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TERRENCE LEE THOMAS
Terrence Lee Thomas died suddenly Friday, Sept. 28, 2003.
Born Nov. 6, 1946 in Billings, Mont., Terry lived in Red Lodge for much of his life. He spent the last ten years in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he worked at Kaiser Permanente Neurological Center in Redwood City.
Terry was a car and motorcycle enthusiast, a Vietnam veteran, and a truly devoted husband and father.
Terry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Arlo; his son and daughter-in law, Andrew and Samantha; his daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Edward; his sisters, Althea and Debbie, and his mother, Alma.
A memorial service was held at Chapel by the Sea in Pacifica, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003.
DOROTHY A. HUDAK
Dorothy A. Hudak, 80 of Billings, passed away in her sleep, Friday, October 3, 2003 at her home.
The daughter of James W., and Angelena Orler, Dorothy was born August 27, 1923 in Red Lodge. She married Philip Hudak in Red Lodge on April 30, 1946. He preceded her in death March 1, 2000.
Dorothy is survived by two brothers, John Orler of San Francisco, and James R. Orler and his wife Dee of Billings, a sister Elvera (Cookie) Bean of Kalispell and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services were held Oct. 7 at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
LONNIE E. WILLIAMS
Lonnie E. Williams, 91, died on Oct. 8, 2003, at Valley Health Care Center, Billings, of age-related health problems. Lonnie Williams lived a long and complete life, and particularly considering his beginnings, accomplished a successful and giving career. He was born in Red Lodge, on Sept. 14, 1912, to Wilson B. and Anna Gruel Williams. His early childhood was spent on his parents homestead near Boyd. He was the oldest of five boys and lost both his parents to health problems by the time he was 12 years old. An unmarried uncle, Edgar Gruel, and later his wife, Elma Prinkki Gruel kept the family together, and earned Lonnie’s lifelong loyalty, respect and love.
Lonnie graduated high school in Billings in 1930 to try and make his way during the Great Depression. He worked various jobs during the 1930s to keep body and soul together, including farm work on his uncle Edgar Gruel’s ranch, house moving, census taking, partnering in another uncle’s mirror shop, summer fire lookout for the US Forest Service, and two enrollments in the CCC’s. In 1941, he enlisted in the Army and served during World War II as an intelligence officer, principally at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City. Lonnie was married to Mary Eckels of Fishtail in 1942 shortly after World War II began.
After World War II, Lonnie worked for two federal agencies, the Bureau of Reclamation (at Thermopolis and Boysen, Wyo.) and Production Marketing Agency (an earlier name for the present day Farm Service Agency), in Casper, Wyo. Post-war reductions in force among federal civilian employees ended his federal career, and after a brief period of employment with the Burlington Railroad, Lonnie began a long career in the Rural Electification system. Cooperatives were a product of the Depression era New Deal, and Lonnie was active in the associations that bridged federal government to local independent cooperatives, serving in various offices at state and national levels, and on the boards of regional power generation associations. He was among the leaders who helped ensure that the cooperatives had access to guaranteed power sources at reasonable prices, and who successfully kept private power companies from encroaching on the cooperatives’ customer base, as it became obvious that the rural consumers were a significant part of electrical power use in the United States.
At Lonnie’s request there will be no services, and cremation has taken place. Memorials may be made to the Montana Electric Cooperative Association, c/o Big Flat Electric Cooperative, PO Box 229, Malta MT 59538, or to the charity of one’s choice.
JACK F. REID
April 2, 1937 - Oct. 4, 2003
Jack, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully, Oct. 4, 2003, at St. Vincent Healthcare, surrounded by his family.
Jack was born April 2, 1937, to David and Irene Reid in Bearcreek. Jack grew up in Red Lodge. In 1956, Jack enlisted in the Navy. After the service, Jack returned to Red Lodge, where he met and married the love of his life, his wife of 42 years, Lois Kainu Reid. Jack and Lois made their home in Billings, where together they raised three daughters, Tina, Lisa and Gina.
Jack worked as a mechanic for International Harvester, owned Jack’s Exxon, a sales rep, worked for numerous contractors in the electrical trade, was a member of the Operating Engineers while employed in Colstrip at the mine, and later retired from the Billings Gazette, where he worked in building maintenance. Jack truly was the “Jack of all Trades”!
Jack loved spending time with his family. He especially looked forward to the times that involved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, boating and golfing with his wife, family and friends!
Jack will be remembered for his overwhelming enthusiasm to help whenever he could, however he could. He was always there to lend a hand!
Jack is survived by his wife, Lois; daughter Tina (Dennis) Dowdy of Redmond, Ore., Lisa (Mike) Moline and Gina (Cedric) Reid-Pogue of Billings; grandchildren, Julie Dowdy of Bend, Ore., Krystal (James) Lyons of Hinesville, Ga., Rochelle “Rocky” Dowdy of Redmond, Jamie and Makayla Moline of Burns, Ore., Taylor Scott of Lewistown, Destiny Reid, Alexis Walls, Jordyn Pogue of Billings, Cedric Pogue, II of Chester and Anthony Pogue of Mt. Enterprise, Texas; great-grandchildren, Vanessa Reid-Dowdy, Te’a and Mekhi Dowdy of Bend and Layla Lyons of Hinesville, Ga.; a brother, Paul (Judy) Reid of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, mother and brother David.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Should family or friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to an organization of one’s choice.
We will miss you more than you will ever know!
HENRIETTA A. TEHLE
A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated for Henrietta A. Tehle Oct. 13 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Billings, Mont. Burial will follow in Red Lodge next to her beloved husband. Mrs. Tehle, 78, died Thursday, October 9 of natural causes at the home of her daughter in Gillette where she had been residing since June.
“Grandma”, as she was so fondly called, was born in Red Lodge to Kate and Henry Albert. As a young person, she loved riding horses and training her dog Prince.
After graduating from Carbon County High School in Red Lodge in 1943, Henrietta attended college at St. Catherine’s College in St. Paul, Minn. While attending college, she met the great love of her life Matthew Tehle. Henrietta and Matt were united in holy matrimony at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge on October 24, 1945. They resided in St. Paul and Crookston, Minn. for eight years where Henrietta was a housewife and mother. In 1954, Henrietta and Matt with their young family moved to Billings. Billings remained her home and center for her family and community service until the recent move to Gillette.
“Grandma” devoted her life to her family. For more than 50 years, her home was the center for family holidays and activities. Her great family pride established the Tehle family reunion that kept the widely spread family in touch and devoted. “Grandma’s” devotion and love developed generations of successful Tehles. First, she raised her son Michael and her daughter Kathryn. Then she concentrated on her grandchildren Beth, Matthew, Robert, and Susan. She was still busy with her great-grand daughter Casey who affectionately called her “G.G.etta” at the time of her death.
An accomplished seamstress, “Grandma” sewed and designed clothes for her family and friends. When she wasn’t sewing, her crafts kept her happy. She and her husband designed and sold crafts at various shows in their spare time.
Although she never seemed to have enough time, Henrietta loved to play bridge with her good friends. However, her pursuits never limited her devotion to the service of others and her family. She made friends wherever she went, but especially among the faithful she met through her devotion to her God and her church. She was always the face and hands for the God she served with utter devotion.
Her son Michael and daughter-in-law Cheryl of Billings, her daughter Kathryn and her husband Richard Holland of Gillette, her granddaughter Beth Holland and grandson Matthew Holland of Gillette, her granddaughter Susan Tehle, and grandson Robert Tehle, his wife Diane, and great- granddaughter Casey of Billings survive “Grandma”.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Matthew and her parents.
Memorials may be donated to the Gillette Oncology Center or another charity of your choice. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
BILLIE R. MURRAY
RED LODGE – Billie R. Murray, 73, of Red Lodge, formerly of Bountiful, Utah, passed away Friday morning, October 10, 2003 in her home.
Billie was born on February 14, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter of William Hamilton and Fredora Johnson Richardson. She graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City in 1947. Billie studied nursing at the University of Utah, and later worked as an instructor at the Arthur Murray School of Dance in Salt Lake City. Mrs. Murray retired in 1987 after a 35-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture aerial photography division.
In 1952 she was married to Kenneth M. Murray. Her husband preceded her in death, as did a son, Jonn Andrew Murray.
A resident of Bountiful, Utah from 1966 until her move to Red Lodge in 1997, Billie worked as a volunteer at the Salt Lake City Airport and the Salt Lake Convention and Visitor’s Bureau after retiring. Her favorite hobby was painting with watercolors, and she enjoyed traveling and her various activities in the LDS Church. Billie was a member of the Carbon County Arts Guild of Red Lodge.
Survivors include her son, Bruce K. (Renee A.) Murray of Roberts; 3 granddaughters, Jennifer Ann (Mike) Birrer of Hinsdale, Brandy Lynn Murray of Sheridan Wyo., and Kristen K. Murray of Twin Falls, Idaho; and her aunt and uncle, Margaret and Mel Johnson of Salt Lake City.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 15 at the Red Lodge Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Graveside services will be held in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be given to the Beartooth Hospital & Health Center Hospice, Box 590, Red Lodge MT 59068.
STEPHEN WESLEY SHELTON
Stephen Wesley Shelton passed away at his home in Joliet on Saturday, October 25, 2003. Stephen was born on February 18, 1949. He was the son of Sherwood “Red” and Roselyn (Vasser) Shelton. At the age of 16, he joined the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam.
Stephen leaves behind his daughter, Christina Renova of Blackfoot, Idaho; two granddaughters, Christianna Renova and Marisol Sandoval; brothers, Dennis, Jim, John and Jerry; sisters, Michelle White, Birdie Roat, and Joan Hamilton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents.
A Graveside burial of ashes will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2003 at the Joliet Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America, VVA Chapter #334, PO Box 504, Billings, 59101. Dahl Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
GEORGE J. LADVALA
ROBERTS – George J. Ladvala, 75, of Roberts, formerly of Red Lodge, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 23, 2003 at Beartooth Hospital & Health Center Long Term Care Unit.
George was born on January 22, 1928 in Biwabik, Minnesota, a son of Joel and Senia Hunnakko Ladvala. The family moved to Red Lodge when George was five years old. He graduated from Carbon County High School in Red Lodge where he was an all star athlete.
George served in the U.S. Army of Occupation of Japan from 1946 to 1948. Following his discharge he returned to the Red Lodge area. On March 24, 1951 he married Barbara Ann Schanck.
George worked himself up from an apprentice carpenter to become a construction superintendent. He built many schools and commercial buildings in the Billings area and throughout Montana. He retired in 1985 due to a work-related disability, and was a member of the Carpenter’s Union for 50 years. George loved to hunt, fish and play golf in later years, and spent most of his time in his beloved Beartooth Mountains.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ladvala of Roberts; one son, Bill (Cindy) Ladvala of Whitefish; one grandson, Corey of Kalispell; one granddaughter, Kristye (Michael) Coomer of Flower Mound, Texas; and one great-granddaughter, Mikayla Ann Coomer. Also surviving are one sister-in-law, Saima Ladvala; one brother-in-law, Jim (Landra) Schanck; and his nieces and nephews. George also leaves behind many good friends.
“We knew you couldn’t stay, but we hated to see you go. We all love you, George.”
Cremation has taken place, and in accordance with George’s wishes, no public service will be held. A family service will be held at a later date. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge assisted the family with arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to Beartooth Hospital & Health Center Hospice, Box 590, Red Lodge, Montana 59068.
