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Betty Smith
Betty Smith of Broadus died on December 15, 2011, surrounded by her family. She was born at the Leary homestead outside of Biddle on March 9, 1928.
Mrs. Smith graduated from Broadus High School in 1946 and worked as a clerk at the Broadus court house for several years. She married
Dick Smith on October 4, 1953 in Belle Fourche S.D. She spent many happy years on the family ranch raising her children and grandchildren while enjoying her life as the wife of a rancher. During this time she was a timer for the local rodeos and was happy to donate her time to being in the “crow’s nest.” She took pride in helping with the East Fork Roping Club and Little Levi Rodeo.
She lived her whole life in her beloved Broadus community. One of her major accomplishments was serving as one of the founding members of the rest home
committee and being a part of getting a nursing home started in Broadus. She was also an active member of the Broadus School board, the cemetery and T.V. board, the election board, and a Cowbelle, serving as an officer for many years. She spent numerous hours supporting her kids, grandkids and others in their sporting events.
Because of her support of athletes, she was honored with a reserved seat that was labeled with her name on a plaque.
After her morning coffee she was ready to take on anything. She loved to be with her family, travel, cook, play board games, craft, and crochet and play cards. Her grandkids and others had her to thank for many of their lunches during school. On occasion, you could see her riding with Evan in his wagon as he drove his team around town. During the last several weeks her granddaughter, Amber, became her favorite companion, and they spent many hours together playing crib, cooking, driving around or just hanging out. Fondly, her grand- and great-grandkids referred to her as “Grams, ” and she dearly adored all of them.
Never was there a card game that wasn’t fun for her. She could challenge the best at cards and usually come out a winner.
Her strength and determination led her to staying in her home and driving her own car until the end. She loved the ability to drive and look at the country, admiring the wide-open spaces.
Mrs. Smith was comforted in the last days by the caring and love of her family. She was surrounded by family, never being left alone, always having her hand held, back rubbed, feet massaged, whispers of love in her ear and jokes told to her. She was also cheered every day by flowers and notes sent by friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Dick) Smith, daughter Pam Thomas, infant daughter Smith, sister and brother-in-law Delbert and Marion Kane, brother-in-law Henry LaCasse, nephew Larry LaCasse and parents Dan and Rosa Leary.
She is survived by her son, John (Lana) Smith, daughter Patty (Don) Samuelson, sister Helene LaCasse, grandchildren Micky (Brett) Culey, Erin and Jamie Sanburn, Amber and Evan Smith, Derrick (Mystera) and Tyler (Jera) Samuelson, great-grandkids Derric and Jayd Culey, special granddaughter Jenny Glenn and precious nieces Marilyn Kane and Dixie (Bob) Ayala, Rosemary (Jay) Howard and nephews Bill (Nancy) Kane and
Allen (Laurie) LaCasse. She is also survived by numerous special great-nieces and -nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2011 from 1-6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus, Montana.
Interment will follow in the Valley View cemetery in Broadus.
Memorials may be sent to the Broadus rest home or to the charity of your choice.
May there be many hours of driving and hands of cards played in heaven! Hopefully each day will be a double pinochle day!
Paul O'Dea
Paul O’Dea, 82, of Miles City died on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at the Friendship Villa Care Center in Miles City, surrounded by his family.
Mr. O’Dea was born on April 12, 1929, in Jordan, the son of George and Anna Koch O’Dea. He attended grade school at Sumatra and was a graduate of Billings Senior High School in 1947.
After high school, he married
Lois Williams on May 28, 1949. He was a meat cutter at the Northside Locker in Billings for approximately 17 years and worked at various grocery stores in Miles City.
Mr. O’Dea went on to attend college at Miles Community College and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Eastern Montana College-Billings in 1970. He taught in the public school system in Miles City from 1970 to 1991. Mr. O’Dea loved to teach.
He was an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish and Sacred Heart School Board, as well as an avid ham radio operator. Mr. O’Dea was a jack of all trades, with carpentry as his biggest accomplishment.
His survivors include his wife of 62 years: Lois O’Dea of Miles City; his children: Dr. Patrick (Marlene) O’Dea of Spokane, Wash.; Margaret “Peggy” Tiffany of Miles City; Dr. Timothy (Susan) O’Dea of Wenatchee, Wash.; Marianne Reaves of Misawa, Japan; Thomas O’Dea of Miles City; and Martin (Jeanette) O’Dea of Miles City, MT; two brothers: John O’Dea of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Antone O’Dea of Billings; and his grandchildren: Dr. Michael J. O’Dea, Katherine McCartney, Dr. James O’Dea, Dr. Megan McElroy, Anna Tiffany, Sarah O’Dea, Matthew O’Dea, Dr. Rhonda Holt, Daniel Reaves, Michael T. O’Dea, Brent O’Dea, Jerel Blakely, Janel Blakely, Jeline Blakely and Joshua Blakely; and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents: George and Anna O’Dea; and two brothers: George O’Dea and Francis O’Dea.
Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, from 1 to 6 p.m. with a Vigil service at 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Calvary cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School.
Keith Wayne Trout
Keith Wayne Trout, 88, of Lino Lakes, Minn., formerly of Miles City, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, at Lino Lakes Assisted Living Home.
Mr. Trout was born on Dec. 14, 1923, in Baker, the son of Bess and Mike Trout. He attended school in Baker until 1939, when his parents and he moved to Miles City. Here he attended Custer County High School and graduated in 1941.
He was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad for 43 years. In 1943 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre in World War II until July of 1945. His group was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for heroism in action in the offensive against Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, an island less than one mile square. For eight days the small atoll witnessed some of the most bitter and intense fighting of the Pacific War. When it was over, 4, 630 Japanese and 1, 115 Americans had been killed. Only 17 Japanese were taken prisoner. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Upon returning to the United States, he and Bernice Comstock were married
in Miles City on July 31, 1945. In 1948 he was elected State Representative from Custer County and re-elected in 1950. He also served as president of the Miles City Trades and Labor Council and chairman of the Democratic Central Committee.
For many years Mr. Trout and his wife had a dance band, playing not only in Miles City but around southeastern Montana.
In 1962 he was transferred to Deer Lodge as Round House Forman, and in 1964 to Milwaukee, Wis., as System Steamfitting Supervisor, where he and his family resided for 49 years.
His survivors include his wife, Bernice Trout and a son, Keith W. Trout Jr. of Lino Lakes, Minn.; a brother, Paul (Rosemary) Trout of Northwoods, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Betty Lou (Wayne) Helland of Miles City; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Janet Helland.
Graveside services will be Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Custer County cemetery in Miles City with full military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1579.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Bob Bozarth
Bob Bozarth, 79, died at home Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011.
He was born May 28, 1932, in Jordan. After graduating from Garfield County High School in Jordan he enlisted in the Army and served in Korea.
Mr. Bozarth married
Betty Svenson in 1955. He was employed at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Miles City retiring in 1992. He was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 52 years. He had a great respect for the Bible and loved its promise of a peaceful paradise earth being established under God’s Kingdom — a time when the old and sick will return to youthful vigor and there will be a resurrection of the dead. He was confident that this promise will be fulfilled soon.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, and three children: Calvin (Deb) of Miles City, Bonnie (Bob LaRoche) and Jan (Tom Peterson); and two grandchildren, Hannah and Ben, whom he dearly loved.
Mr. Bozarth was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Edith; six brothers; and 2 sisters. The Rocky Mountain Hospice’s care allowed Mr. Bozarth to stay at home to the end of his illness.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Missouri Room, Holiday Inn Grand Montana, 5500 Midland Rd. in Billings.
Charles W. "Chris" Christofferson
Charles W. “Chris” Christofferson, 86, of Van Buren, Ark., died on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, in a local hospital.
He was born on Dec. 24, 1924, in Fort Benton, the son of Peder and Mila Wright Christofferson. He grew up on the family ranch at Loma.
After completing his education he enlisted in the Army and served in the Philippines, New Guinea and Japan during World War II. He received the Presidential unit citation, Philippine liberation ribbon, occupation ribbon in Japan and the American theater, Asiatic Pacific theater and Victory of good conduct ribbons.
After returning from the war Mr. Christofferson began working for Bell Telephone where his 40-year career took him to Helena, Havre, Everett, Wash., and finally to Miles City in 1967.
He married
Edith Gilreath in November of 1949 and to this union one son, Larry was born. After the death of his first wife in 1992, Mr. Christofferson moved to Arkansas where he met and married
Lucille Atwood in September of 1995. He remained there until the time of his death.
Mr. Christofferson enjoyed dancing, playing cards and woodworking. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans for Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille Christofferson of Van Buren, Ark.; one son, Larry (Rolane) Christofferson of Terry; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Graveside services will be Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Garden cemetery Helena.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Ruby Eileen Schultz
Funeral services for Ruby Eileen Schultz, mother of former Miles City and Glasgow news reporter Rick Schultz, were held Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, in Spokane, Wash.
She died Thursday evening, Dec. 8, 2011, in Spokane’s Deaconess Medical Center.
Mrs. Schultz suffered from brain cancer. This was her third cancer diagnosis (along with a heart attack). She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1964, followed by lung cancer in later years. Mrs. Schultz didn’t smoke.
She is survived by her son, Rick, who was news director at KATL Radio in Miles City from 1995 to 2000 and at KKRY-KMTA in Miles City from 2000 to 2002. He was proprietor of the “Cowtown News” in Miles City from 2002 to 2005.
James Raymond "Ray" Perkins
James Raymond “Ray” Perkins, 83, died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City.
Mr. Perkins was born Nov. 23, 1928, to William Garrett “Newt” and Mary Boston Perkins. He was the youngest of three children. In his teens he worked for the old B.N. sales yard herding cattle and helping at the sales yard.
He and D. Joanne Beardsley were married
on Feb. 15, 1949, in Miles City. To this union two children were born, Bill and Janet. Mr. Perkins was always interested in their activities and supported them in their interests.
He became a policeman at the age of 20 years and had to have a waver signed by his father in order to be hired. He was a policeman for 20 years.
After retiring from the police force, he was a civilian advisor to police forces in Vietnam. He was then a Deputy U.S. Marshall for a year.
Mr. Perkins became a contractor and built many houses in Miles City. He enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the business and the pride of accomplishment.
He loved hunting and was one of the first outfitters in eastern Montana. Mr. Perkins made many lifetime friends in the business with whom he was still in contact. He was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Montana Guides and Outfitters Association. Mr. Perkins retired from hunting a few years ago, but still enjoyed going out.
His survivors include his wife of 62 years, Joanne Perkins of Miles City; his son, Bill (Pat) Perkins of Miles City; his daughter, Janet (Dick) Markle of Glasgow; his grandchildren: Mark Perkins of Bozeman, Sasha (Darryl) Kissler of Kalispell, Keely (Joel) Woods of Miles City, Kayla Perkins of Portland, Ore., Michelle (Brett) Huntsman of Butte, Bess (Nick) Reid of Colstrip and Krista (Ty) Traxler of Bozeman; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother: Bob; and his sister: Jean.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Cottonwood cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Window Memorial or to the charity of one’s choice.
John "Jack" McCourt
Jack McCourt, 87, of Bellingham, Washington, died December 4, 2011, with his family at his side. He was born August 18, 1924, in Moore, Montana, to Edward and Tena Gerringa McCourt.
In 1925 his family moved to Ismay, Montana, where they made their home until 1934 when they moved to Miles City. As a child he spent his summers in the country at the Green Ranch especially enjoying riding on his horse “Lady.”
He graduated from Custer County High School where he was active in all sports activities. He had fond memories of his years playing American Legion baseball. He entered Creighton University on a baseball scholarship but left in the fall of his first year to join the U.S. Air Force in World War II. He was trained as a pilot and served in the South Pacific.
Following his discharge from the service, he attended the University of Montana at Missoula and graduated with a degree in Business Administration and worked as an accountant in Montana, Washington and on the arctic slope in Alaska. His final employment before retirement was for Georgia Pacific in Bellingham.
In 1947 he married
his high school sweetheart, Fidele Nelson in Miles City and three children were born to this marriage. His wife died in 1982. He later married
his current wife, the former Linda Richardson, his long time loving companion.
He is survived by Linda, his wife, and his three children, Bartley (Gary) Metcalf, Bryan (Teresa) McCourt, and Elizabeth (Jon Golde) McCourt, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty McCourt of Miles City, Mt., and Maxine Tofft of California. He will be missed as a special husband, father and brother.
He has been cremated and at his request, no services are planned.
Julie Anne Hawkins-Mahler
Julie Anne Hawkins-Mahler, 54, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at the UCLA Medical Center-Santa Monica in California.
She was born in Escondido, Calif., on June 27, 1957, to William and Mary Carver Hawkins. She grew up in Vista, Calif., where she attended grade school through high school and graduated with honors. In 1975, she was one of the first women to attend the union heavy equipment operator apprenticeship program.
After her apprenticeship, she was running heavy equipment and specialized in grade checking. She shot grade for the highway between Fort Keogh and Miles City and on the Baker and Broadus highways. After her time shooting grade, she started dredging the pier in Oceanside, Calif. It was during this time she found her love for fabric and started working for Yardage Town Fabric.
In 1985, her son John was born and in 1988, Curtis was born and in 1992, Julie moved to Montana with her sons and she found work in construction and at Dairy Queen. She later worked at Wal-Mart, starting there from the grand opening. After a few years there, she left to work on the Baker highway package only to return to Wal-Mart where she became the Department Manager for fabric.
She loved camping, fishing, being outside, spending time with her dogs, family and friends, and visiting California.
Her survivors include her father, William (Lee) Hawkins; Wayne Eddy (the love of her life); her children: John (Kylee) Monicer and Curtis (Heather) Mahler, Roger Eddy, Ronnie Goldberg, and Angela Eddy; sisters: Laurie (Daniel) Harrison, Janet Hawkins, Lynda Kerrwish, Peggy West; brother: John (Vicki) Hawkins; an aunt: Olivia Christinson; and her niece and angel: Erin Roberts.
She was preceded in death by her mother: Mary Hawkins; her beloved dogs: Lacy and Spike; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service will be Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the family for a memorial bench in Julie’s honor to be placed at Spotted Eagle.
