Barbara Farquhar Blumberg

Barbara Farquhar Blumberg, a resident of Bigfork since 1978, suffered a stroke Sept. 10 and died Friday, Sept. 21, in a Kalispell hospice room a few days before her 73rd birthday.

She was born in Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 29, 1934, the only child of Robert and Helen Farquhar. She graduated from Lincoln High School, earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Nebraska in 1957 and was awarded a master of fine arts degree by Paul Engle's Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa in 1962.

She married Gregory FitzGerald in Iowa City in 1957 and had a daughter, Nina, in 1959. She was an assistant professor of English at Monroe Community College in Brockport, N.Y., and Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., for several years before her divorce in 1972.

Barbara came to Missoula in 1973 and married Nathaniel Blumberg, a journalism professor and former dean of the University of Montana School of Journalism.

They moved in 1978 to Bigfork where they designed and built, with the help of friends and two skilled carpenters, the Montana cabin of their dreams in the woods overlooking Flathead Lake. It was their home for 29 of the 34 years they shared.

She introduced Nathaniel to Newfoundlands and through the years they enjoyed the companionship of seven "Newfies" (and a female wolf with a touch of dog in her, a gift from friends living in the hills outside Helena).

Barbara had a strong affinity for the ocean and they traveled to beaches in the Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, the Florida keys and frequently to Mexico and the central Oregon coast.

Barbara was an artist and a published poet of distinction, but after coming to Montana she withdrew from academia and wrote poems only for herself and those she loved.

Survivors include her husband, Nathaniel; her daughter, Nina FitzGerald

Gutierrez and her husband Miguel of Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica; her stepdaughters, Janet Leslie Blumberg of Bothell, Wash., and Jenifer Lyn Blumberg of Charlo; her grandchildren, Helen, Valerie and Sofia Gutierrez of Ciudad Colon, Caleb Knedlik of Bothell, Wash., Asher Loeb of San Francisco, Calif., Ariel Loeb of Phoenix, Ariz., Aram Loeb, temporarily in Malawi, and Laramie, Kiam and Adam Loewen of Missoula.

She loved Bigfork and had many friends here. A collection of her poems is being prepared for the many people in her life who respected, admired and loved her profound intellect, compassion, idealism, glorious sense of humor and her inner and outer beauty.

As she fervently wished, no formal services will be held. She would prefer, if it is in your heart, that you send a donation to those who care for animals. Certainly, there will be times in the light of the moon or when the sun is high when some who knew her will raise a toast to the memory of this extraordinary woman who shed so much grace during her treasured time on earth.

Beatrice "Bea" Marais

Beatrice “Bea” Marais, 87, passed away on Friday, September 28, 2007 at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, Montana. She was born on January 5, 1920 in Manchester, England to William and Mary Ann (Waring) Roberts.

Bea lost both of her parents when she was very young. She spent some time in a catholic orphanage affiliated with a convent, then lived with her older sister. Bea met and married Gordon Marais in Great Britain while he was station there in The U.S. Army. They had two children and moved to the United States in 1947. They later divorced.

Bea lived in New York, California and finally in the Flathead Valley. She was in retail management and worked at Bullock’s Wilshire on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. It is a historical landmark that was destroyed during the Rodney King riots.

Bea was known for her creative baskets, which were spotlighted in the L.A Times newspaper. She enjoyed sewing and reading until her eye sight began to fail. She was also very social and liked being with people. She will be deeply missed by all who know and loved her.

Bea is survived by a daughter: Susan Trust and husband Ken of Bigfork and a son: Philip Marais of Palos Verdes, CA, three grandchildren and one great grandson.

No services are planned at this time.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Bea’s family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Bea’s guest book.

Robert (Bob) Staudenmayer

Robert (Bob) Staudenmayer also known as “Bud” passed away at a friend’s house in Bigfork on September 25, 2006. His life was taken by severe depression and alcoholism. He was born in Upland, Ca, on July 18, 1962 to Robert E. Staudenmayer and Muriel Joseph. He was the youngest of three boys. The family moved to Butte, Mt. when Bob was in his early teens. In 1984 Bob married his wife Sandy. They moved to Bigfork in 1987 to manage the Marina Cay Vacation Club that was downtown. Bob was also involved in various businesses in Montana, including owning Diamond Lil’s Restaurant in Dillon, Mt. in the early 90’s. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, travel, and spending time with his friends. In the spring of 1988, Bob graced the cover of the Bigfork Eagle when he caught the “Flathead Lake Monster”; the biggest bull trout caught in 100 years. As an avid hunter, his hunting collection included trophy size elk. Bob tried moving from Bigfork several times and made his home in Washington, Colorado and Texas over the years, but kept coming back home to Montana.

Bob cherished his wife and his 3 sons and was an exceptional provider for his family. He was a loving husband and father and spent as much time with his family as possible. He went out of his way to help out friends and family and has even given away his last dollar to someone less fortunate. Bob was a very straightforward person and he was known to “tell it like it is”. He frequently explained that he didn’t have a filter in his brain, so what went into his head came straight out of his mouth.

Bob is survived by his wife sandy Staudenmayer, sons; Michael, Robert and Skylar Staudenmayer, his mother Muriel Joseph, his brothers Joe and Jim Staudenmayer, three grandsons, various nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins. His family would like him to be remembered as the fun, down to earth, free spirited, loving and caring man that he was. We are very grateful to have had him as a part of our lives. He is missed very much. Please remember him and celebrate Bob’s life.