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Willy Gonzalez
FORSYTH - Willy Gonzalez, 22, of Forsyth, died Friday, June 12, 1998, in Miles City.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, at the chapel of the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Additional services will be held later in Inglewood, Calif.
Vernon Johnson
FAIRVIEW - Funeral services for Vernon Johnson, 88, of Fairview, will be 10 a.m., Monday, June 15, at the Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastor John Robinson officiating. Interment will be in the Fairview cemetery, under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Lloyd Vernon Johnson was born Oct. 21, 1909, at home to William and Annie Johnson at Four Mile Community. He lived on the family homestead at Four Mile and attended a one room school through the eighth grade. As a young man he owned and operated the Gamble Store in Culbertson. He married
Mildred Thelma Meldahl on Dec. 27, 1942, and he and Mildred began their lifelong occupation of farming. A successful farmer and hard worker, he enjoyed being busy. He was a farming partner with his son, Warren for the past several years and actively farmed up until the day before his death.
He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, a charter member of Friends of Fort Union, and a lifelong member of the Democratic party. He enjoyed reading, attending horse auctions, conversation, music and nature. He never met a single person that he didn't remember their name and the occasion of their meeting. Vernon was a warm, reserved and caring man who will be missed by his family and friends.
Vernon died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at the Sidney Health Center.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mildred of Fairview; brother, Earl Johnson of Fairview; sister Frances Hovey of Sidney; his children, Collins and his wife, Avis of Great Falls, Iris Hawley and her husband Jess of Grangeville, Idaho, Janice Cole of Las Vegas, Nev., and Warren and his wife, Judy of Fairview; five grandchildren, Kirk Johnson of Great Falls, Toby Hawley of Grangeville, Idaho, Ramsey Cole of Bozeman, Kelsey and Devin Johnson of Fairview; four stepgrandchildren, Dan Benefiet of Helena, Marty Benefiet of Grand Prairie, Texas, Jess and Margot Hawley of New York, N.Y. He has four great-grandchildren.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Cory Neal Johnson; and a sister, Adeline Swenson.
Gwen Marten
Gwen R. Marten, 92, of Billings, formerly of Lovell, Wyo., died Saturday, June 13, 1998, at the Western Manor Nursing Home, where she has resided since March of this year. Gwen was one of five daughters born to Minnie D. Young Rolston and George W. Rolston of Kansas. The family moved to Lewistown in 1918, and lived there until 1940. In 1923, Gwen married
Herbert L. "Hub" Marten from Storm Lake, Iowa, and they came to Billings in 1930 to make their home. Later, they moved to Lovell, Wyo., where "Hub" worked for Great Western Sugar Co. Gwen was a housewife and an excellent cook.
After Hub's retirement, they returned to Billings and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Gwen was a member of the Powell Country Club, Wyo., and the Lake Hills Country Club (Billings). Both Gwen and Hub had won many golf trophies. He died in 1980.
Survivors include one sister, Irene R. Anderson of Billings; two nieces, Diane R. Kosmann of Laurel, and Betty Grace (James M.) Johnson of Seattle, Wash.; one great-niece, Yvonne C. Britton of Laurel; two great-nephews, Randy E. (Deanna) Rutschke of Billings and David E. Kosmann Jr. of Laurel; and two great-great-nephews, Layne Matthew Britton and Ryan James Keyser of Billings.
Funeral service will be held 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Cremation or Funeral Gallery, 114 Florine Lane. Interment will follow at Mountview cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or Rescue Mission.
Donald Schneider
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Donald Lee Schneider, 62, of Bullhead City, formerly of Gillette, Wyo., and Billings, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, June 10, 1998, in Bullhead City. The son of George and Eva Hartung Schneider, he was born in Laurel, Mont., Jan. 24, 1936.
Don attended schools in Billings and following high school, enlisted in the Navy, serving until January of 1955. On Oct. 26, 1955, he married
Delora "Dee" Weigum in Billings. In 1960, they moved to Colorado, where Donald began his law enforcement career. He worked in law enforcement in Nebraska before moving to Gillette, serving as Police Chief from 1976 to 1983. In 1984, Don and Dee moved to Glenwood Springs, Colo., where Don served as Garfield County Undersheriff and Jail Administrator. He retired from law enforcement in 1995, and moved to Bullhead City, where he had resided since.
Don loved people. He enjoyed square and round dancing, camping, fishing and the desert. He was a member of the National Peace Officers, the FBI National Academy, and the Elks Lodge of Glenwood Springs, Colo. He was preceded in death by his father, George Schneider; his daughter, Carol Lynn Schneider; and his sister, Georgine Schneider.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Delora "Dee" Schneider of Bullhead City; his mother, Eva Schneider of Billings; his two sons, Rick and his wife, Sharon, and Steven and his wife, Chris of Gillette, Wyo.; his grandchildren, Heather Van Dyke Schneider, Dani Van Dyke Schneider, Amanda Schneider, and Ronald Schneider; and one great-granddaughter, Jada Van Dyke Sims.
Visitation will be held 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Alderson Chapel. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Alderson Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow at Mountview cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Pilgrim Congregational Church, 409 S. 36th St., Billings, Mont. 59101, or the American Heart Association.
Nancy Marie Siegle
LIVINGSTON - Nancy Marie Siegle, 47, of Livingston, died early Saturday morning, June 13, 1998, at her home in Livingston. Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the Belgrade Church of Christ, 909 South Nevada Street in Belgrade. Family friend Miles Boulton will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Livingston.
Nancy was born Nov. 8, 1950, in Lewistown, the daughter of Jack and Frances (Ruzek) Goodpaster. She spent her early life and attended school in Lewistown, graduating from St. Leo's in 1969. Nancy then attended Dawson Community College in Glendive, graduating with an Associate of Arts Degree in Business in 1971. On Aug. 21, 1971, she married
Dale Siegle in Lewistown. They lived in Glendive, where Nancy was employed as a secretary with the Montana State Highway Department. In 1978, they moved to Lewistown, where she worked in the human services field, and in 1979, they came to Livingston. For the past 18 years, she has been employed as the office manager of Family Chiropractic Center, David Thiry, D.C.
She loved spending time with her family and traveling, especially Hawaiian vacations and motorcycle trips with her husband. She also enjoyed doing crafts and sewing.
Nancy is remembered as being a wonderful mother, wife, friend, and mentor to those who knew her. Her gracious and sincere nature will eternally teach lessons of love for one another.
Her love and memory continue through her family, which include her husband, Dale D. Siegle of Livingston; two daughters, Andi Siegle and Amber Siegle, both of Bozeman; two brothers, Steve Goodpaster and wife, Sandy of Bozeman, and Dave Goodpaster and his wife, Jan of Laurel; six sisters, Pam Gilman and her husband, Bob of Deer Lodge, Gayle Ricker and her husband, Rob of Helena, Pat Rosenberg, Chris Goodpaster, and Sally Waters and her husband, Sean, all of Laurel and Sue Tosner and her husband, Jerry of Beach, N.D.; her parents, Jack and Frances Goodpaster of Laurel; a grandson, Skyler Dale Siegle of Bozeman; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, John Rosenberg.
If so desired, memorials in Nancy's memory may be directed to Gateway Hospice, 504 S. 13th St., Livingston, Mont. 59047.
Herman Frank
LAUREL - Herman Frank, 82, longtime resident of Laurel, went to be with the Lord Saturday, June 13, 1998.
Herman was born May 6, 1916, to Henry and Katherine Frank at Laurel. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps serving four years and then entered the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He then married
Elsie Ostwald in October of 1946. Herman went to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1947 and retired in 1978, after 31 years of service.
Herman was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church of Laurel. He was very active in the church and served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Elsie of Laurel; son, Gerald Frank and his wife, Jody and their children, Jeremy and Jill of Superior, Mont.; son, Kenneth Frank and his wife, Maureen and their children, Liam and Chloe of Oakland, Calif.; daughter, Karen Frickel and her husband, Steve and their children, Kara and Mark Bayne, Kim and Travis of Laurel; son, Allan Frank of Laurel; two brothers, Henry and wife, Minnie of Billings, and Clarence and wife, Madge of Bountiful, Utah; one sister, Ruth Frank and her husband, Harold of Laurel. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Cooney, Victor and Rudy; and one sister, Lydia.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at First Congregational Church, Laurel. Interment will be in the Laurel cemetery. Memorials are suggested to: First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 995, Laurel, Mont., 59044, or charity of choice. Smith Funeral Chapel - Laurel, was in charge of arrangements.
Arnold I. 'Arne' Graff
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Arnold I. "Arne" Graff, 76, died on June 11, 1998, at Odyssey Health Care, Safe Harbor Hospice in Las Vegas.
Arne was born on Dec. 5, 1921, to Ole and Emma Graff in Kindred, N.D. In 1959, Arne married
Frances Lynch Potzman in Valley City, N.D. In 1963, Arne and family moved to Billings.
Arne was a truck driver for 43 years, working for several companies. He retired from Garrett Freightlines in 1984, with over 30 years of safe driving. After his retirement, Arne moved to Las Vegas. He enjoyed traveling and fishing.
In 1990, Arne married
June Borderud Ruess.
Arnold is survived by his wife, June of Henderson, Nev.; his brother, Orvin Graff and wife, Marion of Wyndmere, N.D.; his sister, Margaret Almquist of Henderson, Minn.; his daughter, Roberta Arre and husband Roger and granddaughters, Jennifer and Jessica of Otis Orchard, Wash.; Frances Graff and their two sons, Darryl Graff of Billings and Arnold Graff and wife Lauri and grandson, Trevor of Billings.
Cremation is to take place and their will be a memorial service at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Billings. Time and date are pending.
Janet L. Petranek
LEWISTOWN - Janet L. Petranek, 71, wife of former local rancher George A. Petranek, passed away June 12, 1998, after an extended illness, in Lewistown. She was born April 10, 1927, in Burlington, Iowa, the only child of Henry H. Fritzsche and Olga Munsenmarer Fritzsche. She received her education in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High in 1944. On June 14, 1959, she was united in marriage to George Petranek in Harlowton. They resided on the family farm near Fergus, until purchasing a home in Lewistown in early 1960. Janet became very active in various organizations and in 1972, helped organize the Pink Ladies in St. Joseph's Hospital in Lewistown.
Janet had many wonderful talents and enjoyed needle point, crocheting, playing the piano and entering her works of art in the local county fair, where she received many ribbons for her work.
She was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband in 1991. She is survived by a special nephew, Jim Petranek and his children, Kimberly, Timothy and Samantha; sister-in-law, Stella Weinheimer of Danvers; brother-in-law, Charles F. Petranek of Fergus; and several nieces and nephews.
A prayer meeting and viewing for Janet will be held Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Cloyd Chapel, and graveside services will be held at Mount Calvary cemetery on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Friends wishing to make memorials are asked to make them to the Pink Ladies Auxiliary and they may be left at the funeral home.
Leona Lenora Phair
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Leona Lenora Phair passed away Thursday evening, June 11, 1998, at the Saint Francis Extended Care Facility in Bellingham, where she was a recent resident.
Leona was born to Anna Kathryn Gesslein and John Center McLean on the first day of spring, 1900, the only daughter of six children. Leona was schooled in Carneyville, Wyo., and Roundup, Mont. In 1920, she married
William Russell Phair. They resided in Roundup. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, in 1975, and moved to Miles City the following year. She was also proceeded in death by her only son, Robert "Bob" in 1996.
Leona moved to Bellingham in October, 1997, to be near her granddaughter, Barbara Phair. Survivors include grandchildren, Barbara Phair of Bellingham, Wash., Doug Phair of Miles City, Roberta Phair Schulz, Chillicothe, Ohio, and Jim Nelstead of Kent, Wash.; great-grandchildren, William and Mac Phair and Katy Schulz.
Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Jerns McKinney Funeral Chapel of Bellingham are handling arrangements.
Donald Lee Schneider
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Donald Lee Schneider, 62, of Bullhead City, formerly of Gillette, Wyo., and Billings, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, June 10, 1998, in Bullhead City. The son of George and Eva Hartung Schneider, he was born in Laurel, Mont., Jan. 24, 1936.
Don attended schools in Billings and following high school, enlisted in the Navy, serving until January of 1955. On Oct. 26, 1955, he married
Delora "Dee" Weigum in Billings. In 1960, they moved to Colorado, where Donald began his law enforcement career. He worked in law enforcement in Nebraska before moving to Gillette, serving as police chief from 1976 to 1983. In 1984, Don and Dee moved to Glenwood Springs, Colo., where Don served as Garfield County undersheriff and jail administrator. He retired from law enforcement in 1995, and moved to Bullhead City, where he had resided since.
Don loved people. He enjoyed square and round dancing, camping, fishing and the desert. He was a member of the National Peace Officers Association, the FBI National Academy, and the Elks Lodge of Glenwood Springs, Colo. He was preceded in death by his father, George Schneider; his daughter, Carol Lynn Schneider; and his sister, Georgine Schneider.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Delora "Dee" Schneider of Bullhead City; his mother, Eva Schneider of Billings; his two sons, Rick and his wife, Sharon, and Steven and his wife, Chris of Gillette, Wyo.; his grandchildren, Heather Van Dyke Schneider, Dani Van Dyke Schneider, Amanda Schneider, and Ronald Schneider; and one great-granddaughter, Jada Van Dyke Sims.
Visitation will be held 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Alderson Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow at Mountview cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Pilgrim Congregational Church, 409 S. 36th St., Billings, Mont.
Robert Joseph Thibeault
BOZEMAN - Robert Joseph Thibeault, born Oct. 5, 1927 in Berlin, N.H. to Esimaire and Bertha Thibeault, passed away suddenly on June 10, 1998, at his home in Bozeman. After graduation from high school in Whitefield, N.H., he went into the Army Air Corps. While stationed in Germany, he met his future wife, Ruth, who was also serving in the Army Air Corps.
After receiving their Honorable Discharges, they were married
in Wendell, Mass., on July 17, 1949. Bob received a B.S. degree from Defiance College in Ohio in 1952 and his M.A degree from the University of Colorado - Boulder in 1953. His teaching career began in Torrington, Wyo. And proceeded to Baggs and Shoshoni, Wyo., where he was the Superintendent of Schools in both districts from 1956 to 1961. He then earned a Doctorate of Education degree from the University of Wyoming in 1965.
Bob was a professor in the Education Department of Montana State University from 1965 through 1992. He served in various positions during that time including as Head of Educational Services from 1968 to 1979. His areas of specialization included teaching graduate level courses to prospective school administrators in School: Administration, Law, Finance, Public Relations, Instructional Supervision and Evaluation and Facility Construction. Bob was instrumental in promoting gender equity in School Administrators during the early 1970's by creating a program aimed at placing women into key administrative roles traditionally held by men. Most School Administrators in Montana during the past 30-plus years have been students of Bob's.
Since 1992, he continued an active role in public education by consulting to various Montana districts during their Administrator searches and, as a mediator and arbitrator for Special Education case hearings. Bob was serving as a Trustee of the Bozeman Public School Board at the time of his death. He was also on the Ft. Ellis Volunteer Fire Department. Bob enjoyed attending sporting events with Ruth and traveling the backroads of Montana to visit his many friends and favorite hunting and fishing spots. The accomplishment Bob was most proud of are his three sons and their wives.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his three sons and their wives, Kevin and Deb in Driggs, Idaho, Mark and Diane in Bozeman and Brete and Marie in Twin Bridges; and his sister, Yvette in Laconia, N.H.
Memorial Services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, at the Evangelical Free Church. Interment of ashes will follow in Sunset Hills cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, Memorial/Honor Program FH, One St. Jude Place Bldg., P0 Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, Tenn. 38148-0552; or to the Gallatin Valley Humane Society, 2125 N. Rouse, Bozeman, Mont. 59715.
H.H. Bill Todd
Houston Henry (H.H. Bill) Todd died suddenly in Billings on June 10, 1998, of a heart attack. Bill was born in Billings on May 24, 1921, to Jessie White Todd and Ammi B. Todd, the first street commissioner of Billings. He graduated from Billings Senior in 1939, and served as a sergeant major in the Army from 1942 through 1945 in the Aleutians and Northern France.
Bill worked in Billings for the Post Office, Pierce Packing, and as manager of Wonderland Park in the 1960s. He also owned Todd Outdoor Advertising. But Bill was a born salesman. For the last 40 years, he was an award-winning self-employed insurance agent and financial advisor. He was a pioneer in the group life insurance field and more recently concentrated on the mutual fund area. Bill was also known to many as the man behind the statewide yellow signs which proclaim: "Pay Taxes on Election Day."
Bill was a member of the Westside Baptist Church, Lions Club, Elks Club and the Shrine Temple. He served two terms on the Billings City Council. For the last 30 years he labored with love at his cabin in Fishtail and was dubbed the honorary mayor of Fishtail. With his wife, Donna, he loved puttering at the cabin, exploring the Beartooths and traveling around the West.
Bill is survived by his wife of 22 years, Donna Todd; his only child, Greg Todd and his wife, Lani of Billings; a stepdaughter, Sandra Deeds of Fort Collins, Colo.; a brother, Ray Todd of Cannon Falls, Minn.; a sister, Gertuude Boden of Tacoma, Wash; and two grandchildren, Kiely Todd of St. Paul, Minn., and Rachel Todd of Billings. Bill was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Hardin Todd, and his first wife, Beth Todd. Cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 15, at the Westside Baptist Church, Monad and 32nd St. W., followed by a dinner reception. Memorials can be made to the Westside Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
Roy 'Grandpa' Valdez Sr.
HARDIN - Roy "Grandpa" Valdez Sr., 91 of Hardin, passed away Friday afternoon, June 12, 1998, at the Big Horn County Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Michoacan, Mexico, on Aug. 27, 1906, a son of Rocendo and Ramona Camarillo Valdez. He migrated to the United States in 1922, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen on June 23, 1983. He had worked for several railroad companies making his way north to Clearmont, Wyo., where he met Priscilla Torrez. They were united in marriage in Sheridan on Aug. 22, 1928.
In 1940, he started farming and ranching in the Lodge Grass area and earned enough money during WWII to purchase land in the St. Xavier area in 1948. He raised sugar beets and cattle until retiring in 1979. Following his retirement, he moved to Hardin.
Roy loved the land and could not shake the farming out of his blood, so he roto-tilled one third of his yard to raise a garden. When not gardening, he enjoyed listening and playing music, dancing and playing cards with the grandchildren. Roy especially loved family gatherings, "oh yes, and killing weeds."
He was preceded in death by one son, Pete Valdez, in 1961, while in the U.S. Army; and one daughter, Marie Ornelas in 1971.
Survivors include his wife of over 69 years, Priscilla of Hardin; five daughters, Ruth Cabrera of Wapato, Wash., Lupe Watson of Billings, Ramona (Ted) Somdahl of Ogema, Minn., Anita (Leo) Harmon of Hardin, and Jessie (Larry) Ressler of Rock Springs, Wyo.; two sons, Eladio (Constance) Valdez of Hardin and Roy (Beverly) Valdez Jr. of Saint Xavier; 36 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.
Rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hardin. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Fabian Fehring, celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in the Fairview cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hardin, Mont.
Larry E. White
Larry E. White, 80 of Billings, passed away Friday, June 12, 1998, following a long struggle with cancer. He was born Oct. 22, 1917 in Carbondale, Ill., the son of Reverend W.T. and Fleta Roundtree White.
Larry was raised and educated in Carbondale. He enlisted in the United States Naval Air Corps immediately after Pearl Harbor in 1941, and served in the Southern Pacific Theatre until 1946. Larry met his wife, Jeanne, in Madison, Wisc. and they married
in nearby Manitowoc in 1946.
Following World War II, he and Jeanne moved to Emporia, Kan., where he owned and operated a men's clothing store for five years. Larry then became a factory representative for Campus Sportswear for 20 years. In 1961, Larry and his family moved to Billings and in 1965, he purchased and operated the Credit Bureau of Billings until his retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his sons, Larry E. White of San Francisco and W. Thomas White and his wife, Marilyn K. Dietrich of Minneapolis; his brother, Sam White and his wife Helen of Olathe, Kan.; four grandchildren Alisha, Zachary, Libby, and Drew; his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Ron Hoover of Billings; and his sister-in-law Mrs. Ralph Gunn of Janesville, Wisc.
Larry was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club, the Billings Petroleum Club, the Yellowstone Country Club, the Billings Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Association, Masonic Lodge 13, and other various organizations.
Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at the First Presbyterian Church. Private interment will be in Mountview cemetery. The casket is closed. Memorials may be directed to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 1049, Billings, Mont., 59103. Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Alderson Chapel has charge of arrangements.
