December 20, 2023

Vern William Pomeroy
​ September 14, 1940 - December 10, 2023

Vern William Pomeroy, 83, died in Anaconda on Dec. 10. He fought a long, hard battle with serious health issues beginning in the 1990s. He loved life and all things associated with his family and the mountains of Montana.
In 1958 Vern graduated from Powell County High School in Deer Lodge. From there he proudly entered the Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego. Upon his honorable discharge in 1964, he returned to Deer Lodge and worked at the post office as well as a couple other jobs. Vern fathered four children in Deer Lodge: Greg, Glen, Jack and Grace, while married to his first wife. He then moved to Spokane to begin a career in radio sales and advertising, which eventually took him to Ft. Worth, Texas, where in addition to sales he managed a country western dance club. He returned to Spokane in the mid 70s. He met his wife, Shelley, in 1984, married and became a stepfather to Jason Sorini.
His work transferred him back to Montana in 1985. Vern was also the family genealogist for over 35 years. It was his passion, and he loved sharing family history and Montana history.
Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Venita Pomeroy; infant brother, Wayne; and his older brother, Phil Pomeroy.
He is survived by his children, Greg (Monica), Glen (Cathy), Jack and Grace Pomeroy; Foster and stepson Jason Sorini; numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Surviving siblings include Lorraine (John) Watson, Bill Pomeroy, Lorlyn Joy and Judi Whitney.
Vern chose not to have a memorial service, instead wanted a quiet gathering of family to scatter his ashes at his hunting camp in the mountains. This will take place at a later date.
Rest well dear, sweet husband knowing you were loved by many. I will meet you again in Heaven one day.
Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Vern.

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Chely Nettie Brubaker
​ October 30, 1951 - December 7, 2023

Chely Nettie Brubaker, 72, of Polson, unexpectedly passed away on Dec. 7, 2023.
Chely was born on Oct. 30, 1951, to Harry and Nettie Brost in Terry, Mont. She spent a happy childhood living with her sister, Lola, and parents above the family business, Brost Clothing. Lola was Chely’s best friend, and they still spoke daily.
Chely attended Terry High School, graduating in 1969. She was a great student and excelled at athletics, especially softball, and track and field – she was disappointed to have barely missed the opportunity to play basketball, which became available as a girls’ team sport shortly after she graduated (and, according to her husband, “she would have been a stud.”). Highlights included sharing the AAU state record for the 440 relay with her teammates and winning the 440-yard dash at state.
Chely also met the love of her life at school. Chely and Ed “Eddie” Brubaker met during first grade and started dating during her senior year. She and Ed married in 1970, and soon thereafter started a family – first daughter, Tori, and then son, Lane. The young family made their home on two different ranches in Terry: the Knuths Ranch, and then the Lund Ranch, where Ed was the ranch manager. Chely loved ranch life and was sad to leave when the family made the move to Deer Lodge after purchasing a feed store, but she quickly made lifelong friends and great memories running the store, raising her kids, and playing softball and golf.
After 10 years in Deer Lodge, Ed and Chely moved to Washington: First to Othello, and then Monroe, before returning to Montana and settling in Miles City, Stevensville, and finally, upon her retirement after 18 years with Wal-Mart, to Polson, so she could follow her grandsons around and enjoy time on Flathead Lake. She loved living so close to Tori and her family, and treasured visits to Lane and his family, first in Helena, and then in Oregon.
Chely was a lifelong sports fan, and happily cheered on Tori and Lane, and then her grandsons, Tai and Noah, in their various sporting endeavors. She was an avid fan of the MSU Bobcats and the Seattle Mariners and enjoyed attending games with friends and family.
Above all, Chely was kind, and generous and open-hearted and will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.
Chely was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Nettie Brost; brother-in-law, Dick Hess; sister-in-law Carol Larsen; and brother-in-law Gary Larsen.
Chely is survived by her husband, Ed, Polson; daughter, Tori (Klint), Polson; son, Lane (Jessica), Monmouth, Ore.; grandsons, Tai, Butte, and Noah, Bozeman; sister, Lola Hess, Billings; brother-in-law, Albert J. (Dixie) Brubaker, Columbus; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews.
A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 21 at the Terry Community Presbyterian Church, 317 Logan Avenue, Terry, Mont. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

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