Search Archived Marriage Records
Agnes Kusler
Agnes Kusler, 91, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2000, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Agnes was born Oct. 21, 1908, in Byesville, Ohio, to George and Helen (Naismith) McNeil.
The family moved to Billings by train and then by stagecoach to Washoe and then they settled in Bearcreek where Agnes received her education. She also attended college in Dillon. On June 20, 1933, she married
Calvin J. Kusler at Columbus. He died in 1971.
They lived in Bearcreek, Lewistown, Libby and moved to Kalispell in 1949 where he was associated with the school system. She was an active volunteer and worked on the election board for many years. She was an avid reader, enjoyed embroidery and outwork and loved to cook. She loved to share her baked goods with neighbors and friends. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and Marie Chapter No. 36 Order of Eastern Star of Lewistown.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her sister, Helen McKay of Aurora, Colo., four nephews and two nieces.
Graveside services are 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 23, at C. E. Conrad Memorial cemetery with Pastor Brenda Wills officiating. There will also be a memorial service performed by the Adah Chapter No. 17 Order of Eastern Star of Kalispell.
The family suggests memorials be sent to Montana Heart Association, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT.
Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory, Kalispell.
Constance S. Cummings
HARDIN - Constance Sophia Cummings, 71, passed away Friday, March 17, 2000, at Big Horn County Memorial Hospital Nursing Home.
Constance was born March 26, 1928, in Minneapolis, a daughter of Arthur W. and Verna B. Salisbury Hartwig. She married
Stephen Sekulich in 1946 who died in 1956.
Survivors include her husband of forty years, Hugh Cummings; four children, Susan Sekulich Clendenin, Billings; Pard L. Cummings, John B. Cummings, Bozeman; Cindy A. (John) Strecker, Big Horn, Mont. Her sister, Marylinn A. Day, Orange, Calf.; six grandchildren: John Erin Clendenin, Justin Roy (Mindy) Strecker, Alisun Lu Cummings, Chad Eugene Strecker, Stephen Drew Clendenin, Kindra Marie Strecker; and two great grandchildren, Nichole and Mikalyn Strecker. She was preceded in death by a sister, Trish Cramblet, and her parents.
Cremation has taken place. She was deeply loved by all of her family and friends. Memorial service is pending. Memorials to Big Horn County Museum.
Warren James Steele
Warren James Steele died Friday, March 17, 2000, at his home. He was born May 30, 1922, in Roundup to Elizabeth McCleary and Benjamin Cardwell Steele. His early childhood was spent on the family ranch on Hawk Creek south of Musselshell. He attended Mountain Home and Dry Fork Schools and school held in the ranch bunkhouse with Warren and brother Ben the only students.
In 1932, Warren moved to Billings with his family where he attended the Fratt School and Billings Senior High School. He worked in Billings until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. He was stationed in Texas and California and was honorably discharged in 1945.
Warren worked for Pierce Packing Co., was a partner with Dean Logan in the Pioneer Bar, and owned motels in North Bend and Aberdeen, Wash.
Warren married
Esther Johnson on Dec. 5, 1946, in Billings.
Warren was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a sister, Jean Danielson, and a brother, Joseph.
He is survived by a daughter, Loretta Watson of Colleyville, Texas; a son, Leonard Winslow of Kenmore, Wash.; eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; a sister, Gertrude of Kennewick, Wash.; a brother, Benjamin of Billings; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Warren was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Sky Hospice of Billings or a charity of choice.
Stanley L. Luptak
Stanley L. Luptak, 90 of Billings, died Friday March 17, 2000 at Asplin Personal Care Home, Laurel, Mont.
The son of Joseph and Mary Luptak, Stanley was born Nov. 13, 1909, in Dunn County, N.D. He married
Mary Magdalene Praus on June 24, 1930 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Dickinson, N.D.
Survivors include his daughter, Evelyn Mae Zinda, daughters-in-law, Dorothy Luptak and Mary Luptak, his sister Anna Praus, seven grandchildren, Dennis (Carla) Luptak, Arnold (Elizabeth) Luptak, Karen (Steve) Saunders, Cynthia (Edwin) Barker, Sherry (Dan) Lowell, Penny (Mitchael) Werner, and Joy (Ty) Lamb, fourteen great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, sons, Henry and Leo, son-in-law, Richard A. Zinda, his parents, grandparents, 14 brothers and sisters and several other relatives.
The rosary will be recited, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Martin DeTours Catholic Church, Pompey's Pillar. Rosary services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mischel-Olson Chapel, Dickinson, N.D., with rite of Committal at St. Mary's Catholic cemetery, South Heart, N.D. Memorials may be made to St. Martin DeTours Catholic Church or the charity of one's choice.
Gary Everhard
NYE - Gary Everhard, 48, passed away March 13, 2000. Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at Nye Community Church. Immediately following the services there will be a gathering for family and friends at Carter's Camp.
James D. Peccia, Sr.
JUDITH GAP - James D. (Jim) Peccia, Sr. passed away on March 17, 2000, at Wheatland Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Jim was born on Jan. 1, 1921, in the province of Campo Bosso, Italy to Felix and Luceita(Cottone) Peccia. Jim came to Harlowton in July of 1927 and attended schools in Harlowton. He was a member of the 1938 Harlowton High School Class "B" championship football team. He was married
to Ruby F. Taylor in Roundup in 1939. Jim served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945, eventually becoming a Fireman First Class. He was aboard the U.S.S Franks D0554 when it went down off Guadalcanal. He later served aboard the U.S.S. Rogers which was part of the flotilla that was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered ending World War II. After the war, Jim married
Eve V. Ellis, and worked for the Norfolk and Western Railroad for 33 years as Superintendent of Maintenance and Way. He retired in 1978.
After 1978, Jim and Ruby lived in Lewistown, Bridger and Judith Gap. Jim was a proud and active member of the V.F.W. He was named as "Neighbor of the Year" while living in Bridger in 1987.
Jim's wife Ruby and his son Ron passed away in 1986. He is survived by his brother Albert of Manhattan, Mont. He is also survived by six children, including: James D Peccia, Jr. of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Judy Fuher of Santa Barbara, Calif.; Laurie Duprey of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Joseph Allen Peccia of Lake Worth, Fla.; Donald Anthony Peccia of Conyers, Ga.; John David Peccia of Poco Moke City, Md.; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 20, at Perkins Funeral Home, in Harlowton, with Pastor T.C. Chatman officiating the services. Interment will follow in the Harlowton cemetery.
Harold R. Dolphay
DODSON - Harold R. Dolphay, 51, passed away Friday, March 17, 2000 at the Phillips County Hospital of a respiratory arrest from asthma.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Dodson High School Gymnasium in Dodson with burial in the Hillside cemetery in Dodson. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
Constance S. Cummings
HARDIN - Constance Sophia Cummings, 71, passed away Friday, March 17, 2000, at Big Horn County Memorial Hospital Nursing Home.
Constance was born March 26, 1928, in Minneapolis, Minn., a daughter of Arthur W. and Verna B. Salisbury Hartwig. She married
Stephen Sekulich in 1946 who died in 1956.
Survivors include her husband of forty years, Hugh Cummings; four children, Susan Sekulich Clendenin, Billings; Pard L. Cummings, John B. Cummings, Bozeman; Cindy A. (John) Strecker, Big Horn, Mont. Her sister, Marylinn A. Day, Orange, Calf.; six grandchildren: John Erin Clendenin, Justin Roy (Mindy) Strecker, Alisun Lu Cummings, Chad Eugene Strecker, Stephen Drew Clendenin, Kindra Marie Strecker; and two great grandchildren, Nichole and Mikalyn Strecker. She was preceded in death by a sister, Trish Cramblet, and her parents.
Cremation has taken place. She was deeply loved by all of her family and friends. Memorial service is pending. Memorials to Big Horn County Museum.
Rosalie H. Sheard
On Saturday, March 18, Rosalie H. Sheard left to join her family in heaven. She was born in Stark County, Gladstone, N. D. on June 3, 1913, the third child of John Huth and Rosa Hauck. Her father died when she was three years old so, through the years, she learned the true meaning of "family." She and her sisters Eva and Marie helped her mother care for their sickly brother John, who died in 1966. Rosalie was an excellent basketball player before girls sports became a reality. She also had a chance to become an opera singer but decided to "get a real job" instead of going, to New York. In 1936. Rosalie married
George Allen Sheard. They had two children but were divorced in 1940 and Rosalie moved to Billings, Montana to start her career. After graduating from Billings Business College, she worked for the government for 35 years as a specialist technician. When her mother died, Rosalie and her sister Marie began living together and their partnership lasted almost 40 years.
The love and joy of Rosalie's life was her family, her church. and athletics. She would not miss a baseball game or a football game. She taught her son John the love of sports when he was very young and she was a faithful fan of the Billings Mustangs, Billings Central. MSU-Billings or any team where her family participated.
Rosalie always found a way to provide everything her children or grandchildren needed. She supported her family in every endeavor. She also kept the family entertained with her jokes, sense of humor, and sensitivity. Many times her children would have to tell her not to criticize an umpire too vocally or be too opinionated about politics.
Holidays were wonderful times at "Grama and Marie's House" when they cooked huge feasts. People were always welcome and it was not unusual to see "almost" strangers at the dinner table.
When the grandchildren arrived, Rosalie was able to add joy to their lives. Michelle, Susan, Douglas, Mike, Laurie, Amy, and Lisa were constantly in her thoughts. Few holidays passed without gifts from their "Grama Rose." All had a special place in Rosalie's heart. After the children became older, she always helped financially or physically. Rosalie was always there for them.
Before Rosalie became too ill, the great-grandchildren, Tanner, Kristin, Kobe, and Brendan made her life exciting. She saved every Valentine, letter, or card.
Survivors include her daughter Marilynn Sexton and her husband Ron: their children Michelle (Bryan and Brendan Brethorst), Doug (Mickie) Sexton, Laurie (Lance and Tanner Sullivan) and Lisa Host-Hansen; her son John and Melvina Sheard: their children Susan (Peter) Sheard, Michael (Tracy, Kristin, Kobe) Sheard; and 15 nieces and nephews.
Rosalie suffered pain during her lifetime but her biggest wish was to stay in her house until it was time to die at home. God granted her wish. Rosalie was a faithful member of St. Patrick's Church and she kept a blessed candle in her house to use when anyone needed a special prayer.
That family candle is glowing brightly today as Rosalie joins her family in heaven. Rosalie is now with her sister in her new home. She is probably waiting to see who is going to "beat" those dam Denver Broncos.
Vigil services will be held at 7p.m. Monday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the mortuary due to construction at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral. Rite of Committal will be at Holy Cross cemetery. Visitation will begin 11 a.m. Monday at the Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to the MSU-Billings Foundation, 1500 N 30th, Billings, MT 59101 or the American Diabetes Association, 2525 6th Ave. N, Billings, MT 59101.
Joseph Kokesh
SUNDANCE, S.D.- Joe Kokesh, 68, passed away of natural causes at the family ranch, March 17, 2000.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at the Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Methodist Church, with Rev. Ed Bollack officiating. The Carlsen-Jolley Funeral Home of Spearfish is entrusted with arrangements Cremation will take place at a later date.
George Steven Matovich
Columbus - George Steven Matovich, age 74, passed away Friday, March 17, 2000, at the home of his good friend with his brother present George was born Sept. 21, 1925, to George and Mary Matovich. George was the youngest of ten children, born where the Musselshell flows into Fort Peck in Mecaha, Montana.
In 1937, he moved with his family to where the Stillwater flows into the Yellowstone and lived in this beautiful area in love and peacefulness with his family for the rest of his life.
George married
June Johnson, the love of his life on Oct. 4, 1947. They were blessed with Bev, Paul and Stan.
George ranched south of Columbus with his brother Dave in his early years. In 1964, the ranch was sold but George kept a little piece of heaven on earth to raise his family. In 1966, George bought a ranch seven miles North of Reedpoint on the Sweetgrass Stillwater County line. Though he kept his residence South of Columbus and sold his Reedpoint ranch in 1972, he always had a tremendous fondness for Reedpoint and his neighbors there.
George and June owned and operated Gambles Hardware before purchasing the IGA Store in 1974. In between the hardware and grocery purchase, George worked for Timberweld. George worked the grocery business the rest of his life. George had a tremendous zest for life and truly saw good in everyone. Through his life he provided jobs for hundreds of people and truly valued his employees and customers. He gave over 300 high school students their first jobs always working "elbow to elbow" nurturing them towards maturity. Whenever anyone fell, George would help them up; whenever anyone asked, no one was ever denied- George was a "giver" and the community, his friends, and his family were recipients of his love and charity.
George was preceded in death by his sisters Mary and Agnus and brothers Paul and Marcus. Survivors include his loving wife and working companion June; his daughter Bev (Jeff) along with their children Chelsi, Jessica, and Madeline of Portland, Ore.; Son Paul (Joanie) and their children Tim, Mike, Marni of Columbus; and Son Stan (Lynne) and children Marco and Conner of Greytown, New Zealand; A sister Anna; brothers John, David, Phillip and Martin; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Columbus High School Gym. Cremation will follow. Visitation will be 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at Smith Funeral Home in Columbus.
Elaine M. Raisl
DICKINSON, N.D.- Elaine M. Raisl, 55, died Friday, March 17, 2000l, in St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center in Dickinson, N.D.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, in the United Methodist Church in Glendive, Mont. Interment will be in the Richey cemetery in Richey, Mont. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements.
Leone Dvorak
Leone Dvorak, the last surviving child of John and Alpha Robinette's nine children, passed away March 17, 2000. Leone was born Feb. 25, 1905, in Champaign, Ill. In August 1910 she moved with her family to homestead on the Huntley Project.
Leone married
Leonard Washburn. They had three children, Orviss Washburn, Dean (Zeona) Washburn, and Jackie (Bud) Fogelberg.
In 1935, Leone married
Anton Joseph Dvorak in Hardin. They had five children, Ronald (Judy) Dvorak, Doran (Nu) Dvorak, Joyce (Phil) Koch, Genevieve (Ron) Becker and Monte (Debby) Dvorak.
Leone was blessed to be survived by her eight children, 19 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, one great grandchild, and a daughter-in-law, Peggy (Orviss) Washburn.
Leone continued to bring love, happiness and joy to her family's lives and to the lives of many others. She is the star that continues to sparkle in all of her family's eyes.
Cremation is planned and a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at the Ballantine Congregational Church. Should friends desire, a memorial made to a charity of their choice is suggested. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
