Search Archived Marriage Records
Joan LeProwse, 70
BOZEMAN -- Joan Agnes Kumor LeProwse died Friday due to a pulmonary embolism she suffered on Sept. 16. She leaves her loving husband and family.
She was born in Sheridan, Wyo., on Sept. 23, 1929, daughter of Ray Kumor and Mae Aldridge Kumor Scollard. Joan and husband Tom began their 53 years together eloping after the first East-West Shrine Football Game in which Tom was starting captain for the West team.
Joan attended the Holy Name School, Sheridan, Wyo., Fratt Catholic School, Billings, and she was in the first freshman class of Billings Central Catholic High. She graduated from Butte High in 1947.
Joan worked at Mountain Bell Telephone Co. while putting Tom through Montana State College. She then raised her family. Later she worked at Tom Holdsworth's egg farm. She began working at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital in 1974 retiring after 25 years in July 1999. She retired as director of Central Supply in charge of purchasing of all supplies and equipment for the hospital.
Joan was active in her children's academic achievements, specifically promoting awareness in dyslexic studies. Joan was an extremely dynamic member of the community. She was an energetic volunteer in a multitude of Bozeman High athletic events, including Hawk wrestling, football, swimming, gymnastics and track. She was an avid sup porter of twirling and cheerleading. She promoted and chaperoned her children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces, her god children and their teammates for sporting and other activities. Each year she attended class AA, A, B, and C high school events, and Division I and II college sporting events. She enjoyed attending NFL foot ball games and attended the last 14 Super Bowls. She was a Hawk and Bobcat booster, a member of the Century Club and Steer-A-Year Club. She was also active in Bozeman's Sweet Pea Festival activities.
Joan was an avid knitter, winning blue ribbons at the Winter Fair. She loved gardening and canning. She was a member of the Winter Fair Board of Directors and a vol unteer at the Pioneer Museum. In addition, in 1980 she was inducted into the Montana Winter Fair Hall of Fame, and was recognized for her faithful service as a member of the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs from 1971-79. She belonged to Women's Eagles Auxiliary and associated with the Bozeman Elks for the past 40 years. Joan was a volunteer partici pant in the National Osteoporosis Association and believed strongly in organ donorship.
Joan is survived by the love of her life, husband, Tom; daughters, Sandra Wright, husband George and children Kristine and Travis and his wife Jennifer, Sheryl Christophersen, husband Kim and children Bill and Lindsay, Sheila and fianc'e David Pestcoe; son, Scott and his wife Teresa; and son Stacey; sister, Barbara Fisher and her husband Jim, nephew Robert Olson and his family and niece Lisa Edwards and her family.
Joan is also survived by stepmother, Mary Lou Kumor, mother-in-law, Helen LeProwse, brothers-in-law, William LeProwse and his wife Lois, their children and grandchildren, Robert LeProwse and his wife Lola and their children and grand children, James LeProwse and his wife Judy and their children and grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Beverly LeProwse and Margaret Strauss and her husband James and their children and grandchildren; god children, Jeremiah Brisban and Christopher Backman, and many very special friends of the family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and grand daughter, Shelby Rae Christophersen, father-in-law, Archie LeProwse, brother-in-law, Albert LeProwse, and sis ter-in-law, Ruth LeProwse Brown.
Visitation at Dahl Funeral Chapel is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday. Vigil service at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Bozeman is 7 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral Liturgy at the church is 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Cremation will follow services; interment of urn in Sunset Hills cemetery is Thursday.
Memorials: Diabetes Association, 2525 Sixth Ave. N., Billings, or Our Lady of the Rockies, Box 668, Butte 59703.
Phyllis Warnke, 85
BOULDER -- Phyllis P. Warnke of Boulder died Friday in the Helena hospital.
She was born Nov. 20, 1914, at Fairmont, Minn., to Oscar and Pearl (Jennings) Lighthizer. She was reared in Minnesota and graduated from high school in Bismarck, N.D. She later received a secretarial degree. She married
Albert A. Hintz. They moved during World War II to Alaska where she worked in civil service. She then moved to Florida for a short time in 1953.
Her husband died Jan. 7, 1956. She returned to Bismarck, where she met and married
Roy Warnke. He died Nov. 17, 1974. She moved to Boulder in 1991 with her son, Albert Hintz, who owns and operates the Windsor Properties.
Survivors include daughters, Donna DeRoberts and Phyllis Meyers, both of Seattle, Carol Jander of Minnesota; son, Albert of Boulder; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grand son.
Memorial services are 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Scott Funeral Home in Boulder with the Rev. Gail Everson officiating. Burial will be in Minnesota.
Memorials: American Cancer Society
Archie H. Stigen, 83
TONOPAH, NEV. -- Archie Stigen, 83, died on Dec. 2, 2000, at the Nye Regional Medical Center in Tonopah, Nev. He was a resident of Nevada since June 2000.
He was born in Williston, N.D. on March 22, 1917 to Peder and Anna Hansen Stigen. His mother died when Archie was a young child. He attended schools in North Dakota, and worked on several area farms before he joined the U.S. Army on March 29, 1941.
His military occupation was as a cook. He completed an eight-week course at the Cooks and Bakers school at Fort Riley, Kan. After his leaving the military on Nov. 14,1945, he met and married
Myrtle Lillian Jacobson. Together they had three children.
They made their home in several towns while working for Peter Kewit & Son Construction Co. for 14 years. They moved to Whitehall, where Archie worked for the Anaconda Co. in Butte as a mechanic. He later transferred to Anaconda, as a smeltermen, where he was employed for 14 years, making their home in Opportunity, and west of Anaconda.
He enjoyed his children and grandchildren very much. Loved working on old cars, camping, fishing, and hauling wood. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and his loving wife of 42 years, Myrtle, who passed away July of 1991.
He is survived by daughter, Ardelle "Sue" Pickering, of Great Falls; sons and daughter-in-laws, Kevin & Georgia Stigen, of Deer Lodge, Gene & Tami Stigen, of Round Mountain, Nev; his stepdaughter Madelyn and Art Bucholz, of Great Falls; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; brother Irvin Stigen of Grand Forks, N.D.; sister Julia Bakken of Hillsboro, N.D.; and several nephews, and nieces. Cremation has taken place. There will be no services at his request.
There will be a memorial at a later date.
Alice Walund, 86
Alice Agnes Walund died April 6 in Tigard, Ore.
She was born Feb. 20, 1915, to Katie and Emil Dierenfeldt in Eureka, S.D. She and Oscar Walund were married
June 8, 1938. They lived in South Dakota, Silver Star and Butte before she moved to Tigard in 1991.
Alice worked at Metals Bank, Security Bank and Ward Thompson Paper Company in Butte. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Daughters of Norway and Gold Hill Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1983; brothers, Fred and Otto Dierenfeldt; sister, Gertrude Becker; and daughter-in-law, Donna Walund.
Survivors include her chil dren and their spouses, Kay and George Daugherty, Tom Walund, Debbie and Brian Sullivan, Dean and Lori Walund; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Herman and Jean Dierenfeldt; sister-in-law, Agnes Dierenfeldt; brother-in-law, Jacob Becker; brother-in-law and sister-inlaw, Lloyd and Dorothy Walund; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may call Friday evening between 5 and 7 p.m. at the chapel of the Duggan Dolan Mortuary. Funeral services will be con ducted Saturday, April 14, at 11 a.m. in Gold Hill Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorials: Alzheimer's Association, Hospice or donor's choice.
Dr. Leonard Vainio, 62
Dr. Leonard E. Vainio died Tuesday from injuries received in a two-vehicle accident in Missoula County.
The son of Leonard W. and Marie (Walsh) Vainio, he was born Feb. 3, 1939, in Butte. From the start of his education at St. John's Elementary in Butte, Leonard excelled in scholastics. He graduated from St. John's Elementary and Boy's Central. He was valedictorian for the class of 1957 and was recipient of several scholastic scholarships.
Leonard was active in youth activities in Butte, excelling in baseball and basketball. His baseball career included American Legion, Seattle University and the Copper League. He was one of Butte's premier shortstops. In the 1960s, he taught a ``baseball school" for Butte youths, training them in the fundamentals of the sport.
Leonard's basketball achievements were highlighted by membership on the 1956 Butte Central ``Big 32" state championship team. As the championship game fell on St. Patrick's Day, the team appeared on the floor in green uniforms to the delight of the crowd. This 1956 champion team was inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Boy's Central, Leonard attended Seattle University on a baseball and basketball scholarship. Also playing on the Seattle University team was NBA fall-of-famer Elgin Baylor.
Leonard attended the University of Washington Dental School for one year. While possession excellent gross motor skills, Leonard decided his fine motor skills required for caring teeth were not up to par, so he elected to attend optometric school. He received his bachelors degree and doctor of optometry degrees from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., in 1964.
In 1965, after returning to his hometown of Butte, he acquired the existing optometic practice of Dr. R.C. Haser. He later expand ed this practice with the addition of satellite offices in Sheridan and Whitehall.
Leonard followed his father's political aspirations and was elected a state senator from Silver Bow County in 1970 and served its citizens during the 56th legislative session. He was instrumental in securing funding for construction of the existing Mining/Geology building and library at Montana Tech.
Together with his brother, Dr. David Vainio, Leonard cofounded the American Eye Care Centers. Through this organization, the optometric practice was extended to most major Montana cities and Washington. Leonard was traveling to see patients at the Polson office at the time of the accident.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kate and John Walsh, Isaac and Amelia Vainio; his parents; and brother, Larry.
He is survived by his sister, Patsy Terry of Bozeman; brother and sister-in-law, David and Marie Vainio of Butte; brother, Kevin Vainio of Butte; nieces and nephews, Paul Nepine Jr., Paula and Chip Holland, Patrick ``P.J." and Traci Nepine, all of Bozeman, Lauren, David and Lindsay Vainio, of Butte, and Katie Vainio of Boulder; aunts and uncles, Bettie and Louis Matesich and Joe and Helen Walsh, all of Butte; and numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and business associates.
We love him and will surely miss him and his exuberant spirit and personality. There'll never be another uncle or brother ``Lenny."
Relatives and friends may call between 9:30 and 11 a.m. Monday in Holy Spirit Church for visitations. Liturgy of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church. Interment will be in Holy Cross cemetery.
Memorials: Butte Central Athletics, Holy Spirit Church, Our Lady of the Rockies or donor's choice.
Cressie Alley, 86
WHITEHALL -- Cressie Alley died Friday in Butte.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Whitehall. Interment will follow in the Whitehall cemetery.
Cressie was born near Cardwell Dec. 12, 1914. She lived all her life in Butte, Boulder, Whitehall at Pipestone Hot Springs and Helena.
She was an active Republican and a member of the Eastern Star. Cressie belonged to the Whitehall Saddle Club, V Club, Helena Garden Club and Whitehall Bowling League. She enjoyed gardening, collecting china and glassware, history, reading, politics and jury duty.
She was preceded in death by an infant son; parents, Roy and Lydia Edwards; brother, Henry ``Dutch" Edwards; aunts, Mabel Manion and Pearl Rogers; and husband, John C. Alley.
Cressie is survived by her children and their spouses, Carol Douglas, Libby, Jim and Nancy Alley, Jennifer and Don Hoerauf, and Jeff and Leslie Alley, all of Whitehall; grandchildren, Steve Douglas, Vancouver, Wash., Bob Hoerauf, Whitehall, Dawn Douglas, Hoboken, N.J., Robyn Hoerauf, Helena, Jim Alley, Bozeman, Kevin Alley, Butte, Eric Alley and Chris Alley, attending Montana State University at Bozeman, and Tara Alley, Whitehall; great-grandchildren, Danyelle and Isabella Douglas, Vancouver, and Dillon and Dawson Hoerauf, Whitehall.
Memorials: Shriner's Hospital, Trinity United Methodist Church of Whitehall, or charity of the donor's choice.
Scott Funeral Home of Whitehall is in charge of arrangements.
Judy Connolly, 63
ANACONDA -- Judy Lee Connolly died Thursday evening at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula after suffering a massive stroke.
She was born June 2, 1938, in Glasgow, to Clayton and Tomina (Smette) Goheen. In 1949 the family moved to Anaconda. Judy graduated from Anaconda High School in 1956 and attended Butte Business College.
In 1958, she married
William Connolly at the Anaconda Our Savior Lutheran Church. Judy was a devoted wife and mother of their two sons.
She belonged to the Hope Lutheran Church and enjoyed painting, ceramics, needle work and doll collecting, but her greatest love was spending time with family, especial ly her three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Survivors include her husband William, Anaconda; sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Kora, Laurel, and Mark and Kristie, Anaconda; grand children, Heather, Dustin and Nathan; mother, Tomina Goheen, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; brother and sister-in-law, Wes and Amy Goheen, Marysville, Wash.; aunt and uncle, Lois and Sandy Twitchell, Coeur d'Alene; sis ter-in-law Marie and husband Floyd Larkin, Deer Lodge; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Memorial services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church. Interment will be in New Hill cemetery.
Memorials: Hope Lutheran Church or donor's choice.
