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MARY JANE TUSS
Mary Jane (Clifford) Tuss passed away Oct. 28, 2002 at her daughter’s home in Helena, from complications of ALS.
She was born April 19, 1926 in Minnesota to Jerry and Mary Alice (Dolan) Clifford, and reared in Anaconda, Mont. She graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1944. In 1946 she and Walt Tuss were married in St. Paul’s Church in Anaconda. He preceded her in death in 1986.
She is survived by 5 children and their spouses, Ken and Vicki Tuss, Belfry, Sandra and John Kennedy, Gilbert, Ariz., Mary Jane and Ray Troyer, Helena, Rick Tuss, Sarasota, Fla., and Paul Tuss and Pam Hillery, Havre; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving her is her brother, Rev. Richard L. Clifford, MM, Mexico; sisters-in-law, Gloria Clifford, Yreka, Calif., and Angela Clifford, Spokane, Wash.; sister, Ruth Tonkovich, Spokane, Wash. and by Pete and Agnes Maricich of Anaconda, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
At her request there will be no wake or visitation but there will be a Memorial Mass for her friends and relatives at Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda. (Services pending.)
Mom and Nana, we love and miss you.
Memorials may be made to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Maryknoll, NY 10545-9989, or a charity of one’s choice.
GROVE L. HIGGINS
Grove L. “Larry” Higgins Jr., 72 of Powhatan, Va., died October 24, 2002.
He was the son of Grove Laurence Higgins Sr. and Marion Higgins of Syracuse, N.Y.
He is survived by his wife, Nina J. Higgins; three daughters, Gina Milliken and Marion Higgins, both of Colorado, and Julia Higgins of Washington; two sons, Kurtis Higgins of Idaho and Grove Higgins III of New York; one sister, Marion Curtiss; one nephew, Robert Curtiss, both of New York; and three grandchildren.
Mr. Higgins received his Masters Degree in geology from Syracuse University. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military duty, Mr. Higgins worked for Carter Oil Company, owned and operated Piney Dell Resort Ranch in Red Lodge, and Nez Pierce Lodge in Wisdom, Montana. Mr. Higgins retired from Mobil Oil Company. During his retirement Mr. Higgins became coordinator for Master Gardeners.
Services were held at the Bennett & Barden Funeral Home Powhatan, Va. on Tuesday October 29. Mr. Higgins received a military burial at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia Virginia.
YVONNE JURKOVICH WILSON
SEATTLE, WA – Yvonne (Toni) Jurkovich Wilson, 82, of Seattle, formerly of Red Lodge, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2002 in Ida Culver Nursing Center in Seattle.
She was born on September 2, 1920 in Washoe, Carbon County, Montana, a daughter of Vaso and Stana Jurkovich. She was raised in Red Lodge where she attended schools, graduating from Carbon County High School in 1938. She attended Great Falls Deaconess School of Nursing, graduating in September of 1946. Yvonne was a licensed registered nurse in the states of Montana, Wyoming, California and Washington.
In 1957 she married Robert A. Wilson. They resided in Burlingame, Calif. until 1969 when they settled in Seattle.
Following meticulously the pledge of Florence Nightingale, she enriched the lives of all who knew her, both professionally and personally. Yvonne had unwavering faith in the Lord’s power to watch over her and those she loved. Everyone knew she could be trusted in all things. Yvonne’s passion was her family and friends, and we are all abundantly blessed for having known her.
Survivors include her husband, Robert A. Wilson of Seattle, Wash.; three brothers, Eli Jurkovich of Eureka, Calif., and Ray and Nick Jurkovich, both of Red Lodge; and two sisters, Dorothy Christopherson of Seattle, Wash., and Rose Jurkovich of Red Lodge.
Cremation has taken place, and private family services will be held at a later date. Interment will be in the Red Lodge Cemetery. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel is assisting with local arrangements.
MARY FRANCES MOURICH
BEARCREEK – Mary Frances Mourich, 90, died peacefully Wednesday afternoon, November 14, 2002 in her Scotch Coulee home of seventy years. She fought a courageous fight against cancer, and was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing.
Mary was born on November 20, 1911 in Roundup, a daughter of Frank and Frances Zobek. She attended Roundup schools, and was married to Lubes (Louis) Mourich on August 25, 1929 in Red Lodge.
They settled in their home in Scotch Coulee where they raised their two children, Lou (Sonny) and Marlene. Mary lived a full life and was loved by all who knew her. Mr. Mourich died on December 1, 1969.
Survivors include her son, Lou (Sonny) Mourich and his wife Janet of Gaston, Ore.; her daughter, Marlene Matranga and her husband Larry of Cody, Wyo.; 9 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Soon to be born are a great-grandchild and a great-great-grandchild. Also surviving are a nephew, Sam Mourich and a niece, Thelma Bischoff; and special great-niece and great-nephew, Linda Smith and Frank (Linda) Planichek.
Mary joins her parents, husband, sister and two brothers who preceded her in death.
Funeral mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 16 in St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge. A rosary and vigil was held at 7 p.m. Friday evening in Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel. Interment was in the Bearcreek Cemetery.
The family prefers that memorials be given to the Beartooth Hospital & Health Center Hospice, Box 590, Red Lodge, MT 59068 in appreciation for their loving and compassionate care.
JULIA EVA HAYES
BRIDGER – Julia Eva Hayes, 81, passed away November 12, 2002 at Evergreen Laurel Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Julia was born in Bridger on February 21, 1921 to Phillip and Katherine Senn.
In 1943 she married William Hayes and they had three children, Helen, Mike and Doug. She enjoyed spending time with family, visiting friends and making crafts.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, three brothers, Tom, Matt, John and three sisters, Katherine, Minnie and Virginia.
Survivors include her daughter, Helen Humiston and her husband LeRoy of Casper, Wyo.; two sons, Mike Hayes and his wife Karen of Gardiner, Doug Hayes and his wife Deb of Fromberg; six grandchildren, Bob, Deb, Cheryl, Kaci, Nikki, Drew and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother and three sisters, Frank, Mary, Delores and Pauline; a special nephew, Ken Hayes and his wife Sharon of Missouri and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Many special thanks to Delores Senn, Pauline Lehman, Sandy Spencer, Julia’s neighbors and Evergreen Laurel Health & Rehab Center.
Memorials may be made to the Clark’s Fork Ambulance Service or the Bridger Golden Age Society.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held Saturday, November 16, 2002 at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel with inurnment in the Bridger Cemetery.
SCOTT MARTIN
RED LODGE – Scott Martin, 32, of Red Lodge, died Sunday evening, November 17, 2002 in Deaconess Billings Clinic of complications following surgery.
Scotty was born on November 4, 1970 in Las Vegas, Nev., a son of Marty and Linda Martin. He moved to Red Lodge with his family in 1972, and attended Roberts and Red Lodge schools. He was a graduate of Billings Skyview High School.
Scotty was a resident of Cooper Group Home in Red Lodge and was a hard worker at
Beartooth Industries sheltered workshop. He was a happy person who touched the hearts of all who knew him. He enjoyed music and loved to dance.
Survivors include his mother, Linda Shaw of Red Lodge; his father, Marty (Sherrie) Martin of Lakewood, Colo.; one sister, Tracy (Buzz) Thiel and their daughters Sarah and Nicole, all of Red Lodge; one brother, Greg (Julie) Martin of Brighton, Colo.; his grandmother, Helen Shaw of Newcastle, Wyo.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Family services will be held at a later date. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge is in charge of cremation arrangements. Memorials may be given to Beartooth Industries, Box 925, Red Lodge, MT 59068.
LAWRENCE (LARRY) RYAN
Lawrence E. (Larry) Ryan, 81, passed away unexpectedly at home in Payson, Ariz. in the early hours of Nov. 29, 2002. He was born in Seattle, Wash., but grew up in Billings, Mont., where he attended school.
Larry was a four-year veteran of World War II, and served in Africa and Italy. After his honorable discharge from the army, he returned to Montana and attended the University of Montana-Missoula, receiving his MA in school administration.
Larry’s last position as superintendent of schools was at Roberts, Mont., and he was a part of that community for 13 years. Before moving to Roberts, he was principal of Roosevelt School in Red Lodge.
After retiring from 30 years of school work, he enjoyed semi-retirement while working at Desmond’s Menswear in Missoula, where he also indulged his passion for fishing and golfing.
In 1986, Larry and his wife, Barbara Jones Ryan, moved to Lake Montezuma, Ariz. In January of 2002 they moved to Payson, where their daughter, Michele, and her husband, Bill Ensign, live.
Larry is also survived by his son, Patrick M. Ryan, who came to Arizona as soon as possible from his home in North Hollywood, Calif.
A private memorial service was held for family and friends in his daughter’s home on Nov. 30.
HENRY “HANK” OCHS
Henry “Hank” Ochs passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002 at Beartooth Hospital and Health Center in Red Lodge.
Hank was born May 17, 1916 to Jacob and Sophia (Litzenberger) Ochs in Billings. He attended schools in Forsyth and Belfry. Hank farmed in Billings and along the Clarks Fork River Valley in Wyoming and near Belfry. Throughout his life, Hank lived in various places in Montana and also in Alaska. He enjoyed doing carpentry work in Yellowstone, Stillwater and Carbon counties. Hank’s favorite hobby and pastime was fishing.
He is survived by his sister, Lydia (Ochs) Hergenrider, one niece and seven nephews. Hank was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Elizebeth (Schodt) Ochs, sisters, Pauline Lenhart, Marie Bangart, Elsie Refeldt, and Frieda Frank; stepsister Mary Schodt (Ungefug) brothers, Edwin Ochs and Herman Ochs, and stepbrothers, George Schodt and Fred Schodt.
As per Hank’s request, no services will be held. Private family interment will take place at a later date. Cremation has taken place.
Dahl Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge was in charge of arrangements.
RAOLA W. KLEPICH
SEATTLE —Raola W. Klepich, 95, of Seattle, Wash., formerly of Red Lodge, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2002 in Seattle.
Raola Amalia Wertanen was born on December 17, 1906 in Red Lodge, a daughter of Kristian and Amalia Luoma Wertanen. She attended Red Lodge schools, was employed in Red Lodge, and worked many summers at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park.
On October 7, 1933 she married John G. Klepich, and they moved to Chicago where he was employed. While in Chicago, Rae worked for the Illinois Central Railroad Hospital. In 1939 they returned to Red Lodge to establish a permanent home and family.
From 1958 to 1976 Rae joined her husband in his career as an overseas highway contractor. They lived several years in Saigon, South Vietnam; Kakrapar, Gujarat State of India; and Jember, Indonesia. Between each overseas contract, Rae and her family returned to their home in Red Lodge. Rae’s travels took her across the United States and throughout much of the world. She was especially proud to have traveled to Finland, her country of heritage. In recent years Raola resided with her daughter and family in Seattle.
Raola was preceded in death by her husband in 1985; her brother, Arne Wertanen; and by her five sisters, Wilma Nivala, Martha Houtonen, Elma Martin, Laina Fluke and Elsa Erck.
Survivors include her daughter, Karen Klepich Carpenter and son-in-law Douglas Carpenter, Sr. of Seattle; one granddaughter, Johna Rae (Bob) McAfoos of Seattle; one grandson, Douglas (Rhonda) Carpenter of Red Lodge; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 29 in Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel. Interment was in the Red Lodge Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Beartooth Hospital Long Term Care Unit, Box 590, Red Lodge, MT 59068, or to the charity of choice.
