Category Archives: Trona News

Martha (Pounds) Kennedy — Class of 1976

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The world was never the same after the birth of Martha Pounds and will never be the same without her. Martha passed away on December 5. 2024, at Peace Hospice surrounded by her loved ones after a long and hard-fought battle with multiple myeloma.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Great Falls Church of Christ.

She was born in Los Angeles, California to Chuck and Carol Pounds on March 12, 1958. After graduating in 1976 from Trona High School she married her high school sweetheart Kory Kennedy on June 26 that same year.

Anyone who knew Martha knows how her family was her life. She and Kory had three children that gave them a run for their money! Keisha (Reggie) Sutton, David (Lindsey), and John. She was “Nana” to four grandchildren who adored her, Kyler Kennedy, Belle Murphy, Braxton and Colton Kennedy, and her loyal French Bulldog, Grace, who was by her side until the end. She is also survived by her sisters, Sharon, Linda, and Nancy (quit fighting, Linda and Nancy)! She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles; sister, Janet; mother and father; and numerous aunts.

During her years of employment, Martha could crunch numbers with the best of them. She was very meticulous and a perfectionist in every way. She was an administrative assistant with the Ulm school district, CFO at the Great Falls Housing Authority, and an internal auditor at Montana Credit Union (her most loved job)! Her upbeat personality and wit brought joy to every place that she worked.

Martha was faithful to her God and felt serving and worshipping Him was life’s sole purpose. She looked forward to hearing the words, “Well done good and faithful servant. Job well done!” She was very involved in her congregation at Great Falls Church of Christ. Her church family was an important part of her life, and she loved having gatherings and going on retreats.

She was a pillar to her family and community and would not want anyone to miss a beat in life mourning her passing. She lived to be happy and spread joy to everyone who was lucky enough to be blessed by her presence. God has gained one special angel.

Donations in Martha’s memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

https://www.oconnorfuneralhome.com/obituary/martha-kennedy

 

 

Nancy (Smith) Morris — Class of 1955

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Nancy (Smith) Morris (1936-2024) was born in Pennsylvania but came to Trona as a child and attended school in Trona from kindergartens until graduation in 1955. See married Eugene Morris in 1958. They were married 61 years until his death in 2019. They had two children, Paula (Morris) Lee and  Pete Morris both of them attended Trona High School.

Anita Aasgard — Class of 1980

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It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Anita Aasgard on September 10, 2023, our dear sister, sister- in-law, and aunt.

Anita had several careers and loved hiking, camping and fishing. She enjoyed gardening and everything outdoors. She was an avid writer who wrote inspirational thoughts and kept many journals of her hopes and expectations for herself. She was a good poet and loved to draw. She loved God, her family and friends and her loyal animals. Anita will be missed by all who knew her.

Anita was predeceased by her grandfather and grandmother Al Aasgard Sr. and Rose Aasgard, father Al Aasgard Jr.(Class of 1943), mother Patricia and Harry Pounds all from Trona. She was also predeceased by her brother, Lew Aasgard (Class of 1973) and niece Kayla.

She is survived by her older sister Phyllis, brother-in-law Frank, sisters-in-law Gretchen and Sandy, nieces Hope and Aspen and many loving cousins.

The family will have a service in honor of Anita on April 20th on a beautiful spring day at the Searles Valley Cemetery in Trona.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/anita-aasgard

Charlotte (Duffel) Hicks — Class of 1955

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Charlotte was born 14 JUL 1937 and passed away August 7, 2024. The Duffel family came to Trona in 1955 so Charlotte was not a student at Trona High School for very long. She wasn’t there long enough to have a graduating picture in the yearbook.

Her services will be 10 am September 21, 2024 at the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Charlotte will be buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery along with her parents, her sister, Regina, class of 1961 and her brothers, James, class of 1958 and Rex, class of 1959.

Charlotte was also known as Charlotte Van Sickle.

Regina (Duffel) Blevins — Class of 1961

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Graveside services were held for Regina at the Searles Valley Cemetery on Saturday, May 25, 2024. where her parents, sister Melva and brothers Sunny and Rex are buried.

The Duffel family came to Trona in 1955 from Arkansas. I can’t tell you much about Regina. Perhaps the classmates and friends who new her best will leave comments.

James Hunter 1938-2024

James “Jim’ Hunter — Class of 1956

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Jim Hunter’s Graveside service is Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 10 am at the Searles Valley Cemetery. Following the service is a potluck at Trona Elks. Family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at T2T.org or a organization of your choice.

Jim’s family moved from Oklahoma to Trona in 1952. Jim married Ellinor Crossley from the class of 1958.  In 1998 Jim marred Sharon Sessions from the class of 1959. She passed away in 2019.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/james-hunter

Alice-Quezada-Korba-Criger.

Alice (Quezada) Korba Criger — Class of 1949

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Julie Korba let us know that her mother Alice (Quezada) Korba Criger passed away on May 31, 2024 at 5:30. Her Facebook account is under Alice Criger.  She was 93 and Trona’s biggest Cheerleader!

The 1949 yearbook lists Alice’s achievements as  G. A. A. President, Girls League, Telescope Staff and Cheerleader ’47, ’48 and ’49, .

Alice had eight brothers; Edwardo (1913-2009), Edmundo (1916-2001) , Jesus (1919-2006), Migel (1922-2010), Fernando, Raul, Estaban (1915-2002), Art (1944-1968) and and three sisters; Evangenia (1924-2019), Estila (1926-2023) and Hortencia (1929-2007).

https://www.ridgecrestca.com/obituaries/alice-quezada-korba-taylor-criger/article_cbc36606-85a1-11ef-8fe2-27645eed5ca9.html

Mark Bennett Morgan

Mark Bennett Morgan (1962-2024) — Class of 1980

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Mark Bennett Morgan, age 61, of Whitefish, MT passed away April 13, 2024. He was born August 21, 1962 in Tehachapi, CA to the late Daniel Leroy Morgan and Florence Joyce Morgan (Newcomb). He grew up in Trona, California and shared many stories about the uniqueness of that small town.

Mark was a passionate, caring, generous, soul that loved his family. He took pride in his intellect and was an insightful person with a sharp wit. He enjoyed challenging banter, quiet conversations, or just spending time with his close friends and family. Mark enjoyed playing trivia with his wife and friends at various taverns, testing his knowledge. He loved animals. He was a vegetarian since he was 19. He was an advocate and donor for many charities. He was an outdoor enthusiast and some of his hobbies included skiing, hiking, motorcycle riding, snorkeling, rafting, playing frisbee, and horseback riding. His favorite places to be were in the crowd during a concert or atop a mountain. Music was a passion for him, and nature his religion. He and his wife had been to hundreds of concerts together and saw many classic rock bands live. Mark was drawn to the Flathead many years ago because of the awe and beauty of this area and had a love for Glacier National Park. Mark had a great connection to nature and all things green. During his time here, he and his wife helped out many young people in time of need, providing their home, food, financial help, anything they needed. He took great pride in being able to help.

Professionally, he was a computer programmer for various companies and worked in the tech industry for many decades, was self-taught and always looked up to his hero, Rocky (Peter) Graziano. In his spare time, he enjoyed an IPA and even brewed his own beer. He was a good cook and his wife and boys will especially miss him around mealtime.
Mark is survived by wife of 28 years, Katie L. Morgan; sons: Kristian Stipe (Erica), Ryan Stipe (Serena), and Michael Morgan (Grace); siblings: Marcia Nevins (Bill) and Larry Morgan (Renee); and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces, and cousins. With too many friends to list and so many lives touched, it is widely known that he will be missed.

In addition to his parents, Mark is preceded in death by his two Aunts: Marty Hayden and Elizabeth (Betty) Morgan Boon.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.

https://www.columbiamortuary.com/tributes/Mark-Morgan

Lindsey Paige Parks-Garrett

Lindsey Paige Parks-Garrett — Class of 1984

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My mother-in-law Paige unexpectedly passed away January 19, 2024. My husband, her son, is needing financial help in order to have her cremated. He dealing with a huge loss right now, and is trying to navigate this tragic situation while trying to grieve. All of this was unexpected. He was notified she was in the ICU and she passed days later after succumbing to her health issues. Services for Paige will be February 20th at Christian Fellowship of Trona. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

— Brittany Parks

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