David Sipe

David Bruce Sipe, 61, an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in the comfort of his home on April 25, 2010. Dave's strength and positive attitude throughout his long battle with cancer was an inspiration to many.

Dave was born June 10, 1948, in Kalispell to Keith and Vivian Sipe. He married Jennifer Joy Anderson on June 2, 1973, at the Whitefish United Methodist Church.

Dave was a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley, living most of his life in Whitefish. He was employed by Anaconda Aluminum Co., the Flathead County Detention Center, DePratu Ford and the Whitefish Fire Department.

Dave's involvement with the Whitefish Fire Department began in March 1978 when he took a position as a volunteer fireman. He was appointed volunteer fire chief in 1984 and served in that capacity until 1985 and then again from 1993 to 1995. In October 1995, Dave became the department's first paid fire chief. Due to illness, he retired in July 2008. His passion for helping others made leaving his job difficult.

In 2006, Dave was honored as City Government Worker of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and the Whitefish Community Foundation. He was also awarded Ambulance Attendant of the Year in 1987 and then again in 1991.

Dave was known to spend time wearing his red Crocs at The Buffalo Caf, in Whitefish, with his long-time coffee buddies and could be found there most mornings of the week giving the waitresses a hard time. After moving from Whitefish, he split his time between The Buffalo Cafe and Bojangles Diner in Kalispell, where he joined a group of longtime friends.

He enjoyed spending time in his shop with Dave Weldele building beautiful furniture that will be forever cherished by family and friends. Dave had a passion for motorcycles and went on many adventures with good friend Orland Leland. He also enjoyed special visits with longtime friend Bob DePratu.

Dave and Jennifer loved loading up the camper and heading out for the weekend with the dogs. Dave loved animals, especially his dogs Ripley and Penelope. He took great pride in his yard, building a garden house and keeping an immaculate lawn. He had an affinity for classic cars, most notably his black 1965 Chevelle. Other activities that he took part in were softball and golfing with his brothers and son-in-law Jeff Claridge.

Dave was a well-respected and loved member of the community known for his selflessness and dedication. When the siren sounded, the public could be sure that he was the first one on the scene.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife; daughter Rachel Williams and husband Bob, of Oregon; son Eric Sipe and wife Lisa, of Louisiana; daughter Molly Claridge and husband Jeff, of Kalispell; and son D.J. Sipe, of Whitefish; brothers Brian Sipe and wife Jolene, of Kalispell, Robin Sipe and wife Karen, of Missoula, Richard Sipe and wife Joan, of Kalispell, Craig Sipe and wife Maureen, of Arizona, Mark Sipe and wife Susan, of Arizona, and Kevin Sipe and wife Susan, of Florida; grandchildren Justin Waverick, Jourdan Williams, Griffin Williams, Garrett Sipe, Anna Sipe, Hannah Sipe, Megan Sipe, Jack Sipe and soon-to-be-born Travis Sipe; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was also known as "Boppa" to Stella and Sully Claridge.

A celebration of life will take place at the new Whitefish Emergency Services Center on Saturday, May 1, at 1 p.m. Parking will be available on the street, at the Mountain Mall or in designated nearby parking lots. Bus transportation will be available from the Mountain Mall and from Baker Avenue and West 13th Street.

Internment will follow at Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell with a reception at the Whitefish United Methodist Church on Wisconsin Avenue afterwards.

Memorials may be given to the Whitefish Fire Department or Whitefish United Methodist Church.

Eleanore Dusek

Eleanore Dusek, 79, died of natural causes on April 20, 2010, at Colonial Manor.

She was born Oct. 4, 1930, to Gustave and Emma (Grochow) Delzer on the family farm near Clifton, N.D. Being the eldest child, she was taken out of high school to help run the family farm.

She married Robert Dusek on Oct. 7, 1948, at Rugby, N.D. They resided in Aylmer, N.D. She worked outside the home on and off while raising her children, driving a school bus and working at a grocery, meat market and turkey processing plant.

They moved to Whitefish in 1969 after her husband bid on a Great Northern Railroad job there. Eleanore worked as a housekeeper at the Cadillac Hotel, waitress at Sally's Cafe, and as supervisor of housekeeping at Colonial Manor.

She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Whitefish. She loved hunting and fishing, crossword puzzles, hand-held computer games and bingo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, three sisters and a brother.

She is survived by her children Darrel Dusek and wife April, of Libby, Charlotte Henne, of Aurora, Ill., Dianna Neugebauer and husband Guy, of Moorcroft, Wyo., Beverly Dusek, of Whitefish, and Penny Black, of Lynnwood, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two step granddaughters; seven step great grandchildren; brothers Eugene Delzer and wife Barb, and Gerald Delzer and wife Connie, both of Minot, N.D., and Jerome Delzer, of Whitefish; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside services were held April 26, 2010, at Glacier Memorial Gardens at Kalispell, with the Reverend James Maxwell officiating.

Myles Connelley

Myles Walker Connelley, 28, passed away peacefully at Kalispell Regional Hospital on April 2l, 2010.

He was born April 16, 1982, in Whitefish to Terrie Truax and Dave Farris. Through the course of his life, he endured 40 surgeries and countless hospitalizations at Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle, Shriner's Hospital for Children in Portland and Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, as well as Kalispell Regional Hospital and North Valley Hospital.

Although Myles was dealt a very difficult hand in life, he lived it as well or better than anyone that could be imagined. In spite of the difficulties he faced everyday, he was a continual example of strength and endurance while keeping a sense of humor, patience and light-heartedness.

Myles enjoyed life. He loved to laugh and make others laugh with him. Some of his favorite times were spent taking car rides through the back roads with people who could share his appreciation for the simple things in life. He never stopped loving the people around him and giving them memories full of fun times.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Charles Truax, of Whitefish, and faithful service/companion dog Forrest.

He is survived by his mother, Terrie Connelley, of Whitefish; father Mike Connelley, of Eureka; sister Haylie Koslowsky and husband Stuart, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; grandmother Margaret Truax, of Whitefish; aunt Becky Truax, of Finland; uncle Patrick Kelly, of Whitefish; and many more family and friends.

A celebration of Myles' life was held April 26, 2010, in Whitefish.