Search Archived Marriage Records
J.D. McKenna
CASPER, Wyo. - James David "J.D." McKenna, 77, formerly of Sheridan, died Sunday, June 27, 1999, at his home.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 1, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Vaughn Jay Schanz
POWDER RIVER - Vaughn Jay Schanz, age 14, passed away on Friday, June 25, 1999, on the family ranch on the Powder River, as a result of a lightning strike.
Vaughn was born on Aug. 15, 1984, at Miles City. He attended the Trail Creek School on the Powder River through the eighth grade. Vaughn was very active in community brandings and other activities. He was also very active in the church and the youth group. Vaughn especially enjoyed his family and was very helpful to his brother and sisters. One goal Vaughn had was to tour the United States, and he had high hopes to become a pilot. He had a great love for Jesus as his Savior and Lord. He was a good witness and set a wonderful example. Vaughn tried to live out his faith.
He is the son of Cassie and stepfather, Bill Erickson of Powder River, with a mailing address of Ismay, and the late Kary J. Schanz. He is also survived by a brother, Andrew Ray Schanz; two sisters: Rosalie Anne Schanz and Libby Lei Erickson; three grandmothers: Helen Schanz of Juneau, Alaska, Pat Campbell of Miles City, and Varna Erickson of Sturgis, S.D.; great-grandparents: Joe and Marie Hafla of Miles City, Lucille Varnado of Miles City, and Ted Cavill of Plains; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by three grandfathers: Johnny Schanz, Kenneth Campbell and Alden Erickson; and an infant sister, Emily.
A prayer service will be on Wednesday, June 30, 1999, at 6 p.m. in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 1, 1999, at 2 p.m. at the Grace Bible Church with Pastors Larry Phalen and Bill Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Custer County cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made in care of Bill and Cassie Erickson, HC 80, Box 2, Ismay, MT 59336.
Vera Mae Smith
TERRY - Vera Mae Smith, 88, of Terry, died Saturday, June 26, 1999, at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.
Family and friends will meet at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home to proceed to the Prairie County cemetery for Graveside Rites at 2 p.m.
Roberta 'Bobbie' Teel
CODY, Wyo. - Roberta "Bobbie" Teel passed away June 27, 1999, at the Powell Long Term Nursing Home after a long period of Alzheimer's disease.
She was born July 22, 1912, in Bristol, S.D., the daughter of Robert and Jennie Holmberg. She was raised and attended school in Bristol and graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.
Bobbie traveled West to work at Yellowstone Park in 1939 where she met her husband, Morris Teel. She taught school in Greybull from 1939-1940. She and Morris were married
in 1940. They are parents of Ronald Teel of Fairbanks, Alaska, Patricia Ressler of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Virginia Halcomb of Corona, Calif.
Bobbie enjoyed her children, golf, crossword puzzles, bridge, sewing, traveling with her husband and children. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church in Cody.
In addition to Morris, Ronald, Patricia and Virginia, she is also survived by her grandchildren, James Teel of Los Angeles, Calif., Wendy Teel of Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI, Steve Ressler and Sarah Ressler of Cincinnati.
Visitation will be held at the Ballard's Mortuary, Wednesday evening, June 30, 6-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 1, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Cody. Internment will follow at Riverside cemetery.
The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, memorials to Roberta be sent to the Wyoming Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 851, Casper, WY 82602-0851, or First Presbyterian Church Organ Fund, 2025 23rd St., Cody, WY 82414.
Phillip R. Trumbo
Phillip R. Trumbo, 67, formerly of Miles City and Jordan, died Saturday, June 26, 1999, at Western Manor in Billings.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 2, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church with interment in the family lot in the Pioneer cemetery, both in Jordan. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Jordan is in charge.
Betty Wendte
Elizabeth Abbie Wendte, 87, died of natural causes on Sunday, June 27, 1999, at St. John's Lutheran Home.
Betty was born in Billings on Oct. 2, 1911, the daughter of Robert and Leah (Cropp) Deckert. She graduated from Billings High School and spent her whole life in Billings.
She married
Alvin G. Wendte "Weenie" on June 25, 1931. They built their home at 102 Lewis Ave. and lived there together for 54 years until his death in 1985. Her father was a landscaper and planted many trees at their home, Pioneer Park, and around Billings. She lost her mother to the flu when she was 7 years old and never quite got over it. She had a very close relationship with her sister, Margaret Hibbs and her cousin, Opal Bowen.
Betty was very kind and cheerful. She loved flowers (especially her lilac hedges) and birds. She enjoyed walking in her neighborhood. She liked playing bridge and was active in the GOP women's group. She was active in the Christian Science Church and had a strong belief in God - "You don't want to think negative thoughts. That's not for you."
Betty is survived by her two sons, David of Issaquah, Wash., and Ron of Ketchikan, Alaska; and four grandchildren, Erin Wendte of Issaquah and Angela Wendte Salazar, Kyle Wendte and Christy Wendte of Ketchikan.
Memorial services will be at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist on Wednesday, June 30, 1999, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to St. John's Lutheran Home, 3940 Rimrock Rd., Billings, MT 59102 or a charity of your choice.
Layton A. Wilson
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Layton A. Wilson, 93, died Sunday, June 27, 1999, at Westview Health Care Center.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 15, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Ferries Funeral Home is in charge.
Elmer B. (Pug) Anvik
Elmer B. (Pug) Anvik was born Jan. 26, 1925, on the family farm in Fairview. He passed away Saturday, June 26, 1999, at the age of 74.
Elmer was one of 11 children born to Amund and Ingeborg Amundson Anvik. He was a combat veteran of World War II, serving in the European theater in the Reconnaissance Platoon, 13th Airborne Division. He served in the Battle of the Bulge.
After leaving the Army, he attended college in Santa Ana, Calif., and Eastern Montana College and the University of Montana. He worked for various companies including Carter Oil and B.F. Goodrich. He began a career in the Federal Service in September of 1960 with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In February 1978, he transferred to the Bureau of Land Management as a Land Law Examiner, and retired from the BLM on July 3, 1987. After retirement, he worked for various companies. At the time of his death, he was the lead driver for car delivery for Hertz Rental Cars.
On Dec. 15, 1951, he married
Geraldine Fawkes. They would have been married
48 years this December. Three children were born of this union. Elmer was an extremely devoted and loving Husband, Father and Grandfather. He loved being with his children, grandchildren and other family members more than anything else. Since his retirement, he and Gerrie traveled the U.S. visiting family and friends. He also enjoyed camping, golf, sailing, and supporting his grandchildren in their activities.
Surviving Elmer are his loving wife, Gerrie of Billings, and his three children, Larry (Tammy) Anvik and their daughter, Lindsay of Rye, N.Y.; Lynn (Randy) Petersen and their children, Amy (Denver, Colo.), Andy, Matt, and Samantha; and Stan of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by four siblings: Art (Maxine) Anvik of Lake Havasu, Ariz., Margaret Martin Kaiser of Laurel, Ann Martin Sloan of Billings, and Bob (Vivian) Anvik of Billings; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Arnold, Melvin, Otto, and Clifford; and sisters, Christine Hamburg and Arlene Monson.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, at Smith West Chapel. Family will greet friends and family at the Chapel from 7 to 9 Monday evening. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Jason David Brandt
LIVINGSTON - Jason David Brandt, 22, formerly of Bozeman, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at Livingston Memorial Hospital as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Cremation and visitation have taken place. Family services will be held at a later date. Franzen-Davis Crematory was in charge.
David G. Collie
BAKER - David G. Collie 80, of Baker, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 1999, at the Fallon Medical Complex following a short illness.
He was born on July 10, 1918, the son of David and Edna Marshall Collie in the Bracket Hotel in Ismay, along with a twin sister, Daisy. He grew up and attended school in Ismay and later finished the 8th grade at the Mackinzie School.
David went to work for Mr. and Mrs. Gust Drange on Oct. 15, 1935, and worked with them for the next 41 years, other than when he served in the Army. He was drafted into the US Army on April 1, 1942, and served in Scotland, England, Africa, Italy, France and Germany. David was honorably discharged on Sept. 15, 1945.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Ismay and Baker, the American Legion Post of Baker, Royal Arch of Terry, the Eagles Lodge of Miles City, V.F.W. and the Eastern Star, both of Miles City. David was also a member of the RSVP in Baker, helping out when time permitted. He always enjoyed playing cards at home and at the Senior Citizens Center in Baker. He enjoyed attending many family reunions in Lancaster, Wis., and attended many of the army reunions all over the US. He would always have a good time with all of his old army buddies which he served with in the 591st Army Battalion.
Survivors include a brother, Alex Collie Sr. and his wife, Lois of Ismay; four sisters: Mary Mackay of Willard, Daisy McNaney and her husband, Walt of Hardin, Vivian Celander of Baker and Goldie Sparks and her husband, Frank of Plevna; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, June 28, 1999, at 7 p.m. in the Stevenson's Funeral Home in Baker. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, June 29, 1999, at 11 a.m. in the Community Church in Baker with Pastor Jean McCusker officiating. Burial will be in the family lot of the Bonnievale cemetery. Stevenson's Funeral Home of Baker is in charge of the arrangements.
Frances Elizabeth Durham
Frances Elizabeth Durham, 94 of Billings, died Sunday morning, June 27, 1999, at Aspen Meadows Nursing Home.
The daughter of Calvin and Laura Poulson, Elizabeth was born April 2, 1905, in Astibula County, Ohio. She moved to Michigan where she married
Harrell F. Durham. They made their home in Detroit where she worked as a legal secretary in her husband's office. He preceded her in death in 1965. Elizabeth moved to Billings in August 1986.
She was a member of the Methodist Church. While living in Michigan she was active in Eastern Star, White Shrine, and Daughters of the Nile.
Survivors include her son, Francis M. Durham of Northville, Mich.; her daughter, Josephine M. Trangmar of Billings; four grandchildren, Mary Ann, Susan, Katie and Todd, four great-grandchildren, Blair, Sarah, Jonathan, and Kirk, and Charles Nelson of Gaylord, Mich., who she raised as a son.
Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Michelotti, Sawyers and Nordquist. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary. Following cremation, interment will be in Detroit.
John (Sarge) Grzeskowiak
John (Sarge) Grzeskowiak was born on Nov. 15, 1925, on his maternal grandfather's farm near Warsaw/Minto, N.D. As was often the custom, in those days, his birth was attended by a Midwife. In 1927 John's family moved to Milwaukee, Wis., because of his father's health. John attended St. Vincent's de Paul grade school and Notre Dame High School; when in his senior year of October 1943, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In June of 1947 he married
Louise Hannigan. They had two daughters, Susan and Kathy, both presently residing in California. During his 22-year career as a Marine, he advanced to the rank of Sergeant-First-Class, E-8. Of special note was John's participation in the Invasion and Battle of Iwo Jima. He went ashore in February, 1945, joined the battle, and stayed there until it was over. When peace was declared, he was assigned to the Occupation Force in Nagasaki, Japan.
John was sent to Korea during their conflict, where he spent 26 months, much of the time in combat. During that engagement he received a Letter of Commendation, with a "Combat V" for bravery while under enemy fire.
Following WWII and the end of the War in Korea, John was assigned to a Tour of Duty in Washington, D.C., followed by a "tour" as a recruiter in Rockford, Ill. After that he was assigned to a "tour" as a member of the "I and I" staff in Oshkosh, Wis. During that assignment, in 1963, as a First Sergeant, E-8, he elected to retire and was Honorably Discharged.
In 1970, Mr. Grzeskowiak moved to Billings where he continued to reside for the remainder of his life. After Louise's death, he married
Betty (Nee) Smith Boggio on Nov. 10, 1974. They were an interesting and fun-loving couple until Betty passed away on May 15, 1997. Uncle John (Sarge) loved to hunt and fish. He often hunted and fished with his nephews and many pals. They hunted all over Montana, but especially in the Ekalaka area. Sarge was an excellent sportsman, so good in fact, that during his Tour of Duty in Washington, D.C., he was appointed as Game Warden of Quantico Marine Base, at Quantico, Va.
In 1970, as a Veteran and retired Marine, he became very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a Life member of Billings Post 1634. From 1993 until the time of his demise, he was the officer-in-charge of the Joint Honor Guard of V.F.W. Posts 1634 and 6774. With honor and great pride, he officiated at military funerals, flag raisings, and memorial ceremonies. He was also a member of the American Legion, Billings Post 4, including membership in its Honor Guard. As such, he was always ready to serve.
Mr. Grzeskowiak was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty; his father, John B. Grzeskowiak; his mother, Rosalee (Nee) Stoltman; a younger sister; and an older sister. He is survived by one brother and one sister, both of Tucson, Ariz.; two daughters of California; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. John will be sorely missed by all of his family, his Comrades, and his many friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107, who through their endless efforts helped John in his last days, or any other charity of your choice. Thank you!
The family has entrusted Dahl Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.
Ethel Marie Hageman
RAPELJE - Ethel Marie Hageman, 74, lifetime resident of Rapelje, died Saturday June 26, 1999, at Deaconess Medical Center. She was born July 18, 1924, to Howard and Laura Hemphill. She married
Lester Hageman on Sept. 22, 1946, and they ranched together east of Rapelje until Les's death in 1979.
She was a past worthy matron of the Bitteroot chapter of Eastern Star, at Rapelje. She enjoyed spending the winters in Mesa, Ariz., where she kept busy playing bridge with her many friends, returning to Rapelje in the summertime where she enjoyed visiting her lifelong friends and family, playing card games such as gin rummy and pinochle. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren: Betsy, Sally, and Natalie Hageman, Shawn, Brian, and Laura Langeliers, and Austin Hageman. Ethel was extremely devoted to family and friends and was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand. She made the following statement, in the hours before she died, "I think I'm going to go help Les haul a load of hay."
Ethel is survived by her three children: Donald (Mary Beth) of La Plata, Md., Lynn Langeliers of Billings, and Joel (Brenda) of Billings. In addition, she is survived by a sister, Jane (Dan) Kramer of Rapelje; brothers: Donald (Gert) Hemphill of Columbus, and Richard (Marge) Hemphill of Los Alamos, New Mexico; as well as a sister-in-law, Alice of Billings; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one brother Howard.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at the Smith West Chapel, with interment at the Mountview cemetery.
Bernard 'Ben' Helgeson
Bernard (Ben) Helgeson, beloved husband and father, passed away at his home Friday, June 25, 1999, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a true example of how our Lord intended man to be; always loving, gentle but strong, kind and forgiving of his fellow man. His first concern was always to take care of his wife, daughter and son. He will be so greatly missed by his family and friends and will always live in their hearts. Our "Gentle Ben" is with his Lord and Savior, free of pain, and for that, we are truly thankful.
Ben, or Benny, as his family called him, was born Oct. 18, 1926, in Sidney to Helge and Luella Helgeson. He spent most of his childhood in Nashua. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy during World War II. After being honorably discharged, he graduated from the University of Montana. He went to work for Carter Oil Company where he met his wife to be, Patricia (Pat) Clark. They were married
July 19, 1957, in Billings. To their union was born a daughter, Diane Lynn, and a son, Mark Bernard. The family was transferred and lived in Denver and Tulsa before returning to their beloved Montana, where they wanted to raise their children - in God's country. Ben was an excellent accountant and worked until his illness forced him to retire.
Ben belonged to the Billings Noon Exchange Club and was chairman of the Youth of the Month program for several years. He became active in the Billings Elks Lodge #394 which culminated with him becoming Exalted Ruler 1986-1987. As a dedicated Elk member, he coached the Elks ritual team. They won first place in the state in 1990 and again the next year. He was a member of the PER'S, and a life member of the Elks Lodge having belonged for 46 years.
Survivors include his loving wife of 42 years, Pat; his beloved daughter, Diane Lynn Helgeson, and his beloved son, Mark Bernard Helgeson, both of Reno; a sister, Margaret Glenn of Salem; a brother, Joe (Della) Helgeson of Kalispell; a cousin who was like a brother to him, Leonard (Jeannine) Thorbjornson of Denver; his mother-in-law, Dolores Clark of Billings. He is also survived by his best friend who also was like a brother to him, Wilbur (Buzz) Phillips who helped him so he was able to remain at home. He truly was "his brother's keeper." Ben was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Jim (Jean) Helgeson of Glasgow.
The family wants to thank Dr. Patrick Cobb and his staff for their compassionate care of Ben. A special thanks to the Big Sky Hospice team who cared for him.
Memorials can be made to Big Sky Hospice, or to the Elks Memorial Fund.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
