Luke Johnston

Luke Shannon Johnston, 32, of Columbia Falls died in a motor vehicle accident Dec. 24, 2004.

Luke was born Oct. 8, 1972, to Lewis Johnston and Kathleen Moran Johnston in Townsend. He was raised in White Sulphur Springs and graduated from high school there in 1991. Shortly after, Luke moved to Missoula, where he attended college for a time and started his career in construction.

His many ties to White Sulphur Springs brought him back often, and it was there that he began his life with his wife of seven years, Kami (Burns) Johnston. They were married Aug. 2, 1997, and made their home and started a family in Columbia Falls. After working as a contractor in the Flathead Valley for several years, Luke established his own business in 2003, Wood Duck Construction.

Whether working or playing, Luke was often outdoors, surrounded by family and friends, hunting, fishing, snowcatting, guiding and camping. His competitive nature kept him busy playing basketball and softball, refereeing, and attending football games with his family in Missoula.

He is preceded in death by his grandfathers James Johnston and Barney Moran, as well as close family member and friend Donnie Johnston.

Luke is survived by his wife, Kami, and his two daughters Kyla, 3 and Cheyanne, 1; his father Lewis Johnston, of White Sulphur Springs, and mother Kathleen Moran Johnston, of Boise, Idaho; sisters Erica Johnston, of Three Forks, and her children Candice, Makayla and Braeden, and Grace Johnston, of Havre, and her children Trevor and Olivia; grandmothers Neva Lou Johnston, of White Sulphur Springs, and Hazel Moran, of St. Ignatius.

Funeral services were held Dec. 29, 2004, at the White Sulphur Springs High School, with graveside services immediately following at Mayn Cemetery.

Trust funds for Luke's daughters have been established at the Bank of the Rockies in White Sulphur Springs and First Citizens Bank in Columbia Falls.

Rev. John Dutzar

The Rev. John Dutzar, 89, pastor emeritus of the First Presbyterian Church of Polson, died Dec. 27, 2004, in Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane following a lengthy illness.

He was pastor of the Polson church from 1965 to 1980. Prior to that, he served the West Glacier, Coram and Martin City churches.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004 (today), at 1:30 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Polson.

A full obituary will be published next week.