2009 Obituaries
USGenWeb Project Notice:
In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data
may be used by non-commerical entities, aslong as this message remains on all
copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format
forprofit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.
These abstracted obituaries are from The Big Timber Pioneer. Full obituaries may be obtained by contacting the Crazy Mountain Museum in Big Timber.
·
Vicotria Helen Carson Herkimer
·
Ralph Raymond 'Pinkie' Myrstol
·
Alice Elizabeth (Clouse) Mosness
·
Elisabeth Ann “Bette” (Schoellkopf) McCormick
·
Donald “Don” Richard Mlekush
·
William “Bill” Henry Langford
·
David William Albert Myrstol
·
Diane Kathleen
Rosaia Kittler
·
Florence
Elaine Raisland-Fanning
January
Sylvia Whitman
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Janaury 8, 2009:
Sylvia Violet Whitman of Big Timber died January 2, 2009 at the Pioneer Medical
Center in Big Timber. She was 97. She was born Nov. 9, 1911 in Akron, Ohio to
Edward and Jennie Hartline. She graduated from East High School in Akron. She
married Stanley A. Whitman on Oct. 21, 1932 in West Virginia. They moved to
Montana and lived in the Greycliff and Reed Point areas. Stanley died in 1993.
She is survived by four children. Memorial services were held Jan. 6 at the
Reed Point Evangelical Church.
Wolfgang
A. Droege
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Janaury 15, 2009:
Wolfgang A. Droege, 79, died January 1 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big
Timber. Wolfgang and Eva Droege moved to Big Timber from New York in 1983.
Cremation has taken place with private burial planned for the spring.
Beryl
Woolsey
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Janaury 15, 2009:
Beryl Woolsey died Jan. 7 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber. She was
born May 28, 1916 to Hank and Metha Christle in Royalton, MN and was one of
eight children. She married Norm Thoen and they farmed in the Dagget Brook, MN
area. After her husband's death, she moved back to Royalton until she married
Jim Woolsey on August 23, 1953. The couple ranched on the East Boulder.
Cremation has taken place with a memorial service planned in Royalton on a
later date. Stenberg Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Barbara
Williamson
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Janaury 15, 2009:
Barbara Williamson, 62, of Big Timber died Jan. 9 at the Pioneer Medical Center
in Big Timber. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was held Jan.
14 at Stenberg Funeral Home.
Eric
Donald Boshart
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Janaury 22, 2009:
Eric Donald Boshart was born Oct. 24, 1950 in Kearney, NE and died Jan. 7, 2009
in MT. Services were at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Big Timber on Jan. 13,
2009. His ashes will be buried in O'Neill, NE. He was a 1969 graduate of
Kearney High School. He received his bachelor's degree in accounting from the
University of Nebraska-Omaha. He is survived by his father, his wife, two sons
and two grandchildren.
Cynthia Ruth (Lamb) Berg
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Janaury 29, 2009:
Cynthia Ruth (Lamb) Berg of Glendive passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2009
in Billings. Memorial service was Jan. 31 at the United Methodist Church in
Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Cindy was
born in Big Timber on March 14, 1957 to David and Olive (Alexander) Lamb. She
graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1975. She married Dennis Berg
on March 25, 1976 in Glendive. Cindy is survived by her husband, Dennis, of
Glendive; her mother, Olive Lamb of Red Lodge; two children, one grandchild;
two brothers and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy J. Kamrowski
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Janaury 29, 2009 & February 5,
2009:
Dorothy Kamrowski, 88, of Melville died at her home on January 23, 2009. The
oldest daughter of Victor Allman and Janice W. (Johnson) Allman, she was born
Sept. 25, 1920 in Briley Wheatland. She met her husband, William (Bill)
Kamrowski in California and they were married Sept. 30, 1950. Bill died in
1999. She is survived one daughter, one grandson and two great-grandsons.
Funeral mass was held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Big Timber with rite
of committal at the Harlowton Cemetery. Stenberg Funeral Home was in charge of
arrangements.
Alice Rostad Erickson
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", February 5, 2009:
Alice Grace Rostad Erickson passed away on January 26, 2009 at the Northfield
(MN) Care Center. She was born February 17, 1907 in Big Timber to George and
Susanna (Ellingson) Rostad. She graduated from Sweet Grass County High School
in 1925 and attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota from 1927-1929. While
attending St. Olaf, she met her husband, C. Eddy Erickson. Alice and Eddy were
married on October 5, 1932 at the family ranch at McLeod, MT. They made their
home in Minnesota. Eddy died May 3, 1981. Survivors include one brother, a son,
a daughter, six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Funeral services were
Thursday, January 29, 2009 in Northfield, MN.
February
Will Walker
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 5, 2009:
Will Walker, son of Rob and Nancy Walker, died in Ames, Iowa on Feb. 25, 2009.
He was born May 22, 1984 and graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in
2002. In addition to his parents, he is survived by one sister, one brother,
grandparents and numerous friends and relatives.
Phyllis U. Hardy
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 5, 2009:
Phyllis U. Hardy, 89, died in Livingston, Montana, on Feb. 25, 2009. She was
born Dec. 18, 1919 in Big Timber, one of two daughters of Herman and Florence
Utermohle. While teaching in Sidney, she met Loren Hardy and the couple was
married at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Big Timber on Dec. 26, 1942.
Survivors include three sons, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be March 14, 2009 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in
Livingston.
Loretta L. Seegers
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 12, 2009:
Loretta L. Seegers, 73, formerly of Big Timber, died Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 in
Manteca, California. She married Donald Seegers in 1953 and lived most of their
married life in French Camp, Calif. In 1995, they retired to Big Timber, where
they lived until Don's death in 2006. Loretta is survived by her mother, Winnie
Hawkins, two children, four grandchildren, two brothers and a sister-in-law. At
her request, there was no service.
March
Victoria Helen Carson Herkimer
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 12, 2009:
Vicki Herkimer died on March 8, 2009. She was born on Nov. 13, 1937 to Wilbur
and Helen (Heyman) Carson in Cincinnati, Ohio. She grew up in Grant's Pass,
Ore. where she met and married Walt Haln. The couple had five children. They
divorced and she met Gerald Herkimer. Vicki is survived by her children, two
grandsons and one granddaughter, two great-grandchildren and six stepchildren.
Memorial services wereat the Reed Point High School gym on Friday, March 13,
2009.
Elmer Stole
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 19, 2009:
Elmer Stole, 96, died March 11, 2009 at his home in Big Timber. He was born
Sept. 1, 1912 to Thelaus and Else Marie (Birkeland) Stole in Sokndal, Norway.
He immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 16 and became a citizen in 1948. He
served in the military from 1942 to 1946. He married Elisabeth Lotoft Stene in
1976. He is survived by his wife, two stepchildren, five step-grandchildren,
five step-great grand children, and three brothers. Funeral services were
Monday, March 16, 2009 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church with interment in the
Veterans Section of Mountain View Cemetery in Big Timber. Arrangements by
Stenberg Funeral Home.
Aleta Faust
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 26, 2009:
Aleta M. Faust, 83, of Big Timber, died March 16, 2009 at the Pioneer Medical
Center. She was born Sept. 18, 1925 in Paton, Iowa to Wallace and Irma (Clark)
Jorgenson. Survivors include her companion Jerry Wheatley of Big Timber, three
daughters, one son, one sister, seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren
and one great-great grandson. Funeral survices were Friday, March 20 at the
Lowry Funeral Home.
Raymond James Felton
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 26, 2009:
Raymond James Felton, a lifetime Montana resident, died Saturday, March 21,
2009 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber. He was 93. He was born Nov.
1, 1915, the fourth of nine children of Pruden and Sallie Borchardt Felton. He
graduated from the Chinook high school in 1934. On July 3, 1939 he married
Margaret Montgomery. The couple had two sons. The cattleman and his family
moved to Sweet Grass County from Missoula County in 1969. He is survived by two
sons and their families, four grandchildren, two great grandsons and a great
granddaughter. Funeral services were Friday, March 27, 2009 at First
Congregational Church in Big Timber with interment at Mountain View Cemetery.
Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
Katherine Mary Sauter
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", March 26, 2009:
Katherine Mary Sauter died Saturday, March 9, 2009 in Butte, Montana. She was
born to Stephan and Magadelina in Queens, New York on June 30, 1914. She was
the second of ten children. Katherine married Jules DeKetele at Columbus in
1933. The couple had one daughter. Katherine married Albert Sauter in Billings
in September 1948. They raised their family in the Billings and Grey Cliff area
for many years. She is survived by two sisters, two brothers, four daughters,
19 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 25 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, March 14 in the Dahl Funeral
Chapel in Billings with internment in the Sunset Memorial Park in Billings.
Sigrid Solberg Fjare
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", April 2, 2009:
Sigrid Solberg Fjare was born to Selmer Halbert Solberg and Rausie Roecher on
January 18, 1917 in Big Timber, MT. On March 28, 2009, the 92-year-old passed
away at the home of her daughter, Gail Fjare. Sigrid attended Big Timber Grade
School, Sweet Grass County High School and graduated from Montana State College
in 1939. Sigrid and Orvin Fjare were married on September 9, 1942 in St. Mark's
Episcopal Church in Big Timber. She is survived by her husband, four children,
seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one sister, seven nephews and
two nieces. Chapel services were held March 31st from Hagler-Anderson Chapel.
Memorial services were held April 1 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Big
Timber with burial in the family plot at Mountain View Cemetery.
Edna Ullman
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", April 2, 2009:
Edna Ullman, of Big Timber, died March 29, 2009 at the Pioneer Medical Center
in Big Timber. She was born February 22, 1916 to Robert and Cordelia Braughton
in Big Timber. She attended school in Big Timber and in 1936 married Forrest
Ullman. She became a member of the Congregational Church in 1947. She is
survived by one son, one daughter, eight grandchildren, and nine
great-grandchildren. Services were April 2 at the Congregational Church in Big
Timber. Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
David Carroll
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", April 9, 2009:
David Carroll, age 62, of Big Timber passed away Monday, March 30 at Billings
Clinic. He is survived by, Betty, his wife of eight years and their children.
He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and David Carroll of New Jersey.
Memorial services were April 9th at the First Congregational Church in Big
Timber.
James Robert "Bob" DeCock
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", April 9, 2009:
Bob DeCock, 62 of Melville/Harlowton passed away following an accident on
Sunday, March 29, 2009. He was born in Livingston to Joseph J. and Alice
(Prillwitz) DeCock on Aug. 16, 1946. He grew up in the Melville area and
graduated from Sweet Grass County High School. He married Mary Lode in January
2004. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Jane Carson
of Douglas, WY. Survivors include his wife, one brother, a niece, a nephew and
many cousins. Memorial services were Saturday, April 11, 2009 at the Melville
Lutheran Church.
May
Eunice Farthing
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, May 14, 2009:
Eunice Farthing, 89, of Jamestown, ND died Friday, May 8, 2009 at Jamestown Hospital.
Eunice Sohie Dronen was born March 10, 1920 in Cleveland, ND to Malius and Olga
(Haugen) Dronen. On Sept. 2, 1939 Eunice married Donald Farthing, Sr. in Big
Timber. Eunice and Don moved to Jamestown in 1950. She was a member of Our
Saviours Lutheran Church, Jamestown. She is survived by two sons, one daughter,
13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren,
one brother and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
parents, husband, five grandchildren, five sisters and four brothers. Services
were from Our Saviours Lutheran Church with burial in Highland Home Cemetery.
Eddy Funeral Home of Jamestown assisted with services.
Edith Kinney
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, May 14, 2009:
Edith Kinney, 92, died on May 7, 2009 in her home in Laurel. One of ten
children, she was born in Big Timber on Nov. 7, 1916 to Alfred and Hannah Rudd.
She married Albert Kinney in 1937. Her family included four children, 12
grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren. She
is survived by one son, nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 7
great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings,
husband, her children Alice Kern, Kay Nelson and Jerry Kinney, and four
grandsons. Funeral services were May 11, 2009 at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel
with interment at Park City Cemetery.
Edna Ruth Lavold Green
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, May 14, 2009:
Edna Ruth Lavold Green died on May 6, 2009 at Garden Court, St. John's in Billings.
She was born July 7, 1921 in Melville to Sigurd T. and Inga Lavold. She
graduated from Sweet Grass County High School and Billings Business College.
She met and married Earl G. Green of Melville, Jan. 12, 1950. Edna was preceded
in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Perk, Sigurd and sister, June.
She is survived by two daughters. A memorial service was held at the Lutheran
Church of the Good Shepherd. Her funeral was May 12 at Big Timber Lutheran
Church with interment in Mountain View Cemetery. Lowry Funeral Home in Big
Timber assisted with arrangements.
Robert Michael Stief
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, May 14, 2009:
Robert Michael "Bob" Stief died May 10, 2009 at the age of 79. He was
born near Rockvale on June 15, 1929, the youngest of three children of John
Lucas Stief and Letha Corrine Harold Stief. He graduated from Joliet High
School in 1947. He was working for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Laurel
where he met Joanne Louise Knaub. They were married May 22, 1955 at First
Congregational Church in Billings. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two
daughters, a sister, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John. A memorial service was
held May 16, 2009 at First Congregational Church of Big Timber.
Ellen M. Sondeno
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, May 21, 2009:
Ellen M. Sondeno, 75, of Big Timber passed away Friday, May 15, 2009 at the
Billings Clinic after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Jan. 18,
1934, at Nowata, Okla., to Claud and Rose (Jenni) Keller. When she was two, her
father died and her mother moved to Lewistown, Mont. She graduated from Fergus
County High School in 1952. Later, she married Iver C. Sondeno and she moved to
Martinsdale. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, and one brother,
Ted. She is survived by three sons, four grandsons, a twin sister, and three
brothers. Memorial services were held Friday, May 22, 2009 at the Big Timber
Lutheran Church. Graveside services were held at Lennep Memorial Park.
Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
Grace
Idland
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, May 28, 2009:
Grace Idland passed away on May 18, 2009. She was born on Oct. 24, 1925 at
Timber Lake, South Dakota to Glenn and Mildred Crance. On June 2, 1956 she
married Carl Idland in Big Timber, Montana. They ranched near Big Timber until
moving to Belgrade in 1965. She is survived by her husband, Carl; two
daughters; three grandsons, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by
her parents and brothers. Burial was at Meadow View Cemetery near Manhattan,
Montana.
Ralph Raymond 'Pinkie' Myrstol
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, May 28, 2009:
Ralph Raymond "Pinkie" Myrstol, 82, of Clyde Park died at Edgewood
Vista Care Center in Belgrade on Thursday, May 14. He was born Dec. 14, 1926 in
Big Timber, the son of Carl and Ellen Myrstol. On Dec. 31, 1946 he married
Retha Gibby in Big Timber. In 1955, they moved to Clyde Park. He attended
Shields Valley United Methodist Church. Funeral services were May 18 at Shields
Valley United Methodist Church with committal services and burial at Clyde Park
Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Retha; three sons; a daughter; three
brothers; a sister; 10 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Donald and
Elmer Myrstol. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Franzen-Davis
Funeral Home in Livingston.
Lewis A. McBride
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, June 4, 2009:
On May 31, 2009 Lewis Andrew McBride died at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big
Timber from congestive heart failure. He was born May 1, 1913 in Rocky Ford, CO
to James and Ethel McBride. He was third in a family of six children. The
family moved to Montana in December 1927. In 1935, he married Leona Walker and
the couple had one daughter. They later divorced. On December 16, 1948, he
married Eva Hutchins. In 1996, the couple moved to Big Timber. He was a member
of the Masons, Shriners and Elks. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three
grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and five great great grandchilden. He
was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph, Curtis, Lawrence and
Glen McBride and his sister, Evelyn Leader. A celebration of his life was held
at Boulder Valley Baptist Church on June 8. Stenberg Funeral Home assisted with
arrangements.
Jeanette Berumen
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, June 4, 2009:
Jeanette Darlene Fuge Berumen, 60, of Big Timber died at the Pioneer Medical
Center on May 28, 2009. She was born November 16, 1942 in Missoula, Montana to
John and Ethel Schurman Fuge. In Missoula she met Gregory Berumen. The couple
married in Superior, Montana on June 15, 1959. She is survived by her husband,
three sons and their wives, ten grandchildren, two sisters and two brothers.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Rosine, Maxine, Margarette
and Betty. Services were June 4 at Faith Chapel with burial of cremated remains
at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park in Billings. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary
was in charge of arrangements.
June
Rudolph
Mosness
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, June 11, 2009:
Rudoph "Rudy" Mosness died Monday, June 8, 2009, at the Pioneer
Medical Center in Big Timber of complications of Alzheimer's disease. Rudy was
born February 3, 1922, the fifth child of Ole and Edith Mosness. He attended
Duck Creek and Bridge schools through the 8th grade. He served with the U.S.
Army during WWII, assigned to the Third Army, 1268th Engineer Combat Battalion,
Company C. He married Alice Clouse in Big Timber on Nov. 23rd, 1943. He was a
member of the American Legion, Jaycees, Moose, VFW, and was a volunteer
fireman. He is survived by his wife, four children, 12 grandchildren, and 12
great grandchildren (with one on the way). Funeral services were Saturday, June
13th at the Big Timber Lutheran Church with interment at Mountain View
Cemetery. Stenberg Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Joyce Davison
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, June 25, 2009:
Joyce Davison died Monday June 15, 2009 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big
Timber. Muriel Joyce Simser was born March 31, 1932 to Orlo and Grace
(Marquardt) Simser in Malta, Montana. She married Don Davison in 1948 and they
lived in the Glasgow, Malta and Big Timber areas during they married life. Don
died September 29, 2005. Joyce is survived by two sons, two daughters, nine
grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her
parents, brother Boyd Simser, daughter Beverly and her husband. Cremation has
taken place and a memorial service was held June 20, 2009 at Stenberg Funeral
Home.
Phyllis R. Jackson (French)
From the Big Timber "Pioneer", Thursday, July 2, 2009:
Phyllis R. Jackson (French), age 84, of New Lenox, Ill., passed away June 25,
2009 at Salem Village in Joliet, Ill. She is survived by one daughter, one
sister, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Raymond Jackson, Sr., and son, Raymond Jackson, Jr.,
siblings, Lois French, George French, and Bud French. Interment will be in Big
Timber. Arrangements by Kurtz Memorial Chapel, New Lenox, Ill.
July
Telmer Terland
From the Big Timber
“Pioneer”, Thursday, July 9, 2009:
Telmer Terland, 87, died Saturday, July 4, at the Stillwater Community
Hospital of congestive heart failure. He was born January 5, 1922, the fifth of
six children, to Oselius and Inga Terland on the family ranch southeast of Big
Timber on Bridger Creek. He was drafted into the army in 1942, serving in the
11th Armored Division and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He
married Alma Hegdal on June 4, 1949. He is survived by his wife, three sisters,
two sons, one daughter, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and
numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two
brothers, Pete and Olando. Funeral services were held July 8 at Big Timber
Lutheran Church with interment at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements by
Stenberg Funeral Home.
From the Big Timber “Pioneer”, Thursday, July 9, 2009:
Linda S. Peterson, 60, of Big Timber died Monday, July 20, 2009 at her home of lung cancer. She was born June 10, 1949 at Roundup. She was preceded in death by her father, Harry Dunwald. She is survived by her mother, one brother, one sister, two daughters and five grandchildren. A memorial service was held Thursday, July 23, 2009 at the Evangelical Church in Big Timber. Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
Alice Elizabeth (Clouse) Mosness
From the Big Timber “Pioneer”, Thursday, July 30, 2009:
Alice Elizabeth (Clouse) Mosness, 82, died at the Pioneer Medical Center of cancer. The fourth child of Harry and Ida (Lokaas) Clouse, she was born August 26, 1926 in Big Timber. She graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1944. On November 23, 1943, she married Rudy Mosness in Livingston, Montana. She is survived by one sister, four children, 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ida Clouse; her husband, Rudy; sisters Margaret Collins and Dorothy Brumfield and brother Harold Clouse. Memorial services were held Wednesday, July 29th at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
From the Big Timber “Pioneer”, August 6, 2009:
Brandon Charles Davis, 18, of Red Lodge died on July 28th in a car accident. He was born December 29th, 1990 in Livingston. He was preceded in death by great grandparents Tom & Sig Jarrett and Alice Alkire, grandparents Doris and Delbert Davis, and step-parent Ron Brown. He is survived by his parents, a sister, a great grandfather, grandparents, step-grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorial services were held August 3 at the Big Timber Evangelical Church. Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
August
Elisabeth Ann
“Bette” (Schoellkopf) McCormick
From the Big Timber
“Pioneer”, August 20, 2009:
Elisabeth Ann “Bette” (Schoellkopf) McCormick, 85, of Livingston passed away on Friday, August 7, 2009. She was born on Oct. 10, 1923, the eldest child of William and Elisabeth (Peabody) Schoellkopf in Buffalo, New York. She married rancher Jerry T. McCormick in Livingston on June 1, 1944. They purchased a ranch in Big Timber in 1947. In 1956, they sold their ranch and moved to Livingston. Bette is survived by two grandsons, a brother, and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry T. McCormick; her son, Jerry Schoellkopf; and her sister, Sally Snare. She requested no services. Arrangements by Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service.
From the Big Timber “Pioneer”, August 27, 2009:
Donald “Don” Richard Mlekush died August 16, 2009 after an extended illness with Lewy body dementia. He was born May 20, 1936 in Roundup, Montana, the eldest of three children of Andrew and Edna Mlekush. He graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1954. He married Alice at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Bozeman, MT on August 17, 1963. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. He is survived by his three children, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, a brother and a sister. A funeral mass was held August 21 at the Cathedral of St. Helena with interment at Forestvale Cemetery. Hagler-Anderson assisted with arrangements.
From the Big Timber “Pioneer”, August 27, 2009:
Eldred “Teck” Faye Brown was born Sept. 1, 1929 in Bradley, SD to Robert and Bessie Brown. She had an older sister, Mary Hard, who preceded her in death. She is survived by a brother and a sister, several nieces and a nephew. She passed away August 13, 2009 in Bozeman of cancer. She taught school in Oregon, California, Idaho, finally settling in Big Timber. She ended her teaching career as a third grade instructor in 1989.
September
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, September 10, 2009:
Helen
Bothman, 100, of Big Timber died September 5, 1009 at the Pioneer Medical
Center in Big Timber. She was born November 20, 1908 to Frank and Lou Anna
Baker in Columbus, MT. She married Lloyd Bothman on July 31, 1928. She is
survived by four children, ten grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 7
great great grandchildren plus numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services
were Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Mountain View Cemetery in Columbus.
Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, September 10, 2009:
Werner
Hoegger was born November 21, 1915 in Rice Lake, Wis. He died at the Pioneer
Medical Center in Big Timber on September 11, 2009. He was the youngest of
eight children born to Jacob and Katherine (Baumgartner) Hoegger. He graduated
from Rice Lake High School in 1934. He married Marion Schrag in Milwaukee on
June 3, 1939. Werner and Marion spent their retirement years in Florida and
Montana. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, his parents and siblings.
He is survived by one daughter, three grandsons and seven grandchildren. A
memorial service was held at the Big Timber Lutheran Church on October 2.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, October 15, 2009:
Harry
Preston, 86, passed away September 6, 2009, after complications from diabetes.
He was born on August 2, 1923, to James and Cora Preston in Sweet Grass County,
MT, near the town of Big Timber. One of six children, he graduated from Park
County High School in Livingston in 1942. In 1948 he married Sigrid Boe of Big
Timber. They were married until 1987. He was preceded in death by his parents,
James and Cora Preston, his sister Jeanette (Dick) Frost, brother Bill (Hazel)
Preston, and sister June (Tom) Harris. He is survived by two children, his
partner of 18 years, a brother, a sister and nieces and nephews. Burial
services were at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland followed by a memorial
service at Richland Lutheran Church.
October
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, October 15, 2009:
William
“Bill” Henry Langford, 85, passed away at the Stillwater Community
Hospital on October 6, 2009. Bill was born on the home ranch in Reed Point on
July 30, 1924 to William and Chloe Booth Langford. Bill married Joan Brakstad
on April 7, 1951. They had two sons. He is survived by his wife, sons, seven
grandchildren, four great grandchildren, a half brother, a brother-in-law, a
sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his
parents and half brothers, Duane and Les Booth. Funeral services were Monday,
October 12 at Reed Point Evangelical Church with interment in Reed Point
Cemetery.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, October 15, 2009:
Winifred
Elma Wheatly Smith was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on the 13th
of August, 1915. She married Clyde Smith on September 14, 1927 while they were
attending Walla Walla College in Walla Walla, Washington. In 1995, they moved
to Big Timber. She passed away at the Pioneer Medical Center nursing home on
October 9, 2009. She is survived by her husband, one son, two daughters, and
one granddaughter. Services were held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in
Big Timber on October 24.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, October 22, 2009
Jack
Eugene Berg passed away Sunday, October 18 in Billings after a battle with
cancer. He was born April 23, 1928 in Napa, California to Berent Mitchell and
Anna Clementine (George) Berg. His family moved to Shawmut, MT after World War
II. Jack graduated from Sweet Grass County High School. He married Barbara Ann
Beagle, also of Big Timber, on March 2, 1963. On Easter 1991, he married Judy
Wall in Billings. Survivors include his wife, a sister, three daughters, a son,
a son-in-law, a step-daughter, two step-sons, 21 grandchildren, two great
grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Services were Friday, October 23 at
Smith Funeral Chapel, Billings with burial in Mountain View Cemetery in Big
Timber.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, October 22, 2009
Robert
Perrins, 90, of Big Timber passed away October 18 after a short illness. He was
born August 10, 1919 at the homestead ranch of his parents John and Helen
(Summers) Perrins near Dupuyer, Montana. He graduated from high school in Kent,
Washington in 1936. He served in the Army during World War II. He met his wife,
Lola Westervelt, in Washington. He is survived by his wife, three children,
eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral services were October 22,
2009 at the Big Timber Evangelical Church. Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral
Home.
From the Big Timber “Pioneer”, October 22,
2009
Barbara
Shirley, 61, of Big Timber passed away Friday, October 16, 2009 at her home.
She is survived by her son and grandchildren. Cremation took place and a
memorial service held October 23, 2009 at the Evangelical Church in Big Timber.
Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, October 29, 2009
Joyce
E. DeShazer, 67, of Libby died Sunday, Octobre 4, 2009 at her home in Libby
from natural causes. She was born May 6, 1942 in Big Timber, MT to Otto &
Grace Elgen Lovseth. She graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1960.
She married Mike McKay in Big Timber in 1961. Survivors include two children
and six grandchildren. Services were October 29, 2009 in Libby with
arrangements by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, November 12, 2009
Ruth
died on October 13, 2009 at the age of 92. She was born to Frank and Bessie
Darling on February 6, 1917 in Roundup, Montana. She married Ed Nies and the
couple had four children. After Ed died, she married Harold Braley. She was
preceded in death by her two husbands, her son Don and two great-grandchildren.
Ruth leaves behind three daughters, one daughter-in-law, 16 grandchildren, 25
great-grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren. A memorial service
was held for Ruth at the Big Timber Senior Center on November 14.
November
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, November 12, 2009
David
William Albert Myrstol, 75, of Big Timber passed away November 5, 2009 at the
Pioneer Medical Center. He was born to Carl and Ellen (Hess) Myrstol on
February 8, 1934 in Big Timber. He married Rosemary Purcell on November 20,
1954. She passed away on November 21, 1990. He is survived by nine children-
four sons and five daughters; 31 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, two
brothers, one sister and numerous inlaws. He was preceded in death by his wife,
parents, brothers Donald, Ralph and Elmer; brothers and sisters-inlaw Violet
Mrystol, Evenly Myrstol, Jack Peterson and Mary Myrstol. Services were held
November 9 at Big Timber Lutheran Church with interment at Mountain View
Cemetery.
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, November 19, 2009
Theodore
(Ted) Slettebo died on November 13, 2009 of natural causes in Lake Havasu, AZ.
He was born in Big Timber, MT on August 22, 1927. A member of the U.S. Army for
32 years, he served in WWII, Korean conflict and Vietnam. He is survived by seven
children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death
by his parents, Theodore Slettebo, Louise and Knute Hogamark, sisters Evelyn
Myrstol and Thelma Mossness, and Cylvia E. Slettebo. Services were at the
Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, NV on November 18,
2009. Arrangements were with Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.
Diane Kathleen Rosaia Kittler
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, December 3, 2009
Diane
Kathleen Rosaia Kittler, 79, passed away on Thanksgiving, November 26th,
2009 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber. Surviving are four children,
nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Cremation took place and a
memorial service was held Dec. 5, 2009 at the Big Timber Evangelical Church.
Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
Florence
Elaine Raisland-Fanning
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, December 3, 2009
Florence
Elaine Fanning, 63, of Big Timber passed away November 23, 2009 at the Pioneer Medical
Center in Big Timber. She was born February 12, 1946 to Ben and Edna (Nygaard)
Raisland in Columbus, MT. She is survived by her father, two daughters, two
granddaughters, three brothers, four sisters, nieces and nephews. She was
preceded in death by her mother Edna Nygaard Raisland and her husband, John
Rooney. Cremation took place and a memorial service was held November 28, 2009
at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Stenberg Funeral Home.
December
From
the Big Timber “Pioneer”, December 10, 2009
Karen
Mack, 47, of Big Timber died Sunday, December 6. Wife of Joe Mack and a Big
Timber resident, she was active in the community. She is survived by her parents,
husband, children and extended family. Services were December 12 at Big Timber
Lutheran Church with interment in Mountain View Cemetery. Stenberg Funeral Home
assisted the family with arrangements.
Return to the top of the page.
Return to Sweet Grass County home page.
Copyright © 2009. This page was last updated 16 December 2009. It was created 21 January 2009 by Joan Shurtliff.