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Beryl Bennett (Bowman)
Memorial services for Beryl Bennett (Bowman), 71, of Castle Rock, Colo., former Miles City resident, were held Friday morning, April 4, 2008, in Washington Park Chapel, 1001 S. Pearl St., in Denver, Colo.
She died Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Castle Rock, Colo. She is a former resident of Miles City.
Her survivors include her children, Mike Bennett of Castle Rock and Shan (Max) Holloway of Edmond, Okla.; grandchildren, Trey, Bennett and Brene Holloway all of Edmond, Okla.; her siblings, DeeDee Revelette, Kay Johnson, Berky Bowman and Judy Epps.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert A. Bennett.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to M.D. Anderson Breast Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486. DeWitt and Tabler Funeral Home, 1660 Gilpin St. in Denver was in charge of arrangements.
Bessie E. "Bess" Clark
Bessie E. “Bess” Clark, 94, died in Forsyth on Friday, April 11, 2008.
Mrs. Clark was born in Hedgesville on Sept. 8, 1913, to Agnes Adora Eaman Fisk and Charles Porter Fisk II. She had one brother, Charles, and two sisters, Mary and Jean.
Her family moved to Hysham in 1916 where they operated a bakery. Later they moved south of Marsh Springs, which is near the present-day Hysham rest stop, where they engaged in the sheep business with Jess Cunningham. Then they moved to a farm on the Yellowstone River near Sanders.
She started the first grade in Sanders in 1919, which she attended with her brother, Charles, through the eighth grade. The two then attended Hysham High School, graduating in 1931. Mrs. Clark was a good student in high school and active in extracurricular activities including girls’ basketball and drama.
In 1932 she and Ralph D. Clark, a widowed father of four children, 3 boys and 1 girl, were married
. For the next 60 years she was a part of the Clark Hardware Company in Forsyth where she helped her husband operate and manage the store while at the same time mothering her four step-children, managing the home, cooking for family, relatives and friends, never knowing for sure how many people would be present at the dinner table.
She became well known and respected in the hardware business and well loved as a provider, caretaker, grandmother, great-grandmother and special friend.
Her survivors include her sons, Raymond (Betty), and Robert (Jeanne), and her daughter, Patricia Mysse, all of Forsyth; her sister, Jean Albright of San Diego, Calif.; her nine surviving grandchildren, Arne Mysse (Vikki) of Billings, B. J. Mysse (Maria) of Texas, Mike Clark of Clyde Park, Jana Clark-Snustad (David) of Clancy, Kay Roeslein (Rick), of Forsyth, Linda Fjelstad of Miles City, Dick Clark (Billie) of Eagle, Idaho, Tricia Cook (Kevin) of Bozeman, and Kathy Steckelberg (Allan) of Denver, Colo.; as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; her nephews, Dick DeCock (Joan) and Charlie DeCock (Debbie); and her nieces, Diane Buell, Bend, Ore., and Nancy Buzard of Forsyth.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Ralph Clark; her parents; her brother, Charles, who went down with the Arizona at Pearl Harbor; her sister, Mary; her son, James D. Clark; granddaughter, Terry Ferguson; and her son-in-law, Arne Mysse Sr.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008, in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, A Funeral Service will be Friday, April 18, 2008, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Burial will follow in the Forsyth cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Raymond E. Austby
Raymond E. Austby, 86, died Friday, April 11, 2008, in the Billings Clinic in Billings.
Mr. Austby was born on June 10, 1921 in Glendive, the son of Ed and Esther Peterson Austby. He was raised and educated in Glendive, graduating from Dawson County High School with the class of 1939.
He and Fern Casey were married
on Dec. 4, 1943, in Glendive. They ranched near Glendive on Belle Prairie and raised their family there. Later they moved south of Glendive and then they moved to the Powder River where they ranched for 17 years and then to Marmarth, N.D.
Mr. and Mrs. Austby then moved to Wibaux in 2001 and continued to stay active in ranching until the time of his death.
Mr. Austby was involved in the Makoshika Riders in his younger years and the Little Missouri Saddle Club in Marmarth. He enjoyed hunting, carpentry, cards and dancing. Mr. Austby particularly enjoyed spending time with his children and their families.
His survivors include his wife, Fern of Wibaux; daughter, Judy Howard and her husband Jess of Wibaux; sons, Darry and his wife Candy Austby of Glendive and Gene and his wife Madelon Austby of Rhame, N.D.; one brother, Donald Austby of Wibaux; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert “Jake.”
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2008, in the Break Forth Bible Church in Glendive with Pastor Larry Phalen officiating. Interment will follow in the Dawson Memorial cemetery in Glendive.
Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements.
Theo Prouty
Long time Bismarck, N.D., resident and retired elementary teacher, Theo Prouty, 96, died Friday, April 4, 2008, at the Baptist Home in Bismarck of a stroke. A celebration of her life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Allen Wagner officiating. Burial will be in Fairview cemetery, Bismarck.
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
Theo Mildred Anderson Prouty was born in Miles City, MT, on Valentine’s Day 1912 to third generation Norwegian American parents. Her father, Albert Anderson, worked as a conductor on the Northern Pacific Railroad until he purchased a grocery store in Miles City and settled there to raise his family. The NP Grocery became the center of Theo’s childhood and she often told stories about living “over the store” and the colorful Fourth of July celebrations in the waning days of America’s western frontier that was Miles City, MT. Theo’s mother, Clara Jorgenson Anderson was a homemaker and talented artist, whose oil painting can still be seen at the Public Library and First Lutheran Church in Miles City.
Theo was educated in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1930. She attended Eastern Montana Normal College in Billings where she earned a two-year degree and teaching certificate. She then taught country school for several years in Angela, MT and later Polson, MT.
On January 1, 1939, Theo married
Paul Virgil Prouty in Miles City. In 1940, they left MT to manage Kuhlman’s Tourist Court on Main Street in Bismarck (now the site of Advantage Appliance and Kroll’s Kitchen), which they did for over ten years. During this time, they had two children: JoAnn born in 1941 and Jerry in 1947.
In 1954, Theo was hired by the Bismarck Public School District as a 2nd grade teacher. She taught at Richolt Elementary School for several years and then moved to Pioneer Elementary School when it opened, in what was then considered to be the far north side of Bismarck. In 1965, Theo completed her education when she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Mary. She retired from teaching in 1977. Her many students remember Mrs. Prouty and her kindness as a teacher and ability to make learning fun.
Dylan Steven Lester
Dylan Steven Lester, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at his home in Miles City.
On Sept. 7, 1989, Mark and Leisa Simpson Lester and big sister, Desirae, were blessed with the arrival of Dylan and his twin sister, Danielle. He attended school in Miles City and attained his GED last winter.
As a little boy Dylan was always full of joy, laughter and life. He grew into a charming, charismatic and handsome young man who was always there for the people he loved. Some of the many things he was passionate for were four wheeling, riding his street bike, camping, fishing, golfing, listening to music, and being with the ones he loved.
His survivors include his father, Mark Lester of Miles City; his mother, Leisa and stepfather, Michael Philbin of Billings; his twin sister, Danielle Renae Lester of Billings; his older sister, Desirae Ann-Lucille Lester of Missoula; his grandparents, Lorn and Annette Simpson of Anchorage, Alaska; and numerous aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Michael and Bev Lester and Alice Kraemer.
Family and friends are invited to come and sign Dylan’s casket during visitation Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 1 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery in Miles City.
Lois Marion Mason
Our beautiful “Mother Bear” is gone. She left this life for the next at Heritage Estates in Gering, Nebraska, on May 21, 2008, with her children by her side. Her twenty year struggle with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis is over. She was one classy lady!
She was born May 17, 1928, in Greenfield, MA, to Everett L. and Marion E. (White) Burney. She graduated from Balboa High School in San Francisco, CA, in June of 1946 and married
William E. McBride on August 22, 1946, in San Francisco, CA. To this union, six children were born. They later divorced.
On February 10, 1978, she married
Dr. William L. Mason, Jr. in Miles City, MT, where they both worked for the VA Hospital; they later transferred and both worked at Ft. Meade, SD, until they retired.
She was a member of United Methodist Women, Past Worthy Matron Mato Paha Chapter #68 in Sturgis, SD, Ladies Naja Shrine Cowboy Unit, Daughters of the Nile, participated in work to support Shriners Children’s Hospital, past president of Sturgis Lions Club, and a member of Red Hat Society.
Quilting, reading, genealogy and family reunions were some of the things she enjoyed and loved.
Surviving her are her children, Georgia (Wade) Gackle of Billings, MT, Sharon McBride of Athens, AL, Ruth (Vince) Tovey of Oxnard, CA, Ellen Combs (Ted B. Miller III) of Scottsbluff, NE, Marnie (Randy) Smeenk of Athens, AL, and Ed McBride (Lori Newson) of Miles City, MT; her sister, Helen Fairies of Klamath Falls, OR; her brother, William Lamson of Sunny Valley, OR; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her brothers, Henry and Bruce Burney; and her husband, Dr. William L. Mason, Jr.
The family would like to thank the angels at Heritage Estates, The Village, Home Instead and Hospice for their tender and loving care of our Mother. We are forever grateful and will keep you in our prayers.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Sturgis with Rev. Keith Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National cemetery near Sturgis.
Memorials received will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and can be made to members of the family or Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
Pearl C. "Babe" Schimming
Pearl C. “Babe” Schimming died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, at West Park Care Center in Cody, Wyo.
Mrs. Schimming was born June 15, 1924, in Palermo, N.D. She was the daughter of Archie and Ragna Pederson Hollekim. She was raised in Palermo and attended school graduating from Palermo High School.
Following her graduation she worked for a couple of years before marrying Fred Schimming on Dec. 15, 1948. The couple lived in Minot for a year and returned to Palermo. In 1952 they moved to Tioga where Mr. Schimming worked for Noble Oil. In 1959 they moved to Watford City and in 1961 to Wolf Point then later in 1961 to Baker.
In Baker, Mrs. Schimming worked for Fallon Memorial Hospital in the dietary department. She later became the head of the department.
Following Mr. Schimming’s retirement, they moved to Rhame, N.D. She worked for Brownie at the local grocery store. They played cards with all the neighbors.
In 1993 they moved to Bowman and worked for Audrey Fleck at the Town and Country Café. At work with the coffee clutches she stood her ground defending her Chicago Bulls.
In 2001 she moved to Cody, Wyo., where Heidi, Rick, Alexa and Tyler looked after her. They included her in Alexa’s and Tyler’s school programs, holidays and all their backyard barbecues.
She enjoyed cross word puzzles, all basketball games and Jeopardy. She was proud of her grandchildren and enjoyed their visits; there always was a lot of laughter.
She is survived by daughters, Lana (Reg) Hoff of Forsyth and Rox Anne (Rick) Johnson of Billings; her sister, Windy Hollekim of Stanley, N.D.; her brother, Bud (Joyce) Hollekim of Palermo, N.D.; her grandchildren, Jamie Hoff of Burbank, Calif., Lora (Pat) Rowe of Phoenix, Ariz., Kori (Brian) Stephenson of Mesa, Ariz., Kaycee (John) Morgen of Bozeman, Heidi (Rick) Stebbins of Cody, Wyo.; and her great-grandchildren, Alexa and Tyler Stebbins, Brady Stephenson, Shay Finneman and Kyndall Peterson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; daughter, Nancy; parents; brother, Kenneth; and sisters, Ardis Iverson and Sharon Hollekim.
A Memorial Service will be Saturday, May 24, 2008, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery in Miles City. A reception will follow at the Airport Inn.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Homes have been entrusted with these arrangements.
Albert Bretzel
Albert Bretzel, 88, of Miles City, formerly of Mill Iron and Plevna, died Monday, May 19, 2008, at Friendship Villa Care Center in Miles City.
Mr. Bretzel was born on June 24, 1919, the son of Frank and Francis Arko Bretzel in Ekalaka. He grew up on the Bretzel homestead at Mill Iron. He attended grade school at Mill Iron. Growing up during the Depression years, Mr. Bretzel knew an individual had to work to survive.
As a young man, he went to work helping build the Fort Peck Dam and also worked in various Civilian Conservation Corps camps. He later returned to the Bretzel homestead to farm.
Through the friendship of Odie and Orva Lovec, Mr. Bretzel met Dorothy Schweigert Afrank of Baker. After a courtship, they were married
on Nov. 9, 1960, in Baker. To this union Kenneth was born, and joining Kenneth was Larry, Dennis and Edith Afrank.
Mr. and Mrs. Bretzel made their home in Baker, where he worked various jobs including D & A Chevrolet, E & E Service and Fallon County. Eventually Mr. and Mrs. Bretzel moved to Mill Iron where they made their home until 1968 when they purchased the Bretzel farm northeast of Plevna.
After Mrs. Bretzel’s death in 1988, Mr. Bretzel moved to Miles City where he lived with the exception of a brief time at Quality Personal Care in Baker. In 2006, Mr. Bretzel moved into the Friendship Care Center in Miles City.
He loved to mechanic, and enjoyed “tinkering” with anything you could put a wrench to. Mr. Bretzel was a hard worker and was very conservative. Haying was his favorite time of the season. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening, dancing and was active in the Miles City Singles group.
His survivors include his son, Kenneth (LaNae) Bretzel of Plevna; two step-sons, Larry Afrank of Rapid City, S.D., and Dennis (Deb) Afrank of Baker; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grand children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Francis; his wife, Dorothy; a step-daughter, Edith Evonne Schumacher; his brothers, Frank, Charlie, John, Victor and Jim; his sisters, Francis and Mary; and a granddaughter, Charmaine Fink.
A Prayer Service will be tonight at 7 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Funeral Services will be Thursday, May 22, 2008, at 10 a.m. in the American Lutheran Church in Baker with Pastors Bruce and Reba Kolasch officiating. Interment will follow in the Bonnievale cemetery at Baker.
William "Bill" Miller
Funeral services for William “Bill” Miller were Monday morning, May 19, 2008, at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment followed in the Prairie County cemetery in Terry.
Mr. Miller died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, after a short battle with cancer.
He was born on March 13, 1933, in New England, N.D., the youngest child of Leo and Violet “Mae” Abercrombie Miller. After graduating from Musselshell High School, he served two years in the Army while stationed in Germany.
On Feb. 15, 1958, he and Arlys Paulson were married
. During their marriage, Mr. Miller worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and then the Burlington Northern Railroad until his retirement in 1995.
He was a member of the Terry Presbyterian Church and the Terry American Legion Post No. 32. Mr. Miller had a love for the joys of home life — scrapbooking, putting up extravagant Christmas lights, winning at cards, and his dog, Molly. His favorite pastime was to give people a hard time — and nothing tickled him more than a smart remark in return.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Arlys of Terry; daughter, Sherry (Mike) Strasheim of Terry; his son, Mike (Terena) Miller of Denton; along with grandchildren, Kyla and Brady Strasheim and Chelsey, Cody and Chase Miller; two sisters, Evelyn Lecoe of Marmarth, N.D., and Emma O’Dea of Bell Fourche, S.D.; along with several nieces and nephews.
In death, Mr. Miller has rejoined his parents; two brothers-in-law, Meldon Lecoe and Frank “Soup” O’Dea; and most recently his nephew, Larry Lecoe.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Terry was in charge of the arrangements.
Robert Alan Ashley
Robert Alan Ashley, 64, of Miles City died Thursday, May 15, 2008, at the Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City.
Mrs. Ashley was born on Nov. 8, 1943, in Flint, Mich., the son of Ralph and Evelyn Lamb Ashley. He attended schools and graduated from Flint High School in Michigan.
Following his schooling, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served during the Vietnam Conflict. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he moved to Miles City where he began working at Pine Hills School and at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He worked at the VA for more than 20 years before retiring. He remained in Miles City where he lived until the time of his death.
Mr. Ashley loved to socialize. He also enjoyed watching sports. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His survivors include his wife, Landa D. Smith of Miles City; two sons: Mathew Ashley of California and Spencer C. Ashley of Miles City; a step-son, Scott (Lori) Smith of Miles City; a step-daughter, Kim (Jerry) Barnaby of Gillette, Wyo.; a sister, Laura “Susie” Burgess of Arizona; and two grandchildren.
A military graveside service will be held Monday, May 19, 2008, at 10 a.m. in the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery in Miles City with full military honors provided by VFW Post No. 1579.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
