obituaries Phyllis Hocker RONAN — Phyllis Hocker passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Nov. 17, 2021, at 12:10 after a short battle with an illness. She was born on July 13, 1926, in Shelton, Washington, to Gerald Phyllis and Esther Hocker Deffinbaugh. The family later moved to Dayton and then to the North Crow area of Ronan when she was in the fifth grade. Phyllis graduated early from Ronan High School and became a part of the war effort, testing landing gear for airplanes in Long Beach, while she waited to turn 18 and attend Cadet Nurse Corps Program at Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane, Washington. She worked as a “special” nurse, caring for friends and family in various hospitals. She later worked as a surgical nurse closely with LaVerne McGreevey, Dr. JM Brooke and Dr. S.T. McDonald for many years at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan. Phyllis was married to Bill Hocker on Aug. 3, 1950, in Missoula and had seven children during their marriage: Susan, Marilyn, Marjorie, Evelyn, Bill, Amy, and Jon. She 30 - November 24, 2021
managed to balance farm work, nursing, and feeding as many as 12 people lunch every day during certain times of the year. Phyllis was active in the community as a member of the North Crow Creek Women’s Club, PEO, Home Demonstration and the Democratic Central Committee, signing up people to vote. She enjoyed luncheons with various groups of friends, card parties, huckleberry picking trips, family trips to the cabin, and skiing at Big Mountain in Whitefish. She and Bill travelled extensively to Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. She also traveled to Russia with her friend Marguerite Schenck, and to Hawaii with her granddaughter, Tammy, when her daughter Susan was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center, and to Italy with Vivian Aylesworth when Susan was stationed at Caserma Ederle (45th Field Hospital) in Vicenza, Italy. She is survived by her loving husband, Bill; seven children, Susan, Marilyn Jette (Garold), Marjorie Haviland (Esther Abahazy), Evelyn Brugger, Bill Hocker (Sherrie) Amy McKenzie, and Jon Hocker (Karen); 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter. Services have been held. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shrider-
thompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory.
Grace Hartsoch POLSON — Our loving, talented, and generous mother, Grace Hartsoch, left this world early in the morning of Nov. 17, 2021. Grace was born in 1929 in Kalispell and grew up in the beautiful small town of Dayton. She was the daughter of John and Bertha Ober and sibling to sisters Stella, Esther, Virginia, Rose, Twilla, and brother Bobby. During junior high she met her future husband Ray during a school pen pal writing assignment. Ray was in the military Grace Hartsoch and served in WWII and they got married upon his return. Grace was just 17, and they spent the rest of their lives together and had four children: Sandra, Charles, Roxanne, and Robin. Grace was strong in her faith and enjoyed services at the Church of the Nazarene for most all of her life. She loved turquoise, swap meets, crossword puzzles and most of all, people. She made a mean molasses cookie. She rarely missed her daily walks and hitting
yard sales with her sisters. She was a crochet wizard and made many tablecloths and doilies that her family will cherish forever. She also loved a little competition in cribbage and 10 penny and was always the score keeper. Looking back, perhaps that is why she almost always won. Grace treasured her family and enjoyed camping at Hubbard and Lake Mary Ronan alongside her husband, kids and grandkids. She also enjoyed spending winters with friends on the desert in Quartsite, Arizona. She was classy and kind, and had a sense of calm about her that was impossible to forget. She was welcoming to all and many will remember her for her sense of humor and incredible laugh. Looking back on how she lived her life, it’s clear she was given the perfect name: Grace. She will be in our hearts forever. Grace was preceded in death by her parents; son, Robin; husband, Ray; sisters, Stella, Esther, Virginia, Rose, Twilla; brother, Bobby; and grandson, Davey. She is survived by her children, Sandi Alexander, Chuck Hartsoch, Roxie and husband Jack Cooper; ten grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; two great great- grandchildren; and lastly her beloved pet and steady companion, Dixie the Yorki/Shitzu. A celebration of life to be determined at a later date
Valley Journal
to take place in Montana.
Herschel Mays POLSON — Herschel R. Mays passed away at St. Patrick Hospital, surrounded by his sons, on Nov. 2, 2021, at age 78. He was born to Lavina (Smith) and Raymond Mays on Nov. 26, 1942. In Missoula, Herschel met his one and only, Clara Mays; they were married on Oct. 26, 1963. Herschel They then Mays had three beloved sons, Herschel (Marchita), Mark (Lisa), and Kevin and raised them in Western Montana. Of all the life lessons he taught his sons, hard work and honesty are their most cherished; Hersh was an exceptional role model and outstanding father. His closest friends were Monroe Smith and Chip Williams. Hersh always told many stories about the shenanigans he and Monroe got into both as kids and adults. To say Herschel was an avid outdoorsman would be a huge understatement. Herschel had a true love for the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, backpacking, mountain climbing, rafting—you name it, and Hersh had done it. He always made a point to include his sons
in his outdoor activities. Some of Hersh’s fondest memories were hunting and fishing with his sons, and many chuckles are still had reminiscing over these misadventures. An enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and always an advocate for the preservation of tribal wilderness, Hersh served as the Director of the Mission Mountain Wilderness area for some years. One of Hersh’s favorite pastimes was playing marbles, a game derived from Smith family tradition. Titled the “big cheat,” he would play hours of marbles with his family to earn a win. Above all, Hersh loved his Herschel family and Mays adored his nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, always offering a “snuggle in his wigwam.” He is survived by his sons and their families. His ashes will be spread alongside Clara’s. Herschel’s strongwilled spirit will live on in the stories shared by family and friends. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at: www. lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson.
