Norman Granville Ashcraft
1927 - 2011
On Aug. 16, at 8:25 a.m., Norman Granville Ashcraft, 84, passed away at Barrett Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.
He was born in Lexington, Mo., April 17, 1927, to Ernest and Fern Ashcraft.
In 1935 Norman's family moved to Wheeler, and remained there while his father worked on the building of the Fort Peck Dam.
Later his family moved to Roundup, where Norman graduated from high school and entered the Army during WWII. He served his country overseas in the Corp of Engineers.
While hitchhiking to Roundup after being discharged he passed through the Ruby Valley and swore he would make his home there one fine day. In 1948 he came to Twin Bridges with $60 and a chainsaw. He was a sawyer and lumberjack.
From childhood, his goal was to one day own a cattle ranch. With blood, sweat, and hard work over many years, Norman achieved his goal. He established a beautiful ranch on the Big Hole River, and loved every day on his land.
June 14, 1957, he married Loretta Gay Loveridge, his beloved wife of 54 years.
He is survived by his wife; three children, Norman "Chip", Silver Star, Elizabeth, Idaho, and Dave (Cindy), Twin Bridges; and 11 wonderful grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Rad Lawver, Ben, Jack, Matt, Jonathon, Katie and Kristen Ashcraft, Andrew, Anna, Thomas and Sarah Knapp.
He is also survived by two brothers, Dwight (Sally) Three Forks, and Bing, Twin Bridges; two sisters, Maida Lee Harper, Hardin, and Martha (Bill) Schnurr, Lombard, Ill.; and a brother-in-law, Chuck Vanderpas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Eleanor Vanderpas.
He left many nieces and nephews.
He taught many life lessons to his children, and many boys and girls that crossed his path. Rest dear heart, we love you dearly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, at 10 a.m., at the Church of the Valley in Twin Bridges, with Rev. Ben Nardi officiating.
Interment with military honors will follow in the Twin Bridges Cemetery.
K&L Mortuaries of Twin Bridges assisted with arrangements.
M. Virginia Smith Duffner
1926 - 2011
M. Virginia Smith Duffner passed away Aug. 16, surrounded by her family and friends.
After enjoying Saturday at her family reunion, she was preparing for a routine Sunday morning, when after bringing in the morning paper, she suffered a brain aneurysm rupture.
Virginia was born in Dillon on Christmas Day, 1926. The sixth of eight children, she grew up in a large ranching family where she lived until she married Ray Duffner on Dec. 21, 1952.
After a few short stops around the Dillon area, they moved to East Missoula where their first three children were born, and finally settled in Missoula to raise their family of four.
Together they built the family home where they have lived for 47 years. Through those years she was tirelessly committed to her home and family, and enjoyed her gardening to give away, her sewing to meet the needs she saw, and her time that was always available to listen to a friend or hold a child’s hand.
She found joy in life everyday and faced all the trials with a determined faith that overcame the challenges, and blessed the people around her in the process. Her quiet strength, dignity and courage were evident daily, even in her final hours, as she allowed others around her to be there for her and her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Madge Smith; brothers, Stanley, Roger and Dennis; and sister, Louise.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Raymond Duffner; sons, Tim(Lynne) and Keith(Peggy); and daughters, Vicki Henry(Terry) and Marilyn Stalder(Doug); brothers, Gilmer, Clyde Jr. and Jack; grandchildren, Sherry, Terry Jr., Jason, Ami, Kyna, Amanda, Matthew, Kayla, Kyle and Kathryn; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, at noon, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2512 Sunset Lane, Missoula.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Missoula Aging Services, 337 Stevens Avenue, Missoula, MT 59801.
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