Carolee Kurtz

Carolee Moyer Kurtz, well known Whitefish resident, died at her home in Whitefish on Jan. 31, 2005.

She is survived by her husband, Norm; three daughters, Lisa, Gretchen, and Joni; and her son Peter.

Frank Cope

Frank C. Cope, 59, passed away Jan. 30, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell from his long battle with leukemia.

He was born in Alton, Ill., on May 10, 1945. He grew up in Highland, Ill., where he graduated from Highland High School.

He began his working career as a boilermaker and later changed crafts to become a pipefitter. With his background, it afforded him to enter into management as a quality control inspector. He was sent to many countries as a quality control manager.

Frank loved the many adventures that came his way. He rode camels in Egypt, boated canals in Thailand, viewed the beauty of the Taj Mahal, and dove in the Virgin Islands. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Alvin, Texas.

Frank is survived by his wife, Sandra and four children by a previous marriage, William, Lorie, Shane and Tabetha, and 10 grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 (today), at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

A public reception will be held at the South Fork Saloon on Friday, Feb. 4, 2005, at 5 p.m.

Wesley Lynch

Wesley W. Lynch, 52, passed away Jan. 27, 2005, at his home in Columbia Falls.

He was born July 2, 1952, in Kalispell to Dan and Florence "Bess" (Lund) Lynch. Wes grew up in Kalispell. He was actively involved in Scouts, and as a member of Troop 48 he became an Eagle Scout. He went on to graduate from Flathead High School in 1970.

From an early age, Wes loved airplanes and knew what he wanted to do in life. During high school, he received his private pilot license. Wes continued his interest in aviation, earning all his ratings to become one of the youngest qualified commercial pilots.

In 1981, Wes married Dorothy Smolik. They lived in Alaska, where Wes spent many years flying for the Wien Air Alaska and for Southwest Airlines, flying throughout the United States. They later moved back to Kalispell, to raise their two sons.

Wes loved the outdoors and spent many hours hunting, boating, camping and rafting with his family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Columbia Falls; two sons, Justin Daniel and Dawson Jayde Lynch, of Kalispell; his parents, Dan and Bess Lynch, of Kalispell; two sisters, Wanda Hinzman, of Columbia Falls, and Charlene Lynch, of Seattle; and numerous other relatives.

Funeral services for Wes Lynch were held Jan. 31, 2005, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell. Burial followed at C. E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests donations be given to the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 102, a sponsorship program for youths going to the E.A.A. Flight Academy. Donations can be mailed to First Interstate Bank, 1325 South Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls MT 59912, or to the Trinity Lutheran School Scholarship Fund, 400 West California Street, Kalispell MT 59901.

John Wenger

John Jules Wenger, 38, died Jan. 14, 2005, at Northern Montana Care Center in Havre after a battle with cancer.

John was born April 4, 1966, in Whitefish. The sixth and youngest child of Bernard and Cleo Wenger, he was doted on by his two brothers and three sisters. Growing up in Columbia Falls, he attended Columbia Falls High School and was active on the swim and football teams. He received his diploma in 1984.

John graduated from Northern Montana College in 1993 with an associate degree in diesel mechanics. He began working for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. in 1997 as a machinist in the diesel shop, and worked there for the duration of his career.

John enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as working on his computers and playing with his beloved dogs, Valerie and Xavier. His true passions in life were cars and engines. From a young age, he loved to drive, repair and collect various makes and models. In 2002, with the help of family and friends, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of entering a drag race. He entered the race with a Chevrolet Nova he had spent countless hours rebuilding with his son, Jake.

What made John so special to so many were his easy-going nature, his infectious laugh and his unique sense of humor. He could laugh at anyone and anything, including himself. He had numerous friends from work and school, many of whom were with him in his final days and hours.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Anna Bagley, of Missoula, and Jules and Leonne Wenger, of Dillon; and a nephew, Matthew Slicker of Cut Bank.

He is survived by his wife, Shaunda, and children Jacob and Kasey, of Havre; his parents, Bernard and Cleo Wenger, of Billings; sister Debra, of Cut Bank; brothers Rodney (Peggy) Wenger, of Columbia Falls, Charles "Scott" (Susan) Wenger, of Billings; sisters Diana Wenger, of Helena, Kari (Leroy) Slicker, of Cut Bank, and Jana (Kyle) Edmondson, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; father-in-law Gene (Heidi) Matteson, of Kingman, Ariz.; mother-in-law Corinne (Gordy) Barthel, of Columbia Falls; and nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Operation Stop, or the Rocky Mountain Oncology Center in Billings.

A funeral service was held at Fifth Avenue Christian Church in Havre. Burial followed at the Highland Cemetery.

Walter Howell

Walter Lynn Howell died Jan. 19, 2005, in Garden Grove, Calif. He was born Jan. 29, 1921, to Elmer C. and Minnie M. (Johnston) Howell at the family home in the Deer Park area south of Columbia Falls.

He graduated from eighth grade at Deer Park School and attended Flathead County High School for a short time. In early 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the South Pacific during World War II.

He married Koma "K" A. LeClair Nov. 1, 1942, at Boulder City, Nev. They had three children, Geneva L. (stillborn) Gary M. and Francee J. They lived and worked in the Los Angeles, Calif., area.

Walter was an avid fisherman and enjoyed this pastime even more after retiring until health problems limited his activity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife K; brothers Mern, Ross and Leonard; and sisters Shirley Howell and Jean Johns.

He is survived by his children, Gary, of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Francee Taylor, of Fullerton, Calif.; granddaughters Samantha and Amy; grandson Kristen; great grandsons Levi, Addicus and Odin; sisters Idella Stalcup, Ruby Howard and Blanche Hoyt, all of Kalispell, Iva Mae Stryker, of Columbia Falls, and Jessie Wunderlich, of Valier; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Montana and various other states.

A gathering of friends and relatives was held at his home Jan. 23 to celebrate and remember his life.

William Head

William "Bill" Head, also known as Vern to his family, passed away Jan. 27, 2005, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. He had been ill with Parkinson's disease for several years. He was surrounded by family and friends during his last days.

He was born July 19, 1925, in Sobol, Okla. On Nov. 4, 1948, he married Harriet Reese in Vancouver, Wash. They moved to the Flathead Valley with their three children in 1955, where he worked at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant as a pot line foreman. After 17 years at the plant, he realized his dream of working in the woods and became an independent logger. Whenever logging was slow, he was quick to find work repairing heavy equipment or driving trucks of all kinds.

Bill's sense of humor was well known. His easy grin and dry wit could warm the heart of everyone, from highway patrolmen to bakery clerks. Stories told with a sparkle in his eyes never ceased to entertain, even when he was not feeling his best. Family was his top priority. They enjoyed spending time at their cabin on Echo Lake, riding horses, boating, fishing and taking vacations and Sunday drives enjoying the Montana scenery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Garland and Beda Head, and a brother, James Elton Head.

Bill leaves behind his wife, Harriet; daughter Jan Cockrell and husband, Denny, of Shelby; daughter Linda Post, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; son Jim Head and fiancé, Joyce Fredericks, of Columbia Falls; grandchildren Amber Cockrell, Kelsey McAlpine, Travis Post, Brandon and Melissa Head, and Amy Fredericks; sister Wilma Marchant, of Muskogee, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate his life was held at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls on Jan. 29, 2005.