Search Archived Marriage Records
Ella Olson Stewart
Ella Olson Stewart, 85, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 1999, at Western Manor Health Care Center.
Ella was born Sept. 27, 1913, in Sidney, the daughter of Andrew and Amelia Olson. She was raised on the family homestead near Sidney and graduated in 1931 from Sidney High School. Ella and her family spent time in Alaska during the 1930s and moved to Helena where she resided from 1954 to 1992.
Ella worked as a nurses aide and retired from St. Peters Hospital in 1975. She continued working with the foster grandparents and senior companion programs until 1992 when she moved to Billings to be near her family.
Ella loved the simple pleasures of visiting and corresponding with her many friends and family. Her kindness and generosity will be missed by all. A special thank you to Dr. Knostman, the dialysis unit and the staff at Western Manor.
Ella is survived by her daughter, Jayne Gowdy of Billings; granddaughters, Juneau Cerise of Billings and Madelyn Suttles of Elko, Nev.; her brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Irene Olson of Tumwater, Wash.; eight great-grandchildren; nephews, Norman and Richard Olson; and several cousins.
There will be a service of remembrance 4 p.m. Friday, March 5, at Smith's Downtown Chapel in Billings.
Dwight B. Vadnais
Dwight B. Vadnais, 74 of Billings, died Tuesday, March 2, 1999, at his home.
Dwight retired in 1970 as a major in the United States Air Force. He returned with his family to Billings and began working for the city.
After several years with the city, he resigned to pursue his passion, woodworking. He started his own refinishing business, which led into making toys, ornaments, and finally his specialty, Kaleidoscopes. He and his wife, Mary, traveled to many exciting destinations and made lifelong friends doing art festivals. This was one of the "best" times of their lives. Dwight will be remembered for his exquisite craftsmanship created from his Heart and hands.
Dad's Workshop
Billowing clouds of sawdust.
Buzzing sanders, grinding planer,
The sucking vacuum, and swishing broom.
Layers of filings cover the clutter:
Heaps of screws, nails, hammers, staining rags, and Dad.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of Billings; daughter, Gayle M. Lam and her husband, Mark J. of Billings; extended family: daughter, Linda Melnick and her husband, Ron of Lakewood, Colo.; and three grandchildren, Nicholas J. Lam and Makenzie and Miranda Melnick.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Viola Vadnais; a sister, Elna Smith; and his son, Craig E. Vadnais.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at King of Glory Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Big Sky Hospice, King of Glory Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Edwin 'Pat' Wartensleben
RANCHESTER, Wyo. - Edwin "Pat" Wartensleben, 61, of Ranchester, died Monday, March 1, 1999, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 5, at Ferries Funeral Home in Sheridan.
Frances Elizabeth Booth
WHITEFISH - Frances Elizabeth Booth, 89, formerly of Wibaux, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home.
Visitation will be 1-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach, N.D., and one hour before services at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Beach. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 5, at the church with interment in the Beach Lutheran cemetery.
Howard 'Buck' Bunch
NEEDLES, Calif. - Howard "Buck" Bunch, 83, formerly of Thermopolis, Wyo., died Monday, March 1, 1999, in Needles.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 5, at the First Baptist Church in Thermopolis. Mortimore Funeral Home of Thermopolis is in charge.
Gwen Canfield
ARLINGTON, Wash. - Our loving Gwen Canfield passed away on Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999. Gwen leaves behind her loving mate of 18 years, Wayne Starck, at their family home in rural Arlington; her brother, Bill Canfield and his wife, Sandra of Story, Wyo.; Wayne's daughters whom she thought of as her own, Kelli and JaAnn and the "apple of her eye, " great-niece, Rylie.
Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Jane Peterson, and father, Marion Canfield. She also leaves her aunts and uncles, Mary V. Lilley of Scottsdale, Ariz., Paul and Leona Van Ommen of Judith Gap, Mont., Pete and Elsa Van Ommen of Fort Benton, Mont., Marga Johnson of White Sulphur Springs, Mont.; and numerous cousins, especially Alida Dettmann of Portland, Ore.
Gwen was an accountant and Queen of Mirth at Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington for the past seven years. She leaves a legacy of infectious laughter and a passion for life and everything she undertook with her multitude of friends and co-workers. She also leaves behind many friends from her 20 years as a hair dresser.
Gwen's passion was quilting and she will be sorely missed by her "Sip and Sew" ladies. She loved her pets, Spencer, Sapphire and Patches, gardening, baking, her fabrics, sewing studio, and having fun. She was a teacher, mentor and giver of joy. Gwen had a gift for seeing the best in everyone and making them feel special. She was warm, open and honest.
Gwen was born June 1, 1951, in San Diego, Calif., and raised on Whidbey Island. She was a graduate of South Whidbey High School and Everett Community College.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 1999, at Perkins Funeral Home, Harlowton, Mont. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society or Humane Society, in Gwen's name. She will be laid to rest next to her mother in Harlowton cemetery. Perkins Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.
James W. Crippen
BAKER - James W. Crippen, 82, died Tuesday, March 2, 1999, at his home.
A Vigil Service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Stevenson's Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 5, at St. John's Catholic Church with interment in the church cemetery.
Joseph Louis Galour
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Joseph Louis Galour, son of Louis W. Galour and Mary Sullivan, was born in Iona, Minn., on the 27th day of January 1912. He received his elementary and high school education in Saint Columba's in Iona. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Thomas College in Saint Paul, Minn., in 1938. Joseph graduated with a Master of Arts Degree from Saint Thomas Seminary, Denver, Colo., in 1938. He was ordained as a priest in Saint Ann's Cathedral, Great Falls, Mont., by the Most Reverend Edwin V. O'Hara on the 10th of May 1938.
His first assignments in Montana at Saint Patrick's in Billings, Saint Gabriel's in Chinook, Saint Ann's in Great Falls, and Sacred Heart in Glendive, were brief. In October of 1943, Father Galour became Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier's Parish in Circle, Mont. Because of ill health, he was granted a leave of absence in November of 1946. The leave lasted until June of 1947, when he was made Pastor of Saint Victor's in Hilger, Mont. After three-and-a-half years he was transferred to Forsyth, Mont., where he spent 17 years as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish. There he was instrumental in building a parochial school. Following this assignment in Forsyth, Father Galour spent a year in Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Baker, Mont., before being assigned to Saint Agnes in Red Lodge, Mont. After serving this parish for 11 years, Father Galour retired from active ministry on the 30th of July 1979.
He resided in Mesa and continued to serve the Church there on a limited basis after his retirement. In 1987 he was appointed temporary administrator of St. Mary of the Angels Church in Pinetop. On May 10, 1998, he celebrated his 60th anniversary at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Scottsdale.
Father Galour died at his home of natural causes on March 1, 1999. He is survived by two grandnephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place Thursday, March 4, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Scottsdale at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mesa.
Richard J. Gruber Jr.
Richard J. Gruber Jr., 44 of Billings, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 1999, at his home.
The son of Richard and Pearl (Ann) Gruber, he was born Oct. 18, 1954, in Sheridan, Wyo. He attended Slate Elementary School in Laramie, Wyo., and Broadwater School in Billings. While attending Lewis and Clark Junior High he excelled in wrestling and football. He graduated from Billings Senior in 1973. He enlisted in the Army in June 1973 and received a medical discharge in October 1973.
In 1977 Richard received a bachelor of science degree in secondary education from Eastern Montana College. In 1978 he received an endorsement in art and in 1981 an endorsement in library science. In 1983 he completed the drafting program at Billings Vocational Technical Center. In 1989 he completed his master of education in School Counseling.
Richard had taught art and was librarian at Grass Range, Fromberg, and Geyser. He was the librarian at Reedpoint, and was a draftsman for Storm King Coal Mine in Roundup.
A talented artist, Richard enjoyed drafting, airbrushing, blueprint and map reading, photography, calligraphy, painting, drawing, studying astronomy and reading.
Survivors include his father, Richard of Billings; two sisters, Cindy Lee Chambers (Cam) of Oregon, and Kimberly Mork (Dave) of Billings; a stepsister, Paula Courtney (Ryan) of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law, Ken Hart of Oregon; six nieces and four nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and a sister, Cheryl Lynn Hart.
Cremation is planned. Vigil Services will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Michelotti, Sawyers and Nordquist Mortuary. Memorial Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Rosary Parish.
Memorials may be made to Human Services, Montana State University-Billings Foundation, or the charity of one's choice.
Dr. Gerhard 'Gerry' Hartman
Dr. Gerhard "Gerry" Hartman, 87, of Billings, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 28, 1999, at Deaconess Medical Center. The son of Fredric and Pauline (Woiwode) Hartman, he was born in Buffalo, N.Y., April 21, 1911.
In 1937, Gerry moved to Chicago to study economics at the University of Chicago. While there, he met Fern Elizabeth Tittle, who was a student at the Art Institute of Chicago. They were married
on April 21, 1941, in Joliet.
Gerry received his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Chicago and his B.A. and M.A. degrees at the University of Buffalo. He served as director of the American College of Hospital Administration in Chicago and on the faculty of the University of Chicago School of Business.
Dr. Hartman's long and prestigious career took him and Fern to many different places including Newton, Mass., where he served as director of the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. In 1946, they moved to Iowa where he served as director of the University of Iowa Medical Center. He also was professor of hospital administration at the College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. Under his leadership, the university broadened its research programs in healthcare and hospital administration. During his 30 years at Iowa, Dr. Hartman trained 487 masters and doctoral students. Twenty of his doctoral program graduates went on to become heads of graduate programs in hospital administration in other universities throughout the nation. He was beloved by all of his many students.
In 1974, Gerry and Fern moved to Billings, where Gerry accepted a position as a senior consultant for the Deaconess/Billings Clinic Health System. He was a member of Downtown Billings Rotary and the Evangelical United Methodist Church.
Among his many honors, in 1958 Dr. Hartman was selected as the first chairman of the Association of American Medical Colleges Section on Teaching Hospitals, now the AAMC Council of Teaching Hospitals. In 1975, he received the ACHE's Silver Medal Award. In 1984 the University of Iowa established the Gerhard Hartman Professorship and in 1991, he was elected to the Health Care Hall of Fame.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Fern of Billings; an adopted son, Dan Hartman of Indianapolis, Ind.; his brother-in-law, Douglas W. Tuttle of Tacoma, Wash.; two nieces, Gail Boser of Sarasota, Fla., and Kathleen Richardson of Tacoma; and one nephew, John W. Tuttle of Tacoma.
Graveside services will be held 3 p.m. Friday, March 5, in Section 10 of Mountview cemetery. The casket is closed. Memorials in Dr. Hartman's name may be directed to the Billings Rotary Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1094, Billings, MT 59103. Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Clyde Arnold Klinger
Clyde A. Klinger, 67, of Billings went to be with our Dear Lord on Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
On July 30, 1931, Clyde was born in Fargo, N.D., the son of Fred and Mary (Pommerer) Klinger. The family moved in 1941 to Fingle, N.D., where Clyde was educated. He worked in his father's business, known as The Gambles Hardware and General Auto Repair Store. In November of 1947, his family moved to McVille, N.D., where they operated the Klinger and Son's John Deere Dealership.
Clyde was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953. He was stationed in Texarkana, Texas, and later in Aberdeen, Md. It was then he met and married
Janice Karmae Arneson. Janice died in 1981.
After his military service, he again worked for John Deere Co. in Fargo, transferring to Yellowstone Implement Co. in Billings in 1967. Here he served as shop foreman, service manager and area serviceman. Clyde became well known around the Yellowstone County by many farmers and ranchers for his expertise and professional mechanical engineering.
Clyde was united in marriage to Irene Runge (Pachl) on Jan. 15, 1983, at which time Clyde joined the Catholic Church.
In 1985 he retired from John Deere and became active with the Loyal Order of the Moose and a member of Veterans Post 1634. Clyde was the driving force in getting the VFW Post 1634 operation relocated and functioning. He served as quartermaster and computer bookkeeper for the post, serving seven years until his health began to fail. Even then he was always available to give his advice and did as needed.
He enjoyed hunting in the Little Belt Mountains with his nephews and grandson. Together, he and his wife, Irene, enjoyed traveling. They did deep sea fishing off the West Coast and on their great trip to Alaska. Together they enjoyed gardening, yard work and growing fruit trees and roses. He took great pride in his yard.
Clyde is survived by his wife of 16 years, Irene; two daughters, Lou Ann and husband Phil Madden, and Connie Snyder all of Billings; one son, Fred serving in the military in Texas; eight grandchildren, Landon, Nicole, Snyder, Jennifer, Ryan and Ben Madden, Teresa and Mike Klinger; three stepchildren; seven step-grandchildren and one step-great grandchild; one brother, Dale of Fargo, N.D. and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Janice, his parents, two brothers, Roy and Ellymer and one sister, Irene.
Rest in Peace Dear Dad, Granddad, Brother, Dearest Husband and Best Friend. We will miss you.
Vigil will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, and Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 4, both at Little Flower Church. Rite of Committal will be in the Red Lodge cemetery on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice, 3021 6th Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101 or to Little Flower Church, 209 South 35th St., Billings, MT 59101.
Emil Knoll
GLENDIVE - Emil Knoll, age 77, of Glendive, died on Monday, March 1, 1999, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings.
Vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 1999, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 4, 1999, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Joseph Ponessa officiating. Rite of Committal with military honors will be in the Dawson County cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements.
Emil was born on Feb. 3, 1922, in Glendive, the son of John M. and Appolonia (Schlosser) Knoll. He was raised and educated in Glendive, graduating from Dawson County High School in 1941. He entered the U.S. Army, serving during World War II. Following his discharge in 1946, he returned to Glendive where he went to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad, retiring after 43 years as railroad engineer. On May 12, 1947, Emil married
Georgena Smith in Glendive.
Emil's hobbies included carpentry and agate hunting. He was a member of the Glendive Elks Lodge No. 1324, Knights of Columbus, VFW and the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Georgena of Glendive; three daughters, Carole Wielgosh and her husband, Eldon, Patty Lee and her husband, Steve, and Bernie Neves, all of Glendive; three sons, Gordon Knoll and his wife, Mashal, Duane Knoll and his wife, Teresa, and Dennis Knoll and his wife, Jody, all of Glendive; two brothers, John Knoll and his wife, Mary of Lake Havasu, Ariz., and Pete Knoll and his wife, Isabell of Glendive; 11 grandchildren.
Emil was preceded in death by two grandsons and two brothers, Ralph and Leo.
Albert L. Losing
BAKER - Albert L. Losing, 75, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 1999, at the Fallon Medical Complex.
A Prayer Service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Stevenson's Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 4, at the First Baptist Church in Plevna with interment in the Bonnievale cemetery.
