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RICHARD KNUTTILA
Richard “Rick” Knuttila, 51, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 16, 2003. He died surrounded by his mother, sister and caregiver in the Los Alamitos Hospital in California.
Rick was born in Red Lodge on July 24, 1952 to Gust and Frances Knuttila. He was the younger of two children. He attended schools in Red Lodge and graduated from Red Lodge High School in 1970. His favorite sport was basketball. His pride and joy was his 1967 Camaro. He worked in the summer for various employers in the area. After high school, he attended and graduated from Billings Automotive School. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army from 1973-75. He served as a legal clerk in South Korea and distinguished himself for exemplary initiative, judgment and motivation. His devotion to duty and performance was outstanding, resulting in an achievement certificate.
Rick attended Carroll College in Helena from 1974-1975 and worked at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital as a personnel clerk. He also received a certificate of merit from the Veteran’s Hospital for exemplary duty and performance. He then moved to Long Beach, Calif. due to a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. He lived with his parents until he passed away due to complications from the quadriplegia of 28 years. While living in California he was a successful and devoted financial investor. His pride and joy was his computer, and keeping in touch with family and friends by e-mail. He always took time to comfort others, and to be a trusted confidante and friend to all he knew and loved. His sense of humor, charismatic personality and faith in the God he loved kept him strong throughout his hard-fought struggle to keep optimistic.
He persevered with quiet assurance despite discomfort. One of Rick’s great joys was watching his only nephew, Brian Bjornson, grow into a successful young man. Brian, in turn, loved and admired his “Uncle Rick.”
Rick is survived by his mother, Frances; his sister Karen (Roy) Bjornson, devoted caregivers Manny and Linda Rumenser; special friend and neighbor, Linda Knowles; the Lillian Miller family, Marian Krivtz family, Lynn Gossett, and the Thelma Bischoff family. They will greatly miss his gentle, caring ways and the immeasurable love he shared with them all.
A memorial service was held at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Cerritos, Calif. on Nov. 20, 2003. Interment was at Forest Lawn in Cypress on Nov. 25.
Memorials are suggested to Concordia Lutheran Church, 13633 183rd St., Cerritos, CA, or Frances Knuttila, 8340 Blithedale, Long Beach, CA.
EUNICE “TIZY” CAMERON
10/1/28 — 11/19/03
Eunice “Tizy” Cameron died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Nov. 18, 2003.
Eunice Marion Malley was born in Duluth, Minn., the youngest of seven children, on Oct. 1, 1928 to Martin and Lulu Malley. She was nicknamed Tizy by her family as a “tiny baby.” Tizy married Walter T. Cameron on April 29, 1950. Together they had 10 children. They lived in Duluth until the early 1980s, when Walt was transferred to Louisiana, and shortly after to Billings.
Tizy was known for her common sense, wit, humor and peacekeeping ability. She was famous for haircuts, chocolate chip cookies, grilled cheese sandwiches, and loving babies. She was defined by her strength and by her values. For all of their lives, her children will strive to live up to her reputation and her expectations.
Tiz was preceded in death by her first child, William, who died as an infant; her parents and their oldest child, Marion, who died as a young child; her brothers, Roger “Bud” Malley and Leslie “Todds” Malley; her sister, Virginia O’Meara, and her grandchild, Cari Cameron.
Tizy is survived by her husband, Walt, of Billings; her children, Patricia (Stan) Plucinak of Minneapolis; Michael (Cheryl) Cameron of Bismarck, N.D., Thomas (Sara) Cameron of Billings, Mary Clare Cameron of Red Lodge, Mont., Paul (Dianne) Cameron of Rochester, Minn., John Cameron, Great Falls, Mont., Diane (Les) Dimich of Red Lodge, Joseph (Jane) Cameron, Eugene, Ore., and Elizabeth Cameron (Gary Long) of Billings, 20 beautiful, smart, strong and loved grandchildren, and one very beautiful, smart, strong and loved great-grandchild. Also surviving her are sisters, Muriel “Babe” Wiita of Duluth and Elaine “Bea” (Glenn) Olson of Fergus Falls, Minn., and brother-in-law, Gerald (Zinnia) Cameron of California, along with numerous nieces and nephews who loved her, and many friends, old and new.
A funeral mass was held at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Billings at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice of Billings, PO Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107, or the charity of one’s choice.
Cremation and Funeral Gallery in Billings was in charge of arrangements.
NORMA JEAN PELO
Norma Jean Pelo, 68, of Castle Rock, Colo., passed away Oct. 28, 2003, surrounded by family after a long battle with colon cancer.
Norma was born July 16, 1935 in Bearcreek, daughter of Harold (Butch) and Lydia Wadsworth. She attended school in Bearcreek and Red Lodge. She married Robert Pelo June 20, 1955.
Norma is survived by four sons, Bill of Aurora, Colo., Tom (Linda) of Castle Rock, Colo., Dan (Joni) of Parker, Colo., and Mike of Castle Rock, Colo.; sister, Judy (Don) Parker of Cody, Wyo., and grandchildren Tyler, Carson, Hannah, Cassie and Morgan Pelo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Jill Wadsworth.
Funeral Mass was Oct. 31, 2003 at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Centennial, Colo.
Donations may be made to Douglas County Educational Foundation, (of which Norma was an avid volunteer), 620 Wilcox St., Castle Rock, CO, 80104.
RICHARD W. RANKIN, SR.
BELFRY – Richard W. Rankin, Sr., 65, of Alpine, Texas, husband of former Belfry resident Doris “Dodie” (Hansen) Rankin, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2003 in Alpine.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 at Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge. Interment was in the Belfry Cemetery. A funeral mass was celebrated on Nov. 22 in Alpine.
Richard was born on March 29, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri, a son of Joseph and Loretta Skala Rankin. On July 10, 1971 he married Doris “Dodie” Hansen. He had been employed as a training coordinator by Shell Oil Company, and had resided in Alpine for the past twelve years. A member of the Catholic church, Richard was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Doris “Dodie” Rankin of Alpine; his two daughters who formerly resided in Billings, Patty A. (Rankin) Roll of Spokane, Wash., and Vicki L. (Rankin) Harmon of Bozeman; two sons, Richard W. Rankin, Jr. of Amarillo, Texas and Russell S. Rankin of Austin, Texas; five brothers, Barry Rankin of Illinois, and Edward, Gene, Jay and Frank Rankin, all of Missouri; and 6 grandchildren.
ARNOLD WHITCOMB
Arnold E. Whitcomb, 94, of Red Lodge, died Jan. 3, 2004.
Visitation at Dahl Chapel Sunday, Jan. 11, 1-5 p.m., and Monday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family and friends to meet at Red Lodge Cemetery Tuesday, Jan. 13 at noon for a graveside service.
A memorial service in Arnold’s honor will take place in the spring.
JOSEPH LOUIS KOSOROK
1916-2003
Joseph Louis Kosorok, a very popular, cantankerous and downright funny man, peacefully passed away in the presence of family members at 10 A. M. on December 30, 2003. Musical “JK” and his store were legendary on Main Street of Red Lodge for 26 years.
JK, the son of John and Paula Kosorok, was born on January 8, 1916 in Red Lodge, Montana. He was a 1934 graduate of Carbon County High School, and, aside from a time in the 77th Army Division at Camp Roberts in California, he spent all his life in Red Lodge.
In 1941 he married Mary Anne “Toots” Naglich. With their teamwork Toots and JK were able to create a variety of occupations. JK became a coal miner, cafe owner, sign painter, the first Pepsi Cola distributor in Red Lodge, and the owner of Five and Ten Variety and JK’s stores on Main Street. At JK’s Store, he became an acclaimed accordion player extraordinaire. Through his music and unique store, he befriended numerous people from around the world. With all of the unsolicited videos and written articles about JK, his legacy will endure.
Joe and Toots were proudly among the founders of the Red Lodge Festival of Nations. He never missed a chance to take part in the festivities, dancing and playing his accordion for many years. He most recently started an event called “The Big Squeeze” for fellow accordion enthusiasts. Almost all family members gave him great satisfaction and pride as they carried on his showmanship with their talents regarding the Festival.
JK was quite resourceful in simplifying difficult tasks. His clever insight created a brush holder which prevented paint from dripping for which he received a patent in the early 1950’s. He loved painting signs, especially the ones which were spelled right the first time!
A typical “ JK moment” happened in his cafe when he and his crew (Toots and her brother, Mike Naglich) were to make a large order of sandwiches. After seeing the last bag out the door, JK noticed that half the necessary ingredients were still on the grill, although the crew found out later that the customers really liked the sandwiches!
JK was a bowling enthusiast and was on the men’s bowling league for at least 40 years, carrying a respectable average. He always dreamed of the “perfect game” but never achieved it.
Dad, you might not have bowled a “300”, but we believe that you lived it.
The family recognizes the Beartooth Hospital and Health Center for its extraordinary care, concern and love.
Joe Louis Kosorok was preceded in death by his wife Mary Anne in December 1982. He is survived by his three children: Judy Hugelen and her children, Dan (Julie) and Deanna; Mike(Birgit) and their children Tonya and Chris; and Nick(Karen) and children Janna (Greg) Orum, Jessie Kosorok, Lindsey Hayes and Ivan Kosorok. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Rex Lewis, Jade Hugelen, Solomon Orum and Jessica Hugelen.
Dad, we will always love and miss you.
Memorial mass was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004 at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Cremation has taken place, and interment will be at a later date in the Bearcreek Cemetery. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel assisted with the arrangements. Memorials may be given to Beartooth Hospital & Health Center, P.O. Box 590, Red Lodge MT 59068.
MARGARET W. BAILEY
Margaret W. Bailey, 26-year resident of Sun City, Ariz., died Dec. 21, 2003 after a prolonged and heart-rending struggle with lymphoma.
Marge was born on Nov. 14, 1920, in Osborne, Mont. to Christopher and Esther Weathermon. She attended school in Bridger, and began her working career in Billings. She was employed by Exxon Corp. She married Bernard Bailey in September, 1947. They were residents of Billings, Spokane and St. Paul before Bernard retired and they moved to Sun City.
Marge had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. She was active in Sun City civic affairs, Eastern Star and The Newcomers Club. She was preceded in death by Bernard in 1997. She is survived by siblings, Lee Weathermon and Ada Eckerman of Clark, Wyo., Mark and Mary Weathermon of Witten, S.D., Cliff and Jean Leimback of Seattle, and Bruce and Christine Giest of Belfry.
She was aunt and great aunt to several, particularly Gayle (Dwight) Brusnvold, a niece who provided her with unstinting, continuous loving care during her long illness.
Memorial services will be held Jan. 15, 2004 at 2 p.m. at Willowbrook Methodist Church in Sun City. Memorials can be made to Sezary Syndrome Research, 111 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10006, or Sun Health Hospice, 12740 N. Plaza Del Rio Blvd., Peoria, AZ 85381, or to a charity of one’s choice.
DANIEL H. ARTHUN
Daniel Henry Arthun, 92, of Joliet, Montana died January 2, 2004 at Evergreen Nursing Home in Laurel.
He was born January 29, 1911 in Joliet to Hansine (Vinningland) and Ole Danielson Arthun.
Dan joined the Navy during World War II and assisted in landing troops in the Battle of Okinawa. He was an area rancher, worked on the Beartooth Highway and was a sheep shearer. He worked at the Great Western Sugar Factory in Billings for many years.
His family and friends will remember Dan’s quick wit and sense of humor.
Dan is survived by his wife, Gladys; son George (Brenda) Arthun, daughters, Sally (Doug) Roepke and Bonnie Woods; daughter-in-law Vickie; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Stanley (Phyllis) Arthun; sister, Thelma Dewell. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers George, Otis and Harold; sister Anna; two sons, Harold “Donnie”, and David; daughter Maureen and two grandchildren Dawn and Darrell.
Memorial Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 17 at the Joliet Baptist Church. Burial of ashes will take place in the spring.
Memorials may be made to New Life Community Church of Columbus Youth Department, 708 2nd Ave N., Columbus, MT 59019 or to the charity of one’s choice.
