The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • 9

INDEPENDENT RECORD Tuesday, January 7, 2003 Page 9A I Indian Alliance honors fire crew The Crew By SHAWN WHITE WOLF IR Staff Writer The Montana United Indian Association held an informal dinner to honor the Alliance Fire Crew and three "Rookies of the Year" Friday night at the Helena Indian Alliance Center. 'People "I'm amazed that ognize there's $10 still a job that firefighters pays or more," risk said Jill Tode, 23, one of last year's rookies. "It was a good sea- SETH son, I felt safe, and it was a good experience all around." The Rookie of the Year awards were presented to Jonas Canney, 20, Thais Chormicle, 21, and Seth Godaire, 20, for their willingness to be available a and ready during the last fire season. The Montana United Indian Association (MUIA) is an American Indian resource and advocacy organization with offices in Helena, Billings, Butte, Great Falls and Miles City. American Indians who are registered with the Selective Service and meet lowincome guidelines are eligible for MUIA services.

The MUIA offers assistance in AreaDeaths Edwin T. Mertz Jr. circumstances where American Indians are met with obstacles in obtaining employment, including assistance with job applications and applying for career development courses. The rookies took some time to recall their first fire searec- son: that "I was impressed by all the activity their like all the helicopters flying over," said Canney, who is GODAIRE one of the 23 people on last year's Alliance Fire Crew. "I liked the physical said work, Chormicle.

hiking, traveling," "We went to Colorado, Oregon, Idaho and in Montana we went to Lame Deer and Ennis." Chormicle said it was hard for her to leave her 11- month-old daughter when she left to fight fires, but she still enjoyed the hard work. "People recognize that firefighters risk their lives, and I think the community looks up to us because of that," said Godaire. "Like my brother, he wants to be a firefighter." Godaire was one of the many Alliance Fire Crew members honored during the Sept. 11 anniversary at Ted Mertz, age 55, of Helena, left us Dec. 28, 2002.

Ted Floyd D. was born Dec. 25, 1947, to the late Mary Ellen and Dr. beloved Edwin T. Mertz Sr.

in Lafayette, Ind. died from He attended West Lafayette High School. He graduated from Purdue University in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in history, with a minor in political science. Ted went on to the Gemology Institute of America 1988 Diamond Course, having a long career and earning many honors and awards. In 1994, Ted moved to Helena where he made and enjoyed many friends along with Mertz a successful career in real-estate sales.

In Armstrong 2002, Ted had an interest in Nevada real estate where he also had a brokers license. To all who knew and remember Ted, seek solace in the fact that Ted loved and lived life to the very fullest each and every day. He loved giving and taking care of his family. Ted leaves in mourning and will always be cherished by his wife Nicky Mertz; stepson Chris Shorten; his two daughters Rachel Mertz and Doris Mertz of Indiana; and sister Martha West of Texas. Private family services are being held and cremation has taken place.

Funeral arrangements have been completed by Helena Funeral Chapel. Anne Hoss Bergstrom Mertz Anne Hoss Bergstrom, formerly of Helena, died Dec. 17, 2002, in Walnut Creek, Calif. Born in Butte, Anne was raised in Helena where she graduated from Cathedral High School. Following graduation from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Anne worked as a news reporter for the Helena Independent Record and then in the Washington D.C.

office of Sen. Lee Metcalf. In 1962, she returned to Helena and was employed by the Montana Legislature. She moved to Sacramento, where she worked in the legislative office of Sen. George Miller, then moved to Berkeley, and was employed in the Peace of RETZ FUNERAL HOME Mind.

FUNERAL NOTICES TODAY CARLSON, Ruth age 85, of Helena. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be 10 a.m. today at Retz Funeral Home. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, SW Montana Chapter, P.O. Box 721, Helena, MT 59624-0721.

WEDNESDAY POWERS, Della age 80, of Helena. Viewing will begin 11 a.m. today at Retz Funeral Home. Vigil service will be 7 p.m. today at St.

Mary's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the church. Cremation will follow, with inurnment at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials in Della's name are suggested to St. Peter's Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. WEST, Dorothy age 86, of Helena. Memorial service 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.

8, at Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Forestvale Cemetery. A reception at the Enlisted Man's Service Club at Fort Harrison will follow burial. SATURDAY SANDERS, Carol age 71, of Helena. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be 1 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Retz Funeral Home 442-1550 Smoke, Fire MK Water Kleen Damage "The King of the Kleenest Carpets" Restoration 443-0964 Insurance approved Dan Pam Prebil 24 Hour Service MONTANA INDIAN FIREFICATERS. Jon Ebelt Staff Photographer Seth Godaire, left, Thais Chormicle and Jonas Canney were recently honored as Montana Indian Firefighter 'rookies of the year' at the Helena Indian the Helena Indian Alliance. Helena's American Indians packed the Helena Indian Alliance center that evening to offer traditional prayers, spend time together and listen to old traditional songs sung by the Alliance Drum group.

The crew also received certificates of completion for fire operation in urban areas. Heather SobrepenaGeorge, Helena MUIA representative, said that, as more people move into wooded areas, more firefighters fight tions. The was Gun in Helena very he by sibility. "I authority ers in process, "This valuable Armstrong Armstrong, age 81, of wife, Maxine, on Thursday, complications of diabetes. Waterford in Helena Floyd was born His parents were and Mildred Anderson received his education City, Eureka and ing from Flathead 1939.

He served in World War II and was on Nov. 29, 1945, after first class aboard the On April 3, 1942, Floyd D. Armstrong Armstrong Trenholm i in Cut Bank. He was a uct dealer during his entire career, leum and Texaco Inc. he was also a Interstate Bank and a partner in the Bank, Big Sky Motors Inc.

His civic and social activities the Cut Bank Volunteer Fire as secretary, assistant chief and ber of the Cut Bank Masonic Lodge Shrine Club. Floyd was noted for his honesty, office of Dr. Clark Kerr, president of the University of California. In 1965, she returned to Helena due to the illness of her mother. In 1969, she moved to California with her husband, Jon Bergstrom.

They lived in the Los Angeles area and in San Jose for 23 years, prior need to be trained to fires in those situa- Alliance Fire Crew started by Dale Good 1995. He said the firefighters are still organized, but this year wants to develop his staff giving them more respon- want to give more to the squad leadthe decision-making "said Good Gun. would give them more experience." Cut Bank joined his Jan. 2, 2003, after he He was living at The at the time of his death. July 11, 1921, in Cut Bank.

James Coleman Armstrong Armstrong. He in Seattle, Salt Lake Browning before graduatCounty High School in the Coast Guard during honorably discharged duty as a storekeeper CGC Clover. he was married to Maxine wholesale petroleum prodwith both Phillips Petrodirector of the First Ford dealership in Cut included being a member of Department, which he served chief. He was also a 1 memand the Tri-county integrity, sense of to retiring to Brentwood, Calif. Survivors include her husband; daughters, Sarah and Catherine; her father-inlaw Arthur Bergstrom; and her sister-in-law Catherine Bergstrom-Katz.

Her funeral was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brentwood. HAGLER Love ANDERSON Lasts Funeral Home Funeral Notices Forever TODAY CONN, Lynn age 64, of Helena. Mass of Christian burial will be today at 10:30 a.m. from St. Mary's Catholic Community.

Interment services will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials may be given to: Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21297. WEDNESDAY SCHMIDT, Althea age 78, of Helena. Chapel services will be held Wednesday, Jan.

8, 2003, at 11 a.m. from Hagler-Anderson Chapel. Interment of cremains will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Hagler-Anderson Mortuary 442-8520 Helena Funeral Chapel Let My Family Serve Your Family HAVE YOU HEARD? Do you have automatic hearing? People with perfectly normal hearing can hear and understand much of what is around them automatically. They don't have to get help from lipreading, they don't have to listen carefully, they don't have to stop what they're doing.

They just hear. People with hearing loss don't have this luxury. If you have a hearing loss, you have to use all your hearing powers- you have to pay attention, watch the speaker's face, and stand in just the right place. You have to concentrate. It just doesn't happen automatically.

When you have a hearing loss, hearing takes attention and energy and it's just hard to do it all day long. Hearing aids not only let you hear better, they also let you hear with less effort and energy. If this describes you, please call today for your free hearing screening at 443-3330. LAST CHANCE AUDIOLOGY Pat Ingalls, AuD Cindy Burk, Licensed Dispenser 1325 Euclid Suite 4 Last Chance Helena, MT 59601 406-443-3330 AUDIOLOGY Sam LeDeau- Crew Boss Chase Wolf- Squad Boss Rookie Recruitment Stephanie Miller- Squad Boss Chris McDermottAdvanced Firefighter Don Woods- Advanced Firefighter, Class Faller Russ Goddard- Advanced Firefighter, Class Faller Bill Mars- Firefighter Chris McDermottAdvanced Firefighter Angela Sperry- Firefighter Jill Tode- Firefighter Jonas Canney- Firefighter Jason Beckman- Firefighter Josh Waples- Firefighter Thais Chormicle- Firefighter George Sharp- Firefighter Seth Godaire- Firefighter Jeremy Hopkins- Crew Boss Trainee Michealynn HawkAdvanced Firefighter Marty OtherbullAdvanced Firefighter Brandon McClain- Firefighter Anthony Clark- Firefighter Rick ManchesterAdvanced Firefighter Delmar CourtoreilleSquad Boss Helena National Forest FMO- Brett Ruby Alliance Fire included: AreaDeaths Dorothy West Dorothy A. West, age 86, lifelong resident of Helena, died Friday afternoon Jan.

3, 2003, in Helena. Dorothy was born in Radersburg March 28, 1916, to Victor F. and Anna M. (Kriedel) Striedinger. Dorothy raised her family and West worked in Helena most of her life.

Her last employment was for State Nursery as a bookkeeper for 17 years. Dorothy will be remembered for her caring personality for friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard H. West, in 1973, parents, her brothers, a sister and a grandson. Dorothy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Connie and Earl O'Leary; sons Rick West and David West, and his wife, Sharon; 12 grandchildren, 18 greatgrandchildren and 13 greatgreat-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Forestvale Cemetery. Alliance.

humor and bill collection. He was always ready with an onpoint comment for any situation. He loved his family, his friends and his dogs, not necessarily in that order. Practical jokes were best played on Floyd, who showed little appreciation for them when he was the recipient. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Paul, his wife, Maxine, his brother, Peter Armstrong, and his sisters, Ann St.

Onge and Patricia Warberg. Survivors include his son Ken of Kalispell, and Ken's sons, Coleman and Jacob, of Cut Bank; his daughter, Becky and her husband Dave Powell, and their son, Danny and his wife Shannon, Floyd's great-grandson, Chet, all of Helena; his daughter Linda and her husband, Dan Mullan, and their sons, Ryan, Kerry and Keith, all of Stevensville; his son Paul's wife, Dorothy, of Miles City, and their daughter, Heidi, of Cleveland, and their daughter Stephanie, of Seattle; a brother, Jim of Roseville, his sisters Peggy, of Victor, and Dorothy of Salt Lake City; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held in Cut Bank at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Monday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m.

with Pastor Michael Collins officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be all of Floyd's grandchildren and great-grandchild. The family suggests memorial contributions to Intermountain Children's Home, the Shriners Hospital or the American Diabetes Association. Leora C.

Simac Leora C. "Lee" (Heckathorn) Simac, 85, of Helena, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2003, in a local hospital. She was born April 15, 1917, in Ekalaka and moved with her family to Wolf Creek in 1919. Leora worked in the post office in Wolf Creek and was a mail carrier until 1942 when she moved to Great Falls.

On Nov. 27, 1949, she married Joseph "Ozzie" Simac. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998, her parents, a sister Hazel and brother Harley. Survivors include sisters Dorothy Tonkovich, Marge Fuller, Maxine Wolfe and husband Jim and Myrtle LaFaver, all of Helena, and Vivian Hackett of Wilsonville, a brother Jake and wife Connie Heckathorn of Whitefish; and numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and graveside services will be held at a later date.

Croxford and Sons Funeral Home in Great Falls is in charge of arrangements. BUSINESS DEGREE IN HELENA Get a four-year business degree without leaving Helena through UM-Helena and Montana Tech! Interested? Contact Program Coordinator John Nugent at 443-2955 or THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA MontanaTech NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BEFORE THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) A public hearing will be held to consider proposed rules for the loan program. A copy of the proposed rules may be obtained from the DEQ, Planning, Prevention and Assistance Division, PO Box 200901, Helena, Montana 59620-0901, telephone (406) 444- 6697, or on the website. Oral or written comments on the proposed rules may be presented at the public hearing or sent to Kathi Montgomery, Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program Manager, PO Box 200901, Helena, Montana 59620-0901. These comments must be received by 5:00 p.m.

January 23, 2003..