Donald Kaltschmidt Sr.

Donald William Kaltschmidt Sr., 80, died from cancer on June 10, 2010, at his home in Kalispell.

He was welcomed into the world as the only child of William and Bertha Kaltschmidt on June 8, 1930, in Queens, N.Y. The family moved to Carlstadt, N.J., where he grew up in the company of aunts, uncles and cousins.

He graduated from East Rutherford High School in 1947 and later spent a year and a half at Syracuse University on a football scholarship. He became a patrolman with the Carlstadt police force and then trained to become a New Jersey state trooper. He stationed on the Turnpike.

He married Birthe Jorgensen from Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 25, 1955. Together they had three children, Donald Jr., Karole and Kenneth.

In 1968, the family went on an extensive vacation touring across the U.S. looking for a better place live and move. Kalispell was the ideal choice, and the family packed up and came west where Don spent his remaining years.

Don's gratification and fulfillment came from time spent in the water swimming or paddling a canoe. He loved dogs and always had a faithful canine companion at his side. He and Birthe were snowbirds who traveled with a camper across the border into Mexico.

Don was happy to launch a canoe each morning to go fishing and share the fresh catch. He invested a great deal of his time and energy toward his passion to support and help those in need and share a fellowship with all in Alcoholics Anonymous.

He is survived by his wife; sons Donald Kaltschmidt Jr. and wife Debbie, of Whitefish, and Kenneth Kaltschmidt and wife Marcy, of Auburn, Wash.; daughter Karole Sommerfield and husband Dale, of Kalispell; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel on June 16, 2010, with Chaplain Bob Thornton officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Home Options Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Kalispell MT 59901.

Raymond Kube

Raymond A. Kube, Sr., 91, of Whitefish, passed away peacefully June 8, 2010, in Kalispell.

He was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Feb. 5, 1919. He married Lillian L. Walters in St. Paul on Aug. 26, 1942.

Ray served in the Army during World War II, from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1946.

He and his wife moved to Great Falls in 1946. Ray's career as a sales representative led him to travel extensively in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.

In 1966, Ray and Lil moved to their home on Whitefish Lake. Ray retired in 1981, at which time they wintered at their second home in Mesa, Ariz.

Throughout his life, Ray enjoyed the outdoors. He built his first sailboat as a young man at the family cabin on Bone Lake, Wis. His interest in boating continued throughout his life. Other interests he enjoyed over the years were skiing, golfing and outdoor photography.

Surviving him are his wife Lil; son Ray Kube, Jr., of Seattle; and grandsons Paul Kube, of Wenatchee, Wash., and Scott Kube, of Snohomish, Wash.; daughter Pam Kube, of Bigfork; and three great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Vaughn Shafer

Vaughn Shafer, 85, "mayor of Hungry Horse," died June 6, 2010, in the arms of his beloved son Ron and daughter Jan at his home in Hungry Horse.

Vaughn was born Aug. 21, 1924, in Downsville, Wis. After graduating from high school, Vaughn played semi-pro baseball with Andy Pathco. Andy was drafted into the majors and Vaughn was drafted into the Navy, as Vaughn said.

He received his medical discharge and married the first pretty woman he saw when he got off the boat, Irene Karnes. In 1963, Vaughn and Irene loaded up the station wagon with the family and moved from Milwaukee to Hungry Horse.

Vaughn was an avid sports fan, from local teams to his Cubbies and Packers. He rarely missed a game, even if he had to listen to it on the radio, cussing out the poor reception in the Canyon.

He worked at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. smelter for 20 years and developed lifelong friendships with his buddies. In 1982, Vaughn and Irene bought the Hungry Horse Corral, and for 29 years they entertained family, friends and tourists.

Vaughn was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Irene.

He is survived by sons Terry Shafer and wife, Judy of Hungry Horse, Ron Shafer, of Columbia Falls, Mark Shafer and wife Sharon, of Whitefish, and Craig Shafer, of Hungry Horse; daughter Jan Sergeant, of Lakeside; grandchildren Todd Shafer, Toni and James Nanini, Ben and Amanda Shafer, Siara and Chuck Jay, Kyla Shafer, Cydney Sergeant and Jeff Shafer; nephew Louis Kentros and wife Mary; and great granddaughter Aspen Shafer.

Services will take place at Canyon Baptist Church in Hungry Horse on Saturday, June 19, 2010, at 1 p.m. with a potluck following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Canyon Baptist Church or Canyon Elementary School.

Shirley Wesley

Shirley Anne Wesley, 63, passed away June 7, 2010, in Whitefish surrounded by her family.

She was born Jan. 16, 1947, at Coudersport, Pa., to Carl and Rose Smith. She attended college in Philadelphia, graduating as a lab technician.

Shirley worked as a lab tech in Coudersport until she and her husband David moved to Montana in 1974. She worked as a lab tech at North Valley Hospital until retiring to raise her three children.

After her family was grown, she began working at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish until retiring in 2005. Shirley was an avid Dallas Cowboys football fan and never missed a game. When not watching football, she could be found doing anything and everything with her children and grandchildren.

Shirley will be very much missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Surviving her are brother Robert Smith, of Coudersport, Pa.; children Robert Wesley and wife Lexy, of Newport News, Va., Karen Baker and husband Dave, and David Wesley, all of Whitefish; grandchildren Kelsey and Megan Baker, of Whitefish; and many more family and dear friends.

Services took place June 15, 2010, at the Austin Funeral Home Chapel.

Memorials in her name may be made to the Flathead Animal Shelter.

Martha Cullen

Martha Annice Cullen, 71, died June 6, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital in Ronan after a long illness.

She was born May 31, 1939, at the family home in Whitefish, the fourth child of John and Daisey Reimer.

Martha attended schools in Whitefish and was very active in the Nazarene Church. She played the clarinet in school and enjoyed her part in family life and the family farm.

She married Paul W. Cullen on Jan. 18, 1958. They lived in Libby for 10 years before moving to the family ranch in Ronan.

Martha was vice president of the Mission Valley Historical Society and a 42-year member of the Round Butte Grange. She held numerous offices of the Subordinate and Pomona and State Grange, was a 4-H leader for 15 years and belonged to the Sew and So Club in Round Butte as a life member. She was also the past president of the Western Montana Cattle Women's Association.

She enjoyed many hobbies and most loved to spend time with others. Her pride and joy were her family and friends. Her door was always open and her heart without judgment while she encouraged and provided support to many. Her deep faith was her strength against sorrow and hardship.

Martha was preceded in death by sons Laurence Cullen and Raymond Cullen; daughter Zeldene Cullen; and two sisters and their spouses Clareece and Roland Cooley, and Pauline and Dayton Hill.

She is survived by her husband; sons Brian Cullen and wife Lauren, of Carbondale, Colo. and Michael Cullen and wife Christine, of Ronan; daughters Bev Cullen-Hoover and husband Chad, of Ronan, and Beth Donelan and husband Terry, of Rapid City, S.D.; brother Bruce Reimer and wife Mary, of Whitefish; sisters Joanne Spurlock and husband John, of Whitefish, and Lorna Isaak, of Whitefish 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and numerous honorary children and grandchildren.

Funeral services took place on June 11, 2010, at the Pablo Christian Church in Pablo.