obituaries Gina Johnson RONAN — On Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, Gina Teresa Johnson, loving mother, sister, grandmother, auntie, cousin, and friend, Gina passed Johnson away at age 63. Gina was born on Jan. 29, 1958, in Ronan, to Adam Grant Kirsch and Bonnie Jean (Hoyt) Kirsch. Gina grew up in Ronan on the family ranch and graduated from Ronan High school in 1976. After high school she married Doug Starkel and had two children, Josh and Jake. They later divorced. Gina worked at the Lake County Court House in the Clerk of Court office where she met Wes Johnson, a handsome and charismatic highway patrol officer. The two were wed on Sept. 14, 1985. Together they raised three sons, Shon, Josh and Jake, and a daughter, Tammy. In 1993, Wes retired from the Montana Highway Patrol, and he and Gina started S & S Sports in an old calving shed on their property. Together they grew the business successfully. In 26 - December 15, 2021
2011 Wes passed away unexpectedly. Gina continued to grow S & S Sports, and with the help of her children, the business has prospered. Gina had a passion for her family, friends and dusty old things. She was a lover of animals. She combined her favorite hobbies and creative talent into extraordinary art and decoration. She had and incredible green thumb. Consequently, her gardens and flowers were always the envy of us all. She was known for her quick wit, her infectious smile, and her kind and compassionate spirit. Gina’s love of great music took her to many live shows. She was fearless and always up for a great adventure and good times followed her wherever she went. Most notably her wild motorcycle rides on her Spyder to Sturgis with the Wild Gofers. Gina was cherished by so many. Gina is preceded in death by her husband Wes; father, Adam; mother, Bonnie; and her niece, Kaetlyn. She is survived by four children, Tammy Barr (Wes), Shon Johnson (Cathy), Josh Starkel (Tara), Jake Starkel (Tyanna); her beloved brother, Kevin Kirsch (Dana); 10 grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews; many cousins, friends and her loving partner, Fred Reimers.
A Memorial Celebration is being planned for the late summer/early fall of next year. Details will be announced. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider – Thompson Funeral Home.
Linda Pulse POLSON — Linda Diane Dupuis Pulse was born on Oct. 4, 1942, and raised in Montana and was an enrolled member of the Pend d’Oreille Tribe. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones in Polson Linda on Nov. Pulse 22, 2021. Linda was a proud mother, wife, sister, auntie, and cookie grandma. Linda’s life was spent having great times with friends, family barbecues, feeding her birds and squirrels, and talking on the phone. She was a hip lady with a glamorous style, a great taste in music, and she loved her hats. She was often known as “Pink’s Oldest Fan” and she could make anyone laugh with her
amazing sense of humor. She loved her grandkids and great-grandkids and was a big part of all their lives. Linda is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Shirley Dupuis; her brother, Patrick Dupuis; and her husband, Jay Pulse. She is survived by many. Not only by her family and friends, but by anyone fortunate enough to know her beautiful soul. A Celebration of Linda’s amazing life will be held at the Polson Senior Citizen Center on Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 3-6 p.m. Anyone who knew Linda is encouraged to attend and wear bright colors, crazy hats, and blue eyeshadow. Please bring a favorite dish or dessert and let’s celebrate a life well lived. 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.
Marshall Thompson BUTTE — Marshall “Papa” Hart Thompson, age 80, of Butte, passed away at St. James Hospital after a short battle with COVID on Dec. 8, 2021. Marshall was born in
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Dillon, on May 18, 1941, to Rayburn Edmund and Barbara Alicia (Gray) Thompson. Rayburn and Barbara were both Marshall teachThompson ers and passed their love and passion of teaching and coaching onto Marshall and his older brother Russ. Marshall attended school in Dillon, Hobson and Moccasin. Marshall graduated from Beaverhead High School and then enlisted into the United States Navy, serving active duty from Jan 1961 to Jan 1965 and Naval Reserves from October 1982 to December 2000. Marshall graduated from Western Montana with a teaching certificate and taught at St. Ignatius High School from 1976 to 2000. Marshall met the love of his life, Karen Sue (Moran) Thompson, and they were wed on March 7, 1980, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Marshall and Karen, along with Karen’s son Steve, built a life in St. Ignatius. Marshall was passionate about teaching, coaching and attending the Catholic church. Marshall lost Karen in February of 2016 and moved to Havre, shortly afterwards to be closer to his
grandson Andy. Papa and Andy had a very special bond; he loved Andy more like a son than a grandson. Due to declining health issues, Andy moved Marshall to Butte, where Jackie (daughter in-law) took care of him for the last two years of his life. Marshall touched many people’s lives and will be dearly missed by all who called him a friend. Marshall is survived by his brother and sister in-law Russ and Jeanne Thompson and their children, Kim Thompson, Terri Rowan, Karolee Jones, Brian Thompson, Tom Thompson and Lisa Modler; his stepson Stephen Gray and daughter in-law, Jackie Assel; his grandchildren, Andrew Seccomb, Matthew (Allyson) Gray, Marcus (DeLayne) Gray and Skye (Madison) Mollner; his great-grandchildren, Lukas, Avery and Emery Gray, Trissity and Hazel Seccomb, and Amelia Mollner. Memorial Services will be held at a later time. Please visit: www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Marshall. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Marshall and his family. see page 27
