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Diana Lee Knutzen
Diana Lee Knutzen, 42, of Basin, passed way unexpectedly at St. Peters Hospital in Helena early Monday Afternoon. She was born Aug. 24, 1960, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Emil N. and Doris M. Harrold.
She married Dwayne Lee Knutzen on Feb. 7, 1987, in Burlington, Wash. Together they owned and operated the Merry Widow Health Mine in Basin for the past few years.
Survivors include her husband, Dwayne, daughter, Shawn, and son, Bradlee, all of Basin; her parents, Scott Harrold of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Doris Harrold of Mount Vernon, Wash.; a brother, Mike Harrold, of Bow, Wash.; two sisters, Denise Harrold, of Mount Vernon, Wash., and Donna Harrold of Marysville, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place with memorial services scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Merry Widow Campground Recreation Center, Basin, Mont. Family prefers memorials to the Basin School Student Fund, P.O. Box 127, Basin, MT 59631 or to the Butte Rescue Mission, 1204 2nd, Butte, MT 59701.
Gladys Short
Gladys Short, age 95, of the Masonic Home of Montana, died Friday afternoon, Oct. 11, 2002, at the Masonic Home. Gladys was born to Harry & Marcella Pfander in a small farming community in Iowa, where she attended Clarinda Junior College and graduated from the State Teachers College, Marysville, Mo. She lived most of her life in the Midwest until moving to California in the 60's.
After retirement she and George moved to Oregon and enjoyed going to the ocean, often with a picnic lunch and stopping at their favorite spot - a beautiful forest just before getting to the Pacific Ocean. Indeed, these were the golden years for Gladys and George. While in Salem, Ore., Gladys volunteered at the Red Cross and was active in the Methodist Church. George died in 1978 and Gladys moved to Montana in 1988 to be near her son, Don, who preceded her in death 10 years ago.
For the past 10 years, she has lived at the Masonic Home and constantly commented on how good they were to her and how fortunate she was to be able to stay in such lovely surroundings. Her love of history surfaced often while playing word games at the Home and she even recited the Gettysburg Address, from memory, at breakfast one morning at the age of 93.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George, son Don, brothers, Stanley and Elmo, and sisters Hazel, Leona and Florence. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Marge Short, of Helena; two grandsons, Steven Short of Great Falls and Gary Short of Bozeman; granddaughter, Barbara Gleason of Great Falls; great-grandson, Andrew Short of Great Falls; and great-granddaughter Megan Short of Bozeman.
A memorial service will be held at the Masonic Home on Monday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be sent in her memory to the Masonic Home, 2010 Masonic Home Road, Helena, MT 59602, or to Hospice of St. Peters. Cremation arrangements have been made through Retz Funeral Home.
Kathryn Ione Hall
On Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, our beloved Kathryn Ione Hall, 46, passed on to her new home.
Kathy was born on July 17, 1956, in Great Falls to Wilma and James Held and joined sister, Karen, and brother, Rick. Three years later, a brother, Bill, joined the family. Kathy attended schools in Rapid City, S.D., in Bitburg, Germany, Clyde Park, Mont., and graduated from Portage High School in Indiana. Kathy attended two years at vo-tech in Helena.
As a military daughter, Kathy was fortunate to have lived for three years in Germany, and was able to visit all but a few of the European countries. After returning to the States, she spent a brief time in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maine, South Carolina, and then back to Clyde Park. In 1973, she moved to Indiana to help out her sister who was expecting a new baby.
While in Indiana she met Russell Ames Hall, and they married in Clyde Park on Aug. 26, 1975. Russell and Kathy lived in Gary, Ind., where their three children, Heather, Russell and Heidi, were born. In 1983 the family moved to Helena.
Kathy worked for State Fund until she started her own business, Autumn Cleaning Service. She worked at her business until September this year.
Kathy's greatest enjoyments were campouts, volleyball games and music when all the families would get together. She also enjoyed going to hunting camp each year with her dad, brothers, uncles and cousins.
Eight years ago, Kathy purchased her first Harley Davidson motorcycle and named it "Rose." She later bought a 1993 Heritage Softail (named "Too Hot"). Since then, Kathy rode every chance she got. Through her motorcycle riding, she met so many new friends. Kathy was very proud of the fact that she had ridden in all of the lower 48 states and in four Canadian provinces - all but four of them were with her very special riding companion, brother Bill.
Kathy was very close to all of her family, which included not only her immediate family, but her aunts, uncles, cousins and her motorcycle "brothers and sisters". She always said how very blessed she was to have such wonderful people who cared so much for her - and she cared for each and every one of them. Her children and her grandchildren were the light of her life.
Kathy's door was always open for those who needed a place to stay. Kathy's favorite sayings were "Live to Ride" and "It's a Beautiful Day"
Kathy was preceded in her journey by her husband, Russell, in August 1994, her daughter, Heidi, in September 1999, and her grandparents.
Kathy is survived by her daughter, Heather (Jason) VanDrunen; her son, Russell, all of Helena; her very precious grandchildren, Kinkade Russell Hall and Autumn Rose VanDrunen; her parents, James and Wilma Held of Clyde Park; sister, Karen (Danny) of East Helena; brother, Rick (Lisa) of Clyde Park; and brother, Bill of East Helena. Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Al (Louise) Bodak of Post Falls, Idaho; Gerald (Paula) Hall and Harry (Linda) Hall; sister-in-law, Joyce (Wayne) Fowler, all of Indiana. Kathy is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and so very many special friends.
Ride free, Kathy. You are our hero and you will always be with us!
Chapel services will be Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. from Hagler-Anderson Chapel with Beau Miller officiating. Interment services will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston at 3 p.m. Family prefers memorial to that of donor's choice.
Mary Emma Knaub Sims
Mary Emma Knaub Sims, 80, of Jefferson City, passed away after an extended illness on Sept. 24, 2002. She was born Aug. 20, 1922, in Dallastown, Pa., the daughter of James Wilbur Knaub and Cordelia Naomi (Stiles) Knaub.
Mary was a very kind, generous and hardworking person who was loved by all who knew her. She was known by many for her interests, including bridge, golf, hiking, gardening and bird watching.
She grew up in the Dallastown area of Pennsylvania and as a child was an avid baseball player. The story was often told of the neighborhood boys who would frequently do the dishes for her so she could pitch for them in the neighborhood games. Mary lost her mother at an early age and was raised lovingly by her stepmother, Romaine V. Flinchbaugh.
Mary attended the York County School of Nursing, and after graduating found herself working as the chief operating room nurse and head surgical scrub nurse for the urology department of the Cleveland Clinic. She was an independent, free-spirited woman and at the time, very proud to be the first among her friends to own an FM radio, on which she avidly listened to the Cleveland Indians baseball games. She also had one of the first Dumont televisions.
It was in Cleveland where she met the love of her life, James R. Sims Jr. She and Dick married on March 5, 1953, in Cleveland. After several years of traveling about the U.S. and Europe with her husband "Doctor Dick" in the military, they moved to Helena with their young family. Mary was a very loving mother and fully devoted to her husband and family. She gave of herself wholeheartedly and selflessly.
In their early years in Helena, Dick and Mary often took the family out in the country, camping out, cooking hot dogs over open fires, hiking and generally having fun. Mary was known by her children to be exceptionally wise and caring when it came to family matters. In the late 60's, it was this trait that led her to insist on moving the family to the country, when they moved to Jefferson City. In Jefferson City, Mary was well known by all the neighbors and they always loved to see her whenever they could.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother; her husband, James R. Sims Jr.; daughter, Laura Jane Sims Swindle; and brothers Wilson Knaub and Mahlon Knaub. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Kay DeMers, and her husband, George, of Jefferson City; sons James Richard Sims III and his wife, Suzanne, of Denver, John Franklin Sims of Helena and Michael Richard Sims of Clancy. She is also survived by son-in-law Tom Swindle and his wife, Katherine; granddaughters Jennifer Swindle, Josey Sims and Kady DeMers; and grandsons Tizer and Bridger DeMers, and Jacob and Isaac Sims.
A celebration of remembrance will be held for Mary on Oct. 19 at the Montana Club. A brief eulogy will begin at 4 p.m., followed by music and hors d' oeuvres. The family suggests memorials to the Farm in the Dell Foundation, 1208 Poplar, Helena, MT.
Albert Mayer
Albert J. Mayer, 94, of Whitefish, died May 2, 2003.
He was born Dec. 18,. 1908, in Kansas City, Mo., to Cyriakus G. and Elizabeth Mayer. Cyriakus, a flour miller, brought his family to Sidney in 1912. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1926.
He married Dorothy B. Flynn of Fairview, June 1935.
Her and his family lived in North Dakota, Minnesota, Texas and Colorado in connection with his occupation as a flour miller. He retired as assistant general superintendent of Peavey Company (now Con-Agra) in 1971, and subsequently he and Dorothy retired to Whitefish.
He was an accomplished outdoors man who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. His love of the State of Montana was extraordinary, and he enjoyed sharing it with anyone who visited Evergreen Cove.
There was a balance of generous hospitality that was shared between him and his neighbors. It was comforting for his children to know that he was well regarded and cared for considering they lived out of state.
His interesting stories, Halloween parties, pot luck meals and picnics and family gatherings (sometimes accompanied by his playing the violin) brought a smile, as we remember a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, neighbor, - a genuine Montanan.
He was a life-time member of the NRA, a member of the Association of Operative Millers, and a member of the Montana National Guard Company "A", 163rd Infantry.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Francesca Kann and a devoted dog, Greta.
He is survived by two sons, Robert (Marilyn), of St. Paul, Minn., Joseph (Doris), of Lakewood, Colo.; a daughter, Martha Sorenson of Madison, Wis.; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of the Christian Funeral was held May 9, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Whitefish with Reverend Charles Roman officiating.
Mary Ellen Campbell
Mary Ellen Chesterfield Campbell, 35, of East Helena, died Aug. 8, 2000, in Powell County. Services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2000, at 10 a.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 410 22 Ave. NE, Great Falls. Rite of Committal will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to the Make a Wish Foundation.
Mary was born Jan. 27, 1965, in Glendive, Mont., to Bob and Elaine Chesterfield. She graduated from Charles M. Russell High School in 1983, and earned a BS in elementary education at Montana State University in 1987. A self-employed daycare provider, she was an ASMSU daycare teacher after graduation from MSU. Mary was a volunteer with the East Helena Wrestling Club, at school, as a T-ball coach, and with the PTA. She was an active member of the Divorced Support Group in Helena.
Mary was a kind, loving, generous person who gave of herself. She was the first to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Mary provided a great environment for her daycare children. Her home was always a busy, bustling place. Mary had a deep love of children. Her own children and many of the neighborhood children kept her home full of laughter and love. She enjoyed outdoor activities, skiing, hiking and biking. Shopping was a love she shared with her sister, Robyn. But most of all, Mary loved spending time with her sisters and family. Her nieces and nephews joyfully filled her spare time. Very special times were family gatherings at her parents’ home. We will miss her.
Mary is survived by her parents, Bob and Elaine Chesterfield of Great Falls; daughters, Alyssa and Kirsten, and son, Kyle, all of East Helena and Lincoln; sisters, Shirley Chesterfield and fiance Paul Stanton of Helena, Kathy (Vince) House of Clackamas, Ore., Judy (Don) Cunningham of Helena, Sandy (Brian) Snow of Post Falls, Idaho, and Robyn (Tony) Arntson of Helena; brothers, Mick (Nancy) Chesterfield of Logan, Mont., Herb (Deb) Chesterfield, Pat, and Rick. all of Great Falls; grandmother, Marguerite Samsel of Mound View, Minn.; nieces and nephews, Adam and Holly Chesterfield,. Aaron, Mike and Derek House, Janae, Jaimie, Jenne and Jade Cunningham, Jennifer Chesterfield, Troy and Ryan Arntson, Robbie Chesterfield and Crystal Oberc.
Karen Marie MacDonald
Karen Marie MacDonald, lifelong Helena native passed away Jan. 1, 2002, after a long illness, surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 9, 1945, in Helena to Patrick H. and Rose I. Miller.
Karen graduated from Cathedral High School in 1963. She married Sandy MacDonald, her childhood sweetheart in 1966. Together they had two sons Trevor and Jim. She worked ten years at City Plumbing as a bookkeeper, and then she worked ten years as a bookkeeper for American Sheet Metal. In 1980, she and Sandy purchased the local Budweiser beer franchise, renamed it Sandy Mac's Distributing and she was the office manager.
Her father, Patrick, preceded Karen in death. She is survived by her mother Rose; her husband Sandy; two sons Trevor and his wife, Diana, MacDonald, and Jim MacDonald and his wife, Liane, Taylor; two grandchildren to be; brothers Wayne, Ronnie and Joe Miller; and many nieces and nephews.
Karen loved watching Trevor and Jim bowl, and traveling to Budweiser conventions with the love of her life, Sandy. She was a people person who enjoyed the company of friends and family. Karen had a strong, vivid personality and a soft heart. She loved life. She will be deeply missed.
Chapel services will be held at Hagler-Anderson Chapel on Friday Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. A reception at the VFW hall in East Helena will follow. Family prefers donations to be sent to God's Love, 533 N. Main, Helena, MT. 59601.
