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William Keith Prestridge
William Keith Prestridge, 70, passed away at home on Sunday, June 27, 1999. He was born on March 17, 1929, in Smithville, Miss., to Ira and Irene Prestridge.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Bette Dyson Prestridge; daughters, Merry Prestridge and Dabney (John) Gingrich; grandson, Preston Gingrich; and brother, Jim (Sally) Prestridge.
At his request, no service will be held. Cremation has taken place. Remembrances can be sent to The Shiloh United Methodist Building Fund or Big Sky Hospice.
John Stentoft
SCOBEY - John Stentoft, 71, of Scobey, died Friday, June 25, 1999, in Bismarck, N.D., after surgery for a heart condition.
Private graveside services will be held. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at the Scobey Lutheran Church. Waller Funeral Home is in charge.
Cecile Jones Varland
HARLOWTON - Cecile Jones Varland, 96, died Thursday, June 24, 1999, at Wheatland Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, at the Federated Church with interment in the Harlowton cemetery. Perkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Sylvia I. Veis
Sylvia Irene Veis, 53, lifetime resident of Billings, passed away Saturday, June 26, 1999, at her home.
The daughter of Harold and Sylvia Smith, she was born June 12, 1946, in Billings.
Sylvia attended school in Billings and then went to work for the school district. After she married
Larry Veis in 1971, she became full-time homemaker, devoting her life to her family. From 1976 to the present Larry and Sylvia owned and operated their Lock and Hobby Shop.
Sylvia was an avid crafts person and a collector of antique ruby glass.
Survivors include her husband, Larry Veis; two daughters, Shanna Breau and Tanya Veis; one beloved grandson, Skylor Veis; and her mother, Sylvia Smith, all of Billings; two brothers, David Smith, his wife, Judy and their sons, Keith, and Derek and his wife, Rachel, all of Illinois, and Richard Smith, his wife, Phyllis and their daughters, Lacey, and Becci and her husband, Clint, all of Billings.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Smith in 1993.
Visitation will begin 6:30 p.m. Monday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. Funeral services are pending.
Winfield H. "Win" Austin
Winfield H. "Win" Austin, 74, of Billings passed away peacefully at his home Friday, June 25, 1999. He was born to Leslie W. and Edna L. Parker Austin Feb. 22, 1925, in Amidon, N.D. As a young man he worked as a cowboy on various ranches in the slope county area where he was born. We all heard many stories of his horse, Little Joe.
Beverly J. Long and Win were united in marriage on April 15, 1950. They made their home in Miles City from 1952 through 1982. He worked in general carpentry and built several weigh scales for ranchers in Custer County. He later returned to his true love of ranching by managing several ranches in Montana. He was enjoying life and his grandchildren at the time of his death.
Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Beverly; sons: Leighton of Billings, Clyde of Oakdale, Calif., and Dudley of Wasilla, Alaska; daughter, Leslie (Jim) McGuinness of Billings; brothers: Lowell of Dickinson, N.D., Dennis of Gillette, Wyo., and William of Mesquite, Nev.; one sister, Janice Spicer of Billings; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Win was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, one infant son, and two grandchildren.
Daddy, we will miss you so much and will remember you as a gentle giant; a man of few words who showed us everyday in your own special way how much you loved us. We can't remember a time when we needed your help that you didn't drop everything and come to our rescue, from fixing our cars to plumbing sinks. We will always smile when we remember your impeccable timing with your wry sense of humor. We were so blessed to have you for a father.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Gallery on 8 St. W. and St. Johns. Interment will at Terrace Gardens cemetery. Memorials may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Josephine Grinsteiner Cole
Josephine Grinsteiner Cole, 70 passed away at her home, Tuesday, June 22, 1999.
She had resided in Billings since 1938 and worked as a bartender in several Billings establishments. All who knew her will miss her fun loving disposition and rapier wit.
Her husband Leonard preceded her in death in 1990.
Josephine is survived by three daughters: K.C. Acord and her husband, Dan; Joetta Cole; and Linda Bradley and her husband, Gary; two sisters; two brothers; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Faith Chapel, 517 Shiloh Rd., with internment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Michelotti, Sawyers and Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Bernice Marie (Hekelnkaemper) Dempster
ATCHISON, Kan. - On Thursday, June 24, 1999, Bernice Marie (Hekelnkaemper) Dempster, 81, rejoined her beloved husband, Richard Arnold Dempster, her parents and family. Her spirit journeyed on while she was surrounded by loved ones who cared for her in her final days. She passed away at her daughter's home in Atchison.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at St. Benedict's Church, Atchison, with Fr. Gerard Senecal, OSB and Fr. Harold Bradley, SJ as Concelebrants. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary cemetery, Atchison. A prayer service will be held 7 p.m. Monday, June 28, at Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison, with visitation to follow until 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to: Mt. St. Scholastica Academy, Muscular Dystrophy or The Audubon Society.
Bernice was born Jan. 8, 1918, in Atchison, the daughter of Frederick "Fritz" and Pauline (Ostertag) Hekelnkaemper. She attended St. Louis College Grade School, Atchison, graduated in 1935 from Mt. St. Scholastica, Atchison, attended two years at Mt. St. Scholastica College and graduated in 1939 with a Degree in Home Economics from Kansas University, Lawrence, Kan. Mrs. Dempster was a Nutritionist in charge of the school lunch program for ten counties in the Salina area. Besides being a homemaker, she was owner/operator of Atchison Bottling Company, an active business woman and member of many local organizations: St. Joseph's Church Altar Society, Parent-Teacher Assoc; the League of Women Voters and Atchison County Republican Party Committee Woman. She was a member of St. Benedict's and St. Joseph's Church. Bernice was a "veteran of life", who loved traveling the country and will be remembered by many friends. Her favorite locations included Crandall, Wyo., and Harlingen, Texas. She spent three winters in Hawaii and maintained homes in Painter Estates, Wyo., and Posado del Sol, Texas. Enjoyments were birdwatching and camping.
Bernice Marie Hekelnkaemper and Richard Dempster were married
June 11, 1941 at St. Benedict's Church. Judge Dempster preceded her in death July 24, 1992. Survivors include her ten children: Roslyn Hoffman, Pauline Schuele, Peg Vanderweide, all of Atchison, John Thomas Henry Dempster, Sandy, Utah, Edna Dempster, Billings, Mont., Richard E. Dempster, Manhattan, Kan., Susan D. Howlett, N. Plaintfield, N.J., James L. Dempster, Edmund, Okla., Mary J. Ellerman, Chester, Va., and Barbara L. Velvick, Garnett, Kan.; 42 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded by one brother: Frederick L. Hekelnkaemper and two sisters: Irene Bird and Lucille Wulff.
Lewis Gabrian
LAUREL - Lewis Gabrian, 84, of Laurel, passed away Friday, June 25, 1999, at St. Vincent Hospital and Health Center in Billings.
He was a son of Frank and Agnes Sovic Gabrian, born May 22, 1915, at Red Lodge.
He attended Red Lodge Schools, and had worked at various jobs before entering the U. S. Navy. Lew was an aviation machinists Mate 2nd Class and he repaired aircraft in the Pacific during WW II, and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945.
Lew returned to Red Lodge and married
Mary Mihelich, Sept. 9, 1945.
The couple moved to Laurel and Lew was employed with the Northern Pacific Railway and retired as a switchman from the Burlington Northern in 1979 and is remembered as an enthusiastic worker.
Lew was an avid gardener and took much pleasure in sharing the garden's bounty with his grandchildren and friends.
I plant the seed,
You make it grow.
You send the rain,
I work the hoe.
Survivors include two daughters: Marlane (Rick) Sorg of Billings, Patricia (Tom) Hart of Laurel; a son, Jack (Cathy) Gabrian of Laurel; seven grandchildren: Tom and Lance Hart, Sara and Becca Sorg, Mandy, Lindsey and Erin Gabrian; two beloved great-granddaughters: Carlee and Baylee Hart; four brothers: Frank Gabrian of Butte, Gus and Lud Gabrian of Red Lodge, and John Gabrian of Stockton, Calif..
Lew was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 1996, his parents, and a sister, Virginia Gabrian.
"What a nice guy."
Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, at Smith Funeral Chapel Laurel. Interment will be in the Laurel cemetery with military rites.
Frank Edward Goodwin
Frank Edward Goodwin passed away Saturday, June 26, 1999. He was born July 2, 1919, to Bert and Bertha Goodwin in Manroe County, Albia, Iowa. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Johnston), who he married
on Nov. 25, 1939; daughter, Donna (Farrel) Griffin, and their children, Danial (Fern) Griffin (Dannialle and Brandon), Tom Griffin, Julie (Fritz) Mehling (Melissa, Stephanee, and Fritzie), all of Billings; daughter, JoAnn (Larry) Thomas of Laurel, and their children, Debbie (Tim) Schleining (Michael, Josh, Timmy and Stevie), Dean (Holly) Swanke, Laurie (Reggie) Green (Aaron, Sebrina and Casey), Ronna (Gene) Klamert (Veronnaka and Levi), Lon (Juanita) Swanke (Lindsey, Amanda, Sarha, Brianna, and Tristan), and Coral (Terry) Langstraat (Cassandra); nieces; nephews; and two sisters in Albia, Iowa, Mabel Klein and Ical Foster.
Frank served in the United States Army in World War II and was a disabled Veteran. After he got out of the service he worked on construction with his own trucks until settling in Billings. Frank and Rosemary had many business ventures in the Billings area, such as the 10 Avenue Trailer Park and the Billings Forester Trailer Sales. They were former owners of the Rainbow Motel also. They retired in 1976 and traveled through every state in the USA, settling in Texas for the winters. He came back to Billings in June of this year to be with his daughters and their families. He had been sick all winter and was in Aspen Meadows at the time of his death. Frank was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, business-man, soldier, and friend. We will all miss him very much!
Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Interment will be in the Veterans Section at Sunset Memorial Gardens, following the funeral. A reception will take place after internment (1145 Custer Aye).
John Lemuel Green
LEWISTOWN - John Lemuel Green, 86, died Wednesday, June 23, 1999, at the Central Montana Skilled Nursing Center after a short illness.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, in the First Presbyterian Church. Cremation has taken place. Cloyd Funeral Home is in charge of 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 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.
Dennis James Smith
POWELL, Wyo. - Dennis James Smith passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings, Mont., on June 25, 1999, from complications following surgery to remove a brain tumor. He was 57. Denny, as he was known to most everyone, was born in Lovell, Wyo. on Jan. 11, 1942, the son of James H. Smith and Fay Hopkin Smith.
He received his secondary education in Powell, and was married
to Ardell K. Otto on April 10, 1960. Denny graduated from Northwest College in Powell, and University of Wyoming Engineering Department with a major in Ag Mechanics. He managed the UW Ag Experiment Farm in Torrington for a short time, then returned to Powell to farm with his family. Denny was a successful farmer, raising sugar beets. malting barley, and fattening sheep over the winter, until he turned the reins of the farm over to his son Shane, in 1997.
Denny was elected to the Board of County Commissioners for Park County in 1987, where he served until 1991. In June of 1996, he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Representative John DeWitt of Powell, and was returned to the seat in 1998 where he was appointed to Tax 2000, Appropriations Committee, State Ag Board, and the Fiscal, Oversight, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee of the Assembly on State Issues.
Denny received the first award given for Outstanding Graduate of NWC. Denny was elected to sit on the Board of Directors for the Bighorn Basin Sugarbeet Association where he served as President for several years. In addition, Denny served as President of the Western Conference Sugar Association, and was a member of the Kiwanis and the Elks.
A dedicated public servant, Denny was noted for his candor, his ability to quickly grasp difficult situations, and for voting for what he believed was best for the State of Wyoming. Denny was a dedicated father and husband, and had a special love for his children and grandchildren. A talented wood worker, he brought joy with his hand made gifts for his grandchildren, friends, and family.
Denny was a "mover and shaker", and one of the "good guys". Certainly his family, his many friends, and the state will be poorer for his passing.
Denny is survived by his mother, Fay; wife, Ardell; son, Shane and his wife, Angie; and daughters: Denise and her husband Dan, and Becky and her husband, Steve. Denny's beloved grandchildren are Amy, Chris, Drew, Allie, Saige, Michaela, and Stevi Anne.
He was preceded in death by his father James. and brother Harold.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at the LDS Church in Powell. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at the Church, with burial in the Crown Hill cemetery in Powell. Miratsky Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lucy A. Healy
Lucy A. Healy, 77, of Billings died Saturday April 17, 1999, at Eagle Cliff Manor. Cremation has taken place and a memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Lockwood Evangelical Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lucy's memory to Rocky Mountain College.
She was born in Billings, a daughter of Galen Clark and Olive May King Howell. Lucy received her education in Billings. She was married
to Donald Baily, Ward Stephens and Ralph Healy, all of whom preceded her in death. Lucy worked as a housekeeper at Rocky Mountain College and retired in 1987 after 20 years of service. She was an "adopted mom" to many students at RMC, especially to Bruce and Jeanne Riley of Kalispell who loved traveling with her on their many trips. Lucy loved people, shopping, and buying gifts for her friends and clothes for herself.
Survivors include one son, Don (Illene) Stephens of Billings; one stepson, Bill (Doris Jean) Stephens of Miles City and Arizona; her brother, Cecil (Margaret) Howell and twin brother, William Howell, all of Billings; four grandchildren: Kraig, Karen, Sheila, and Jeff; three great- grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews including Barbara Bird, Kathleen Fowler and Sandra Goetshius, all of Seattle, Wash., and Kathy Pollmer of San Diego, Calif. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Denman, Galen, and Newton; and one sister, Cleo Yetter. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery and Cremation Society of Montana, 29 8th St. W in Billings.
Mary Rose Larsen
POWELL, Wyo. - Mary Rose Larsen, age 84, passed away Friday, April 16, 1999, at West Park Hospital in Cody. She was the daughter of Joseph Augustine Wetsch and Rosa Katherine Anton Wetsch. She was born the eleventh child of sixteen brothers and sisters on April 18, 1914, in Glendive, Mont.
She married
Lawrence Edward Larsen on May 22, 1936, in Billings, Mont. Most of their lives were spent farming in the Bridger, Mont., Powell and Cody, Wyo., areas. Lawrence preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 1971.
Mary loved her family and friends. She enjoyed growing flowers, crafts and crocheting. She also enjoyed music and spent many hours playing her organ. Her greatest love was playing cards with the Senior Citizens and with her family.
She is survived by one son, Lawrence Jerry Larsen and his wife, Sue, of Powell; three daughters: Patricia Mae Kelly and her husband, Joe, of Cody, Mary Jane Weathermon and her husband, Bob, of Laurel, Mont., and Sandra Kay George and her husband, Ken W. of Powell; twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She has one surviving sister, Barbara Vander Pas of Florence, Mont., and one brother, Gabe Wetsch and his wife, Rethal of Billings, Mont.
Funeral services for Mary Rose Larsen will be 10 a.m Wednesday, April 21, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Powell with Pastor Timothy Klug officiating. Interment will follow in Crown Hill cemetery.
Those wishing may send memorials to the Cody or Powell Senior Center in Mary's memory.
