All Tributes

Melissa Marie Crawford passed away peacefully in her home in Kalispell, Montana on October 27, 2023. She was born Jennifer Dawn Root on August 24, 1982 in Illinois. She grew up with a love for animals and a talent for writing and singing. She married her first husband young and had her daughter. She later had her son. She loved her kids very much and would do anything she could for them. Her life was not an easy one for her, but she tried hard to make the best of it. She was devoted to her...

Mark A. Hamilton, 62, is finally at peace after a complicated battle with lung cancer. He passed away on October 25, 2023 with his loyal companion Boone by his side. Mark was born in Whitefish on Aug. 7, 1961 to Howard and Elaine Hamilton. He was preceded in death by his mother and father in 2002 and 2016 respectively.  Mark is survived by sister Brenda (Tom) Banning of Whitefish, brother Mike (Judy) Hamilton and sister Julie Hamilton (Rich) Sproul of Columbia Falls. As well as many...

Jan Margo Ross Livesay June 1946 - October 2023 Jan and twin sister Terry were born on Father’s Day in Great Falls, Montana on June 16, 1946, to Edythe and Don Ross and joining her older sister, Judy. She spent her childhood in Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High School and later attending Montana State University, where she and her sisters graduated together in 1968. Jan earned an Elementary Education degree from MSU and is a member of the A O Pi Sorority. While attending...

Linda Schwab Ryder (Robinson), 75, passed away quietly in her sleep in Kalispell on Monday, October 9, 2023. Linda was born January 21, 1948, in Missoula, MT to Alfred and Stefanie Schwab as an only child. Alfred was originally from Hebron, ND, and Stefanie (Lehner) from Vienna, Austria. Linda took great pride in her Austrian heritage and enjoyed multiple trips outside the country to visit family. She was raised in Missoula and graduated from Sentinel High School in June 1966. She had deep...

Karen Marie Whalen, 71, passed away Oct. 8, 2023, at her home in Creston. She was born in Whitefish, Montana, on Jan. 24, 1952. She was the daughter and first child of Betty and Robert Lynn of Columbia Falls, Montana. In 1955, the marriage between Robert and Betty dissolved. In 1956, Betty married George Walker of Columbia Falls. Later that year, Karen and her parents moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon. Karen was 4 years old. They lived on a small farm where Karen spent her formidable years....

Robert D. Ross, 88, passed away on September 22, 2023, in Kalispell, Montana. He was born on January 7, 1935, in Kalispell.  Bob grew up with a deep connection to the forests of Northwest Montana. In high school he spent his summers working for the forest service clearing trails and manning lookouts. He believed the Forest Service was going to be his life's path. At the age of 19 that path would change when he felt a strong calling to the ministry. He then attended North Central Bible...

Linda (Dillard) Roth,75, passed away peacefully September 20th, at Whitefish Care, Whitefish, Montana. Linda was born May 8th 1948 in Missoula Montana to Arnold and Iris Dillard. She graduated from Bigfork High School in 1966. She attended the University of Montana for 1 year, and lived in Bigfork for many years. She married Boyd Roth in 2001 and they lived in Kalispell Montana. Boyd and Linda were Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army and they were avid church goers. They worked with...

Lora Lee Croskrey Steele Phillips 1945-2023 Lora Lee Croskrey made her entrance into this world on February 4th 1945. Throughout her life she developed voluminous skills that propelled her into cosmetology, real estate, boating, car clubs, and even aviation! After retiring, she worked many years in JC Penney’s jewelry department, taking great care assisting in locating the perfect gem. The Croskrey’s were salt-of-the-earth people, brimming with personality and natural wit; the life of...