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Kenneth F. Jones
Kenneth F. Jones, 86, a lifelong Helena resident, died of natural causes Nov. 6, 2002.
A fourth-generation Helenan, Ken was born June 23, 1916, to Albert and Annie (DeBorde) Jones. He attended Bryant School and graduated from Helena High School in 1935.
Ken's mother died when he was 17 years old; during the next six years Ken not only finished school, but also helped raise and support his three younger brothers. Family was always a priority for Ken, and as the family genealogist he loved sharing family stories of homesteading and mining in the York and Jimtown areas.
Ken was part of the "Greatest Generation" and was stationed in India after he enlisted in the Army in 1941. Upon completion of his military service, he married
Elizabeth "Betty" Wernsman on Aug. 24, 1946. Ken lived in Helena his entire life and worked a variety of jobs before completing over 30 years as a materials supervisor for the Highway Department.
A loving and proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Ken took great and caring pleasure in his family, his yards and the mountains and streams of Montana. He was active in the American Legion, the VFW, the Helena Wildlife Association, parent/teacher organizations and the Boy Scouts of America.
Ken was preceded in death by his mother and father; a sister, Louise Graham; brothers, Bob and Earl Jones; and his granddaughter, Ranoda Rowe. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty; his children, Tom (Nona) Jones, Patricia Jones (Tom Chaney) and Nancy (Michael) Sweeney; his grandchildren, Ken Rowe, Amber Jones, and Sean and Jessica Sweeney; and one great-grandchild, Christopher Rowe.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Hagler Anderson Chapel with the Rev. George Harper and the Rev. Dave Anderson officiating. Military graveside services will follow at Montana State Veterans cemetery, Fort Harrison. A lunch will be held in the VA Hospital Recreation Hall immediately following interment. Memorials are suggested to Algeria Shrine Children's Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 1174, Helena, MT 59624. Hagler Anderson Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.
George L. Swartz
MISSOULA - George L. Swartz, 65, of Missoula, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002, at St. Patrick Hospital due to complications from cancer. He was born Nov. 4, 1937, in Jordan, the son of Lyle and E. Marie Swartz. He was joined by a sister 18 months later and shortly thereafter the family moved to Livingston. They resided there for two years, at which time they moved to Bozeman. After his father passed away in 1942, George, along with his mother and sister, moved to Boulder.
George attended both elementary and high school in Boulder, where he excelled at football, basketball and baseball. He was valedictorian of his class, graduating from Jefferson County High School in 1956. George then enrolled at Carroll College for one semester. In 1958 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent four years traveling throughout the United States and the Far East. After his honorable discharge, George enrolled at Montana State College, now MSU, in 1962, and graduated with a B.S. in secondary education in 1965. He also received his master's degree in guidance and counseling in 1969 from Montana State University.
George was then employed for two years in the men's residence halls for the dean of student affairs and services at Montana State University prior to becoming the guidance counselor and assistant principal for the Whitehall public schools in 1967. He married
Shirley Rogers on March 20, 1967, in Whitehall. In 1969 he became the school counselor for Shelby public schools until 1971, at which time George began working for the office of state superintendent of public instruction. He worked in various capacities for the state of Montana until he moved to Salt Lake City and became director of the Western Regional Support Center in 1978. George and his family returned to Helena in 1980, at which time he began working in the Montana highway department. He remained with the highway department, becoming the headquarter maintenance bureau chief in 1984 and the Missoula area field maintenance chief in 1991. George retired in March of 2002 as the field maintenance chief.
George was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, VFW and American Legion. He helped organize and establish the Helena Babe Ruth baseball brogram and served as president for several years. George was also a Cub Scout leader, a lay leader for YMCA and a little league coach. He was also very involved with the youth programs for the YMCA. George enjoyed hunting, golfing and especially coaching his boys in baseball. He loved visiting with friends and his grandchildren. The most important thing to George was his family. He is loved and will be missed by all who knew him.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and E. Marie (Paradis) Swartz; his sister, Marie Hinman; and his grandson, Lee A. Rogers. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Missoula; three sons, Bill Rogers and wife Merritt, Jon Swartz and wife Jenni, and Joel Swartz and wife Kim; four daughters, Jackie Birdeau and husband Terry, Sherrie Rogers, Jane Swartz, and Barbara Brown and husband Rob; 18 grandchildren, Charlotte, Keith, Billy, Ben, Taylor, Seth, Mike, Brian, Michelle, Chris, Dani, Tyler, Nick, Eric, Kalyn, J.T., Alison and Jesse; and four great-grandchildren, Megan, Colton, Bridger and D.J.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 11, 2002, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with vigil services following at 7 p.m. Mass of the resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. at the church with a reception following. Pallbearers will be Sonny and David Trusty, Bob Rogers, John Paradis and Tom and Chris Hamilton. Honorary pallbearers will be Pat Kane, Dick LaVigne and Jerry Toner.
The family suggests that memorials be made in George's name to the Helena Babe Ruth baseball program, P.O. Box 1280, Helena MT 59624-1280, or to the Missoula Cancer Center, 325 Owen St., Missoula 59802. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.
Georgia Elizabeth Stewart
After a full and productive life of 95 years, Georgia Elizabeth Stewart died on Nov. 7, 2002, at St. Peter's Hospital. She had lived at the Shelby House on Spokane Creek Ranch Road.
Georgia was born on July 16, 1907, in Indian Territory (Miami, Okla.) to George and Elizabeth Mills Lacy. Georgia had four sisters, three half-sisters and one half-brother who have preceded her in death. She was the last surviving member of nine siblings.
On Oct. 10, 1925, she married
Noble Washbourne in Jay, Okla. She had four children who brought her great joy. In 1950 Noble and Georgia ended their marriage. Georgia met James Kelly Stewart in Oklahoma City and they married
on Dec. 14, 1954. When her husband died in 1966, she came to Montana.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, oldest daughter, Betty George Mitchell, and both of her sons-in-law, John Potter Mitchell and Eugene Lee Mackin.
Survivors include her daughter, June Macon of Helena; her oldest son and his wife, Bill and Henriette Washbourne of Tucson, Ariz.; her youngest son and his wife, Lawrence and Janet Washbourne of Tulsa, Okla.; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home was entrusted with local arrangements.
Helen Frances Russ
Helen Frances Russ, age 93, of East Helena, died peacefully Nov. 7, 2002, in East Helena. Helen was a lifelong resident of East Helena. Born April 10, 1909, in East Helena to Frank & Helen (Pecek) Russ, she received her education in East Helena Schools. At a young age Helen became a nanny, working for Dr. Tracy's family. She then went to work for F.W. Woolworth's Co. for 38 ? years. She was an active member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. She enjoyed hiking Mount Helena, watching the kids of East Helena swim in the creek and she kept a beautiful yard. Helen expressed how important her family was to her in her life. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Frank and Joe; and three sisters, Aimee Warfield, Mary Marshall and Stephanie Champa. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Eleanor Russ and Gladys Russ, both of East Helena, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing hours will begin Monday morning, Nov. 11, at Retz Funeral Home. A Christian vigil service is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov., 11, at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the church. Interment will follow at St. Ann's cemetery. Memorials in Helen's name are suggested to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, Shelby House, 2320 Spokane Creek Road, East Helena, MT 59635, or to an organization of the donor's choice.
Clarence Kessler
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, our beloved Clarence passed on to his new home. Clarence was born on June 20, 1934, in Orrin, N.D., to John and Mary Kessler, the eighth of 11 children. He remained in his hometown until he was 17, then went to work as a surveyor in the Florida Everglades. Several years later he journeyed to Montana, where he went to work as a meat cutter at Montana Meat.
At the age of 21 he enlisted in the Army and served for two years. After leaving the service he worked at various jobs until going into business for himself as an appliance repairman. On Aug. 28, 1982, he married
his wife, JoAnne. On Oct. 30, 1989, he underwent a successful heart transplant, which, by God's grace, carried him for 13 years. During that period he spent much time in and out of the hospital, but still managed to remain a cheerful and comic person, frequently eliciting smiles and laughter from the nurses and doctors who attended to him.
Clarence was an avid garage saler and could be found making the rounds early Saturday mornings, Adit in hand. He also loved the Montana outdoors. Hunting, fishing and mining were three of his favorite pastimes, and he met with success in them all.
His parents, John and Mary Kessler, as well as his siblings Lena McDonald, Roy Kessler, Emil Kessler and Eddy Kessler preceded Clarence in death. A loving husband and father, he is survived by his wife, JoAnne; daughters, Vicki Kessler of Seattle and Vonnie Kessler of Somers; granddaughter Marika Ortman of Somers; stepdaughters, April Burton of Phoenix and Nina Wagner of Helena; step-grandchildren, Kelly Cragen of Helena and Brian and Bradley Burton of Phoenix; brothers, Wendolyn Kessler of California, Leo Kessler of Washington and James Kessler of Minnesota; and sisters, Susie Conrad, Shirley Laverdure and Linda Frost, all residing in North Dakota. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Viewing hours will begin at noon today and continue until noon on Tuesday at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church, 3384 Canyon Ferry Road. Interment to follow at Forestvale cemetery with military honors conducted by Lewis and Clark Veteran's council, after which there will be a reception held at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Don Kessler, Ronnie Crawford, Jim Wagner, Roger Pomatto, Reg Brewer and Bill Johnston; and honorary pallbearer John Jepson.
Memorials in Clarence's name are suggested to the building fund at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church, 3384 Canyon Ferry Road, East Helena, MT 59635.
James E Schaeffer Sr.
James E Schaeffer Sr., 89, died Friday morning, Dec. 13, 2002, in his home at 1414 Choteau in Helena.
He was born on March 7, 1913, in Henderson, Ky., to Cecil and Viola Schaeffer. He lived and worked in Henderson until 1942, when he entered the U.S. Army and served in London during WWII. It was during his enlistment at the Reno, Nev., air base that he met and married
Peggy Ellsworth of Helmville, Mont., on July 17, 1943.
Upon being honorably discharged, he returned to Henderson with his family for a short time and then moved to Helmville. He worked for Powell County in road construction and maintenance and helped operate the Ellsworth Bar for his father-in-law.
He moved to Helena in 1960 and worked for the Montana National Guard.
He never knew a stranger, never judged anyone, forgave everyone, and those who were his family and friends will forever be in his debt.
His brother, Martin, and sister, Francele, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Peggy Schaeffer; son, James E Schaeffer Jr. of Helena; sisters Anna Lee Henson and Mary Roll of Evansville, Ind.; grandsons, Steven Schaeffer of East Helena and James E. Schaeffer III of Seattle; great-grandchildren Steven, Braden and Elie Schaeffer and numerous nephews and nieces.
Mass of Christian burial will be Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary?s Catholic Church. Interment service will be held the afternoon of Dec 18 at the Helmville cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cancer Treatment Center in Helena, American Heart Association and Humane Society in Helena.
Retz Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.
Ruth Ulma Beckstrom
HELENA - Ruth Ulma (Tucker) Beckstrom, 98, of Helena, a homemaker, died Friday at an assisted care facility in Helena of natural causes.
Her funeral is 10 a.m. Tuesday at Croxford and Sons Funeral Home in Great Falls, with burial in Highland cemetery.
Survivors include a daughter, Janet Berger of Billings; sons Cecil Beckstrom of Great Falls and Darrell Beckstrom of Helena; 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Beckstrom, in 1975; a daughter, Virginia, in 1947; and a son, Armand, in 2002.
Additional survivors include daughters-in-law Bonnie Beckstrom of Great Falls and Susan Beckstrom of Helena; grandchildren Ron Beckstrom of Helena, Diana Vashro of Deer Lodge, Linda Beckstrom of Helena, Julie McDermott of Helena, Michelle Johner of Zurich, Switzerland, Pierre Berger of Billings, Lance Beckstrom of Portland, Ore., Ross Beckstrom of Vancouver, Wash., Nick Beckstrom of Helena and Matt Beckstrom of Helena; three stepgranddaughters, Kim Schwabe of Washington, D.C., Kerri Schneider of Missoula and Krista Partridge of Helena.
Ruth was born to Quincy and Ulma Tucker in Cascade on Aug. 12, 1904. She grew up and attended school in the Cascade and Castner Coulee areas. She married
Arthur Beckstrom in Cascade in 1922. They ranched south of Belt in the Tiger Butte area until retiring to Great Falls in 1962. They moved to Bandon, Ore., for a few years and finally returned to Belt to be near family. She later moved to Billings to be with her daughter, Janet. Since 2001, she has resided at the Beehive Home in Helena.
Ruth remained very active in numerous activities until her death. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, quilting and word puzzles. Her beautiful needlework was always given as gifts to family and friends.
Memorials suggested to Belt Senior Citizens Center.
CARROLL E. MARCUS
Carroll E. Marcus, 77, of Helena, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, after a long illness at Big Sky Care Center.
Born Carroll E. Ore on March 2, 1923, in Ortinville, Minn., she grew up in Lewistown where she graduated from High School in 1941.
She worked for Boeing Aircraft during WWII.
She married
Jack Toomey in 1942 and had a son, John Daniel. They later divorced.
In 1947 she married
William S. Nunley and had another son, Michael Anthony. They later divorced.
She then married
Charles E. Marcus in 1969 while living in Billings.
Together Carroll and Charles owned and operated Mac’s Bar and Restaurant in Wolf Creek until their health deteriorated.
Both Carroll and Charles have resided in the Big Sky care center for the past several years.
Survivors include her husband, Charlie of Helena; son, John Toomey and family of Helena; and son, Mike Nunley and family of Gillette, Wyo.; stepson, Randy Marcus and family of Helena.
Carroll was preceded in death by her parents, George and Jessie Ore; brother, Wesley Ore and sister, Margret Ore.
No services are planned at this time.
Family prefers memorials to the Fidelity Chapter # 18, OES, C/O Charles F. Tesch, 3022 First Ave. So., Great Falls, MT 59401.
Arrangements were entrusted to Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home.
Anna M. Copeland
Anna M. Copeland, 97, of Helena, went to her eternal rest with her God on Aug. 26, 2002. Anna was born Oct. 19, 1904, in Fero, N.D. to Ole J. and Johanna M. Olson.
She grew up in a number of locations in the U.S. and Canada, settling in Nashua, Mont. There Anna met and married
Glenn Copeland on July 6, 1924. From this union six children were born.
Anna's family moved to Victor in 1934 where they resided on a ranch northwest of Victor. They farmed and raised their children until 1948 when Anna's husband decided to follow dam construction, first at Hungry Horse, and then Canyon Ferry. Eventually they moved to Helena. Anna's husband died in 1967. She was employed as a housekeeper for a number of families in and around Helena. Her final job before she retired at age 80 was with Helena Senior Citizens Center. In 1999 she moved into Shelby House, a limited care facility, where she died.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband Glenn; daughter Pearl; and sons Hubert and Alvin; brothers Henry, Adolph, Alfred, Elmer and Arne Olson; sisters Olga Boston and Alma Knez.
Anna is survived by her children Donald R. Copeland of East Petersburg, Pa., Ruby Lee Kasman of Helena, Larry E. Copeland of Helena; and sister Pearl Copeland of Hamilton. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Friends and relatives are invited to make contributions in Anna?s memory to Shelby House, P.O. Box 1167, East Helena, MT 59635 or Naomi Chapter #19, Order of Eastern Star, Victor, MT 59875.
Anna has been cremated and her ashes will be interred at Victor cemetery in Victor. A graveside service will be conducted on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002, at 2 p.m. by officers and members of Naomi Chapter #19 OES, under the direction of Jane Manning, Worthy Matron.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hagler-Anderson Mortuary.
