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Blythe Pichette, 22
Blythe Logan Pichette died early Monday at Orchard View Home in Polson from a seizure disorder associated with cerebral palsy.
She was born Aug. 28, 1981, in Washington, D.C. She moved to Helena in 1983 with her parents, Alicia and Michael, and sisters, Claire and Anne.
She attended special education classes in Helena schools and especially enjoyed music and pottery classes and being in holiday programs. Blythe graduated from Helena High School in 2001.
Blythe enjoyed day trips and outings with caregivers and friends. She was quick to laugh and to get a laugh. Her positive influence on others helped open doors for people with disabilities.
In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her grandfather, Don Utter of Billings, and aunts, uncles and cousins.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorials: Blythe Pichette Memorial, Valley Bank, Box 5269, Helena, MT 59604, for projects to enhance community accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Delbrook Lichtenberg, 92
Delbrook "Del" Lichtenberg of Bozeman died there Monday.
He was born Sept. 9, 1911, in Indianapolis, to Emma Delbrook Lichtenberg and Frank W. Lichtenberg. He was educated through primary school in Indianapolis and graduated from Purdue University in 1933 as a mechanical engineer.
He married Winifred Teetor of Hagerstown, Ind., in 1934. They had two daughters, Deborah Leadbetter of Bozeman and Christeen Anderson of Irvine, Calif. Del worked for the Perfect Circle Co. in Hagerstown, Ind., as a manufacturing engineer, but left in 1944 to start a career of cattle ranching in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 1951 he, with family, moved to the Valley Garden Ranch at Ennis. A divorce diverted his attention to land development as well as ranching in the Bozeman, Twin Bridges, and Dell areas. The last ranch was the Belmont Park Ranch at Alder.
He married Borghild Johanasen Hall in 1965 and divorced in 1987.
Del was an avid lover of fine automobiles and left a respectable collection in the museum in Deer Lodge.
Delbrook was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity at Purdue University, and a Mason from the lodge in Hagerstown, Ind. He belonged to the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. In Montana, he was a member of the Montana Historical Society and Montana Club in Helena.
His daughters, sister Bettie Kingdon of Indianapolis, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren survive.
Cremation was under the direction of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. No services are planned at this time. Memorials: Montana Historical Society or charity of choice.
James Fredrickson, 65
James T. Fredrickson died Thursday morning at his home in Butte.
He was born Nov. 2, 1938, in Butte to Arvo A. and Helen (Reed) Fredrick-son. He attended local schools, graduated from Butte High and earned his degree from the University of Montana in Missoula.
Jim worked for the Montana Highway Department at Dillon and later as a controller for Safeway. He worked as a certified public accountant for Bob Prigge for 15 years before starting his own practice. He was past and present master of Butte Lodge No. 22 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, belonged to the Bagdad Temple of the Shrine, the York Rite Bodies and was past exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 240, Butte. He enjoyed fishing with a passion, played college football and always enjoyed watching football.
Jim and Connie were married Dec. 14, 1984, in Butte.
Survivors include his wife, Connie; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Bart Weber, Ogden, Utah; son, James T. Fredrickson Jr., Sierra Vista, Ariz.; stepson and wife, Scott and Shannel Reiter, Laurel; stepdaughter and husband, Chris and Ray Hatfield, Cody, Wyo.; and eight grandchildren.
Jim was sadly preceded in death by his grandson Zachary G. Weber.
In keeping with Jim's wishes, cremation has taken place in Butte. Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home with Butte Lodge No. 22 A.F.&A.M. officiating. Memorials in his memory may be made to the Shrine Hospital for Children.
Robert ‘Bob' Wedlake, 82
Robert Charles Wedlake of Butte died Friday evening in St. James Healthcare.
He was born in Butte Aug. 13, 1921, to George and Helen (O'Donnell) Wedlake and attended local schools.
After graduation, he proudly served his country with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946, and on Aug. 20, 1950, he married Eleanor Weis in St. Joseph's Church in Butte.
Bob worked at H.B. Brink for many years and retired in the late 1980s. He also owned and operated Robbie's In and Out and sold it in 1969. He and his brother operated Bob and Joe's Bar as well.
He was a member of the Butte Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E. No. 240 for over 50 years, belonged to St. Ann's Parish and will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Alisa Hayes; sisters, Dolores Lee and Lois Franich; brother, Donald Wedlake; and brother-in-law, Jack Weis.
His survivors are: wife, Eleanor Wedlake of Butte; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Fred Hayes of Prosser, Wash., Sandy and Pat Maloney of Butte, Pam and Walt Gonder of Butte; sons and daughter-in-law, Rob and Christy Wedlake of Aloha, Ore., and Chuck Wedlake of Butte; grandchildren, Angela Hayes, Erica and Jesse Foster, Ryan and Colleen Maloney, Jose Maloney, Kyle and LaDawn Maloney, Melissa and Dan Ball, Candice Gonder, Eric Gonder, Derek Wedlake, Colin Wedlake, Courtney Schaller, Jory Schaller, Nathan Schaller and Jake Wedlake; eight great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Lorraine Wedlake of Butte and Frank Wedlake and Barbara Freshman; sister-in-law, Lilah Weis of Butte; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place in Butte. Liturgy of the Resurrection will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in St. Ann's Catholic Church. Entombment of ashes will follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum.
Memorials: Our Lady of the Rockies or the Alzheimer's Association.
James Fredrickson, 65
James T. Fredrickson died Thursday morning at his home in Butte.
He was born Nov. 2, 1938, in Butte to Arvo A. and Helen (Reed) Fredrick-son. He attended local schools, graduated from Butte High and earned his degree from the University of Montana in Missoula.
Jim worked for the Montana Highway Department at Dillon and later as a controller for Safeway. He worked as a certified public accountant for Bob Prigge for 15 years before starting his own practice. He was past and present master of Butte Lodge No. 22 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, belonged to the Bagdad Temple of the Shrine, the York Rite Bodies and was past exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 240, Butte. He enjoyed fishing with a passion, played college football and always enjoyed watching football.
Jim and Connie were married Dec. 14, 1984, in Butte.
Survivors include his wife, Connie; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Bart Weber, Ogden, Utah; son, James T. Fredrickson Jr., Sierra Vista, Ariz.; stepson and wife, Scott and Shannel Reiter, Laurel; stepdaughter and husband, Chris and Ray Hatfield, Cody, Wyo.; and eight grandchildren.
Jim was sadly preceded in death by his grandson Zachary G. Weber.
In keeping with Jim's wishes, cremation has taken place in Butte. Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home with Butte Lodge No. 22 A.F.&A.M. officiating. Memorials in his memory may be made to the Shrine Hospital for Children.
Kevin McGinley, 50
Kevin Mark McGinley died of natural causes Tuesday afternoon at St. James Healthcare surrounded by his loving family.
Kevin was born Dec. 21, 1953, to Jack and Mary Frances "Sam" (McDonald) McGinley. He was the fifth of six sons born to Jack and Sam.
A lifelong resident of Butte, Kevin attended St. Joseph's Parochial School and graduated from Butte Central in 1972. He worked for the City of Butte, Butte/Silver Bow County, Montana Tech and most recently for Smith Construction.
Kevin married Laura Reid on May 11, 1991. Together they had one son, Kevin John McGinley.
Preceding Kevin in death were his parents and good friend, Sam Thomas Jr.
Kevin is survived by his wife, Laura and son Kevin.
Other survivors: brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike McGinley, San Francisco, John and Linda McGinley of Sacramento, Calif., Larry and Kim McGinley, Billings, Tim and Char McGinley of Butte and Pat McGinley of Winston-Salem, N.C.; mother-in-law, Jean Holland; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jackie Clary, Butte, Leslye and Mark Muir, Missoula, and Paul Reid, Spokane; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Kevin was a hard worker with a big heart and kind soul. He loved Laura and Kevey, his family and his trusted circle of friends, especially his lifelong friends Pat Maloney, Gene Riordan, Con Sullivan and his special friends Joe Kissock and Nell Thomas. He was a courageous person and a fighter to the end. He is much loved and will be greatly missed.
Too Da Loo our friend, Too Da Loo.
Cremation has taken place. Relatives and friends may call after 9 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Church for visitations. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. Interment of ashes will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials: Kevin McGinley Memorial Fund, c/o Safeway Montana FCU, 2101 Yale, Butte.
Lura Stropes, 90
OPPORTUNITY — Lura "Granny" Stropes of Opportunity died Friday evening, January 16, 2004.
She was born Nov. 30, 1913, in Shelby, Ala., on a small farm. Lura received her education in a one room schoolhouse.
In 1928 she married Amos Brasher, and together they raised one child, Ruth, until Amos's death in 1953. Lura worked as a housekeeper in Alabama until 1957, when she came to Montana and married Roy Hildreth. During that time Lura was a member of the Salvation Army, where she participated in many functions. Roy died in 1969. In 1971 she married George Stropes, and remained widowed following his death in 1976.
Affectionately referred to as "Granny" by many friends and family, she enjoyed the company of friends and family. She also enjoyed camping at the Big Hole Sportsman campground and traveling whenever possible until her health prohibited her from doing so.
Preceding in her death were her parents William and Mazura (Armstrong) Cook, sister Lera Brasher, brothers Talmadge and James, step-daughters Linda Stropes and Christine Coalman, and step-sons Eddie and John Hildreth.
Survivors are her daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Ricardo Garcia of Opportunity; sisters and brothers, Curtis, Lesley, Chesley Cook and Lillie Mae Yates, all of Alabama; grandson, Russell Brasher of Kennewick, Wash.; granddaughter Becky and husband Russ Norcutt of Anaconda; step-daughter, Janet Garcia of Butte; stepson, David Stropes and wife Laurie of Anchorage, Alaska; grandson David Stropes of Opportunity; great-grandsons, Bob Brasher and wife Mary, and Bill Brasher all of Butte, Lonnie Strong of St. Louis, Mo., Russell Brasher Jr. of Pullayup, Wash.; great-granddaughters, Paula and husband Vann Morrison of Butte, Michelle Brown of Standfield, N.C.; and numerous great-great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted from the Anaconda Chapel of KT Riddle Funeral Homes, Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Lower Hill Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband Roy. The wake and visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be Wednesday from 8 a.m. until service time. Services are under the care of the KT Riddle Funeral Homes, Anaconda.
Memorials: Anaconda Pintler Hospice or donor's choice.
"Although our hearts are heavy with sorrow, with the loss of our Mom, Grandma, and friend, we know that she is in the loving arms of the Lord. Our Angel has been called home to watch over us as she did in her mortal life. We will all meet again someday to laugh and share the memories we have of each other, until then we will keep your spirit alive in our hearts and in our souls."
Betty Jean Carlson, 82
Betty Jean (Scoles) Carlson died Sunday in Butte.
She was born in Watson, Mo., on March 20, 1921. Formerly of Cheyenne, Wyo., she met and married the late Vern Carlson in 1964 and moved to Butte.
Betty Jean began to teach school at the age of 18 and continued to teach for two years. Realizing this was not her vocation, she became a medical secretary for most of her life. In addition, she worked for several Butte doctors, and also worked for many years in Central Supply at St. James Community Hospital until her retirement. After her retirement, she volunteered many hours as a "Pink Lady" at St. James Hospital.
Betty Jean is survived by her eight children: son, Garry Carlson, Salt Lake City; son, Jimmie Laycock and wife Pearl, Plainview, Neb.; daughter, Lorraine Farnsworth, Deer Lodge; daughter, Linda Warnecke, Butte; son, Freddie Booth and wife Darlene, Butte; daughter, Marilyn Piippo and husband Walt, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; daughter, Carolyn Parker and husband Bret, Kennewick, Wash.; daughter, Rhonda Townsend and husband Scott, Butte; and sister, Maxine Burkhard of Cheyenne, Wyo.
She also was the proud grandmother of 28 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
Betty Jean had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. She loved music and also loved to dance. Some of her hobbies were playing pinochle, reading novels, putting together jigsaw puzzles and going camping with her family.
Betty Jean will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Her remains are in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home where friends may call Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Butte. Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery.
