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Leanna ‘Lee’ White
ASHLAND – Leanna “Lee” White, 66, of Ashland, passed away on May 25, 2001, in St. Mary’s, Idaho. She was born on Oct. 24, 1934, in Lodge Grass, the youngest child of Daniel Arthur and Rosezella (Nitcy) Tarter. She grew up and attended schools in Harrison, Idaho and Spokane, before coming to Montana in 1946.
In 1954, she was united in marriage to Gerald “Pistol” Phillips, and to this union two sons were born, Lou and Quirt Phillips. Together, they ranched on Tongue River below Ashland.
In 1972, Lee married
Dennis White of Ashland and they had a son, Patrick. She lived in and around the Ashland, Miles City area most of her life.
Lee enjoyed cooking and sewing. She was a very thoughtful person toward others and cared for each of them in a special way. Grandma Lee thought a lot of her grandchildren and was always willing to play a game or joke with them all. She was a loving person, and will be missed by all.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis, of Ashland; two sons, Lou Phillips and his wife, Becky, and their children, Rory, Talon, Shawn, Bryan and Casey, all of Miles City, and Quirt Phillips and his wife, Jaci, and their children, Kaycee, Cedar, Krista and Katie, all of Broadus; one brother, Buzz Tarter of Three Mile Creek; and one sister, Lou Snodgrass of Phoenix. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Lee was preceded in death by her parents, her son Patrick in 1996, an infant sister and also her sister Nora.
A Graveside service will be held at the Ashland cemetery Wednesday, May 30, at 1 p.m. Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Foundation.
Ruth Eversen Holtzman
AUSTIN, Texas – Ruth Eversen Holtzman died in the early morning hours of Nov. 3, 2001, at Hospice Austin. A lifelong resident of Montana, Ruth moved to Austin in September to be close to her only daughter. She had been hospitalized since Oct. 27 with an acute cardiac condition. She was 91 years old.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol Cespedes, and son-in-law, Benny Cespedes of Austin; sister Norma Leak of Seattle; granddaughters Hali Zane of Irvine, Calif., and Insa Rooney-Cespedes, of Hingham, Mass. She also left six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews who remember her fondly.
Ruth’s life spanned more than 90 years of Montana history. She was born on Aug. 20, 1910, in Billings, the second child of Danish immigrant parents. Her father, Samuel Eversen, who had served in the U.S. Navy during the Spanish American War, brought his bride Caroline Andersen to Montana from Denmark. In 1914, the couple took up a homestead in the Bull Mountains north of Billings.
Ruth had a wealth of memories of her Montana childhood. As the oldest girl, she had more than her share of responsibility, helping with house and farm work and caring for five younger sisters. She spoke Danish until she entered the first grade. Then her mother ordered her and brother Adolph to speak only English at home so that everyone could learn.
In 1936 Ruth married
Walter Scott (Scotty) Holtzman, a building contractor. The couple settled in Billings, where their only child, Carol, was born three years later. When World War II broke out, Scotty enlisted in the Seabees, serving in the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa. After the war, Ruth helped her husband start a new business as a plaster and stucco contractor. Soon after Carol’s graduation from high school, the Holtzmans sold their Billings property and moved to Bozeman. Ruth found work at Montana State College (now MSU), first at the Student Union, and later in the college library. She loved both the students and the world of books and often reflected that if she had the education when younger she would have liked to become a professional librarian.
The Holtzmans built their own home on Fort Ellis Road east of Bozeman. They both became active in the new Senior Citizens organization that held dances on the second floor of a building on Main Street. Ruth was a natural organizer and became the one to coordinate dances and bridge socials when Scotty served as Director of the Senior Center. Their dreams of building a facility to house the growing organization were fulfilled with construction of the present Senior Center on North Tracy. Ruth remained active with the Center for years after Scotty passed away in 1977. She lived in the Darlinton Manor until 1998, then in Spring Meadows Assisted Living Community until September of this year.
Ruth lived her life nurturing and caring for others until losing her own mobility through a series of accidents. She loved Montana and treasured her relationships with friends and family. Her family misses her sorely, but takes comfort in knowing that she has rejoined her beloved husband, her parents, her brother, and the sisters who were such an important part of her life. We are grateful for the many years that she was with us.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, 10:45 a.m., at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service, 113 South Willson, Bozeman. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ruth’s memory to the Bozeman Public Library Foundation, 220 East Lamme Street, Bozeman, MT 59715.
Calvin W. Chastain
EUREKA, Kan. – Calvin Wayne Chastain, 45, of Eureka, formerly of Wyoming and Montana, died Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001, at the Greenwood County Hospital.
Graveside services and interment will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in Greenwood cemetery. Campbell-Kelley Funeral Home of Eureka is in charge.
Inga Johnson
SIDNEY – Funeral services for Inga Johnson, 90, are 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the Pella Lutheran Church, with Pastor Mark Morgenstern and Intern Joyce Koester officiating. Interment will be in Clifton, Texas, on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m., with Rev. B.I. Dahl officiating under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Inga A. Reinertsen Johnson passed away Jan. 22, 2002, at Sidney Health Center, Extended Care Facility.
Inga was born on Nov. 5, 1912, to Norwegian immigrants, Rev. Jens and Christine (Hinderlie) Reinertsen in Watertown, S.D. Her family had a rich heritage of Lutheran ministry. As a child, the Reinertsen family moved to East Texas and the Texas Panhandle. She attended school in Groveton and Gruver, Texas. She attended Clifton College and earned her teaching degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. She then taught country school in West Texas.
Inga married
Ocee Johnson on June 11, 1939 in Norse, Texas, following Ocee’s graduation from Luther Theological Seminary of St. Paul, Minn. Ocee was ordained as a Lutheran Minister and served various parishes in Northern Minnesota; Conrad; Story City, Iowa; Big Timber and Billings.
When in Billings, Inga attended Eastern Montana College and then became the director of Family Service. She served as director for approximately 10 years and enjoyed helping the many people who were in need.
Inga was known for her incredible baking abilities. Most notable was her Southern fried chicken, cinnamon rolls, pies and breads. She was a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed creating beautiful clothes from remnants of fabric. Inga also enjoyed her affiliation with Chapter E, PEO.
Her care-giving and nurturing spirit carried through to her love for her dogs. She was an avid follower of current events, loved reading and reciting poetry, and had impeccable fashion sense.
Most of all Inga adored her husband, Ocee and was very proud of her family. Inga and Ocee have three children, Marilyn Louise, Kathryn Elaine and Mark Allen.
Inga was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ocee; her parents Jens and Christine Reinertsen; her brothers Peter, Bernhard, Einar and Luther; her sisters, Alette Swenson, Eveline Lund and Helene Otterstad.
Inga is survived by her sister Camilla (Lawrence) Jensen; her children, Marilyn (John) Olson of Sidney, Kathy (Bob) Polanchek of Medical Lake, Wash., Mark (Auguste) Johnson, East Calais, Vt.; her grandchildren, Karen Olson (Eric) Beenken of Sidney, Randy (Jane) Olson of Sidney, Brooks (Margaret) Johnson of Denver, Luke Johnson of Barre, Vt., and Erik Johnson of Barre. Inga has two great-grandchildren, Luke and Lauren Beenken of Sidney. She is also survived by her “adopted” daughter, Theresa (John) Rieger and their daughter, Taylor, of Plevna; and many, many friends and the caring staff at Extended Care.
Clifford J. Strand
SIDNEY – Clifford J. Strand, 37, of Sidney, died Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001, at his home.
Family services will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the Fulkerson Memorial Chapel. Cremation has taken place. Interment will be at a later date in the Sidney cemetery. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney is in charge.
Harold Propp
MESA, Ariz. – Harold Propp, age 76, passed away on Nov. 8, 2001, in Mesa. He was born on Nov. 12, 1924, in Laurel, Mont., the son of Henry and Elizabeth Schmidt Propp.
Harold was a veteran of World War II, where he proudly served his country as an Army first sergeant and was honorably discharged May 4, 1946. He returned to Laurel and worked at the Cenex Refinery in the Operations Department. After several years, he left the refinery and moved to Marysville, Calif., where he owned and managed a motel. Following the sale of the motel, Harold moved back to Montana, owning and operating a paint and carpet business. Due to health problems, he sold the business in Columbus and retired to Mesa.
Harold was active in many organizations during his retiring years. He enjoyed and spent many hours as an active volunteer and spending time with fellow members of the Masonic Lodge, Moose Lodge, Shriners, Elks, Eagles, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served two terms as exalted ruler of the Apache Junction Elks Lodge 2349 and one term as exalted rler of Buckhorn Lodge 2656 in Mesa.
Harold had a great gift of humor and all who knew and loved him will miss him.
He is survived by his son, Hal Propp and wife Donna of Prescott; his daughter, Jane Storruston and husband John of Ponca City, Okla.; his sister, Dorothy Mai and her husband Fred of Mesa; two nieces, Vickie Bernhardt of Billings and Debbie Fox and her husband Larry of Tempe; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and his loving and devoted friend and companion, Marge Bishop of Mesa.
Bunker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and cremation has taken place. Interment of his remains will be in the National Memorial cemetery of Arizona, per his request. Veterans of Foreign Wars will be in charge of services to be held Thursday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. The family requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 2222 S. Dobson Road, Suite 401, Mesa, AZ 85202.
Eleanor Hagen
SCOBEY – Funeral services for Eleanor Hagen, age 81, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Scobey Lutheran Church. Rev. Paul Landeraaen will officiate. Burial will be in the Scobey cemetery. Eleanor died Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, 2001, at the Daniels Memorial Hospital, after a short illness.
Eleanor was born Oct. 9, 1920, in Columbus, N.D., to Lars and Julia Rude. She attended school in Columbus, graduating in 1938. Eleanor attended beauty school in Bismarck and married
Thomas Hagen on March 6, 1941, in Columbus. In 1952, they moved to Scobey and raised their family. Eleanor worked at Federated Service Drug, the Fabric Shop and then many years at Daniels Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aid, and at the Nursing Home as a ward clerk.
Eleanor was active in the Brownies and Cub Scouts. She had been the secretary of the Girl Scout Council. She sang in the Scobey Lutheran Choir and was active in the Ladies Aid.
Survivors are a daughter, Susan Hagen of Scobey; three sons, Darrell (June) Hagen of Helena, Rodney (Jewel) Hagen of Billings and Jon (Karen) Hagen of San Diego; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Eleanor was the last of 10 siblings. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Thomas, who died in 1985.
Marilyn Mildred Degel
At the age of 76, Marilyn Degel died at St. Vincent Healthcare on Monday, Nov. 12, 2001. Marilyn was born March 14, 1925, in Minneapolis, the daughter of Joseph N. and Irene Rose (Paradise) Ries. She is a high school graduate of St. Margaret’s Benilde Academy in Minneapolis and college graduate of University of Minnesota in journalism and education.
Marilyn taught grade school in a one-room schoolhouse outside Glendive, where she met her husband, Nick. They were united in marriage on June 19, 1946, in Minneapolis, and they made their home in Glendive until 1967 when they moved to Billings.
Nick and Marilyn raised 14 children. She worked in the family businesses and wrote a regular column in several newspapers. Marilyn was involved in Catholic Women’s Organizations and was on the National Board of Catholic Women. She was an active member in the Jaycees, Zonta, Altar Society and Republican Women. Marilyn enjoyed public speaking, reading and sewing.
Marilyn is survived by her husband; children Mary Sue McNamara of Sacramento, Calif., Nicholas J. Degel IV of Orlando, Fla., Thomas M. Degel of Great Falls, James A. (Jeanne Berwick) Degel of Seattle, Rosemary T. (Paul) Tallon of Sacramento, Cynthia A. (Mike) Matthey of Spokane, Wash., Jennifer M. French of Miles City, Joanne I. (Robert) Lowry of Redding, Calif., Adrienne L. (Patrick) Bjorndal of Billings, Jacqueline M. Degel of Seattle, Jeanne F. (James) Winnick of Billings, Elizabeth A. (Jayme) Wynegar of Billings and Theodore J. Degel of Orlando; 35 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie Henderson, and a brother, Joseph Ries, both of Shakopee, Minn.; and a brother-in-law, John Degel of Bellevue, Wash.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Geraldine Dietrich; a son, Nicholas Joseph III; grandson, Matthew Brook; sons-in-law, Gerald French and Andrew Brook; and brothers-in-law Peter Degel and Anthony Degel.
A vigil service will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at St. Pius X Catholic Church with interment at Calvary cemetery. Memorials may be made to Montana Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1242 N. 28th, Billings, MT 59101.
Sherry Gail (Friez) Baldi
On Nov. 14, 2001, Sherry Gail (Friez) Baldi, 53, slipped peacefully away from her family and friends, succumbing after a three-year courageous battle with breast cancer. During the last weeks of her illness, she was at home surrounded by those who loved her. Sherry’s final earthly journey occurred in her Billings home because of the caring, loving staff and services of Big Sky Hospice.
Sherry was born April 4, 1948, in Forsyth, the daughter of Earl Raymond and Paula Kline Friez. She grew up in Forsyth and graduated from high school in 1967. This was a wonderful time of her life, spent with classmates and friends. She was very involved with her school, which she loved promoting as a cheerleader. After graduation, she attended Montana State University before relocating to Denver.
While working in Denver, she met and married
William J. Baldi on Jan. 15, 1972. In Denver, Sherry gained experience as a floral designer. She and Bill lived and worked in Denver until Bill’s retirement from the Denver Police Department in 1996. Their retirement plans included moving to Billings, where they worked together building a home. Sherry’s passion for decoration is evidenced by her beautiful home. She created tole paintings to accent the interior of her home. Her talents in floral design also could be seen in her lovely home gardening and landscaping.
Sherry brought lifelong joy to her family and friends. She was a loving and gentle woman who took care of anyone in need. She devoted herself to her mother Paula, a long-term patient at St. John’s Lutheran home. She supported a variety of causes, including animal welfare and research into cures for a number of debilitating diseases. Sherry volunteered over four years to the “Believe in People” volunteer program of Jefferson County Department of Social Services to aid clients with their special needs. She spearheaded the fund-raising activity that culminated in the Believe in People Collection of Recipes published in 1991. She enjoyed participating in the Race for the Cure. And she volunteered her spare time at St. Vincent’s Hospital Gift Shop. Her caregiving touched us all over the course of her life. Family and friends felt her courage and her warmth even during her three-year battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband, Bill of Billings; her son, Todd (Becky) Bruck of Helena; her mother, Paula Kline Friez of Billings; two brothers, Ron (Trish) Friez of Helena, Rick (Patsy) Friez of Billings; paternal uncle, Joe (Doris Jean) Friez of Forsyth; maternal aunt, Madge Kline of Billings; two nephews, Todd (Diane) Friez, Tim (Sarah) Friez of Billings; three nieces, Amy Friez of Missoula, Kimberly (John) Yirak of Chicago, Kami (Tom) Maack of Billings; as well as numerous cousins, grandnephews, and grandnieces. Sherry was preceded in death by her father, Earl Raymond Friez. We shall miss her presence greatly.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the Beals Mortuary Chapel in Forsyth. Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will follow the Memorial Services at the Forsyth cemetery. Beals Mortuary of Forsyth is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice, Yellowstone City-County Health Department, PO Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107.
Orlin Hansen
SIDNEY — Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, for Orlin Hansen, 59, of Sidney, at the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Sidney, with Father Greg Staudinger and Father Ned Shinnick presiding. Wake service was 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Fulkerson Memorial Chapel. Interment will be in the Sidney cemetery, under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney. Memorials will be intended to promote Agriculture Education or assistance to young beginning farmers.
On Oct. 22, 1941, Henius and Evangeline “Van” (Anderson) and brother Robert of Sidney, welcomed Orlin to their family.
Orlin was a grandson to Marius and Helene Andersen, who established the farm south of Westside Elementary School in 1912. His faith and love of God was nourished as a childhood member of Pella Lutheran Church. Orlin became a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in 1980. He attended schools in Sidney and graduated from Sidney Senior High School in 1960. He attended Eastern Montana College in Billings for two years. He then became an employee of the SS Kresge Company at West Park Plaza in Billings. In July of 1963, he was transferred as an assistant manager to Waterloo, La., and then to Overland (St. Louis), Mo.
After a four-year courtship, Orlin married
Judythe L. Krejci, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Sidney, on Sept. 3, 1963. In August 1964, Orlin and Judy returned to Sidney to take over the family farm, where they have remained for 37 years. There, they welcomed the births of two sons and one daughter.
Over the years, he raised sugarbeets, grain, corn and pinto beans. He also raised cattle until 1988. As a child, he persuaded his parents to partially fence the lawn at their home where he proudly tended several lambs of his own. The collies and more recently, the shelties, Molly and Mindy, were his constant companions. Orlin delighted in all of nature and was a wonderful steward of the land. He loved all four seasons equally and could always find some reason to be outdoors.
He was a gentle, patient and humble man, possessing a wonderful sense of humor. Because of his solitary occupation, he sought every opportunity to talk with others and often they became a “captive audience” in more ways than one. He hands were the tools of his life and besides farming, his skills included woodworking, mechanics and electronics, relying on the experts only when time limits prevailed. He enjoyed crafting and participated in area craft shows with his daughter with great success. In 1998, he took on the challenge of becoming a certified locksmith by correspondence course, which he enjoyed until the time of his death.
His needs were simple: family, home, friends and Sidney was his only home. When asked once by his Aunt Alvina if he could he anywhere in the world where would he be, he replied, “Sidney, Montana.”
He was a member of the Beet Growers Association, the Sidney Jaycees, a JCI Senator and served as president on the board of Mutual Rural Insurance for several years. The treasures of his lifee were “Jude,” his children and his grandchildren. His fascination with all rocks and his tools gave him hours of pleasure.
Orlin died, in Sidney, Monday, Oct. 15, 2001.
He was happy to have shared life with Judy, his wife of 38 years; son Jeff and wife Tracie and their sons, Taylor and Connor of Glen Rose, Texas; daughter, Lorel and husband Tom Masse and their daughters, Kayla and Vanessa of Sidney; son Greg and wife Cheryl and their son, Andrew and expected baby (May 2002) of Sidney; brother, Robert Hansen and wife, Betty of Santa Maria, Calif.; niece Arlynn Schaffert, of Santa Maria, Calif., and nephew, Alan Hansen, of Phoenix, Ariz., and their families; mother-in-law, Joan Krejci; brother-in-law, Richard Krejci and sister-in-law, Darlene Stochl, all of Billings; niece Nikki Stochl of Seattle; and several cousins.
Orlin was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; and father-in-law, Erwin Krejci.
