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Gladys Singer
Gladys Singer was born in Ambrose, N.D., on June 5, 1927, the youngest of six children born to Iver and Mary Lee. She attended schools in Ambrose and then worked as a switchboard operator for Mountain Bell in Crosby, N.D., and later in Glasgow. In 1947, she married
Marchel W. Singer, and they lived at Fort Peck where he was employed as a barber. In 1948, they moved to Billings where they made their lifelong home and raised their two daughters, Karen and Shirley.
Gladys was an excellent mother and homemaker, who took great joy in sewing matching outfits for the girls, tending her rose garden, and baking for the frequent visits of family and friends. The backyard apple trees provided wealth that never went to waste. Family gatherings were based on picking of the apples and the enjoyment of their later baked goods and jams. Her quilts were treasured family gifts and her baked goods were sought after at church bazaars. The family enjoyed camping on the Boulder River and traveling to mountain lakes around the state. Special times in a camper for six were enjoyed by many more and all made comfortable and well fed by Gladys.
Gladys was an active member of her women's circle at Grace United Methodist Church and a friendly face to the patients of Deaconess Hospital where she volunteered delivering flowers. She was blessed with three grandchildren, Gregory Rush, Dawn Oakland and Brett Oakland. They were her greatest joy in life and she made everyday and all holidays very special for them with her treats and efforts of love. She was a true "Norwegian" and on a moment's notice, guests had a table spread with a variety of Norwegian cookies and a "home away from home" for as long as they wished to stay.
A trip to Minot, N.D., with daughter, Karen and son-in-law, Jerry last fall for the "Nordfest" to hear Myron Floren on his accordion, was probably her last true pleasure this life. Soon after, she was given the news of recurring cancer and was no longer able to enjoy her treasured home and special friend "Peaches" (her sheltie that she received from the grandchildren the year she was widowed). She did, however, continue to be blessed by the visits and well wishes of those who loved her, until her release from pain on April 3, 2000.
Gladys is survived by her daughters, Shirley Rush of Helena and Karen Oakland of Billings; sons-in-law, Jerry Oakland, Bruce Rush and grandsons, Gregory Rush and Brett Oakland, all of Billings. She is also survived by brothers, Christian Lee of Laurel, Alvin Lee of Williston, N.D.; sisters, Minnie Berg of Crosby, N.D., and Ida Johnson of Great Falls; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marchel Singer, granddaughter, Dawn Marie Oakland and brother, Ed.
Celebration of her blessed life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at Grace United Methodist Church in Billings. Private family interment will take place. Memorials may be sent to Mothers Against Drunk Driving at PO Box 20156, Billings, MT 59104, in special memory of her beloved granddaughter, Dawn.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Leora 'Lee' Embry
ALAMO, Texas - Leora "Lee" Embry passed away at her residence in Alamo, Texas, on March 29, 2000. Lee was 74 years old. She was born on Jan. 26, 1926, in Billings.
She is survived by her husband, Ned of 55 years; two daughters: Karen Lacher of McAllen, Carol (Bruce) Hoagland of Thompson Falls, Mont.; five grandsons: Bradley (Mariejose), Brian and Christopher Lacher of McAllen, Jordan Hoagland of Thompson Falls and Corey (Keelie) Hoagland and twin great-grandsons of Tacoma, Wash.; and two nephews: Ron and Mike Wilson of Boise, Idaho.
Lee was a member of the First Christian Church in Billings, Order of Eastern Star, and the Beartooth Museum in Columbus. During WWII, she taught school in the suburbs of Tampa, Fla. At the end of the war, she taught at the Hawthorn School on the Billings Bench. In 1946, the family moved to Columbus and owned and operated Embry's TV for over 40 years. She expressed her greatest joy was being a member of Rock Rose Chapter of Eastern Star and working as mother advisor for the Rainbow Girls. After retirement she enjoyed traveling and being with the Air Stream Club of Montana and Canada.
She and Ned enjoyed two trips to Europe and Alaska. Just a year ago they had a wonderful trip to the Holy Land. They spent their retirement years in south Texas and Florida. While in Texas, Lee enjoyed dancing and painting classes.
Interment will be in Billings at Terrace Gardens cemetery under the direction of Smith Funeral Home. A memorial service is being planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions be made to the Order of Eastern Star in Columbus, Mont., or the Beartooth Museum.
J. Birdell 'Birdie' Hill
SACO - J. Birdell "Birdie" Hill, 65, died on Wednesday, April 5, at the Francis Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow following a long battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 10, at the Saco Methodist Church with interment following in the Grandview cemetery in Saco. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge.
Caroline Margaret Gartner Green Siler
Caroline Margaret Gartner Green Siler passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2000, after a brief battle with lung cancer. Her family surrounded her. She had celebrated her 59th birthday on Saturday, April 1 with her family and friends.
She is survived by her children, Mary Frohlich, Susanne Maris, Lisa Slier and Mark Slier of Billings, Debra Eldrige and Rebecca Siler of Fairbanks, Alaska; her sisters, Maggie Holom, Arlene Romer and Linda Waska, and her brothers, Adam Gartner and Walter Gartner. She had 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Robert Siler, her sons, Mike and Jim Siler, her parents, Steve and Minnie Gartner, her sister, Mary Kinegak, preceded her in death, all of whom met her with loving arms.
She was loved by many and will be remembered by many. She will be dearly missed.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Monday, April 10, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Smith Funeral Chapel in charge of cremation. Memorials to the Big Sky Hospice P. O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59104.
Art H. Botnen
MILES CITY - Art N. Botnen, 79, died on Thursday, April 6, 2000, at the Veterans Hospital.
Visitation will begin Sunday at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 10, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Veterans Section at Custer County cemetery with full military rites.
Ralph Jorgenson
Ralph Jorgenson, 72, of Billings, passed away April 6, 2000, surrounded by those that loved him. Nels was born Nov. 8, 1927, in Preston, Minn., to Fred and Vera (Crowson) Jorgenson. The family later moved to Chatfield when Nels was a child. He later met and married
Thelma Alleen Finley, Oct. 2, 1948. In 1961, he moved his family to Billings and made our home. Nels was a tile and terrazzo mechanic and later a long-distance truck driver.
Nels had many friends that he cared about; he loved visiting and was only a "stranger for a moment." He was always helping his neighbors, whether it be shoveling their sidewalks or giving them a ride when they needed. He enjoyed having morning coffee with the boys and his best friend was his dog, Little Joe. He was always there for his family whether it be holding a shovel or just supervising.
We have many happy memories of raccoon hunting and fishing trips as Dad always loved the outdoors. He liked traveling and spending the winters in Arizona and making friends wherever he went. He especially liked stopping by Railroad Pass on his way to Arizona and playing the Wheel of Fortune Machine.
The family would like to give a very special thank you to Nels' "special friend" LaVonne Burk for all of her love and support. "We couldn't have made it through this without her."
Nels is survived by his daughters, Sandy (Wayne) Wilson, LaRayne (Bud) Hawkins, both of Montana; Dianne (Danny) Hutchinson of Washington, Judy (Jim) Armstrong Arizona, Donna (JD) Banning of Arizona; sons, Dusty (Elaine) Jorgenson, Scott (Stacie) Jorgenson, both of Montana; sisters, Lois Press of New Jersey, Marion Turner, Betty Graves, both of Minnesota; and brothers, Fred Jorgenson of Montana, and Bill Jorgenson of Minnesota; 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Nels was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Thelma; brothers, Robert and Hans Jorgenson; and a great-grandchild, Remy Snow.
There will be a visitation at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Friday, 1- 5, Saturday, 10- 3, Monday, 10-12. Services will be held on Monday, April 10, 2 p.m., at Dahl Funeral Chapel, Billings. Interment will be at Rockvale cemetery. Memorials maybe made to the Northern Rockies Cancer Center, P.O. Box 369, Billings, MT 59101.
Paul B. Kronebusch
GLASGOW - Paul B. Kronebusch, 42, died Wednesday, April 5, 2000, of cancer at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital.
Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 9, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Glasgow. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 10, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church. Interment will be in Highland cemetery. Bell Mortuary is in charge.
Rosalie Marcella Hoyt
Rosalie Marcella Hoyt passed away at her home on Wednesday, April 5, 2000. She had lived for 58 years.
Rosalie was born April 11, 1941, in Billings, a daughter of Jack and Pearl Fae (Owens) Stafford. She was raised and educated in Billings. As an adult she was an avid reader and enjoyed the time she spent with her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include three sons, Jack A., Dean C., and Mark R. Hoyt, all of Billings; two grandchildren in Scobey and nine grandchildren in Billings; four brothers, Virgil C. Bouldin Jr. of Ketchikan, Alaska, Eldred L. Bouldin of Brighton, Colo., Richard L. Bouldin of Missoula, and Ernest H. Bouldin of Peoria, Ariz.; and one sister, Margie Mae Starr of California.
Cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Karen Anona Slaugh
Karen Anona Slaugh, 47, died at her home Thursday, April 6, 2000. She was born to John William Jr. and Anona Bemice Belisle Slaugh on Sept. 6, 1952, in Pocatello, Idaho. Most of her early years were spent in Aberdeen, Idaho, until the family moved to Billings in 1968. Karen graduated from Billings Senior High, working at COR Enterprises.
Karen was a member of St. Bernard's Parish and Growth Thru Art.
Karen is survived by her mother, Bernice, and stepfather, Morris Korwald and brother, John Slaugh, all of Billings; two sister, Joyce (Joe) Watson of Great Falls and Linda Korwald of Mesa, Ariz.; grandmother, Anona Belisle of Pocatello; and an aunt, Dorothy (Dale) Chadwick of Pocatello. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Slaugh and grandparents, Bill and Lillian Slaugh.
Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Bernard's Parish, 226 Wicks Lane, and Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday. Rite of Committal will be at Aberdeen cemetery in Aberdeen, Idaho. Memorials may be made to COR Enterprises, 200 S 24th St., Billings, 59101 or Growth Thru Art, 2911 Second Ave. N., Billings, 59101. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Eldon J. Rasmuson
BAKER - Eldon J. Rasmuson, 83, of Baker, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2000, at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker. He was born on June 21, 1916, in Pierce County, Wis., the son of Richard and Marie Christenson. After the death of his mother at childbirth, Eldon lived with various families. At the age of two, he came out to live with his aunt and uncle, Hans and Mary Marker, who farmed north of Baker. Eldon attended first grade in Baker. He moved back to Wisconsin to live with his father where he completed his schooling. Eldon worked for his brother-in-law, Henry Peterson, during this time in the creamery. He spent several summers coming to Montana and helping out on the farm. Eldon was married
to Violet L. Bach on April 3, 1943, in the Heartland Methodist Church in Pierce County, Wis. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing and bowling. He especially enjoyed meeting his friends for coffee. Eldon was a member of the Baker Community Church where he held several offices and the Sandstone Masonic Lodge of Baker.
Survivors include a daughter, Elmarie Maas and her husband, Don of Big Timber, Mont.; two grandchildren: Mathias Maas of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Maria Helling and her husband, Kirk of Sheridan, Wyo.; and a sister, Milderd Peterson of Craig, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet in 1989; a brother-in-law, Henry "Hank" Peterson and a niece, Marjean Fedinec.
A Prayer Service will be held on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Stevenson's Funeral Home in Baker. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Baker Community Church with Pastor Jean McCusker officiating. Interment will be in the Bonnievale cemetery in Baker. Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker is in charge of the arrangements.
Valerian Vincent Bezdicek
Father Valerian Vincent Bezdicek, 86, of Billings, died Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at St. Vincent Hospital, following an automobile accident.
The son of Vincent and Florence Stranik Bezdicek, he was born Sept. 8, 1914, in New Hradec, N.D. He attended grade school at Dickinson, N.D., and Lisle, Ill. He attended high school at Saint Procopius College in Lisle and Nazareth Hall in St. Paul, Minn. Valerian completed his college and theology work at Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio. He was ordained May 28, 1939.
Father Bezdicek served as assistant priest at St. Patrick's in Billings and St. Leo's in Lewistown before accepting the pastorate of Saint Victor's Parish in Hilger in May 1940. He also served Saints Cyril and Methodius in Stockett and was pastor of Saint Francis Xavier in Circle for 15 years. In 1964, he transferred to Saint Agnes, Red Lodge, and to Saint Pius X in Billings in 1968. In July of 1974, he accepted assignment to Saint Mary's, Columbus. He ministered to its needs until retiring, July 1, 1983.
After retiring Father Bezdicek moved to Billings and has made his home at the Regina Cleri complex for retired priests. He continued to be active by assisting the pastors of Billings to maintain the Mass schedule in the parishes.
Survivors include his sister, Sister Mary Bede Bezdicek of Mankato, Minn.; five nieces and nephews, Pat Schindele of Sun Lake, Ariz., Florence Frederick of Tucson, Ariz., Frances Breslin of Anderson, Calif., Thomas Schindele of Gillette, Wyo., and Arthur Schindele of Wenatchee, Wash.; and 13 grandnieces and nephews.
Vigil services will be 7 p.m. Thursday, at St. Pius X Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, at St. Pius X Church with rite of committal at Holy Cross cemetery.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Robert F. Burns
CODY, Wyo. - Robert F. Burns, age 81, died Wednesday, April 5, 2000, at West Park Hospital.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Ballard Funeral Home was in charge.
John R. Frederick
John R. Frederick, 46, of Billings, died Tuesday, April 4, 2000, due to complications from diabetes. The son of Vernon T. and Betty (Cornelius) Frederick, John was born in Miles City, Mont., on Sept. 15, 1953. After graduating from school, John joined the U.S. Army in 1970 where he earned the National Def-ense Service Medal. While serving, John trained as a mechanic. He also became a marksman, a skill that was a great tool for his love of hunting.
After he left the Army, John lived in Miles City, Mont. He worked in carpentry, hotel maintenance and as a hunting guide. One of John's passions in life was hunting elk with his friends and family, whom he loved dearly. Camping, fishing and riding horses were among his other hobbies.
John is survived by his mother, Betty L. Hinton, of Montana; son, Chris Frederick of Billings; daughter, Crystal (Chad) Arnold; grandchildren, Kyle and Austin Arnold, both of Laurel; sisters, Deannie (Don) Goforth of Montana, Peggy (Jerry) White of Wyoming, Verna (Tim) Ward of Wyoming; brothers, Daniel (Jeralyn) Frederick of Wyoming, Blen (Charlotte) Hinton of Tennessee; John's maternal and paternal grandparents and father preceded him in death.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be Friday, April 7, at 2 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel.
Ethel Dagny Fredriksen
LAUREL - Ethel Dagny Fredriksen, 87, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at Evergreen Laurel Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Feb. 1, 1913, to Alfred and Dagmar Selvig in their little house on the prairie about three miles north of Outlook, Mont.
Ethel graduated salutatorian from Outlook High School in May of 1931. She was proud to also be recognized with the Citizenship Award. After graduation she attended college in Havre, Mont., and then taught in a country school.
On May 26, 1934, Ethel married
Arnold Fredriksen at Plentywood. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 1994.
Throughout her lifetime she worked at many and various jobs, but her most important job always centered around her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. No task was too great or too small for her to be willing to do for her loved ones. Over the years, Ethel was very active in the Lutheran Church as Sunday School teacher, Bible School, Church camp and singing in the choir. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
Survivors include a son, Arthur and his wife Ronna of Helena; daughter, Patty Barnett and her husband, Larry of Roscoe; sister Katherine Ordahl of Plentywood; three grandchildren: Pamela Schulz, Fred Fredriksen and Tara Ussery; three step-grandchildren: Cary Barnett, Kim Lamdin and Konnie Jansma; three great-grandchildren: Jade, Alivia and Tyler and four step-great grandchildren: Steven, Beth, Grace and John.
Ethel was precededin death by her parents; husband, Arnold; brother, Arthur and sister, Anne.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 10, in Absarokee, Mont., at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the Roscoe cemetery. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
WE LOVE YOU MOM!
