Remembering Hamilton neighbors: Recent obituaries
Read through ravallirepublic.com obituaries.
Jimmy L. Darr
HAMILTON — Jimmy L. Darr, 80, of Hamilton, passed away Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Marcus Daly Hospice Center. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel.
Ira T. Holt
HAMILTON — Ira T. Holt, 88, of Hamilton, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 30, at his home of natural causes. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel.
Melody Cassell Condie was born April 10, 1963 in Sheridan, Wyoming. Much loved by family and friends, she went to the arms of her mother on Oct. 22, 2019, in Tacoma, Washington.
The family moved to Darby in the early 1970s where she attended Darby School. Melody married Brian Condie and they had two children — daughter, Selena Condie and son, Levi Condie.
Melody was preceded in death by her husband, Brian Condie; mother, Dusty Cassell; father, Rusty Cassell; and brother, Ronnie Ray Montesano.
Melody is survived by her daughter, Selena Condie and her son Levi Condi, both of Washington; sister, Rita (Ron) Hill, Fife, Washington; sister, Windy Montesano, Darby; brother, Rocky (Jilleen) Cassell, Virginia Beach, Virginia; sister, Candy Cassell, Indiana; brother, Stoney (Piyamart) Cassell, Fife, Washington; and several nieces and nephews.
Melody lived life on her own terms. She will be greatly missed and loved forever.
STEVENSVILLE — Beverly Longbottom, 87, of Stevensville, passed away Wednesday Oct. 16 at home. Born July 8, 1932 to Walter and Olive Summers Henderson, she grew up and went to school in Grantsdale, Darby, and Hamilton where she graduated in 1950. Working as a legal secretary in the law office of Koch and Brownlee, Bev and her friends spent many noon hours shopping, where she met Ben Longbottom while trying on shoes - many shoes, many times. Married in 1956, they spent 63 years together. In addition to working alongside her husband in various Anthony stores, upon returning to the valley in 1988, Bev volunteered as a Pink Lady and worked in reception at Marcus Daly Hospital for many years until health forced her resignation.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Donald and Scott. She is survived by husband, Ben of Stevensville; children, Mike (LaRae) Longbottom, Julie (Paul) Ludington and Steve (Jean) Longbottom; nine grandchildren, Krista, Rachel, Kaitlin, Ann, Emma, Corey, Michaela, Benjamin and Faith; as well as three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brother, Merrill Henderson and sister, Diana Bright.
You are invited to join the family in celebration of Bev’s life at the Stevensville United Methodist Church on Monday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m., with reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. A private interment of cremains at a future date is planned. Donations, if desired, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Stevensville United Methodist Church, 218 College St., Stevensville, or Intermountain (formerly Children’s Home), 500 S. Lamborn St., Helena, MT 59601, or charity of donor’s choice. Whitesitt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Zacharia J. Simonsen passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 4, 2019, at his home in Anchorage Alaska. He was born on Aug. 31, 1983, in Hamilton to Ralph and Karen Simonsen.
Zacharia’s childhood years were spent in Victor where he graduated from high school in 2002. In 2003 Zach moved to Alaska where he completed training in heavy equipment operations. Zach worked on the Alaskan North Slope for a few years prior to taking a heavy equipment job with the Municipality of Anchorage then transferring to the Port of Anchorage.
Zacharia’s greatest pleasure was riding his motorcycle throughout Alaska and parts of Canada, with a recent round-trip ride to Montana in July 2019.
Zacharia leaves behind his parents, Ralph and Karen, (Ismay); brothers, Quentin (Emigrant) and Jeremy (Ismay); paternal grandmother, Irene Simonsen (Victor); three aunts; nine uncles; many cousins and very good friends.
Memorial Service will take place on Nov. 25, 2019, at the Ismay Community Church, Ismay, Montana, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Zacharia to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or the charity of your choice.
CORVALLIS — Edward Neil Ames, 65, of Corvallis, passed away on Oct. 25, 2019, doing what he loved, fishing on the Salmon River. Ed was born in Denver, Colorado, to Neva and Bud.
Ed attended Centennial High School in Portland, Oregon, where he was a successful athlete. Ed furthered his education by going to college in Colorado. He worked in sales for many years, but for the last 11, he worked for Search America where he developed a strong friendship with Steve Jarvis.
Ed married Cindy Johnson on the Deschutes River in Oregon in July of 1984. The couple moved to Montana in 1993. After a long battle of cancer, Cindy passed away in 2011. In 2014, Ed was blessed to find his best friend, Joni. Ed and Joni were married on May 27, 2017. Ed and Joni truly were best friends and just in the beginning of an exciting life together.
Ed was a master fly fisherman and at fly tying. He took great pride in his yard and was known as “Mr. fix it.” Back in Ed’s younger days, he raced slot sports cars and competed in white water rafting events. He also was a fishing and white water guide. Ed loved his cars, especially classic cars. He was a true Denver Broncos and Portland Trailblazers fan. Ed was also an avid reader and novice golfer. Ed loved his pizza. His favorite pizza joint being the Flying Pie in Portland, Oregon.
Ed was a good man, always there to lend a helping hand when needed. He loved life and was always up for a good time.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Neva and Bud; his late wife, Cindy Ames; nephew, Kevin Venini; sister-in-law, Lori Kaiser; and several canine companions. Survivors include his wife, Joni Ames; sister, Joni Carlson (husband Mark); sister, Cindy Ann Vance; sister, Roni Venini; brother, Dan Kaiser; son, Brett Johnson (wife Felicia); son, Tyler Johnson; stepson, Calvin Peterson (wife Colette); stepson, Jake Peterson (wife Dani); father-in-law, Buzz Weston; brother-in-law, Steve Weston (wife Kathy); brother-in-law, Neil Weston (wife Jany); grandchildren, Twyla, Al, Sophie, Gemma, Hunter, Abbigail, Josephine, and Hazel; along with many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at the Daly Leach Memorial Chapel on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. A viewing will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. with a luncheon and reception to immediately follow in the funeral home’s community room.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests to donate to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Karen Ann Stolberg passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 72 in the Village Health Care Center in Missoula on Oct. 26, 2019.
Karen Ann Feil was born to Floyd and Viola (Keller) Feil on June 24, 1947, in Dickinson, North Dakota. She was married to Alan Kadrmas on Aug. 16, 1967, in Dickinson, North Dakota. To this union 4 children were born: Tanya, Alana, Heather and Tasha.
Karen and Alan divorced in 1986, and she then married Philip Robert “Bob” Stolberg on Dec. 20, 1986, in Washburn, North Dakota.
Karen enjoyed the outdoors and had a love for fishing and hunting. Her and Bob’s love for the mountains took them to Montana, ending up in Corvallis, which is where they currently resided. Karen had a love for designer dolls and gemstones. She also enjoyed crafting, and buying and selling at their yearly garage sales which her and Bob became well known for.
Karen is survived by her husband, Bob Stolberg, Corvalis; four daughters; Tanya Kadrmas, Dickinson, North Dakota, Alana Kadrmas, Birmingham, Alabama, Heather (Shawn) Maershbecker, Savage, Minnesota, and Tasha Kadrmas (Jordan Thompson) Lisbon, North Dakota; one sister, Judy (Mike) Ogarek, Schenectady, New York; 13 grandchildren; and one stedaughter, Kerri Stolberg.
There will be no memorial service or funeral. Cremation has taken place.
HAMILTON — Mildred J. Pauley, age 96, of Hamilton, passed away Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. Mildred was born July 22, 1923, in Jennings, Louisiana.
She became a nun at the age of 13. Millie loved crocheting holiday cards for the poor, which she started in the convent. At the age of 24, she left the convent to marry Frank L. Pauley, in 1948. From this union they had three children. Frank passed away in 1967.
In her short 96 years of life, Millie did a little traveling. She lived in Cuba, Panama, West Virginia and finally settled down in Hamilton, in 1962. Millie was a homemaker while she raised her children. Then she worked at Valley View Estates and later Trapper Creek Job Corps and the Bitterroot National Forest Service.
Millie is survived by her daughters, Mary Jane Bigley, of Stevensville, and Ann Moody, of Hamilton; son, Robert Pauley, of Hamilton; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., at the Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church with a reception following at the Blodgett View School next to the church. Private interment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
HAYDEN, ID — Clarence ‘Lee’ Mattson, 85, passed away Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, at his place of residency in Hayden, Idaho.
Lee was born on Aug. 14, 1934, in Poplar, Idaho, (Jefferson County) to Clarence Charles and Dorotha Harris Mattson. He graduated from Ririe High School in 1951 and attended Ricks College the following year.
Lee was raised in the upper Snake River valley where he often found himself as the man of the house. He was the eldest son of one brother and six sisters.
At the age of 16 he was employed with the Targhee National Forest as a camp tender to assist sheep herders in the Teton basin. He had fond memories of this time in his life and the beauty that surrounded him.
On June 1, 1955 he married Beth Geisler in Idaho Falls and then moved to Montana. It was here where he continued his career with the U.S. Forest Service for the next 35 years. He worked with the Bitterroot National Forest and was employed at the Sula Ranger station. Through his years of service he took on many roles and responsibilities from marking timber, working timber sales, working fire camps and engineering services developing and building logging roads. He worked on multiple forest fires in the Bitterroot Valley and surrounding states.
Lee retired from the Forest Service at the age of 55. He continued working in various types of employment including Blahnik Construction, Fortman and FedEx delivery and Whalers Cove in Angoon, Alaska. He also volunteered with the Lost Trail Ski Patrol for 25 years.
Lee and Beth married 64 years raised two sons and three daughters in the Bitterroot Valley. He loved his family and enjoyed the outdoors making sure all five kids learned how to ski shortly after they could walk. He was also a exemplary model of a family provider.
Lee is survived by his wife, Beth Mattson; his children, Patty Mattson, Mary (Mike) Larson, Robert (Linda) Mattson, Julie (Brian Sanders) Mattson, Craig (Samara) Mattson; 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at the Daly-Leach Chapel. Funeral services will follow at the Daly-Leach Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery with a reception following the interment at the Hamilton Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Pine St. in Hamilton. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
Donald H. Jager
MISSOULA — Donald H. Jager, 76, passed away in the morning, Monday, Oct. 28, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Brothers Mortuary and Crematory are honored to care for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.
Donald Vander Kley
HAMILTON — Donald Vander Kley, 90, of Hamilton, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 29, at his home of natural causes. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel.
HAMILTON — Bertha M. Lacy, 92, of Hamilton passed away Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, at the Discovery Care Centre. Graveside services will be held on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at 2 p.m., at Springfield Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Oregon. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
HAMILTON — Darlene F. Arnhart-Stein-Hanson, 81, of Hamilton, passed away, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at home with her loving daughters by her side.
Darlene will be laid to rest at a graveside service with her husband, Mardy, at Riverview Cemetery, in Hamilton on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at 3 p.m. A reception will immediately follow in the Daly-Leach Chapel Community Room. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
