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Jeanette Rose Keller
Custer - Jeanette Rose Keller passed away on May 15, 2002, at her home in Custer with family at her side. She fought a hard, courageous battle with cancer.
Jeanette was born to Phillip and Regina Kuntz on Dec. 19, 1937. She was raised on the family farm south of Custer and graduated from Custer High School. On Oct. 28, 1954, she and Bill Keller were united in marriage. Together they had seven children.
Mom enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and playing solitaire. Most of all she was known for her excellent cooking. Her dedication to her children and grandchildren was immeasurable. She was always putting everyone else's needs before her own.
Jeanette was instrumental in getting the Junction City Memorial Park Board started. She started as a member of the board in the beginning and remained active until present.
Jeanette is survived by her husband, Bill, and their children and grandchildren; Steve Keller of Helena and his children Wes, Josh and Shandi; Tam (Greg) Miller of Billings and their children Summer, Kimberly, and Erica; Dani (Shayne) Meskimen of Billings and their children Jared and Haylie; Jeff (Corinna) Keller of Custer and their children Ashley, Taylor, and McKensie; Rona (Cory) Hansen of Custer and their daughter Pier; and Shawn (Eddy) Strecker of Big Horn and their children Joel and Jordan. She is also survived by her mother, Regina, and brothers, Phillip Kuntz of Selah, Wash., Dan (Judy) Kuntz of Laurel, and Tom (Linda) Kuntz of Williston, N.D. Jeanette was preceded in death by her father Phillip Kuntz and her son Daryl.
A special thanks is extended to the entire staff of the Oncology Center of the Northern Rockies, VNS, and Big Sky Hospice for their sincere and loving care that they provided for Mom.
Services were held on Monday, May 20, at the Custer School gymnasium with interment in the Custer cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the Custer Community School Support Foundation (CCSSF) or to the charity of one's choice. Smith Funeral Chapel was in care of the arrangements.
Jarold R. Wood
Jarold Robert Wood, age 61, of Helena died Monday, May 20, 2002, at Big Sky Care Center. Jarold was born to Browning and Katie Wood July 7, 1940, in Los Angeles.
He grew up and attended school in southern California. He entered the U.S. Navy in August 1957 and was honorably discharged in July 1961. While in the Navy, he worked as an electrician and worked on everything from generating plants to electrical lights. He was also involved in nuclear test surveys.
Jarold earned a degree in electronics. Jarold owned and operated A-1 Communications for 20 years in Helena. He also worked as an instructor at Votech for three years. He married
Candace S. Semenze in February of this year.
He enjoyed fly-fishing, camping, and working with wood and seashells.
Survivors include his wife Candace of Helena; a daughter Sheryl of Torrance, Calif.; a son, Jay Wood of Indiana; a sister, Kay Tricoli of Pahrump, Nev.; one brother, James Bond of Wildwood, Fla.; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at Helena Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will follow at the Montana State Veterans cemetery at Fort Harrison. Funeral arrangements were completed by Helena Funeral Chapel.
Hulda A. Van Winkle
Hulda Annabelle Van Winkle, lovingly called "Annie" by her late husband Frank, died Monday evening, May 20, 2002, at St. Peter's Hospital after a brief illness. She was born to Andrew and Annie Hillman in Cusson, Minn., on Aug. 16, 1923.
Raised with nine brothers and sisters by her mother, a large family was her natural surrounding. Her naturally high energy and enthusiasm only increased as the number of children grew around her. On Feb. 27, 1943, she married
Wilho Edwin Arfman in Floodwood, Minn. After his tragic death on July 16, 1954, she moved to Helena, where she met and married
Frank Winslow Van Winkle on Aug. 12, 1955.
She learned to sew at a young age and enjoyed sewing for her husband and family. Her entire life was lovingly devoted to homemaking and caring for her family. Hulda was fiercely independent, always encouraging her children to learn and do for themselves. She wanted all of the children to succeed in school and have at least a modest understanding of music. All of her children studied the piano.
Her favorite times were those spent with her family, camping in Montana, bowling and dancing with her husband. She loved music and going to concerts. She loved cooking and baking and caring for her Persian cats.
Hulda was preceded in death by eight of her brothers and sisters and her husband of 46 years, Frank. She is survived by four sons Michael Arfman of Riverside, Calif., Larry Arfman of San Diego, Calif., Brad Arfman of Tualatin, Ore., and Stewart Arfman of Indianapolis, Ind.; and two daughters Julie Van Winkle of Helena, and Carole Brown of Plains. Twelve grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive her.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2002 at Retz Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Helena Humane Society.
Chester W. 'Chet' Featherly
Chester W. 'Chet' Featherly, 87, of Helena, passed away early Thursday morning at St. Peter?s Hospital following a brief illness.
Chet was born in Wisdom, Mont., on Sep. 25, 1915, the son of Josephine and Fred Featherly. In 1927 the family moved from Dillon to Helena, where he attended local schools. Chet was a welding foreman at Caird?s Engineering Works for 40 years, retiring in 1979.
He married
the love of his life, Charlotte Pollack, of Craig, Mont., on July 3, 1940, and they shared their lives together for 62 years. Chet was a quiet, soft-spoken man who enjoyed hunting, fly-fishing and in his retirement took up the game of golf. He loved to travel in his motor home - especially to California to visit his devoted family.
Chet enjoyed being a part of several local organizations. For 50 years he was a member of Morning Star Lodge No. 5, A.F. & A.M., the Helena Scottish Rite Bodies and the Algeria Shrine. He was active in the Algeria Shrine patrol and wrecking crew, and was a past director of the Royal Order of Jesters Court No. 5. He was also a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte; a daughter, Betty; son-in-law, Bruce Griffing; grandson, Bradley, and wife, Michelle; granddaughter, Nicole, and husband, Peter Van Zele; and great-granddaughter, Elise Van Zele, all of Livermore, Calif.; brother-in-law and wife, Don and Meredith Pollack of Polson, Mont. Several nieces, nephews and cousins will miss him.
Cremation has taken place with Chapel services Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at 2 p.m. from Hagler-Anderson Chapel with Pastor Douglas R. Vold of St. John's Lutheran Church officiating. Officers and members of Morning Star Lodge No. 5 A. F. & A.M will conduct Masonic services. Interment of cremains will take place at a later date.
Family prefers memorials to the Spokane Shriner?s Hospital for Children, 911 West 5th Ave., Spokane, Wash., 99201 or to St. John?s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave., Helena, MT 59601.
Diana Lee Knutzen
Diana Lee Knutzen, 42, of Basin, passed way unexpectedly at St. Peters Hospital in Helena early Monday Afternoon. She was born Aug. 24, 1960, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Emil N. and Doris M. Harrold.
She married
Dwayne Lee Knutzen on Feb. 7, 1987, in Burlington, Wash. Together they owned and operated the Merry Widow Health Mine in Basin for the past few years.
Survivors include her husband, Dwayne, daughter, Shawn, and son, Bradlee, all of Basin; her parents, Scott Harrold of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Doris Harrold of Mount Vernon, Wash.; a brother, Mike Harrold, of Bow, Wash.; two sisters, Denise Harrold, of Mount Vernon, Wash., and Donna Harrold of Marysville, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place with memorial services scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Merry Widow Campground Recreation Center, Basin, Mont. Family prefers memorials to the Basin School Student Fund, P.O. Box 127, Basin, MT 59631 or to the Butte Rescue Mission, 1204 2nd, Butte, MT 59701.
Gladys Short
Gladys Short, age 95, of the Masonic Home of Montana, died Friday afternoon, Oct. 11, 2002, at the Masonic Home. Gladys was born to Harry & Marcella Pfander in a small farming community in Iowa, where she attended Clarinda Junior College and graduated from the State Teachers College, Marysville, Mo. She lived most of her life in the Midwest until moving to California in the 60's.
After retirement she and George moved to Oregon and enjoyed going to the ocean, often with a picnic lunch and stopping at their favorite spot - a beautiful forest just before getting to the Pacific Ocean. Indeed, these were the golden years for Gladys and George. While in Salem, Ore., Gladys volunteered at the Red Cross and was active in the Methodist Church. George died in 1978 and Gladys moved to Montana in 1988 to be near her son, Don, who preceded her in death 10 years ago.
For the past 10 years, she has lived at the Masonic Home and constantly commented on how good they were to her and how fortunate she was to be able to stay in such lovely surroundings. Her love of history surfaced often while playing word games at the Home and she even recited the Gettysburg Address, from memory, at breakfast one morning at the age of 93.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George, son Don, brothers, Stanley and Elmo, and sisters Hazel, Leona and Florence. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Marge Short, of Helena; two grandsons, Steven Short of Great Falls and Gary Short of Bozeman; granddaughter, Barbara Gleason of Great Falls; great-grandson, Andrew Short of Great Falls; and great-granddaughter Megan Short of Bozeman.
A memorial service will be held at the Masonic Home on Monday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be sent in her memory to the Masonic Home, 2010 Masonic Home Road, Helena, MT 59602, or to Hospice of St. Peters. Cremation arrangements have been made through Retz Funeral Home.
Kathryn Ione Hall
On Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, our beloved Kathryn Ione Hall, 46, passed on to her new home.
Kathy was born on July 17, 1956, in Great Falls to Wilma and James Held and joined sister, Karen, and brother, Rick. Three years later, a brother, Bill, joined the family. Kathy attended schools in Rapid City, S.D., in Bitburg, Germany, Clyde Park, Mont., and graduated from Portage High School in Indiana. Kathy attended two years at vo-tech in Helena.
As a military daughter, Kathy was fortunate to have lived for three years in Germany, and was able to visit all but a few of the European countries. After returning to the States, she spent a brief time in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maine, South Carolina, and then back to Clyde Park. In 1973, she moved to Indiana to help out her sister who was expecting a new baby.
While in Indiana she met Russell Ames Hall, and they married
in Clyde Park on Aug. 26, 1975. Russell and Kathy lived in Gary, Ind., where their three children, Heather, Russell and Heidi, were born. In 1983 the family moved to Helena.
Kathy worked for State Fund until she started her own business, Autumn Cleaning Service. She worked at her business until September this year.
Kathy's greatest enjoyments were campouts, volleyball games and music when all the families would get together. She also enjoyed going to hunting camp each year with her dad, brothers, uncles and cousins.
Eight years ago, Kathy purchased her first Harley Davidson motorcycle and named it "Rose." She later bought a 1993 Heritage Softail (named "Too Hot"). Since then, Kathy rode every chance she got. Through her motorcycle riding, she met so many new friends. Kathy was very proud of the fact that she had ridden in all of the lower 48 states and in four Canadian provinces - all but four of them were with her very special riding companion, brother Bill.
Kathy was very close to all of her family, which included not only her immediate family, but her aunts, uncles, cousins and her motorcycle "brothers and sisters". She always said how very blessed she was to have such wonderful people who cared so much for her - and she cared for each and every one of them. Her children and her grandchildren were the light of her life.
Kathy's door was always open for those who needed a place to stay. Kathy's favorite sayings were "Live to Ride" and "It's a Beautiful Day"
Kathy was preceded in her journey by her husband, Russell, in August 1994, her daughter, Heidi, in September 1999, and her grandparents.
Kathy is survived by her daughter, Heather (Jason) VanDrunen; her son, Russell, all of Helena; her very precious grandchildren, Kinkade Russell Hall and Autumn Rose VanDrunen; her parents, James and Wilma Held of Clyde Park; sister, Karen (Danny) of East Helena; brother, Rick (Lisa) of Clyde Park; and brother, Bill of East Helena. Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Al (Louise) Bodak of Post Falls, Idaho; Gerald (Paula) Hall and Harry (Linda) Hall; sister-in-law, Joyce (Wayne) Fowler, all of Indiana. Kathy is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and so very many special friends.
Ride free, Kathy. You are our hero and you will always be with us!
Chapel services will be Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. from Hagler-Anderson Chapel with Beau Miller officiating. Interment services will follow at Mountain View cemetery in Livingston at 3 p.m. Family prefers memorial to that of donor's choice.
Mary Emma Knaub Sims
Mary Emma Knaub Sims, 80, of Jefferson City, passed away after an extended illness on Sept. 24, 2002. She was born Aug. 20, 1922, in Dallastown, Pa., the daughter of James Wilbur Knaub and Cordelia Naomi (Stiles) Knaub.
Mary was a very kind, generous and hardworking person who was loved by all who knew her. She was known by many for her interests, including bridge, golf, hiking, gardening and bird watching.
She grew up in the Dallastown area of Pennsylvania and as a child was an avid baseball player. The story was often told of the neighborhood boys who would frequently do the dishes for her so she could pitch for them in the neighborhood games. Mary lost her mother at an early age and was raised lovingly by her stepmother, Romaine V. Flinchbaugh.
Mary attended the York County School of Nursing, and after graduating found herself working as the chief operating room nurse and head surgical scrub nurse for the urology department of the Cleveland Clinic. She was an independent, free-spirited woman and at the time, very proud to be the first among her friends to own an FM radio, on which she avidly listened to the Cleveland Indians baseball games. She also had one of the first Dumont televisions.
It was in Cleveland where she met the love of her life, James R. Sims Jr. She and Dick married
on March 5, 1953, in Cleveland. After several years of traveling about the U.S. and Europe with her husband "Doctor Dick" in the military, they moved to Helena with their young family. Mary was a very loving mother and fully devoted to her husband and family. She gave of herself wholeheartedly and selflessly.
In their early years in Helena, Dick and Mary often took the family out in the country, camping out, cooking hot dogs over open fires, hiking and generally having fun. Mary was known by her children to be exceptionally wise and caring when it came to family matters. In the late 60's, it was this trait that led her to insist on moving the family to the country, when they moved to Jefferson City. In Jefferson City, Mary was well known by all the neighbors and they always loved to see her whenever they could.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother; her husband, James R. Sims Jr.; daughter, Laura Jane Sims Swindle; and brothers Wilson Knaub and Mahlon Knaub. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Kay DeMers, and her husband, George, of Jefferson City; sons James Richard Sims III and his wife, Suzanne, of Denver, John Franklin Sims of Helena and Michael Richard Sims of Clancy. She is also survived by son-in-law Tom Swindle and his wife, Katherine; granddaughters Jennifer Swindle, Josey Sims and Kady DeMers; and grandsons Tizer and Bridger DeMers, and Jacob and Isaac Sims.
A celebration of remembrance will be held for Mary on Oct. 19 at the Montana Club. A brief eulogy will begin at 4 p.m., followed by music and hors d' oeuvres. The family suggests memorials to the Farm in the Dell Foundation, 1208 Poplar, Helena, MT.
Shirley Ann Michaud
Shirley Ann Michaud, age 55, died of natural causes at her home in Helena on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002. Shirley was born Jan. 2, 1947, in Muskegon, Mich., to George Wilson Maddix and Marjorie Ruth Cooper. She married
Alan Michaud on Dec. 23, 1994, in Anchorage, Alaska.
Shirley was a Certified Nurse Assistant at Rocky Mountain Care Center and her main hobby was Christmas and all its trimmings.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Alan; sons, Troy Venne of Helena and Kurt Pendall of Muskegon; daughters, Collette Woodard of Houston, Texas, and Kristy Pendall of Muskegon; and sisters, Susie Thailer of Muskegon and Marcia Maddix of Bitely, Mich. Shirley's parents preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Oct. 28, 2002, at 4:30 p.m., at Calvary Baptist Church, 1225 Knight in Helena. Retz Funeral home is caring for arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association, Great Falls Office, 510 First Ave N., #114, Great Falls, MT 59401.
Rosemary A. Deming
Rosemary A. Deming, age 74, of Helena died at her home on Friday, Oct. 25, 2002, of Alzheimer's disease. She was born Jan. 5, 1928, in Butte to Connie Maguire and Cecil Rodda.
Rosemary was educated in Butte. She met Cecil Deming on a blind date on St. Patrick's Day in Butte. They went to a movie, "Pride of the Yankees, " and then bowling (Rosemary won!).
Rosemary and Cecil were married
in 1944 in Butte. They owned and managed A&W; Root Beer stands, and Rosemary worked for Helena Urban Renewal and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Her hobbies included reading, playing cards, sewing, crocheting, sledding and playing "jacks" with the kids, rescuing houseplants and working crossword puzzles.
Throughout her life, Rosemary volunteered for Birthright, the Florence Crittenton Home and numerous church activities.
Surviving Rosemary are her husband, Cecil; daughters, Lynn Deming, Helena, Susan Deming and fiance Dave Baldwin, Helena, and Catherine Deming and fiance David Klemm, Iowa City, Iowa; sons, Jim (Arlette) Deming, Bozeman, Lee (Sherry) Deming, Laurel and John (Doree) Deming, Missoula; grandchildren, (Teri) Helmer, Mike (Michelle) Deming, Dawn (Kevin) Knopp, Dan Deming, Lisa (Tom) Quisenberry, Daniel Deming, Dominic, William and Mary Rose Loveless, Ryan (Sarah) Deming, Annie Deming and fiance Ryan Williams, Peter, Mary Cheryl, Joanna and John DeMars; and her sister, Ceil Orr of Spokane, Wash.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ray Rodda; daughter, Cheryl and Cheryl's husband George Bandy and their son, Mike.
Visitation will be 6:30 to 7 p.m. today at St. Mary's Catholic Church. A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at the church. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at the church. Burial will follow at Resurrection cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Florence Crittenton Home, 901 N. Harris, Helena, MT 59601; Hospice of St. Peter's Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; or the donor's choice. Retz Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.
