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WALTER SANFRED SAARELA
Walter Saarela, 72, of Bozeman, formerly of Roberts, died at Evergreen Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Bozeman on April 1, 2001.
Walter was born in Roberts on June 18, 1928, the son of Sanfred and Ida (Hanni) Saarela. He worked on the family farm until his enlistment in the U.S. Army in 1953. Walter received an education in communications while serving in the army. Receiving his honorable discharge in 1955, he then went to work for AT&T, which turned out to be his lifetime occupation. Walter retired after many years of service to AT&T.
On Nov. 14, 1968, Walter married the love of his life, Janet Pauline Mossestad. Janet died in 1993. They made their home in Bozeman, but always monitored the activities on the family farm in Roberts. Many of their vacations were spent on the farm, helping with the haying and harvesting.
Walter enjoyed his flower gardens and visiting with friends. He had an unusual sense of humor, which he kept right up to the end.
Walter leaves behind his sisters, Aina and her husband, Everett Jarnot, Shirley and her husband, John Wilson, all of Billings; a brother, Larry Saarela and his wife, Mertis of Boyd, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Two sisters, Ellen Saarela and Aune Laferriere, and two brothers, John and Wilho Saarela, preceded Walter in death.
A memorial service for Walter will be in Bozeman at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Thursday, April 5, at 2 p.m. On Friday, April 6, at 2 p.m., there will be a memorial service in Roberts at the First United Methodist Church. Walter’s ashes will be buried at a later date in the Lakeview Cemetery in Polson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
JAMES C. CASTAGNE
On Sunday, April 8, 2001, our father, grandfather and friend Jim Castagne went to be with his wife and the Lord. The fourth of seven children, he was born Feb. 16, 1910 in Red Lodge to Joseph and Josephine Castagne. After his father was killed in a mining accident, Jim left school to join his brother, Frank, to provide for the family.
On Nov. 16, 1938, Jim married Coral Prigge (the apple of his eye) in Red Lodge, and they honeymooned in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They settled in the Red Lodge area to start their family.
Jim and his brother Frank went into the meat processing business, establishing the Montana Meat Market. They were later joined by their brothers, Vic and Joe. In 1939 they purchased 880 acres of scrub land west of the rodeo grounds. With the purchase of one registered Hereford cow, they developed one of the top cattle and Timothy hay ranches in the country, using the walking 3 Bar M brand. In the 1950s, Jim was one of the pioneers in the hybridization of bison and cattle. Because of local kids and dogs, this enterprise was sold to cousin Jimmy Burnett of Luther.
Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing and being with his family. After selling the ranch, he enjoyed his “retirement” by helping his son, Joe, at Guido’s Meat Processing. He also liked to play and teach pool (he was a member of the Snag team for years), watch rodeos on TV and attend the Home of Champions Rodeo. A special delight was spending time with his grandchildren.
Mr. Castagne was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Coral; a daughter, Karen Castagne; an infant son, John Lawrence; sisters, Lucy Watts and Anne Ward; a brother, Victor, and his parents.
Survivors include one daughter, Joan (Tom) Brown, and one son, Joe (Betty) Castagne, all of Red Lodge; three brothers, Joe (Esther) Castagne and Frank Castagne of Red Lodge, and A.J. Castagne of Powell, Wyo.; nine grandchildren, James (Pat) Brown, Vince Caton, Jason (Tanya) Brown, Valerie Caton, Trent Brown, Shawna (Marty) O’Toole, Andrea (Aaron) Steig, Laura (Jerry) Malcomson and Tiffany Castagne, and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 12 in Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel. Cremation has taken place, and interment will be in the Red Lodge Cemetery. Memorials may be given to a charity of one’s choice.
LINA JOKI HERTIN
Lina Joki Hertin, 93, of Red Lodge, formerly of Roberts, died Saturday afternoon, April 7, 2001 in Beartooth Hospital Long Term Care Center.
Lina was born Feb. 1, 1908 on the family homestead near Fox, the seventh child born to John and Liisa Joki. She was raised and attended school at Fox, and later graduated from Carbon County High School in Red Lodge. Lina worked summers in Yellowstone Park, and after leaving school she worked in Palm Springs, Calif. While in California, she attended beauty school.
In 1934 Lina married A.B. Jackson in Helena; he preceded her in death in 1940. On Aug. 12, 1958 she married Bill Hertin in Red Lodge. They resided in Roberts for many years. Mr. Hertin died in 1997.
Lina was a member of the Roberts United Methodist Church, Eastern Star Venus Chapter, #32, Royal Neighbors and the VFW Auxiliary. She sang in the Finnish Choir at the Festival of Nations for many years, and she enjoyed crocheting, playing cards and socializing with friends.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty Lee Fluke of Folsom, Calif.; one son, Robert B. Jackson (Rosemarie) of Alpine, Calif; four grandchildren, Wayne Fluke and Glenn Fluke, both of Rancho Cordova, Calif., Christine Jackson Dell (Sam) of Lakeside, Calif., and Scott Jackson (Pam) of El Cajon, Calif.; three great-grandchildren, Robert and Andrew Dell and Ashley Jackson; one sister-in-law, Bertha Joki, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Tuesday evening, with cremation following. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 12 in Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Beartooth Hospital & Health Center, P.O. Box 590, Red Lodge, MT 59068, or to the charity of one’s choice.
JOHN KASTELITZ
John Kastelitz, 92, of Hemet, Calif., formerly of Bearcreek and Red Lodge, died April 2, 2001 in Hemet.
The son of John and Frances Kastelitz, he was born June 4, 1909 in Bearcreek. He worked in Bearcreek, Red Lodge and Billings until he entered the U.S. Army in 1942. Receiving his honorable discharge he then went to work for Southern California Gas Co. John retired after 25 years, at which time he moved to Hemet, enjoying the desert community.
John is preceded in death by his first wife of 36 years, Etta Johnson Kastelitz. His second wife of 13 years, Eleanor Carey Kastelitz; and his brother Frank (Shorty) Kastelitz and sister, Mary Martin.
John is survived by his stepson, Greg (Yaffa) Carey; sisters Haddie Klepich and Sylvia (Carol) Holmon and numerous nieces and nephews; his cousin, John Kastelitz of Red Lodge.
Funeral services were at Hartford Funeral Home, Hemment, on Aprl 6, 2001, with rite of comiittall and San Jacinto Valley Cemetery.
HAROLD GUY ARNOLD
Harold Guy Arnold, 59, of Red Lodge, passed away Monday, April 2, 2001.
A son of Loyle and Vivian Arnold, Harold was born Nov. 2, 1941 in Los Angeles, Calif., and was raised and educated there. Mr. Arnold had maintained a home in Red Lodge for the past 17 years.
Survivors include his three children, Tom Arnold of Fishtail, John Arnold and Katherine (Eric) Hensley, both of California, and his mother, also of California.
Services will be held in Whittier, Calif., under the direction of Rose Hills Mortuary. Interment will be in Rose Hills Memorial Park. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge was in charge of local arrangements.
HERBERT ALLEN ZOOK
Herbert Allen Zook passed away March 14, 2001 at the age of 68.
Born in Laurel, he was the oldest child of May O. and Vernon D. Zook on April 21, 1932.
His mother, father, and sisters Lorna Carlson and Ann preceded him in death, but he is survived by a brother, Curtis, and his wife, Helen; a sister, Vivian Johnstone and her husband, Jack; his wife, Bernice, and daughter, Pamela.
When the family lived on a Luther ranch, Herbert attended the Volney Creek School, and when the family relocated to a ranch near Red Lodge he attended and graduated from Red Lodge High School. Having left ranching to study physics, he attended then-Montana State College in Bozeman, and then pursued doctoral studies at the University of Washington in Seattle. He worked for nearly 40 years, until a week before his death, as an astrophysicist for NASA in Houston, Texas. He advanced theories of celestial mechanics and enjoyed publication in numerous esteemed scientific journals. He was also a co-investigator on several spacecraft.
In addition to his love of science, he enjoyed literature and history. He particularly loved music that reminded him of his days growing up on the ranch. In his youth he was an avid athlete — he especially loved mountain climbing. He was both scientist and philosopher. He lived a virtuous and admirable life. He will be greatly missed.
The family will hold a private memorial service at the Tony Cemetery near Luther.
JOHN “JACK” KELLY
John “Jack” Kelly, 62, of Red Lodge, died April 15, 2001.
Jack was born Aug. 26, 1938 in Glendive, the son of John and Patricia Kelly. He graduated from Billings Central High School, and went on to graduate from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. Jack was an engineer for Boeing Aircraft and North American Aviation. He returned to Montana and taught school. Jack established a real estate brokerage in the Billings area, which he maintained for 15 years. He then retired to Red Lodge.
He is survived by his son, James (Sandra) Kelly; grandchildren, Kaitlynn, Conner, Cole, Kylie and daughter, Lisa Kelly, all of Red Lodge; daughter, Kimberly Maio and son, Kenny Kimbal, of Washington; his mother, Patricia Kelly; a sister, Margaret Kirkness; and a brother, Patrick (Margie) Kelly.
His father and a daughter, Jill Marie Kelly, preceded him in death.
A graveside committal of ashes will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2001 at the Red Lodge Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Dahl Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge following the graveside service.
