Doris Wilna Smith
Doris Wilna Smith, 95, passed away peacefully at Immanuel Lutheran Home, in Kalispell, on Sept. 7, 2007.
Born July 12, 1912, as Doris Armstrong, in Elgin, Neb., Doris was the third of Edith and Burton Armstrong’s 11 children. Doris grew up and went to school in Laurel.
She worked as a physician’s office assistant before marrying Haldon Smith in 1934. She also was a cook for Forest Service fire crews and in restaurants of Ashland. Doris and Haldon had four children, Howard (Howdy), Jim, Kay and Montee. The Smith family resided at several unique ranger stations during Haldon’s employment with the Forest Service.
After retirement in 1971, they settled in Whitefish, until Haldon’s death in 1989. Doris then moved to Columbia Falls. In 2003 she became a resident at the Immanuel Lutheran Home.
She is preceded in death by husband, Haldon, of 55 years, and oldest son, Howard.
She is survived by a brother, Louis Armstrong, of Laurel; sister, Eva Armstrong, of Laurel; sons, Jim Smith, and wife, Sheryl, of Joliet, and Montee, and wife, Linda, of Columbia Falls; daughter, Kay Olson, of Spokane, Wash.; and daughter-in-law, Verdie Smith, of Billings. She is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grand children, nieces and nephews.
Doris was the most loving and compassionate person you would ever meet. She never had a pessimistic word to say about anyone. Her passions in life were her family and cooking. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. at 7660 Farm to Market Road, Whitefish. In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to Women of the Moose, 230 W. 10th St., Whitefish, MT.
Thomas Lee Harris
Thomas Lee Harris, Sr. 74, died Sept. 5, 2007 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center after an illness of five months caused by pancreatic cancer.
He was born Dec. 25, 1932, in Devol, Okla., the son of Judge Calvin and Artie Mabel Harris. He graduated from high school in Beulah, N.D., and continued his education in California. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Greenland and Korea and was honorably discharged in 1953.
In 1952, Tom and Lorreta Bell married. They had three children. A divorce followed. In 1968, Tom and Mary Tombrink married.
Tom followed his father’s occupation as a steam fitter and mechanical superintendent on projects ranging from oil refineries to paper mills. In 1970, he moved to Montana and always enjoyed coming home to Whitefish after a project.
Biking, flying, boating, fishing and inventing were his primary hobbies. Tom held the TBI support group and Hospice in high regard for having provided him with invaluable support and caring. Neighbors and relatives have made his last months more bearable and he leaves endearing gratitude to them.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, James, Jerry and Ronald; and two sisters, Virginia and Eva Jo.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, at the family home; sister, Pat Clamp, in Corning, N.Y.; three children, Tom Jr., Ken and Elaine and their families in Texas. He was very proud of his seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
At the request of Mr. Harris, no memorial services are to be held. Enurnment was Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007 at the Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kalispell. Arrangements were under the direction of the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.