Jerald Pierce

Jerald D. "Jerry" Pierce, 68, passed away at his residence in Hungry Horse on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008.

Jerry was born Nov. 17, 1939 in Bowman, N.D., the son of Richard and Leona (Heuther) Pierce. Jerry was raised in Bowman and at the age of 15, moved with his family to Hardin, where he graduated from high school. He met Florence Steinmetz while in school and married her in the Baptist Church in Hardin in 1961. They moved to the Flathead Valley in 1966.

Jerry was an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran. For the past 20 years he worked for TNT Springs. A wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, Jerry also loved his football, especially the Dallas Cowboys. He also enjoyed collecting coins. Jerry was a real people person, making friends wherever he was.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Colleen Pierce, and his parents. Jerry is survived by his wife, Florence, of Hungry Horse; daughters Lisa Croach (Larry) of Spokane, Wash., and Amy Kuper of Hungry Horse; brothers Kenneth Pierce of Billings, Delno Pierce (Julie) of Missoula, and Randy Pierce of Hardin; grandchildren Jacob Sanders and Garrett Hixson of Spokane, and Kevin Kuper of Hungry Horse.

Memorial services will be held on Friday Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Home Options Hospice, 171 Commons Way, Suite 100, Kalispell, Mt. 59901.

Kenneth Rude

Kenneth S. Rude, 82, died peacefully on Aug. 8, 2008 at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls after a prolonged illness with Parkinson's disease.

He was born Jan. 21, 1926 in Lewistown, the fifth of six children.

Kenneth enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received during his service in World War II where he was wounded in the first wave of troops on Iwo Jima. A fellow Marine buddy, Dale Cook, was a dear friend of Kenneth's until Kenneth's death.

As a young man, Kenneth was an amateur boxer and later into adulthood, enjoyed participating in bowling tournaments. He attended Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Ore., and had an extensive career in air conditioning and refrigeration.

Kenneth is survived by his former wife, Dorene, and her husband, Jim McNulty; Kenneth's four children, Marcie Fisher (Duncan), Keith Rude, Kurt Rude (Rea), Brad Rude (Lore); sister Thelma Bissertt; sister-in-law, Coral Fyall; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 15, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial will follow at the Montana Veterans' Home Cemetery. Military graveside honors are by the United Veterans of the Flathead and Montana National Guard.

Remembrances may be made to New Covenant Church in Kalispell, or to the mission organization of your choice.