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Catherine Rogers
A private memorial service for Catherine Rogers, 70, of Wibaux, was held Tuesday, May 28, 2002, in the Wibaux Cemetery. Cremation had taken place in the Bullis-Graves Eastern Montana Crematory.
Mrs. Rogers died Friday, May 24, 2002, in her home of cancer.
Born April 30, 1932, at Rocky Butte in Galva, N.D., she attended schools in Galva and later moved to Beach, N.D.
On Feb. 7, 1948, she and Warren Rogers were married. The couple lived on a farm west of Wibaux before moving to Wibaux in 1963.
Her survivors include her husband, Warren; his daughter, Sharon of Wibaux; three sons, Kenneth Rogers, Bill Rogers, and his wife, Diane, and Robert Rogers and his wife, Molly, all of Wibaux; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, David.
Bullis-Graves Memorial Chapel of Miles City was entrusted with the arrangements.
Norman E. Olson
Norman E. Olson, 92, of Jordan died Sunday, May 26, 2002, at the Garfield County Health Center in Jordan.
Mr. Olson was born in Lamberton, Minn., on May 30, 1909, the son of Cornelius and Anna Pederson Olson. He moved to Montana in 1920. His father had come to Montana in 1916 to apply for a homestead. At that time in order to prove up on the homestead, 40 acres had to be farmed. At the end of three years, Cornelius had managed to get only 20 acres ready for crop, but he was tired of the bachelor life and sent for his wife and family. Young Olson helped his father finish breaking out the other needed 20 acres using a one-bottom walking plow and a three-horse team. This was hard work for an 11-year-old, but was only a forerunner of the many other hardships that he would encounter.
In 1934, Cornelius Olson and his wife decided that farming was not for them and they moved to Jordan and later to Havre. The land had almost been lost due to unpaid taxes. But when Mr. Olson was given a quitclaim deed by his father, he worked at various jobs in order to pay the taxes and redeed the property.
In 1935, he and Lucille Edwards were married and they had five children, Sonny, Skip and Mardrie (Baker) live in the county. Betty and Norma married and live within a day's drive from the ranch.
The Olson family spent many hours entertaining themselves with their musical talent. Mr. Olson played the fiddle and his two sons, Sonny and Skip, play several instruments. Their musical abilities have made them one of the most desired dance bands in Garfield County and several surrounding counties.
Mr. Olson was ready to help a neighbor when needed and was a jack-of-all trades. When the Lutheran Church needed carpentry work done, he joined the crew. He worked at the Farmers Union to help pay the grocery bill while still running the ranch. Later he bought a threshing machine and for many years threshed grain for the neighbors and himself. In the 1950s, he put the threshing machine to rest and bought a combine. Then he, like most other farmers, used a four-wheel drive tractor and his combine boasted a cab.
Throughout the years, Mr. Olson served on various boards and committees including the Hospital Board, 12 years on the Livestock Protection Committee, the High School Board, Farmers Union Board, Fair Board, was director of the TaxPayer Association, SCS Board, was a charter member of the Eastern Montana Feeder Cattle Association and a member of the Hereford Breeders Association. he also was a member of the Stockgrowers Association for many years.
His survivors include one sister, Ann Pfiefer of Conrad; three daughters, Norma Youngquist, and her husband, Ken, of Circle, Mardrie Baker, and her husband, Jim, of Jordan, and Betty Jean Proue, and her husband, Don, of Roundup; two sons, Sonny Olson, and Skip Olson, and his wife, Jana, all of Jordan; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille; six brothers; five sisters; and two infant daughters.
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 30, 2002, at 11 a.m. in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall at Jordan. Interment will follow in the Pioneer Cemetery at Jordan.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Jordan is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Garfield County Health Center Permanent Endowment Fund in Jordan.
Marjorie Kathleen Lestar
A funeral service for Marjorie Kathleen Lestar, 65, of Baker, former Miles City resident, was held Friday morning, May 24, 2002, in Stevenson Funeral Home at Baker. Burial was Friday afternoon in the Custer County Cemetery at Miles City.
Mrs. Lestar died Wednesday morning, May 22, 2002, at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker after a long-term illness.
Born Aug. 19, 1936, in Miles City, she was the daughter of Norben and Evelyn Kelly Waite. She grew up and attended school in Miles City. She was a coronet player in the Custer County High School band and graduated in 1954.
In 1955, she and Bill Bergerson were married. They had three children. Later they divorced. She taught for one year in a country school. After that she worked for Nugents' Transfer and Storage until they closed. Her good friend, Bev Laird, soon after preceded her in death.
In 1980, she and Virgil "Mike" Lestar were married. They ranched southeast of Baker for 22 years.
Over the years, Mrs. Lestar was involved with the State Office for the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as being the Fallon County Red Cross representative. She enjoyed quilting, crafts and naming all of the animals. Her life revolved around the people who shared their lives with her. She had "adopted" children who filled her life with joy.
Her survivors include her husband, Mike; three children, Robert of Miles City, Cynthia of Great Falls and Kathleen of Michigan; three sisters, Norma Bond of Miles City, Fern Bechtel of Colorado and Barbara Stoltz of Washington; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Todd.
Stevensons' of Baker and Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City were in charge of arrangements.
Selma Montana Venable Cooksey Blankenship
Selma Montana Venable Cooksey Blankenship, 91, of Miles City died Wednesday, May 22, 2002, in the Friendship Villa Care Center.
Mrs. Blankenship was born May 1, 1911, in Miles City, the daughter of J.M. and Cora Eis Venable. She grew up in the Pine Hills east of Miles City and attended the Meadowbrook School. In 1930, she graduated from Custer County High School. When she was 16 years of age, she was baptized in the Christian Church at Miles City.
Mrs. Blankenship attended two years of nurses training in Rochester, Minn., but major surgery caused her to leave the school.
On Aug. 2, 1934, she and Claude C. Cooksey were married. Born to this marriage were two children, Allan Gordon and James Joseph. Mr. Cooksey died Dec. 4, 1937.
She completed college in Great Falls and went to work for Deaconess Hospital in December 1944. On June 23, 1947, she and John Spencer Blankenship were married in Miles City. Born to this union were four children, John Spencer, Van Lee, Bert Edward and William Robert.
Mrs. Blankenship enjoyed ranching, Morgan Horses, embroidery, houseplants, all children and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was a member of the National and Ding Dong CowBelles, National Cattleman's Association, American Morgan Horse Association and First Christian Church.
Survivors include her four children, James Joseph Cooksey, and his wife, Jan, of Lompoc, Calif., John Spencer Blankenship III and his wife, Becky, of Broadview, Bert Edward Blankenship, and his wife, Debbie, of Otter Creek and William Robert Blankenship, and his wife, Kitty, of Glendive; her grandchildren, Jack Cooksey, and his wife, Cheryl, Kathy Troop, and her husband, Mike, Justin Blankenship, and his wife, Yancy, Wally Blankenship, and his wife, Melanie, Jason Blankenship, John Spencer Blankenship IV, Rachel Ann Blankenship, Joe Blankenship, and his wife, Jamie, Becky Titus, and her husband, Rob, Laura Kalloch, Van Lee Blankenship, Jay Blankenship and Merle Blankenship; her great-grandchildren, Brandon, Ryan, Kyle and Ty Cooksey, Riley and Calum Blankenship, Hayes Blankenship, Chance and Casey Kalloch, and Trace and Roper Blankenship; a special niece, Rita Venable; a special friend, Karen Losing Dean; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, in November 1979; and two sons, Allan Gordon and Van Lee.
Private family funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2002, at 1 p.m. in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Savage.
Should friends desire memorials may be made to the Heart Fund.
