Obituaries for Jan. 13

Geraldine “Geri” Larson

Geri passed peacefully at home on January 1, 2009 with family and friends at her side. Geri was born on December 7, 1943 in Dillon, MT to Jack and Blanche Dixon Knight. She was raised in Dillon and graduated from Beaverhead High School in 1962. She then went to college in Jamestown, North Dakota, graduating in 1966 with a B.S. in Nursing. Geri started her nursing career by working at the Dillon hospital during summer breaks while attending college. After graduation, she worked as a Public Health nurse in Rexburg, Idaho and northwestern Montana.

Geri and Jim Foust were married in Dillon in August 1967. They lived in California while Jim attended mortuary school, then moved to Missoula, MT. Jim and Geri moved to Plains, MT in 1972 where Jim became the funeral director at Shrider’s Mortuary and Geri continued with Public Health nursing. Two children were born from this union; a son Jarrod and a daughter Atari. Jim died in an automobile accident on November 30, 1978.

Geri and Leonard Larson were married in August 1981. From this union, a blended family was formed, which includes three sons: Jarrod, Rich and Chan and two daughters: Atari and Teri. Geri and Leonard celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a surprise party at their home, given by family during “fair time,” September 2006.

Geri began her career at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains in 1973 and remained there for 25 years. Her first position was working as a staff nurse. She then became director of nurses and later was the human resource director and assistant to the CEO. During Geri’s service to CFVH, she helped spearhead the drive to get a clinic built for the hospital, as well as establish outreach clinics in Thompson Falls, Hot Springs, Trout Creek and Noxon. She also played a big part in getting OB/Labor and Delivery reestablished at the hospital.

Geri had been working at Evergreen Hot Springs for the last few years and had worked on the Monday, four days prior to being diagnosed. She was a 27-year breast cancer survivor.

Geri was also one of the driving forces behind activating the Plains volunteer ambulance service. She taught first responder and EMT classes for a while and was also an active volunteer for five years.

Geri was a member of the Plains Woman’s Club, Eastern Star and a volunteer with the Plains Connection, which included chaperoning the “all night senior graduation party.” For the ten years that her children were involved in swim team, Geri drove the “coach’s bedroom,” which was also used as the girls swimmers’ “primping room” before all of the dances. She was an avid supporter of athletics at Plains High school and could be seen at many games.

Geri was a kind, friendly, bubbly and loving person, who always welcomed you with warm hospitality. She loved to travel and lived life to its fullest. We will remember her for her beautiful blue, sparkling eyes and her BIG beautiful smile. She will be missed by many.

Geri is survived by her loving husband, Leonard, at the family home, Jarrod Foust (Michelle, Alix, Riley) in Denver, CO., Atari Foust in Tigard, OR., Teri Fleisher (Brian, K.C. (Katherine), Stephanie) in Spokane, WA., Rich Hillebrandt (Sally, Cassidy) in Medical Lake, WA., Chan Airhart (Kaylee) in Mountain Home, ID., Ford Knight (Nancy, John, Matt) in Lakeside/Kalispell, MT., cousins, many in-laws and many, many friends.

A celebration of Geri’s life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the fairground pavilion in Plains. A luncheon will follow at the VFW hall.

Memorial may be made in Geri’s name, to the Cancer Network of Sanders County, P.O. Box 1311, Plains, MT 59859 or to the charity of your choice.

WE LOVE YOU GERI!!!!

Arrangements entrusted to Sunset Hills Funeral Homes, Plains and Thompson Falls.

Loretta Roseanna “Sister” McDougall

Loretta Roseanne “Sister” McDougall, 45, passed away January 3rd in Missoula.

She was born July 11, 1964 in Denver, CO to Dan and Harriett (Stanislaw) McDougall. She was raised in Denver and at age 3 moved with family to Renton, WA and then Yakima, WA. It was there that she received her CNA training through the local college and went to work for the local nursing home. While in Yakima ,she started her family with Roberto Cuevas and to this union their daughter Crystal was born.

A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, in the 1990’s she moved to Hot Springs, where she enjoyed being with her family and friends. True to her Indian name “Dancing Butterfly” she was a traveler going wherever the winds might blow her.

Sister had many interests and had most recently learned to bead. She enjoyed playing pool, dancing and watching movies, CSI and Charmed. An avid Bronco fan, she also was ready to go fishing, camping or outdoors even if it was working in the woods. A lucky person, she was good at poker and even when she had her winnings she was a giving person who cared for others and was one of the happiest people to be around.

Her favorite place though was to be with her family and friends, she had 3 brothers and 3 grandchildren she enjoyed being with and held very dear. Lexius, Kashton and Laynie held a special place in her heart and she would spend as much time as she could with them playing and helping with them.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Samuel McDougall, Loretta Bad Road; Joseph and Annie Stanislaw; greatgrandmother Mary Louise Parker and brother Samuel Joseph McDougall.

Survivors include her daughter Crystal (Rocky Olson) McDougall of Polson, her parents Harriett McDougall of Camas Prairie and Dan McDougall, Sr. of Hot Springs: brothers Daniel “Mooch” McDougall, Billy (Amber) McDougall and Henry “Bear” (Crystal) McDougall; 3 grandchildren Lexius, Kashton and Laynie; her special aunts Rose (LeRoy) O’Bennick, Angie (Butch) Andrew, Hazel (John “Bud”) Barnaby and uncle John Stanislaw as well as a large extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom are too numerous to mention.

A wake began Tuesday at Rose’s Plunge in Hot Springs with a Rosary being recited at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the bowling alley. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 7 at the old Bowling Alley in Hot Springs and cremation will follow. A memorial will be announced for a later date.