These are the most recent obituaries
appearing in The Miles City Star.
*If you are interested in a past
obituary, the Star will attempt to locate it if you are
able to provide an exact date of death, if you are certain
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you check with the local library for more intensive searches.
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or see Web site at www.milescitypubliclibrary.org
Thank you.
Updated May 22
Dorothy Slusher
Dorothy Slusher, 93, of Miles City died Sunday, May 12,
2013, at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Dorothy Pearl Root Slusher was born on the family place
in Westmore on May 4, 1921, the first child of Dora Bolton
and George Harry Root. The family moved to “the
Island” neighborhood of Miles City in 1933 and she
soon began working to help support the family of seven,
starting at one of the neighborhood grocers on Woodbury
Street north of the tracks. Soon after her sister Adeline
began her employment at the Star Printing and Supply Company,
Mrs. Slusher began working in the Star’s commercial
print shop. She continued her employment at the
Star until her retirement in 1984.
An even longer involvement for Mrs. Slusher was her lifelong
commitment to her faith and her church and its community.
She joined the Foursquare Church in the mid-1930s and
she dedicated significant amounts of her non-work
time to church activities, including Sunday afternoon
church group hikes up Yellowstone Hill, during tick season.
Summer church camp was the highlight of Mrs. Slusher’s
early years, a few days’ break from fulltime employment
and helping maintain the household. Mrs. Slusher taught
Sunday school for decades and was equally involved with
Bible study groups and Christian Businesswomen’s
Club. Mrs. Slusher’s community involvement continued
after her retirement; she finally insisted on relinquishing
the presidency of the local American Association of Retired
Persons chapter just two summers ago.
The lives of “the Root girls” took a big turn
the autumn of 1957 when she married that dapper Roy Slusher
in the “old” Foursquare Church sanctuary.
No sooner had the newlyweds driven off for honeymoon in
Mr. Slusher’s powder blue Cadillac than Adeline
eloped with a co-worker from the Star, Art Bartle. The
nieces and nephews did not lose their beloved aunties,
but gained two swell uncles, and both marriages lasted
their lifetimes. Mr. and Mrs. Slusher remained involved
with their respective churches and each got involved with
the other’s, enlarging spiritual communities for
them both.
Mr. and Mrs. Slusher enjoyed many travels together and
each year’s autumn vacation would take them to visit
relatives and friends many states away. Mr. Slusher’s
“Army Buddy Gang” and their wives gathered
annually in the town of one of the couples. The gang very
much enjoyed themselves the year the Slushers hosted in
Miles City.
With two church communities and families in town, Mrs.
Slusher baked most weekends, and cooked for gathered meals
frequently. She could make pie crust without thinking
and she had a vast repertoire of baked, no-bake and bar
cookies. She was also one of the Jello Queens and her
deviled eggs were sought and fought after.
Over the last few years, Mrs. Slusher was mostly engaged
in riding herd on Mr. Slusher. The couple got out for
coffee as long as they were able. In May of 2012, the
couple moved to the Extended Care Unit of Holy Rosary
Healthcare where Mr. Slusher died in September. And now,
Mrs. Slusher has been “prayed safely Home,”
where her faith has been leading her ongoingly.
As well as her husband Roy, Mrs. Slusher was preceded
in death by her parents, and her brothers, Dan and Ben.
Surviving Mrs. Slusher are her sister, Adeline Bartle,
and her brother, Sam, as well as many cousins, nieces
and nephews.
Visitation will be on Friday, May 24, 2013, at Stevenson
and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services
will be Saturday, May 25, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the Living
Way Fellowship Church in Miles City. Interment will be
in the Custer County Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity
of one’s choice.
John L. Trusler
John L. Trusler, 67, the eldest son of Luther “Buster”
Trusler and Adaline “Billie” Trusler, died
on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at the Heritage Living Center
in Ashland.
Mr. Trusler participated in Boy Scouts and attended grade
school at Ashland Elementary and high school at St. Labre
Catholic School. He graduated in 1963.
After graduating from high school, he attended the University
of Montana in Missoula for one year. He majored in Forestry.
Upon returning home, he bought a small ranch on Pumpkin
Creek where he ranched until his retirement a few years
ago.
After his retirement he lived with his mother in Ashland.
During this time they took the opportunity to travel.
Two of their most memorable trips were to Seaside/Astoria,
Oregon, where Lewis and Clark finished their journey.
The other was a cruise through the Alaska passage.
Five years ago, due to ill health, Mr. Trusler moved to
the Heritage Living Center in Ashland. He lived here until
his death.
Mr. Trusler enjoyed his time at the Heritage Living Center
where he had some good times and made many friends.
His survivors include his brother, Tom (Suzanne) of Ashland;
one nephew, Tom Jr. (Kim); four nieces, Suzanne, Mary,
Danelle and Billie Jo; three great-nephews, TJ, Phoenix
and Aidyn; and one great-niece, Cherilynn Renae.
Mr. Trusler was preceded in death by his parents, Buster
and Billie; and two of his brothers, Stephen and Calvit
Trusler.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at 10
a.m. at the Heritage Living Center in Ashland. Burial
will follow in the Willow Crossing Cemetery.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is assisting
the family with these arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Donations may be made in Mr. Trusler’s memory to
the Heritage Living Center in Ashland.
Marilyn Louise Ronneberg Zabrocki
Marilyn Louise Ronneberg Zabrocki, 63, died on Friday,
May 17, 2013, at her home in Miles City from leiomyosarcoma
(cancer).
Mrs. Zabrocki was born Jan. 3, 1950, to John and Vivian
Ostenson Ronneberg in Big Timber. She grew up in Big Timber,
attended local grade school and graduated from the Sweet
Grass High School in 1969. She later attended Miles
Community College before beginning her banking career
at the Yellowstone Bank in Columbus. She continued her
career with US Bank for more than 30 years until her retirement
on Jan. 31, 2012.
On Dec. 10, 1993, she and Jim Zabrocki were united in
marriage. Mrs. Zabrocki loved to go camping and fishing
with her husband. They both enjoyed many trips and cruises
together traveling to places like Mexico, Belize, Columbia,
Costa Rica and through the Panama Canal to name a few.
She loved her dogs, Shadow, Shelby and Mister, and her
cats, Midi and Abbey. Mrs. Zabrocki had a passion for
reading Stephen King novels and she enjoyed her flowers
and watching the birds from her window.
In addition to her husband, Jim, Mrs. Zabrocki is survived
by her brothers, John (Diane) Ronneberg, Carl (Jeanette)
Ronneberg and Randy Ronneberg from Big Timber; her sister,
Carol (Spencer) Jarrett of Miles City; sister-in-law,
Bobbi Ronneberg of Tidewater, Ore.; brother-in-law,
Carl (Patti) Zabrocki of Billings; and sister-in-law,
Cheryl (Pat) Rogers of Windsor, Colo.; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Vivian
Ronneberg; her brother, Alvin Ronneberg; an infant sister,
Karen Louise; and her in-laws, Carl and Evelyn Zabrocki.
Visitation will be Monday, May 20, 2013, with the family
receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons
Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be in
the chapel at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles
City on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 11 a.m. Interment
will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the local Holy Rosary Hospice
or a charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Dorothy H. Herriges
On Thursday, May 9, 2013, Dorothy H. Herriges, 68, died
peacefully of natural causes.
She was born Oct. 28, 1944, in Roseburg, Ore., to Helene
Marie and Franklin Daniel Herriges. She went to school
in Glide, Ore., where she graduated from Glide High School
in 1963.
On Jan. 16, 1965, she was united in marriage to Edward
Henry in Roseburg. This union brought two sons, Dion Lee
Henry and Dexter Allen Henry. Although, she only bore
two sons, she was “mom” to all the children
who hung out at the house. Family friend, Greg Hickman,
said, “Dorothy was a great woman and mother, she
will be greatly missed.”
She moved to Terry in 1997. She lived in Miles City for
a few years and worked at GMC Liquors. She returned to
Terry in June, 2012, where she worked at 4-Corners Convenience
until her death.
She loved to watch NCIS and was a loyal fan of NFL team
Seattle Seahawks. She also enjoyed target shooting with
a pistol and was a pretty great shot according to her
son, Dion Henry. She enjoyed taking drives and long walks
in the country.
Her survivors include her two sons, Dion (Trisha) Henry
of Fallon and Dexter (Carrie) Henry of Glide; grandchildren,
Allen (Lindsey) Henry of Glendive, Andy Henry and
Crystal Henry of Terry, Kelsey Bales and Michael Bales
of Roseburg, Rebecka Henry and Evin Henry of Glide; three
siblings, Donald (Barbara) Herriges of Tacoma, Wash.,
Del Raye (Eddie) Miller of Roseburg and Daniel Herriges
of Glide; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and
Helene Herriges; a sister, Donna Herriges; and her loving
companion, Jim Hughes.
A Memorial Service will be Friday, May 24, 2013, at the
American Legion Post No. 32, 112 S. Logan Ave., Terry
from noon to 3 p.m. . followed by a luncheon.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge
of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity
of one’s choice.
Carrie Marie Sackman
Carrie Marie Sackman, 82, of Billings, formerly of Terry,
died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at her home in Billings
surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Sackman, daughter of Lars and Gertrude Fotland, was
born March 30, 1931, in Glendive. She lived with her family
of three brothers and one sister on a farm/ranch north
of Terry. She attended country schools, graduating from
eighth grade at age 11 years. As a student at Terry High
School, she started and led, as the drum majorette, their
first majorette program. When she graduated from high
school at age 16, she started working at the State Bank
of Terry.
On March 7, 1948, at the age of 16, she and Benjamin C.
Sackman were married. In addition to farming, they owned
and operated Sackman’s Grocery in Fallon from 1947
to 1951. Mrs. Sackman also was clerk of School District
No. 30, in Fallon from 1948 through 1960. During
this time, their five children were born: Sherrie Lou,
Douglas Lee, Sandra Sue, Susan Rae and Walter Martin.
In 1960 the family moved to Billings. She was employed
as secretary-bookkeeper for Northwest Tile and Terrazzo.
When the company moved to Minneapolis, Mrs. Sackman became
secretary-bookkeeper for R. L. Stratford & Co., Inc.,
a Butler steel builder. She held this position until 1975,
when she and her husband purchased Big Sky Propane. As
owners, Mr. Sackman became president and Mrs. Sackman
became secretary-treasurer. Mrs. Sackman was active in
Big Sky Propane Inc. from 1975 until they sold their business
in November 1989, when both she and her husband retired.
Mrs. Sackman was a charter member and the first president
of the Magic City Toastmasters Club No. 1759. She was
past president of the Rimrock Chapter, The National Secretaries
Association, and the Montana Alpha Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority.
She was the first chairman of Christian Business and Professional
Women’s Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Sackman both became Christians in 1968 and
were charter members of Westside Evangelical Church (Faith
Evangelical). Mrs. Sackman had been a member of
the First Evangelical Free Church for almost 30 years,
where she served as a Sunday school teacher, Bible study
leader, as well as other offices. She also was actively
involved with Stonecroft Ministries as a speaker and led
many Friendship Bible Coffees in her home for more than
30 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Sackman enjoyed and raised registered quarter
horses, winning many trophies and ribbons. Their
home was often filled with family and friends celebrating
birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, weddings and graduations
leaving us with cherished memories. In September 2003
they sold their home, where they had lived for 26 years.
They then moved in with their daughter and her family.
When Mr. Sackman died in 2010, they had just celebrated
their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Sackman loved to study Scripture from the day she
became a Christian. Almost every page of her Bible is
worn and marked with notes she had written. She talked
about the Lord continuously and was always excited to
share what she was learning. She will be greatly missed
by so many. Her words, “What a tremendous future
to look forward to at the end of our lives for those who
love God. God is faithful to do all that He says.”
Her survivors include her children: Sherrie (Philip) Richert
of Billings, Sandra (John) Schneider of Milwaukee, Ore.,
Susan (Kenneth) Balster of Billings and Walter (Doreen)
Sackman of Hayden Lake, Idaho; 10 grandchildren: RaShelle
(Mark) Kirby, Nathan (Kristin) Richert, Kari Ann (Jason)
Koller, Benjamin (Misty) Schneider, Douglas (Danielle)
Schneider, Joshua (Nicole) Balster, Christopher Balster,
Tiffany (Matthew)Bonner, Lindsay (Aaron) Laird, and Lisa
Sackman;12 great-grandchildren: Ethan Kirby, Konnor Richert,
Jason Jr. and Kennedy Koller, Benjamin Jr. and Magdalena
Schneider, Danyon and Delaney Schneider, Grace Balster,
Raegan, Austin and Zander Laird; a sister: Ginger Cameron;
and a brother: Lars Jr. Fotland.
Mrs. Sackman was preceded in death by her husband: Ben
Sackman; son: Douglas Lee Sackman; her parents: Lars and
Gertrude Fotland; and her brothers: Per Fotland and Warley
Fotland.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 23, 2013, from 3 to 8
p.m. at Michelotti Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave.
in Billings. Funeral services will be Friday, May 24,
2013, at 11 a.m. in the First Evangelical Free Church,
401 Custer Ave. in Billings. Interment will follow on
Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Prairie County Cemetery in
Terry.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge
of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com
Memorials may be sent to First Evangelical Free Church,
401 Custer Ave., Billings, MT 59101 or Rocky Mountain
Hospice of Billings.
Patrick Kelly Vetch
Patrick Kelly Vetch, 36, (known as Kelly), of Miles City
died on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Holy Rosary Healthcare
in Miles City.
Mr. Vetch was born on April 27, 1977, to Louis and Mary
Lentz Vetch in Miles City. He attended grade school and
high school in Miles City.
He worked for the Miles City wrecking yard, worked in
Gillette, Wyo., and then returned to Miles City where
he worked for Trans Railcar until his illness forced him
to focus on his health.
He also worked throughout the years for Creative Corner
by Sandy.
Mr. Vetch loved cars, trucks and anything he could put
together with his hands. He enjoyed playing darts, hunting
and fishing.
His survivors include his mother, Mary Vetch of Miles
City, and father, Louie (Sue) Vetch of South Carolina;
a sister, Susie (Mike) McClure, a nephew, Riley, and niece,
Molly, all of Winchester, West Virginia.
Visitation for Mr. Vetch will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2013,
from 5 to 8 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in
Miles City. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 22,
2013, at 11 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in
Miles City with interment to follow at the Forsyth Cemetery
in Forsyth.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.stevensonandsons.com.
A memorial fund has been established for Mr. Vetch to
be used for a headstone.
Daniel Clayton Bidwell
Daniel Clayton Bidwell, 75, died at home on Thursday,
May 16, 2013.
He was born in Broadus on May 2, 1938, to Roy and Lucille
Klein Bidwell. He graduated from Broadus High School in
1956.
One year later he married his high school sweetheart,
Frances Kay Wood on April 21, 1957. Mr. Bidwell operated
equipment and drove truck from an early age, hauling livestock
for his parents and coal to the schools in Broadus after
school. Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell lived in the Ashland area
while he worked for the Ashland Sawmill and the Red Horse
Service Station.
They moved to Olive in the fall of 1961 to work for a
local ranch. In May of 1963 Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell moved
to Miles City where he worked for the Montana Highway
Department as a truck driver.
They then moved to the Stacey community in 1973 to begin
a partnership with his brother-in-law, Walt Wheaton, to
open Wheatwell Lumber.
In 1975 Mr. Bidwell began farming on the Charles Wood
Ranch. In 1981 Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell’s son, Dan E.,
came home to begin Bidwell Bee Boards. In 1989 Mr. and
Mrs. Bidwell moved back to the farm where she was raised.
In 1992 Mr. Bidwell went back to work for the Montana
Department of Transportation.
After working several locations short term he finally
was able to finish his career at the Beaver Slide section.
Mr. Bidwell retired Jan. 1, 2008, to continue farming
with his son on the Wood Family farm.
His survivors include his wife, Kay; son, Dan (Renea);
daughter, Janet (Dan) Lamb; one granddaughter, Stephanie
Bidwell; three grandsons, Brad Bidwell, Jay Lamb and Alan
Lamb; four sisters, Irene Jackson, Darlene (Walt) Wheaton,
Bette (Gerald) Watkins, and Becky King; brother, Don (Arlis)
Bidwell; brother-in-law, Richard (Sharon) Wood; sister-in-law,
Julene Wood; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces
and great-nephews, and Lord only knows how many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother; father; brothers-in-law,
Charles Wood and Earl Jackson; and a nephew, Clayton Jackson.
A visitation will be Monday, May 20, 2013, from 1 to 6
p.m., with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Funeral
Service will be Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 2 p.m. in Stevenson
and Sons Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
May Elvina Darrah
May Elvina Darrah, 97, of Buffalo, Wyo., former Ashland
area resident, died Wednesday morning, May 15, 2013, in
the Amie Holt Care Center.
Mrs. Darrah was born Aug. 18, 1915, on the family homestead
in Oka, north of Harlowton, to William and Rosella Birdsall.
She spent her first nine years on the homestead with her
parents and three brothers. In 1924 they moved to Billings
where she continued her education, graduating from Billings
Senior High School.
After high school she attended Eastern Montana Normal
College in Billings where she received a teaching certification.
She taught country schools in the area and met Clair Darrah
when she was teaching at Buck Creek School between Absarokee
and Columbus.
They were married on March 6, 1937, in Billings and followed
construction and mining jobs mostly in Montana during
the early years of their marriage. Mr. Darrah joined the
Army during World War II and Mrs. Darrah continued to
live in Billings. After the war they bought a sawmill
in the Pryor Mountains, which they owned and operated
until 1950.
They then purchased a ranch at Ryegate where Mrs. Darrah
also taught schools in Franklin, Barber, Rothimay and
Langston School near Harlowton.
In 1972 they sold that ranch and bought a ranch in Ashland
where they lived until they retired in 1997 when they
sold the ranch and moved to Buffalo. They also bought
a home in Quartzsite, Ariz., where they spent 28 winters.
Mr. Darrah died in January of 2009 and Mrs. Darrah continued
living in Buffalo until the time of her death. She had
been a resident of the Amie Holt Care Center for the past
six months.
Mrs. Darrah loved painting, gardening, handwork, reading
and being involved in her church. She was a member of
the United Methodist Church, the Garden Club and along
with her other activities she loved spending time with
her family.
She is survived by two daughters, Donna Mortenson and
her husband Gerald of Buffalo and Fern Schreder and her
husband Larry of Pueblo, Colo.; five grandchildren; and
nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband
and three brothers.
Visitation will be in the Harness Funeral Home chapel
on Sunday, May 19, 2013, from 1 to 9 p.m. Funeral services
will be Monday, May 20, 2013, at 10 a.m. in the First
United Methodist Church in Buffalo. The Rev. KyungSu Jung
will officiate. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery
in Buffalo with graveside services to follow the funeral.
There will be a reception following in the Methodist Social
Center.
Donations in Mrs. Darrah’s memory may be made to
the Amie Holt Care Center or the American Cancer Society
in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in
Buffalo, WY 82834.
Kenneth C. Preston
Kenneth C. Preston, 92, of Miles City, died Sunday, May
12, 2013, in Miles City at Holy Rosary Healthcare.
Mr. Preston was born April 22, 1921, in Broadus to Ernest
W. and Angelina Schumaker Preston. He attended grade school
and high school in Broadus.
He entered the United States Navy and served from 1941
to 1946 in World War II.
Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Broadus and
then to Miles City where he married Alvera L. Irion on
Dec. 20, 1945. Mr. Preston worked for the Milwaukee Railroad
for more than 30 years, retiring in Miles City where he
and his wife made their home.
He loved to bowl, garden and can all their gardening goods.
Mr. Preston enjoyed camping, fishing and was a member
of the Eagles Lodge. He faithfully attended church at
Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Through the years Mr.
Preston always walked for the Relay For Life and did so
even when he required the use of a wheelchair.
His survivors include his son, Gary (Bev) Preston of Gillette,
Wyo., and daughter, Gloria Patrick of Longmont, Colo.;
his grandchildren, Brandon (Kari) Preston, Rachelle (Curtis)
Hall, and Roxanne (Quentin) Wedan; great-grandchildren,
Grant Wedan, Patrick Hall, Preston Hall, Braydon Preston,
Kameron Preston; sister, Mary Schaffer of Broadus; sister-in-law,
Mary Irion of Broadus; as well as special friend, Dorothy
Murnin, and the entire Murnin family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alvera in 2001;
sisters, Velma Mann, Ruby Engler, Esther Schaffer, Elsie
Preston, Alma Preston and Hallie Preston; brothers, George,
Ernest, Tom and Acie Preston; and one son-in-law.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 19, 2013,
from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in
Miles City. Funeral services will be Monday, May 20, 2013,
at 1 p.m. in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles
City. Interment will follow at the Custer County Cemetery
in Miles City with military honors.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Marilyn Elaine Orcutt Fortune
Marilyn Elaine Orcutt Fortune, 83, of Miles City died
Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Holy Rosary Healthcare
in Miles City.
She was born Jan. 2, 1930, the daughter of Bruce and Dessie
Orcutt in Sioux City, Iowa. Three years later Mr. Orcutt
moved his family to the Beaverslide Ranch on the Broadus
highway. Mrs. Fortune was homeschooled until the seventh
grade and then graduated from Custer County High School.
She then attended Colorado Women’s College for one
year and then she transferred to Montana State University-Bozeman.
While there she met and married Robert Cunningham. Following
the end of this marriage, she moved with their four daughters
to Miles City.
In 1972 she married Vern Fortune and she welcomed six
step-daughters to the family. She and Mr. Fortune ranched
on the Tongue River and also at Dillion.
Mrs. Fortune’s love of the ranch life started at
an early age. She was the first woman to go to AI School,
while carrying her fourth daughter, Alane. She was an
avid horse woman and always said she raised cattle so
she could ride good horses.
She took pride in the cattle and horses she raised and
one of her greatest rewards was watching them win Grand
or Reserve Champion in shows around the state. Until the
last she kept up with cattle and horse markets. She loved
to logon to Miles City Livestock Commission on sale day
and hear Randy say “Hello Marilyn.” She taught
herself to purchase bulls online this spring.
She is survived by her four daughters, Laura (Ray) Ravenscroft,
Robyn (Tom) Ketchum, Noelle (Dick) Pinkerton and Alane
(Kenny) Stabler; and grandchildren, Olin (Megan), Keara
(Dave), Lex (Patrice), Ian, and Reid, Jana (Justen), Jenny
(Josh), and Carly, Rian (Danae), Clark (Jen)and Julie,
Alissa and Rachel; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Fortune also is survived by two siblings, Jon (Lorraine)
Orcutt and Rebecca Leibinger; step-children, Susie (Ron)
Wells, Janice Fortune, Kathy (Lee) Baugatz, Darcy (Lee)
Boggs, Stacy (Stacy) Butts and their children; and numerous
nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce and Dessie;
sister, Carol; and step-daughter, Shelly Longfox.
Visitation will begin on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at 1 p.m.
at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home with family receiving
friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday,
May 13, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Grace Bible Church. Interment
will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Grace
Bible Church or to the charity of one’s choice.
George Edward Linnell
George Edward Linnell, 92, of Miles City died Thursday,
May 9, 2013, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility
in Miles City.
Mr. Linnell was born in Black River Falls, Wis., on Sept.
29, 1920, the son of Lee and Roseman Kimball Linnell.
At the age of eight years, in 1928, he moved out to Ismay
with his family where he lived until entering the United
States Army in 1942. Following his honorable discharge,
he returned to Miles City where he went to work for area
ranchers.
He later went into construction, a career he worked for
the majority of his life, retiring in 1985. Mr. Linnell
continued to make Miles City his home until the time of
his death.
He loved working in the garden, playing cards with his
children and spending time with his grandchildren, and
hunting.
His survivors include his wife: Darlene Linnell of Miles
City; two sons: David (Cynthia) Borne of Antioch,
Calif., and Mark Linnell of Miles City; two daughters:
Sharon Cline of Miles City and Wanda (Brent) Richlen of
Peshtigo, Wis.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, two
sisters and a granddaughter.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 12, 2013, from 1 to 6 p.m.
at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral
services will be Monday, May 13, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Stevenson
and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow
in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery with full
military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
1579.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s
Association or the charity of one’s choice.
Joseph "Barcode" Kellmer
Joseph “Barcode” Kellmer, 29, of Miles City,
died on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.
He was one of two sons born to the late Wayne and Kathryn
Kellmer on Sept. 28, 1983, in Missoula.
On May 5, 2010, he and Dawn Schrock were united in marriage
in Missoula. They resided in Missoula until 2011 until
they moved to Miles City.
Mr. Kellmer was employed at the Miles City Star as a mailroom
technician at the time of his death.
His favorite pastimes were playing his PS3, watching the
Oakland Raiders, fishing, camping, playing with his pets:
Buddy Kitty, Jaxon Teller and Lily Bean, and spending
time with his close family and friends, especially playing
PS3 with his favorite great-nephews.
His survivors include his wife, Dawn of Miles City; his
brother, Kenny (Amanda) Kellmer of Missoula; his sister-in-law,
Linda Schrock of Miles City; two nephews, Thomas and Alex
of Missoula; three nieces, Amber Kellmer of Missoula,
JaDee Grenz and M’Kala Arnold of Miles City; three
great-nephews, Casey, Mason and Jayden of Miles City;
and his two best friends from work, Dusty White and Dan
Sampson of Miles City.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents and grandparents.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 9, 2013, from 1 to 6
p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Services will
be Friday, May 10, 2013, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson
and Sons Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Custer
County Cemetery.
Following the interment, refreshments will be served at
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be made to Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
to help defray funeral expenses.
Chris Arne Nielsen
Chris Arne Nielsen, 39, of Miles City died Sunday, May
5, 2013, in Miles City.
Mr. Nielsen was born on Jan. 22, 1974, the son of Ernie
E. and Sandra L. Hirsch Nielsen. He attended grade school
in Kinsey and Miles City and graduated from Custer County
District High School in 1992. He worked at Trinity Rail
in Miles City. He did many odd jobs for contractors and
has been at the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility
for 17 years where he served as a correctional officer
at the time of his death.
Mr. Nielsen played pool and loved hunting elk, deer and
birds. He trained his chocolate lab/boxer mix “Magnum”
as a hunting dog.
He loved animals. Mr. Nielsen enjoyed 4-wheeling and “mudding”
in his 4-wheel Nissan truck. He loved basketball, baseball
and softball.
His survivors include his mother, Sandy Nielsen of Manhattan;
a sister, Raechell Nielsen of Bozeman; and his special
friend, Keri Dusatko of Miles City; as well as numerous
aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ernie E. Nielsen;
and his grandparents.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Stevenson
and Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from
4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, May 10, 2013,
at 11 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles
City.
Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Daniel "Dan" Emeline
Daniel “Dan” Emeline, 52, died in Broadus
on Friday, May 3, 2013.
Mr. Emeline was born on Sept. 23, 1960, in Miles City
to Lloyd “Butch” and Beth Fairbanks Butcher.
In 1963, his mother married Levi Emeline who adopted him
and his siblings.
In 1978 Mr. Emeline married Zonda Gunnels. They had two
sons, Kenith Lee, born in 1978 and Shannon Ray, born in
1980.
Mr. Emeline met Tena Olson in 1994. Their daughter, Elizabeth
Ruby, was born in 1996. Mr. Emeline proudly told people
he’d roofed for “over 30 years.”
He was especially fond of sharing his “storm chasing”
experiences. He worked hard and played hard. He loved
hiking, fishing and camping — preferably in the
Beartooths, hunting, dueling guitars with Bob, gold panning,
and anything and everything related to Montana Moss Agates.
He was amazingly talented and could build anything.
He is survived by his wife, Tena Olson of Broadus; son,
Shannon and wife Kristyn of Glasgow; daughter, Elizabeth
of Broadus; siblings, Linda Coppedge of Kent, Wash., David
and Velma Bourn of Miles City, Lloyd and Colette Butcher
of Miles City, Alice and Wayne Nile of Miles City, Judy
and Ed Henderson of Billings, Doug Emeline of Miles City;
grandchildren, Alexander, Natelie, Zanoblia, Georgia,
Kenneth and Allenah; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His survivors also include his buddies, Bob, Lowell, Jeff,
Norm, Mark and his other “kids,” Maggie, Jake,
Mike, Mark, Misty, Sissy, and Gangster. Mr. Emeline was
blessed to have such special people in his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd H. Butcher
and Beth Emeline; a brother, Leon Emeline; son, Kenith
Emeline; and ex-wife, Zonda.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 1
p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
A potluck picnic will follow at the Pumping Plant Park
in Miles City.
Thomas J. Robison
Thomas J. Robison died Sunday, May 5, 2013, at the Saint
Vincent Health Care Center in Billings with his family
at his side.
Mr. Robison was born on June 8, 1938, to Thomas and Myrtle
McPhail Robison in Billings. He attended grade school
in Hysham and then graduated from Hysham High School in
1956.
After school he married the love of his life, Marcene
Helland, on May 29, 1960, in Hysham. He then worked for
Zent Hardware until 1971 when he went to work for the
Montana Highway Department until he started Agri-Drainage
in 1977. He purchased it in 1979. In 1984 Mr. Robison
went to work for Bill Cunningham at the Hysham Community
Elevator until it sold to Farmers Union. In 1996 he purchased
“The Station” and operated it until 2001 when
he retired, making his home in Hysham until 2009 when
he moved to Billings for health care reasons.
Mr. Robison loved to fish, spend time with his wife and
children, and drinking coffee with his friends to catch
up on the latest news.
He is survived by three sons, Greg (Susan) Robison of
Pueblo, Colo., Wayne (Glenda) Robison of Hysham and Troy
Robison of Miles City; two daughters, Gwen (Lawrence Boehm)
Robison of Billings and Wanda (Bill) Martinson of Columbus;
one sister, Sylvia Kimball; nine grandchildren; and five
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcene Helland;
one sister; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday May 9, 2013, from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
of Forsyth. Funeral Services will be Friday, May 10, 2013,
at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral
Home of Forsyth. Burial will be in the Hysham Memorial
Vale Cemetery.
Jack Knobloch Sr.
Jack Knobloch Sr., 74, of Birney, died in Miles City
on Sunday, May 5.
He was born in Sheridan, Wyo., on Aug. 17, 1938, to Albert
and Madge Knobloch. He grew up and spent his entire life
on the family ranch north of Birney. He attended Birney
Grade School and graduated from St. Labre Catholic High
School in 1956.
After graduation, he took over the family ranch operations.
On April 3, 1966, he married Marjorie Fjell of Birney
and they were blessed with five children whom they raised,
grew up with, played with, worked with and loved.
In 1972, they expanded the ranching operation by purchasing
the Wagner ranch 10 miles north of the home place where
Mr. Knobloch spent his life continuously improving their
land and cattle.
Mr. Knobloch achieved his dream of becoming a pilot in
the mid-1970s and enjoyed flying, whether for work or
fun. His favorite pastimes were spending time with family
and ranching.
He was involved in his community by serving on various
boards including Tongue River Water Users, Soil Conservation
Service, Rosebud County Planning Board, Ashland Public
School board and Tongue River Electric Co-Op board. He
especially loved serving on the Parish Council at St.
Labre.
Mr. Knobloch had a deep faith, instilled in him by his
mother, brother and the Priests and Sisters of St. Labre
... a faith that grew and sustained him throughout all
of his life. He was a true gentleman in every sense of
the word, treating everyone with respect, caring and understanding.
He was a great listener and loved to have people share
their stories with him.
His loving survivors include his wife, Marjorie; daughter,
Karen (Jay) Hodges; sons, Jack Jr. (Kim) Knobloch, Albert
(Joan) Knobloch, Philip (Kathy) Knobloch; son-in-law,
John Elliot; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren;
sister, Elizabeth Linhart-Sumer; and numerous nephews,
nieces and god-children.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roy
Knobloch; daughter, Lee Anne Elliot; and three nephews,
Carl Linhart, Bobby Linhart and Elmer Fjell III.
A Vigil service will be Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 7 p.m.
in the St. Labre Mission in Ashland. Funeral services
will be Friday, May 10, 2013, at 2 p.m. in the St. Labre
Mission. Private family interment will be in the Birney
Cemetery.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge
of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Lydia Waldow
Lydia Waldow, 96, of Miles City died Wednesday, May 1,
2013, at the Friendship Villa Care Center in Miles City.
Mrs. Waldow was born in Rock Springs on April 13, 1917,
the daughter of Jacob and Christina Naasz Ohlhauser. She
attended schools at Crow Rock, Sutherland and U-All Country
Schools through the eighth grade.
Following her schooling, she helped out on the family
farm, before moving into Miles City where she worked for
Holy Rosary Hospital. She worked at the hospital
until she met Albert Waldow and they were united in marriage
on June 15, 1941. Mrs. Waldo then became a homemaker,
staying home to raise her children.
She loved to garden, collect recipes and cook. In her
70s, she took up oil painting, which she enjoyed. Mrs.
Waldow most of all loved spending time with her family.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her son: Stanley (Dee) Waldow of Longview,
Texas; four daughters: Donna (Jake) Flanigan of Miles
City, Sandra (Dennis) Danforth of Carson City, Nev., Linda
(Dennis) Edwards of Reno, Nev., and Nancy (Sandy) Seright
of Post Falls, Idaho; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren;
and one great-great-grandchild.
Mrs. Waldow was preceded in death by her parents; her
husband: Albert; two brothers; and two grandchildren:
Staci Waldow and a child at infancy.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Stevenson
and Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from
4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, May
9, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles
City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery
in Miles City.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Trinity
Lutheran Church or to the charity of one’s choice.
Harold Quigley
Harold Quigley, 86, of Miles City died Wednesday, May
1, 2013, at his daughter’s home in Miles City surrounded
by his family.
Mr. Quigley was born on Oct. 30, 1926, in Hardin to Bertha
Mae Kerr and Wilfred Ellis Quigley. The family moved to
Carterville where he attended school in Rosebud.
He joined the Navy in 1944. After being discharged he
moved back to the Rosebud/Forsyth area where he met Rose
Marie Litschauer. They were married on Dec. 15, 1947,
and lived on the family farm in Miles City.
After a short time, Mr. and Mrs. Quigley moved back to
Forsyth where he became a brakeman on the railroad. The
family then moved back to Miles City when he began working
at the Veterans Affairs Hospital. Mr. Quigley retired
from the VA after 30 years of service.
His survivors include his son, Ray Quigley of Great Falls;
daughters, Gail Smith of Middleport, N.Y., and Candy Laney
(John) of Miles City; grandchildren, Greg Smith (Chris),
Denise Smoyer, James Smith, Mary Wagner, Jay Smith, Melissa
Smith, Stephanie Laney and Brian Laney; 17 great-grandchildren;
and his special friend, Virginia Brown.
He was preceded in death by his mother; father; brothers,
Bernie and Robert; sister, Lillian Wallin; and his beloved
wife Rose.
Visitation will be Monday, May 6, 2013, at Stevenson and
Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4
to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May
7, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County
Cemetery with full military honors provided by Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 1579.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Shriners
Children’s Hospital or the charity of one’s
choice.
Helen C. "Hinky" Bickle
Helen C. Bickle, or “Hinky” as she was known
by her family, 87, of Broadus, died Monday, April 29,
2013, at her home in Broadus.
She was born on Dec. 11, 1925, in Miles City, the daughter
of Hans and Elizabeth Carney Peterson. She went to grade
school at the Mitchell School at Sonnette, attended high
school in Broadus and graduated from Custer County High
School in Miles City.
After high school she did clerical work for the State
of Montana and was extremely proud of her skill as a typist.
She and Joe Bickle were married in Miles City on July
14, 1945, and they lived in Miles City for several years.
Mr. Bickle worked construction and his job took them to
Los Angeles, Calif., where they lived for 10 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Bickle managed the Cool Retreat Drive Inn
during the 1960s and there is a generation of Powder River
High School alumni from that era who received an education
in discipline from Mrs. Bickle, either as employees or
customers in that establishment. Mrs. Bickle really
enjoyed their time in the Cool Retreat and telling stories
about events there remained a favorite pastime of hers
throughout her life.
Their next move was to Laurel for several years and then
on to Helena where Mrs. Bickle worked for the State of
Montana. They owned a small motor boat and enjoyed boating
and fishing in and around Canyon Ferry.
Following Mr. Bickle’s death and then her retirement
in 1985 Mrs. Bickle moved to Broadus to share a home with
her sister, Betty Gatlin. She and Mrs. Gatlin were mostly
inseparable and you rarely saw one without the other.
In Broadus, Mrs. Bickle worked as a waitress first for
the Cashway Café and later at the Homestead Inn
until 1998 when she retired for a second time. She enjoyed
waitressing because of the people she got to meet and
visit.
Mrs. Gatlin died in 2007 and Mrs. Bickle continued to
live in the home they had shared.
Mrs. Bickle never had any children, and always considered
Mrs. Gatlin’s children her own. She could not have
been more proud of all her nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Bickle is survived by three nephews, Gary Gatlin
(wife Kathi) and Ward Gatlin (wife Ronda) of Broadus and
Mike Bickle (wife Deeon) of Miles City; three nieces,
Judy Badgett of Laurel, Linda Trimmer (husband Ed) of
Sheridan, Wyo., and Jeanne Sparks (husband Richard) of
Broadus; as well as numerous great-nephews and great-nieces;
and several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 39
years, Joe Bickle; her sister, Betty; and her infant brother,
Harry; as well as both of her parents.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 5, 2013, from 1 to 6 p.m.
at the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus.
Funeral services will be in the chapel of Stevenson and
Sons Funeral Home in Broadus on Monday, May 6, 2013, at
11 a.m. Interment will be at a later date in the Custer
County Cemetery in Miles City.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder
River Manor or to the charity of one’s choice.
Ervin Schmidt
Ervin Schmidt, 94, of Miles City died Thursday, April
25, 2013, at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Mr. Schmidt, son of John and Rosina Hoffer Schmidt, was
born Sept. 18, 1918, on the family homestead at Angela.
The family moved to Regent, N.D., when Ervin was one year
old. He attended various country schools as his father
farmed rented land and the family moved frequently. His
mother died when he was two years of age and shortly after
his father remarried. He was blessed with a loving step-mother
and eventually two half-sisters who joined a family of
three brothers and two sisters.
When his father died in 1933, Mr. Schmidt moved with his
oldest brother, Albert, to Montana. He worked for his
brother and other farmers in the Miles City and Rosebud
area. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps program
in 1936, working in western Montana and Idaho for one
and one-half years.
In 1941, Mr. Schmidt married Alice Jane Flippin in Miles
City. To this union two sons, Lloyd and Ronald, were born.
Mr. Schmidt served in the United States Army in the Pacific
during World War II. The family resided in Miles City
until 1948 when they purchased an irrigated farm east
of Miles City. Mr. Schmidt had a passion for farming and
taking care of his land. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt sold the
farm in 1976 and moved back to Miles City.
Mr. Schmidt golfed in a league at the Town and Country
Club and was an avid bowler for 50-plus years. In 1979
he was elected to the Miles City Bowling Hall of Fame.
He was a life member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Moose Lodge, Disabled American Veterans and Elks Lodge.
He also enjoyed fishing and camping in his motor-home.
His survivors include his sons, Lloyd (Janeen) of Billings
and Ronald (Janice) of Holly Hill, Fla.; grandchildren,
Gregory (Anne) Schmidt of Wisconsin, Lori (Travis) Croy
of New York and Tammy (George) Grindstaff, Ricky (Trish)
Schmidt and Kyle Schmidt all of Florida; great-grandchildren,
Elizabeth, Emily, Eden and Evan, all of Florida; plus
a half-sister, Vi Ziepfel of Ohio; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice
in 2008; his brothers, Albert and Art; his sisters, Viola
and Lentina; and his half-sister, Trudy.
Visitation will begin on Sunday, May 5, 2013, at 1 p.m.
in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with
family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services
will be Monday, May 6, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Stevenson and
Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow
in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery with full
military honors provided by VFW Post 1579.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity
of one’s choice.
Phillip Malcolm Curtiss
Philip Malcolm Curtiss, 81-year-old, Master Sergeant retired
United States Air Force, died Sunday, April 28, 2013,
at his home in Miles City after a two-year battle with
cancer.
He was born Aug. 24, 1931, in Circle. Mr. Curtiss was
the fourth child of six born to Ellen and Malcolm Curtiss.
As a boy he loved riding horses, haying for his uncle,
roaming the hills, boxing with his brothers and sweeping
up at the Chevy garage where his father worked. He graduated
from Circle High in 1949.
After he turned 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for
what would be a 20-year career during which he developed
a love for the fighter interceptors on which he repaired
and maintained the radar and electronic systems.
On May 13, 1954, he and Mary Anna Lockhart, who shared
his military life and was the mother of their two children,
Curt and Cindia, were married. Following his Air Force
career the family moved to Circle where he and his wife
and children built their home. Mr. Curtiss drew the floor
plans, was the builder — carpenter, plumber, electrician
and teacher/director of the family building crew.
Collecting garbage for the town of Circle was next, then
on to working for Idland Construction driving the boom
truck, various diggers and cement truck, hammer, saw whatever
was needed he did it. After that business closed he went
to work as a mechanic for Lund Implement, which provided
him employment and also the enjoyment of making on farm
stops to repair swathers, balers and tractors and visit
with area families.
Retirement brought the opportunity to try the snowbird
life. He and his wife spent many winters in the Brenda,
Ariz., area making many friends, taking RV trips into
the desert, digging his toes into the sand, being awed
by the Chocolate Mountains and saguaro cactus and enjoying
the companionship of the “guys” playing desert
golf. When his illness prevented their trips south in
the winter the highlights of his days were visits from
friends and family.
Mr. Curtiss is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary;
sister Bernice and Ford Welch; brother Russell and Maureen
Curtiss; son, Curt and wife, Janna Curtiss and daughter,
Cindia (Curtiss) Miller; grandchildren Owen Curtiss and
Kirsten (Curtiss) Weise and husband Anthony and beloved
great- grandchildren Zoei and Zander Weise.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Ellen
Curtiss; sister Bendinie and husband Bert Lingle; brother
Welcome and wife Ella Curtiss; brother Delmer Curtiss;
and grandson Travis Curtiss.
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 11
a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Placing
of his remains will follow in the Veterans Circle of the
Riverview Cemetery in Circle with full military honors.
Condolences and personal comments can be made on the Web
site at www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations can be made
to the Circle or Miles City fire departments or the charity
of one’s choice.
Phyllis V. Glover
Phyllis V. Glover, 89, of Billings, formerly of Miles
City, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at Aspen Meadows in
Billings with her family by her side.
Mrs. Glover was born to Hillier B. Taylor and Pauline
Bruce Taylor on Feb. 25, 1924, in Powder River County.
She was delivered at home.
In June 1940 she was married to Hubert Hopkins and to
this union two sons were born, Hillier Hopkins and Robert
Hopkins. They divorced in 1946.
She married Vernon D. Cotton. They had a son, Ty R. Cotton,
and a daughter, Jodie G. Cotton. After Mr. Cotton’s
death, she and Harvey R. Glover were married in 1981.
They had lived in Miles City most of their married life.
Mrs. Glover has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
nieces and nephews. A sister, Mildred Blankenship, still
lives and resides in Eugene, Ore.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father and two
sisters, Betty Mann and Vivian Mann.
At Mrs. Glover’s request there will be no services.
Burial will be private, at a later date. Graveside services
will be Saturday, May 4, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the Custer
County Cemetery in Miles City.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stevenson and
Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Condolences may be sent by visiting the Web site: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Robert "Bob" Taron
Robert “Bob” Taron, 70, formerly of Kinsey,
died April 24, 2013, in Tooele, Utah.
Mr. Taron was born Dec. 26, 1942, in Kinsey to Arthur
and Bertha Guab Taron.
He married Alice Marie McPhie, on Nov. 27, 1964. They
were blessed with three children. He served in the Army
during Vietnam. He was a Union Boilermaker (welder) and
skilled fabricator and earned numerous certifications.
He started welding at a young age, helping his dad with
the family business, Art’s Welding. He worked at
the Tooele Army Depot until he retired.
Viewing is Tuesday, April 30, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. in
Tate’s Mortuary in Tooele, and services are at 11
a.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Pine Canyon LDS Church
with viewing one hour prior.
He is survived by his daughter, Holly Shields; his sons,
Troy (Kim) Taron and Shaun (Lori) Taron; nine grandchildren;
ten great-grandchildren and two more on the way; and his
sisters, Deloris, Millie, Violet, Ellen, Rosemary and
Lorraine (Rani).
He was preceded in death by his wife; both parents; his
in-laws, Grace and Dan McPhie; his brother, Gerald (Sonny)
Taron; and his sister, Barbara Nevins.
Helen K. Peterson
Helen K. Peterson, 102, of Moline, Ill., died on Thursday,
April 25, 2013. She was the daughter of Herman and Margaret
Lange, orginal homesteaders near Angela. She attended
school at the Angela School and Custer County High School
in Miles City. Her survivors include two sons, William
Peterson of Moline and Andrew J. Ondrof of Ft. Mill, S.C.;
three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Howard "Sonny" Linger
Howard “Sonny” Linger, 85, of Miles City,
cowboy — family man — friend, died and went
home to his Creator/Savior, Jesus, on Tuesday, April 23,
2013.
Mr. Linger was born on April 9, 1928, to Howard Key and
Doris Hames Linger in Alamosa, Colo. He joined two sisters,
Betty, (John Shawcroft) and Elinor (Bill Votaw). He grew
up on the family ranch and graduated from Hooper High
School.
Rodeo called Mr. Linger early and he was riding cows and
bulls at the Monte Vista “Sky High Stampede”
when he was 14 years old. After a stint serving his country
in the Navy, during the occupation period of South Korea
in the late 1940s and an honorable discharge, Mr. Linger
continued to follow his rodeo dream. Competing in bareback,
saddle bronc, steer wrestling and bull riding, Mr. Linger
competed in the Rodeo Cowboys Association, which is today’s
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, from 1947 to 1961,
primarily competing in saddle bronc and steer wrestling.
He won many awards and buckles and had the highest marked
ride (under the Rodeo Cowboys Assoc. old system of marking)
of 194 points in the saddle bronc riding at the prestigious
Denver Co’s National Western Stockshow and Rodeo
on a horse named “Ten Below,” a mark that
was never equaled nor beat.
Mr. Linger knew rodeo from both sides of the arena fence,
also serving as stock foreman, chute boss and arena director
for Beutler Brothers in Elk City, Okla., from 1949 to
1966. When the National Finals Rodeo was created in 1959
his natural talent for handling livestock got him hired
as chute boss, a position he held through 1968, following
the National Finals Rodeo from Dallas to Los Angeles to
Oklahoma City. He was the Finals’ livestock superintendent
from 1985 to 2003.
Mr. Linger began his own stock contracting firm in 1971,
Linger Rodeo Co., a family-owned concern, producing rodeos
in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Texas and Kansas, as
well as providing stock for the National Western Rodeo
in Denver, Pendleton Round-Up, Rodeo Houston, San Antonio,
and Ft Worth. His experience as a contestant, livestock
producer, chute boss and PRCA rodeo judge, gave him knowledge
in every aspect of rodeo. But it was Mr. Linger’s
great ability with animals that is his legacy. His peers
credit him with knowing and handling rough stock better
and easier than anyone in rodeo.
Highlights of Mr. Linger’s rodeo life were crowned
with his induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado
Springs, Colo., in 1998, and his induction into the National
Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 2011.
Mr. Linger resumed his ranch cowboy life after he and
partner/son Pat Linger sold the rodeo company to Bruce
Ford in 1984. Working for and with Fred Wacker’s
+4 Ranches: calving, branding, chasing yearlings and enjoying
what he called his “playground” consisting
of some 200,000 acres of ‘freedom’.
A hard worker, he was a man of his word, but his family
will remember him most, as just ‘dad,’ who
took the time to shower his affection on the ladies in
his life and to spend the quality time hunting, sports,
and fishing with his sons.
Mr. Linger was married to Ramadine (Gott) in 1948 and
to this union, a daughter, Vicki Rae Wheeler, was born.
In 1952, Mr. Linger married Bess (Turner) and to this
union were born two sons: Larry (Ann) and Pat (Lori),
and a daughter, Amber (Tom Hope). Bess Linger died and
went home to be with her Savior Jesus in 1999. Mr. Linger
married Betty Lancaster in Columbus, N.M., on Feb. 19,
2009.
Mr. Linger is survived by his wife: Betty; son: Larry
Linger (Ann); grandson Matt Linger (wife Arlene and Mason,
Bailey); grandson: Will Linger (wife Ivy and Bailey, Josslyn);
grandson: Brad Linger (wife Emilee); son: Pat Linger (wife
Lori); granddaughter: Teal Lind (husband Jon and Logan);
grandson: Ty Linger (wife Rosalie and Dec and Uriah);
daughter: Vicki Rae Wheeler; granddaughter: Toyah Rae
Nastanovich (husband Mike); granddaughter: Tinah
Elizabeth Strausbaugh (husband Dan and Hayden); daughter:
Amber Hope (husband Tom); grandson: JT Hope (wife Joani
and Lynsie, Trystyn, Cecily); and granddaughter: Sonni
Beth Hope, (friend, Stan Wells).
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at Stevenson
and Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from
4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 1,
2013, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City.
Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans
Cemetery with full military honors provided by Veterans
of Foreign Wars Post 1579.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the VFW
Hall or the charity of one’s choice.
Gene Thomas Buck
Gene Thomas Buck died at the age of 84, Friday, April
26, 2013, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Unit Hospice
in Miles City.
Mr. Buck was born on June 15, 1928, in Minot, N.D., the
son of Harry Buck and Elizabeth Catherwood Buck. He was
educated in Minot and Plaza, N.D. He entered the Army
in 1947.
Upon being honorably discharged from the military he moved
to Miles City to join his parents and sisters where he
met Dorothy Ann Hardesty. They married in Miles City in
1950. His work and professional life was in the grocery
and meat business, he retired from the Montana State Board
of Livestock.
Mr. Buck touched everyone he met. The twinkle in his eye
and his unique sense of humor will be missed by all of
his family and friends.
His survivors include his daughters, Mary Jean (Kelley)
Gaskill of Bozeman and Jo Ann (Greg) Kemmis of Portland,
Ore.; his sister, Merle (Royce) Mathews of Bull Head,
Ariz.; his grandchildren, David Gaskill of Bozeman and
Charla (Tim Rice) Kempa of Helena; his sister-in-law,
Mary Hardesty of Miles City; as well as his nieces and
nephews
Mr. Buck was preceded in death by his beloved Dorothy
who died in 2006; one grandson, Chris Gaskill; his parents;
and two sisters, Harriet Fjetland and Caroline Johnstone.
Mr. Buck’s life was filled with many adventures,
hobbies and experiences. He enjoyed leatherwork, fishing,
hunting, exploring, golf, travel, cross-country skiing,
card playing, canoeing, horsemanship and visiting with
anyone and everyone. His sense of humor, love of God and
Country and of the Eastern Montana High Plains, all served
him well.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 1, 2013, from 1 to 6
p.m. with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 10
a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City.
Interment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery.
Mr. Buck’s family wishes to extend their sincere
thanks to all who loved and cared for him. Should friends
desire, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Healthcare
Hospice or to St. Vincent de Paul.
Milton E. "Milt" Benge
Milton E. “Milt” Benge, 86, of Miles City
died at the Friendship Villa Care Center on Tuesday, April
23, 2013.
Mr. Benge was born July 25, 1926, at Coalwood, the son
of David and Flossie Benge. He attended a rural school
through the eighth grade and graduated from Custer County
High School in 1943. He returned home after graduation
and helped with the farming until he was drafted into
the Army in February 1945.
While on furlough in December 1945, he and Hughette Daily
were married and lived at Camp Crowder, Mo., and Ft. Monmouth,
N.J. After his discharge they returned to the ranch where
he formed a partnership with his brother, Dale, and farmed
for 12 years.
They were blessed with a son, Douglas, and daughters,
Kathryn and Marilyn. Because of an asthmatic condition,
he was forced to sell his portion of the farming and move
to Miles City in 1958.
In 1963 he became partners with Hal Ross in the Recreation
Lanes and worked there until 1976. He then was named Assistant
Administrator of the Custer County Rest Home and later
served as the Administrator until his retirement in 1989.
Music was very important to him. He loved playing with
family and friends at any opportunity. He joined the Eastern
Montana Fiddlers Association and played his fiddle and
bass guitar for many dances and helped play at nursing
homes. He was also active in civic affairs and served
as a Trustee at Miles Community College, a member of the
Rotary Club, on the Board of Directors of the Montana
Health Care Association, past president of the Montana
State Bowling Association, a member of the Miles City
Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of the Eagles
Manor and past president of the Range Riders Museum.
He was admitted to the Friendship Villa in February of
2008 due to a memory problem.
Mr. Benge is survived by his wife, Hughette, of 67 years;
three children, Douglas (Lucy) Benge, Kathryn (Fred) Patten
and Marilyn (Gary) Hendrix; seven grandchildren, Kevin
(Nicole) Benge, Todd (Catrina) Benge, Brett Benge, Krista
(Nate) Jorgenson, Chad Patten, Kimberly (Neil) Patterson
and Gregory (Lindsay) Hendrix; nine great-grandchildren;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers
and one sister.
Visitation will begin on Sunday, April 28, 2013, at 1
p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City
with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral
services will be Monday, April 29, 2013, at 11 a.m. the
Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Interment will
follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
in Miles City with full military honors.
Services are under the direction of Stevenson and Sons
Funeral Home in Miles City.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made
to the First Presbyterian Church, the Range Riders Museum
or to the charity of one’s choice.
Walter Jaeger Jr.
Walter Jaeger Jr., 77, died at his home on Thursday, April
11, 2013. Mr. Jaeger was born in Sidney in 1935.
He attended grade school in Billings and moved to Miles
City in 1947 and finished his schooling at Sacred Heart.
He graduated from Sacred Heart High School.
Mr. Jaeger worked for Hines Motor Supply. He then contracted
and carried mail for the United States Postal Service
from Miles City to Colstrip for more than 30 years.
He loved to bowl and even bowled a 300. Mr. Jaeger belonged
to the Custer Rod and Gun Club and he loved to hunt and
fish. He loved reading books and listening to western
music. Mr. Jaeger loved to play cribbage with Reuben Gable
and his neighbors.
His survivors include his sister, Jo Ann (Rueben) Gable;
two nephews, Robert (Diana) Gable of Spencer Lake, Wash.,
and Douglas Gable of Bonnie Lake, Wash.; a niece, Karen
(George) Aquino of Port Orchard, Wash.; three great-nieces;
two great-nephews; and one great-great-niece.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 27,
2013, at 11 a.m. in the Calvary Cemetery in Miles City.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stevenson and
Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
John G. Weaver
John G. Weaver, 53, of Terry, died unexpectedly on Thursday,
April 18, 2013, in Sidney.
Mr. Weaver was born on July 16, 1959, the son of James
William and Mary Ruth Allen Weaver. He grew up and attended
high school in Newberry, Mich.
After his schooling, Mr. Weaver married Susan Adler and
to this union three children were born, Amy and his twin
daughters, Jackie and Janet. The family moved to Terry
where they raised their three children.
In the earlier years to support his family Mr. Weaver
worked as a fur trapper and in the lumber mills. He was
always very proud of his business (Weaver Tree Cutting),
which he owned and operated by himself for many years.
He worked as a ditch rider and equipment operator for
28 years with Buffalo Rapids.
On Aug. 7, 2004, Mr. Weaver married the love of his life,
Sherry Rilley, in Glendive. They were truly blessed with
the years they were able to spend together. Mr. Weaver
began working in the oilfields two years ago where he
was employed with Black Horse and most recently Concord
Energy Holdings until the time of his death.
As a young man, Mr. Weaver enjoyed snowmobiling and bicycling.
He always loved having a good time with his family and
looked forward to his yearly trips to Deadwood, S.D. He
loved playing darts, hunting and spending time with his
friends. Mr. Weaver will always be remembered for his
sense of humor, being a hard worker and giving a helping
hand to anyone who needed it.
He is survived by his wife: Sherry Weaver of Terry; three
daughters: Amy Weaver (Fide) of Colorado and their
child, Gina Weaver, Jackie (Kory) Wilkins of Michigan
and their children, Shawna Weaver, Elizabeth Wilkins and
Jacob Wilkins, and Janet (Doug) Curtis of South Dakota
and their children, Derrik Luke, Kirstin Multz, Katera
Curtis, Gavin Curtis, Daneye and Tristan Curtis; two step-daughters:
Jessica Thomason and Misty Rilley of Billings; two
step-sons: Cory (Rebel) Rilley of Conrad, and their children,
Kohen and Kennedy Rilley, and Casey (Desi) Rilley of Glendive
and their children, Emily and Jentry Rilley; a brother:
Merle Weaver; nine sisters: Lily (Bryan) Brainerd, Ginger
(Louis) Campbell, Lois (Tony) Jasienski, Kathleen (Mike)
Zuraw, Pauline (Merle) Hunt, Linda (Terry) Dishaw, Robin
(Dan) Ashmore, Sharon (Jim) Holderness and Mary Anne (Mike)
Middleton; and numerous, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers:
Lonnie Weaver and Jim Weaver; and father-in-law, Richard
Kaul.
Visitation will be Friday, April 26, 2013, from 1 to 6
p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral
services will be Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 11 a.m.
at the Wesleyan Church in Terry. Interment will follow
in the Prairie County Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons
Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity
of one’s choice.
Diane Christine Deutscher Ewell
A Celebration of Life for Diane Christine Deutscher Ewell
of Billings, former Plevna resident, will be Saturday,
April 27, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. in the Cremation and Funeral
Gallery, 29 Eighth St. West in Billings. A luncheon will
follow the services in the Union Hall, 108 11th St. West
in Billings.
Jean Smith
Jean Smith, 81, former Terry resident, died Tuesday,
April 16, 2013, at the home of her daughter, Tina Szczepanski
in Yakima, Wash.
She was born in Tacoma, Wash., on June 27, 1931, but spent
her early childhood years in Syracuse, Kan., and Durango,
Colo. She later moved to Terry where she met Lysle Robert
“Bob” Buckingham. They were married on Feb.
16, 1947, in Terry and raised five children there. They
later divorced.
She and Joe “Jae” Leroy Smith were married
on Nov. 20, 1971, in Sheridan, Wyo. They lived in Billings;
Spokane, Wash.; Capistrano Beach, Calif.; and Eureka,
Calif. When Mr. Smith died in 1998, Mrs. Smith moved to
Yakima to be near her daughter.
She is survived by her five children: Larry and Linda
Buckingham, Etta and Jim Burnham and Hal Buckingham, all
of Billings; Tina and Dean Szczepanski of Yakima; and
Julie Kaufman of Miles City. In addition, she is survived
by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Should friends desire, donations may be made to the hospice
program of the donor’s choice, in Mrs. Smith’s
name.
Rainier Memorial Center in Yakima is caring for her arrangements.
No services planned at this time.
Linda Utterback
On April 18th, Linda Rhea Utterback passed
away at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Montana. A
celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday,
April 26th at the Presbyterian Church in Conrad,
Montana.
Linda was born to Frank “Bud” and Nadine Holter
in Miles City, Montana on June 20, 1947. She attended
Miles City Public Schools and graduated from Custer County
High School in 1965. She began her college education at
Miles Community College and graduated from Eastern Montana
College in Billings, Montana with a B.S. In Education
and an extended major in English.
Linda met Lynn Utterback at Eastern and they were married
on May 3, 1969 in Miles City, Montana.
Linda taught full time and part time at several schools
in Montana, including Terry, Sunburst, Fort Benton, Medicine
Lake and Brady. Linda’s first love and true
vocation was her children and family.
Linda and Lynn had two children, a son Cory and a daughter
Kelly. Linda loved nothing more than being with her children.
In later years, Christmas and other vacations were of
such importance that every minute was scheduled and orchestrated
for maximum joy and efficiency. Occasionally, those of the
family less skilled in time management details would
fail to live up to the predetermined agenda and were given
additional coaching.
As her children and extended family grew, so did Linda’s
love for them. Elaborate calendars, highlighting everyone’s
accomplishments and their birthdays were developed,
printed and delivered for Christmas. Daily communications
with family, especially her beloved sisters, were always
part of Linda’s schedule. She was an avid photographer
and an electronic scrapbooker — not surprisingly,
her favorite subject matter was her family. She will be
dearly missed by everyone who knew her.
Linda is survived by Lynn Utterback, her husband of 43
years (Conrad, Montana), her son Cory and his wife Dorinda
(Whitefish, MT), her daughter Kelly and husband Jeremy
Fuhringer (Great Falls, MT), her parents Bud and Nadine
Holter (Miles City, MT), her sister Jody and husband Les
Mahon (Gillette, Wyoming), her sister Jeri Lester (Brady,
MT), her sister Sandi and husband Jim Updyke (Miles City,
MT) and many nephews and nieces who were loved so dearly.
The following are suggested memorials: Sletten Cancer
Institute; Conrad Community Education Foundation.
Monte Harstad
Monte Harstad left his pain and suffering to be with the
Lord on April 19, 2013.
Monte was born in Forsyth October 10, 1960 to John and
Eleanor (Freier) Harstad. He was raised on the family
ranch in Rosebud. Monte graduated Rosebud in 1979 and
continued to work on the family ranch until health problems
forced him to move to Billings.
While receiving dialysis treatments he met the love of
his life, Robyn. Monte received a kidney and pancreas
transplant in 1994 and in 1995 He and Robyn were married.
A cowboy at heart, Monte loved working with his cows,
horses and dogs. Monte and Robyn made their home on a
ranch near Pryor.
Monte is survived by his wife Robyn (Kramer) Harstad,
mother Eleanor Harstad Neurohr and stepfather John Neurohr
of Miles City, stepchildren Josh and Chanelle Quesenberry
of Billings, brother-in-law John Ottun of Ballentine,
father-in-law Larry Kramer of Billings, sisters-in-law
Melanie (Todd) Jansma of Molt, Kathy (Warren) of Las Vegas,
Lori (Kyle) of Billings, Crystal Harstad of California,
and numerous cousin, nieces, aunts and uncles.
Preceded in death: father John Harstad, sisters Lynda
Ottun and Peggy Harstad, brother Rowland Limberhand Harstad,
mother-in-law Pat Kramer, and grandparents.
We will miss you, Monte, your wonderful smile, and your
natural way of making people laugh. We love you!
Special thanks to all the doctors and nurses that cared
for Monte and to all the people who donated to his transplant
fund back in 1994.
Funeral services will be held 1p.m. Wednesday, April 24,
at Faith Chapel, located at 517 Shiloh Road. Visitation
begins at 5 p.m. Monday, April 22, at Smith West Chapel,
located at 304 34 Street West. Cremation will follow the
service.
Memorials can be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund,
National Kidney Foundation, or charity of choice.
Marian Meland
Marian Meland, 86, of Terry, died peacefully at the Prairie
Community Hospital in Terry of natural causes.
Marian Brown was born on March 30, 1927, the daughter
of Ralph and Florence Brown at Eau Claire, Wis. She grew
up and attended school in Oakland, Ore., where she graduated
from high school.
On Nov. 24, 1979, she married the love of her life, Pete
Meland, in Petersburg, Alaska. They made their home in
Sitka, Alaska, for a short period of time until Mr. Meland’s
retirement.
They moved to Monona, Iowa, where they lived for six years.
In 1989 they moved to Myrtle Creek, Ore., to be closer
with family and built a new home. They resided in the
Myrtle Creek and Roseburg area there until the time of
Mr. Meland’s death. In 2006 Mrs. Meland moved to
Fallon where she remained until the time of her death.
Mrs. Meland loved fishing, hunting, cooking and truly
loved doing crafts. She was an avid quilter and loved
to sew and do oil paintings.
Dan and Dawnya Kirkpatrick took special care of Mrs. Meland
for the last several years. She truly enjoyed her time
with them and she grew especially fond of their children,
Micah and Shawnee.
Mrs. Meland is survived by her children, Frank (Judy)
Cramer of Fallon, Dave (Sue) Meland of Salem, Ore., Mike
(Paula) Cramer of Myrtle Creek, Ore., and Carolyn Cramer
of Sutherlin, Ore.; four grandchildren, Shasta Gish, Russell
Cramer, Keith Cramer and Rebecca Cramer; and numerous
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete; and one
brother, Delmar Brown.
A memorial service will be Monday, April 22, 2013, at
1:30 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Terry.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:
www.stevensonandsons.com.
