Search Archived Marriage Records
Nettie Mae Hillier
Nettie Mae Hillier, 92, of Miles City died Sunday, June 22, 2008, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City.
Born on June 24, 1915, in Hunker Hill, Ill., she was the daughter of David Edward and Jeanie Gray Newman Beasley. She moved to Indianapolis, Ind., and married
William Moulton, a member of the Indianapolis police force, in 1937.
Their son, William, was born in 1938 and their daughter, Nettie, in 1947. They moved to California in 1951, where she began her 30-year career in the food industry.
Her husband died in 1982, and she moved to Montana to be with her daughter and family.
She and Earl Hillier were married
in 1989. She was widowed again in 1997. She moved into Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in 2003.
Mrs. Hillier loved the Lord and passed on that strong faith to her family. She had a fun-loving personality and was full of spunk. She loved to travel, play games and spend time with her family.
Her survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Nettie and Keith Wittenhagen of Miles City; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Natalie and Juan Pacheco of Rio Rancho, N.M., and their daughters: Katarina, Nicolette and Annalise Pacheco; her grandson, Brett Moulton; and her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Megan and Adian Acosta of Roseville, Calif., and their children: Eric, Niomi and Anthony; and her faithful companion, her dog, Sassi.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, William Moulton and Earl Hillier; her son, William Moulton; and her grandson, Keith William Wittenhagen.
The family will receive friends Sunday, June 29, 2008, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Monday, June 30, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will be in California.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Biblical Ministries Worldwide for Gretchen and Houghton Richards’ and Laura Thulesen’s trip to Vanuatu.
Elaine M. Nelson
Elaine M. Nelson, 60, of Gillette, Wyo., formerly of Jordan, died Monday, June 23, 2008, in Gillette.
Mrs. Nelson was born in Jordan on Dec. 14, 1947, the daughter of Earnest A. and Almeada Johnson Fogle. She attended schools in Jordan and graduated from Garfield County High School. Following graduation, she attended Miles Community College.
She then worked for the Holy Rosary Hospital for a time before teaching country school at Cat Creek, Rock Creek and Kester Country School in northeast Montana. She then moved to Great Falls, Cut Bank and then to Gillette in 1973 where she had made her home since. She worked for Coast to Coast and Western States Energy for several years before returning to college.
Mrs. Nelson received her associate’s degree in business management and accounting, then went to work for Big Horn Tire, whom she considered not only her employer but her extended family.
Her survivors include her husband, Brian Nelson of Gillette; her mother, Almeada Fogle of Jordan; a step-son, Bryan Durocher of Austin, Texas; a step-daughter, Shannon Durocher of Spokane, Wash.; two step-sons: Joseph Durocher of Tuscan, Ariz., and Darryl (Sheila) Durocher of Georgia; two step-daughters: Michelle (David) Jerue of Springfield, Mo., and Roberta Stucki of Pocatello, Idaho; seven brothers: Ernie (Sandy) Fogle of Miles City, Lyle (Kathy) Fogle of Gillette, Robert Fogle of Glasgow, Thomas Fogle of Jordan, Steven (Laurie) Fogle of Corvallis, Ore., Keith (Patti) Fogle of Glasgow and David (Julie) Fogle of Lewistown, ; a sister, Judy Amos of Post Falls, Idaho; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her father and a grandchild.
A Rosary will be Sunday, June 29, 2008, at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, June 30, 2008, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Rite of Committal will follow in the Pioneer cemetery in Jordan.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Rene Marcel Ottoy
Rene Marcel Ottoy, 94, of Miles City died Sunday, June 22, 2008, at the Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City.
Mr. Ottoy was born on Feb. 24, 1914, in Bambrugge, Belgium, the son of Alfons and Irma Van Hemelryck Ottoy. As a small child, his mother brought him and his older sister out of Belgium during World War I and came to the United States by boat in 1916 where they met up with his father, Alfons, who had come over ahead of them. They settled near Howard where Mr. Ottoy attended four years of grade school.
In 1927 the family moved to Miles City where Mr. Ottoy finished his schooling, graduating from the eighth grade at Kircher School.
As he grew up, he always helped on the family farm and was chosen to stay on the farm and work while his two sisters and brother served in the military. He took great pride in his farming and won several top sugar beet grower awards including the Holly Sugar Trophy at the Beet Growers Banquet on Dec. 13, 1957. He was also proud of attending the 4-H Congress in Chicago in 1929.
On Nov. 31, 1940, he and Mary Lou Kagels were married
and lived on Kircher Creek in the Yellowstone Valley in Miles City. Besides farming, Mr. Ottoy also worked for the county road department for many years, retiring at age 62. He sold the Kircher Farm in 1992 and moved to town.
Mr. Ottoy loved farm machinery and tinkering and fixing things. He also loved to go dancing and reminiscing about working and shoveling beets in his younger days. He also loved going for picnic drives and dancing with his special lady friend of 19 years, Effie Preston. He was a member of the Range Riders Museum, AMRPE and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
His survivors include a son, Richard (René) Ottoy of Miles City; three daughters: Janet (Don) Wall of Bloomer, Wis., Linda Regan of Montrose, Calif., and Mary (Wiley) Snell of Miles City; ten grandchildren: Mark Campeau, Chris Loegering, Sean Regan, Mike Regan, Deanna Gee, Jamie Irwin, Jay Irwin, Nick Ottoy, Joey Ottoy and Casey Ketchum; twelve great-grandchildren: Nicole, Courtney, Alexandra, Emily, Elissa, Caleb, Elijah, Amanda, Eddie, Rocco, Shellina and Aurora; one great-great-grandchild, Alyvia Mae; a brother, Albert (Shirley) Ottoy of Miles City; and a sister, Betty Feeley of San Diego, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Suzanne Messer; a sister, Suzanne Ottoy; and a very special friend and companion, Effie Preston.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 27, 2008, at 10 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at a later date in the Calvary cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Lawrence Gene "Sonny" Fisher
Lawrence Gene “Sonny” Fisher, 60, of Miles City, was born February 1, 1948 in Alexandria, Indiana to Darrell and Verna Mae (Studebaker) Fisher. To this union Lawrence was born. Being Verna’s oldest son, she nicknamed him “Sonny.” That became his name to all his family and friends. Verna and Darrell divorced and she married
Mr. Bennett.
He served in the Navy during Vietnam, going into the service in 1965 and served six years including two in reserves. He was discharged with rank if E-3 in 1971.
Sonny met Arlene Crowfoot on October 7, 1995. On Arlene’s birthday, October 14, they had their first date. The two had a wonderful life together as parents to Sharlene (Whitcher) Wallace and Sheri (Whitcher) Cain. Sonny always said his life started the day he met Arlene and found out her family was to be his. They have five beautiful grandchildren, Steven, Laci, Sidney, Dylan and Paige. When the three oldest ones were first growing up, you could always count on Papa to spoil them rotten. Everything was bought in threes so they all could have the same thing. When the two youngest grandchildren were born, it was the same way.
In 2000, the whole family moved to Miles City from Arizona to help be closer to family and to help take care of Arlene’s father, Wesley Wells Sr. Arlene’s aunt and uncle, Steve and Sharon Wheeler, moved to Miles City to be closer to family and Sonny part of that family. Sonny could always be found over at Steve and Sharon’s house visiting and talking about drywall amongst other things.
Sonny gained two son-in-laws when Sheri married
Ryan Cain in 2002, and Sharlene married
Brian Wallace in 2004. To these unions, the second wave of grandchildren came along, Dylan and Paige.
Sonny worked for Jerke Livestock as a truck driver and it was always a festive occasion when grandpa came home from being on the road. The three oldest grandchildren were the light of Papa’s eyes. When the two youngest were born, they became the sparkle that always twinkled in Papa’s blue eyes.
Papa was special to his little Paige Rose and she always looked forward to his phone calls when he was home. Steven, Laci and Sidney could always be found at grandma and Papa’s house helping out with the yard or working on Papa’s truck.
You could always count on Sonny. He was a man of his word. He was forever dreaming up new adventures to make money.
In the last month of his short life, Brian and Steven could be found over at the house helping out with whatever Sonny needed help with. Somehow Sonny knew his time was drawing to an end and he wanted to make sure he had his affairs in order. His life was cut short at a very young age on June 14, 2008, Flag Day. It was a fitting day for a Veteran of the Vietnam War.
He leaves behind his soul mate, Arlene Crowfoot and his daughters, Sharlene (Brian) Wallace and Sheri (Ryan) Cain; two grandsons, Steven Kirkland and Dylan Cain; three granddaughters, Laci Kirkland, Sidney Baldonado and Paige Rose Wallace, all of Miles City; two step-sisters, Priscilla and Kim; three step-brothers, Donald, Gerald and Stevie.
He joins his mother Verna Mae, his step-brother Carl, Steve and Sharon Wheeler in heaven where he is enjoying watching his NASCAR races and talking drywall with Uncle.
Cremation has taken place and Cremation or Funeral Gallery of Billings has been entrusted with the cremation arrangements. Graveside service was Monday morning, June 23, 2008, in the Eastern Montana Veterans cemetery in Miles City.
Gene Theade
Gene Theade died peacefully at his home after a surprisingly short journey with lung cancer.
Mr. Theade was born in Anaconda, Mont., to Ted and Irene (Hill) Theade. After losing his mother at a young age, he was raised by his uncle and aunt, Charlie and Zola Stone, in and near Miles City, Mont. He loved the cowboy life on the ranch near Hathaway, Mont.
He met Loma Ruth Branch in the seventh grade at Rosebud School. After graduation from Miles City high school, he married
his childhood sweetheart in 1949. They lived in Miles City, Missoula, Mont., and then took over the family ranch at Hathaway.
They left the ranch in 1960 and moved to Billings. Mr. Theade joined the Billings Police Department in 1961 and eventually became a sergeant in the fingerprint division. He retired from the police department in 1983 and moved to Santa Fe, N.M., to work in the New Mexico State Crime Lab. He retired from the Crime Lab in 1993 and returned to Billings for retirement.
In 2005, Gene and Loma moved to Port Angeles.
Gene was a wonderful pianist and singer. He entertained many people over the years. he also grew to love gardening. He came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior later in life and faithfully attended Independent Bible Church. He loved his children and grandchildren and never tired of hearing the latest stories of their lives.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ted and Irene Theade, and his uncle and aunt, Charlie and Zola Stone.
Survivors include his wife, Loma Branch Theade; son and daughter-in-law, Mickey and Claudia Theade of San Francisco; daughter and son-in-law, Joe Dee and Doug Ahmann of Port Angeles; daughter and son-in-law, Loralee and Russ Newbury of Pasco; son and daughter-in-law, Cobey DeJon and Kathi Theade of Red Lodge, Mont.; and daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Randy Van Dyke of Manhattan, Mont.
Grandchildren are Jeremy Theade, Daniel Theade, Jesse Ahmann, Christina Ahmann, Christopher Newbury, Anna Newbury, Clancy Theade, Carter Theade, Jade Van Dyke, Gabriela Van Dyke, Chloe Van Dyke and Laila Van Dyke.
Linde Family Funeral Service, Sequim, Wash., 1-800-501-4506, is in charge of arrangements.
Richard "Dick" Doran Higgins
Funeral services for Richard “Dick” Doran Higgins, 39, of Olive were held Monday afternoon, June 23, 2008, in the Powder River County High School gymnasium in Broadus. Interment followed in the Valley View cemetery in Broadus.
Mr. Higgins died Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
He was born on Jan. 6, 1969, in Spearfish, S.D., the son of Doran and Sharon Richards Higgins. He attended grade school at the Johnston School and graduated from Carter County High School, class of 1987. He attended college in Sheridan, Wyo., graduating with a police science degree.
He moved to Billings and worked for Frontier Fence, Rimrock Tire and Frontier Chevrolet.
He and Renee Archer were married
on June 8, 1991, at the Archer Ranch in Olive. In 1994, the couple moved to Ekalaka and worked for Fruit Service and Repair.
In 1995, they moved to the Archer Ranch at Olive. Their first son, Mason, was born that same year.
Mr. Higgins’ talents were many. He started his own business doing carpentry, backhoe work, painting, tree trimming, sheep shearing and horse shoeing. He was always finding the best way to provide for his family.
In 1997, their son Morgan was born. In 1999, Makinna, their first daughter, was born and in 2001, their daughter, Mariah was born.
Mr. Higgins’ family was most important in his life. He loved his family dearly and always had time to play with the children or help his wife in whatever project. He loved teaching his children to fly kites, rodeo, build, work and have fun in life. He enjoyed helping his children learn about their 4-H projects and helped with many Junior Rodeos as well as other projects involving children.
Family vacations were always important to Mr. Higgins. He was able to take his family on several nice vacations. He showed them the way to live.
He always had time to stop and say “hi” to everyone he met and would always be there to lend a helping hand to any in need. He knew no strangers.
Mr. Higgins loved sheep and dreamed of having a sheep ranch one day. He had cattle and worked on the Archer Ranch doing whatever was needed. He loved teaching his children about the ranch and wanted them to have the same experiences he had growing up.
An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mr. Higgins was presently serving on the High Council in the Glendive Montana Stake. He was a member of the Tri-State Wool Pool Board, a member of the Powder River 4-H Council and a 4-H leader.
His survivors include his wife, Renee; sons, Mason and Morgan; daughters, Makinna and Mariah; his parents, Doran and Sharon Higgins of Ekalaka; father-in-law, Walter (Arlynn) Archer of Broadus; and mother-in-law, Barbara Archer (Tom Tully) of Billings.
Survivors also include his sisters, Terri Raye (Tim) McInerney of Alzada, Mikel (Troy) Fruit of Ekalaka, Cam (Lee) LaBree of Ekalaka; his brother, Courtney (Crystal) Higgins of Ekalaka; his grandmother, Doris Scrutchfield of Sheridan, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Gussie Richards and Bud Higgins; his sister, Pari Faye Higgins; and brother, Lancer Lane Higgins.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Broadus were entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the family for the children’s education fund, c/o Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, 1717 Main Street, Miles City, MT 59301.
Ruth Taiko Kuwahara Gandara
Ruth passed away on June 12, 2008 following a short illness and hospitalization. She was born February 21, 1921, in Miles City, Montana of Japanese parents who had immigrated to the United States. After graduating from high school, she married
Gonzalo Gandara in 1938. They lived in the Miles City area until 1958, then they moved to Baker, Montana where they ran the Southside Grocery store. They moved to Portland in 1967.
She worked for many years at the downtown Meier & Frank. She was the matriarch of the Gandara family, always generous with the products of her kitchen, especially her tacos; and passed on her love of music and her artistic talents to her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her brother, Bill and sister, Francis; her sons, Daniel, Charles, David and Rocque; seven grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Gonzalo who died in 2006. Also their daughter, Mary Ann and son, David, had both died in a fire that destroyed the family home in 1957.
Ruth’s services were held at Stehn Family Funeral Home on June 17, 2008. The family suggests remembrances for Ruth be sent to the Humane Society.
Sam Richard Fisher
Sam Richard Fisher, age 80 of Baker, Mont., died on Monday, June 16, 2008, at Fallon Medical Complex Nursing Home.
Mr. Fisher was born on July 7, 1927, the son of Dewey Allan and Josephine Theolina (Strand) Fisher, at the family farm south of Golva, ND. He grew up on the family farm, and attended the Bull Run country school south of Golva, and high school in Ollie, Mont.
After graduating, he went to Wash., where he worked as a logger in the forests. Eventually Mr. Fisher returned to the family farm, where he worked with his parents until he purchased his own farm north of Ollie, Mont.
While at Ollie, Mr. Fisher met Marguerite Jeannine Hudson. The two were married
on May 27, 1948 at the Ollie Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher made their home at Ollie until 1970, when they moved into Baker. He served on the Ollie School Board and was a member of the Ollie Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Fisher loved his family, the land and being a farmer.
He is survived by his wife, Marguerite, Baker, Mont.; his children: Sandra (Curt) Ehman, San Antonio, Texas, Judy (Greg) Gunderson, Baker, Mont., Beverly (Delane) Rath, Baker, Mont., Rosanne (Roy) Rieger, Miles City, Mont., and Rick (Rosella) Fisher, Glendive, Mont. He was “Papa” to 23 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Hanks, Wenatchee, Wash., and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Josephine, his brothers, John “Sonny” Fisher, Thomas Fisher, Fred Fisher, Robert “Butch” Fisher and two brothers-in-law, Chet Hanks and Vern “Bony” Veroye.
Funeral Services for Mr. Fisher will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2008 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker, Mont., with Pastor Bruce Inion officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in Bonnievale cemetery at Baker, Mont. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 20 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker.
Laura Marie (Pierce) Webster
Laura Marie (Pierce) Webster, age 92, of Miles City died on Monday, June 16, 2008 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Mrs. Webster was born on June 18, 1915 in Ekalaka, Mont., the daughter of Calvin and Blanche (Newton) Pierce. She attended schools in Ekalaka. Mrs. Webster married
Lawrence Webster on June 27, 1933 at Belle Fourche, SD. They lived in Ekalaka until 1949, when they moved to Miles City. Mrs. Webster worked at Ingam Hotel and at various grocery stores. They also fostered children for many years. Mrs. Webster worked at the Friendship Villa until she retired at age 72.
Mrs. Webster loved spending time with her family, and in her spare time she loved to quilt.
Mrs. Webster is survived by a son, Larry C. Webster of Miles City, Mont.; three daughters: Rosella Marie Hale of Miles City, Mont.; Mary Eve Cridland of Miles City, Mont.; and Lola (Chic) Mae Reser of Warden, Mont.; thirteen grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, in 2001, a daughter Lorena Ann Childers; a grandson Monte Tredway, a granddaughter Lana Smith, three brothers and five sisters.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church.
