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Diamond G. Pickard
CANAAN, N.H. - Diamond G. Pickard, 48, a former Billings resident, died suddenly on Dec. 1 while working in Lebanon.
He and his wife, Holly, were residents of Billings for 13 years before moving to Canaan 10 years ago. He would best be remembered for his collecting and trading motorcycles, cars, tools and parts in the Billings area.
In addition to his wife, Holly of Canaan, he leaves a daughter, Megan of Canaan, his mother, grandmother, a sister and two brothers.
Funeral Services will be held in Canaan on Saturday, Dec. 5. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Megan Pickard Scholarship Fund, c/o Mary Bailey, Mascoma Savings Bank, Church Street, Canaan, N.H. 03741. Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.
John A. 'Jack' Knoop
SIDNEY - Funeral services for John A. "Jack" Knoop, 73, Sidney will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 1998, at the Lonsdale United Methodist Church, Sidney, with Pastor John Ulrich and Pastor Ron Masters of the Assembly of God Church officiating. Music will be provided by: Elaine Fowler, Arveda Fischer and Beverley Peterson. Casketbearers will be: Bob Dasinger, Howard Hunke, Lloyd Riggins, Dale Nesper, Phil Petrik and Harold Haffner. Honorary Casketbearers will be all of Jack's many friends and neighbors. Ushers will be Matt Dasinger and George Sweley. Interment will be in the Sidney cemetery, with Military Honors by the V.F.W. Post No. 4099, Sidney, under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
John A. "Jack" Knoop was born Dec. 23, 1924, in Sidney, to parents Walter A. and Anna (Johnson) Knoop. Jack attended Sidney schools and graduated from Sidney High School with the Class of 1942. When Jack was 17 years of age he received his pilot's license. After high school he went to Lincoln, Neb., where he attended Lincoln Aeronautical Institute, graduating in July of 1943. On Sept. 22, 1944, Jack entered the Army Air Corp and was later transferred to the infantry with the 32nd Infantry Division. During World War II he served in the Philippines and later in Japan during the Japanese occupation. Jack received one of the swords from a Japanese officer during the surrender ceremony of General Yamashita (also known as "Gopher of Luzo and Tiger of Malaya"). Jack was discharged on Nov. 24, 1946, and returned to Sidney.
He attended the University of Montana Pharmacy School, graduating in 1952. He met his wife, Joan, while attending college; they were united in marriage on Aug. 15, 1952. They returned to Sidney, where he worked with his parents in the Sidney Drug Store as a pharmacist. Jack retired and sold the business in 1989.
Jack especially enjoyed flying, going to the airport, gun collecting, buying and selling guns, and having coffee with his many friends. He enjoyed evening drives with Joan. Flying was Jack's favorite pasttime and he flew to Mexico a couple times.
Jack was a member of the Lonsdale United Methodist Church, Al Bedoo Shrine, active in the Sidney Chamber of Commerce where he served as president and was on the Montana State Welfare Board with Gov. Nutter. Jack received the Montana Bowl of Hygeia award in 1963.
John A. "Jack" Knoop died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at the Sidney Health Center.
Jack is survived by his wife, Joan, Sidney; two sons, Stephen Knoop, Glendive and John Knoop and (Kari), Sidney; three daughters, Deborah "Debbie" and (Wade) Huravitch, Spokane, Wash., Laurel "Laurie" Browning, Spokane, and Kristin Knoop, Sidney; six grandchildren, JeNette, Angie and John Knoop Jr., Nikki, Mandee and Matt Browning.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Anna Knoop.
The Reverend Edwin Clayton Speare
LAUREL - The Reverend Edwin C. Speare died peacefully Monday, Nov. 30, at Deaconess Hospital in Billings. A long time Laurel resident, Ed was born in Billings on Oct. 18, 1924, to Edwin C. and Henrietta Speare. He attended Laurel schools, graduating in 1942.
Ed attended Montana State College (Bozeman) until interrupted by World War II. He served in the Army (66th Division) as a machine gunner in France, Germany, and Austria. Upon his return from Europe, Ed married
his high school sweetheart, Georgia Green, on June 29, 1946. He graduated from Montana State in June, 1949 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.
Ed worked for Bonneville Power and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and lived in Portland and Spokane before returning to Laurel to continue work for the Bureau of Reclamation, later Western Area Power Administration, under the Department of Energy. He retired in 1980 after 34 years of government service.
Although always active in the Episcopal Church, Ed answered the Lord's call to the ministry and was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 11, 1984. Fr. Speare served his many good friends at St. Alban's, Laurel; the Church of the Good Shepherd, Bridger; St. John's, Powell; St. Luke's, Billings; and St. Stephen's, Billings. The greatest joys of his life were his family and friends, preaching the Good News of the Gospel, and serving at the Lord's Table in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Ed is survived by his loving wife, Georgia; sons, Edwin C. III (Suzy) and Robert (Bonnie); daughter, Laura (Roger) Schillinger; grandchildren, Rebecca, Edwin C. IV, Sarah, Amy, Megan, and Betsy; great-granddaughter, Chantel; brother, Judge William J. Speare (Shirley); cousins, Roberta Sotelo, Rachel Harder, and Donna (Tom) Kilpatrick; numerous nephews and nieces including James Vermeulen, William J. Speare II, Peggy Jalenk and Heather Speare; and life-long friend, James W. Cusick. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Miller.
A friend to all, pastor to countless souls, we will miss Ed's great joy for life and his sense of humor. "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Dad, you are our hero.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 13th St. West and Crawford Drive in Billings. Interment to follow at Mountview cemetery. Visitation will start 9 a.m. Wednesday at Smith's West Chapel, 304 34th St. W.
Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's or St. Luke's Episcopal Church or charity of choice.
Lloyd O. Pederson
MISSOULA - Lloyd Odmar Pederson, 83, died Thursday, Nov. 26, 1998, at Evergreen of Missoula Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.
Lloyd was born March 24, 1915, in a railroad section house in Huntley, the fifth of eight children of Norwegian immigrants Ole and Marie Pederson. His father died when he was young and he was raised by his mother and siblings.
Lloyd graduated from Huntley Project High School and worked for the railroad as a youngster during the summers.
He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps when he was 17 and worked as a cook in camps at Deep Creek near Darby and Nine Mile, west of Missoula. He also worked as a cook at the Happy Bungalow supper club west of Missoula before returning to Billings.
Lloyd married
Katherine B. Bunston, June 14, 1941, in Billings. He took a job as a cook at the City Drive-In at the corner of 4th and 30th in Billings, but they soon left for California to join his brother Ole and wife, Grace, at a job in an airplane assembly plant in San Diego.
Lloyd and Kay moved back to Hardin in 1943 and farmed at the Bunston family farm north of town. In 1948, they moved to Billings where Lloyd went to work for the construction company building the Continental Oil Refinery. After the construction was completed, Lloyd signed on with Conoco and stayed with them until his retirement in 1977. He was a member of the Pryor Mountain Lodge No. 151.
His beloved wife, Katherine, died in 1991. Lloyd then moved to Missoula in 1992 to be closer to his son, Larry and daughter-in-law, Bette Jean (Wise). Although he suffered from Alzheimer's Disease for many years, Lloyd made many new friends while in Missoula and was a favorite among the staff at Evergreen Nursing Home for the last two years. Previous to entering Evergreen, Lloyd was fortunate to have a caregiver, Anna Hartman, who took good care of him and loved to cook him special meals, including his Norwegian favorites.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his stepfather, Lawrence Osness; brothers, Olaf, Irvin and Paul; and sisters, Margit and Helga.
Survivors include four sons, Lawrence and his wife, Bette Jean, Missoula, Howard and his wife, Carlene, Edwardsville, Ill., Kevin and his wife, Linda, Omaha, Neb., and Brent and his wife, Hana, Fremont, Calif.; a brother, Arthur, Las Vegas, N.M.; a sister, Dolly Zahller, Pompeys Pillar; a sister-in-law, Grace (Olaf) Pederson, Billings, a sister-in-law, Louise (Irvin Pederson) Goodwin, Yuma, Ariz.; three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and various nieces and nephews.
A memorial reception and luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 14, 1998, at the Al-Bedoo Shrine Temple Lodge Room, 1125 Broadwater Ave. in Billings. Private burial will be at the family plot at Hardin cemetery.
The family requests memorials to the Helene Barnett Memorial Scholarship Fund (Huntley Project High School), P.O. Box 80062, Billings, MT 59108, or to the charity of your choice. No flowers please.
Lois Holley DeVerniero
Lifelong Billings resident, Lois Holley DeVerniero died Thursday morning, Nov. 26, 1998, at home, attended by her loving family. Lois was born in Billings on Aug. 16, 1922, to Neva Kirby Holley and Russel A. Holley, at their family home on North 30th Street. She attended Billings public schools and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1940. After high school graduation, she attended Montana State College in Bozeman, where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.
In 1942, to support the American war effort, Lois took a job with the A.C.S. Signal Corp as a radio-telephone operator. She was stationed in Prince Rupert, B.C., and later in Anchorage, Alaska. While in Anchorage, she met Corporal Emanuel DeVerniero, whom she married
on March 24, 1945. After the war, the couple moved back to Billings.
Lois raised her family and assisted her mother in the care of her father, who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, until such time as it was necessary for her to care for both of her aging parents. During these years, she worked evenings as a records clerk at the Billings Clinic. After retiring from the Clinic, she worked in several medical offices before becoming the office manager for Dr. Ted Chemodurow. She worked for Dr. Chemodurow until his death in 1995.
Lois was a lifelong student of ancient history. She was able to complete her lifetime goal of researching and writing a chronological history of all 30 Egyptian dynasties. She was still working on a timeline comparing ancient Greece and Rome with the Egyptian dynasties. She was preceded in death by her parents and her only sister, Neva Jean Thomas.
Lois is survived by her husband, Emanuel (Dee) DeVerniero; her son, Russell and his wife, Donna of Seattle; three grandchildren, Cathy Swan, Tina DeVerniero and John DeVerniero; and four great-grandchildren, Samantha and Jacob Swan, Amanda DeVerniero and Victoria DeVerniero, all of Billings. She is also survived by her niece, Deedie Thomas Sorensen of Juneau, Alaska. Deedie was very close to her Aunt Lois throughout her life, but especially when she became ill. Deedie nurtured and cared for her aunt both at a distance and in person until her death.
Memorial Services to celebrate her life will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 1998, at Michelotti, Sawyers and Nordquist Alderson Chapel. Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107 or the Animal Welfare League, Box 21427, Billings, MT 59104.
James Charles Griebel
James Charles Griebel, 64, of Billings died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, peacefully at home after a year-long courageous battle with cancer. He was born April 1, 1934, in Billings, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Stieber Griebel. Jim graduated from Senior High and lived in Billings his entire life. In 1954 he married
Jacqueline M. Kelly. Jim later married
Rose Ann Berger Hoffmann in Billings on Feb. 17, 1979. He was employed by Pierce Packing for 23 years. He later worked for St. John's Lutheran Home from May of 1976 until retirement in 1997 due to ill health.
He was a member of the Little Flower Catholic Church and had belonged to the Moose Lodge and Yellowstone Rifle Club. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing music in dance bands.
Survivors include his wife, Rose Ann; two sons, David Griebel of Great Falls and Dwight (Deb) Griebel of Henderson, Nev.; two stepsons, Bob (Janine) Hoffmann of Redmond, Wash., and John (Colleen) Hoffmann of Billings; one stepdaughter, Patty (Byron) Shinazy of Billings; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Vigil service is 7 p.m. Wednesday and Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Little Flower Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Home, Little Flower Catholic Church, or Big Sky Hospice. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Pauline Steffan
EDGAR - Pauline Steffan, 86, of Edgar, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, at the Evergreen Laurel Health & Rehabilitation Center.
She was a daughter of Peter and Molly Koch Thaut, born Jan. 10, 1912, at Billings.
She spent her childhood in Ritzville, Wash., until the family moved back to Montana near Joliet at the age of 18.
She and her family, being very musically inclined, performed at the Billings Fox Theater.
She married
Samuel Steffan Jr., Sept. 1, 1937, at Billings. The couple then farmed in the Edgar area for 30 years. They then moved into Edgar.
Pauline was a member of the Fromberg United Methodist Church. She sold Avon products for many years in the Clark's Fork Valley.
She is survived by a daughter: Maris (Louie) Bauwens of Fromberg; two sons: Monte (Sandra) Steffan of Billings and Sam (Karen) Steffan of Great Falls; a sister: Mary (Babe) Beals of Edgar; a brother: Reinold Thaut of Vancouver, Wash.; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter.
Pauline was preceded in death by her husband, Sam, three sisters, and two grandsons.
Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998, at Fromberg United Methodist Church. Interment at Rockvale cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Fromberg United Methodist Church. Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel is in charge of arrangements.
Harold Brensdal
PLENTYWOOD - Funeral services for Harold Brensdal will be held at 1 p.m. Friday. Pastor Barbara Westhoff will officiate at the service at St. John's Lutheran Church east of Plentywood; interment will be in St. John's cemetery. Harold, 80, died of heart failure at Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Plentywood early Tuesday morning, Dec. 1, 1998.
Harold was born Feb. 26, 1918, at Saco, the son of Peder and Bergitte (Solberg) Brensdal. In 1927 the family moved to a farm northeast of Antelope; Harold attended the Alcott grade school there, graduated from Comertown High School, and majored in pharmacy in college. He attended two years at Northern Montana College in Havre, and two at the University of Montana in Missoula. He left school to help his family, and has farmed in the Antelope community since.
He was a member of St. John's Church, and was active in community affairs. He maintained the family home and heritage even as he believed that our youth are the future of our communities; and was always willing to help young people in any way he could: with schoolwork or just an understanding visit and a pat on the back.
He could read a textbook, and immediately knew the material; he kept up with pharmacy developments, personal computers, higher mathematics, and constantly exercised his remarkable memory. He was a skilled welder, carpenter, and electrician ... he could do it all! He had a sharp sense of humor, loved to meet people, visit over a cup of coffee, and go dancing, especially square dancing. Even as a child, he helped care for his younger brothers and sisters; and since his father's death has remained the center of his strong, close-knit family.
Harold is survived by six brothers and sisters and their families: Trygve and his wife, Eileen of Columbus; Judy, and her husband, Howard Osmundson of Huntley; Borgny and her husband, Robert Dahl of Plentywood; Hulda Brensdal of Antelope; Bjarne and his wife, Ruth of Plentywood; and Ozzie and his wife, Joyce of Westby. He is also survived by 22 nephews and nieces, 26 grandnephews and nieces, and numerous cousins. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty, who died shortly after her birth, and Lillian, who died in 1982.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of arrangements.
Gordon Floyd Marak
Gordon Floyd Marak, 56, of Billings, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at his home.
He was born in Rapid City, S.D., Nov. 25, 1942, a son of Clarence and Iris Marak. He entered the United States Navy in 1960, where he was trained as an Air Traffic Controller. He was a graduate of the first Top Gun class offered to Air Traffic Controllers, and later went on to become an instructor at Top Gun. He retired from the Navy in 1980 after 20 years of service.
After retiring, he and his family settled in Billings, where he attended Culinary Arts School, and became a member of the Montana Chef's Association. He went on to become Sous Chef at Yellowstone Country Club and then Chef at Briarwood Country Club for several years before going on to pursue other business interests. He was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church and VFW Post #1634. In life Gordon enjoyed many things, including cooking, spending time with his family, sporting events, bowling, and a special love for golf.
He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Dona Lee; one son, C. Tyrel Marak and his wife, Wendi; two daughters, Ninette Lilenthal and her husband, Ronald, and Shellie Gallagher and her husband, Don; and five grandchildren, Whytni, Chandra, Daphnie, Katherine and Ryan; his mother, Iris Marak; two brothers, Ronald and Charles; and one sister, Charlotte L'auzon.
Memorial Services will be held Sunday, Dec. 6, 1998, at 3 p.m. at Shiloh United Methodist Church of Billings, Pastor Barry Padget officiating. Inurnment will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Stephen Ray Babcock
BOZEMAN - Stephen Ray Babcock, 21, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings.
Stephen was born Nov. 21, 1977, in Bozeman. He grew up in Bridger Canyon. Early in his life, he shared his love of video games with his dad and sister. Stephen attended Hawthorne, Willson, and graduated from Bozeman High School in June of 1996. He played tuba in the Bozeman High marching band and was a member of the band that made the original audition tape qualifying the band to participate in this year's Rose Bowl parade.
Stephen enjoyed track, music, computers, and his friends during high school. He was a student at MSU-Bozeman in his third year with a major in photography and theater arts. It was at MSU-Bozeman that he found his true love creating pictures.
He had been working the last year as a manager at McDonald's restaurant. On Dec. 13, 1998, Stephen fell while ice skating at the annual company Christmas party. He severely injured his head which caused extensive internal bleeding. After being rushed to the local hospital emergency room, he was airlifted to Billings where he fought for nine days to recover from the injury. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, his strong heart stopped and he died quietly and peacefully.
He is survived by his parents, Ray and Sally (Larson) Babcock, and sister, Mary Elizabeth Babcock of Bozeman; grandmothers, Daun Babcock Howser of Palm Springs, Calif., and Virginia Marich Larson of Thompson Falls. Aunts and uncles include Jon and Nami Babcock of Thompson Falls, Betsy Babcock of Thompson Falls, Edward and Nancy Larson of Sidney, Susan Larson Kuntz, Missoula, and Ron Kuntz, Wallace, Idaho. Cousins include Michael Babcock, Sarah Babcock, Henry Babcock, Lena Babcock, Kenneth Larson, Erick Larson, Michael Kuntz, John Kuntz, and Cindy Kuntz. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Stephen D. Babcock and Kenneth H. Larson of Thompson Falls, and his step-grandfather, Kenneth Howser of Spokane, Wash. Well done, son! You are greatly missed!
Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, Dec. 26, 1998, at the United Methodist Church, 121 S. Willson Ave., Bozeman. There will be a visitation at the Dokken-Nelson Sunset Chapel from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday. Donations may be made to the MSU Foundation, 1501 S. 11th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59717.
