Phyllis Marie Houle

Phyllis Marie Tougas Houle, age 91, of Polson, MT, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025, at Providence St. Joseph Hospital. She was born on May 31, 1934, in Oriska, North Dakota, Phyllis was the eldest child of Noel Tougas and Agnes (Fairfield) Tougas. In 1946, the family relocated to Montana, first settling on a farm in Pablo before moving out to Round Butte.

In 1951, she married Morris Robert “Bob” Houle at Sacred Heart Parish in Ronan. The couple welcomed five children. During Bob’s service in the Air Force, they lived in Spokane, WA, before returning to the Mission Valley, where Phyllis dedicated herself to raising their family and helping on local farms.

Following her separation from Bob in 1970, Phyllis entered the workforce, waitressing at the Valley Club and the Pablo Café while raising her children. In 1972, she began a 25-year career with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, contributing to multiple programs, including Head Start, Office of Native American Programs and GED instruction. After retiring in 1997, Phyllis turned her attention to her grandchildren, volunteering at the Ronan Visitors Center and serving in the Foster Grandparent Program.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Richard “Dick” Tougas; and daughter, Linda Houle.

She is survived by three siblings: Marylin Forte of Polson; Ken (Rosa) Tougas of Round Butte; and Pat (Jane) Tougas of Ronan. She also leaves behind her children: Cathy (Keith) Barrows of Arlee; Mike (Pamela) Houle of Ronan; Sandy (Brian) Hall of Hot Springs; and Fred (Nicole) Houle of Arlee. Phyllis was blessed with 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

A devout Catholic, Phyllis’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was a strong, independent woman — a true matriarch whose unwavering devotion made her the rock of her family.

A rosary will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Ronan. Funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, June 28th, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, followed by procession and burial at Ronan Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Parish Hall.