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Leota Mariner Hamilton
Our beloved matriarch, Leota (Curly) Hamilton, 98, might even be teaching the angels a thing or two at this very moment because she taught us all so well here on earth. Curly epitomized integrity, selflessness, responsibility, perseverance, faith and love to her family and students. She is cherished for her wit, quiet acceptance of life's trials and devotion to her family and friends.
Leota was born with a twin sister, Leona, on March 12, 1910 in Myers, Montana to Edna and Phil Isaac. She grew up in Myers and attended her early school years in a one room schoolhouse. After graduating from Hysham High School, Curly attended Montana State University and Eastern Montana State to earn her Education Degree. She taught school in Custer, Rancher, Red Lodge and Hysham totaling 35 years.
Irving Mariner and she married
in 1934, sharing 36 years together prior to Irv's death in 1970. Their two daughters, Irvona and Terre, were raised in Hysham. Curly was a devoted mother and active member of the Presbyterian Church in Hysham where she taught Sunday school and was a church elder. She was even honored as an Outstanding Presbyterian Woman for her philanthropy and godly acts. Her membership to the Eastern Star, also, gave her much joy.
Hugh Hamilton, long-time family friend, and Curly united in marriage and moved to West Park Village in Billings where they enjoyed new friends and a myriad of activities.
Mother, Nana and "Nana Montana" is survived by daughters, Irvona (Moni) Mariner (Richland, WA), Terre Tillitt (Casper, WY), grandchildren Kimberly Pueschner (Mike), Janine Jensen (Alex) (Richland, WA), Russell Jensen (Julie) (Kelseyville, CA), Philip Tillitt (Casper, WY), and Darcy Tillitt (Portland, OR). Curly's great-grandchildren are Jasmine Gaines, Christopher and Nicki Tillitt as well as Adam and Lindsey Jensen. Amazingly, Nana Montana even has a great-great granddaughter, Samantha Gaines.
She was met at heaven's gate by her son-in-law, Richard Tillitt, along with both husbands, brothers, twin sister, parents, crowds of friends and, most probably, hundreds of students. Our matriarch just might be playing the piano and gazing lovingly at all the souls she is leading in a song of praise to her Lord! Knowing her, she would say:
Our family wishes to express great respect and admiration to the staff of West Park Village. Special thanks must be reverently given to David and Gail Kimball of Billings, MT. David was, truly, the son Curly never had
Doris Ward
Doris Jean Ward, age 79, of Fallon, MT passed away at her home in Fallon, MT on December 3, 2008.
Doris was born on November 17, 1929 in Deer Lodge, MT the daughter of Fred M. and Sarah Helen (Ring) Harvey. She attended grade school and high school in Belgrade and Helena. She married
Lawrence Ward in Helena on October 1, 1936 and they made their home in Elliston, Montana and in Helena. In 2002, she met Ray Watson and they made their home in Eastern Montana and residing in Fallon.
Doris was a lifelong seamstress, carpenter, plumber, mechanic and jack of all trades who could fix anything. She enjoyed singing, dancing, traveling, reading, and was an accomplished artist. She was proud to call herself an amateur psychologist and most of all she loved her family.
Doris is survived by her loving companion Ray Watson; her children: Teddy Joe (Janee') Ward of Helena, MT, Jeanne Lynn (Jim) Krenn of Terry, MT, Tammy Ward of Fallon, MT, step children: Jo Stanton of Jordan, MT; Jim White of Miles City, MT; Mary Pat Watson of Jordan, MT; and Paula Rae (Eric) Keeler of Lacey, WA; brothers; Richard Harvey of Bozeman, MT, sisters, Frances Lee of Wasilla, Alaska, Freida Inlow of Bozeman, MT, Ethie Brothwell of Belgrade, MT and Elinor Pinczes of Bozeman, MT, eight grandchildren; Jeremy and Duncan Hedges, Jason and Casse Chaffey, Justin and Coley Gibson, Zev and Jezi Ward, her step grandchildren: Melissa Kibler, Kelsey Reynolds, Wayne, Angie and Darial Stanton, and BJ White; 12 great-grandchildren, 7 step great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Doris was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Ward, two children; Michael Ward and Helen Ann Ward, three brothers; Sonny Harvey, Thomas Harvey, Sam Harvey and two sisters; Alta Lucille (Wally) Pinczes and Betty Gates.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hope American Lutheran Church in Fallon. Private interment will be held at a later date. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Prairie Community Hospital or the charity of one's choice.
Leo Lambrecht
Leo Lambrecht, age 75, went home to be with his Lord and Savior unexpectedly on Friday June 1, 2007.
Leo was born at home on April 29th, 1932 in Billings to Adam and Theresa Lambrecht. He was the fifth of ten children. He attended school at Hawthorne, Edgar, graduating from Columbus in 1950. He left for the Marines in 1952. Upon his discharge he farmed in Silesia and Billings; later joining his three brothers, ranching and farming in Big Horn and Custer. The Lambrecht Brothers dissolved their operation in Custer in 1995. Leo along with his brother John and his wife Elizabeth purchased a farm in Kinsey.
Leo was a devoted Catholic. His passion was raising registered Red Angus cattle and farming. He also collected World War II memorabilia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Theresa Lambrecht, his brothers, Frank, Leonard, Donald, John and David, two sisters Dorothy Henson and Margorie Hedges.
He is survived by his brother Harold of Billings and sister Shirley (Keith) McJunkin of Red Lodge, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 4 2007 at 2:00 pm at the Sacred Heart Church. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana Veterans cemetery with full Military Honors provided by VFW Host #1579. Condolences may be made to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Laverne "Vernie" Johnson
Laverne (Vernie) Benner Johnson, age 80, of Miles City beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and trusted friend, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Laverne was born on October 30, 1927 to John and Katherine Fink Benner at Finch, Montana. She was the youngest of 11 children. Vernie graduated from the Forsyth High School and worked for Everett Redeen until she met and married
Owen Johnson. She spent her married
life raising her children and helping with the everyday runnings of a ranch.
She loved gardening, her damnable turkeys, and baking. Her caramel rolls were legendary. The greatest joy in her life was her family - kids, grandkids and great grandkids. She will be sorely missed by all of us.
Vernie was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years Owen, her parents, John and Katherine Benner, her brothers: George, Roy, Adam and Henry; her sisters: Katie (Peggy), Helen and Claire.
Vernie is survived by her five daughters: Cherri (David) Potts of Forsyth, MT; Penni Berg (John Cook) of Gillette, WY; Dianna (Pat) Nees of Colstrip, MT; Patricia (Bill) Rose of Hathaway, MT; and Susan (Harlan) Morgan of Miles City, MT; seventeen grandkids, thirty two great grandkids, three brothers: Harry, Lester and Will, along with numerous friends.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of ones choice.
Rene Ottoy
Rene Marcel Ottoy, age 94, of Miles City passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.
Rene was born on February 24, 1914 in Bambrugge, Belgium, the son of Alfons and Irma (Van Hemelryck) Ottoy. As a small child, his mother brought him and his older sister out of Belgium during World War I and came to the United States by boat in 1916 where they met up with his father, Alfons, who had come over ahead of them. They settled near Howard, Montana where Rene attended four years of grade school. In 1927 the family moved to Miles City where Rene finished his schooling, graduating from the 8th grade at Kircher School. As he grew up, he always helped on the family farm and was chosen to stay on the farm and work while his two sisters and brother served in the military. He took great pride in his farming and won several top sugar beet grower awards including the Holly Sugar Trophy at the Beet Growers Banquet on December 13, 1957. He was also proud of attended the 4-H Congress in Chicago in 1929. On November 31, 1940, he and Mary Lou Kagels were married
and lived on Kircher Creek in the Yellowstone Valley in Miles City. Besides farming, Rene also worked for the county road departments for many years, retiring at age 62. Rene sold the Kircher Farm in 1992 and moved to town.
Rene loved farm machinery and tinkering and fixing things. He also loved to go dancing and reminiscing about working and shoveling beets in his younger days. He also loved going for picnic drives and dancing with his special lady friend of 19 years, Effie Preston. He was a member of the Range Riders Museum, AMRPE, and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Rene is survived by a son, Richard (René ) Ottoy of Miles City, MT; three daughters: Janet (Don) Wall of Bloomer, WI; Linda Regan of Montrose, CA; and Mary (Wiley) Snell of Miles City, MT; ten grandchildren: Mark Campeau, Chris Loegering, Sean Regan, Mike Regan, Deanna Gee, Jamie Irwin, Jay Irwin, Nick Ottoy, Joey Ottoy and Casey Ketchum; twelve grandchildren: Nicole, Courtney, Alexandra, Emily, Elissa, Caleb, Elijah, Amanda, Eddie, Rocco, Shellina and Aurora; one great great grandchild, Alyvia Mae; a brother, Albert (Shirley) Ottoy of Miles City, MT; a sister, Betty Feeley of San Diego, CA;. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Suzanne Messer; a sister, Suzanne Ottoy and a very special friend and companion, Effie Preston.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at a later date in the Calvary cemetery. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of ones choice.
Esther Emma Barnhart
Esther Emma Barnhart, age 97 of Broadus, Montana, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.
Esther was born on October 25, 1910 in Hermann, Missouri, the daughter of Otto and Ernastine (Scheible) Graupner. She was raised and attended schools in Hermann and Stroneyhill, Missouri. On October 8, 1930, she was united in marriage to Elliot Elwood Barnhart at Kansas City, Missouri. They moved to Epsie, Montana where they ranched and raised their family.
Esther was the Powder River Senior Citizen of the Year in 1993, Montana's Mother of the Year in 1994, started the Epsie Homemakers Club and was member for over fifty years; she was a charter member of the Powder River Historical Society and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of the Powder River Senior Citizens. Her accomplishments also included writing seven books, that were poetry and history based. The Powder River County Fair book was dedicated to Esther and Elliott in 1986.
Esther is survived by three sons; Bud (Delores) Barnhart of Gilmer, TX, Harold (Janet) Barnhart of Billings, MT, and Jesse (Connie) Barnhart of Broadus, MT, two daughters; Marla Patten of Reliance, SD and Marlene (Jack) Grimm of Broadus, MT, a sister, Ruth Birkholz of Miles City, MT, eleven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, Oscar Graupner and Paul Graupner and three sisters; Clara Mabry, Alma Schneider, and Helen Poeschel.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Valley View cemetery in Broadus. Should friends wish,
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Congregational Church, the Powder River Historical Society or to the charity of one's choice.
Stella Peters
Stella (Sunny) A. Peters of Miles City passed away on May 25, 2008 at the Friendship Villa Care Center at the age of 94. She was born to Paul and Rose Sonsalla on March 27, 1914 on her parent's ranch near Marmarth, North Dakota. She loved horses and enjoyed the ranching life as a young girl. She graduated from the Presentation School of Nursing in May, 1941 in Miles City and went on to become a Registered Nurse (RN). On September 1, 1942 she was wed to Staff Sergeant Johnny Peters at a ceremony during World War II in Thomasville, Georgia. Johnny was from the Powderville, Montana area. They made their home in Bainbridge, Georgia for the next 3.5 years until Johnny was shipped to the South Pacific. At the end of WWII they returned to Montana where they resided in the Birney, Montana area as a ranching couple. They purchased a ranch south of Lame Deer, Montana and raised their family there.
Sunny became the Supervisor of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Health Clinic at Lame Deer, Montana where she served for 35 years. During the early years at the clinic she served with two ambulance drivers but with no physicians or other staff. She delivered 18 babies without the assistance of a doctor and was instrumental in reducing the incidents of tuberculosis among the Northern Cheyennes. Her efforts were rewarded by the United States Government with the Superior Service Award presented in 1962 by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare during the Kennedy Administration. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe recognized her contribution to the health of their tribe by adopting her into the Lonebear and Wolfvoice Families of the tribe in 1985 with the name of 'Mother of the Earth Standing Woman'. She was featured in the October, 1987 edition of 'R.N. Magazine'. After she retired from the Lame Deer Clinic she lived on her ranch south of Lame Deer until her Husband's death in 1988. Following recovery from open heart surgery in 1988 she was asked by the Tribal President to return to Lame Deer to care for the elderly at the retirement home for the Northern Cheyennes. She resided there for six years. In 1992 she authored a book entitled 'Hi!Cheyennes' which was a recount of her many years of nursing for the Northern Cheyennes.
Sunny was a Registered Nurse for 59 years, a member of the Montana Nurse's Association. She was an active member of the Lame Deer Women's Club and a counselor for the rehabilitation of the handicapped. She was a member of the Range Riders in Miles City and Chairperson of the T&Y Chapter of the Montana Senior Citizens group, and a volunteer at the Holy Rosary Health Center as well as the Veterans Center. She established a Nurse's Scholarship for the Northern Cheyennes and provided several Future Farmers of America scholarships to Colstrip students. In 2005 she received the President's Volunteer Service Award from the White House for 4, 000 hours of volunteer service.
Sunny is survived by three children, Joanne (and Ed) Luther of Anchorage, Alaska, Jim (and Jan) Peters of Orlando, Florida, and Joy Peters of Sedro Woolley, Washington. She has six grandchildren, Dale (and Annie) Luther, Michelle (and Jeremy) Frappier, Mark Peters, Jeff (and Danielle) Losinski, Jenny (and Dallas) Darwood and Justin Losinski. She has four great grandchildren, Lily Kay Darwood, Cole Austin Darwood, Samantha Frappier, and Corabelle Losinski. She is survived by a brother, Andy (and Margie) Sonsalla, and two sisters, Agnes Larkin and Pauline Peters.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 520 North Montana Avenue, Miles City, Montana. Rite of Committal will follow at the Custer County cemetery in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials in lieu of flowers are recommended for: Elliot Childrens' Educational Fund, c/o First Interstate Bank, 1115 Main Street, Miles City, MT 59301. These four young children recently lost their Mother, Lee Anne Knobloch Elliot to breast cancer. Bonds will be purchased for their future education.
Lidia Budkiewicz
Lidia Budkiewicz, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 in Miles City at the age of 92.
Lidia was born on July 16, 1915 in Wilno, Poland to Albertina Sieczyokno. While she was growing up she attended ballet and acting school. She traveled as a stage actress with a group of performers throughout the country performing plays and musicals until the 1940s.
She married
Victor Warzynski in Poland in 1938. Their daughter, Helena, was born in 1941. In 1943, Victor was called to serve in the armed forces so Lidia, Albertina, and baby Helena were forced to flee Poland during World War II. They traveled many miles and finally made it to safety at a displaced persons camp in Salzberg, Austria. They stayed there several years and while there Lidia met and married
Staneslav Budkiewicz. From this union another daughter, Headdy, was born. In 1949, Sister Fannihan from Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, MT sponsored Lidia and her family to immigrate to the United States. The entire family lived and worked at Holy Rosary for 2 years until they could buy their own home.
Lidia enjoyed being a homemaker and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren; she had many friends that she loved to visit with. She spent the last 5 years at Shady Lane Assisted Living in Miles City where she was very well cared for and loved by all of the caretakers. She loved every single caretaker like family. Lidia's kind heart, sense of humor, and loving touch will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Her survivors include her daughters, Helen Steele of Miles City and Headdy (Mike) Pendergast of Yakima, Washington. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kevin (Barbara) Steele, Salina (Andre) Torain, Yvette (Rocky) Swanson, and Brian (Sarah) Pendergast. Lidia also loved her special grandkids: Stacy (Pat) Mackenzie, and Katie and Krisie Yother.
She enjoyed her beautiful great-grandchildren: Megan (Jose) Ochoa, Samuel and Maxwell Steele, Ruby and Jesse Torain, Sage and Shawnee Swanson, Koen and Cora Pendergast, and Mandy and Sage Mackenzie.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Victor and Stan, her mother, Albertina, and her beloved son-in-law, Bill Steele.
Cremation has taken place and private family services will take place at a later date. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
William "Bill" Miller
William "Bill" Miller passed away on May 14, 2008 after a short battle with cancer.
Bill was born on March 13, 1933, in New England, ND, he was the youngest child of Leo and Violet "Mae" (Abercrombie) Miller. After graduating from Musselshell High School, he served 2 yrs in the Army while stationed in Germany.
On Feb. 15, 1958, Bill married
Arlys Paulson. During their marriage, Bill worked for the Milwaukee Road and then the BN until his retirement in 1995.
Bill was a member of the Terry Presbyterian Church and the Terry American Legion Post #32. Bill had a love for the joys of home life--scrapbooking, putting up extravagant Christmas lights, winning at cards, and his dog Molly. His favorite pastime was to give people a hard time--and nothing tickled him more than a smart remark in return.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Arlys of Terry, daughter Sherry (Mike) Strasheim of Terry, his son Mike (Terena) Miller of Denton, MT, along with grandchildren Kyla and Brady Strasheim and Chelsey, Cody, and Chase Miller. Two sisters, Evelyn Lecoe of Marmarth, ND, and Emma O'Dea of Bell Fourche, SD, along with several nieces and nephews.
In death, Bill has rejoined his parents, 2 brothers-in-law Meldon Lecoe & Frank "Soup" O'Dea, and most recently his nephew Larry Lecoe.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Prairie County cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements.
Marie J. Ryan
Marie J. Sullivan Ryan, 100, of Miles City passed away Monday June 9, 2008 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.
Marie was born on September 18, 1907 at Ramona, South Dakota to James Andrew and Mary Barbara (Casanova) Sullivan. She attended school in Madison, South Dakota, graduating with a teaching degree from Dakota State. She later studied business at Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Minneapolis, she worked for Federal Schools Inc. until her marriage to Robert Ryan in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They lived in Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana and Sheridan, Wyoming moving to Miles City, Montana in October of 1979. They traveled extensively throughout the United States, the Holyland and Europe.
Marie enjoyed reading, walking and handwork such as needlepoint, knitting and crocheting. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Ann's Circle (retired), the Range Rider's Reps and Southeastern Montana Retired Teachers.
Her survivors include many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, one sister Ursella Bickle and three brothers: Monsignor Leonard J. Sullivan, Raymond J. Sullivan and Joseph D. Sullivan.
A vigil service will be held Friday, June 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. with the rosary at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot of the Calvary cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to a charity of ones choice.
