police Corps as a Second Lieutenant without much visibility to a career beyond staying alive for the next few years. Bill and Peggy married in 1965 and were stationed in Hawaii by a combination of luck and good choices before returning to Montana in the fall of 1971. Bill and Peggy were married for 56 years.

Family was the ultimate priority for Bill. He led the family with grace and compassion. He and Peggy were devoted to their daughters, DeAnn and Patty, and four grandchildren.

Bill was tenacious, wise, steadfast, and loyal. His optimism was contagious. Every task was thoroughly researched and planned. He was always witty, even during his last moments.

He started working for the Ronan State Bank and Polson Community Bank, now known as Glacier Bank, and was heavily involved with the community through his career of 34 years.

Bill enjoyed aviation, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, researching genealogy and Montana history. Bill was on the Polson Flathead Lake Museum board and served as President for many years. His most recent endeavor is the ongoing Museum Renovation Project.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Fern Olson. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his two daughters, Patty Eckelman and DeAnn Fredrickson; his grandchildren, Ellen (Ruslan) Kolb, Sid Fredrickson, Dallas Eckelman, and Bailey Eckelman; his sister, Darlene (Al) Merritt; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Polson Flathead Lake Museum, 708 Main St., Polson, MT 59860.

A memorial service is scheduled for the beginning of summer. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation. com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

Bill Olson

Sarah Owen

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — Sarah Jean Owen (Drebes), 52, passed away on Jan. 4, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida, as a result of COVID-related pneumonia. Prior to her passing, Sarah worked at Compass Group as a cook and cashier; she was also employed as a certified nurse’s assistant for a very extended time.

Sarah was born to Clarence and Gladyce Drebes on Oct. 2, 1969, in Polson. She attended schools in the Lake County School District and graduated from Ronan High School in 1988. She also attended classes at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo and at Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida. Sarah loved going to the beach and swimming, as

well as her husband of 13 years, Albert. She also loved to cook and was passionate about baking pastries. She also loved all her pets, especially Peanut her horse, and her cats Maggie and Daisy. She was very compassionate and loved life itself. Sarah was pre-deceased by her mother, Gladyce Drebes of Pablo. She is survived by her husband, Albert. Also surviving are her father, Clarence, of Pablo; her brothers, Paul (Debi) Drebes, of Perris, California, and Bryon (Karen) Drebes of Rathdrum, Idaho; her cat, Daisy, of Jacksonville; her very “BFF,” Amy (Shaw) Gafford of Republic, Missouri; along with many friends and other relatives of the area. At her request, no funeral services will be held. Sarah Owen Donations toward her medical costs and care can be sent to her husband Albert. Please call 1-904480-0068 for further assistance.

Carla Hurst

GREEN VALLEY, ARIZONA — Carla Sanford Hurst passed away at the age of 65 on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, after a prolonged illness.

Carla is survived by her husband, Jim Hurst; her son and his wife, Jonathan and Rhonda Buys; and four grandchildren, Savannah (Jack) Belcher, Madeline Buys, Benjamin Buys, and Jacob Buys. Carla also leaves her former step-daughter-in-law, Kelly Kovarik, Kelly’s daughter Britney Buys, and Britney’s two children, Elena and Ryker, with whom she had a long and special relationship. There are no events planned, as she did not wish to have services.

Carla loved the natural beauty of Montana and spending time with her pets. According to her faith in Christ, she is with Him in an eternal house in Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1). We know that she has found peace as in Rev. 21:4, “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Carla Hurst

Phyllis Sharbono

RONAN — Phyllis Lucille Sharbono (Van Ness) was born on April 8, 1940, in Ronan. She passed away on Jan. 5, 2022, at the age of 81. She was the third oldest and the first daughter born in a family of eleven children. She was raised on a cattle/dairy farm where she helped with cooking and cleaning with extra chores during the branding season. She attended first through eighth grade in the Round Butte School and ninth through 12th grade in Ronan. She graduated in 1958. While in school she was involved in 4-H and won a purple ribbon on her homemade bread. For her graduation gift, her mother took her on a car trip with her brother George. They drove to Goodland, Kansas, on the prairie to see her mother’s family. She worked at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with her future motherin-law who introduced her to her future husband, Marvin Sharbono. They were married in 1960 and they had five children together. They were married for 50 years. He passed away in October of 2010. While married, they lived in Deer lodge, Florence, Missoula, Montana and Renton, Washington, before settling in Ronan in 1975. She worked numerous jobs. St. Pat’s Hospital, Woolworths, Hill Side Manor Rest Home in Missoula, numerous

Phyllis cafés, and the Ronan Sharbono Police Department. The hobbies she loved were sewing, quilting, crocheting, and gardening. She

see page 25

LCCD PHOTO RONAN — Over the fall and early winter, LCCD staff helped install native shrub and wildflower pollinator plots in Pollywog Park. Pollywog Park is a native plants park that is a part of the Ronan school system. The park was designed as an educational tool for students, but became overgrown overtime. Lake County Conservation District, Flathead Indian Reservation MSU Extension, and AmeriCorps members have teamed up with the school to restore Pollywog Park.

NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION

43

PARTICIPATING NEWSPAPERS

JOIN MONTANA’S EFFECTIVE Statewide Online Advertising Program (SOAP)

250,000

IMPRESSIONS FOR $1,499

CALL: 406.443.2850 DETAILS: mtnewspapers.com

from page 24

passed away from lung cancer.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, George and Evalina Van Ness; brothers, Charlie Van Ness and Jerry Van Ness; a sister, Marrion Clairmont; four nephews, Brian Van Ness, Scotty McClure, Troy Van Ness and Jason Van Ness; and her husband of 50 years, Marvin Sharbono.

She is survived by her five children, Glen and (Lorie) Sharbono, Bonnie McCauley, Julie Allen, Robbin (Kevin) Bauer and Kristie (Scott) Baker; seventeen grandchildren, Shawn O’Donnell, Jesse, Dustin, Kirby (Sharbono), Jolene, Tyler, Loren, Roberta (McCauley), Jordan (Allen), Chase, Vannessa, Melissa, Devin, Blaine, and Aspen (Bauer), Danielle, Ray Jr. (Dalke), and 33 great-grandchildren, with one on the way. Her remaining siblings are her brothers, George (Marge) Van Ness of Dodge, Washington, Roy (Fay) Van Ness of Arlee, Robin (Judy) Van Ness of Pablo, Paul Van Ness of Ronan, Rodney (Peggy) Van Ness of Polson, Joe Van Ness of Reno, Nevada, and her sister, Gail (Jack) Clark of Tacoma, Washington, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Services have been held.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.shriderthompson.com.

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

EVER wonder how people with hearing or speech challenges make a phone call? AS a business, are you prepared to take those calls?

Contact MTAP to learn more!

Learn how to recognize a relay call and Become a Relay Friendly Business!

1-800-833-8503 ♦ relay@mt.gov

It’s Easy! - It’s FREE! - It’s Good for Business!

MV Children’s Choir resumes rehearsals

RONAN — The Mission Valley Children’s Choir will resume its seventh year on Tuesday, Jan.18, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 406 Fifth Ave. SW. Rehearsals will be held from 4-5 every Tuesday. The choir is open to children from the Mission Valley in from second through seventh grades. The directors of the choir are Mrs. Cathy Gillhouse and Pastor Seth Nelson. We welcome Wendy Sanders as our new accompanist.

It is Gillhouse’s goal to expose the children to many different styles of music throughout the year, ranging from multicultural, spiritual, folk, show tunes, patriotic, sacred and seasonal.

For more information, call Cathy Gillhouse at 406-207-3032 or email her at: gill4748@hotmail.com.

plow driver shortage

from page 7

trouble keeping its roads in the Kalispell area clear, it’s been a little closer to normal for Flathead County. Public Works Director Dave Prunty said the county doesn’t rely on seasonal workers to plow roads, so it hasn’t had the same hiring struggles.

“We don’t have to get new guys every year,” he said.

This week, Prunty was down two drivers — one was out sick with COVID-19 and the other had an injury — but he expected to be back to normal within a week or two, just in time for the next big storm.

vj

Wednesday, Jan. 26

Irrigation District holds monthly meeting

RONAN — The Flathead Irrigation District’s monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m. at the Lake County Extension Office, 303 Third Ave. NW. Go to the back door kitchen area. The agenda is posted on the website: www.FlatheadIrrigationDistrict.org.

Friday, Jan. 28

Winter Film Festival on tap

POLSON — The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest begins on Friday, Jan. 28, at the Showboat Cinema.

Saturday, March 5

Clinic on ice fishing offered for women

LAKE MARY RONAN — The Montana Wildlife Federation Artemis Sportswomen invite interested people to the first annual Montana Women’s Ice Fishing Clinic on Lake Mary Ronan scheduled for Saturday, March 5, from 6 a.m. until dark. This one-day event is meant to nurture new and experienced ice anglers alike, build community and help women feel confident on the ice.

Though experienced anglers will be present to help with set-up and to give fishing tips, the Women’s Ice Fishing Clinic is not a guided outing. It is not guaranteed success. It is, however, guaranteed fun.

You must register in advance to attend. Secure your spot now with a $10 participation fee: www.eventbrite. com/e/montana-womens-ice-fishing-clinic-lake-mary-ronan-tickets-238539858137

All ice fishing equipment, shelters, coffee and tea on the ice, and lunch are included

Fishing Licenses are required. If you need one they can be purchased from any sporting goods shop or online through Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks at: https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/fishinglicenses

Bring warm boots, extra socks, warm gloves, warm hat, lots of layers, thermos/ travel mug and camp chair and if you have them bring: ice fishing pole, lures and bait, hemostats, bucket (doubles as a chair), hand warmers, crampons and other ice fishing equipment. Email any and all questions to Morgan Marks at morgan@mtwf.org or call 406-4034464. We hope to see you on the hard water.

Campaign to vaccinate children 5+ for COVID launched in state

News from Lauren Lewis, MT Medical Assoc. Communications Director

MONTANA — The Montana Medical Association has partnered with nine other trusted Montana health care and public health associations to launch the “Your Best Shot MT” campaign to help answer parents’ vaccine questions and increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in Montana.

The goal is to connect Montana parents and guardians with reliable, upto-date information and data about getting Montana’s children and adolescents (ages 5+) vaccinated against COVID-19. The campaign features Montana physicians discussing the safety and effectiveness of the well-tested vaccine.

“COVID-19 does not play by the rules. It is important for families to get the best up-to-date information so they can make informed decisions to protect their children from infection and serious health outcomes,” said MMA President Carley C. Robertson, M.D. “The COVID-19 vaccine is an important defense against this virus. That’s why we’ve partnered with Montana’s most trusted health care organizations to launch this resource.”

The campaign, which includes digital videos, a website for parents and providers and more, is launching at an important time. With the introduction of the omicron variant and as cold weather keeps families indoors and the holidays bring generations together, it is much easier for the virus to spread, including to our vulnerable populations and throughout our communities. The vaccine protects children and adults from life disruptions and the undue risk of longterm and/or serious health outcomes. Additional resources to assist health care professionals in sharing evidence-based information on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine will be added to the site over the next several weeks.

The MMA is joined by the Montana Public Health Association, Montana Pharmacy Association, Montana Nurses Association, Montana Academy of Family Physicians, Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Montana Primary Care Association, Montana Hospital Association, Montana Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Association of Montana Public Health Officials in support of the campaign.

“The vaccine has been very well studied. It is incredibly safe. It is much riskier to get COVID-19 than the vaccine. The vaccine is remarkably effective. In fact, it is one of our most effective vaccines in children. I think that all eligible kids should get vaccinated against COVID,” said Collette Chorney, M.D., a pediatrician in Butte.

To view the campaign website and view provider and patient resources, visit: YourBestShotMT.com.