Raymond Charles Deily, 75,

a long-time resident of Flathead County and now of Rollins, Montana, passed away peacefully at his Flathead Lake home Saturday, Jan.13, 2007, after an extended illness. Ray was born and raised in Austin, MN, the son of Frank and Flora (Hill) Deily and the youngest of seven children, all of whom are deceased.

He moved to California in 1950, and worked as a furrier and then as a painter. In 1957 Ray married Joan Sowden in San Clemente, CA, and they raised four children. In 1967 they moved to Kalispell where he became both a painting and building contractor. He loved the engineering aspects of building and always enjoyed solving the many problems involved in building a quality home. Ray and Joan moved to Vancouver, WA, in 1984. He returned to Kalispell in 1990 to build their “dream home” on Flathead Lake.

During his career, he built numerous homes throughout the Valley, including many of the early homes in the growing Many Lakes residential area south of Creston. Ray loved the outdoors and built his homes, including his residence on Flathead Lake, to take maximum advantage of the beautiful views of lakes, mountains and wildlife. One of his favorite pastimes on Flathead Lake was to view annual nesting eagles on nearby Shelter Island through a telescope, watching the young eagles hatch and eventually fly away. He also enjoyed launching his power boat for skiing and touring the lake’s many inlets and islands, and was an inveterate world traveler. Ray is remembered by his family and many friends for his sweet smile and endearing heart.

He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus in Kalispell and was at one time Grand Knight.

Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurie Deily Rodriguez, in 2001. She was well known in the Kalispell real estate business before marrying and moving to California.

In addition to his beloved wife Joan Deily of Rollins, MT, he is survived by a son, Michael Deily of Butte, MT; two daughters, Jamie Allwine of Toledo, WA, and Julie Gould of Meridian, ID; seven grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Ray will be at St. Mathew’s Church at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, with the Rev. Gary Reller and Father Vic Langhans officiating. Music will be provided by long-time friend, Betty Hanzel. Memorials may be made to Grace Hospice, 1111 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Legendary local musician George McGuire

died of natural causes on January 15th, 2007 at his home in Ferndale. George was born February 9th, 1948 in Compton, CA. He graduated from Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, CA. He moved to Montana in 1980 and lived in several locations throughout the valley before settling in the Bigfork area where he had resided since the early 1990’s.

As a young guitar player in California, George and his band “Second Time” were signed by Capital Records and produced by Mike Curb. He recorded the score for the movie “Wild In the Streets” starring Richard Pryor. After California, George moved to Las Vegas where he was offered the job of performing with Bill Medley and the Righteous Brothers. There he met Lee Ferrell and performed with Lee and other bands in the Las Vegas area for several years. Upon arriving in Montana, George performed as a single act for a short time before others soon recognized his talent and he began performing throughout Montana with various bands. No matter where or whom he performed with, George’s incredible musical ability was able to elevate the performance of every player around him. Everyone who knew George had a story about time well spent. We never knew where we were headed, but we knew the adventure would be worth it. We also knew that we would have at least one more story that we might or might not be able to tell our children or grandchildren. Because he reached out to so many other musicians, friends and fans, there will be a void in the local music scene forever.

George is survived by his Daughter Cameo, Grandsons Anthony and Andrew McGuire, his Sisters Reenie Gassman and Carla Walsh and Brother’s Mike and Mark Robb all of California. Dogs Hazel and Maggie. Funeral arrangements are pending. A memorial is planned for January 28th, 2007 at 2 PM at the Garden Bar in Bigfork. All are welcome.

A memorial fund has been established for Cameo, Anthony and Andrew. Please send donations in care of Mike McFarland - PO Box 2356 - Kalispell, Mt 59903

Bigfork, Montana resident Kim Halverson, 46,

died January 14, 2007 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a two-year battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be held at Crossroads Christian Fellowship in Bigfork on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 3:00pm, with a celebration of life gathering immediately following at the Marina Cay Resort. Pastor Larry Lautaret of Whitefish Church of God and Pastor Halden Curtiss of Crossroads Christian Fellowship, Bigfork, Montana will co-officiate the memorial service. All those who knew Kim or her family are invited to attend. A small family ceremony will take place later in the summer for the final spreading of her ashes.

Kim was born to George and LaRue Boss on August 28, 1960 in Harbor City, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. She attended high school at Miraleste High School in Rancho Palos Verdes, California and went on to travel the world; living and working in lots of exciting places, including New York, Dallas, Seattle, Telluride, Kauai, Anchorage and finally settling down in Bigfork, Montana. Kim had an adventurous spirit. Everything she did, from the way she dressed to the way she designed her home was extraordinary. She never liked to “go with the flow” in life. She always dared to be different and in so doing, set the bar a little higher for the rest of us. Second only to her children, Kim had a passion and talent for gardening. She loved to cook with the hearty vegetables grown from her garden and her home always felt like a tropical rain forest with all the beautiful plants and flowers. Kim loved the outdoors, spending much time at the lake, enjoying barbecues on her deck or just paddling in her kayak down the Swan River. But her most precious times were those spent with her kids, nurturing them and, like her plants and vegetables, watching them grow.

Kim leaves behind her three beautiful children: Presley Quinn Halverson (17), Rachel LaRue Halverson (14) and Aubrey Rose Halverson (4). Additionally, Kim is survived by her mom and stepfather, LaRue and Norm Lebel, of Bigfork, Montana; her dad and stepmother, George and Josephine Boss, of Valley Center, California; her sister and brother-in-law, Tami and Ralph Ertz, and their children Jordan, Ryan and Dalton Ertz of Anchorage, Alaska; her brother, Wally Boss, of Anchorage, Alaska and many other extended family and friends. She will be missed by all.

Those who wish to honor Kim and help in the fight against cancer are encouraged to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser in your area, lighting a candle in her honor. Flowers may be sent to Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 7545 Highway 35, Bigfork, Montana, 59911 on the morning of the service.

Antoinette S. (Toni) Collins, age 74

, passed away on Thursday Jan. 11, 2007 at her home in Bigfork, surrounded by her loving family and close friends. Toni peacefully entered into heaven to join her parents, Peter and Anna Jaeger and her cherished sisters and brothers.

Toni is survived by her loving husband, Charles, 3 children Douglas of Bigfork (grandchildren Katie (Kasey Harte and great-grandchildren Heidi and Ella) Peter and Carrie) Michael of Treasure Island, Fla., Anna Marie of Fountain Hills, Ariz., (Scott Christie and grandchildren Alexandra and Nicholas) brothers George and Don Jaeger, many nieces, nephews and best friends.

Toni was born July 13, 1932 in Hankinson, N.D., the ninth of 10 children. She graduated from St. Francis academy in 1950, and soon after worked for the telephone company in Long Beach, Calif., where she met her husband Chuck. They married in 1955, and would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in February. Toni loved her family, her church and her friends. She enjoyed every day of her life, whether gardening, traveling, working, or playing bridge. Her warm and generous spirit will be missed by all who have been fortunate to be a part of her life.

A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Jan. 16, 2007 at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork, a luncheon will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorials be made to Pope John Paul II Church (Rose Garden), 195 Coverdell Road, Bigfork, MT 5911 or to the Home Options Hospice,

175 Commons Loop Suite 100, Kalispell, Mt 59901.

Bigfork Funeral Home caring for the family.

Ileen Muriel Krogstad, long-time summer resident of Bigfork,

died Jan. 10 in a Seattle hospital.

She and her late husband, Warren J. Krogstad, maintained a home at 19068 East Shore for more than 49 years. His death in 2000 ended a marriage of 65 years.

In failing health, Mrs. Krogstad moved to Enumclaw, Wash., in 2003 to be near a daughter, Sharon Krogstad, who still maintains the East Shore residence.

Born on the family homestead nine mile north of Winnett (Petroeum County), Mrs. Krogstad attended school in Winnett and Great Falls. A homemaker, she found a lifelong hobby in oil painting. She had hobby studios at the family summer retreat near Bigfork and in her primary residence in Billings.

In addition to her daughter Sharon, survivors include daughter Karen Paulson of Torrence, Calif.; a brother Dwain Hanson of San Francisco; a niece, Lori Silcher of Hamilton; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were pending, but a graveside service and burial will take place in Billings.