Richard Downen

Richard J. Downen, 46, of Columbia Falls, died at his home Aug. 29, 2010.

He was born Nov. 21, 1963, in Whitefish, the son of Richard and Dorothy Downen, of Columbia Falls. He grew up in Columbia Falls and attended Columbia Falls schools.

After attending Trapper Creek Job Corps, he returned to Columbia Falls and worked at the Plum Creek fiberboard plant for more than 25 years. At the time of his death he was an assistant apartment manager for his cousin, Dennis Howard, at an apartment complex in Columbia Falls.

He had many interests and hobbies, including family genealogy and raising his organic vegetable garden.

Rich was preceded in death by his grandparents George and Alice DeFlyer, and Archie and Persis Downen, and cousin Tracy Downen.

He is survived by his daughters Anna, Sarah and Emily Downen, and his parents Richard Downen and Dorothy Downen, all of Columbia Falls; sisters Rebecca Grady, of Seattle, and Debra Dotson, husband Mike and their children Adrienne, Allyssa and Jerad, of Spokane; uncles Stan Downen, of Columbia Falls, and Joe DeFlyer and wife Jan, of Bishop, Calif.; aunts Clarice Harrison, of Whitefish, and Arlene Rowe, of Kalispell; many cousins and friends, including friends since grade school days Chuck and Tom Oxley.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place at Fellowship Alliance Church, in Columbia Falls, on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at 11 a.m.

Cecilia Lantz

Cecilia Ann Lantz died peacefully of natural causes Sept. 9, 2010, at the Parkview Acres Nursing Home in Dillon.

She was born Dec. 16, 1929, in Bozeman to Cecil and Gertrude (Schwalbe) Starring.

Since her father's government position required frequent moves, Cec grew up and attended schools in Bozeman, Dutton, Great Falls, Spokane, Anadarko, Okla., and Salt Lake City.

She attended college first at Brookings, S.D., and then transferred to Montana State College-Bozeman, where she graduated with a degree in bacteriology.

She met George Lantz during college, and they married in Laurel in 1952. George taught in Dixon and White Sulphur Springs before accepting a position in Whitefish where they lived for the next 38 years. They moved to Sheridan in 1993 and then to Butte in 2005 before their final move to Whitehall in 2010. They enjoyed a close, loving marriage for 57 years.

Cec was an accomplished pianist and gardener and enjoyed knitting, reading mysteries, crossword puzzles and playing games, especially bridge. She also really enjoyed eating out. She was a church accompanist for many years and was active in church organizations wherever she lived. Her faith, family and friends were very important to her. She was a "people person" who made friends wherever she went.

Cec was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Nickie Ballas and her husband.

She is survived by sons Jeff Lantz and wife Kathy and Doug Lantz; daughter Leslie Alley and husband Jeff; grandchildren Hillary Monastra and husband Rob, Beth Lantz, Eric Alley, Chris Alley and Tara Alley; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church of Whitehall Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the church memorial fund.

Gary E. Hall

Gary E. Hall, 67, of Olney, died quietly in his sleep on Sept. 11, 2010, after a long courageous battle against cancer.

He was born Aug. 2, 1943, the firstborn of three children to Lowell Hall and Janet Cummins (Ayelsworth) Hall.

He married Rita Cole on Dec. 27, 1971, in Naples, Fla. They moved to Montana in 1974. After living in Bigfork, they moved to Olney, where they built their log home and raised their two children.

Gary worked at American Timber for 18 years, where he was the head mechanic. After retiring, he dedicated his time to serving his community and fighting relentlessly for the causes he believed in.

He served as treasurer and wrote the newsletter for Montana Gold Prospectors and enjoyed many prospecting outings with the group. He also served as vice president and webmaster for Montanans For Multiple Use and served on various community-minded boards and committees.

Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, skiing, poker nights, Bible study and spending time with his family. He will be remembered as a loyal and loving husband and father.

He is survived by his wife; son Jeremiah Hall and wife Selena; daughter Sarah Hall; brother Steve Hall; sister Kathy O'Donnell and husband Larry; beloved dog Misha; numerous nieces and nephews; and one uncle.

Memorial services will take place at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, in Kalispell, on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010 (today), at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon at True Life Church, in Whitefish.

Donations may be made to Montanans For Multiple Use or True Life Church.

Norma Evans

Norma E. Evans passed away Sept. 6, 2010.

She was born Feb. 5, 1920, in Great Falls and spent her early years living in Canada. She met and married Albert Evans in Great Falls and moved to Whitefish in 1945, where she was a resident for 55 years prior to moving to Kalispell.

Norma was very active and a longtime member of the Whitefish Moose Lodge. Her favorite past times were fishing, gardening nd sewing. Norma will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Albert Evans and daughter Shirley Evans Mills.

She is survived by her sons; Jack Evans and wife Cherri, of Morrison, Colo., and Leonard "Butch" Evans and wife Sharon, of Kalispell; grandchildren Rick Evans and wife Penny, Tina Evans, of Colorado, and Shawn Evans and wife Heesuk, of Virginia; and great grandchildren Sebastian Evans, of Colorado and Alex and Allie Evans, of Virginia.

Graveside services were held Sept. 10, 2010, at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made in her name to the Montana Association for the Blind, P.O. box 465, Helena MT 59624.

Rudy Arriaga

Rudy Arriaga, 78, died Sept. 4, 2010, near Paradise.

He was born June 14, 1932, in Wichita, Kan., to Lorenzo and Leonora (Granados' Arriaga and grew up in California.

Rudy married Gloria Dawn House on Aug. 27, 1954, and together they raised four children. He worked in San Jose as a brake specialist for Sears for more than 30 years. After retirement, he and Gloria moved to Montana in 1992 to be near their daughter and grandchildren. Gloria preceded him in death on May 9, 2008.

Rudy married Beverly Lee Smith on April 23, 2010. He enjoyed camping, fishing, time with his grandchildren, attending their school and sporting activities. He served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish for many years.

Rudy is survived by his children Rudolph Arriaga and wife Angela, of Columbia Falls, Dan Arriaga, of San Jose, Calif., Dennis Arriaga and wife Karen, of San Jose, Calif., and Trish O'Dell and husband Jarrod, of Whitefish; 13 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brothers Ernesto, Alvaro and Armando; and sister Leonora.

Memorial services took place Sept. 11, 2010, at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish. Contributions may be given to the church general fund.

Beverly Smith-Arriaga

Beverly Lee Smith Arriaga, 60, went on to meet her Heavenly Father on Sept. 4, 2010, near Paradise.

She was born Nov. 3, 1949, to Marvin and Clara Brittenham, in Kalispell, and grew up in Columbia Falls. After graduating from Columbia Falls High School, she graduated from Montana State College in Billings with a bachelor's degree in teaching.

She went on to teach in Idaho. She returned to Montana and raised her son in Columbia Falls. She worked in the dietary department at Kalispell Regional Medical Center for more than 15 years. Beverly married Rudy Arriaga on April 23, 2010.

She will always be remembered as a selfless and loving mother, a caring wife and a joyful grandmother, as well as a giving friend to all she knew.

We know she will be looking down from her mansion of gold onto her son and his wife, her grandson, and her two brothers and one sister and their families.

Memorial services were held Sept. 11, 2010, at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish. Contributions may be made in her name to the American Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.