Wednesday, February 23, 2011

02-23-11 Obituaries

Ava Lynn Burwell
2011 - 2011

Ava Lynn Burwell was born Feb. 9, and God was waiting to take our angel home.
She is survived by her parents, Cori Burwell and Jessica Curry of Butte; siblings, Ivy and Owen Burwell; grandparents, Mike and Lori Burwell, Silver Star; Ron and Pat Murphy, Whitefish; Chuck Curry, Lakeside; and great-grandmother, Carol Curry, Lakeside.
A private service was held on Valentine’s Day.
You didn't have time to make fingerprints on the wall, instead you made fingerprints on our hearts.
Please send condolences to Brundage to be forwarded to the family. Condolences may also be expressed at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.



Dwight Russel Cook
1931 - 2011

Dwight Russel Cook passed away Friday, Feb. 18, at home with his family, on Cactus Ridge Road, south of Twin Bridges.
Dwight was born Oct. 5, 1931, in Conrad, to Royal and Emelia Peterson Cook.
Dwight was raised in the Flathead Valley. At an early age he went to work as a trapper in the winter, and spent summers making pallets for Jack Root at the sawmill north of Twin Bridges. He played football and basketball for the Columbia Falls High School Wildcats before graduating in 1949.
After graduating high school, he attended Oregon State on a football scholarship as a forestry major before transferring to Northern Montana College. He left Northern with more than he had intended. While there he developed a special friendship with Stanley Barnard. It was during a break from school that he traveled to Saco with his new found friend, Stanley, and met the love of his life, Ellen Barnard. Upon their meeting his future wife made a lasting impression when she belted him in a gesture of mutual admiration.
Prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army in December of 1951, Dwight worked as a choker setter in the forests around the Flathead Valley, and as a carpenter during the construction of Hungry Horse Dam.
His military service included an assignment in Japan during the Korean War where he served as a message center courier at the American Forces Far East Headquarters. During his stint in the military, Dwight received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, an outstanding service commendation from Brigadier General Warden, and was the shot-put champion for the U.S. All Japan Track and Field Team.
Following his military service, he returned to the Columbia Falls area working in the woods and in construction until he married Ellen in the summer of 1954. Dwight returned to school at Oregon State College in the fall of 1954 where he graduated with a B.S. in wildlife biology in June of 1957.
Shortly after graduating, he began his 26-year career with the Forest Service, being assigned as assistant ranger at the Condon Ranger Station. His Forest Service career took him to a number of ranger stations in Montana and Washington, and to the regional office in Missoula prior to his retirement from the Beaverhead National Forest office in Dillon in 1983.
Along the way were many adventures including climbing a tree wearing snowshoes while being chased by a cow moose, and shooting a marauding black bear climbing through a bedroom window.
Dwight was an avid hunter and outdoorsman who passed on his love for the outdoors to his family. He was a devoted husband, a loved father and grandfather, and an honest and respected man.
He was preceded in death by parents Royal and Emilia; brothers, Royal and Jack; in-laws, Lloyd and Ethel Barnard; and granddaughter, Aubrey Lynn Broksle.
He is survived by Ellen, wife of 56 years; sons and daughters-in-law, Jack and Gigi Cook, Reno, Nev.; Scott and Shalice Cook, Show Low, Ariz.; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and John Broksle Jr., Twin Bridges; grandchildren, Johnny Joe Broksle, Kara (Andy Yecny) Broksle, Christopher(Jessie) Broksle, Joselyn Broksle, Jerricho Broksle and Shalynn Broksle, Dwight Lee Cook, Bryan Cook and Aimee Cook, Jennifer(Sean) Newbold, and Melissa Peak. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Madyson Broksle, Taylor Yecny, Leighton Broksle, Darrin Newbold and Jason Newbold; brothers- in-law, Stanley Barnard, Tom (Eileen) Barnard; sister-in-law, Alice (Tim) Mullin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held during the summer in the North Fork area of the Flathead.



George William Hansel
1923 - 2011

George William Hansel, D.V.M., 87, of Delaware, passed away early Monday morning, Feb. 21, at his residence.
He was born Aug. 9, 1923, in Fairbury, Ill., to Morgan and Marie (Hughes) Hansel.
He served his country in the United States Army during World War II, and was a veterinarian in Delaware for 32 years at the Fairview Veterinary Hospital.
He was a volunteer at Grady Memorial Hospital for six years, who enjoyed his family, traveling, creative art projects and telling jokes. He was also a loyal OSU Buckeye fan, a member of the Methodist Church, and his motto was “keep smiling”.
He is survived by two daughters, Pam Mussard of Dillon, and Dee Cackler; a son, Steve Hansel; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; his significant other, Barbara Smith; and his canine companion Harry.
He was preceded in death by his wife Polly (Gardner) Hansel; a brother, Bernell Hansel; and a sister, Mary Miller.
The family will receive friends this evening, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Rodman Neeper Funeral Home, Delaware, and funeral services will also be held there Thursday, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Dave Hoffman officiating.
Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery where the Delaware County Veterans Association will provide military honors graveside.
Contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
To share a memory of George, or to offer condolences to the family, please visit www.rodmanneeper.com.