Well, the folks at NFNews aren’t on the North Fork very much these days, so we’ve slowed down our posts to NFNews. If you have some information that you would like to share with the North Fork community, send it along and we’ll post it. We’ll also post notices sent to us by the various agencies (e.g., Forest Service, Park, etc.). But otherwise, news is going to be slow.
The best way to get this sort of intermittent news is by signing up for the email (see the sidebar to sign up). That way, you’ll get notified of new posts and won’t have to keep coming back to the NFNews home page. We promise that we never share our reader’s emails with anyone.
It’s that time of year again when you have an opportunity to sign up for the Flathead County Road and Bridge Departments’ Dust Abatement program. Get all of the information and the application form by tapping here for a pdf. It says…
We will only be applying the dust abatement for the footage that is in the application and the amount received for that distance. We will strive to have the palliative applied to the roads by July 3rd, 2020, weather dependent. Your application must be returned to the Road Department Office by 4pm on March 6th, 2020. As with last year, DO NOT include any money with your application. After the project is bid out we will inform you of the cost for your project this coming year.
Print Article Democrat Debo Powers has announced her candidacy to run for the House District 3 seat. Powers was appointed to the post last fall by the Democratic Party and Flathead County Commissioners after incumbent Zac Perry resigned to further pursue his post-graduate education.
Folks who grew up on the North Fork in the 60s, the 70s, and beyond well remember Aunt Micki. She brought a spark of joy to many North Fork events with her quick smile and wit. Our condolences to Stephie and her family for their loss. Micki will be missed.
Here is an obituary and some photos that Stephanie sent along to us at NFNews to share with all of Micki’s North Fork friends…
Inabelle “Micki” Funk Wolstad (nee McKee) of Portland, Oregon spent her last days with her loving family and passed away peacefully on December 26, 2019. She was 88 years old.
She was born April 11, 1931 in Jamestown (Boone County), Indiana to Sherman Lee McKee and Gladys Marie Jones McKee. She was the fourth of five living children.
She was always proud of growing up on an Indiana farm and cherished the memories of helping her mom around the house and later helping her dad in the fields when her brothers went to war. At age 18, Micki moved to Indianapolis to attend Butler University and subsequently completed her B.A. in Art and Religion at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She utilized her degree in her work as an interior decorator.
In 1950, Micki married Robert Walter Funk of Evansville, Indiana. They had two daughters, Andrea Elizabeth and Stephanie Alyson. The family lived in many parts of the U.S. as well as Europe and Canada and eventually settled in Missoula, Montana. Micki was fiercely devoted to her daughters and spent the last 15 years of her life living in Oregon to be near them.
In 1980, Micki married George R. Wolstad, a native Montanan, and this brought to the family three grown daughters: Mary Anna Woodward, Deidre Wolstad, and Janet Catena along with one grandson Danny Catena.
Micki is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Alyson McFarland, and grandchildren Alyson Jean, Katherine Elizabeth, and John Robert McFarland; her son-in-law, Glen Ray, and Glen’s children; her sister, Alice McKee Pritchett; and by the rest of her extended family including many nieces and nephews.
Micki was preceded in death by her parents, her first and second husbands, her daughter, Andrea Funk Ray, and her siblings, Francis Mildred McKee, Sherman Lee McKee Jr., John Everett McKee, and Doris Mae McKee. Micki will be remembered as a woman devoted to her family and friends. All who knew her will miss her quick smile and friendly demeanor.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Diabetes Association or the Missoula Art Museum.
Micki and the family in front of the “Funk” cabin … the old school house near Ford.
North Valley Rescue Association is once again sponsoring their Sweetheart Ride on February 15. This is their annual fundraiser and takes place at 0800 at the Canyon Creek Trailhead. You do not need to be present to win one of the three grand prizes.
It seems everyone had a good time at the New Year’s Eve party at the hall this year. Here are some wonderful photos sent to us by Dawn Olson Jacobson and Suzanne Daniel. Thanks!
Good afternoon, and almost Happy New Year!! This is a quick reminder about the always-entertaining News Year Eve party held at Sondreson Community Hall, this Tuesday evening (only 2 days from now) beginning at 8 pm. Everyone is invited – let’s ring in the New Year together!
Tuesday, December 31, 2019 8pm until 12 Midnight Sondreson Hall – all North Fork Residents welcome
BYOB – snacks optional
8:15-10:00 Dancing: Debo will provide music & guidance
Tomorrow night is your last dance class before New Year’s Eve…….time to brush up on waltz, two step, and swing so you’ll be ready to cut a rug at the big party!!
Remember: The first hour is basic steps (for beginners) and second hour is for learning harder moves.
No one offered to start the fire Friday night…..Do I have any volunteers? I have an appointment in town on Friday to check my truck’s brakes so would sure appreciate a fire-starter.
From Debo… Weekly dance classes continue at the Hall. Now that the busy holiday social calendar has calmed down a bit, the dance class will be held this week on Friday, December 20 at 6:00. The first hour is for total beginners and the second hour for beyond the basic steps of waltz, two step, and swing. Everyone is invited. Chris and Irv Heitz will be starting the fire to warm the Hall. Dance classes will be on Friday nights (December 20 and December 27) leading up to the New Years Eve Party!
