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James "Don" Bain, 87
James "Don" Bain, 87, "went home to be with the Lord" on Nov. 25, 2003, a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.
Don was born Feb. 19, 1916, to James and Marion Bain in Raynesford. Don grew up in Kalispell. His first job was as a newsboy selling the Daily Inter Lake on the street corner. He graduated from Flathead County High School with honors in 1935.
Eva Picha became his bride in 1937.
Don enlisted in the Army when World War II began and served at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland where he achieved high rank followed by honorable discharge.
Don managed JC Penney stores in Chinook, Williston, N.D., Lewistown and Harlowton. Then he franchised his own store, Bain's Department Store in Harlowton, which he operated until his retirement in 1980.
He was past president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club in Harlowton.
Don was preceded in death by his mother, Marion; father, James; a brother, Tom; a sister, Agness; and wife, Eva, in 1980; and his wife, Helen, in 2001.
He met Helen Seslar from Antwerp, Ohio; and his brother, Bill, living in Columbia Falls. He is also survived by five stepgrandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Don was and is loved by all and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Presbyterian Church in Harlowton.
Imogene ‘Jean’ Stinger, 78
Imogene "Jean" Stinger, passed away Nov. 25, 2003, at the age of 78. Per her request, no services will be held.
A long time Whitefish resident, Ima Jean Mertens was born Nov. 23, 1925, in Calif.; grandchildren, Jeff and Jenny Yeats; great-grandsons, Tyler and Brett Patton; sisters, Vivian Sandell of Eureka, Vi Jenkins, Amy Clayton and Dorothy Burchard, all of Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. Before he joined the Navy in March 1944, he worked in an airplane factory in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, and Connecticut in 1997.
Survivors include her daughter, Christine T. Friedrich of Goshen, Conn., and Calif.; 17 stepgrandchildren, 34 stepgreat-grandchildren; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel.
The family suggests memorials be given to Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, 603 Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
Arthur Julius Helland, 72,
Arthur Julius Helland, 72, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.
He was born Oct. 14, 1931, in Binford, N.D., to Hjalmer and Julia (Gilbertson) Helland. Arthur received his early education in Hannaford, N.D., before enlisting in the Army and serving his country in the Korean Conflict.
Upon his return he met and married Donna Nelson in Fargo, N.D., on June 21, 1954. They farmed in Hannaford until moving to Kalispell in 1967. Arthur went to work as a mechanic for farm equipment in various jobs until 2001.
He had a great sense of humor and a good heart. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, camping, bicycling and especially his family and grandchildren. He was president of Sons of Norway, a member of the Eagles and a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Donna; two sons, Jeff and Janet, and Aaron and DeAnn; four daughters, Linda Hills, Terryl and Dean Cole, LaDonna and Daryl Culbert, and Yvonne and Mark Tarr, all of the Flathead Valley. He is also survived by two brothers, Gordon and Howard; four sisters, Myrt Lima, Sue Haugen, Irene Cook, and Gladys Vammen; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
