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Kenneth R. Strabeck
(July 23, 1936 - March 24, 2012)
Kenneth Robert Strabeck, 75, of Great Falls, a retired meat cutter, died of cancer, Saturday, March 24, at a local hospital.
Visitation is 3 p.m. today at O'Connor Memorial Chapel. His funeral is 11 a.m. Monday at Heritage Baptist Church, with a reception to follow. O'Connor Funeral Home is handling ar-rangements.
Kenneth Robert Strabeck was born on July 23, 1936, to Carl and Mary Strabeck in Kalispell. He was raised in the Everett, Wash., area. He was a meat cutter who worked in various stores, meat shops and as a market manager. He moved to Great Falls in 1964, and met and married
Shirley Acord in 1965.
He enjoyed painting and was a wonderful artist. Kenneth also was an avid outdoorsman, espe-cially enjoying fishing and catching fish. He was dedicated to physical fitness, and often hiked and climbed in the Dearborn area.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Shirley I. Strabeck of Great Falls; his daughter, Laura Lee (Mike) Taylor of Great Falls; three grandchildren, Robert M. and Douglas D. Rubick, and Justine I. Taylor, all of Great Falls; and two great-grandchildren.
"Papa" was a wonderful grandfather, who dedicated his time to teaching the boys to fish, and walking his granddaughter to school.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
Memorials are suggested to Heritage Baptist Church, 900 52nd St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.
Phyllis June Sherburne
(November 20, 1925 - March 24, 2012)
Phyllis Sherburne, 86, of Great Falls, a retired registered nurse, died of natural causes Saturday, March 24, at a local hospital.
A celebration of her life is at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, followed by a reception. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O'Connor Funeral Home.
Phyllis, a well-known resident of Great Falls, died at Benefis Hospital. Fittingly, she had worked in the Cardiac Care floor at the location years before.
Not only had she been a registered nurse, who was the cardiac care nurse specialist at the former Deaconess Hospital, but was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Born in Melrose, Mont., on Nov. 20, 1925, she grew up in the Butte/Melrose area, graduating from Butte High School. She then went on to nursing school at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings. After graduating as a registered nurse on June 9, 1946, she returned to Butte, where she became a public health nurse for the Butte School District. While working in Butte, she met Herbert M. Sherburne, who was attending School of Mines. They were married
on Nov. 22, 1951, and moved to Coleraine, Minn., where Herbert worked for U.S. Steel on the Mesabi Iron Range.
In October 1953, son Philip F. Sherburne was born to the couple, who later returned to Montana. Daughter Sheri was later born in Cut Bank in May 1955. Shortly after Sheri's birth, the family moved to Great Falls.
In 1962, Phyllis returned to college and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the College of Great Falls in English and history in 1965. She taught in the Great Falls Public Schools system for two years before returning to her first love of nursing. From 1967 to 1975 she worked as a registered nurse at the Deaconess Hospital. During that time she was instrumental in arranging and teaching Critical Care to the staff prior to the opening of the Coronary Care Unit where she became clinical nurse specialist. In 1975, she then accepted the post of the director of educational services at the Columbus Hospital, combining her love of both nursing and education. She retired in 1985.
During her nursing career, Phyllis was actively involved in the Montana Heart Association, which she later served as president; served on the Board of Directors for the Montana Lung Association, and the American Cancer Society of Montana. She was a member of the American and Montana Nurses Associations and served on a national sub-committee for the American Nurses Association. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women, and a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, where she played in the bell choir.
Phyllis shared with her family and friends her love and talents for music, quilting, needlework, piano, language and especially reading, which she passed onto her children. In addition, her family also benefited and inherited her love of the outdoors, gathering wildflowers and fishing.
Phyllis is survived by her husband Herbert Sherburne of Great Falls; a daughter, Sheri Bruington of Havre; a son, Philip Sherburne of Morgan Hill, Calif.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials in Phyllis's name should be directed to either the First United Methodist Church or the Great Falls Rescue Mission.
Thomas Mark Goulden
(March 6, 1958 - March 17, 2012)
Thomas Goulden, 54, of Great Falls, formerly of Wenatchee, WA, a Walmart employee, died Saturday, March 17, 2012 of stomach cancer at Peace Hospice.
No services are planned at this time. Cremation has taken place. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Thomas is survived by his parents, Robert and Edna Goulden of Wenatchee, WA; and a sister, Caryn Goulden of Wenatchee, WA.
Esther M. Largent
(March 8, 1917 - March 22, 2012)
Esther Gettel Largent, 95, of Great Falls and formerly of Power, a homemaker and farm wife, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Peace Hospice Residence of natural causes.
Visitation will be on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from noon to 5 p.m. at O’Connor Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service being held Monday, March 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church with burial to follow at Manchester cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handing arrangements.
Esther was born March 8, 1917 to John and Emily Gettel in the Fairfield Bench area. She was raised and educated in Power. In 1936 she was united in marriage to Ernest Largent. The two worked the family farm and remained happily married
for almost seventy years until Ernest’s passing in 2005. She was active in the Zion Lutheran Church in Power, local community activities, was an officer in the Home Extension Club, and was a Sunday school teacher. Esther enjoyed crocheting, sewing for her daughters and granddaughters, playing cards, traveling, and fishing.
Survivors include daughters Donna (George) Mellinger of Fairfield, Sharon (Richard) Pollington of Kremlin, and Marlet (Roger) Crabtree of Billings; grandchildren Stephanie, Amy, Leslie, Patrick, Jason, Mariah, Sarah, and Jeremiah; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents Emily and John Gettel; brothers John, Rudy, Edmund, and Herman; sister Elsa Lawin; and grandson Mark Mellinger.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Peace Lutheran Church, Peace Hospice, The Lutheran Hour, or donor’s choice.
Vivian "Muggins" Casey
(October 26, 2012 - March 11, 2012)
Vivian G. "Muggins" Casey, 100, of Great Falls, a homemaker, died of natural causes Sunday, March 11, at Peace Hos-pice in Great Falls.
Memorial services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at O'Connor Memorial Chapel, with burial of ashes to follow in Mount Olivet cemetery. Cremation has taken place.
Vivian was born Oct. 23, 1911, in Spring Brook, N.D., where she also grew up and attended schools. Vivian's hobbies were playing bridge and visiting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughters, Kathy Casey of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Myrna (Marvin) Smith of Salt Lake City; a daughter-in-law, Nancy (Al) Getten of Great Falls; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice "Bub" Casey in 1976; and a son Terry Casey in 1967.
Darwin C. Younggren
(October 10, 1923 - March 6, 2012)
Darwin C. Younggren, 88, of Great Falls, a retired teacher for the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, died of natural causes Tuesday, March 6, at a local care facility.
A graveside service will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O'Connor Funeral Home.
Darwin was born Oct. 10, 1923, in Kennedy, Minn., to Carl and Agnes Younggren. He attended the Minnesota School for the Deaf in Fairbault, Minn., graduating in 1943. He went on to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1948 with his Bachelor of Science degree.
On March 31, 1951, he was united in marriage to Gladys L. Wieferich in Townsend. They remained married
for over 50 years.
Darwin began his teaching career at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind in 1948, where he taught printing. He later went to work for the Great Falls Tribune for 17 years. Darwin later returned to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind as a counselor and classroom teacher. He was there for 15 years before retiring.
Darwin was president and secretary of the Great Falls Club of the Deaf and three-term president and one-term treasurer of the Montana Association of the Deaf. Darwin enjoyed woodworking, gardening and reading historical novels.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys L. Younggren of Great Falls; sons Kenneth (Debra) Younggren of Great Falls, Rodney (Julie) Young-gren of Absorakee, and Andrew (Julie) Younggren of LaGrande, Ore.; daughter Cheryl Younggren of Billings; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Montana Association of the Deaf, P.O. Box 6433, Great Falls, MT, 59406; Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation, 3911 Central Ave., Great Falls, MT, 59405; or Holy Spirit Catholic church.
John Oliveros MacKinlay II
(July 10, 1945 - April 11, 2012)
John O. MacKinlay, 66, of Great Falls, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at a local hospital of cardio vascular disease.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home.
John is survived by his sister Janette MacKinlay of Oakland, CA.
Floyd Albert Zuern, Sr.
(August 26, 1936 - March 31, 2012)
Floyd Albert Zuern, Sr., 75, of Great Falls, died of natural causes on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Cambridge Court Assisted Living. Private graveside services will be held at Sand Coulee cemetery, Sand Coulee, MT. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Floyd was born August 26, 1936 to Gottlieb and Ella Zuern in Mercer County, ND, where he was raised and educated. He worked as a skilled laborer on construction sites and built dams. He married
Geraldine White of Garrison, ND on December 7, 1957. They moved to Sand Coulee to be near his family. He worked for various construction companies and retired in the 1980’s. He then worked as a grounds keeper for Mount Olivet cemetery, until his health forced him to retire. He enjoyed daily life along with watching western movies, fishing, gardening and playing with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his son, Floyd Zuern, Jr., of Great Falls; daughter, Kim LaRocque of Sand Coulee; granddaughters, Danielle Peters of Sand Coulee, Kendra LaRocque of Great Falls, and Nicole Zuern of Missoula; three great-granddaughters, Madisyn and McKinlee Peters and Rose McGregor; brothers, Archie Zuern of Beulah, ND, Al Zuern of Great Falls; and a sister, Freda Herman of Post Falls, ID. Floyd was preceded in death by Geraldine White Zuern; brothers, Clinton and Melvin Zuern; and sisters, Elsie Stach, Vera Mindt and Hilda Bolser.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 550 N. 31st St. #103, Billings, MT 59101.
Robert "Bob" Ragsdale
(November 9, 1959 - March 28, 2012)
Robert "Bob" Ragsdale, 52, of Great Falls, died of hemochromatosis Wednesday, March 28, at his home.
At his request no services are planned. O'Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Robert is survived by his wife, Mary Ragsdale of Great Falls; daughters Corinna Lakey of Great Falls and Stephenie Eubanks of Great Falls; sons Christopher Langdon, Jeffrey Langdon and Jacob Langdon all of Anchorage, Alaska; mother Mildred Wassom of Arizona; sisters Elizabeth Campbell of Great Falls and Talyne Belka of Anchorage; and eight grandchildren.
Delores Ellerene Zeurcher
(February 11, 1927 - March 20, 2012)
Delores Ellerene (Norris) Zeurcher, 85, of Great Falls, a retired waitress and seamstress, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from natural causes at her home.
Viewing will be held Sunday, March 25, 2012 from noon to 4:00 p.m. and Monday, March 26, 2012 from noon to 5:00 p.m. at O’Connor Funeral Home. Vigil service will be Monday, March 26, 2012 at 5 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. Funeral liturgy will be Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with burial to follow at Mount Olivet cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the home of her devoted caregivers, daughter Sheila Hess, and Monica Burton.
She was born February 11, 1927 in Great Falls to James T. and Pauline E. (Martin) Norris. She resided in Billings, MT from 1976 to 2007. She graduated from Ursuline Academy High School in Great Falls in 1946 and was a familiar face at various restaurants in Great Falls and Billings where she worked as a waitress. She possessed amazing creative talent and was highly regarded as a master seamstress, and in knitting, crocheting, and crafting. She loved to dance and exercised this pass-time at various establishments in both Great Falls and Billings, especially the American Legion, Elks Club and VFW. She was crowned Snow Princess in Great Falls as a young woman. She enjoyed traveling with her husband in their RV to visit family and friends, especially to Phoenix, AZ where they spent many winters.
She was a beloved wife to Eugene Zeurcher, who she married
on November 30, 1962 and with whom she shared one son, and her first husband Donald Hensley Senior, who she married
in 1945, and with whom she shared seven children. She was an adoring mother to Donald (Shelly) Hensley of Vancouver, WA; Guy (Sarah) Hensley of Phoenix, AZ; Julie (Bill) Keele of Shepard, MT; Sheila Hess of Great Falls, MT; Michael (Denise) Zeurcher of Indianapolis, IN; and Ronald, Mark, and John Joseph Hensley (deceased). She was a proud grandmother to Sherri, Donny, Kristiana, Kristopher and Aimee Hensley; Julie Ann and James Keele; Robert, Michael and Nichole Hess; and Zachery and Zoe Zeurcher. She is also survived by one sister, Arlene (Gary) Sanders of Cottonwood, AZ, sisters- and brothers-in-law Eileen Norris of Great Falls, Donald (Louise) Zeurcher of Scottsdale, AZ, Florence (Merlin) Zang of Glenwood Springs, CO, and Marilyn (Larry) Covalciuc of Council Bluffs, IA, as well as three step-grandchildren, nine great- grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, three sons, John Joseph, Mark and Ronald Hensley, and a brother, James T. Norris.
