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Theresa Yapuncich
WYOLA - Theresa Covers Up Yapuncich, 61, of Wyola, passed away Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, in Billings' St. Vincent Hospital.
Ash Att aa la-Kush "Peyote Meeting Woman" was born April 5, 1938, in Wyola, a daughter of Frank and Jennie Bad Horse Covers Up. She grew up and attended schools in Wyola. Following her schooling, she worked for the Guild Arts and Crafts in Lodge Grass and for the Sun Lodge in Crow Agency.
Theresa married
John "Steve" Yapuncich on Dec. 17, 1983, in Billings and the couple made their home in Wyola. She was a member of the Catholic Church, Piegan Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan. Theresa was also a born-again Pentecostal member, who became a well-known gospel singer, often singing "Great Speckled Bird".
She was a Crow women who believed in Traditional Ways. She enjoyed beading and cooking for her family. Her family was her life, for whom she was their Spiritual guide and example. Her confirmation name, taken in 1996, was Mary Leah.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and four sisters.
Survivors include her husband, Steve of Wyola; three sons, Jack (Terri) Covers Up, Sr. of Fort Belknap, Bernard (Delilah) Covers Up of Md. and Manuel (Linda) Covers Up, Sr. of Lodge Grass; 11 daughters, Fatima Bad Horse of Wyola, Traci Dawes of Billings, Margaret "Tina" Covers Up, Nathania (Maurice) Mountain Sheep, Clarice (Ronnie) Medicine Crow, Billie Jean Old Bull, Regina Gros Ventre, Alpha Old Coyote, Arbutas Covers Up and Donna (Bernard) Jefferson of Lodge Grass and Lavina Old Bull; one stepdaughter, Alicia Yapuncich of Ore.; four sisters, Mildred Old Crow, Aileen Covers Up, Angela Russell and Ailene (Buckley) Pretty on Top of Lodge Grass; two brothers, Sylvan Chuck Brown of S.D. and Larson Medicine Horse of Crow Agency; four adopted daughters, Janice Bellrock of Hardin, Kathy LaPointe of Arizona, Clara Adams and Beverely Wilson of Billings; two grandchildren whom she raised has her own, Paul (Tillie) Covers Up and Nova Covers Up of Lodge Grass; a Crow adopted daughter and God Child, Waleba Frey Castro of Wyola; 42 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and members of the Good Luck family.
Rosary and wake services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, in the Wyola,
Blessed Kateri Tekawitha Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, in the Lodge Grass, Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Lodge Grass cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Leah Hert
Leah Hert, 86, of Billings and formerly of Hardin, died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, at St. Johns Nursing Home.
She was born July 20, 1914, in Billings, a daughter of Henry and Eva Steinmetz. She grew up and attended schools in Hardin. Following her education, Leah married
Sam Hert on Jan. 20, 1930, in Nebraska and the couple made their home in Hardin.
Leah was a homemaker who loved to raise flowers. Roses were her specialty. The highlight of Leah's day was when she and her husband would stop for an ice cream cone and go for an evening ride.
She was preceded in death by her husband Sam in 1998, one daughter in 1997, and one infant son.
Survivors include two sons, Jim (Gloria) Hert of Billings and Tom Hert of Seattle; one daughter, Joyce (Bob) Greenwald of Powell, Wyo.; two brothers, Harry (Jean) Steinmetz of Hardin and Victor (Amelia) Steinmetz of Glendive; one sister, Esther (Charles) Zimmer of Hardin; 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Fairview cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Margaret Louise (Lamb) Denison
Just shy of her 88th birthday, Margaret died at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings on Jan. 1, 2000, from pneumonia. She was born the daughter of Albert P. and Stella (Guy) Lamb on Jan. 11, 1912, in Love, Miss. Margaret attended Whitehaven School in Whitehaven, Tenn. After graduation she attended a business school and later went to work as a salesclerk in Memphis.
On April 8, 1945, Margaret was united in marriage to Morse Denison in Memphis. He passed away in 1964. During her life here on earth she lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Washington, Florida, California and Montana and even lived three years in Japan. In 1980, Margaret moved to Billings with her daughter, Barbara and husband Mike, where she has resided since.
Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting and working crossword puzzles. She was always worried about someone else's health and never her own, always had a pleasant word and smile for everyone she met, and touched many people during her lifetime.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, John Michael Merrill; and by three brothers, Guy, Howard and Walter Lamb. Survivors include her daughter, Barbara and husband Michael Merrill of Billings.
For the past five years, Margaret has resided at Valley Health Care Center, where she made many friends and touched many lives. Even though her life came to an end, here on earth, she has gone to be with God and her family and friends. Her life memories will go on in the lives of everyone that she touched.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2000 at the Messiah Lutheran Church on the corner of Colton Blvd. and Rehberg Lane. Refreshments will be served following the service. Margaret's ashes will be buried in Memphis, next to her husband. Dahl Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Linda Sarrazin
BOZEMAN - Linda Sarrazin, 44, former Clyde Park resident, died Sunday Jan. 2, 2000, at Mountain View Care Center in Bozeman. Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Shields Valley United Methodist Church in Clyde Park. Burial of the cremated remains will follow in the Rock Creek cemetery. Rev. Lyndon Kacick will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.
Linda was born June 2, 1955, in Livingston, daughter of Paul and Alice (Cole) Sarrazin. She spent her early years in the Clyde Park area and attended the Cowan and Clyde Park schools, graduating in 1973. She attended vocational-technical school in Great Falls and graduated as a dental assistant.
After working for dentists in Helena and Bozeman, Linda moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1978. She worked for dentists there and even flew once a month to Point Barrow to treat natives that lived in they area. Linda also sold home interior products while she lived in Anchorage. In 1992 she moved to Botthel, Wash., and worked for a time at the Puget Sound Blood Bank.
She was stricken with multiple sclerosis in 1993 and returned to Livingston in 1998. She had been a resident at Livingston Health & Rehab from that time until she recently moved to Mountain View Care Center in Bozeman.
Linda enjoyed ranch life and horseback riding and was an active 4-H member. She loved her family and especially liked to spend time with her nieces and nephews.
Survivors include Linda's mother Alice Sarrazin of Clyde Park; four brothers, Dale Sarrazin of Livingston, Richard Sarrazin and his wife, Kathy of Clyde Park, Ted Sarrazin of Belgrade and David Sarrazin of Manhattan; three sisters, Alice (Punky) and her husband, Ed Brainard of Manhattan, Shirley Morgan of Anchorage, Alaska, and Connie Hunter and her husband, Dave of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul in 1969.
Memorials may be made in Linda's memory to the charitable organization of the donor's choice.
Dr. Merle D. Fitz
SCOBEY - Dr. Merle D. Fitz, longtime Scobey family physician, died Dec. 31, 1999, at Daniels Memorial Hospital in Scobey from a malignant brain tumor.
Dr. Fitz was born Nov. 20, 1926, at Havre to Foster and Hyacinth Fitz. He graduated from Harlem High School in 1944, enlisted in the U.S. Army Special Training Reserve Program and attended school in Pullman, Wash. Later, he received a BS degree from Montana State University and a medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago in 1954.
Dr. Fitz began his medical practice in Scobey in May of 1957, working until his retirement in 1997. He was very active in the Montana Medical Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practitioners. He was a mason and shriner. Dr. Fitz was a pilot and active with the Lions Club, Boy Scouts and Beacon Foundation. He was an avid gardener.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jean; his sister, Joyce Vachal of Stanley, N.D.; two sons, Michael of Seattle and Alan of Charlotte, N.C.; a daughter, Nancy Juel of Scobey; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at Scobey High School. A reception will be held afterwards at the Catholic Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beacon Community Foundation, Box 726, Scobey, MT 59263 or Daniels Memorial Hospital Foundation, c/o Jim Buer, PO Box 81, Scobey, MT 59263
Perry S. Roberts
Perry S. Roberts, 67, of Billings, died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, at St. Vincent Hospital after a sudden heart attack. He was born in Columbia Falls Aug. 1, 1932, a son of Harry and Leona C. Cheney Roberts. After his education, he worked for the Great Northern Railroad as telegrapher until he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean Conflict.
He married
Cheryl Parker Aug. 11, 1957, in Harlowton. They lived in Saco, Harlowton, and moved to Billings in 1960. Perry joined the Montana Highway Patrol in 1958 and retired in 1978. He later drove truck for Consolidated Freightways and then worked as court security for the U.S. Marshall's Service.
Perry loved his family, racing, camping, and his Harley. He enjoyed spending time with his friends at the VFW and especially enjoyed his faithful dog, Gus.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; one son, Kevin of Billings; one daughter, Peggy of British Columbia; two brothers, James A. Moses of Florida and Richard Roberts of Whitehall; one sister, Frances Abney of Absarokee; four grandchildren, Rebecca, Joshua, Stephanie, and Sara; numerous nieces and nephew; and many friends. Perry was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Gary Wayne, and his brother, Robert R. Roberts.
A Gathering of Friends and Family will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the VFW Club, 637 Anchor, Billings Heights. Cremation took place at and arrangements were made be Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Paula A. Bighorn
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. - Our cherished motor, daughter and sister, Paula Alice Bighorn, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000. The fourth child of Maurice and Francile Bighorn, she was born in Poplar, Mont., on Dec. 20, 1966.
She resided in Brockton, Mont., for most of her life. She spent several summers working for the Montana Indian firefighters. She was employed with the Ho-Chunk Casino in Baraboo at the time of her death. Friendly and outgoing, she attracted countless friends who will miss her happy-go-lucky approach to life, her love of God and family, and her beautiful smile. Her warmth and sincerity inspired loyalty and admiration in all she met. Precious are our memories of her. She will remain in our hearts forever. She enjoyed time with family and friends, stitching starquilts with her sisters and supporting her son at his sporting events.
She is survived by her beloved son, Callan Cole Bighorn; her father, Maurice Bighorn Sr.; her brothers, Barry (Estelle) Bighorn Sr.; Maurice Bighorn Jr.; and James Bighorn; her sisters, Joleen (Roy) Emerson; Pam Bighorn; Janice Bighorn, all of Brockton; and Maureen Bighorn, of Lake Delton; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends in Brockton and Wisconsin Dells. She was preceded in death by her mother, Francile LaMere Bighorn; and her nephew: Noah Vaughn Francis Bighorn.
There will be evening sonnets 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Cultural Center in Brockton. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Riverview cemetery in Brockton. Clayton Memorial Chapel is in charge of local arrangements. Pastor Danny Lindsay of Wolf Point will officiate the services.
Lewis 'Sonny' Wesland
GREAT FALLS - Lewis "Sonny" Wesland, 79, died Sunday of complications from surgery in a local hospital.
He was born July 8, 1920, in Big Timber and attended schools there. He married
Jean Elaine Hamilton in Great Falls, July 5, 1956. He drove truck for various companies for more than 40 years. At one time he belonged to the Moose. His hobbies were trucking and yard work.
Survivors include his wife, Jean of Great Falls; two daughters, Terri Wesland of Great Falls and Barbara Niles of Red Lodge; a stepdaughter, Sandy Moore of Billings; five sons, Butch Wesland and Ken Wesland, both of Great Falls; Jack Wesland of Red Lodge; Bill Wesland of Helena; and Jerry Wesland of Denver; a stepson, Russ Faris of Missoula; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A son died in infancy.
At his request, no services are planned. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Big Timber. Chapel of chimes Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Myron Wanquist
MILACA, Minn. - Mryon Wanquist, died Dec. 25, 1999, at the age of 67 after a long battle with cancer. Son of Eugene and Alice (Olander) Wanquist, Myron was born May 16, 1932, and raised on the family farm in Carver.
He married
Mary Hilgers in 1952 prior to honorable serving active duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Moving to Billings in 1964, he worked many years as a manager of SuperAmerica stores and later owned and operated Biegals Bar in Harlowton, Mont.
He enjoyed home construction and remodeling, fishing, and playing cards and dice games with friends and family.
He is survived by his brother, Emmert Wanquist of Minneapolis; a sister, Grace Gilbert of Milaca; and nine children, Bonnie VanBuskirk of Henderson, Minn.; Jeanne Wallace of Billings; Vickie Gallo of Sheridan, Wyo.; Mary Kaercher of Gilbert, Minn.; Sue Bjornberg, Julie Bergstrom, and Nancy Dvorak of Shakopee, Minn.; Mike Wanquist of Federal Way, Wash.; Joan Taber of Shawmut, Mont.; 22 grandchildren and a dog named Cocoa.
Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials my be sent to the American Cancer Society or the East Union Lutheran Church, 15180 County Road 40, Carver, MN 55315.
Georgia Ann Tolman
SHELL, Wyo. - Georgia Ann Tolman, 65, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, at the Shell cemetery in Shell. Memorials can be made to the Jarrard Park Foundation in care of the Adams Funeral Home of Buffalo. Adams Funeral Home is in charge.
Irma Rose Boyce
Irma Rose Boyce, longtime resident of Billings, died Dec. 29, 1999, at St. John's Lutheran Nursing Home. She was 90.
She was born Oct. 11, 1909, in Savogna, Italy, to Lucia and Premo Bongiani. The family migrated to the United States when she was 13 years old. The family settled in the Park City area. She married
Kenneth Keller Boyce on July 16, 1933. She became a naturalized U.S. Citizen on Sept. 30, 1943.
She was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Senior Citizen OAKS Club. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and gardening.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; a son, Robert of Morrison, Colo.; two grandchildren, Robert Kenneth of Denver, and Jodi Frazier of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; two great-grandchildren, Brendan and Ryan Frazier of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; sisters, Alma Hedges, Mary Mogan and Jean Watson, all of Laurel; and brothers, Paul, John and Tony Bongiani. She was preceded in death by a sister, Prina Carlson and a brother, Leo.
Visitations will be at the Cremation and Funeral Gallery between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Jan. 3. Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 4, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Interment will be at the Laurel Catholic cemetery.
Timothy James O'Neill
BUFFALO, Wyo. - Timothy J. O'Neill, 66, of Buffalo, passed away Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, at VA Medical Center in Sheridan. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Adams Funeral Home. There will be a private family interment at the Willow Grove cemetery at a later date. There will be a visitation at the Adams Funeral Home Tuesday, Jan. 4, from 1 -10 p.m., and Wednesday, Jan. 5, from 8 a.m. until time of services. Friends may make memorials to the American Cancer Society in care of the Adams Funeral Home, who are in charge of all arrangements.
Helen Meyer Brown
Helen Meyer Brown, 85, of Billings, formerly of Sidney, died peacefully at her home in Billings on Dec. 31, 1999. She was born Oct. 10, 1914, in Linton, N.D.
Helen married
Jack Meyer on Nov. 24, 1932. He preceded her in death on Aug. 30, 1960. In June of 1967, she married
Raymond Brown who preceded her in death in June of 1977.
Helen was a beautiful seamstress and loved to dance. She worshipped her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
While in Sidney, she worked at Sidney Clothing. In Billings, she worked at Cole's Department Store until retirement. Helen was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church and the American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husbands, her son David Meyer Sr., and her grandson Jack Meyer.
Survivors include her twin daughters, Delores (DeNell) Lanning of Barnesville, Minn., and Beverly (Monty) Merrill of Sidney; eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
Visitation will begin 3 p.m. Monday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. The Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, at Michelotti,
Sawyers & Nordquist. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at St. Thomas The Apostle Church with Rite of Committal in Holy
Cross cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Thomas The Apostle Church.
