Obituaries

Gene Johnson

POLSON — Gene Wallace Johnson, 78, of Polson passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, at home. He was born on May 23, 1944, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Wayne Johnson and Della Hundredmark. He was the youngest of their 11 children.

Gene moved to Polson as a young child and lived there until he joined the Army in 1966 where he served in the Old Guard in Fort Meyer, Virginia. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He also served on the color guard for Robert Kennedy’s funeral. He moved back after his service where he settled to raise his three children. He briefly lived in Medical Lake, Washington, before returning to his beloved Montana to finish out his years.

He worked throughout his life as a carpenter, farmer, millwright, truck driver, and for the department of defense before retiring.

He was a proud member of the NRA, as well as the American Legion and Elks Club. He also was a member of the senior bowling league before his passing.

He was an avid out-

doorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, back country excursions on his horses, boating, waterskiing, and later golf, and competitive billiards. His children were fortunate to participate in his adventures and continue to enjoy these activities as well. He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. His family remembers him as compassionate, humorous, generous, humble, and Gene Johnson incredibly down to earth. If heaven is located in Cabela’s, then we hope he is in Cabela’s. He is preceded in death by his mother and father; infant son, Dennis; and nine of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his companion, Alice Johnson of Polson; brother, Gary Johnson of Queens Creek, Arizona; his son, Jerry Johnson of Hot Springs; his wife, Trisha; his daughter, Anna Marie Marshall of Henderson, Nevada, her husband, David and son, Ryan Johnson of Northway Alaska; along with his 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His family laid him to rest on Nov. 19, 2022. 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. “Promise me you’ll always remember you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” - Christopher Robin

Karol Newgard

POLSON — On the evening of Nov. 16, 2022, Karol Newgard, loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at the age of 86 of heart failure, at home.

Karol was born on June 22, 1936, in Kendall, Wisconsin, to Dr. Hiram and Myrtle Koehler. She joined her older brothers William Tippett and David Koehler, whom she adored.

Karol grew up in Polson and loved skiing, ballet and playing in the lake. She graduated high school in 1954. She attended Northern College in Havre and received her teaching certificate. She started her career in a one room schoolhouse near Lolo, just outside of Missoula. On Oct. 13, 1956, she married Jerry Newgard, her one true love. Jerry’s career took them all to Great Falls and then to Billings. In Billings, Karol finished her degree in elementary education with a special education endorsement. They returned to Polson in 1970 where she continued her teaching career.

Karol taught in Polson for most of her career and was a fantastic teacher. She dearly loved her students and countless times, students and parents would say that she was their most favorite teacher. Teaching truly was her gift. Every child knew they were loved and received a hug before leaving school.

Karol and Jerry worked hard their entire lives but were able to travel on many beautiful trips. They traveled to the Arctic Circle, New Zealand, Panama, England, Norway, Mexico and to the Holy Land, to name a few. She especially liked warm places.

Other hobbies included decorating and growing beautiful flowers. She loved everything beautiful and her home always reflected that.

Karol loved to entertain and she would always set the most beautiful table. Her hospitality was shown to countless people over the years and she always made them feel welcome at her home. She was a shining light to her family, friends, and community.

Karol loved her best friend, Jerry. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage and their love even up until the end was evident. They always managed to laugh and believe the best in each other.

Although there were hardships and difficult times in her life, they did not define her. Karol’s infectious laughter could

always be heard, and her presence could light up any room. She always kept her faith and loved Jesus. God’s love for Karol became a vital relationship to her. Salvation through Jesus Christ, who in her faith and hope is now in eternity. Glory be to God. Karol was preceded in death by her son, Mark; her parents; and many, many wonderful friends. She is survived by her husband, Jerry of Polson; her son, Paul of Polson; her daughters, Gwen (Jim) of Gilbert, Arizona, and Amy of Ronan; and Karol her three grandchildren, Newgard Jordan (Ashley), Luke, Lauren (Karthik); and her great-grandchildren Hayden and Colt. Funeral services have been held. Memorials can be made to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch or to the donor’s choice. 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.

Robert Waters

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON — Robert Douglas Waters (“Bob”), beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 11, 2022. He was born on April 28, 1930, in Glendive, Montana, to Ruth (Squires) and Junius Waters. Descending from Montana homesteaders, he spent formative years on a small farm near Bloomfield, Montana, where, from a young age, he learned Bob practical Waters skills and a strong work ethic. At age 9, and following the untimely death of his father, Bob moved to Glendive with his mother and sister, attended Dawson County High School, graduating in 1948.

Bob went on to attend Montana State University, majoring in Agricultural Engineering, graduating in 1952. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and joined the Army National Guard as a tank commander. It was also during these years that he met his future wife, Carol Coughlan, who was attending University of Montana at the time. They married in 1955.

Bob worked eight years for Milne Implement in Glendive before becoming the local wholesale distributor for Chevron Oil Company. While in Glendive he served on the city council and the school board, eventually serving as chairman of the board. In 1968, he sold his Glendive

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business, purchased the Chevron distributorship in Plains, Montana, and developed this into a thriving regional distributorship for Western Montana.

In Plains, he served on the Plains School Board, was a trustee of the Plains United Methodist Church, coached the high school girls’ tennis team and served as a President of the Corona Ski Club. Bob spent countless hours helping others in the community.

As a family man, Bob embraced many outdoor family activities, all new to him. In western Montana, he discovered bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, backpacking, skiing, and camping. Following his retirement, he and Carol incorporated these passions into travel adventures - bicycling, kayaking and hiking all over the world.

Music was a special joy for Bob. He taught himself how to play classical guitar and practiced hours on his clarinet. He and Carol were dedicated members of the local church choir. Day to day, Bob was happiest when carving wood or working in his workshop making cabinets for friends, family, and church. He specialized in carving Christmas Santas and nativity sets, most of which he gave away.

Bob loved his family. He was a family man. He had many friends. He was kind and generous. He was a teacher and a consummate learner with a keen and curious mind. He had a great sense of humor - so many stories and poems. He was creative, tenacious and humble. He liked a good slice of pie.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Junius and Ruth (Squires) Waters; and his sister, Marian (Waters) Challender.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; and his children Shannon Nunlist (Mark) of Polson, Michael Waters (Trina) of Lexington, Massachusettes, Kerry Hill (Edwin) of Spokane, Washington, and Mark Waters of Spokane, Washington. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held in the chapel at Riverview Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m.

Condolences may be addressed to Carol Waters at 1801 E Upriver Dr., Spokane, Washington, 99207.

Terry E. Wersonick

GREAT FALLS — Terry E. Wersonick, 60, of Ronan, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.

Jeffrey Andrews

POLSON — Jeffrey Jay Andrews of Polson passed early Sunday morning, Nov. 13, 2022. He was overcome by cancer at the young age of 64 years. Jeff lived life like every day was his last. One of his favorite sayings was, “If I drive fast, I don’t have to drive safe near as long.”

Jeff was born on Jan. 21, 1958, in Missoula. Jeff graduated from Sentinel High School and received a Bachelor of Business degree at the University of Montana. He trained with his father in Missoula to become a State Farm Agent and then received the opportunity to run his own agency in Polson.

Jeff spent the last 30 years in the Mission Valley as a State Farm agent. Beyond being an insurance agent, he happily volunteered and supported teams and schools. Jeff participated in purchasing 4-H livestock and helping in any way he could with his ranch resources (that he built from the ground up). He loved to see local businesses thrive while supporting community programs and events.

Jeff was first and foremost, Papa. His kids and grandkids were his entire world. He spent countless hours on the road traveling to visit his kids and spend time with his grandbabies. You could find him regularly giving his grandkids tractor rides or feeding his cows.

Jeff was an avid conservationist and passed those lessons on to his children. He was very active in the Mission Valley Elks Club where he climbed many chairs in the local club, holding the position of Exalted Ruler twice. He was also a long-standing member of Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Jeff had a great love for the outdoors, as well as a love for bowling. He spent many hours working on his golf game, put his heart and soul into working on his ranch and enjoyed passing on his joy of hunting, fishing and cooking to his kids.

Whether Jeff was coaching baseball or coaching at the Ronan Golf Club, hosting various local events, the 4-H and many others; he was very active in the Mission Valley com-

Jeffrey Andrews

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