Dorothy Tupper
MISSOULA - Dorothy Tupper, a Missoula School District 1 elementary teacher for 38 years and a mentor, role model and friend to generations of eighth-graders from 1934 until her retirement in 1972, died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, at Hillside Manor."I never regretted those years. A number of students from those years are friends yet," she said in remarks prepared in 1999 for her own obituary when she knew her health was beginning to fail.
She was the only child of Missoula businessman H.S. Tupper and his wife Pearl, and no blood relatives survive her. But many former students and a wide circle of friends from all walks of life benefited from her friendship, mentoring and example. They both respected and loved her, and regret her passing.
"It soon became clear that a teacher's salary would not suffice for three people, so we moved to Great Falls, where he worked in a music store as a Victor (Victrola) specialist. He had a background in music - he sang and played several instruments. I went to the Ursuline Academy in Great Falls until the third grade, when we came to Missoula in 1920. Dad worked for Dickinson Piano Co.
"I went to Roosevelt School in fourth grade. My parents bought a house on Fifth Street and I went to Willard School for fifth, sixth and half a year in the seventh and half a year in the eighth, graduating at age 12. I graduated from Missoula County High School in 1928, and from the University of Montana in 1932 (with honors).
"I taught in Saco one year and was hired in Missoula the next year, teaching at Paxson School three years, Roosevelt 10 years, Whittier 25 years, retiring in 1972.
"I lived on Seventh and Reserve streets for 50 years, and moved only because Reserve was being widened and I knew it would become a busy thoroughfare, which it did.
"In the last few years, my macular degeneration has deprived me of the pleasures of painting and knitting and crocheting and reading, and has about ruled out gardening and most exercising. But the Talking Book Library provides book cassettes for listening and I enjoy cooking (still) and so far, some TV."
She also delighted in the company of the numerous cat companions she cared for assiduously throughout her adult life. For some 30 years, while living on Seventh Street, she shared her home in joint tenancy with Esther Haynes, also a longtime Missoula elementary teacher. Esther died in 1976.
Friends recalled that Dorothy was quite likely the first woman to serve as a top administrator in Missoula School District 1, serving one year as an interim principal of the school in which she taught.
Her friend for 25 years, and helper for the last 18 years, and the person who served as her primary caregiver and faithful companion since she required resident nursing care in January 2002, is Omar Faruk Dalboyun of Missoula and Izmir, Turkey.
At Dorothy's specific request, no funeral services are planned. A brief memorial service may be held at a date to be announced.
Dorothy wished specifically to thank the personal care attendants, nurses and other caregivers at Hillside Manor's Sunset wing, who helped maintain her dignity and comfort during those last difficult days, both by their exemplary professional standards and the love they bestowed upon her.
Dorothy did not designate a charity for memorials to be given in lieu of flowers, but her love of animals is well known, and she had a close association for many years with the Missoula Humane Society.
Elmer K. George
MISSOULA - Elmer Kilian George, 90, of Missoula, died peacefully at Bee Hive Homes on Friday, Feb. 13, 2004.He was born Nov. 3, 1913, to Peter and Anna George in Albany, Minn. Elmer's parents died when he was a teenager after which he lived with relatives in Minnesota. He attended St. Cloud Technical High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a doctorate of medicine in 1937.
He started his medical service at the Northern Pacific Hospital in Glendive. It was there that he met a nurse, Leenora Healy. Elmer and Leenora were married in Glendive on Oct. 19, 1939.
They moved to Missoula, where Elmer worked at the NP Hospital. From 1943 to 1946 Elmer served as a captain in the Army, providing medical care for soldiers in the South Pacific.
In 1946 he started his long-enduring private medical practice in Missoula, delivering many babies and caring for many Missoula-area families. He retired in 1980. He served on the board of directors of St. Patrick Hospital and served one term as president of the medical staff.
Elmer was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish, where he often served at Mass and contributed his time and talents on many special projects for the church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, woodworking, gardening, needlework and card games.
His family was very important to him and he was extremely proud of his seven children, 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Leenora whom he dearly missed these past four years, his infant daughter Barbara and 14 half brothers and half sisters.
Survivors include his children, Sister Judith George, S.P., of Spokane, Katherine (Steve) Murphy of Missoula, Mary (Les) Harlow of Spokane, Thomas (Joni) George of Richland, Wash., William (Susan Ross) George of Skokie, Ill., Timothy (Donna) George of Greenwood, S.C., and Elizabeth (Terry) Bishop of Andover, Minn.; grandchildren Matthew, Brian, Erin and Shauna Murphy, Benjamin, Thomas, Anna, Katrina and John Paul Harlow, Larissa and Andrew George, Brendon, Christian and Taryn George, and Colin, Peter and Kelsey Bishop; and great-grandchildren Abigail, Samuel and Elizabeth Harlow, Conner, Braeden and Camden Harlow and Maxwell and Maggie Murphy.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at St. Francis Xavier Church. A reception will follow in Reidy Hall at the church.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Partners in Home Care or a charity of the donor's choice.
Maybelle Mildred Maurer
KALISPELL - Maybelle Mildred Maurer, 95, died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home.She was born March 16, 1908, in Kalispell to Sam and Mabel (Spear) Sauerbier. In 1928 she married Hans Maurer in Mitchell, S.D.
She was preceded in death by her husband, infant daughter Phyllis and son Gordon.
Survivors include four children, Carol Larson, John Maurer, Margaret Ebel and Bill Maurer; brother Harold Leslie; 20 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
Alois Gohl
POLSON - Alois Joseph Gohl died peacefully at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004.Preceding him in death were his parents Joseph and Beata Gohl, wife Mary, son James and brothers Art and Andrew.
Surviving children are Frances Gohl of Havre; David (Elaine) Gohl of Marcellus, Mich.; Susan (Frank) Brown of Polson; John (Shirley) Gohl of Ronan; Steven (Kathy) Gohl of Advance, N.C.; Linda (Isaac) Carraso of Las Vegas; Teresa Gohl, her friend John Laud and son Ben of Charlo; Marlene (Alan) Shirley of Las Vegas; and Kristine (Kyle) Hardy of Las Vegas.
Surviving brothers and sisters are Albine, Adeline, Azela, Avis and Adrain. Alois also has several grandchildren, Frankie, Isaac (Monica), Carrie, Mary, Jason, Michael, Stephanie, Karen, Samatha, James, Melanie, Justin, Taylor, Elijah and Kyle III; great-grandchild Jade; step-grandchildren Chris (Missy) Hall and Carman (Jon) Wildes; and step-great-grandchildren Josiah, Victoria, Olivia, Christian, Kristina, Jackson, Hanna and Laura.
Alois was born in McGrath, Minn., on July 5, 1924, and was raised in Bagley, Minn. He enlisted in the Army, then returned home to work with his father building doors and window sashes. On June 6, 1953, he married Mary Ott.
Alois' father and their families moved to Pablo in 1956 and built A&J Millworks. Alois then went to work at Plum Creek until retirement.
Alois enjoyed woodworking, gardening, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the VFW and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of the Catholic Church.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. Cremation will follow.
Donations may be made to Camp Mak-A-Dream.
Funeral arrangements are by Shrider's Mortuary in Ronan.
George LeRoy Dudley
DE QUEEN, Ark. - George LeRoy Dudley, 60, of De Queen, formerly of Missoula, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, in De Queen.He was born to Harold D. and Tressie Irene "Dolly" Robinson Dudley in Siloam Springs, Ark., on Feb. 22, 1943. George grew up in Pittsburg, Kan., and finished school there.
He served in the U.S. military and worked as a commercial pilot and construction contractor. He enjoyed trapshooting and photography, and he was a Baptist.
George was preceded in death by his mother and brother Derrell E. Dudley.
He is survived by his father Harold D. Dudley of De Queen and sister Carla Bennett of Slidell, La.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home.
You may send an online sympathy message at www.nationalobituaryarchives.com.
Elta H. Townsend
MISSOULA - Elta H. Townsend, 88, died of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004, at Hillside Manor.Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.
A complete obituary will follow.
Evelyn Chester
POLSON - Evelyn Chester, 87, of Polson, died of natural causes Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at the Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center.She was born on Sept. 21, 1916, in Colville, Wash., to Lloyd E. and Hazel Alice Godfrey.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and husband Melvin M. Chester.
She is survived by her son Frank Chester of Polson; brother Everil Godfrey of Willows, Calif.; and three grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home.
Ira Mae Kenfield
MISSOULA - Ira Mae Kenfield, 83, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2004, at the Village Health Care Center.Services will be held Thursday in Havre.
James C. 'Jim' Peterson
MISSOULA - A memorial service for James C. "Jim" Peterson will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.Mr. Peterson, 47, of Missoula, died of natural causes Sunday, Feb. 15, at St. Patrick Hospital.
A complete obituary will follow.
Norman K. Sundland
POLSON - Norman K. Sundland, 57, of Polson, died Feb. 8, 2004, at his home.He was born May 22, 1946, in Chicago to Thomas and Jean Sundland. Norman was called to serve in the Army during the Vietnam War. He moved to Montana in 1990.
Survivors include his brothers, Thomas of Ocala, Fla., and the Rev. Mitred Archpriest Raymond of South Plainfield, N.J.; and sisters Louann of Hudson, Fla., and Doris Miskiv of Clinton.
Services will be held at a later date at the Fort Harrison Veterans Cemetery in Helena.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.
Fredrick J. Houle Jr.
RONAN - Fredrick J. Houle Jr., 75, of Ronan, died of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital in Tucson, Ariz.Friends may pay their respects 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Shrider's Mortuary.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Glacier View Christian School followed by military graveside honors at Calvary Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to Glacier View Christian School or a charity of the donor's choice.
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