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Elzie C. Arnold
Elzie C. Arnold, 93, of Billings, died Friday, Aug. 21, 1998, at Valley Health Care Center.
Born Sept. 2, 1904, in Ardmore, Okla., he was the son of John B. Arnold and Vashti Corhn Arnold. He lived in Colorado and California and married
Velma Wertz in 1924 in San Bernardino, Calif. Velma and Elzie had two children, John R. Arnold and Wrenna Lee. Velma passed away in 1968. In 1976, he married
Ernid Hunke (Morin). Ernid passed away in 1996.
Elzie's business career began at age 15 at a fruit packing plant. When he was 16, he went to work on an oil drilling rig and at age 19 was a driller for Shell Oil. In 1921, he went to Sumatra as a driller and to Burma for British Oil Co. In 1942, he worked as a shipbuilder. In 1946, he went to work for the Brazilian government. In 1952, he worked for Union Oil in Turkey. In 1955, he went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission monitoring atomic blasts in the Nevada desert.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Lois Morin; sister, Emma Blouton; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Valley Health Care Center for their love and care.
Cremation has taken place. No services are planned.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Raymond 'Bud' Madler
HARDIN - Raymond "Bud" Madler, 77, of Hardin, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998, in the Sheridan (Wyo.) VA Medical Center.
He was born June 27, 1921, in Baker, a son of Ignatz and Margaret Petekoff Madler. After the death of his parents, he was raised by his brothers, Jose and Adolph. He grew up and attended schools in the Baker area.
Bud enlisted in the US Air Force in 1942, served during WW II as an aircraft mechanic and received his Honorable Discharge in 1946.
He married
Semona Van Daele on Jan. 8, 1947, in Miles City and the couple made their home in Hardin. He owned and operated Bud's Standard Service for over 18 years, receiving several quality of service awards from Standard Oil Co. His quality of work as a mechanic was well-known throughout the area. He later developed the Grandview Trailer Court and Madler Subdivision. From 1986-1988, he lived in Nevada, working at gold mines as a crusher mechanic and haul-truck driver before returning to Hardin.
Bud enjoyed collecting and restoring automobiles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Semona of Hardin; two daughters, Deb Eichhorn of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and Marge (Fred) Payne of Hardin; one son, Glenn (Kim) Madler of Nevada; four sisters, Florence Guess and Eva Tuttle of California, Tess Knotts of Great Falls and Jane Hammond of Miles City; eight grandchildren, Jesse, Jayme and Kelsey Madler, Rich Pantoja, Allan and Ryan Eichhorn, Mandy Shirasago and Billy Kogolshak; and three great-grandchildren, Mariah, Richie and Haley Pantoja.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow in the Hardin Fairview cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Elisabeth Dunn
Elisabeth Dunn, 78 of Billings, passed away Friday morning, Aug. 21, 1998, at her home.
Survivors include her beloved husband of 56 years, Dr. Cecil Dunn of Billings; her sons, Matthew Dunn and his wife, Sonjah of Billings and Peter Dunn and his wife, Sharon of Reno, Nev.; her daughter, Elisabeth Raley of Meeker, Colo.; and her grandchildren, Liza and her husband, Chris, Amanda, Alex, and Samantha.
Elisabeth will be greatly missed by her family and her loving dog, Toby. To honor her wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107. Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Heights Chapel has charge of arrangements.
Verna M. Gauthier
GLASGOW - Verna M. Gauthier, 68, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998, at her home in Glasgow of heart failure.
A Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at the church with interment in the Highland cemetery. Bell Mortuary of Glasgow is in charge.
Yvonne V. Smoker Broaddus
POPLAR - Yvonne V. Smoker Broaddus, (Indian names: "Brown Haired Woman" and "Little One"), of Poplar, formerly of Frazer, died Aug. 20, 1998, in Billings, at the Deaconess Hospital after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 58.
She was born Sept. 13, 1939, in Poplar, but grew up in Frazer and attended schools there, graduating from Frazer High School. She attended one year at Dawson College and one year of college in Albuquerque, N.M., at Southwestern Indian Polytechnich Institute. She worked as a cook for the Head Start program and Senior Citizens, and she also worked as a dispatcher for the BIA, a teacher's aid for beadwork at Frazer High School, and taught a quilting class in college.
She was a baptized member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Frazer. Yvonne was a Miss Indian American Pageant contestant when she was 18 years old. She was known for her beadwork and quilting, enjoyed reading and taking care of her plants. Yvonne was always volunteering to cook or do babysitting when needed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen J. and Ella A. (Red Boy) Smoker; adopted father, James McConnell Sr.; two brothers, Dale and Allyn H. Smoker; one sister, Pauline Roberts Smoker; and Loren Smoker (who she helped raise). She is survived by a daughter, Mandy Broaddus of Hanford, Calif.; adopted sons, Austin and August Spotted Wolf of Frazer; adopted daughter, Rose Smoker of Frazer; sisters, Vera Roberts Iron Man of Poplar, Bernice Smoker Turn Toes of Frazer; brothers, Kenneth R. Smoker of Poplar, Shirley D. Smoker of Wolf Point; adopted brothers, Jim McConnell Jr., Joe McConnell and Richard McConnell, all of Frazer; and adopted sisters, Dolly Stark of Poplar, Myrtice Redstone, Rosella Murdock, Ruth Todd and Florence Buck, all of Frazer.
Funeral service will be Monday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar with the Rev. Michael Schneider officiating. A vigil service will be Sunday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Riverside cemetery in Brockton. Clayton Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Berniece LaFranier
Our beloved mother and grandmother, Ruth, age 67, passed away Sept. 23, 1998, at her home. She had been in failing health.
Mom was born Aug. 3, 1931, in Billings, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Ludwig) Kortje. She attended Billings schools and had worked in the past. She enjoyed fishing, her yard, gardening, "Bingo" and traveling with family. On Oct. 16, 1948, she married
Francis LaFranier; he preceded her in death on Jan. 25, 1998. Also preceding her in death are her parents, three sisters and three brothers.
Survivors include two daughters, Carol Riggs and Janet LaFranier of Billings; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Eleanor LaFranier and Virginia Lehmann of Billings, Helen Lyons of Fortuna, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Mom - thanks for all the memories and times we shared. Now you can join dad in heaven. We'll miss you gramma.
Services 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at Smith Downtown Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Othilda 'Tillie' Blatter
GLASGOW - Othilda "Tillie" Blatter, 86, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998, at the Valley View Home.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at the Opheim Lutheran Church with interment in the Lawndale cemetery in Opheim. Bell Mortuary is in charge.
Donald H. Steen
BAKER - Donald H. Steen, 68, died Thursday, Sept. 24, 1998, at the Holy Rosary Health Care Center in Miles City.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in the chapel of Stevensons Funeral Home with interment in the Bonnievale cemetery.
Timothy Arthur Olson
HELENA - Timothy Arthur Olson, 33, of Helena, died suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998. Tim was born Feb. 5, 1965, and raised in Billings, the son of Ray and Mary Olson. In 1983, he graduated from Billings West High. He received his B.S. in civil engineering in 1989 from Montana State University in Bozeman and pursued his M.S. in environmental engineering in 1991. Then in April of 1998, he attained the designation of Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.). What a proud day!
In high school Tim was active in cross country, Key Club, National Honor Society and was a Boys State delegate in 1982. In college, Tim was RA in Langford Hall, receiving the award for Outstanding Male RA of the Year. Later he accepted the position of resident director (RD) of Roskie Hall. These experiences challenged and developed Tim's character. He was there whenever you needed him. Often Tim would see others' needs, step in, and get them handled now!
Tim was currently employed by Montana Department of Transportation in Helena in their Environmental Services Bureau where he enjoyed his work developing wetlands and working in the remediation of hazardous materials sites. In August, he was in Billings working the wetlands for the new interchange on Laurel Road and Interstate 90. He had been working for MDT for eight years.
The vicariously enjoyable stories Tim shared came from his adventurous experiences in Kodiak, Alaska, fish cannery, Tecate, Mexico, Christmas mission project, Denver street living experience, Sailing Beyond, Malibu, Castaway, leading Young Life, Portland police rides, and hunting with his brothers, brothers-in-law and friends. Tim was a man on the move, loved life, and was energized by "in your face" confrontations as well as creative, generous acts from his heart.
But all the achievements and accreditations aside, Tim's faith in Jesus Christ was the center point of his life. His bold and honest character brought the subject up with anyone he felt had the need. For those he touched, Tim would even in his death, want them to know Christ's saving grace.
Survivors include Tim's parents; his 10 brothers and sisters and spouses, Michelle of Billings, Don (Karen) of Redlands, Calif., Karen Marie of Billings, Denise Frey of Great Falls, Debbie (Mike) Sevier of Glendive, Diane of Billings, John (Joyce) of Billings, Paulette (Jack) DeLeonardo of Anacortes, Wash., Sharon (John) Pierre of Laramie, Wyo., and Kristie of Billings; and 14 deeply cherished nieces and nephews. Tim had such a jovial spirit, a great smile, a big hug for all, and a big heart.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at St. Pius X Church. Should friends desire, memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to St. Pius X Church, 717 18th St. W., Billings, MT 59102, or Young Life of Montana, 402 N. 32nd, Billings, MT 59101. Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Albert R. Lawson
LIVINGSTON - Albert R. Lawson, 89, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1998, at the Livingston Memorial Hospital.
Cremation has taken place. A graveside memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Mountain View cemetery. Chuck Nicholson is in charge.
Ellen Josephine Berlinger
KALISPELL - Ellen Josephine Berlinger, age 56, formerly of Billings, died on Sunday, Sept. 20, 1998, in a car accident at Clearwater Junction. She was born June 27, 1942, at Great Falls, to Melvin E. and Irene M. Ferguson.
She was raised and received her early education in Billings, graduating from high school there. She married
Frank Weikal in 1961. She later divorced Frank. She moved to the Flathead Valley about 1980 where she attended Flathead Community College. She met Charles Berlinger and they were married
Feb. 19, 1983.
She served with Honors in the Women of the Moose organization and was honored by receiving Senior Regent of the Year in 1997. She worked five years for Windward Place in Kalispell helping the older people and the handicapped which she loved. Ellen will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her father and husband, and is now survived by three sons: Rick and Roy Weikal and Shane Berlinger, all of Kalispell; mother, Irene Ferguson of Kalispell, sister, Ruth M. Kohlenberger of Helena; brother, Roy E. Ferguson of Billings; four stepchildren and seven grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Little Brown Church in Bigfork. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. A reception will follow the burial at the Moose Lodge in Kalispell. The family suggests memorials be given to Windward Place, 245 Windward Way, Kalispell, MT 59901. Arrangements are by the Johnson Mortuary & Crematory.
Virginia Hanson
LONGVIEW, Wash. - Virginia Hanson, 82, formerly of Big Timber, Mont., died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1998, in Longview.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at the Big Timber Lutheran Church with interment of ashes in the Big Timber Mountain View cemetery. Chuck Nicholson of Livingston, Mont., is in charge.
Dolly Moore
MILES CITY - Dolly Moore, 63, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998, at her daughter's home in Spokane, Wash.
Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Assembly of God Church. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Daneville cemetery in Daneville, N.D. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.
Edna J. Rittierodt
MELSTONE - Edna J. Rittierodt, 80, of Melstone, entered her eternal home on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Deaconess Hospital in Billings.
Edna was born on Aug. 5, 1918, in Klein, to Anton and Rosella Miklich. She married
Oscar L. Rittierodt on March 20, 1940, in Billings.
Edna was a person who touched and affected the lives of nearly everyone she met. Her example of Christian faith and trust served as an inspiration to many. She was involved in her community and in Faith Lutheran Church of Melstone from the day of its formation, serving as a member and officer of the Ladies' Aid and as a Sunday School teacher until the time of her death.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oscar; one brother, Anton; four sisters, Rose Hall, Josephine Miklich, Agnes Drake, and Frances Rye; and one grandson, Corey Meredith.
She is survived by her brother, John Miklich of Roundup; two daughters, Frances (Jerome) Hecker of Forsyth and Rosella (Wayne) Meredith of Melstone; four sons, Bill (Judy) of Puyallup, Wash., David (Donna) of Seattle, Wash., John (Sue) of Lake Geneva, Wis., and Bob (Terri) of Reedpoint; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
God gave her to us, and she led us to God.
The family requests that any memorials be given to Faith Lutheran Church of Melstone or charity of your choice.
Viewing at Wier Funeral Chapel 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 1998. Funeral Services 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998, at Faith Lutheran Church in Melstone. Interment at the Melstone City cemetery. Wier Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Darald Duane Stephens
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Darald Duane Stephens, 47, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1998, at Deaconess Hospital in Billings.
Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Kane Funeral Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Calvary Baptist Church with interment in the Sheridan Municipal cemetery.
Esther O. McRae
AUBURN, Wash. - Esther O. McRae, 95, of Auburn, formerly of Forsyth, Mont., died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1998, in Auburn.
Esther was born Aug. 21, 1903, in Glencoe, Minn., the daughter of Gullik and Leonora Anderson Jaastad. She spent her youth and attended schools in Minnesota, North Dakota and Eastern Montana, graduating from high school in Cando, N.D. Esther attended Billings Normal College, earning her teaching degree. She moved to Cartersville in the early 1930s where she taught school.
On May 26, 1936, Esther married
Gordon McRae in Miles City. They ranched and farmed near Forsyth with Esther teaching for a year in Rosebud during 1943-1944. They later moved to Forsyth where Esther worked in the Rosebud County Assessor's Office as well as being a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Following her husband Gordon's death in 1977, Esther continued to live in Forsyth with the exception of the last seven years, moving to the state of Washington to be near her children.
She is survived by her three children, Calvin (Edith) McRae of Thorp, Christian (Marie) McRae of LeMesa, Calif., and Vivian (John) Wilcox of Auburn; four sisters, Winnifred (Bill) Lloyd of Rosebud, Lenora Wilkie of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mildred Wolf of Grenada, Calif., and Lorna Unseth of West Bend, Wis.; five grandsons, Travis (Sandi) McRae of Portland, Ore., Cory (Camilla) McRae of Billings, Bradley McRae of Woodinville, Ben Wilcox of Seattle, and Dwight Wilcox of the United States Marine Corps. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and one sister, Christian, Hartman and Viola Jaastad, all of Bemidji, Minn.
Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998, at the Forsyth cemetery. Family and friends are asked to meet at the Beals Mortuary Chapel at 10:45 a.m. before proceeding to the cemetery. Beals Mortuary of Forsyth is in charge of the local arrangements.
