Tuesday, November 16, 2004; Kermit 'Red' Sandland, Geraldine J. Markytan, Greg White, David Merrill Fisher, Ray E. Allen, Emma Louise Marlowe, Walter William Gahl, Clarence R. 'Snoose' Brown

Kermit 'Red' Sandland

He was born July 3, 1914, in Carpio, N.D., and raised as a farm boy along with his seven brothers and sisters. Kermit took a horse-drawn sleigh many, many miles to school in the winter. Upon his high school graduation he won a football scholarship to Minot State College. There he continued his education and lived upstairs in the coach's home, where he worked a couple of hours each night. He only had a hot plate and a bed, but he made it!

Just about then World War II was going on. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and built many bridges and dams. Kermit met Marie Stammen in the late '30s at the CCC camp and they were married. Shortly after that he enlisted in the Army. He was in the Army for a short while when he was promoted to a glider pilot. He traveled afar and loved to tell stories of his adventures in England, Germany and Italy.

In October 1946 Kermit and Marie adopted Karen, who became their only child and the love of Kermit's life.

When the war was over, Kermit, Marie and Karen moved to Minot, N.D., where Kermit worked his way up to chief fire inspector in the Minot Fire Department. There were several relatives in Minot who decided to move to Billings, and Kermit, Marie and Karen were among them. Once in Billings, Kermit remembered his love of working with his hands and built the Motel Sandy's from scratch all by himself. Was he ever proud of that accomplishment!

As the years passed, Kermit and Marie wanted to build a little farther out of town; again Kermit put his carpentry skills to work and built them a new home on St. Johns Avenue, once again all by himself.

Kermit wasn't just building, he worked full time at the Exxon Refinery and retired from there. In 1987 his wife Marie passed on and Kermit packed his bags and moved to Missoula to be close to his daughter Karen.

He first took up golf at age 73 and it became an addiction that he loved. He walked the Missoula courses until he was 89, and then it was time for a cart. Even though Kermit had been a man of tremendous physical strength, he had a soft spot. He told Karen about 10 years ago that she taught him his love of animals. When he was young he was a hunter, but now you would not find him killing any animals. He so loved Karen's dogs to which he was known as grandpa.

Kermit is survived by his daughter Karen Sandland of Missoula and his sister Goldie Folkes of California.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Missoula Manor, 909 W. Central Ave., in the recreation room. Burial services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Billings.

Geraldine J. Markytan

Gerry was born Jan. 13, 1918, in Butte and attended local schools through high school. She was a graduate of Stevens College in Columbia, Mo., and Montana State University (now the University of Montana).

She met and married Stanley L. Markytan in California, where she worked as a medical technician at Letterman General Military Hospital during World War II.

Gerry was energetic and exuberant and enjoyed craftwork. As a younger person, she built and erected several totem poles at the James summer home south of Butte. Other interests in her varied career were real estate and beautician work.

Surviving her are two children, Stanley Markytan of Seattle and Julie Markytan of Fort Myers, Fla., and a sister, Myrtle Buls of Missoula.

Cremation took place in Seattle.

Greg White

Born 56 years ago in Oak Park, Ill., to Jeanne Beesley and Richard White, Greg was educated at St. Joseph School and Rich Central High School in Illinois. After growing up with a tight-knit group of cousins in Homewood, Ill., Greg sought adventure in the West. He attended Colorado State for two years but preferred building things with his hands.

Greg adopted Missoula in 1972 and quickly carved a reputation for high-quality home building, carpentry and cabinet making. He married his first wife, Mary, in 1978, and they had three girls. After a 14-year stint as chief carpenter at St. Patrick Hospital, Greg started Wallace Creek Cabinets in 1995 and never lacked orders for customized hardwood furnishings.

He thrived as an EMT for the Clinton Fire Department and loved pitching for his softball team, Gordon Construction. He always made room in his life for evening walks up Wallace Creek Road.

Greg's family held the central place in his heart. He is survived by three daughters, Molly, Beth and Erin; three stepdaughters, Leta, Kyla and Shelby; his wife Teresa; his father Richard and stepmother Louise; and siblings George and Kate.

His family will host a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Clinton Elementary School. They ask that memorials be sent in Greg's name to the Clinton Fire Department

David Merrill Fisher

He was a retired professor from the University of Montana and the Purdue-Indiana University extension in Fort Wayne and was formerly the managing director of the Fort Wayne Civic Theater.

Before World War II he served in the Utah National Guard and was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served a mission in the Northwestern States Mission. He was a graduate of LDS High School, University of Utah and Ball State University.

Born on Dec. 25, 1909, in Salt Lake City, he was the son of Joseph Armstrong Fisher, a Utah pioneer, and Margaret May Merrill. On Oct. 20, 1938, in Kaysville, Utah, he married Dorothy Gay Hood, who preceded him in death on April 5, 1987.

On Feb. 11, 1989, in Salt Lake City, he married Mary Christina Millan, who survives at home in Pleasant Grove.

Also surviving are a sister, Bathsheba Robeson of Salt Lake; son David Merrill (Jacqueline) Fisher Jr., serving as senior missionaries at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; daughter Gaye (Lou) Blize of Missoula; son Richard (Beth) Hood of Rockport Center, Long Island, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; 11 nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law Ruth Fisher. He is also survived by Mary's children, Grace (Donald) Campbell, Victor (Nancy) Stark, Frank (Carol) Stark, and Christopher (Judy) Stark; eight grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Timpanogos Stake Center, 800 N. 100 W., Pleasant Grove, where friends may call one hour prior to services. Entombment will be at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinfamilymortuary.com.

Ray E. Allen

He was born Aug. 12, 1924, in Shawmut, the son of George Sr. and Helen Allen. After high school, Ray served in the U.S. Army as a squad sergeant with Company M 132nd during World War II. He served in the Solomon Islands and the Philippines.

Ray married Doris Helming on April 10, 1948; she passed away in 1986. On Sept. 13, 1989, he married Grace Neal.

Ray worked for the city of Missoula as a street superintendent for 14 years. He also served as mayor of Stevensville for two years.

Ray was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Sylvester and George Jr.

He is survived by his wife Grace Neal Allen of Stevensville; two daughters, Julie Allen-Windle of San Diego and Melody Tackett of Silverdale, Wash.; one grandson, J.C. Allen-Tackett of Washington; two stepdaughters, Sandra Hines of Billings and Carol Blakslee of Silverdale; two stepsons, Tom Daniels of Hayden Lake, Idaho, and Bill Daniels of Aztec, N.M.; and six step-grandchildren.

Rosary services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at St. Mary's Catholic Mission in Stevensville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at the church with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.

Emma Louise Marlowe

Emma was born June 10, 1911, in Steger, Ill., to August and Virginia Magini, who immigrated to America from Italy in 1906. She was one of nine children: four brothers and five sisters. The family moved to Montana in 1922 and to Missoula in 1923. In 1925 they moved to Stevensville, where they farmed.

Emma finished high school in Stevensville, then moved to Missoula and was employed by Montgomery Ward Co. and Barthell Hardware.

On May 3, 1941, she married Thomas N. Marlowe. The next year, her husband entered the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II.

After the war, Emma became active in the American Legion Auxiliary and served in many offices, including president of Hellgate Unit No. 27. She was also a member of the Forty and Eight, an honor group of the American Legion. She was a member of the auxiliary for over 50 years.

The family had a cabin at Flathead Lake for many years. This was a popular retreat for many friends and relatives. Two family reunions took place there. One of Emma's favorite pastimes was trolling for kokanee salmon in Skidoo Bay in front of the cabin.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband in 1992.

She is survived by her son Thomas Marlowe Jr., who was a teacher in Montana and Alaska; brothers Gene Magini of Stevensville and Frank Magini of Salome, Ariz.; and sister Nelle Leigh of Parma, Idaho.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at Missoula City Cemetery. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home.

Walter William Gahl

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at the First Lutheran Church in Plains.

Bunch-Toews Chapels are in charge of the arrangements.

Clarence R. 'Snoose' Brown

He was born in Fox Park, Wyo., on Feb. 17, 1911, to Brady and Annie Brown.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lois, on March 3, 1996.

Survivors include two sons, Don Brown of Libby and Bob Brown of Las Vegas; sister-in-law Margaret Brown of Sun City, Ariz.; grandchildren Judy, Jim and Ron; and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday.

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