Obituaries

James ‘Jim’ Cook

ST. IGNATIUS — James “Jim” Cook passed away at his home on Dec. 18, 2021. He was born on June 15, 1945, in Borger, Texas.

After graduating Crooked Oak High School in Oklahoma City, he broke and trained horses, and then entered the Army for a tour in the Vietnam War 1965-67. He returned to Oklahoma and took a job at Fife Corporation.

He met Donna Bond and they married in 1972. They had their son, Todd, in 1974.

Jim graduated from Oscar in Rose Junior College and the family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a new Electrical Power Operations program at Oklahoma State University.

Jim worked at two power companies in Oklahoma. His daughter, Culley, was born in 1978 and the Cooks moved when she was four, to Colstrip, Montana. Jim worked as an operator there for 17 years.

In 1999, Jim and the family moved to St. Ignatius and started their business, Diamond Dog Enterprises, boarding, grooming and training dogs for 22 years.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Goldie Griewahn and Louie Cook; his sister, Lillian Stovall; his brother, Bobby Cook; and many aunts and uncles. Jim will be missed by his wife, Donna; his son, Todd and granddaughters, Kaylea (Ethan) and India; his daughter, Culley “Cook” Kitzman (Chris) and their son, Blake; Jim’s youngest Jim Cook sister, Paula (Leroy) Simmons, and her children, Casey and Trista, and their children, Kendrick and Gevin; Lillian’s children, Duane, Daniel, and Sarah, and Bobby’s daughter Sherry and their families. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at 10 a.m. at the St. Ignatius Christian Church. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www. shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.

Lee Alderdice

POLSON — Retired Air Force Major Lee Alderdice, age 96, quietly and peacefully left the constraints of his earthly body and was so looking forward to his personal homecoming with Jesus, on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. He was born on June 14, 1925, in Akron, Ohio, to Athel and Dessie Alderdice. He joined a sister Roberta.

He joined the Air Force at 17 and spent 20 years in that service and retired in December of 1963, at which time he went to work for Firestone Tire Co. and later Todd Shipyard in the state of California.

He married Virginia “Ginny” Burroughs in 1948 and they raised three children together. Ginny passed away in 1993.

His passion was golf and he excelled at it. During his life he was able to play in almost every and many other countries. The golf course is where he fell in love again in 1998 and he and Diane were married on May 15, 1999. They were so very fortunate to have 22 wonderful years together and were soul mates. They both joined the Polson Community Church together and he was a member up until his passing.

He was preceded in death by his first wife; both his parents; his sister and his oldest son.

He is survived by his wife Diane and a blended family consisting of a precious daughter in law, five children and their spouses; fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

There will be a military service held in the late spring or early summer of 2022 at Polson Community Church. 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.

Lee Alderdice

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Norma Knutson

RONAN — Norma Lee Dennis Knutson was born May 21, 1936, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Charles Glen and Dorothy Hine Dennis, relocating to Charlo in 1947. Raised in a rustic cabin on 80 beautiful acres beneath Mount Harding, Norma, the eldest of four children, dreamed of life beyond the remote setting of the farm. While

attending Ronan High School, Norma worked as a bookkeeper for the Sterling family before being swept off her feet by Albert James Knutson, whom she married on April 9, 1955. Albert Lee joined their family in April 1956 with Michael Ray soon to follow in July 1957. As the kids grew, Norma became the neighborhood mother well known for her filled cookie jar. Over the years she and Albert fostered numerous children, (notably Rachael and Joe), who they loved as their own. Norma was a mainstay at all Good ShepNorma Knutson herd Lutheran Church activities, a leader in the Country Store and was passionate about researching her family roots.

see page 19

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