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Ruth E. Wade
“Without music life would be a mistake.” Nietzsche
Ruth E. Wade was born to Sidney and Winnifred Tucker in Sherwood N.D., on Jan. 1, 1916. The family moved near Turner, Mont., to homestead. When the harsh weather drove the homesteaders out, they moved to Huntley Project, where they farmed and had a small dairy. Ruth told stories of selling cream and eggs to residents of Billings on the “milk route.”
Ruth met Gene W. Wade while attending Huntley Project High School. After graduating, Ruth attended Billings Normal School and majored in music. Even though music remained a life-long passion, Gene persuaded Ruth to attend Billings Business College, because “a business education” was more important. Ruth and Gene married
on Oct. 16, 1938.
The couple decided to call Cooke City, Mont., home and started a family. They had two sons, Gene Jr. and Dennis. They built a service station and cabins that became Watuck Lodge. Watuck, which many thought was “an old Indian name” was really a combination of the names Wade and Tucker. Running the lodge in those busy years, Ruth met many guests who became fast friends. As they added additional property, Ruth put her business degree to good use. At one time they owned or operated: the U.S. Post Office, State Liquor Store, Hiland Saw Mill, Hiland Guide Service and Watuck Lodge. The properties were sold in 1970.
Ruth loved living surrounded by mountains. She enjoyed fishing, hiking, playing the organ and singing. She and Gene continued to live in Cooke City until they moved to Billings in the fall of 1987. Ruth said, “We got tired of chopping wood.” Gene Sr. died in March 1993. The last few years of Ruth’s life were not as she would have wanted them to be. Her many years in Cooke City with Gene were the happiest of her life, and she would want people to remember her as she was in those days.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sid and Winnie Tucker, husband, Gene W. Wade and brother, Ray Tucker. She is survived by two sons and their families: son, Gene and Marilyn Wade of Billings, granddaughter, Anne-Marie, grandson, Brian; son, Dennis and Susie Wade of Homer Alaska, granddaughters, Laralie and Winna. Other relatives are sister-in-law, Jackie Tucker, nephews, Steve Tucker, Mark Tucker and their families.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in May. Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church, Mt. Republic Chapel of Peace, Cooke City, or the Yellowstone River Parks Association. Smith Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Vernon O. Hellie
MALTA – Vernon Orville Hellie, 57, died Tuesday, April 11, 2000, at the Phillips County Hospital from renal failure.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, April 17, at the Adams Memorial Chapel with interment to follow the services. Adams Funeral Home is in charge.
Wilbur ‘Pat’ Lockman
SIDNEY – Wilbur “Pat” Lockman, 48, formerly of Poplar, died Monday, April 10, 2000, at the Deaconess Medical Center in Billings.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Pella Lutheran Church. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Poplar cemetery. Fulkerson Funeral Home is in charge.
Kay K. Lenz
Kay K. Thompson Lenz, 58, of Billings, formerly of Forsyth, died on Monday, April 10, 2000, at the Billings Deaconess Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 14, at the Beals Mortuary Chapel in Forsyth. Interment will follow in the Forsyth cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Deaconess Billings Clinic Foundation, c/o Pulmonary Rehab. Lung Walk, P.O. Box 37000, Billings, MT 59107.
Ione French
MALTA – Ione French, 69, died Monday, April 10, 2000, at the Deaconess Medical Center in Billings of a massive stroke.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Adams Funeral Chapel. Interment will be in the Malta cemetery.
Nellie Evelyn Parke
GLASGOW – Nellie Evelyn Parke, 88, died Monday, April 3, 2000, in Phoenix.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, at Highland cemetery. Bell Mortuary is in charge.
Thomas Ivar Follinglo
EDGAR – Thomas Ivar Follinglo, 59, of Edgar, went to be with his loving Lord and Savior, Monday, April 10, 2000, after a long illness. Tom was born the son of Tollef and Agnes Follinglo in Missoula on Jan. 9, 1941.
He graduated from Missoula High School, served with the U.S. Army and in 1967 graduated from the University of Montana with an education degree in general science and biology. In August of 1968 he married
Kathy Sawyer of Lewistown.
Together they taught school in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada, for two years. In 1972 he began his career with the U.S. Geological Survey working out of the Fort Peck and Billings offices as a hydrologic technician, retiring in November of 1998.
He was admired for his many skills in building and renovations. His woodworking skills and attention to detail was reflected in his construction projects. His skilled hands and gentle loving presence will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Kathy of Edgar; son Kevin of Edgar, daughter Jana of Billings; his mother Agnes Follinglo, sister Trudi Schmidt, and brother Ralph Follinglo, all of Great Falls. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Tollef Follinglo.
A memorial service will be held at the Laurel Church of the Nazarene at 10 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2000.
Memorials in honor of Thomas Follinglo can be directed to the Laurel Church of the Nazarene.
Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel was in charge of arrangements.
Weston W. Bryant
SHERIDAN, Wyo. – Weston W. Bryant, 81, died on Sunday, April 9, 2000, in Westview Health Care Center.
Viewing will be from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday from Ferries Funeral Home. Cremation will follow the service. Memorials may be made to the Animal Shelter, 325 Fort Road, Sheridan, WY 82801.
James R. Hoff
James R. Hoff, 84, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2000. Jim was born and raised on the family farm on the Huntley Project where his parents, Albert G. Hoff and Lucy Brose Hoff homesteaded in 1908.
Jim lived on the family farm his entire life except for his military service during WWII in the Army Corps of Engineers in the Pacific Theater from Feb. 12, 1942, to Oct. 11, 1945. Jim also worked during several campaigns at the Billings Sugar Beet Refinery.
He attended Huntley Project schools and graduated in 1933.
He was the last original surviving charter member of the VFW Post No. 7407, and a lifetime member of the NRA and the North American Fishing Club, and also a member of the Huntley Project Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He was known as the “Guru” of gardening by his many friends.
He is survived by his nieces, Phylliss Hamilton of Mesa, Ariz., and Jeanne Wakenshaw of Spokane, Wash., their children and his very special friends, De Balzer and Dia Pearl.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Adele Chestnut and his brother, Charles.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Huntley cemetery. Memorials may be made to VFW Post No. 7407 or the Worden Fire Dept.
Vincent Veto Jr.
LIVINGSTON – Vincent “Vince” Veto Jr., 66, died Sunday, April 9, 2000, at Deaconess Medical Center in Billings.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Holbrook United Methodist Church with graveside committal and burial in Mountain View cemetery. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home is in charge.
Camilla Marie ‘Millie’ Pond
WOLF POINT – Millie (Bear) Pond passed into the spirit world on Sunday, April 9, 2000, in Albuquerque, N.M. She was born on Jan. 18, 1923, to Minnie Kuhnehenn and Frank Bear in Lodgepole, Mont., on the Fort Belknap Indian reservation.
Millie and Jim ranched east of the Little Rockies for the majority of their married
life. All of their children, except the youngest, were born and raised on the ranch. They moved to Wolf Point in the ’60s and continued to live there until Jim’s death, when she moved to Billings and later to Albuquerque with her youngest son Michael.
Millie was a deeply spiritual woman who served as an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. Her prayers supported her children as they grew and went on to become successful in their dreams and endeavors. Every day she would pray the rosary for her children, grandchildren and friends. Millie was proud of her children and grandchildren as they became attorneys, accountants, doctors, medical technologists, social workers and business people.
Millie had a special bond with animals. She loved them and they loved her back. She will be missed by her little dog Beau, her protector and companion.
Mrs. Pond has reunited with her husband James Pond, and children Mary, Joseph, Kenneth and Leland in heaven. She will be missed greatly by her children Phyllis Culbertson (Greek), Doreen Pond (Leland’s wife), Sharon Larose (Eric), Alan Pond (Enola), Gerald Pond (Kee), Michael Pond (Wanda) and adopted daughters Barbara Garfield (Danny) and Elaine Sears. Mrs. Pond was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren as well as numerous adopted grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Millie had good friends who checked on her while she lived in Wolf Point – Vera Johnson, Arleta Fish Feather Earring. Myrt Red Stone and Barbara Birdsbill.
Visitations will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 14. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wolf Point with Rev. Fr. Steve Zabrocki officiating. Interment will be in the Lodgepole cemetery in Lodgepole, Mont.
Inez Ione Blair
WORLAND, Wyo. – Inez Ione Blair, 89, passed away April 10, 2000. Born Inez Ione Young on March 8, 1911, in Salina, Kan., she was a daughter to Sam and May Young. She was raised in Green River, Wyo.
Inez was an active woman, She joined the Civil Service in Denver as an ambulance driver during WWII. After the war she moved to Miles City, Mont., to fill a position with the VA Hospital. It was in Miles City that she met her husband Harold “Bud” Blair.
Inez and Harold moved to Billings. where she worked for St. John’s Nursing Home as a dietician for 20 plus years. In 1994 Inez moved to Worland to be close to her brother Sam Young.
Inez is survived by a son, Bruce Blair and his wife Amanda, both of Largo, Fla.; a brother, Sam Young of Worland; two sisters, Pat Shannon of Worland and Hazel Runge and her husband Harold of Pueblo, Colo.; two grandchildren, Ben Blair and Matt Blair and his wife Melissa, all of Spokane, Wash.; two great grandchildren, Joel and Samantha, along with numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Inez has found her peaceful sleep; we celebrate her life, her strength and her love. We thank you, Lord, for sharing this special lady with us and pray she is, at last, at rest.
Jessie S. Murray
LIVINGSTON – Jessie S. Murray, 96, died Friday, April 7, 2000, at Livingston Memorial Hospital.
Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Holbrook United Methodist Church with private committal and burial of the cremated remains in Mountain View cemetery prior to the memorial service.
Hilda Marie (Sally) Rogers
Hilda Marie (Sally) Rogers passed away on April 10, 2000. She is survived by her son, John Carl Rogers of Billings, her granddaughter, Kelle Mari Rogers also of Billings, and many nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law, and her close friends, Patsy Martin of Billings, and Mattie Gish of Daly City, Calif.
Sally was born in Columbus, Kan., on March 21, 1909, to Jacob Monroe Wommack and Maud Pearl Call. The family later moved to Webb City, Mo., then to Joplin, Mo., where she was raised with her sisters and brother. Sally worked in Kansas City, Mo., before moving to Montana to rejoin her family. In Columbus, she met and eventually married
A. J. “Beans” Rogers on Dec. 12, 1932. Her husband passed away in Billings July 16, 1976. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Peggy Love of Florida and Burnice Kelty of Billings, and her brother, Jacob Rex Wommack, also of Billings.
Sally considered her job in life to be a wife and a mother; however, she also worked with mentally and physically challenged students in Worland, Wyo., as well as part-time in the florist business, also in Worland. “Beans” and Sally enjoyed their years of traveling together after “Beans”’ retirement. Sally was an excellent artist, an outgoing person, and just a neat person to be around. She will be remembered for those traits and her love of life and all the adventures life held. She loved and was loved in return. All that you were lives on in those who loved you.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 17, at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist, l00l Alderson Ave. The family wishes to thank the ladies at the Eunice Ash Home Care Facility for their loving help for our mother and grandmother in her last days, and Patsy Martin for being mother’s good friend and for being there.
Doris H. McMillan
RONAN – Doris H. McMillan died of natural causes on Saturday, April 8, at Ronan. She was born to Elva Rauch Humphrey and Dr. Hall H. Humphrey on Jan. 29, 1915, at Daykin, Neb. She graduated from Daykin High in 1933 and received a bachelor of arts degree from Nebraska Wesleyan College in 1937. She and Paul McMillan married
in 1937 and four children were born of this union. Doris and Paul were later divorced.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Frances Humphrey, and her daughter, Kate, who died in a car accident along the Musselshell River in 1963. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jean and Rex Howard, of Gering, Neb., and her children, Janet McMillan of Ronan, Archie McMillan and Cheryl of Missoula, Mac MacMillan and Kate of Portland, Ore., five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Doris’ lifelong passions included the English language, cats, Scrabble, food, and gardening, not necessarily in that order. During WWII, Doris and her friends gathered periodically and made their own laundry soap. Her thriftiness was further evidenced in her gardening and canning, avocations she pursued into her 80s. Following her example, her children and grandchildren still garden more or less crazily. For many years, she worked in the newborn nurseries at Deaconess and St. Vincent Hospitals in Billings, and loved working with babies. Her devotion to cats caused her to lead a pro-cat conspiracy at her first retirement home at Sage Tower, Billings, a rebellion that resulted in a suspension of their no cat policy.
A Scrabble service and candle salad vigil for Doris has been held in Missoula.
