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Mike Liles
TERRY – Mike Liles, 44, of Bad Route, North of Terry, passed away at the Glendive Medical Center on June 24, 2000, with his family at his side.
Vigil services will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 26, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Terry. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, at the Terry High School Football Field. Rite of Committal will follow in the Prairie County cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of arrangements.
Howard Edgar Cross
Howard Edgar Cross died Thursday June 22, 2000. He was born March 23, 1917, in Bloomville, Ohio, to Cloyd and Mabel Cross, and attended schools in Bloomville and Melmore, Ohio.
Howard served with the CCC in California, Yellowstone Park and Montana, coming to Bozeman in January 1939. He enlisted in the Army with the 24th Infantry Division in the South Pacific, serving from February 1942-May 1945.
On Nov. 25, 1945, he was united in marriage to Shirley J Huffine and she died in April 1973. Howard worked at the Bozeman Hot Springs and Bozeman Hotel and managed the American Legion Club in Bozeman. In January 1956, Howard went to work for the Army Reserve as civilian administrative assistant and was transferred to Billings in November of 1965. Howard was an active member of the Army Reserve, retiring in 1977 as a first sergeant.
He then met Geraldine Nelson, they were married
on March 2, 1977 in Cody, Wyo. After his retirement from Civil Service he worked at Poly Food Basket IGA as a part-time stock clerk for three years. He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Elks Lodge, American Legion Post #4, and National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; daughter, Diane (Jeff) Daniell; stepdaughter, Linda Phythian Bice (Rick); three grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Shirley; brother Ronald; and stepson Richard Phythian.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Graveside services will be at Sunset Hills in Bozeman at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27. Visitation will be 1-5 p.m. Monday, June 26. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Karen Ann Fowler Ragan
BRUSH PRAIRIE, Wash. – Our wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend has gone home to our heavenly Father after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She is now able to travel to all the places she dreamed of.
Karen was born Nov. 6, 1958, in Killeen, Texas. She died at her home, “Our Neck of the Woods, ” in Brush Prairie on April 24.
Karen grew up in Shelby, Mont., graduating from Shelby High School in 1977. She attended college in Billings and Portland, Maine, and graduated from Eastern Montana College with degrees in elementary education and special education.
A teacher her whole life, everywhere she lived she taught: in Arequipa, Peru, in Shelby, in Santa Monica, Calif., and in Brush Prairie. Children were a special passion to Karen and her kindness and firmness, humor and love inspired many. Although she was unable to become a mother, she was mother to her nephews and niece.
Karen married
Dan Ragan of Santa Monica Aug. 5, 1995. They lived in Santa Monica until they moved to Brush Prairie in 1996.
Karen is survived by her husband; her parents, Roger and Norma Fowler of Shelby; her sisters, Karla Lamb of Havre, Mont., Marilyn Christiaens and her husband, David of Shelby; her niece, Lindsey and nephews, Jeremy, Kyle, Collin and Corbin; her maternal grandmother, Gladys Berg of Saco, Mont.; sisters-in-law, Maureen Ragan Rafael and Rachel Staver and her children, Anne, Ted and Thomas; brothers-in-law, J. T. and Ben; cousins, aunts and uncles, a host of extraordinary and supportive friends, and Pastors Steve Smeback and Joe Haugestuen, and Dr. Marcus Braun.
Karen was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Shelby and Bethel Lutheran Church in Brush Prairie. She was a member of P.E.O., a teachers organization in Cut Bank, Mont.
She had many and varied interests: gardening, travel, writing, watercolor, collecting antiques, reading, cooking, entertaining, junking and, most of all, collecting friends. Memorial services will be held at Bethel at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, and at 2 p.m. May 6 at St. Luke’s.
We love you, Karen. Oh, and RIDE SALLY, RIDE!
Please, no flowers. The Karen F. Ragan Memorial Fund has been established. It will support various programs for children.
Albert Owen Shunkwiler
DEER LODGE – Albert O. Shunkwiler, 79, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at the Powell County Memorial Hospital in Deer Lodge.
He was born May 7, 1920, in Mound City, Mo., to Dan and Ethel (Smith) Shunkwiler. He had lived in Miles City and on the Huntley Project before moving to Deer Lodge in 1963. He attended schools in Miles City. Al began working for the Milwaukee Road there and later was transferred to Deer Ledge. He retired in 1980.
Al enlisted in the Air Force on March 14, 1942, and was discharged in January 1946. He was an airplane and engine mechanic and participated in the Air Combat Borneo Air Offense-Japan, China, and Western Pacific. He was awarded an Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal and American Theater Service Medal.
He married
Eva Levengood Nov. 15, 1947, in Miles City.
Al is survived by his wife, Eva and daughter, Nadine Shunkwiler, both of Deer Lodge; three sons and daughter-in-laws, Owen and Lucia Shunkwiler of Sioux City, Iowa, Loren Shunkwiler and Bill and Kandi Shunkwiler, all of Billings; two granddaughters, Sarah and Betsy of Sioux City, Iowa; a brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Betty Shunkwiler of Deer Lodge; two sisters, Thelma Stanford of Spokane, Wash., Elizabeth Kaufman of West Fargo, N.D.; sister-in-law, Wilma Shunkwiler of Aberdeen, S.D.; father-in-law, Albert Pfeifer of Billings and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, Nema Levengood Pfeifer, and brother, Max Shunkwiler.
Cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be held at a later date at the Huntley Project cemetery at Huntley.
Memorials: American Legions/Powell Post 10 for Veteran Transportation Services. Jewel Funeral Home of Deer Lodge in charge of arrangements.
May Tihista
GLASGOW – May Tihista, 95, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at Valley View Home.
Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Monday, May8, at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. Interment will be in Highland cemetery.
Ruby Walker
LIVINGSTON – Ruby Walker, 74, of Pray, died Wednesday, May 3, 2000, at Livingston Memorial Hospital.
Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 8, in the chapel of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home.
Carl J. Barz
Carl J. Barz, 89, passed away on May 1, 2000, at St. Johns Lutheran Home. Carl was born on Sept. 17, 1910, in Snyder, Neb., to William and Mary Barz. He graduated from Fremont, Neb., High School and graduated from Midland College in Fremont.
On July 1, 1934, he married
Marjorie Petersen in Fremont. They lived in Fairbury, Neb., where Carl managed a wholesale grocery warehouse for H.P. Law Company until 1953 when they moved to Billings. Carl worked for Northland Steel Co. for 31 years and retired as president and chairman of the board in 1984.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, cooking, woodcarving, gem cuffing, bird watching, gardening, archeology, geology, potting, and numerous craft projects. Carl loved his hobbies, but always found time to spend on special projects for his many good friends and family. He and Marj were enthusiastic sports fans, and attended thousands of local sports events throughout the years. They seldom missed a grandson’s or granddaughter’s sports competition. Carl, an Eagle Scout, spent many years as a scout leader, developing many fine young citizens of whom he was very proud.
Carl served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church and enjoyed the Woodcarvers and Ducks Unlimited. He was also a 47-year member of Billings Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow, and served as its president from 1964 to 1965.
His family includes his wife, Marjorie; a daughter, Mary Lou (David) Camp, Carson City, Nev.; and two grandchildren, Gibb (Kathy) Camp and Susan (David) Landers; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Dulcinea Landers, Boise, Idaho; and great-grandsons, Paul and Kevin Landers, Longmont, Colo.; son, Art (Sandy) of Billings, and granddaughters, Darcy Barz, Chicago, Ill., Karla (Rick) Stauffer, Grapevine, Texas, and Tonya (Tyler) Bush, Fredericksburg, Va; and son, Dan (Diane) and grandson, Rocky Barz of Billings. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends are invited to a wake in celebration of Carl’s life on Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at the home of Art and Sandy Barz, 1928 Lyndale Lane. Please bring your favorite hunting, fishing, or other “Carl Story”!
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be on May 14, at 2 p.m., at Michelotti-Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Avenue in Billings. Memorials may be made to Family Services, Inc. or the charity of your choice.
Rick Benzel
SHEPHERD – Rick Benzel died unexpectedly on Monday, May 1, 2000, the result of a construction accident. Rick was born in Hardin on Sept. 24, 1947, to Betty and Carl Benzel. He attended schools in Hardin, Roberts and Dayton, Wyo.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. Rick served his country proudly in Vietnam and received numerous medals, including two Purple Hearts, and he also received the Presidential Citation for saving the lives of fellow servicemen.
Rick retired from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Department July 31, 1997, but stayed active with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Reserve. He was on the Shepherd Fire Area Board and served with the Shepherd Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Rick was also a member of the VVA No. 334 color guard. At the time of his death, Rick was self-employed.
Rick is survived by his wife, Susan Carlson; daughters, Nicole, Kristen and Jami Benzel, Natalie (Haynes) Gregory, Raychel Carlson; very special granddaughter, Ariel Glenn; three grandsons, Trey and Miles Gregory, and Nathan Carlson-Muri. Rick was also a foster father for many years. His daughter, Jean Peters, had just returned to the family home with her son, Derek. Rick is also survived by his sisters, Kay (Les) Papke, Cindy Benzel; and by his brother, Mickie (Laurie); his uncles, Jobn (Ruth) Benzel, Marvin Taylor; aunt Hilda (Paul) Tonder and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother and father.
Visitation will be at Smith’s Downtown Chapel, 120 N. 26th St., to start at 12 noon Wednesday through 9 p.m. Thursday. Services will be held Friday, May 5, at 1 p.m. at Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. W. in Billings. A fellowship will be held afterward, with interment at Shepherd cemetery at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Shepherd Volunteer Fire Department-EMS.
Thelma Berglund
WOLF POINT – Thelma Gertrude Berglund, 89, died on Tuesday, May 2, 2000, at the Northeast Montana Medical Services in Wolf Point.
Visitations will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 5, at the Clayton Memorial Chapel. Services will be held at 1 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 6.
Ruth L. Bergstrom
KALISPELL – Ruth L. Bergstrom, 81, formerly of Baker, died on Tuesday, May 2, 2000, at the Heritage Place in Kalispell.
A Prayer Service will be held on Friday, May 5, at the Stevenson’s Funeral Home in Baker. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 6, at the American Lutheran Church in Baker. Interment will be in the family lot of the Bonnievale cemetery in Baker.
Donald John Eisenman
SHELBY – Donald John Eisenman, 52, passed away at his home in Shelby the morning of May 2, 2000, due to complications from Eaton-Lambert Syndrome.
Don was born Feb. 2, 1948, in Billings to John and Mollie Lofing Eisenman. He graduated high school from Park City in 1966 where he excelled in basketball, football, and track. Don joined the Air Force and married
Jeanette Carpenter in 1967. They later divorced. He worked for the railroad for 28 years starting with Burlington Northern and retiring with Amtrak. Everyone who knew him loved Don.
Don is survived by his mother, Mollie Eisenman of Park City; his son, Doug Eisenman of Bozeman; his daughter, Laura Eisenman of Chandler, Ariz.; his brother, Roy Eisenman of Sheridian, Wyo.; and his long time companion, Ellen Bleeker of Shelby. His father preceded him in death.
Visitation will be Friday, May 5, from 1-8 p.m. and funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 8, at Smith’s Funeral Chapel in Laurel. Interment will be in Park City cemetery.
Earl J. Fyfe
WOLF POINT – Earl J. Fyfe, died on May 3, 2000, at the Northeast Montana Health Services Facility.
Earl was born on Nov. 13, 1925, in Great Falls, the son of Earl and Eva Fyfe. He was raised in the Sweetgrass Hills 30 miles north of Shelby. Earl served in the Navy during WWII from 1943 to 1946.
On May 17, 1949, he married
Leona Albertson in Sunburst, and he lived there from 1959 to 1963. He moved to Wolf Point and worked at the refinery east of Wolf Point for a couple of years, then worked at Peavy Elevator and Feed Mill in Wolf Point for approximately 20 years.
Earl loved fishing and hunting, especially elk. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 1755 in Wolf Point.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Leona in 1965, a daughter, Kay Lou and a son, John Albert.
Survivors include two sons, David Fyfe of Wolf Point and Michael Fyfe of Laurel; four daughters, Earlene L. Dempsey and Alice Christensen, both of Wolf Point, Ellen Ly of Green Bay, Wis., and Gail Nelsen of Circle; a brother, William Fyfe of Great Falls; a sister, Maxine Koller of Fort Benton; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitations will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 8, at 2 p.m., at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point with Rev. Timothy Whiteman officiating. Interment will be held in Greenwood cemetery with military rites by VFW Post No. 1755. Clayton Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Marlene J. Frost Kindness
Marlene J. Frost Kindness went to be with the Creator on May 3, 2000. She was the daughter of Daniel and Melba Frost. She was born on March 17, 1942, in Crow Agency. Marlene was raised and educated in Crow Agency and Hardin. She married
Robert “Bobby” Kindness of Crow Agency on July 18, 1960.
Survivors include her husband, Bobby; daughter, Robin (Tommy) Jackowski of Billings; sons, Robert Jr. (Sherice) Kindness of Pryor, Danny (Heidi) Kindness of Billings, and beloved grandchildren, Lissa, Ashlie, Chance, Shane, Eva, Kennedy, Leona, Caitlin, Zachary, Jeremy, and Jarred; also one great-grandchild, Robbie; one sister, Cheryl Frost, of Oklahoma; one brother, Danny Frost of Billings; several nieces and nephews including “Her Buzzards”, Jeff and Darryl; and also adopted “daughter-in-law, Keri of Billings; her good friends, Linda of Park City, Tommy and Vi of Billings; and special friend, Victor of Billings; and numerous friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved step-mother, Annie; one brother, Darryl; a sister, Debbie; a daughter, Kennedy; and a grandchild, John “Sonny.”
Marlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and devoted friend. She was also a caring “Launtie” to Larry Jr., Renae, Shari, Alicia, Danniele, Lena, and Robin. She lived her life on her own terms with a special zest unmatched by any other. Marlene will be missed by the many who loved her. Aho!
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Smith Downtown Chapel. Interment will be held at 3 p.m. at the Crow cemetery.
Henry Klemm
WORLAND, Wyo. – Henry Klemm, 85, died on Thursday, May 4, 2000, at Community Care of America.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at Zion Lutheran Church with interment to follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens cemetery in Worland. Veile Mortuary is in charge.
