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Alma E. Deines
PASCO, Wash. - Alma E. Deines, age 88, passed away Jan. 6, 1999, in Pasco.
Mrs. Deines was born in San Andreas, Calif., on Nov. 10, 1910, and had resided in Pasco for the last two years. She was a retired retail sales clerk. She was married
to Walter Bauer in 1927 in Hamilton, Mont. They were later divorced. She then married
Paul Deines in 1949. They resided in Livingston, Mont., and later moved to Missoula, Mont., where they both lived until Paul's death in 1976. She then moved to Billings where she lived until 1996 when she moved to Pasco to live with her daughter, Sandy, and son-in-law, Darrell.
She enjoyed her flower garden, dancing, traveling and reading. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies of the Moose and of the Lady Elks.
Mrs. Deines was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Fred, Herbert and Bill.
Mrs. Deines is survived by her sons, Jack Bauer and William Bauer of Livingston; daughters, Betty Chism of Livingston and Sandra Shulins of Pasco; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Brenda, Amanda, Fonda and friends at Free-To-Be-Me Group Family Home.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Livingston.
Beatrice C. Spartz
BUTTE - Mass of the resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999, at St. John's Catholic Church in Fairfield for Beatrice C. Spartz who entered into rest Jan. 9, 1999, at the Butte Convalescent Center in Butte. Rev. Robert Noonan will be officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Hills cemetery in Fairfield under the direction of Gorder Funeral Home of Choteau.
Beatrice was the last surviving of four children born to Peter W. and Mae (Mueller) Murray. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 20, 1910.
Beatrice was educated in Iowa City, Iowa, Chicago, and Great Falls. She was an operator for Mountain Bell in Chicago before transferring with the Bell Company to Great Falls, where she met and married
Raymond C. Spartz on June 29, 1930. A year later they moved to the Greenfield Bench where they farmed until 1963. At that time they moved to Fairfield where the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 29, 1980. Mr. Spartz passed away in 1983. Beatrice continued to live in Fairfield until 1991 when she moved to Anaconda to be closer to her family.
She was active in the St. John's Catholic Church in Fairfield and the Fairfield and Greenfield PTA's while her family was growing up. She took great pleasure in being a homemaker, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening with her husband and time spent at their mountain cabin.
Beatrice is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Michael and Linda Spartz of Billings, Fred and Valerie Spartz of Spokane, Wash.; two daughters and sons-in-law: Charlene and John Meshnik of Opportunity, Dolores and Gene Schrock of Butte. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three siblings.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Southwestern Montana Chapter, 201 S. Last Chance Gulch, P.O. Box 721, Helena, MT 59624-0721 or Alzheimer's Greater Billings Area Chapter, 2 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59101, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Dorothy Lillian DeVries Pihlaja
JOLIET - Dorothy Lillian DeVries Pihlaja, 83, of Joliet, passed away Sunday morning, Jan. 10, 1999, in Aspen Meadows where she had resided for two days.
Born March 24, 1915, in a dugout/sod house on the Frank DeVries ranch near Roberts, she was a daughter of Herman and Helen Snavely DeVries. She was baptized at her grandmother DeVries' home by her maternal grandfather, Charles E. Snavely, an Episcopalian priest. Dorothy grew up on the family ranch and attended Cherry Springs School, Victory School, one year at Roberts High School and part of a year at Harlowton High School after which she worked in Billings.
On April 6, 1934, she married
Francis Eino Pihlaja in Billings. They lived and worked on farms and ranches in the Billings and Roberts areas. After they lived in Washington while Francis worked on the Grand Coulee Dam, the couple purchased a ranch south of Boyd in 1938. Following the death of Francis in 1967, Dorothy moved to Joliet.
She had been a member of the Boyd Methodist Church and most recently was a member of Joliet Lutheran Church. Throughout her life she enjoyed ranching and gardening. Dorothy was a member of Garden Club, Senior Citizens, Boyd Ladies Aid and the Joliet WELCA. She had done child care for several Joliet families and was known for the delicious pies she baked.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; a brother, Martin; a half-sister, Beverly Alt; and a half-brother, Herman DeVries.
Survivors include two sons, Donald and his wife, Maxine of Billings, Larry of Boyd; grandchildren: Geoffrey and wife, Maria; Kirsten; Jocelyn; Machelle and husband, Jess Lewis; Mary and husband, Todd Taylor; and Lucas; six great-grandchildren: Misty and Travis Lewis; Dustin, Dalton and Darby Taylor; and Crestencia Pihlaja. Also, three sisters, Louise Stapleton of Billings, Ethel Cestnik and husband, Frank of Cody, and Ruth Johnson of Roberts; four half-sisters, Emma Storer of Joliet, Loretta Kilwein of Billings, Gladys Weimer of Roberts and Marcella Bucholtz of Idaho; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at the Joliet Lutheran Church, Pastor Jeff Olsgaard, officiant. Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Joliet Lutheran Church, Rocky Mountain College, or Shodair Children's Home in Helena.
Sara Olivia Norman
POWELL, Wyo. - Sara Olivia Norman, 7-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don and Lynette Norman, passed on to Heaven last Saturday, Jan. 9, 1999, after a long struggle with the rare skin disorder she was born with on Jan. 30, 1991, in Cody.
Sara was a very beautiful young child with a powerful spirit. She has changed the lives of nearly everyone who had contact with her. She IS a true kindred spirit and was a gift on loan from God. Until we meet again on the other side Sara will be sorrowfully missed by her Family and friends. She is engraved in our Hearts and Minds never to be forgotten.
Sara is survived by her parents, Don and Lynette Norman; her two sisters, Missy 4, Chelsea 21 months; grandmothers, Paulette Branstetter of Prineville, Ore., and Betty Norman of Columbia Falls; a very special "adopted" grandmother, Sandy Eaton of Powell; uncles, Brandy Branstetter, Leon and Jodi Norman and cousins, Miranda, Makayla, Jaylee, Kaitlyne, and Jennifer, Kevin and Lou Norman, and cousin, Ashley, Robert Seibel, Vince Norman; aunt, Cathy Norman and cousins, Sean, Shannon, and Landon; and the many close friends who are now considered family. She was preceded in death by a sister, Chelsie Anne, and a brother, Chase William, both in infancy; grandparents, Ted Norman, Pauline Norman, and Glenn Branstetter; and Uncle, Dean Norman.
Services in celebration of Sara's life will be held Thursday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church on Ave. H in Powell. Cremation has taken place with her remains to be spread at a later date in the same area as her brother, sister, and other relatives.
Those wishing may make memorial donations c/o Big Horn Federal, 141 E. First, Powell, Wyo. 82435 in Sara's memory.
Virginia Lee Holland
Virginia Lee Daigle Holland, 76 of Billings, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999, at Valley Health Care Center.
Virginia was born in Missoula, Aug. 8, 1921, to Pearl and Levi Daigle. She was raised in Alberton. After graduating from high school she attended Normal School at Dillon, later going to the University of Washington in Seattle.
She enjoyed her teaching years at Turner, Thompson Falls and Mullen, Idaho.
On April 29, 1946, she married
Francis (Mike) Holland at St. John's Catholic Church at Frenchtown.
She is survived by her husband, Mike of Billings, and son Patrick, of Joliet.
Many of her happiest days were spent with friends at their cabins in the mountains and on Flathead Lake. She cherished watching her God children grow and their visits.
We are grateful for all those who lovingly helped Virginia and family in her last days.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice.
Helen Rathbun
GLENDIVE - Funeral services for Helen Rathbun, age 63, of Glendive, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor James Hageman officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson County cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements.
Helen passed away on Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999, at the Glendive Medical Center after a long battle with cancer.
Helen was born on July 25, 1935, in Sauk Centre, Minn., the daughter of Hubert and Mary (Lynch) Schieffer. In 1940 she moved with her family to Beach, N.D., where she was raised and educated. On Sept. 7, 1955, she married
John C. Rathbun in Beach. In 1955 they moved to Glendive where she had made her home since.
Helen's family was her first priority in life. Helen's hobbies included collecting antiques, gardening and directing the Farmer's Market. She also enjoyed cooking for people and worked at various restaurants in the Glendive community.
Survivors include her husband, John C. Rathbun of Glendive; two sons, Steven Rathbun of Glendive and John O. Rathbun and his wife, Sharon of Colstrip; two daughters, Janie Rathbun of Beach and Mary Lee and her husband, Mike of Glendive; two brothers, James Schieffer of Grafton, N.D., and Tom Schieffer of Bremerton, Wash.; two sisters, Swenda Braden and her husband, Huey, and Grace Siebert, all of Beach; two granddaughters, Eryn and Amy of Glendive.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents and twin infant sons, Jon and Jan.
Memorials are suggested to the Glendive Medical Center, 202 Prospect Drive, Glendive, Mont. 59330 or Home on the Range - Big Sky Ranch, 622 Hwy. 16, Glendive, Mont. 59330.
Leonard Clarence Syverson
ASPEN VIEW - Leonard Clarence Syverson of Aspen View, died Jan. 15, 1999, at Deaconess Hospital. He was born Oct. 15, 1904 in Grant County, North Dakota, the son of John and Christine (Clamby) Syverson. After his father's death, his mother moved the family to Fergus Falls, Minn., where he was raised and graduated from high school. He was in business in Fergus Falls and Billings for many years until his retirement.
In 1934 he married
Solvieg Bartness and to this union was born one daughter, Joanne Constance. Solvieg passed away in April of 1961.
On July 12, 1969, he married
Helen V. Stegner in Alexandria, Minnesota.
Leonard was devoted to his home and family and, after retirement, enjoyed playing golf for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Syverson; one daughter, Joanne Steingruber and her husband Herbert of Three Forks, Mont.; one step-daughter, Mary-Helen Hendrickson and husband Jack of Cody, Wyo.; three grandchildren, Miriam McIntire and husband Michael of Lake Park, Minn., Dale Steingruber and wife Marilyn of Three Forks, Mont., Mark Steingruber and wife Lisa of Belgrade, Mont.; three step-grandchildren, Thomas Hendrickson of Powell, Wyo., Lon Hendrickson and wife Katherine of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Jill Balling and husband David of Cody, Wyo., and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at the First Presbyterian Church. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Smith West Chapel in charge of service.
Louie R. Herren
BRIDGER - Louie R. Herron passed away on Friday, Jan. 15, at Valley Health Care Center where he resided the past three years.
Louie was born at Shell, Wyo., on Sept. 21, 1908, to John and Minnie Herren. He ranched on Trapper Creek with his brother Albert. In 1946 he moved to Montana where he continued ranching north of Billings until selling out in the early l96O's.
He was a life member of the Elks Lodge in Greybull.
He owned and operated several businesses in Billings until retiring in 1982 when he moved to Bridger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Albert and Dick. He is survived by his brother Joe of Bridger and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Elks Lodge in Greybull, Wyo. Interment will be at the Odessa cemetery, She11, Wyo. Smith Funeral Chapel in Billings and Atwood Funeral Home in Greybull are in charge of arrangements.
Reuben Junkert
Reuben Junkert, loving husband, father and friend, 72, of Billings passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 1999, at his home.
He was born Dec. 4, 1926, in Billings, Mont., the son of Adam and Christine (Springer) Junkert. He was born in Billings and raised on a farm near Huntley. He farmed at Huntley until entering the Air Force in Oct. of 1945. He was discharged in Feb. of 1947.
He married
Hazel L. Smith August 7, 1948 in Billings. Reuben was a home builder and apartment contractor in Billings and at the time of his death was managing apartments he built.
He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family and traveling.
Survivors include his wife Hazel of Billings, his son Ron and daughter Connie Busby both of Billings and his son Randy of Reno, Nev.; his grandson, Blair Busby; brothers Albert Junkert of Huntley and August Junkert of Billings; his sister Ida Newton of Joliet.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Donna Jean and Karen Lynn and brothers, John, Rhieny, Carl Emanuel, and Ben.
Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Huntley cemetery, Huntley, Mont. Viewing will be at Smith Downtown Chapel. A fellowship will follow at the Yellowstone Valley Electric in Huntley.
