For the Record...

February 2008 Obituaries

George "Cap" Cordis
ST. IGNATIUS - George "Cap" Cordis passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, with his family by his side.

Cap was born April 27, 1914, in Rushville, Neb., to Fred H. and Dory Luebbs Cordis, and was the fifth of eight children.

He attended school in Kimball, Neb. and was the only one of his family to graduate from high school in 1932.

The family moved to Montana in 1934, where he had a variety of occupations.

He married his wife and soul mate, Jean Spooner, on June 20, 1940. They were blessed with three children, Sharon, Bill, and Gary.

They owned and operated the Post Creek Store from 1953 to 1976, when they retired and moved to Jean's family homestead.

After celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in June 1990, Jean passed away later the same year.

In 1995, Cap sold the family home and moved into the Maxwell Apartments in St. Ignatius and spent many happy hours at the Senior Citizens Center visiting and playing bingo. He never turned down the opportunity to play pinochle or cribbage and always had a story about the "good ol' days."

He is survived by his children, Sharon (David) Todd, Bill (Shirley) Cordis and Gary (Kristy) Cordis; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and per his request no services will be held. A celebration of his life will be held from noon to 4 p.m., Monday, March 3, at the St. lgnatius Senior Citizen Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. lgnatius Senior Citizens Center.

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at missoulafuneralhomes.com.

James F. Antoine
PABLO - James F. Antoine, 68, "Jimmy A.,," aka "Skinny Jimmy," our loving dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, left us quietly and peacefully in his sleep early Friday morning. He was well prepared and made sure that he picked his own pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Jimmy was known throughout the Rez for his generosity and his hospitality. You could say he had an open door policy as friends and strangers came and went, even when he wasn't home.

During his last few years of pain and suffering, he still managed to make you smile and laugh, and usually the latter. His sense of humor was unsurpassed. You had to always be on guard when you were around Jimmy A. or he'd be pulling a trick on you.

His favorite response to callers checking on him was "same-ol', same-ol'." He was grateful for every year the Creator gave him and his comment every New Year's Day was "Well, I made it another year." He was always there to listen to anyone's problems, any day, anytime, and anywhere. Whether you're happy, sad or angry, he always knew how to cheer you up with his favorite words: "So...life goes on!"

Known for his hard work ethic, he made many friends through his work as a firefighter, tree planter, and harvester of Christmas trees and post and pole. A jack-of-all-trades, he was always there with a helping hand. In his own words, he would tell you how he could run a "d*** good chainsaw". He loved to gamble and would often spend a night of gambling and still go straight to work from there.

He was a kid at heart, but as a father he loved his daughters and grandchildren unconditionally. The times spent with them were his life's highs.

Preceding Jimmy in death were his parents Frank and Susie Antoine; brothers Billy, David, Paul and Richard; sisters, Rosie, "Dee" and Helen; and daughter Teri Lynn.

Surviving him are his daughters Jami Frances Antoine Lozeau (Butch); Jeanne Delores Irvine Antoine II (Charlie Gardipe); stepchildren Michael Jon Irvine (Angie) and Edmund "Ed" Irvine; grandchildren Kyro, Tiana, Elizabeth (Jami/Ott), Mary (Jeanne/Tweet), Mitch, Bo and Cyrus (Teri Lynn); sisters Alice Goodman, Marian Andrew, Cecille Antoine and Francine Antoine; nieces, nephews too numerous to mention; and step-grandchildren include Erin, Tailyr and Michael (MJ), Clint, Tyson, and Philicia (Ed). He was anxiously awaiting his first great grandchild and another grandchild, both due in May.

We leave you with Jimmy A.'s final words of his prepared poem, The Great Spirit: "So we are off to the Arlee Cemetery, where everyone can say a little prayer and farewell for now...try to forget your heartaches as you turn and leave me there."

Kathleen Marie "Kitty" Barnaby Conko
RONAN - Kathleen Marie "Kitty" Barnaby Conko, 59, started her journey home while surrounded by family on Friday, February 22, 2008.

A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, she was born in St. Ignatius at what is now Tallman Park to John "Bud" Barnaby and Martha Curley on October 4, 1948. She was raised on the Flathead and Coeur d'Alene reservations.

A kind and loving mother and wife, she married young and started her family. She first married Peter Omingo and they had a son DJ, she then re-married to Eneas Conko, Sr. and they had two children Nicolette and Eneas, Jr. Eneas Conko, Sr. passed away in January.

Kathleen lived numerous places throughout her life, most recently residing in Ronan. She was sober for 29 years.

She graduated with high honors at SKC where she received her BA degree in human services. She was employed by the CS&K Tribes as a drug and alcohol counselor and helped lots of teenagers and was a BABES coordinator.

She enjoyed playing stickgame, bingo, babysitting her grandkids and spoiling her nieces and nephews. She lived a traditional lifestyle doing sweats, medicine dances, taught her kids to dry meat and was Miss United Nations 1st runner-up.

Preceding her in death are her sisters, Valdena LittleCrow, Mary Barnaby and Allison "Ponce" Meshell.

Kathleen is survived by her mother Martha Curley Gardipe and her father John "Bud" (Hazel) Barnaby. She is survived by her three children; Eneas, Jr. (Vanessa), Nicolette (Patrick) and DJ (Monica); her loving grandchildren: Ravyn, Kathleen, Shane, Delicia, Trevor, Trentin, Josiah, Tashina, Kristina, Mariah, Larrs, and Dominque; her siblings Philip (Jackie), Leo, Martin (Sharon), Tony (Sandra), Victor (Delores), Louie, Larry, Joe Butterfly, Sam (Aide), Tonto (Edie) Barnaby and Sonny Boy (Drenda) Lozeau. Kathleen also cared for her nephew Charlie LittleCrow and his children Chrystal and Dakota. She also leaves behind her nunu's: Domnick (Ida) Curley, Milton Nomee and John "Bear" Malatare and an aunt Sophie Tellier, as well as a large extended family from the Flathead and Coeur d'Alene reservations.

Jesse Leo McDanal
POLSON - Jesse Leo McDanal, 97, passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born October 22, 1910, in Hurley, Missouri, to Marie Woosley.

Jesse served in the armed forces in his younger years. He was also a golden gloves boxer and a master of all trades. He retired after working 30 years as an electrician.

He enjoyment was his family and was also a master at pool and loved a good game of crib. He was an inventor of great things that were and are important to humanity and the environment. Jesse, as everyone that knew him, had a heart of gold, and loved to listen to any problem his kids or grandkids had. He was a problem solver. He loved to be with his family, and loved to share his stories and thoughts.

Jesse married his wife Lucy Pluffe in 1958 and together they made their family. He is survived by his wife Lucy; children, Junior Pluffe; Zella Fisher; Charles James; Marie McDanal; Marlene McDanal; Marilyn McDanal; Mike McDanal; Maxi Tenas; and many many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Wake services began on Saturday, February 23. Interment followed at the Ronan Cemetery.

Crystal Rose Pichette (Cline)
EVERSON, Wash. - Crystal Rose Pichette (Cline) was born on May 24, 1983 and passed away on the evening of February 3, 2008.

Crystal was a member of the flathead Nation and a descendant of Lummi Nation. Chrystal was well known in Lummi and Nooksack communities. She graduated from Lummi High School in 2002. She worled for Abercrombie & Fitch at the Bellis Mall while going to college and she had a number of different jobs working for the Lummi Indian Business Council.

Crystal was a great athlete and she loved to play soccer, basketball, fast pitch and softball. She loved spending time with her daughter, other family members and friends. She was able to brighten anybody's day with her loving smile and hugs. She is going to be missed by all very much.

Crystal is proceded in death by her grandpas: James Scarborough Sr., and Baptiste James Pichette; uncles Harold Scarborough, Sr., Baptiste James Pichette Jr. and auntie Carol Ann Pichette.

Crystal is survived by her loving daughter Kayshish Marie Cline, husband Ryawn Cline, father Steve Scarborough, Sr., mother Carolyn Pichette; brother Jason Pichette; in-laws Ross and Dawn Cline and family; grandmothers Annette (Sanchez) Soloman and Marian Pichette; uncles Jim Scarborough, Frank Solomon, Ike Scarborough, Dennis Pichette; aunties, Celeste Jefferson, Rhonda Scarborough, Kim Scarborough, Shawneen Smith, Laurlinda Scarborough, Angel Scarborough, Gloria Scarborough, Cierra Montoya, Sherry Pichette and Debbie Pichette and numerous cousins and relatives.

Charles Glynn Plante
WOLF POINT - Charles Glynn Plante, age 47, of Wolf Point passed away Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Billings Clinic in. (GF Tribune-cause of death: injuries sustained.)

Charles was born November 24, 1960 in St. Ignatius to Charles Plante and Norma Belle (Fourstar). He grew up and attended schools in St. Ignatius. Charles received his GED and attended college at Bethel, Alaska.

Charles was a firefighter/sawyer, a security guard in Alaska, worked at the IGA meat department, was a mechanic for Wal-Mart, did maintenance for Silver Wolf and held various other jobs. He loved motorcycling with his brothers, PowWows, barbeques, fishing, hunting, camping, traveling, jogging, cribbage and horseshoes.

Charles lived in various communities: Moses Lake, Washington; Ronan; Bethel, Alaska; Billings; Oroville, Washington; Missoula and had lived in Wolf Point as a child and currently for the last three years.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Norma Plante; brothers and sisters, Mitchell Plante, Andrea Plante, Angela Plante, Gail Plante, Gayla Plante and Melvin Firemoon.

Charles is survived by his first wife, Connie Sutherland of Poplar; girlfriend, Karol Fisher of Polson; second wife Emmeline Brown of Crow Agency; friend, Jackie IronCloud of Wolf Point; his children, Charles G.(Celestine) Plante, Jr. of Havre, Jisah Plante of Polson, Bruce (Audrey) Eagleman of Crow Agency, Tyrell Plante , Colssun Plante, Adoralenn Plante and Nakota Plante, all of Hardin; three sisters, Veronica (Julian) Shields of Wolf Point, Judy (Kenneth) Shields of Poplar, and Juanita Plante of Ronan; two brothers, Kevin Small and Jerry (Arlene) Small, both of Wolf Point; three uncles, Dallas Fourstar of Wolf Point and Andrew Fourstar of Frazer and Joe (Elaine) Plante of Arlee; five aunties, Arlene Jackson of Wolf Point, Shirleen (Harold) Gleed, Ruby (Mason) RunsThrough and Irene (Mason) RunsThrough, all of Frazer, Val Plante of Arlee; special niece, Thelma (J.R.) Gray of Wolf Point; eight grandchildren; and numersou nieces and nephews.

A Mormon Prayer Service was held on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at the Wolf Point Community Hall with interment following at King Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Dorothy E. Couture Smith
ELMO - Dorothy E. Couture Smith, 58, passed away surrounded by her family on February 12, 2008 in Elmo. Dorothy was an active member of her Elmo community and loved being with her grand kids. She loved the outdoors, picking huckleberries and playing stickgame. She was raised in Elmo by her father Pete Couture and Elizabeth Buckskin. At the young age of nine years-old, Dorothy's father passed on and her step-father Camille Kenmille raised her.

Dorothy was educated at the Urselines in St. Ignatius, Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota and at SIPI in Albequerque, NM.

Dorothy was a CAN and a devoted mother.

Dorothy married Emery Sr. and they raised their children together: daughters, Lorena (Mike), Sheila (Mike "Mook"), Gina and sons; and sons, Emery Jr., Russell (Tara), Jon (Bernina) and Casper. Dorothy continued her devotion to her children and those she claimed as her own: Yevette Makes Cold Weather and Ken Lozeau, as well as her loving babies, Derek, Jordi, Caitlin, Carnell, Brittany, Ceara, Dallas, Jayden, Jax, Cloe', Matt, Lee, Eli, Justina, Cheyanna, Jaydon, Dakota and Jonah.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Danny Tenas and sister Caroline Lefthand. She is also survived by her aunt Helen Charlo of Elmo and uncle Matt Michel of Elmo; her sisters Lovina Big Beaver of Elmo and Jackie Mathis of Pablo, a brother Mike Kenmille of Nirada and step-brothers Wilfred, Eneas, and Laurence Kenmille of Elmo and Donald Kenmille of Worley, ID.

Jason Morigeau
PALMER, Alaska - Palmer resident Jason Andrew Morigeau, 34, died Feb. 4, 2008, at his home.

Jason was born Jan. 4, 1974, in Polson. Jason moved with his family to Alaska in 1974.

He was raised in Palmer, where he played football, was a state champion discus thrower and runner-up in shot put. He graduated from Palmer High School, class of 1992.

He worked for the Department of Transportation as a highway construction-engineering technician. He had worked for the state for nine years.

Jason, or "Mojo" as his friends called him, loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed snowmachining and spending time at the cabin in Copper Center. He enjoyed berry picking and hunting for morel mushrooms to garnish the gourmet meals he created. On a frigid February day, he could often be found ice fishing on Lake Louise.

"He had an unbelievable memory for minute details," his family recalled. "His quick wit and clever comebacks were amusing and enduring. Although a man of great stature, he was tenderhearted, thoughtful and generous. He had a special place in his heart for animals, even the scraggly cat he fed on his deck.

"(He was) always clad in Carhartts. Jason was a trendsetter. He was wearing out Carhartts before they became popular."

Jason is survived by his parents, Bob and Donna Morigeau of Palmer, Alaska; brothers and sister-in-law, Joshua and Jeanne Morigeau of Helena, and Justin Morigeau of Palmer, Alaska; niece, Hannah; grandmothers, Jo An Lynn of Polson and Diane "Grandma Turkey" Morigeau of Yakima, Wash.; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and a multitude of friends close enough to be family.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Robert E. Lynn and Ben Morigeau; and grandmother, Harriet Higbie Lynn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

David Eugene Cote
ST. IGNATIUS - Dave moved camp for the last time early on the morning of Thursday, February 7, 2008. He has begun his eternal journey of fishing and hunting. No more hoping for good days over the tough ones in his 10-year battle with cancer. Now, all his days will be, as we often heard him exclaim, "Today has been the best day of my life!"

David was born September 18, 1937, in St. Ignatius to William and Christine Cote. He attended the Ursuline School in St. Ignatius through the 8th grade.

He married Francie Marie Cordier on August 23, 1954. They had three children: Gary, Dellie and Tina.

Dave worked at Gamble's Store in St. Ignatius from 1954 to 1959, when he went to work at Plum Creek. This became his lifetime career, from which he retired in 1999.

His marriage ended in 1990. He married Florence Felsman in 1996. His marriage to Florence ended in September 2007.

Dave's greatest pleasures were taking his children and grandchildren hunting and fishing in the Bob Marshall, as well as Alaska and Canada.

Along with a lifetime of wisdom and life skills shared, he leaves his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren a legacy of profound love and respect for nature.

David is preceded in death by his mother, Christine "Susie" Marie Cote, brothers Francis Noel and Daniel Edward; paternal grandparents Baptiste and Annie Cote; maternal grandparents Michael and Pauline Washula; granddaughter Christine Maria Glover; and nephew Daniel Cote, Jr.

He is survived by his father, William Cote; brothers Pat, Lawrence (Cheri), Jesse (Connie); sister Bonnie (Ralph) Scheffler; son Gary (Chris) Cote; granddaughter Jessie (Frank) Cote; grandson Will (Charlie) Cote; great-grandchildren Carter, Decker and Timber; daughter Dellie (Steve) Ashley; granddaughter Alina (Warren) Graves; great-grandchildren Pathe and Lily; grandson Ben Barbre; daughter Tina Cote; granddaughters Jennifer Alverez and Whitney Glover; and the rest of his beloved family and friends.

A memormial mass will be held at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Saturday, February 16, at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow downstairs in the church reception area.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested all donations be made to Dave's 2 1/2 year-old grandson Decker Cote, who has recently been diagnosed with autism. An account named "A Dream for Decker" has been established at any branch of Valley Banks.