Archived Marriage Records
Reese Kern
ISLAND PARK — Reese Shipley Kern, an Aspen Ridge summer resident, passed away Oct. 29, 2008, in Loveland, Colo., after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born May 5, 1922, in Preston, to Alfred and Amy Kern. He graduated from Preston High School in 1940. In 1947, Reese graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and served with distinction in the Marine Corps in both World War II and again in Korea.
He married Rae Christine Madsen on March 19, 1945, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They are the parents of seven children. Reese spent his professional career working as a chemical engineer and nuclear physicist. He was a construction project manager of the Power Burst Facility experimental reactor located west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was a successful businessman and co-founder of an environmental recovery company in Grand Junction, Colo. During his lengthy career, he worked for Standard Oil, Phillips Petroleum, Allied Chemical and Norman Engineering.
Reese was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities and callings throughout his life. He served as a stake missionary, high councilman, member of several bishoprics, full-time missionary with his wife, Rae, in Apalachicola, Fla., temple worker and counselor in the Denver Temple Presidency. He most recently served as a temple sealer. One of the highlights of his life was that he had performed the marriages of most of his espoused grandchildren and his son, Robert.
Although he had a lifelong passion for horses and the outdoors -- his last act before entering Hospice was to attend to his horse, Indy, in Stringtown, Colo. -- the love of his life was his wife, Rae, and the family they founded together.
Reese is survived by his wife, Rae of Loveland; sons, Richard (Jaci), Ralph (Connie), Paul (Kathie) and Rob (Cindy); daughters, Marilyn Arrington (Howard), Jane McGee and Holly Thomas (Mike); and brothers, Earl (Irma) and Demar (Doris). His posterity includes 40 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Regina Brown and the nursing staff at Poudre Valley Hospital, as well as Gary Jacobson, for giving them one more year with their father.
A memorial service was Saturday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. at the LDS chapel at 1445 W. 28th St. in Loveland. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Perpetual Education Fund at lds.org/pef. Friends' communication can be sent to 113 Stillwater, Idaho Falls, ID 83404.
Katheryn Helen Ritzhaupt Ives
Katheryn Helen Ritzhaupt Ives, 89, passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at home, surrounded by her family.
Katheryn was born in Sugar City, Idaho, on July 5, 1919, to Emil Arthur Ritzhaupt and Lilet Ruth Parsons Adams. She grew up in St. Anthony, where she attended grade school and high school. She studied journalism for two years at Colorado Women's College.
She married Frank Exor Ives on Nov. 1, 1942, in her family's St. Anthony home. After World War II, they returned to the family farm to live and raise their three children. They celebrated 66 years of life together. Katheryn's life reflected her faith. She gave of herself to others. She was an active member of the Community Presbyterian Church in St. Anthony. She served her church over the years holding the offices of elder, deacon and clerk of session. She was a member of the International P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Cloverleaf Rebekah Lodge in Ashton and volunteered in her community for the Red Cross Blood Drive. She worked as a secretary and in the testing program for virus-free seed potatoes for the University of Idaho at the Tetonia Experiment Station for many years. Katheryn loved her flowers and garden. We teased her that she grew enough food for the whole county! She was loved and known to all as the "Energizer Bunny." She opened her home to many and was known for her warmth and gracious hospitality.
She is survived by her husband, Frank Exor Ives; her children, Carole Lynn Ives (Rick Paquette) of Vashon, Wash., Stephen E. (Cyndi) Ives of Arlington, Texas, Mary Theresa "Terri" (Jim) Knox of St. Anthony, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Helen Kimble of Eureka, Calif.; and nieces and nephews.
Her family will host a "Celebration of Life" for her next spring at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations to her church or one of her organizations or Hospice Alliance would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made directly or coordinated through Bert Flamm Mortuary.
Josephine Bessey
ASHTON — Jo Brejcha Bessey, 88, of Ashton died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008, at the Ashton Living Center. She was born on January 26, 1920, in Antigo, Wisconsin, to Joseph Brejcha and Anna Cernoch Brejcha.
Jo, also know as Josey or Pepka, was born into an immigrant family from Czechoslovakia. She grew up in a family of nine children, a family that maintained much of their Czech heritage including speaking the language at home.
As a young adult Jo had a full circle of friends, worked in the Woolworth store in town, and enjoyed activities like roller skating and dancing.
On June 22, 1946, she married Bill Bessey and was blessed with a union of 61years. They traveled to Idaho for their honeymoon and a short time later moved there permanently, taking up residence first in Marysville, then in Mack’s Inn for five summers and finally settling in Ashton.
The marriage was blessed with three children: Linda, Ted, and John, and later with four grandchildren.
Jo had many interests and hobbies which included card playing, stamp and coin collecting, a love of fishing, and being a good cook, famous for her pies. She also maintained a large vegetable garden and a raspberry patch. She took great joy in her beautiful rose garden.
Jo was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and participated as a Christian education teacher, a member of the altar guild, and participated in various women’s group programs and activities.
Jo is survived by her three children: Linda DeAmicis and her husband Jan of New Hartford, New York; Ted Bessey and his wife Cindy of Oakland, Maryland; and John Bessey of Ashton, Idaho. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Justin DeAmicis of New Hartford, NY; Rachel and Samantha Bessey of Oakland, Maryland; and Megan Bessey Rohrbaugh and her husband Brandon of Keyser, West Virginia. Jo is also survived by a brother Joe Brejcha and his wife Donna of Glendale, Wisconsin. Her husband Bill died in 2007.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of the Ashton Living Center for making a home for Jo and providing her with a loving and caring community. We are truly grateful for the kindness and compassion that gave Jo a place of peace, dignity, and joy during her later years.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashton. The family will receive friends Monday evening, Nov. 3, from 6 to 7:30 at Baxter Funeral Home in Ashton; and Tuesday for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Ashton Pineview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Lutheran World Relief (World Hunger), care of Zion Lutheran Church, Ashton, Idaho.
Katheryn Helen Ritzhaupt Ives
Katheryn Helen Ritzhaupt Ives, 89, passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at home, surrounded by her family.
Katheryn was born in Sugar City, Idaho, on July 5, 1919, to Emil Arthur Ritzhaupt and Lilet Ruth Parsons Adams. She grew up in St. Anthony, where she attended grade school and high school. She studied journalism for two years at Colorado Women's College.
She married Frank Exor Ives on Nov. 1, 1942, in her family's St. Anthony home. After World War II, they returned to the family farm to live and raise their three children. They celebrated 66 years of life together. Katheryn's life reflected her faith. She gave of herself to others. She was an active member of the Community Presbyterian Church in St. Anthony. She served her church over the years holding the offices of elder, deacon and clerk of session. She was a member of the International P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Cloverleaf Rebekah Lodge in Ashton and volunteered in her community for the Red Cross Blood Drive. She worked as a secretary and in the testing program for virus-free seed potatoes for the University of Idaho at the Tetonia Experiment Station for many years. Katheryn loved her flowers and garden. We teased her that she grew enough food for the whole county! She was loved and known to all as the "Energizer Bunny." She opened her home to many and was known for her warmth and gracious hospitality.
She is survived by her husband, Frank Exor Ives; her children, Carole Lynn Ives (Rick Paquette) of Vashon, Wash., Stephen E. (Cyndi) Ives of Arlington, Texas, Mary Theresa "Terri" (Jim) Knox of St. Anthony, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Helen Kimble of Eureka, Calif.; and nieces and nephews.
Her family will host a "Celebration of Life" for her next spring at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations to her church or one of her organizations or Hospice Alliance would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made directly or coordinated through Bert Flamm Mortuary.
Gwen Lee Swanstrum
ASHTON — Gwenna J. Lee Swanstrum 78, of Ashton passed away on Friday, November 21, 2008 in Idaho Falls.
She was born September 12, 1930 in Hibbard Idaho to Earl and Emma Lee. She attended schools in the area and graduated from Madison High School in Rexburg. On September 24, 1948 she married Richard P. Swanstrum of Ashton at her parents’ home in Hibbard. They had three children: Fred, Bonnie and Tom.
Bud and Gwen recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their children.
Gwen was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She worked as a teller for Valley Bank and also took flower orders for Rexburg Floral for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church. Gwen enjoyed camping and crocheting, was an avid gardener, and a fabulous cook. Her grandchildren thought she made the best quilts in the world. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Gwen is survived by her husband Bud of Ashton; children Fred E. Swanstrum of Ashton, Bonnie (Walt) McCurdy of Meridian, Tom (Lill) Swanstrum of Kuna; her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister Evva Lenz of Utah; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Orrin Lee, John Lee, Ivan Lee, Fern Stevens and Faye Mortensen.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday November 26, at the Ashton Community United Methodist Church, 178 South 5th, Ashton The family will visit with friends from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday November 25 at Baxter Funeral Home, 717 Main Street in Ashton and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery
in Ashton.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ashton Community United Methodist Church.
Barbara Ann Wardle Worrell
Barbara Ann Wardle Worrell, 55, passed away at her home on Nov. 14, 2008, in Bountiful, Utah.
Barbara was born May 15, 1953, in Omaha, Neb. She was adopted by Blaine V. and Faye LaPreal Seedall Wardle of Egin Bench, Idaho. She attended school at Parker Elementary and graduated from South Fremont High School. She graduated from Ricks College with an associate degree and attended Utah State University.
On Aug. 1, 1975, she married Harry Marcus Worrell in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Marcus and Barbara had six children, Jennifer Ann Cook of North Salt Lake, Utah, Marcus Blaine of Farmington, Utah, Kathryn Faye (Todd) Brenneise of Bountiful, Utah, Robert Allen of Salt Lake City, Utah, Karen Lynn of Boston, Mass., and Laura Marie Ridge of Bountiful, Utah. Barbara and Marc lived in St. Anthony, Olympia, Wash., Stockton, Calif., Salt Lake City, Utah, Baton Rouge La., Santa Fe, N.M., and Centerville, Utah. They were later divorced in l993. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She willingly served many positions in the church. Her greatest love was her family and helping others. She was a peacemaker and had a huge heart.
She is survived by her mother; her children; 10 grandchildren; siblings, Rick (Wanda) Davidson of Idaho Falls, Linda Hemsley of Sugar City, Carol (Tom) Percell of Boise and Marie (Scott) Wynn of Schawnburg, Ill. She was preceded in death by her father, Blaine, in Apr. 2007.
Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Nov. 22, in the Parker LDS Church with Bishop Douglas Hanks officiating. Friends may call from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Bidwell Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in Parker Cemetery. The family request in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to any Wells Fargo bank in Barbara's name.
Arva Christensen
Longtime resident of Ennis, Arva Pulley Christensen, 76, passed away suddenly Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008.
Arva was born Aug. 31, 1932 to Charles and Ethel Pulley in Egin, Idaho. She and her five siblings were raised on the family farm outside of Rexburg, Idaho. She attended grade school in Egin and high school in St. Anthony, Idaho.
After graduating high school, Arva attended one year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She married Robert Taylor of St. Anthony in January of 1952. They divorced, and two years later Arva met and married the love of her life, Carole Peter "Pete" Christensen, of West Yellowstone, on Feb. 16, 1954. Pete and Arva had two daughters, Tanya and Susan, and in 1964 they settled in Ennis.
Pete and Arva owned the Silver Dollar Bar and Steakhouse until 1972. During this time, Arva tended bar during the day while Pete worked construction or guided fisherman on the river. In the evening, Arva was a one-woman show most nights in the steakhouse, cooking, waiting tables and washing dishes. Feeding people was something that came naturally for her. There were always places set at her tables for the neighborhood kids and her ever-growing list of friends.
After selling the bar, Arva worked at Cyprus Industrial Minerals and managed the Riverside Motel. She stopped working in 1985, when Pete retired from Cyprus. The two spent the next five years traveling in their RV, finally settling in Overton, Nev. They spent the next nine winters there. They returned to Ennis permanently in 1999 to be close to Arva's doctors due to a heart condition. They enjoyed being back in Ennis close to their children, grandchild and new great-grandchildren as well as their lifelong friends.
Arva was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and two sisters.
She is survived by her husband, Pete Christensen of Ennis; daughters, Tanya Christensen of Afton, Wyo., and Susan Christensen of Ennis; granddaughter, Melodie (Jake) Johnson and two great-grandchildren Lyric and Alee Johnson of Afton, Wyo.; two sisters, Verlene Grover of Pahrump, Nev., and Janet (Kay) Cordingley of Rexburg, Idaho; and her two grand-dogs Bridger and Tufee.
Services will be held at the LDS Church, 133 Montana Highway 287, Ennis, at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17. A graveside service will be held outside of Rexburg, Idaho, at the Plano Cemetery. Please contact 307-360-6229 for directions.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions in memory of Arva be made to the Madison Valley Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 397, Ennis, MT 59729.
