James Allen Swigart

James Allen Swigart, 89, died at 12:30 am on Aug. 25, at the Hearth at Windermere in Fishers, Ind.

Jim was born in Islip, Long Island, N.Y. on July 25, 1916. He married Margaret Martin in December 1947 after serving in the Coast Guard in Sitka, Alaska. His active duty was from January 1942 thru December 1945. He served in the construction corps. And was given the following medals: American area campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, good conduct, the victory medal with honorable discharge button.

His admiration for the Northwest prompted the move from East Patchogue, Long Island to Columbia Falls in 1955 where he constructed and ran the Bad Rock Canyon Motel. Construction continued to be his occupation until he retired in 1978. Condominiums at Bay Point in Whitefish, the Bad Rock Fire House, and Columbia Falls Post Office are a few of the buildings he completed.

He moved with his devoted loving wife to Indiana in September 2004 with the encouragement of his granddaughters and their families because of declining health.

A true "mountain man," he is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughter Dolores Simon and husband William of Silverthorne, Colo.; granddaughters Margaret Heck and husband Tim; and Sarah Ruch and husband Will of Indianapolis; and grandson, James Simon and wife Emilie of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and nine great-grandchildren in total. A legacy of gardening skills he has given to his family as he shared the seeds of their garden in Montana.

Memorials may be made in Jim's honor to the Glacier Fund which is preserving the heritage of Glacier National Park at P.O. Box 14, West Glacier, MT 59936.

Lincoln L. "Linc" France

Lincoln L. "Linc" France, 84, passed away Sunday, Aug. 21 at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born Jan. 30, 1921 in Grass Range to Fred and Stella France.

He was raised in the Lewistown and Bitterroot area. Linc finished his formal education in eighth grade to help support his family.

He was married to Ruth Davis Carlson on June 18, 1947 in Hamilton. They lived in Hamilton and in 1960 moved to Missoula. In 1965, they moved to Columbia Falls where Linc ran Linc's Automotive where Linc could fix anything. If he didn't have the tool, he could make one.

Linc loved to write letters to newspapers and congressmen to let them know what he was thinking. His marigolds have become a landmark in Columbia Falls. Linc also loved gardening and plowing snow on his old John Deere tractor.

He was a member of the Senior Citizens, a Columbia Falls City Councilman, R.S.V.P., Meals On Wheels and various other organizations.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Ruth; an infant daughter, Candice; his brothers, Merrit, Miles, and Milton France; and his sister, Wanda.

Linc is survived by his children, Larry (Jamie) France of Kalispell; Carol (Tom) Haid of Spokane, Wash.; Robert (Ann) Carlson of Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; Allan (Jan) Carlson of Elizabeth Lake, Calif.; and Pat (Leroy) Kindsvogel of Woodburn, Ore.; his brothers, Verdon, Aaron, Kenneth and Clinton France; a sister, Wilma Snell; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Friday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

The family has suggested that memorials be made to the North Valley Senior Citizens Center or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Sonja Karen Green

Sonja Karen Green, age 63, of Hungry Horse died at home peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 21.

Sonja was born on Oct. 28, 1941 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Ben and Verna Behlke. She married her high school sweetheart, James Owen Green in 1959. For 18 years she worked as a nurse at North Valley Hospital, then rounding out her career as a day care provider. Sonja raised far more than just her own children.

She is survived by her husband James Owen Green; three children, Jeanne Klenz of Broken Arrow, Okla., Dawn Duckett of Wasilla, Ark. and Michael Green of Billings; five grandchildren, Kalena, Adam, Brad, Ross and Cody; five great-grandchildren, Maudianna Rose, McKale Sage, DaShai Lily, John Paul and Shaylene; sister, Bonnie; and brother, Bernie; as well as other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Verna Behlke.

Sonja enjoyed life, garage sales, collecting items and helping others. She always had food on her table, it didn't seem to matter how many people showed up, there was plenty of good food to eat.

Funeral service were held on Friday, Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

Condolence cards may be sent to: Jim Green, P.O. Box 190486, Hungry Horse, MT 59919.

Paul Lansing

Paul Lansing, 72, of Hungry Horse passed away Aug. 11 while vacationing in Michigan.

Paul was born in New York state to Aurther and Cora Stevens. At age 3, he was adopted by Frank and Hazel Lansing of Lapeer, Mich., where he lived until joining the Navy.

Paul was in the Navy during the Korean conflict, serving on the USS Newport from 1950 to 1954. Returning to Lapeer after his time in the service, he married his first wife and they had a daughter, Julie. Then in 1958, he married his second wife, Shirley. Together they started their family.

In 1962, Paul came to Montana on a hunting trip and fell in love with the Big Sky Country. After Paul's hunting trip he moved his wife and two children to Montana and two more children were born.

Paul did construction work for many years, Paul also worked on Libby Dam for two years. Then in 1972, went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad, where he retired in 1996. After retiring Paul and Shirely traveled the United States returning to Montana every summer.

Paul loved hunting, fishing and the great outdoors, sharing it with family and friends. Paul was a kind and caring person, leaving a lasting impression on all he met. Paul will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Paul was preceded in death by both sets of parents; brother, Bud; wife, Shirely; and two sons, Dwight and Arron.

Paul is survived by his children and their spouses, Julie and Pete Mowery of Michigan; April and Ray Crawford of Michigan; Anncherie and Mark Mellem of Montana; and a son, Christopher and Kayleen of Oregon; also a sister, Shirley Davis of Montana; 16 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and one great-grandson due in October.

Memorial service will be held Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Columbia Mountain Baptist Church, 218 7th St. W, Columbia Falls.

Edward Clyde Gamble

Edward Clyde Gamble, 75, a 5-year resident of Whetstone, Ariz., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 17 after a lengthy illness, at his home and surrounded by his loving family.

Edward was born Feb. 3, 1930 in Albuquerque, N.M., to Clyde and Grace Gamble. He attended the California College of The Sequoias, lettering in track and football. Edward was asked to try out for the San Francisco 49ers, but did not make the team. He joined the U.S. Air Force, serving honorably during the Korean Conflict as a machinist/aircraft mechanic. After serving in the Air Force, Edward joined the California Highway Patrol and served there for 20 years. He was awarded the California State Medal of Valor in 1972 for risking his own life while saving two others, extracting them from a burning vehicle. After retiring honorably from the CHP, Edward worked as a machinist until his final retirement.

Edward is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Connie E. Gamble; son, Edward Gamble; daughter, Nancy Rice; brothers and sisters, Betty Elliott, Francis Brown and Sam Gamble; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held Monday, Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. at Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista AZ with Pastor H. Lee Erwin officiating.

Arrangements are by Hatfield Funeral Home.

Valora Marie (Landon) Loraas

Valora Marie (Landon) Loraas passed away at home Tuesday, Aug., 16 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

She was born Feb. 4, 1935 in Kalispell to Lloyd and Frances (Burrows) Landon. She attended Kalispell schools and married Richard Loraas on June 30, 1951. She lived and raised her family in Kalispell all her life. She was a mother first, but she worked several odd jobs throughout her life. She loved fishing, camping, cooking and had an artistic soul. She was an avid bowler most of her adult life and was a member of the Eagles, Moose and the VFW. She is gone but not forgotten. Her loving soul will be with us always.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and son, Ricky Loraas.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Loraas of Kalispell; a son, Brian Loraas and wife Julie of Helena; four daughters, Kathy Moore and Gary Krause, Sue Loraas and Rob Mahan all of Kalispell; Valora (Lorie) Ehlers and husband Charlie of Columbia Falls; Tammy Hetrick and husband Scott of Missoula; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; her brother Michael Landon and wife Glynda of Reno, Nev.; sister, Nita Sampson and husband Paul of Lakeside; and numerous other relatives. Also surviving her are her loving and faithful dogs, Mike and Gizmo.

Graveside Services will be held privately by the family. There will be no visitation. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Missoula, MT 59808 or Wings, c/o Radiation Therapy, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901. There will be a get together at 111 Wintercrest Drive in Kalispell at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, 2005 to celebrate her life.

Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Valora's family.