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GEORGE RICHARD “RICKY” WRIGHT
George Richard “Ricky” Wright, 21, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2004 in Billings, Mont. He was born to Richard Alan Wright and Gloria (DeMarco) Wright on February 11, 1983 in Payson, Ariz. He spent his early years in Joliet, Illinois and attended high school in Billings.
Ricky was a loving and loved son, brother, uncle and grandson. He was a true, caring friend. He had a sensitive heart full of love. Ricky was a kind and gentle soul who touched many, many lives. His family and friends meant everything to him. Words cannot describe what he meant to all of us. We love you Ricky, forever and always in our hearts.
Ricky is survived by his parents; his twin brother Paul, his brother Robert, his sisters Gigi (Mac) Sowa-Guzman, Kristy (Garland) Stenulson; his grandfathers George Richard Wright and Theodore Paul DeMarco; nieces Mia and Vanessa; nephews Mac Jr., Zachary, Jeremy, Austin and Devin; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by special friends, Colt, Matt, Ken, Jeff, Andy, Rob, John, Zach, Gidget, Bill, Wilma, Billy and special girl Ashley Marie.
A private family service will be held. Dahl Funeral and Cremation Service is making the arrangements.
NORA VISSER
RED LODGE — Nora Jane Visser passed away unexpectedly at her home in Red Lodge on Friday, May 28, 2004 at the early age of fifty nine years.
Nora was born in Billings on January 15, 1945 to Emmett and Ruby Curry. She had been a resident of Red Lodge for over twenty five years.
She had only recently retired from her position at the Red Lodge Middle School where she truly enjoyed working with and relating to local teens.
Mrs. Visser was a widow of three years to the late Joe Visser, her soul mate for over three decades. She was a dedicated and devoted mother to her two sons Bill and Mike, as well as the proud grandmother of four.
Mrs. Visser is survived by her mother, Ruby Orr; her sister, Janet Whitaker; her sons, Bill Rodier and Mike Visser: and her grandchildren, Wendy, Nikki, Devin and Zach.
Nora will be sorely missed by her family, her friends, and by all throughout the community who have come to know her.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2, in the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge. Cremation has taken place. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made in Nora’s name to the Boys and Girls Club of Red Lodge, P.O. Box 11, Red Lodge, MT 59068.
RUTH M. JOHNSON
Ruth M. Johnson passed away May 31, 2004. She was the fourth of six children born to Nels and Cecelia Jensen of Calabar on Jan. 5, 1917 in Miles City, Mont.
Ruth graduated from Custer County High School at the age of 16, and on Feb. 2, 1934 married Clarence L. Johnson. After raising registered cattle on their Yellowstone Hereford Ranch in Miles City for 28 years, they sold the ranch in 1962 and moved to Joliet, where they continued their ranching business.
After Clarence passed away in 1976, Ruth started spending her winters in Arizona, where she had many friends with whom she played bridge and golf, and she loved to go dancing. Ruth was very independent and continued to drive herself to Arizona into her eighties.
Survivors include her daughters, Rosemary (Neil) Isto of Joliet, Peggy (Otis) Haynes of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Diane (John) Tucker of Bradenton, Fla. and Carol (Bill) Starr of Billings. Ruth had ten grandchildren: Mark Isto, Heidi Isto Heller, Kathleen Haynes Erickson, Kirk Haynes, Kelly Haynes Ralston, Nanette Johnson, JB Tucker, Emily Starr and Sara Starr.
Her husband, Clarence, son Pete and granddaughter Alexi preceded her in death.
The funeral will be at the Joliet Episcopal Church on June 8 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Joliet Community Center.
VIVIAN JOHNSTONE
Vivian Johnstone passed away in Seattle, Wash. on Dec. 7, 2003 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born in Billings, Mont. and grew up in Red Lodge on a ranch owned by her parents, May and Vernon Zook.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Johnstone; her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Janna Brown and granddaughter Becky of Rock Springs, Wyo.; Jack’s son, Keven Johnstone, and daughter, Michelle Anderson, of Froid, Mont., and Michelle’s husband, J.D. and children, Marty, Joseph and Whitney; a brother, Curt Zook of Denver, Colo. and his wife, Helen, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Lorna, and a brother, Herb.
Vivian was a valued employee of the law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine for 33 years. She will be greatly missed, not only by her family, but also by her co-workers and numerous friends.
A memorial service is planned Saturday, June 5, 2004 at 3 p.m. in the Tony Cemetery near Luther.
Remembrances to Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Cancer Institute, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122-4317.
ROGER DEAN NEWMAN
1933-2004
On October 20, 1933 in Red Lodge, Mont., Roger Dean Newman was born by candlelight to Leland and Margaret Newman in the family home. Roger attended school in Red Lodge and graduated with the last graduating class out of Carbon County High School in 1951.
On February 18, 1953, Roger enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a Flight Simulator Technician. He was released with an honorable discharge from active duty on February 17, 1957.
Following his military career, Roger attended El Camino Jr. College in California and Eastern Montana College in Billings, Mont., where he earned his teaching degree. He went on to be a history teacher and coach in Lockwood and Belfry, Mont.
On June 6, 1973, Roger was united in marriage to Berry in Red Lodge, where they have made their home since.
He left his teaching career to help his parents run “Newman’s Corner” bar in Red Lodge. After the deaths of his parents, Roger continued to operate the bar until it was sold in 1980.
Roger managed the Elks Club in Red Lodge until he was appointed Clerk and Recorder of Carbon County, an office he held until his retirement in December, 2002.
Roger enjoyed “seeing his breath on cold mornings,” family gatherings, watching “his” Greenbay Packers, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Dodgers play. His hobbies included hunting and fishing with family and friends. A highlight for Roger was in 1999, when he and Ron Henry took a fishing trip to Alaska. Roger was known for his dry sense of humor and his firm handshakes.
On Friday, May 28, 2004, after a valiant 16-year battle with leukemia, Roger left this world with his family by his side, to go fishing for “the big one” in the rivers of Heaven.
Roger is survived by his wife of 31 years, Berry; sister Norma (Bill) Crtalic; brother Donald (Jackie) Newman; daughters, Michelle Kolata, Angela (Gunnar) Getchell, Leah (TJ) Swanson; grandchildren, Clint Marshall, David & Cody Getchell, Jeff Kolata, Taylor & Tyler Swanson; great-grandchildren Dezia & Sierra Marshall; nieces & nephews, Lynn Redman, Don (Carla) Crtalic, Leslie (Dave) Mroczkowski, Doug Crtalic, Lori (James) Ugrin, Scott & Mark Newman, Nathan Serrata, Willie & Nolan Crtalic, Audrey & Michael Ugrin as well as numerous cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother Leland, his parents and his nephew, Phil Redman.
Memorials may be made to Beartooth Hospital & Health Center in Red Lodge or the charity of one’s choice.
A memorial service for Roger will be held on Friday, June 4, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge. Following military rites and burial of ashes in the Red Lodge Cemetery, a reception will be held back at the chapel. Please join the family for a gathering at 5 p.m. at the Bull N Bear bar in Red Lodge. Appetizers will be served. Dahl Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with memorial arrangements.
GREGORY TODD HARPER
A graveside service for the interment of the urn of Greg Harper will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 11 in the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Mr. Harper died on August 23, 2000. He was a long-time band and music director in the Red Lodge Schools.
This final verse in “Harp’s Song” is orchestrated by members of the RLHS Class of ‘04.
LAURA MARIE TAYLOR
Laura Marie Taylor, 99, died June 5, 2004 at Evergreen Laurel Rehabilitation Center.
Laura was born May 8, 1905. She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers. Surviving are her daughter, Anna Rose, of Indiana, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a sister, Ruth Drinning of California, and many nieces and nephews.
Interment will be at Cochranton, Pa.
Memorials may be made to the Joliet Senior Center or an organization of choice.
