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Sgt. Donald James Stevens (ret)
April 12, 1923 - August 4, 2004
Sgt. Donald James Stevens (ret) of New York, passed away late in the evening of August 4, 2004 at his home on the lower east side, surrounded by family and friends.
A former councilman and elder at the First Baptist Church, Donald was always active in the community whether it be working on a political campaign, volunteering at the homeless shelter, or through the local Lyons Club.
Donald leaves behind a daughter Stephanie Stevens, a son Donald A. Stevens, and 6 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 42 years Norma Whitfield Stevens.
Donald was born in Salem Oregon on April 12, 1923 to Emma Jane Stevens and Alfred Stevens. Donald's father Alfred was a Captain in the navy and Donald spent much of his youth overseas. The family returned to Salem in when Donald was 16, where he graduated from Salem High School in 1941.
Donald enlisted in the Marines in 1941 and served Honorably in WWII and was a veteran of the Normandy invasion. Donald Retired from the Marine Corps in 1960 and opened a hardware/hobby shop in New York City. It was in New York where Donald met his wife Norma, and where they raised their family.
John Ivan Ihnot
JUNE 28, 1914 - MAY 24, 2013
John Ihnot (formerly of Nashua, Montana) died of natural causes on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Northern Montana Care Center in Havre, Montana, just a few weeks short of his 99th birthday. Both the vigil and funeral Mass will be held at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 440 7th Avenue, Havre, Montana. The vigil will be held at 7:00 PM, Friday, May 31, 2013, and the funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday June 1, 2013, with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. Burial, next to his wife Phyllis, will follow at Highland cemetery in Havre. The family has requested that memorials be made in John’s name to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, P.O. Box 407, Havre, Montana 59501. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and/or condolences at www.hollandbonine.com.
John was born at home, on June 28, 1914, the first of nine children of Joseph and Suzie Ihnat, Czechoslovakian immigrants and homesteaders in the Nashua area. He was very fond of saying that he was the replacement for Archduke Franz Ferdinand who was assassinated that same day, starting World War I.
John did not speak English when he started school in Nashua, but learned quickly and then taught his parents and younger siblings. He graduated from Nashua High School in May 1933.
John wanted to join the regular Army but was turned down because an arm broken when he was a freshman in high school did not heal straight. Instead, he served in the National Guard out of Glasgow, Montana. Even though he could not straighten his arm, he was an excellent shot well into his 90’s. Gophers far and wide feared him.
In 1937 he met Phyllis from Havre, Montana. She was in Nashua visiting her brother who was dating John’s sister. As Phyllis was getting out of the car, she fell. John, a very handsome man with movie star looks, helped her up. They were married
the following year in Havre at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church on February 26, 1938. They had eight children and were married
for 55 years until her death in November 1993.
John was working for the Corp of Engineers, helping to build the Fort Peck Dam, when he met Phyllis. In 1941 he began working for the Great Northern Railroad, which later became the Burlington Northern. During his railroad career he worked on the "gangs" as a "gandy dancer", eventually becoming a section foreman. His railroad career began in Glasgow, with transfers to Malta (1955-1956) and Butte (1956-1968), finally returning to Glasgow (1968-1974), where he retired after 33 years of railroad service. The men he supervised had great respect for him. He worked right along-side of them, never asking them to do a job he would not do himself. Many of them remained life-long friends.
During his time with the railroad, his diligence and a keen eye for anything out of place prevented disasters from happening. On one occasion in 1952 he was alone and returning from a day out on the track. He noticed a problem at a crossing near the Milk River by Hinsdale. He knew a passenger train was due. He ran to flag down the train, hoping the engineer would see him. The train stopped, avoiding derailing and plunging into the Milk River.
The railroad allowed him to provide for his large family, and even though he made a career with the railroad, his heart was always in farming. His childhood and young adulthood were spent helping his father on the family farm. He continued to help while he lived in the Nashua/Glasgow area. When his railroad career took him to other places, he continued to help harvest the crop during his vacations. When he returned to the Nashua area in 1968, he leased the farm from his mother, eventually purchasing it from her estate in 1974.
John was actively involved in farming his beloved land until moving to Havre to live with his daughter Patricia in 2007, at age 93. He did not slow down though. His mornings in Havre were filled with working in his heated shop, repairing and improving things. He enjoyed "modifying" his tools to get the job at hand done. His afternoons were devoted to cards. He spent every day of the week at PJ’s Restaurant and Casino in Havre playing poker. This routine was only interrupted on major holidays and Wednesday afternoons. Wednesday was Pinochle at the Havre Senior Center. Pinochle was his favorite game and he was very good at it.
He had physical strength and stamina throughout his life. It gave him great satisfaction at his advanced age that he could fill his day with activity without taking a nap.
In June of 2012, just short of 98, the years of hard work caught up with him. He entered the Northern Montana Care Center in Havre.
John worked hard all his life, raised a family who dearly loved him, hunted, fished, played cards, traveled, endured tragedy, made many friends, and lived a full and healthy life on his own terms.
He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, an infant son John Ivan, daughter Rosalia Ann, son Richard Patrick, grandson Johnny Joe Ihnot, his parents, brothers Joe, Michael and George Ihnat, and sisters Ann Burns, Helen Byfield and Pauline French.
John is survived by his sisters, Mary Johnston of Fort Peck and Virginia (George) Gray of Kalispell, son Mike Ihnot of Kent, Washington, daughters, Connie Casavan of Ventura, California, Patricia Ihnot of Havre, Susie (Larry) Bentsen of Great Falls and Rachel Ihnot of Helena, 13 grandchildren, many great and great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Richard Allen Knapp
FEBRUARY 10, 1923 - MAY 13, 2014
Richard Allen Knapp, 91, lifelong farmer and rancher, passed away May 13, 2014 at the Northern Montana Care Center. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor John Ulrich officiating. Interment will take place in Highland cemetery. The family has suggested that memorials in Richard’s honor may be made to the MT Chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church of the charity on the donor’s choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.hollandbonine.com.
Richard was born south of Chinook on February 10, 1923. His parents were Earl and Elva (Whitson) Knapp. He was raised 32 miles North of Havre, graduating from eighth grade at Miller School and attending Havre High School. In September 1947, Richard married
Margaret (Peggy) Butterfield and together they built the farm and ranch. To this union were born two sons, Earl Lee and Allen Dale. Richard loved the earth, and he had a great rapport with his livestock. He and his father raised both sheep and cattle at one time along with wheat and barley. Richard was a “steward of the land” long before it became a catch phrase. The same went or his being a “horse-whisperer” as he broke and trained many horses.
Richard rode to school bareback during the depression. It was a great day when he got a saddle. He hardly needed to drive the cattle as they would come when called. He also was very good at repairing machinery. Richard’s family was very important to him and he was very proud of his children and grandchildren. His first wife passed away in 1971. In 1974 he married
Laurel (Stevenson) Preuninger. They farmed and ranched together for 40 wonderful years. He enjoyed exploring and playing cards on the computer. He loved all music except Rock, collecting tapes, records and CD’s. He enjoyed having a nice car and never tired of driving. He especially liked going to Glacier Park for a brief respite after harvest.
Richard is survived by his wife Laurel; sons Earl Lee and Allen (Susan) Knapp; stepdaughter Janet (John) Ryan; stepdaughter-in-law Carrie Preuninger; grandchildren Mira (Andrew) Head, David (Patricia) and Michael Knapp, Katie (Dustin) Smith; step-grandchildren Christopher, John (Karen) and Nicholas (Megan) Ryan, Casey (Phoebe) and Abigail Preuninger; and special nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Margaret (1971); daughter-in-law Kathy Jo (Earl) Knapp in 2013; and step son-in-law Scott Preuninger in 2011.
He was a 50 year member of the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church where he served at times on the Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Montana Farmers Union, and Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Richard trusted everyone and if he did business with you, you became a friend. He never doubted a person’s motives, seeing only the good in everyone he knew.
Roberta Lynn Sanchez
June 1, 1988 - May 11, 2014
Traditional Native American Funeral services for Robert Lynn Sanchez, 25 of Rocky Boy & FT. Belknap will be 11a.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Mission Rec. Center at FT. Belknap with burial to follow the St. Paul Mission cemetery. Traditional Native American Wake services will begin 7p.m. Wednesday evening at the Rec Center at Fort Belknap.
Roberta was born June 1, 1988 in Havre to Dorothy Sanchez and Robert Champagne. She was raised in Fort Belknap and Flandreau, South Dakota by her uncle Roberto Sanchez and Aunt Birdie Ukestine.
She attended the Anaconda Job corp. where she learned to weld and brick laying. Roberta was the administrative assistant for the Rocky Boy Transit. She enjoyed being a mother to her sons Quint and Aiden, and spending time with her nieces, nephews, friends, and family. Roberta was an outspoken, feisty woman, with an amazing sense of humor where she would joke and laugh about everything. She was also known for her excellent bead work. She loved to attend powwows, and she loved her Sally-Ann’s shopping.
Roberta was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy Sanchez, grandmother Ruth Iornman, grandfather Joe Iornman, aunts Vivian Anderson, Mary Ann Murry, cousins Charlis Doney, and Janika Doney.
She is survived by her sons Quint Small and Aiden Bull Chief. Significant other Nacona Stump. Her father Robert (Wynema) Champagne of Havre; her adopted parents Roberto Sanchez of Flandreau South Dakota and Birdie (Loren) Ukestine of Havre. Grandparents; Emory Champagne of Havre, Deanne Ironman, John Henry (Froggie) (Vera) Ironman of Poplar. Her sisters Clarissa (Drew) Newfield of Havre, Miranda Pablo of Arlee, Shelbi (Jesse) Shortman of Flandreau South Dakota, Kennedy Sanchez of Flandreau South Dakota, brothers Anthony Sanchez of Harlem, Ricky Champagne of Great Falls, Vincent Pablo of Havre, Mannie Sanchez of Flandreau South Dakota. Also many numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, co-workers, and lifelong friends.
Pall bears: Thomas Champagne, Bobby Brockie, Martin Koop, Willi Joe Skidmore, John Henry, Moses Champagne, Vinny Pablo, Mannie Sanchez.
Honorary Pall Bears: Family & Lifelong Friends
Georgiann Schend
December 8, 1933 - May 12, 2014
Funeral Mass for Georgiann Schend will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 16th, 2014 at the St. Jude Catholic Church. A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday evening, May 15, 2014 at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home in Havre. Burial of cremated remains will follow immediately after at Highland cemetery in Havre. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements and you can express you condolences and memories at www.hollandbonine.com.
Georgiann Schend, 80 of Havre died May 12, 2014 In Havre, Montana at the Northern Montana Care Center in Havre. She was born December 8, 1933 in Havre the 3rd child of 5 born to Ed & Letha (Sparks) Cuerth: Anna Marie, Irene, Georgiann, Lois and Edward. She was raised in Harlem, Montana where she graduated from high school.
She met and later married
Cecil Schend in the early 50’s. They made their home in Havre, which Cecil built. To this union 4 children were born; Anita, Joe, Dean & Susie.
Georgiann was active in many local service organizations such as the Eagles for over 45 years, the Red Cross for over 25 years. She was also a member of the Democratic Party and was a lifelong faithful member of St. Jude Catholic Church. She and her family traveled much of the United States and she thoroughly enjoyed the mountains. The family enjoyed their cabin in the Beaver Creek area. Georgiann was very interested in family genealogy and wrote a family book of both the Schend and Cuerth families.
Preceded death by her parents; her husband Cecil of over 53 years; her daughter Anita Bergman and her sister Irene Solum.
Georgiann is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Joe & Barb Schend of Havre; Dean Schend of Great Falls; her daughter Susie Schend of Havre. 4 Grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister & brother-in-law Anna Marie & Jay Parks of Eureka; Lois & Frank Moser of Caldwell, ID; her brother & sister-in-law Edward & Sandi Cuerth of Alberton, MT. along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations can be made in Georgeann’s name to St. Jude Catholic Church.
Dwane L. Amor
February 20, 1937 - May 9, 2014
Dwane Lyle Amor, 77, of Havre passed away May 9, 2014 at Highgate Senior living in Bozeman, MT.
Dwane was born February 20, 1937 in Williston, North Dakota to Esther and Harlan Amor. The family moved to Havre in 1953 where Dwane attended school. In 1957 he joined the U.S. Army; after his training he served 3 years in Germany and Lebanon as a paratrooper.
Dwane married
Sharon Howser in 1961 and moved to Seattle, WA where Dwane worked for Boeing. The couple had 3 children. The family moved back to Montana in 1971. Dwane worked for Northern Natural Gas Co. for 7 years before being hired as a brakemen with Burlington Northern where he worked until he retired.
Dwane and Sharon divorced in 1995 and Dwane continued to live in Havre. He loved his dog, Duke, who went everywhere with him. He and Duke enjoyed many drives to Beaver Creek Park.
Dwane, a believer in Jesus Christ, was a faithful member of First Lutheran where he served as a Stephen Minister and worked many Kogudus Retreats.
Dwane is survived by his sister, 3 children, one son-in-law, 6 grandchildren, 2 great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be Saturday, May 17 at First Lutheran Church at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow.
A private family graveside service will follow at the Chinook cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Holland and Bonine in Havre.
Memorial donations may be sent to Beaver Creek Park, Hill County.
Brantley James Gardipee
March 11, 2013 - June 4, 2013
Brantley James Gardipee, 2 month old infant son of Lola Marie Demontiney andJesse James Gardipee passed away suddenly at the Northern Montana Hospital. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
A wake service was held Wednesday morning with his funeral mass 9 a.m. Thursday at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial will follow at the Lamere Family cemetery.
Brantley was born March 11, 2013 in Havre to Lola Demontiney and Jesse Gardipee. He was a beautiful baby boy full of contagious smiles and large loving eyes.
He was truly a blessing to his parents and extended family
He was preceded in death by his Maternal and Paternal Great Grandparents.
He is survived by his parents Lola Demontiney and Jesse Gardipee of Rocky Boy, Montana. His Paternal grandparents Michelle Koop and Darrell Gardipee Jr. of Box Elder and maternal grandparents Velma Clark and Flovin Demontiney of Rocky Boy. Numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and extended family.
Jody Lynn Neibauer
May 19, 1961 - June 1, 2013
Jody Lynn Neibauer, 52, of Havre, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2013, at her residence of pancreatic cancer. Cremation has taken place, and memorial vigil services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Memorial mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Dan Wathen officiating. Burial will follow in Highland cemetery. Jody’s family has requested that memorials be made to Bear Paw Hospice or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories/condolences for her family at www.hollandbonine.com.
Jody was born on May 19, 1961, in Havre to Neil and Donna Neibauer. She was raised on the family farm north of Lohman, attending North Yantic Country School through eighth grade. She graduated from Chinook High School in 1979, and continued her education at Montana State University, both on the Bozeman and the Northern campuses, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Jody married
Dennis Schnittgen in June of 1981, and their union was blessed with two wonderful daughters. The couple later divorced, but they remained close friends. Jody raised her daughters in Havre, working, but centering her life around her children. She volunteered at their schools as much as she could. Jody worked as a manager at Kmart for over 20 years, and for the last several years, she enjoyed managing IGA’s Deli department, working through her illness up until May 10.
As a youngster, Jody loved to listen to the radio, challenging her loved ones to play their own little “Name That Tune” game, at which she excelled. She loved music, and was an exceptional self-taught artist. She enjoyed golfing, fishing, spending time at her cabin in the Bear Paws, and she loved watching Atlanta Braves Baseball. Jody was also an avid runner, running in races all around the state of Montana, and in the Blooms Day Run in Spokane, Washington. She was a vibrant, bouncy, upbeat woman who was always smiling. And she stayed incredibly active until March of 2011, when she began her hard fight with the cancer that eventually claimed her life.
Jody was preceded in death by her daughter Hailey Schnittgen; her special friend Burt Smith; her father Neil Neibauer; her aunt Nancy Neibauer; and her grandparents, George and Hannah Neibauer and Clarence and Ellen Fincke.
She is survived by her daughter Cassie Schnittgen (Trent Jackson) of Bozeman; her former spouse and lifetime friend, Dennis Schnittgen of Havre; her mother Donna (Pat) Murdy of Chinook; her sister Jill Maria Murdy of West Bend, WI; her brothers Tom Neibauer and Jamie (Karla) Neibauer, both of Chinook, Jim (Lisa) Murdy of San Jose, CA, John Murdy of Helena, and Joel (Charlie) Murdy of Belgrade, MT; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
John Rodney Four Colors, Jr.
April 1, 1956 - May 31, 2013
John Rodney Four Colors Jr. whose Indian name was “Ah-si-niw Nah-pe-sis” meaning Rock Boy, 57, died Friday afternoon May 31, 2013 at his home in Wild Rose Village of natural causes. His wake service will begin Saturday at 4 p.m. and continue through Sunday with his funeral service 10 a.m. Monday all at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Linda Webster officiating. Burial will follow at the Rocky Boy cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
Rodney was born April 1, 1956 in Fort Belknap Montana to Mary Rose Weaselboy and Johnny Rodney Four Colors Sr. He was raised in the traditional Cree way and enjoyed teaching and practicing the cultural way of life. He participated in the old ceremonies and enjoyed pow-wows. He made sure he taught his grandchildren songs and stories. Rodney enjoyed picking sweet grass and spending time in the mountains. He was known as a kind and generous man to everyone who needed help. He made many friends across the pow-wow trial. He graduated from Box Elder High School and later attended Montana State University and the University of Montana.
Rodney believed in hard work. By this his occupations during his life included working for his late uncle Alex Weaselboy. He was the Heavy Equipment Operator who worked many jobs in the Rocky Boy area. Rodney worked as a logger and one of the few C-Fallers. Rodney also worked as an EMT for Rocky Boy and Bozeman for many years. He wanted to instill his hard work ethic to the younger generation.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mary Rose Weaselboy and Johnny Four Colors; his Grandparents George and Lucy Weaselboy; and his uncles, Alex Weaselboy and Louis Weaselboy.
He is survived by his only brother Gerald “Jerry” Four Colors of Rocky Boy, Montana; his children Jonathan Four Colors Sr. and Jodi Four Colors all of Rocky Boy, and Tiffany Youngman of Billings; his grandchildren Jonathan Jr., Jerrod, Jacinda, and Brianna Four Colors, and Anthony, Carman and Jaycee Youngman; and one great grandchild Talasia Burns.
