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MARK C. KLEPICH
Mark C. Klepich, 88, of Billings, formerly of Bridger and Red Lodge, died Friday evening, March 2 at Parkview Care Center.
Born in Lead, S.D. on July 6, 1912, Mark was a son of Mike and Lucy Klepich. He was raised and educated in Red Lodge. Klepich worked in the area coal mines, and later was employed for many years as a heavy equipment operator in dam and highway construction. His work took him to several of the western states and Greenland.
On Dec. 17, 1939, he married Haddie Kastelitz in St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge. They retired to Red Lodge in 1975, moved to Bridger in 1982, and to Billings in 1999.
Mark was an avid hunter and fisherman. He tied his own flies and enjoyed smoking the fish he caught. He took pride in his yard and garden, and looked forward to the morning coffee klatches with his friends. Klepich was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and a member of the American Legion Carbon Post 17 of Red Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his son, Mark D. Klepich; a granddaughter, Delonie Taverna; three brothers, Pete, John, and Fred; and two sisters, Mary and Katherine.
Survivors include his wife, Haddie Klepich of Billings; five daughters, Delores Klepich of Orange, Calif., Nancy (Everett) Ostrum of Meridian, Idaho, Fran (Joe) Hyem of Bozeman, Joyce (Ron) Steffan of Billings, and Patti (Mike) Edwards of Ontario, Calif.; one brother, Tony (Virginia) Klepich of Carmel, Calif.; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
The vigil service with rosary was held March 5 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge. Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday. Rite of committal was in the Red Lodge Cemetery. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge was in charge of arrangements.
RACHEL SCHEAFER
She struggled, but God had other plans...
Rachel Scheafer passed away on March 10 at Beartooth Hospital in Red Lodge. She was born in Kansas City, Kan. to Frederick and Amalia (Mohr) Siegfried. On Nov. 23, 1933, she married George Scheafer in Billings.
Rachel and George farmed in Shepherd, where she worked as assistant cook and helped George with janitorial duties in the Shepherd schools. In 1957, they moved to Red Lodge, where she worked at the county nursing home for a short period of time, and then at Natali’s and Red Lodge Cafes for over 10 years. In 1981, Rachel retired after 16 years, from the Red Lodge Public schools where she worked in the cafeteria.
Rachel was a longtime member of Messiah Lutheran Church, active in the Red Lodge-Roberts Senior Center, and participated in the Festival of Nations food committee, making items for German Day.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George; a son, Bob; a granddaughter, Karla; her brothers, Paul, Jake, Reuben and George Siegfried and John Eichler. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Beverly Scheafer of Billings; sons, Don and Georgette Scheafer of Absarokee, Jerry and Judy Scheafer of Flower Mound, Texas, and Doug Scheafer of Red Lodge; daughter, Judy and John Allen of Grand Junction, Colo.; her sisters, Emma Haaland and Dorothy Jones, both of Billings. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rachel enjoyed her family and many friendships. Her quiet strength will be missed by all.
Funeral services were held March 13 at the Smith Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge. Interment was in the Red Lodge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Beartooth Hospital and Health center at P.O. Box 590, or Messiah Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1330, both of Red Lodge, MT 59068.
DONALD E. STEVENS
Donald Eugene Stevens died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on March 2, 2001 at the age of 84.
Don lived in St. Paul, Minn. for most of his life, but most recently resided at St. Therese Southwest, Hopkins.
He was a “salesman’s” salesman, an entrepreneur and founder of Don Steven’s Inc., Eagan, Minn. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and boating on the St. Croix. He loved history and was passionate in particular about the history of the American West. In his later years, he painted landscapes of the mountains he loved so well, especially the mountains of Montana.
His greatest joy can from the accomplishments of his nine children and his grandchildren. Don had a keen sense of humor that he kept to the very end. His final gift to his family was the example he set during these recent years. He accepted his illness with great courage and dignity. Thank you, Don. We will miss you!
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Katherine “Katie;” loving children, Terry (Marilee), Kathy (Michael) Dougherty, Pat (Susan), Mary Lou (Ray) Barton, Michele (Lon) Van Gemert, Greg (Cathy), Dennis (Nancy) of Red Lodge, Mike (Mona) of Billings and Joani (Doug) Field of Atlanta, Ga.; 22 loving grandchildren, Sarah, Mollie, Jennifer, Mark, Katie, Jason, Mike, Sean, Dan, Davis, B.J., Annie, Abbie, Tim, Chris, Jamie, Jonathan, Michael, Darcy, McKenzie, Austin and Jordan; one great-grandson, Jacques, and other family members.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Gina Bethman, and brother, Allan.
A funeral service was held March 6 in St. Paul. A private interment will take place in Red Lodge.
MINNIE M. CARLSON
Minnie M. Carlson died Friday, March 16, 2001 of natural causes at Billings Deaconess Hospital at the age of 92. Minnie was born Dec. 5, 1908 in Custer, the daughter of Sam and Henrietta Musser.
On Dec. 19, 1925, Minnie was united in marriage to Martin Carlson in Billings. Minnie and Martin started their marriage farming close to the Clarks Fork River, north of Belfry. In 1951, the family moved to Bridger, where they built the Marshall Wells Store. Martin died in 1986 and their son, Earl, died in 1979.
Minnie loved flowers and grew many beautiful roses. Grandma showed her love by cooking wonderful meals, and was known for her homemade chicken and noodles and her pies. She spent numerous hours hand-making quilts and knitting afghans. She was a member of the Bridger Methodist Church and the Order of Eastern Star in Bridger for over 50 years. Minnie was active in NuArt Club and Women’s Club of Bridger for many years.
Survivors include her daughter, Doris Lindeberg (Floyd) of Boulder City, Nev.; a son, Carl B. Carlson (Vera) of Billings; six grandchildren, Linda Lee Vigus (Jody) of Billings, Randy Carlson of Las Vegas, Nev., Beverly Bradshaw (Joel) of Seattle, Wash., Lori Aberg (Robert) of South Grafton, Mass., Shari Bonnet (Kevin) of Costa Mesa, Calif., Kristi Lindberg of Seattle, Wash., and three great-grandchildren, Danielle and Blake Bonnet and Nichols Aberg.
Funeral services were held March 20, 2001 at the Bridger United Methodist Church, with interment in the Bridger Cemetery.
Dahl Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service in Billings was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Bridger United Methodist Church.
SUOMA W. JOKI
Suoma W. Joki, age 90, of Helena, formerly of Red Lodge, died at the BeeHive Homes in Helena on March 13, where she had resided for the last year.
She was born March, 25, 1910 on the family homestead near Roberts to Finnish immigrants Reinholt and Anna Amelia Paavola. She was the seventh of eight children. She grew up in Roberts, and married Edwin Joki in Red Lodge on Feb. 26, 1930.
Since this was during the depression, they had a rough beginning. Finding work was difficult. In 1935, they moved to Butte where Edwin was a contract miner. In 1944, they returned to Fox to take over the August Joki family homestead. They sold the farm in 1972, and retired in Red Lodge where they thoroughly relaxed and enjoyed life until Edwin’s death in 1983.
Suoma moved to Helena in 1992 to be near her daughter, and was able to live independently until April of 2000. She was fiercely independent and extremely proud of her ability to handle her own affairs.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Waino, George and Fred Paavola; and her sisters, Signe Kangas, Alice Green, Mildred Irvine and Sylvia Indreland; a daughter, Alice Laverna “Little Alice” Joki in 1931; a son, Harvey Wayne Joki in 1996; and a grandson, Duane Edwin Rowe in 1999.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie McFarland and husband Jim, of Helena; her daughter-in-law, Norma Joki of Roberts; grandchildren: Kendall (Laurel) Joki; Julie Just and children Jaylee, August and Charlotte; Nanette (Verlyn) Strommen and children Elizabeth and Vance; Kristofer Joki and daughter Jayden, all of Roberts; Darryl (Pam) and daughter Allyson; granddaughter-in-law, Tamara Rowe and children Kyle and Kolten, all of Oklahoma; Dustin Rowe of Bozeman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 16 at the Smith-Olcott Chapel in Red Lodge. Cremation followed, and interment will be at a later date in the Red Lodge Cemetery. Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
MAGDALENA E. PETERS
Magdalena E. “Lena” Peters, 76, of Billings, passed away March 18, 2001 at home.
Magdalena was born to Felix and Matilda Ott on April 28, 1924 at Fromberg. Magdalena married Ralph Peters on June 24, 1940 at Red Lodge. They spent their lives farming in Bridger.
Magdalena liked gardening, and enjoyed her flowers and crocheting.
Survivors include a daughter, Deanna (Ralph) Betcher of Livingston, Texas; two sons Ron (May) of Bridger and Gerald (Thellis) of Helena; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; three sisters, Tillie Smidt of Butte, Julia Herbert of Laurel and Anna Rekdal of Billings; four brothers, John (Eva) of Reed Point, Val (Frances) and Tony, both of Billings, and Mike (Delphine) of Fremont, Calif.
Magdalena was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four brothers and two sisters.
Memorials are suggested to Big Sky Hospice in Billings.
Services were held Wednesday, March 21 at Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel. Interment was in the Bridger Cemetery.
ELMER C. KLOSTER
Elmer C. Kloster, 86, formerly of Red Lodge, died April 1 at Memorial Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas. He was born August 6, 1914 in Shawmut to Alfred and Gurine (Jensen) Kloster.
He graduated from high school in Belmont, and attend Eastern Montana College at Billings and Montana State University at Bozeman. Elmer served in World War II in the Army Air Force.
In 1943, he married Jennie Salono in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. They had one son. Elmer and Jennie moved to the Roberts, Red Lodge and Billings area in 1950 where he farmed, taught junior-high students, and was an elementary school principal. He was active in the Elks and Lions Clubs of Red Lodge, and served on the Red Lodge Hospital Board. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and especially his grandchildren. In 1998, Elmer moved to The Woodlands, Texas to be near his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters.
Elmer is survived by his son Ronald L. (Mary Ann) Kloster of Montgomery, Texas; his sisters, Thelma Nordahl, Agnes Hium, Lillian Henderson, Hilma Weidinger; sister-in-law, Nelli Kloster; granddaughters Ann Janikula, Catherine Molitoriss, Amy McFerrin, and Karen Kloster; and great-granddaughter, Kayla Janikula.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jennie; brother, Robert; and sisters, Alma Moore and Mabel Nordahl.
Funeral services for Elmer will be at St. Agnes Church in Red Lodge at 11 a.m. Thursday April 5, with Rite of Committal in Red Lodge Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society at 3021 Sixth Avenue N., Billings, MT 59101.
ROSE M. ORLER
Rose M. Orler, 87, of Red Lodge, died Monday morning, April 2, 2001 in her home.
She was born July 22, 1913 in Red Lodge, a daughter of Joseph and Louisa Tarro, and was raised and educated here. At the age of 13, she began working at various Red Lodge businesses, including the Southern Hotel, Burton’s Cafe and Orler’s Confectionery and Gift Shop.
On Jan. 10, 1948 Rose married John B. Orler in Red Lodge. Over the years, she was employed as a custodian at St. Agnes Catholic School, the FHA offices and the Montana Bank. Mrs. Orler enjoyed crocheting, gardening and caring for her family.
Rose was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and Altar Society, and served as secretary-treasurer of the Italian Girls Victory Club. She also participated in the Festival of Nations for several years.
Preceding her in death were her husband on June 4, 1992, one sister, Caroline Zagoric, and one brother, Joe Tarro.
Survivors include two daughters, Louise Orler and Mary Rose Orler, both of Red Lodge, and one brother, John Tarro of Red Lodge. Rose also enjoyed a special, close relationship with her numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families.
She loved with all her heart her God, her family and her many friends.
The Rosary will be recited Thursday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, April 6 at the church. Rite of Committal will be in the Red Lodge Cemetery, with Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to St. Agnes Catholic Church.
