January 11th, 2017

​Carol Gerdts
Carol Gerdts was born January 16, 1943 to Dorothy and Alfred Gerdts in Deer Lodge.  She went to be with her Lord on December 10, 2016.  She graduated from high school in 1961 and moved to Spokane shortly thereafter. After attending Kinman Business School, she found temporary work until receiving a job offer from Cominco Fertilizer.
During her working years at Cominco Fertilizer and other companies, Carol held several positions, beginning with receptionist and advancing to shipping clerk, and to purchasing manager.  She retired from Honeywell Electronic Materials in 2004.
Carol lived in the Spokane area for over 55 years, most of them in a home that she worked constantly to improve.  She especially enjoyed working in her large back yard, planting many flowers and a vegetable garden. She enjoyed playing golf, skiing, playing tennis and pinochle with her many friends.  
Carol enjoyed traveling.  Trips with family and friends took her to Ireland/England, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Hawaii and the East coast for autumn leaf time.  There were many trips to her home in Montana, to visit her parents and for family reunions.
Carol was very active in the Lutheran church.  She held many volunteer leadership positions and was considered to be the “go to” person if something needed to be done.  She was involved with the worship and hospitality teams, coordinated weddings and memorials, decorated the church during the various seasons, and welcomed new members.  
In August 2013, Carol was diagnosed with cancer and had the first of several surgeries, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  Throughout all of her surgeries and related procedures, Carol maintained an amazingly positive attitude.  She always said that “the good Lord isn’t finished with me yet!” and maintained a good quality of life.  After a short stay at the Hospice House in Spokane, she passed away.
Carol is survived by her brother Jack and his wife Linda from St. Ignatius, her brother Bill and his wife Cheryl from Renton, Wash. and their families.  The family would like especially to thank everyone who supported Carol through the most difficult time in her life.
Memorial service will be held at Advent Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 21, 2017.  Burial of her ashes will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge in the summer of 2017.
Remembrances can be made to Advent Lutheran Church, Lutheran Community Services, SCRAPS or Spokane Valley Partners.

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​Paul Martin
Paul Martin of Mount Sterling, Ohio passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2016. He was living his Montana dream riding horses, fishing, hunting, riding side by side in the mountains. He loved to carve walking sticks and give them to people that needed them. He donated most of his other carvings for charity.
He is survived by his wife Linda Martin, sister Susie Martin, brother Billie Martin, daughters Mamie Sheets, Paula Guevara; step-sons Herbert and Shawn Clark; grandchildren Bethany, Alexis, Makayla, Shelby, Katie, Nikki, Zachary and Jacob Clark, Jesse Hancel Schelby, Ashton, December Sheets, Ivy Donielle, Chico Guevara; four great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday, January 14 at 1 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center.

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​Tina Michelle Vaughn
Tina Michelle Vaughn, beloved daughter and sister has been called home to be with the Lord. She passed away December 13, 2016 and was born May 11, 1968. She is survived by parents Ronald Sr. and Anna Vaughn, and brother Ronald Jr., of Deer Lodge. Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery.

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​Elizabeth “Betty” Evangeline Conat
Elizabeth “Betty” Evangeline Conat, age 81, of International Falls, Minn., died Monday, January 2, 2017 at her home.
Elizabeth was born on April 7, 1935 in Dance Township, Ontario to Elmer and Emily (Rissman) Lang. She grew up in Dance Township and graduated from Fort Frances High School. The former Elizabeth Lang was united in marriage to Leslie Conat on November 14, 1953. After their marriage they moved to International Falls in 1953. In 1962 the family moved to Deer Lodge and in 1974 returned to International Falls. She worked at the Falls Good Samaritan Center for several years.
Elizabeth enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing and collecting cookie jars.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leslie T. Conat; sons, Terry and Jack Conat; brother, Art Lang, and special friend, William (Swede) Long. 
Elizabeth is survived by sons, Art (Jolene) Conat of Wenatchee, Wash., Ron (Lisa) Conat, Les (Toni) Conat, all of International Falls; daughters, Shirley (Stuart Hunter) Mishow of Sartell, Minn., Kathleen (Don) Heppner, Jr. of Grand Forks, N. D.; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Arleen Pollard of Dryden, Ontario, Eleanor Van Diest of Vancouver, British Columbia, Aleata Jerry of Devlin, Ontario, and special friend, Carmen.
A memorial gathering will be held on April 8, 2017 at a place to be announced. 
Condolences may also be left at www.greenlarsen.com.

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