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Harry S. Powers
TORRINGTON, Wyo.: Harry S. Powers, 92, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Community Hospital in Torrington.
At his request no services are being held. Cremation has taken place.
Harry was born on Sept. 8, 1906, at Moorhead, Mont., one of nine children to homesteaders Roy and Roxie Ann (Carpenter) Powers. He had two brothers, Victor and Jerry and six sisters, Gladys French, Betty Eckerson, Mildred (Sug) Nayes, Margie Moss, Josephine Parker, and Doris Klopp.
Harry grew up in the Powder River area. In 1928 he married
Rosa Belle Kelsey. They had six children; H. Burton, Shafter, Calif., Margie Bowden, Los Alimitos, Calif., Leroy, Sheridan, Wyo., Carole Welsh, Yarnell, Ariz., Lynn, Sidney, Mont., and Jim Kale, Miles City, Mont. They were later divorced.
Harry married
Nellie (Porter) Moran on May 1, 1950. They lived in several states while he was employed by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation. In 1974 Harry retired and he and Nellie moved to Columbus, Mont. They lived there until Nellie's death in December 1995. Harry lived briefly in Greenhaven, Ariz., and 18 months in Torrington before his death.
Harry is survived by his sisters: Margie Moss, Payson, Ariz., Josephine Parker, Sheridan, Wyo., Dee Klopp, Huntington Beach, Calif.; his children and their spouses; step-children: Chet Moran, Columbus, Mont., Beverly King, Lakewood, Colo., step-daughters-in-law Shirley Eastlick, Columbus, Mont., Aileen Hackley, Sidney, Mont., and their families; 17 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
Carl F. Seebaum
POWELL, Wyo. - Carl F. Seebaum, 86, died Friday, Feb. 26, at the Powell Hospital.
Cremation has taken place, and the cremated remains will be spread at a later date. No services are planned, according to Carl's wishes. Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home was in charge.
Robert Sees the Ground
CROW AGENCY - Robert Sees the Ground, 65, of Crow Agency, died Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, in the Crow Agency IHS Hospital.
He was born Nov. 14, 1933, in Crow Agency, a son of Peter Grey Bull and Cynthia Sees the Ground. He grew up and attended school in Crow Agency.
Robert worked on various ranches throughout Montana and Wyoming as a cowboy. During his younger years, he was a bareback rider in local rodeos. He enjoyed caring for and riding horses. He also loved being around his grandchildren.
He was a member of the Catholic Church, Whistling Water Clan and Child of the Big Lodge Clan.
Survivors include two adopted daughters, Connie Brown and Velda Deputee of Crow Agency; six half sisters, Rosalie Hill, Priscilla Flatmouth, Bethanna Medicine Horse, Etheleen Dreamer of Lodge Grass, Beverely Huber and Alma Anderson of Billings; one half brother, Peter Grey Bull of Lodge Grass; two adopted sisters, Roberta Steinmetz and Thelma Jefferson of Crow Agency; and 11 grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in the Crow Agency St. Dennis Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Crow Agency cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Louise Van Nice
LAUREL - Louise Van Nice, 80, of Laurel passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Billings Deaconess Medical Center.
A daughter of Ernest and Goldie Laipple, Louise was born in her father's homestead cabin near Hazny, Garfield County, on March 25, 1918. She attended one room schools with her mother as her teacher through the grades. An excellent student, she graduated salutatorian from Garfield Co. High School in 1935 and from E.M.S.N.S. (Eastern) in 1937. After college she taught one term of school at the Victory School near Boyd in Carbon County.
In the late 30's she met and fell in love with Harold S. Van Nice and they were married
June 12, 1938, at Laurel where Harold had his photography studio. Together they raised their six children and worked to build the studio business. After their children were all in school, she started her career as a secretary at the Boy Scout office in Billings in 1959.
Over the years, she was active in her church and community affairs. She was a member of the Methodist Church and later the New Apostolic Church. She was a member of Evergreen Rebekah Lodge #86 in Laurel. Louise was presented with the Decoration of Chivalry as the highest award a Rebekah can get. She had been a Den Mother approximately 12 years for her four sons and was awarded the Silver Beaver for her efforts in Scouting. She was a member of Senior Citizens and was given a clock for outstanding community service to Seniors in 1995.
Louise was a very intelligent woman of strong character with faith in God and her religion. She led by example and gentle words of advice. She was a wise and caring mother, wife and friend. Her family and friends shall surely miss her presence on earth but know they have gained an angel in Heaven.
In passing, Louise joins her parents, her daughter, Cathy, her husband, Harold, her brother, John Laipple and her granddaughter, Faith Van Nice and friends that have gone on before her.
Louise is survived by her sons: Lee (Helen) of Corvallis, Ore., Jim (Liz) of Missoula, Rob (Polli) of Laurel, and Don (Andree') of Missoula; a daughter, Ro Anne (Larry) McVay of Tacoma, Wash.; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two nieces and many cousins and their families.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 1999, at Laurel United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Laurel cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Boy Scouts Of America. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Monday at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel.
Max Gale Westbrook
POLSON - Max Gale Westbrook, 82, of Polson and formerly of Clyde Park, passed away early Friday morning, Feb. 26, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
Mr. Westbrook was born July 15, 1916, in Dry Valley at Comstock, Neb., the son of Oral and Marie Westbrook. He attended elementary school at Comstock and high school in Lincoln, Neb.
Mr. Westbrook began a career in truck driving at the age of 17, working for C. W. Swingle, Inc. in Lincoln, Neb.
On March 4, 1939, he married
Margaret McCoy at Rising City, Neb., a marriage that lasted 60 years. In 1942 the Westbrooks moved to Bozeman where he worked on several farms and ranches. During WWII, he was employed by the Kessler Dairy in Bozeman. He also worked for the Carpenter and Enaboe Cattle Co. at Gallatin Gateway.
In 1952 the Westbrooks purchased a ranch on the west slopes of the Crazy Mountains near Clyde Park. He continued to farm that land until his retirement in 1994. In the fall of 1998 Max and Margaret sold their holdings and moved to Polson.
Mr. Westbrook was a skilled mechanic and loved the land he tilled and cattle he raised. He was a fine provider, was proud of his children and was a generous grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Polson; three daughters and their husbands, Carol and Dennis Jones of Polson, Barbara and Tom Croston of Red Lodge and Margale and Sam Prestipino of Helena; a brother, Glenn Westbrook of Rockford, Ill.; two sisters, Dellora Hill of Beloit, Wis., and Eunice McNeil of Lincoln, Neb.; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Melvin.
Visitation will be Monday, March 1, from 9 a.m. until noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Clyde Park United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Park View Memorial Gardens south of Livingston. The Grogan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements in Polson.
John W. Hardy
FAIRVIEW - John W. Hardy, 85 of Fairview died Saturday, Feb. 13, 1999, at the Extended Care Facility, Sidney. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, 1999, 10 a.m. at Community Presbyterian Church Fairview. The family vigil service will be Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, 5:30 at the church. The vigil for John will be continued Thursday at 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Friends are welcome to visit the church during these times.
On Jan. 2, 1914, John the fourth child of Charles and Jennie Hardy was born. He had the distinction of being born in a hospital on the North Dakota side of State Street whereas his older brothers and sister were born in the family log house. When not helping around the farm, John spent his young life hunting and riding his horse in the Big Opening. He often wished he had lived in the time of the mountain man.
John received his education from the local school as he refused to be sent to a boarding school.
Because of this decision he completed his education at the 8th grade level.
Around 1930 John joined the family farm and lamb-feeding business. The land was homesteaded by his mother Jennie (Benoit) Hardy in 1900. The farm patent papers were personally signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. John spent a lifetime leveling the land and making it good for farming. He took great pride in making the original homestead one of the best farms in the valley. He also continued to feed sheep, as did his father.
John married
the local teacher Helen L. Hardy on June 20, 1936, in Glasgow. After a six week honeymoon in Alaska, the couple returned to the family farm near Fairview where they spent their nearly 62 years of marriage. After John and Helen retired they spent many winters traveling throughout the states. Eventually, they made Arizona their winter home.
John enjoyed fishing and hunting as hobbies and farming and livestock raising as both vocation and hobby. He was a member of the B.P.OE. and one of the original Lamb Feeder Tour organizers.
John is survived by his brother-in-law Jack (Ann) Jeffrey, Green Valley, Ariz., his three children Ann (Arthur) Bratland, Warrenville, Ill.; Jack (Linda) Hardy, Leah (Michael) Ritland; Lynette (Tom) Dancoes; Jana (Brad) Wixom; Myra (Ron) Stultz; and Jason Johnson. John's seventeen great-grandchildren are Matt and Stacey Sannes, Micaela, Courtney, and Johnathon Bratland, Caitlin and William Bratland; Cory, Greg, Katie, and Ben Hardy; Karly and Brady Ritland; Andy, Alex and Nick Wixom and Nicolette Johnson.
Preceding John in death were his wife Helen; his parents Charles and Jennie Hardy; his brothers, Benoit and Ambrose Hardy; and his sister Denise (Hardy) Flynn
Under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Gertrude Irvine
BAKER - Gertrude Irvine, 93, of Baker passed away on Sunday, Feb. 14, 1999, at the Fallon Medical Complex following a short illness. She was born on Feb. 8, 1906, the daughter of Stanley H. and Gertrude Vogt North at Napa, Idaho. She moved with her parents on an immigrant train to Baker where they homesteaded in the Medicine Rocks area. The Medicine Rocks Church now sits on the land which was donated by the North family. Gertrude attended country school through the eighth grade, later graduating from the Baker High School in 1924. She enjoyed playing basketball during school, traveling by train to many of the area towns to play. She attended summer school in Billings and Miles City where she received her teaching certificate. Gertrude was married
to Wilbur Irvine on Dec. 27, 1924, in Ekalaka. Wilbur and Gertrude purchased a farm 15 miles southwest of Baker where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives. In their earlier years, Gertrude and Wilbur enjoyed attending area dances. Gertrude taught school for several years at the Ehret Country School. She especially loved and enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and will always be remembered by her buns and rolls which she would always prepare for the family gatherings. Gertrude still enjoyed watching or listening to the basketball games no matter who was playing.
Survivors include: a daughter, Carol Bechtold and her husband, Bennie of Baker; two sons: Bob Irvine and his wife, Delores of Baker and Lloyd Irvine and his wife, Leona of Billings; nine grandchildren and twenty five great-grandchildren;
She was preceded in death by her husband, R.W. Wilbur Irvine, her parents, three brothers: Victor, Albert and an infant brother; two sisters: Laura Irvine and Josephine Blaser.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Stevenson's Funeral Home in Baker. Pastor Dave Olson of the American Lutheran Church win be officiating. Burial will be in the family lot of the Bonnievale cemetery in Baker. Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker is in charge of the arrangements.
Frank C. Krank
DICKINSON, N.D. - Frank C. Krank, 79, of Dickinson, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1999, at St. Joseph Hospital and Health Center in Dickinson.
Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 13, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Dickinson. Graveside services were held in St. Pius Catholic cemetery in Schefield, N.D. Ladbury Funeral Service of Dickinson was in charge of arrangements.
Bernard Francis McNelly
At the age of 84, Bernard McNelly, of Billings, died at St. Vincent Hospital on Sunday, Feb. 14, 1999. Bernie was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sept. 23, 1914, the son of William and Margaret (Sullivan) McNelly.
He was raised and attended school through the 12th grade in Bemidji, Minn. On May 15, 1939, Bernie was united in marriage to Lucille R. Werner in Bemidji, Minn. They resided there until moving to Billings in 1948. Bernie and Lucille had 59 years of marriage together. Lucille died on July 31, 1998.
He was a partner in the Billings Paint and Body Shop for 10 years.
Bernie was a lifetime member of the VFW. He had served in the US Army during WWII in the European Theater. He was also a member of the Iron Workers Union.
Survivors include his daughters: Pat Wicks of Anoka, Minn., and Luann Wilberg of Billings; his son, William Werner of Ft. Wayne, Ind., five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: and his sister, Margaret Riley of Alexandria, Va. He was preceded in death by his wife, two brothers and one sister.
Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb.18, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 127 Alderson. Billings 59102.
Katie Michael Moran
Katie Michael Moran, 16, of Billings, died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Friday, Feb. 12, 1999.
Born on Feb. 5, 1983, in Billings, Katie is the daughter of Michael and Marlene (Meyer) Moran. Katie attended Arrowhead Elementary School and later transferred to St. Francis Upper School. She was a sophomore at Billings Central Catholic High School, where she was a 4.0 honor student who excelled both academically and athletically. She was a past recipient of the Butch Salazar Sportsmanship Award and the Elks Student of the Year award. Katie played volleyball, softball and basketball for the Billings Central Rams. She also loved modeling, dance, skiing and snowboarding. After a trip to London last summer, Katie's greatest dream was to attend graduate school at Oxford.
Survivors include her parents, Mike and Marlene and a brother Chad, of the family home; grandfathers, M.A. Moran of Great Falls, and Weldon H. Meyer of Billings; uncles, John and his wife Leslie Moran of Missoula, Joseph and his wife Toni Meyer of Laurel and Thomas and his wife Rhonda Meyer of Billings; aunts, Susan Moran of Long Beach, Calif., Barbara and her husband Ed Kraft, Debbie and her husband Steve Marshall, and Janet and her husband Mike Maroncelli all of Billings.
She was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Mary Ellis Moran and Lucille 'Cile' Meyer.
A vigil service will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at St. Pius. Rite of Committal will be in Holy Cross cemetery.
Goodbye my Katie, we love you.
Memorials may be made to Billings Area Catholic Education Trust (BACET), Box 31158, Billings 59107 or to the St. Pius Building Fund, 717 18th St. West, Billings 59102. Dahl Funeral Chapels is in charge of arrangements.
James 'Pete' Petosa
COLUMBUS - Pete died Feb. 11 in the Beartooth Manor. He was born March 13, 1911 on the family farm on the Stillwater, two miles south of Columbus, the last of 13 children born to Pasquale and Maria Petosa. He married
Eunice Lund and had a daughter, Darlene.
He lived in the Columbus area most of his life, and worked on local ranches and in mines at Nye, Butte and Helena. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing cards, had a fine sense of humor and could always laugh at himself.
Survivors include his daughter, granddaughter and grandson in Seattle and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 12 siblings, all of whom lived to old age.
Graveside services are pending with Smith Funeral Home-Columbus.
Isabell E. Phillips
Isabell E. Phillips, 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Billings, Feb. 14, 1999. Born in Billings in 1912, Isabell was one of three children of Mary and Jacob Rung. Shortly after her birth the family moved to Billings where she grew up and received her education. Isabell married
Joe Kocherhans, and resided in San Francisco during the years of his military service after which she and Joe made their home in Lovell, Wyo. After the death of Joe, Isabell remained in Wyoming. She later married
Wilbur Phillips of Powell. Following the death of Wilbur in 1957, Isabell once again made Billings her home. She worked as bookkeeper for Vaughn Ragsdale and later for M-DU, retiring from there in 1978. She had made her home for the last four years with her nephew, Bob Glasgow and his family.
Isabell's life revolved around her family, who loved her so much, and her many beloved pets. She was always there to support family and friends, and was a constant donor to the Billings Animal Shelter, as well as many other pet organizations. She spent her last years surrounded by the things she loved: family and four dogs. The sign on her bedroom door read "Woof Den". Her happiest moments were the cheery morning kisses and licks she received from all four dogs, as they bounced on her bed, competing with each other for her attention.
Isabell's survivors include a sister, Minnie Glasgow; nephews, Bob Glasgow (Loraye) and Gary Glasgow, of Billings; a great-niece, Michelle Glasgow, of Billings, great-nephews, Bobby Glasgow of Denver, Colo., Gary P. Glasgow and Gregg Glasgow, of Billings.
A vigil service will be held 6 p.m., Wednesday, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m., Thursday, at St. Thomas the Apostle with Rite of Committal in Holy Cross cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Billings Animal Shelter or organization of your choice.
