Obituaries

Larry Skipper

POLSON — Larry Dean Skipper passed away on Jan. 23, 2022, in his home surrounded by family. Larry was born on May 29, 1947, in Blue Mound, Illinois, to Harry Cecil Skipper and Dorothy (Armstrong) Skipper.

He spent his childhood exploring and sharpening his mechanical skills that he would use later in life. He graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1965. He then went on to attend Western Illinois University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He used that degree to teach Industrial Arts at Palatine High School. He left teaching for a mechanical engineering career working at General Kinematics Corporation for 32 years. It was there that he met his wife Terry. They married in 1977 and had two daughters.

He was very active in the Marengo, Illinois, community where he made many lifelong friends. It was there that he served as Alderman for two terms.

He enjoyed woodworking and restoration. He spent many years restoring the family home with his wife. As a collector of antiques, he was always working on restoring them. While on a family vacation in Montana, he and his wife found the place where they would eventually retire. They made Polson their home for 17 years and made many friends along the way. In retirement he loved to garden and planted enough to feed the entire community. Always willing to lend a helping hand, he would go

Larry above and beyond for those Skipper he cared about. Larry was always very friendly and never knew a stranger. He is survived by his wife, Terry (Mergenthaler); his sister, Linda (John) Hill; his daughters, JoAnn (Craig) Bourassa and Cheryl Skipper; and granddaughter, Zoey Bourassa and many nieces and nephews. There are no services planned at this time for Larry. All memorials can be made to The American Cancer Society. 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.

Charles J. Gariepy

BULLHEAD CITY, ARIZONA — It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our husband, father, grandpa “Grumpy,” brother, and uncle, Charles “Charley” J. Gariepy, on Jan. 19, 2022, at the young age of 61.

Charley was born Aug. 16, 1960, to Peter and Joanne Gariepy in St. Ignatius, joining siblings Ann, Laurie, Fred, and later Cheryl. Charley lived most of his life in St. Ignatius, where he kept his neighbors and community safe working for the Lake County Road Department for 30 years.

Proudly, Charley also served the community by serving as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department for 33 years holding positions of President and Captain of the Jaws of Life during his tenure. He was very instrumental in bringing the Jaws to Mission with the help of the Spokane, Washington Fire Department. Additionally, he held multiple positions within city government, serving as a city council member for eight years and as Mayor for 12 years. Charley also served on the Lake County Bank Board of Directors for many years, for which he was incredibly honored to be a part of his family’s business. After proudly serving his community, he retired to Arizona in 2018.

In 1989, he married the love of his life, Karolynn. He was so thrilled that he made all the arrangements on his own and excitedly said, “let’s go, we’re getting married!” He was happily welcomed to the family by children, Dawnelle and Craig. Their family became complete with the birth of their daughter, Jennifer. He had a special love for his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. He was very proud of all of their accomplishments and was always willing to give a helping hand.

Charley was an avid Grizzly football fan, loved to hunt, kayak, fish, ride his Harley, and watch his kids’ sporting events.

Charley leaves behind his wife, Karolynn of Bullhead City, Arizona; his beautiful daughters, Jennifer (Adam) Gariepy-Benishek of Florence, and Dawnelle (Arnie) Sorrell of St. Ignatius; his loving son, Craig (Rachel) Norman of Lynnwood, Washington; his furbabies, Patch and Izzy; his grandson, Davin (Hannah); granddaughters, Alyssa, Caitlyn, Eliza, and Lucy; great-granddaughter, Jenny; brother, Fred (Linnea) Gariepy of St. Ignatius; sisters, Ann Gariepy and Laurie Marshall, both of Texas; brother-in-law, John Brookes of California; his many nieces and nephews, numerous Gariepy cousins; his best friends, Martin Ralston, (Oh, did they have the adventures), Stuart Morton, Curt Johnson, and many others.

Charley was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Joanne Gariepy; sister, Cheryl Gariepy; and very special friend, Rick Kerr.

We will be holding a “Celebration of Life” for Charley in St. Ignatius, in early April.

If you’d like to make a donation, please donate to your favorite animal foundation or become an organ donor. - Won’t you fly high “Free Bird.”

Charles Gariepy

Cynthia Barker

POLSON — Cynthia Mary Barker, age 72, entered into the presence of the God she served for more than 60 years. She passed away on Feb. 6, 2022, due to a pulmonary embolism.

Cynthia was born in Watertown, New York, on Aug. 28, 1949. Her parents moved the family to southern California where she grew up and graduated from Narbonne High School. She continued her education and received her degree as a licensed vocational nurse.

She married John Clay Barker Sr. on Sept. 10, 1967. They had three children: Marcie Jean, John Clay Jr. and Rusty Michael and moved to Visalia, California. They later divorced.

She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. She loved all her friends there and enjoyed teaching people of all ages about the love God has for them. She was also a member of the Red Hat Ladies.

Cynthia was a loving mother and grandmother that took great and loving care of her family, friends and her church. She loved exploring new places with her best friend Shirley and Pastor Wade.

She will be greatly missed, but we don’t cry for her - we know she is enjoying heaven; we cry for us.

She is survived by her children and 10 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at Fellowship Baptist 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.

Dianne Schultz

POLSON — Dianne K. Schultz age 75, passed away on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at Polson Health & Rehab. She was born on April 24, 1946, to Wayne and Beverly Wetzel. She was the Diane Schultz older sister to Charlie and Darin.

Dianne was raised in

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KARA SNYDER PHOTO Boy Scouts of America Troop 1947 went on some Klondike adventures this month. The Troop earned 40 frost points for 17- and 14-degree Fahrenheit nights of camping on Friday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 12. They learned how to make snowshoes, perform first aid, orienteering, and more.

Obituaries

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Polson and lived by Flathead Lake on Rocky Point. She attended grade school and graduated from Polson High School in 1964. She married Lauren Pearson in June of ’64. On Jan. 29, 1965, their first son, Alan, was born in Montana. On April 4, 1967, a second son, Todd, joined the family, born in Bellevue, Washington. Lauren’s work took the family to Virginia from 1975 to 1977, then moving back to Renton for a year before settling in Sultan, Washington, in 1978.

The boys made her life full; from school projects, homework, games, etc., she enjoyed every minute of their upbringing. Most holidays it was just the four of them, but with Dianne’s love of decorating and cooking, the family did not know anything was missing. She knew how to make every detail special.

In 1985, Lauren and Dianne divorced and Dianne moved back to Polson. Dianne had been working in the banking industry when the boys were in school so it was easy to be hired by Glacier Bank in September 1985. She worked for Glacier Bank until her retirement in July 2011.

Dianne was involved in various community activities associated with the bank including fundraising for local non-profits, holiday floats for parades, collecting items for families at Christmas, etc.

Dianne enjoyed being back in Montana and reunited with a classmate, Bill Schultz. They started dating and then married on Valentine’s Day 1987. In this blended family, each child was a planned two years apart; Alan, Todd, Lisa, Jon. During the first years of marriage, this union also brought forth their love of buying, remodeling, and selling several homes. Eventually Dianne and Bill bought back the family home on Rocky Point where they continued to reside.

Together Bill and Dianne have 35 years of beautiful memories. From flipping campers before it was a “thing,” 4-wheeling and UTV riding in Montana and Arizona, riding tandem on the trike, exploring new places, camping with friends, hosting 4th of July picnics/ class reunions along with other functions at the lake, and wintering in Arizona for the past 11 years. Their lives were busy and filled with lots of laughter, jokes, campfires, family and friends.

Dianne was preceded in death by her father and mother, and her brother Charlie.

She is survived by her husband and best friend Bill; her brother, Darin; her children, Al (Melissa), Todd (Cristina), Lisa Kinyon (Dan), Jon Schultz (Kelly); and her grandchildren, Josiah, Danielle, Sam, Trevor, and Justin; as well as her fur babies, Tootsie, Tobe, and Teka.

A celebration of life memorial will be held in late spring. In lieu of flowers, she would be happy to have you remember to enjoy every moment of your life, give a smile, and contribute a monetary gift or your time to your favorite charity. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family to: www. lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

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

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