Mildred "Millie" Platt, 92

Mildred "Millie" Platt, age 92, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, Montana. She was born at home in Williams, Montana near Valier on September 19, 1915. She was one of eight children born to Anna (Hofland) and Anders Hammer, and was very proud of her Norwegian heritage.

She spent her childhood in Valier on the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. She loved life in her small town and enjoyed school, swimming, dancing, trips to Glacier Park and playing cards throughout her childhood and long life.

After graduating from Valier High School in 1933, Millie attended Western Montana College in Dillon and received her two year degree in elementary education and a lifetime certificate to teach in Montana. She used that opportunity to teach in Brady, Dupuyer, Cutbank and finally in Billings where she taught Kindergarten in her home for eighteen before retiring.

In 1941 Millie married William "Bill" Platt in Cutbank, MT. Millie was teaching and Bill worked for Carter Oil Company in the refinery in Cutbank, and they had met on a blind date.

In 1950 Carter Oil moved its facility to Superior, Wisconsin and Millie and Bill moved with it. Both missed their beloved Montana, and in 1952, Bill was hired as a refinery inspector with Universal Oil Company, and they moved to Billings, where they lived until Bill's retirement in 1980. Millie retired from teaching a few years prior to Bill's retirement, and spent the years before his retirement traveling the world with him on assignment with his company. After Bill's retirement they moved to Lakeside, MT.

Millie and Bill were married for 44 years until Bill's death in 1985. Following his death, Millie became a Hospice volunteer because of the support and comfort Hospice had provided the family throughout Bill's illness. Through her work with Hospice and the game of bridge, Millie met Walter Hensley and they were married in 1990. They had five fun filled years together dancing, playing bridge, and socializing with friends until Walter's death in 1995.

Millie was also preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Olga Armstrong, Ernest Hammer, Isabelle Hammer, an infant sister, and a grandson Andy Lindsey.

She is survived by her daughters, Holly Lindsey and husband Dan; Susan Gibson - Veyna and husband Peter; and Gretchen Platt and husband Charlie Bartberger; siblings, Andy Hammer of Missoula, MT; and Shirley Elton and husband Claude of Arizona; her grandchildren, Chris Lindsey and wife Julie, Daniel Lindsey, Heather Copp and husband Mike, Rachel Johnson and husband John, Sarah Gibson and husband Ken Turley, and Ben Bartberger, her great-grandchildren, Le'Arvay, Koda, and Jake and by many nieces and nephews, and by two special step-grandchildren, Lisa Veyna Lykins and Kevin Veyna.

Millie lived a long, full life with her large extended family and many, many friends. She kept her sharp wit and sense of humor to the end and will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Memorial services for Millie will be held on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

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

Florin Timothy (Tim) Kahnberg, 84

Florin Timothy (Tim) Kahnberg passed away on Saturday October 20, 2007 after a battle with cancer. He was born in Sacramento, California on August 30, 1923 to Alvar and Achsah Kahnberg. One of 6 children, he grew up in Oakland and Alamo. Taking family vacations to Santa Cruz he learned to love the ocean and fishing. He graduated from San Ramon High School at the age of 16. He was active in theater and band throughout his high school years. On his 18th birthday he began working for Pacific Bell Telephone Company in San Francisco. On October 20, 1942 he enlisted in the Army Infantry. During WWII he spent time in France and Germany. He returned home 3 years later and married June Coe and had his first daughter, Kathleen in 1947. After his return home, he continued working at the telephone company. He worked his way up from an office boy to a senior engineer during his 39-year career. During this time he also played his clarinet and saxophone in a German Band with friends and co-workers. In 1964 he married Barbara Reed and had his second daughter, Susie in 1965. After he retired from the telephone company he moved to Montana in 1979 and lived there for the remainder of his life. For 25 of his 28 years in Montana he had the wonderful opportunity to return to the theater. Working with his close friend Don Thomson, he was active in the Summer Theater productions as well as the Bigfork Community Players. His favorite role was the Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof. Tim's active membership in the Masonic Lodge began in California in the early 1940's and continued when he came to Montana. It was always an important and meaningful part of his life. His many talents and hobbies included golfing, fishing, theater and band. He was an artist as well as an accomplished carpenter, building man homes throughout his lifetime.

His 2 daughters Kathy Korb Breshears and husband Jay of Cove, Oregon and Susie Walsh or Kalispell survive Tim. He has 5 grandchildren; Jeff, Jamie, Kendra, Kyer and Kacey and 2 great-grandchildren; Chris and Bobby. His younger brother Nils Kahnberg, his baby sister Yamashita, 4 nieces and 3 nephews also survive him.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday October 25, 2007 at the Bigfork Masonic Lodge. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Bigfork Summer Playhouse Scholarship Fund.

Wilma M. Christopherson, 79

Wilma M. Christopherson, age 79, passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at her residence in Kalispell, Montana. She was born on May 28, 1928 in Jasper, Minnesota the oldest daughter of Walter and Alma (Schriever) Niemann.

Wilma met Elvin "Chris" Christopherson in Yuma, Arizona and they were married on May 1, 1945. After Chris was discharged from the Army Air Force in 1946, the couple moved to Kalispell. Wilma was a business agent for various local labor unions for many years. She was an active member of the Democratic Party and a long-time member of the Eagles Auxillary; she was also a charter member of the Eagles Camping Club. Wilma enjoyed many happy hours fishing, boating and camping with her family. She also enjoyed snowmobiling and was involved in many activities with her children and grandchildren. She took pride in her appearance and in her home. She had a green thumb and especially loved flowers. Wilma was an excellent cook and just last week was canning apples and making pies.

Wilma made friends easily and loved to dance and laugh. She lived life to the fullest, always on her terms, and with no regrets. She always felt lucky in life and in love. Wilma will be deeply missed.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother, John Niemann and a sister, Jeanie Niemann both of South Dakota. She is survived by three sons, Craig Christopherson and wife Kathy of Kalispell, MT; Terry Christopherson of Murray, UT and Allan Christopherson and wife Kathy of Bethel, AK; granddaughters: Thi, Chelsea and Kelly Christopherson, Chanel Nikiforov and husband Tony, and great granddaughter, Natasha Nikiforov. Wilma is also survived by a brother Bill Niemann and wife Vi; sisters: Evelyn Kroger, Margaret Dickerson, Gladys Fallon, Marlis Wright and husband Chuck, Elsie Waite and husband Harold and Janis Polzen and husband Les, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Wilma will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, October 25, 2007 in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Darold Reiner officiating. Burial will be in the Glacier Memorial Gardens. There will be a closed casket visitation on Wednesday, at Johnson Mortuary from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. A gathering of family and friends following the services at the Eagles Club, 37 1st St. West in Kalispell.

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