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Sheldon B. Jones
1932-2003
Sheldon Brigham Jones, 71, of Twin Falls, Idaho died Tuesday, November 04, 2003 at his home from chronic kidney and heart failure.
Sheldon was born August 23, 1932 at Malad, Idaho the son of Brigham Bywater and Favorette Briggs Jones. On August 19, 1954 he married Geraldine Elizabeth Fritzley in Moscow, Idaho. Sheldon continued his education at the University of Idaho where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in business. Sheldon and his wife Geraldine bought the Alpine Motel in West Yellowstone, Montana, moving there in 1957. They resided there until 1997 when the sold the Alpine Motel and moved to Twin Falls, Idaho.
Sheldon enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and mostly the out-of-doors. He loved spending time with his family and visiting with friends about the Sheldon s Great Adventures.
Survivors include his daughter and granddaughter, Shelly B. and Ann Marie Johnson, 350 Monroe Circle, Twin Falls, ID 83301; one brother; Eric Jones of Solomns Island, Maryland; two sisters; Elizabeth Trego of Vacaville, California, and his twin sister Sharon Buckley of Stafford, Arizona; and the Jim Fritzley families of Twin Falls.
He was preceded in death by his wife; Geraldine Elizabeth Jones, one daughter, Baby Jones; three grandchildren; Amy Crown, Laurel and Catherine Johnson and his parents.
Services for Sheldon will take place in June of 2004. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Reynolds Funeral Chapel, Twin Falls.
John S. Riley
John S. Riley, 87, passed away on March 15, 2004 of congestive heart failure in Redmond, Oregon. He is now with his beloved Sally.
John was born March 17, 1916 in Lakemont, Pennsylvania to David and Myrtle Riley. He served in the Army Air Corp during WWII and spent 9 months on Guam. While training near Salt Lake City, he met Sarah (Sally) Whitman. They were married on December 8, 1943 and had 57 loving years together.
In 1952 John, Sally and daughter Sharon moved from Pennsylvania to Sally's hometown of West Yellowstone. John worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and the U.S. Forest Service until his retirement in 1978. John and Sally had many wonderful retirement years RV-ing around the country.
He was preceded in death by Sally in 2001. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Mike Byrum of Redmond, Oregon; grandson, Scott Byrum of Laguna Niguel, California; granddaughter, Lauren Wanamaker and her husband Joe of Redmond; great-grandchildren Jeffrey and Justine Byrum and Dana and Erin Wanamaker; sister Barbara Rickert of Altoona, Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law Pearl Whitman and Edith Doornbos of Bozeman, Montana and brother-in-law Roland Whitman of West Yellowstone.
Final arrangements will be at a later date in West Yellowstone. Contributions in John's memory may be made to the Community Protestant Church of West Yellowstone.
Thomas Tully
Thomas Tully, age 51, a physician's assistant at Rocky Boy Clinic, died June 4, 2004.
His memorial service will be held on June 26 at 11 a.m. in West Yellowstone on the Madison River -- Tom's love.
To find the location, take the Madison Arm turnoff from Highway 191, travel .5 miles and then turn right. You can also meet at the First Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. and caravan to the site.
There will be a reception following riverside services at Rob and Shannon Klatt's home, located at 518 Carnelian Court in the Madison Addition.
Memorials may be made to the Morgan Tully College Fund, in care of Bank of America, 110 North Holmes, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401.
Bettie Eagle Nelson
1917 - 2009
Bettie Eagle Nelson of West Yellowstone died of natural causes at Mountain View Care Center is Bozeman on June 3. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Community Protestant Church in West Yellowstone following a family gathering to inter her ashes at the Fir Ridge Cemetery.
Bettie was born on November 23, 1917, in St. Anthony, Idaho, the sixth child of Sam and Ida Eagle. She grew up in West Yellowstone and Bozeman, graduating from Gallatin County High School and Montana State College where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She worked in personnel for several years during World War II at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California. Upon her return to Montana, she helped manage Eagle's Store, her family's business in West Yellowstone, during the summer season and was a librarian at Montana State College during the winter months. She was a charter member of the West Yellowstone Historical Society. Bettie and friend Peg Roman Taylor were honored by Montana State University for an annual newsletter they published over 60 years for fellow alums. One of Bettie's favorite adventures was a trip around the word with friend Marje Paisley.
In 1968 Bettie married the love of her life, Luther Nelson. He joined her at Eagle's Store as the store's accountant. They were active members of the Community Protestant Church in West Yellowstone, reaching out to others with friendship and personal philanthropy, touching lives in powerful ways. She and Luther thoroughly enjoyed being actively involved with their nieces and nephews and visiting friends and relatives on their annual winter trips to California and Nevada.
Bettie loved Yellowstone Park, wild flowers and chocolate. She will be remembered for her ability to make each person in her life feel uniquely special, for her quick wit and her sassy sense of humor. Bettie was loved for her fun sense of life, her infectious smile and hearty laughter, her positive attitude and her faith. Former store employees cherish memories of Bettie and the impact she had on their lives, both while employed and as they moved on in life. In 2008 Bettie was able to celebrate a milestone event: the 100th Anniversary of Eagle's Store, where she joined hundreds of family members, former employees and friends to celebrate the anniversary of the family business
Survivors include brothers Joe (Kay) Eagle and Wally (Frankie) Eagle of West Yellowstone, sister-in-law Margaret Eagle of Helena, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families from throughout the country.
Bettie was preceded in death by husband Luther Nelson, parents Sam and Ida Eagle, Brothers Henry (Dorotha), Ed (Marje), Bill, Bud (Jean), Harold, and sisters Helen (Eddie) and Rose (Hermie), and three nephews.
Suggested memorial donations include the Community Protestant Church Scholarship Fund, 505 N. Electric Street and The Eagle Family Foundation, P.O. Box 280, in West Yellowstone.
A particular light went out last Wednesday when Bettie Eagle left us. For most of her 91 years, she was a joy, a unique person who lent laughter, zest, adventure and grace to all who knew her. These are generalities that come to mind, but there are specifics.
Bettie seemed always one busy making the proverbial lemonade out of the lemons of our lives; after all, her long life encompassed a childhood in a big family of Eagles (I think she was Number Five of ten), and then there was "The Other Depression." I admit to remembering that quite well myself, and when the big treat in my life was an ice cream cone at Eagle's fountain, I met Bettie for the first time. She was a Glamour Girl whose often-red highheeled shoes (we called them "pumps") made a big impression on me. Her favorite venue was a perch atop one of the fountain stools, and I remember the big blue eyes and the smile. "Welcome to Eagle's Store" was the message, and that welcome lasted seventy years for me. When she had to move to Bozeman (a lifetime "other home"), things around here were never the same.
When Cal and I arrived in West in 1961, obviously nave, she and Luther (who had entered her life like a ray of additional sunshine) welcomed us with no reservations. It was a gift we never forgot. And when, as a newly hired teacher at West Y. School, I was required to update my credentials, I enrolled at MSU, summer, 1962. We were semi-broke. Bettie, who had inherited the family home on South Sixth in Bozeman, invited me to live there for the summer as her guest. And so I did. That summer, as I spent many days, sometimes out in the backyard under the huge leafy trees or inside typing at the family dining room table, I got a feeling for early Eagle life that was a privilege. It was an act of great generosity that I never forgot.
Later she showed a devotion to Community Church that reflected the entire family's allegiance to it but was special to Luther and Bettie. I was captured. Then they (and Guy Hanson, Donna Spainhower and the Dunbars) formed the West Yellowstone Historical Society, and I was hooked again. When Bettie and Luther moved into their precious "Chalet" at Lazy Acres, we were part of the group who relished the gorgeous aspen grove, the deck among the sunflowers and the lupin, and the hospitality unique to those gracious people.
"Aunt Bettie" was a gift to her many nieces and nephews, particularly to Karen and Linda, the "West Yellowstone" generation of family. They were the surrogate children; I had the opportunity to be the teacher, and our lives were joined in strong unison. Bettie always met me with a smile, no matter what! And her attitude was one of making things work. They didn't always work well for her in private and personal ways, but her outward persona was one of optimism. She and Luther gave me the feeling that together we could save the situation. No wonder we had so many good laughs.
The last years were not fun for her, mostly because she was not at "The Store." And believe me, she left a big hole in our town. Perhaps it is comforting to think that she and Luther are back among us in some dimension. Old ladies like me comfort themselves with such fantasies. The aspens are green once again at Lazy Acres, and the fountain is still there at the store. Her presence is palpable. After all, 1917 to 2009 is a long time to love life. I am sure she did just that.
Alvin H. Kenner
Alvin H. Kenner, 90, of Leeds, N.D., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando, N.D., with his three children at his side.
Alvin was born on December 4, 1919 on a farm near Brinsmade, N.D. to Harold and Clara Kenner. He attended school in Brinsmade and graduated from the eighth grade. Alvin married the love of his life, Elnore Stensby, on Nov. 27, 1943 and they were married for 25 years. Elnore passed away in 1969 at the age of 47.
Alvin started farming in 1936 at the age of 16 in the Leeds and Brinsmade area and he continued to farm for 74 years. He also custom combined for 18 years from Texas to North Dakota.
In the 1960s, he started purchasing farmland in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada. He enjoyed traveling to Canada and working with many fine Canadian families.
Alvin and Robert Keating started the first Cable TV Company in North Dakota called K&K Cable. He also loved to be involved with many value-added agriculture companies such as Dakota Growers Pasta Company and Golden Plains Frozen Foods, where he was still serving on the Board of Directors.
Alvin was very active with many agricultural organizations as he helped organize the U.S. Durum Growers Association and served as President from 1961 to 1966. He helped host various trade teams and traveled to many countries like Russia and China to promote Durum exports. He was appointed to serve on the Advisory Committee for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in 1971.
Alvin was a director of GNDA and of AAA of North Dakota. He was presented with the "Durum Man of the Year Award" in 1977 and the GNDA Agribusiness Award in 1979. He served on the NDSU Foundation Board and was presented with the NDSU Agriculturist Award in 1973.
Alvin was also a community leader and supported and raised funds for many good projects. He belonged to the Leeds Lutheran Church and the Leeds Lions Club. In 2009, he established permanent endowment funds for historic cemeteries in the Leeds area through the North Dakota Community Foundation.
Alvin's hobbies included downhill skiing, flying, hunting, golfing, horses and fishing. He was fortunate to live at home until the last two weeks of his life. He enjoyed gardening and visiting with friends and neighbors.
A phrase commonly heard from Alvin was, "Every day is a good day!" He lived by this philosophy and his strong faith in God through his entire life. He was a visionary and always told his family that he never had time to look back with regret but looked forward to the future.
He is survived by his son, Roger (Jeanette) of Leeds, his daughters - Betty Pikop of Stephen, Minn., and Bonnie (Garry) Hansen of West Yellowstone, Mont.; eight grandchildren - Erika Kenner and Brett Kenner of Leeds, Jessica (Derrek) Black of Devils Lake, David Pikop of Ft. Myers, Fla., Laura Pikop of Stephen, Minn., John (Vanessa) Pikop of Dalton, Minn., Kevin Hansen of Tucson, Ariz., and Travis (Giselle) Hansen of West Yellowstone, Mont.; two great-grandchildren - Osker Black and Addisyn Pikop; two brothers - Harris (Ardyth) Kenner of Minot, N.D. and Harold (Patty) Kenner of Bismarck, N.D. and one sister, Geraldine (John Sr.) Rice of Mesa, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his wife Elnore, his parents Harold and Clara, his sister and brother-in-law Marren and Walter Odegaard, Sr., an infant brother Clark, an infant sister Eleanor, and a nephew, Walter Odegaard, Jr.
Services celebrating his life were held Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Leeds Lutheran Church in Leeds. Burial followed at the Leeds Lutheran Cemetery.
