Obituaries
The Bigfork Eagle runs obituaries and death notices for people who have lived in the Bigfork area. To submit, e-mail editor@bigforkeagle.com or call 837-5131. Deadlines are every Monday at noon.
Ronald P. Newgard
Ronald P. Newgard, 60, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Northwest Healthcare in Kalispell.
He was born May 3, 1949, in Kalispell to Walfred and Mildred (Koski) Newgard.
Ron lived and worked his entire life in the Flathead Valley, enjoying everything outdoors and in. He graduated from Flathead High School in 1967. On Jan. 2, 1968, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Susan Huso.
Over their 40 years of marriage, they took several cruises with their son Brad, Pearl and friends. Ronnie was an avid skier both on Flathead Lake and Big Mountain. Flipping burgers and driving his little red Shriner mobile in parades across the state and fundraising efforts were so important to him. He did them with pride and always a smile and a thank you.
Ron was the only one on the Search and Rescue who had to be rescued, but if anyone needed anything it was "Ronnie to the Rescue." Ron was a hard worker and excellent provider. In May 2003, Ron achieved his goal (with the help of Sid Young), and became the proud owner of his wooden boat, The Cherry Bomb.
Ron is survived by a son, Bradley Newgard of Bigfork; his mother, Mildred Newgard and a brother, B.J. Newgard both of Kalispell, as well as his mother-in-law, Pearl S. Huso.
A memorial service for Ron was held at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210 or Bigfork QRU at 810 Grand Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911 ATTN: Cindy Norved.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ron's family. Visit www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Ron's tribute wall.
Charlotte Hislop
Charlotte Marie Kindt Hislop of Bigfork died at Heritage Place early Sunday, March 28, 2010, following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Despite her condition, she remained hopeful and feisty, maintaining her sense of humor throughout her illness.
Born in Anaconda on April 30, 1922, Charlotte was the daughter of Ernest and Florence Kindt. She was the oldest of eight children. During her early childhood she lived in Anaconda, Seattle, and finally Butte, where her family settled in the 1930s.
She graduated from Butte Central High School in 1940. On July 11, 1941, she married Robert I. Hislop — the beginning of a 68-year love story.
In 1959, they left Butte and moved to Bigfork, where they purchased and operated Elm Resort for more than 11 years. The resort became a centerpiece of Bigfork summer activities during their tenure as owners. They were mainstays of Bigfork community life and made considerable contributions to the Bigfork Fire Department, Bigfork Schools and St. Catherine's Catholic Parish. She was an active Bigfork Lady Lion and served for many years as an election judge.
Her greatest joys in life included any activity involving her family, especially sporting events where her children and grandchildren participated. She loved camping with friends in Glacier National Park and on Hungry Horse Reservoir.
A devout Catholic, Charlotte was a member of Pope John Paul II Parish in Bigfork. She will be missed by surviving members of her "Potluck Bunch," as well as members of her ceramics club, The Puttering Potters.
Charlotte will be remembered as a loving wife, a beloved mother and cherished friend. In addition to her husband, Robert, she is survived by her daughter, Bonnie, and son-in-law, Hilary Nickel, of Bigfork; daughter, Lindy, and son-in-law, Jim McGill, of Bigfork; and son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Donna Hislop, of Polson. She is also survived by sisters, Marie Elich, Betty Piskolich and Nancy Wills, all of Butte; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Liz; her brothers, Charles, Tom and Jack; and her grandson, David Benson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice, or the American Cancer Society.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 1, at Pope John Paul Catholic Church in Bigfork with a reception to follow. A private internment will be held at a later date.