Roger Hale

Roger Hale passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. He was born Dec. 28, 1913 to Titus and Mary Hale in the homestead cabin located at Twentyfive Mile Creek near Chelan, Wash. He married Elizabeth Crockett in 1936 and they had three children.

In November 1945 a tragic bus accident claimed the lives of his two eldest sons. Distraught and emotionally destroyed, his life took a new direction. He married Sue Woodruff of Granite Falls, Wash., and proceeded to Montana. Roger and Sue purchased a grain elevator in Great Falls. Tearing down the elevator and recycling much of the material, they built a modern three bedroom home with attached two-car garage. This property was sold and the proceeds were used to help purchase and remodel the Middlefork Motel when they moved to the Flathead Valley in February 1962.

It was in Martin City that Roger and Sue raised six children. His door was open to many. He often allowed tenants to “hole up for the winter” at the motel even though they couldn’t pay.

Roger worked as a foreman on the Libby dam, the railroad tunnel near Trego and the aluminum plant in Columbia Falls. After many years of working for others he invested in a backhoe and other construction equipment to start his own business, Hungry Horse Excavating and Construction. He went on to develop new water systems for the towns of Coram and Hungry Horse.

He also constructed foundations and sanitary systems for many of the new homes in the rapidly expanding area. Roger’s easy-going, hard-working nature landed him jobs from Polebridge to Libby. He often commented, “My best work is always buried.”

In 1975 Roger sold the Middlefork Motel and developed a property near Whitefish, still continuing in his excavating business. Yearning to develop another water system he sold his property, packed up and moved back to his ranch located at Twentyfive Mile Creek. There he designed and built a water system for the small roadside community. Other endeavors in Washington were building a magnificent home and developing his own orchard. Roger took pride in his vegetable garden, fruit and walnut trees, but he especially enjoyed the roses he grew.

Roger was loved and will be missed by many. He was preceded in death by both parents; brothers Mirum, Murdock and David Hale; sister Dorthey Milton; sons Douglas and Lenly Stuart; and first wife Elizabeth, all from Washington; step-son Michael G. Pontec of Hungry Horse; and daughter-in-law Jennifer Zunick of Kalispell.

Roger is survived by sons, Roger K. (Nadine) Hale of Kalispell and Neil A. (Eliecia) Hale of Naselle,

Wash.; daugthers Kathie S. (Michael) Salandi of Hungry Horse and Marci Hale of Chelan, Wash.; step-son, Daniel Pointec of Kalispell; step-daughter Sandra L. Pointec of Columbia Falls; “adopted” son Robert A. (Pamela) Zunick of Kalispell; Sue (Roger) Libby of Hungry Horse; four grandsons; six granddaughters; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; sister Caroline Yearout of Wenatchee, Wash.; and many friends.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, Oct. 27 at noon at the Hungry Horse Chapel, 8664 Highway 2 East in Hungry Horse. Brent Schmidt will officiate and lunch will be provided following the service at the church. The family suggests memorials to Hungry Horse Chapel. Thank you to Heritage Place for the skilled care they provided to Roger when it became too difficult for the family.

Wilma Christopherson

Wilma M. Christopherson, 79, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 at her residence in Kalispell. She was born on May 28, 1928 in Jasper, Minn., 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, Terry Christopherson of Murray, Utah, and Allan Christopherson and wife Kathy of Bethel, Alaska; 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; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Wilma will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25 in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Darold Reiner officiating. Burial will be in the Glacier Memorial Gardens. Closed casket visitation was held on Oct. 24 at Johnson Mortuary. A gathering of family and friends follows 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.

Betty Jean Anderson Stapley

Betty Jean Anderson Stapley, 78, went to join her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007 while a patient at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Born to Guy and Jennie (Smith) Anderson on June 24, 1929 in Great Falls, Betty was the sixth child of seven and the only girl. They moved to Columbia Falls when she was a young girl. Betty went to school in Columbia Falls, graduating from Columbia Falls High School in 1948.

She worked in Martin City as a waitress and met her future husband, Loran Stapley, while employed there. They were married Dec. 12, 1950. Betty and Loran had two children, losing one in infancy. Betty was a homemaker, mom, and grandmother.

Betty and Loran (Red) started doing reflexology in the 1960’s. They practiced reflexology for over 30 years and treated hundreds of people. Betty taught reflexology during the 80’s and 90’s and had students from all over the world. They enjoyed helping others and their home was always open to anyone.

They had a large garden and orchard. Betty could be found canning and preserving the fruits and vegetables that Loran harvested. She never wanted to run out of her special applesauce or canned fruit for her grandkids.

Betty, along with prior generations, was a life-long member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved to study the Scriptures and was always looking for new understanding. She took much comfort in her faith and was not afraid to share it. Betty and Loran held a monthly songfest and potluck at there home for years. She played her old pump organ and had the angels sing along.

When they retired they spent their winters in Arizona and made many life-long friends through those travels. They still did reflexology during that time and Betty started painting. She truly enjoyed painting and taught several others to paint, including her brother, Steve.

They moved to Wyoming for a couple of years and then to Boulder, for a couple more. They then moved back home to the Flathead about 10 years ago. It is the place Betty loved the most, close to family and friends.

Betty lived in the Elms Apartments the last five years of her life, where she had many dear friends. If there was a pinochle game or potluck, you could find Betty in the middle of it. Betty loved her family and always had time for her grandchildren. In her later life nothing gave her greater pleasure than her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was the last survivor of that generation. She always said she came from a “strong and vigorous tribe of people” and she was proud of that fact.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Loran (Red) Stapley, in 2000, an infant daughter, a granddaughter, her parents and all six of her brothers.

Betty is survived by her son and his wife, Steve and Susan Stapley; stepdaughter and her husband, Sally and Anson Barnes of Columbia Falls; grandchildren Jeremy and Christian Stapley, Jacque Edwards, and Harley Barnes, all of Columbia Falls, Wendall and Nona Barnes of Clinton, Rob and Christy Stapley of Helena, and Dan and Kristi Johnson of Stevensville; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and love ones.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. Her nephew, Scott Anderson, will officiate the service. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery. There will be a reception at the Columbia Falls Church of The Nazarene after the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.