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Ralph H. 'Hank' Hoversland
WOLF POINT - Ralph H. "Hank" Hoversland, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and friend was born April 17, 1931, the ninth of 10 children born to Andreas and Marie Hoversland in the Cottonwood community. He attended Wolf Point schools until his freshman year at which time he moved to the farm to work for his Pa.
On June 29, 1952, he married
LeeBeth Schuchmann in Wolf Point. They lived on the Hoversland farm north of town for the rest of their lives. Hank helped raise six fine children: Stephen (Dianne), Debbie (Warren Benedik), Linda, Cindy (Doug Fernley), Scott (Janet), Blaine (Jennifer); and eight wonderful grandchildren who brought him great joy. They include: Jennifer, David, Andrea, Kevin, Melissa, Tyler, Rachel and Marcus.
Hank enjoyed farming very much and was most happy when he was busy working on the family farm. He loved to golf, put puzzles together, play cards, and collect things, especially toy tractors. His best times were spent with friends and family, including his brothers, John, Art and Reuben, and his sister, Ruth, and their families respectively. Whenever he traveled, he would always drop in to visit those he knew along the way.
The last few years he courageously spent fighting cancer. His belief in the Lord and the support of his family helped him through all the difficult times.
Hank left this world for a better place on April 10, 1999, from St. Peter's Hospital in Helena. Waiting for him at the end of this journey are his beloved wife, LeeBeth; his son, Stephen; his mother and father; his brothers, Carl, Leuverne, Reinert and Wilhelm (Bill); and his sister, Lydia, who preceded him in death.
Hank will not only be missed by his family, but by all those who have met him. His family would like to thank him for being a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.
Rufford B. Adams
POWELL, Wyo. - Rufford B. Adams, age 82, resident of Powell, died Saturday. April 17, at the Powell Hospital. Rufford was born Sept. 12. 1916, in Metz, Mo., to Samuel Adams and Emma Jane (Morgan) Adams. Rufford was married
March 24, 1938, to Louella Logan.
Rufford worked for Marathon Pipeline for 37 years, and retired from Marathon Pipeline. Rufford was affiliated with the United Methodist Church of Powell and the Powell Country Club. He was a lover of golfing, camping and fishing.
Survivors include: Louella Adams of Powell; a son, Raymond Adams and his wife, Linda of Powell; two daughters, Blanche Smith of Evanston and Sharon Trayer and husband, Ed of San Jose, Calif.; two sisters, Eula Wright of Denver, and Opal Hopkins of Huntsville, Ala.; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Rufford was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Emma Adams, three brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 21, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will be conducted on Thursday, April 22, 1999, at the United Methodist Church in Powell at 2 p.m. The pallbearers are Melvin L. Wren, Rick L. Wren, Michael L. Wren. Samuel L. Adams, Todd L. Trayer and Dan S. Harris. The honorary pallbearers are Kevin L. Trayer and Boyd Adams. Interment will take place at Crown Hill cemetery in Powell. In lieu of flowers, donations to charity of their choice.
Irma J. Mills
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Irma Jean Mills, 64 of Fayetteville, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale.
Irma lived in Northwest Arkansas for 20 years. She was employed by Century 21 Dave Fulton. Irma was a pillar of the community, an active Chamber member, an esteemed real estate agent and will be greatly missed by her many "best" friends.
She served as a Diplomat for the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and on many of the Chamber's committees. She enjoyed meeting people and serving the community through the Chamber and her real estate career. Irma strongly supported and worked for the economic growth of the Northwest Arkansas area.
She was born in Fromberg, Mont., Nov. 8, 1934, with her grandmother serving as mid-wife. She grew up and attended college and nursing school in Montana. She served as a registered nurse working alongside her husband, Joel, for 20 years in Arkansas.
Irma devoted her life and heart to her children and she leaves behind three sons and one daughter, Van of Dickson, Tenn., Inez of Springdale, Tad of Kimberling City, Mo., and Aaron of Springdale. Also surviving are her mother, Martha Stapleton, and brother, Charles Van de Veegaete, both of Billings, and six grandchildren.
Cremation by Moore's Chapel.
The family celebrated Irma's life at Chuckle's Restaurant in Springdale on Monday, April 19, 1999.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Special Olympics, 614 E. Emma, Springdale, Ark. 72764 or the Fayetteville Women's Shelter, P.O. Box 1923, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701.
Erna Mae Loutzenhiser
PLEVNA - Erna Mae Loutzenhiser, 67, of Plevna, passed away on Monday, April 19, 1999, at the Holy Rosary Care Center in Miles City.
She was born on March 10, 1932, the daughter of Albert and Pearl Faught Wang at Baker. As a young girl, she grew up in the Ollie area, moving to Oblong, Ill., with her family for a short time. She later moved back to the Baker area where she graduated from high school.
Erna was married
to Dwight Loutzenhiser on March 10, 1953, in Baker. They moved to Cabin Creek (Montana Dakota Utilities Gas Plant) until 1986 when they moved into Plevna to make their home. Erna enjoyed her plants, crocheting, cross stitching and especially being around her grandchildren. She was a member of the Eastern Star Charity Chapter #60 for 39 years, which she served as worthy matron several times.
A memorial has been established for the Shriners Hospital Transportation Fund c/o Al Bedoo Temple, Box 20673, Billings, MT 59104-0673.
Survivors include: her husband, Dwight of Plevna; a son, LaVerne of Plevna and his fiancee, Tina Mann; a daughter, Laura Brewer and her husband, John of Baker; a sister, Alice Spika of Delta, Colo.; six grandchildren, Shannon, Michael, Brice, Shane, Levi and Brittany; and several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
A Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the Stevenson's Funeral Home in Baker. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 22, at 11 a.m. in the American Lutheran Church with Pastor Dave Olson officiating. Burial will be in the Lame Jones cemetery. Stevenson's Funeral Home of Baker is in charge of the arrangements.
Jim Stiert
Jim Stiert, 62 of Billings, died unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 29, 1999, in Las Vegas, Nev. The son of Ralph and Madge (Ripley) Stiert, he was born in Billings on March 26, 1936.
Jim was raised and educated in Bridger and graduated from Bridger High School in 1954. Following high school, he graduated from Eastern Montana College and served in the U.S. Marines. Jim was a successful land developer whose insight and vision introduced to the Billings area many significant businesses still active in the workforce today. Some of these include: McKesson Drug, Food Services of America, Super 8 Motel, Napa, the Keebler Building, The Sleep Inn, McDonalds, Geyser Water Park, Conoco Super Store, and the 4B's Bars and Casinos. Jim was also involved with and responsible for the development of The South Gate Properties. His dreams and foresight were the driving force not only in his life, but for the benefit of the Billings community.
The natural leadership Jim possessed was of a wide range, beginning with his dedicated coaching and love of baseball. His successful coaching of a little league team for 20 years and the pride of his boys' championship trophy were very important to him. He was a true athlete who was talented on the bowling lanes and loved the game of golf. Jim was a people person. He loved having people in his home and always made everyone feel welcome. The more the merry for Jim. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Petroleum Club, and the Laurel Golf Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Madge Stiert.
Survivors include his wife, Willie; his daughter, Regan Stiert Sheldon and her husband, Tracy; his sister, Mary Mattheis and her husband, Art; his niece, Sandy Mattheis Voelker; and two nephews, Mark and Mike Mattheis.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Grace United Methodist Church in Billings with interment to follow in Mountview cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of one's choice. Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Norman C. 'Buz' Wolf
HARDIN - Norman C. "Buz" Wolf, 64, of Hardin and formerly of the Soap Creek area, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, in the Big Horn County Memorial Hospital,
He was born March 16, 1934, in Crow Agency, a son of Charles and Helen Pease Wolf. He grew up in the Soap Creek area and attended schools at Soap Creek and Lodge Grass. Following his education, he worked as a cowboy on the P.R. Krone Ranch and later for a seismograph crew.
Buz enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952, served in the Korean Conflict and two tours of duty in Vietnam and received his honorable discharge as a gunny sergeant in 1982. After his military retirement, he returned to the home ranch on Soap Creek.
He married
Marie Gartiz and was later divorced. He married
Mary Campau-Jacobs on July 25, 1975, in Hardin. The couple made their home on the family ranch, before moving to Hardin in 1997.
Buz was a member of the Crow Tribe and the New Lodge Clan. He loved wildlife, the Big Horn Mountains, especially his elk hunting trips, and all games of chance.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Edwin.
Survivors include his best friend and wife, Mary of Hardin; two sons, David of Florida and Steven of Georgia; one daughter, Anna (Daniel) Payne of Georgia; two stepsons, William (Virginia) Jacobs Jr. and Michael Jacobs of California; two stepdaughters, Debra (John) Reinthaler of California and Nadine (Dr. Steven) Higson of Texas; three sisters, Mary Ruth (John) Hammett of St. Xavier, Beatrice (Phil) Rasmussen of Lodge Grass and Gwen (Jim) O'Brien of Hardin; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews and a circle of friends.
Funeral services will he held 2 p.m. Friday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Cremation will follow the services. Private disposition of the Ashes will follow at a later date. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Big Horn Hospice, 806 Custer Ave., Hardin, MT 59034.
Betty J. Baker Hughes
Betty J. Hughes, 75, died Jan. 31, 1999, at Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings.
Betty was born on Feb. 7, 1923, in Arena, N.D., the daughter of Peter Baker and Apolona (Lautsch) Baker.
She attended St. Mary's Grade and High School in Bismarck, N.D., graduating in 1941. She went to work for NW Bell as a telephone operator in Bismarck. Then in 1943 she moved to Spokane, Wash., where she worked for the Air Force as a personnel clerk and attended business college at night
In 1947, she began a 30-year career with the Forest Service (USDA) in Billings on the Custer National Forest. She transferred to Washington, D.C., in 1962, then to the Prescott National Forest in Arizona in 1968 and finally, back to Billings in 1974. Most of the work was in personnel management and payroll, culminating as personnel officer for two national forests (Custer NF-Billings and Gallatin NF-Bozeman) located in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. She took courses at Billings Business College, Kinman Business College, Spokane, Wash., Catholic University of America and the USDA Graduate School in Washington, D.C.
After retiring in 1976, she traveled in Europe, upon returning she volunteered at a nursing home for two years. She continued her lifelong hobbies of bowling, bridge and later - golf - and it was on the golf course that she met Tom Hughes, a recently widowed investment broker. They were married
in 1983 at St. Pius Catholic Church in Billings and she acquired eight wonderful children and 14 grandchildren in four states. Married for 16 years, Betty and Tom were "snowbirds" for many years, living part-time in their home in Mesa, Ariz., and part-time in Billings.
Betty was an avid golfer and golfed year round. She also bowled in Billings for many years and took many trophies and awards home. She loved to play cards - both Bridge and Poker. She later added oil painting as a hobby after taking classes in Mesa. Tom brought her a love of opera and classical music into her life and they attended many concerts and operas together. They also shared together a deep faith in God and their Catholic religion and felt very, very blessed. She was a member of Lake Hills Golf Club and St. Bernard's Catholic Church.
Survivors include four stepsons, David and wife, Marlene, and Thomas and wife, Nancy of Helena, Dennis of Baraboo, Wis., and Bill Hughes of Billings; two stepdaughters, Kathy Hughes and husband, Mark of Salinas, Calif., and Toni Olsen and husband, George of Warren, Mich.; stepchildren, Gregg Burr and wife, Linda of Missoula and Micki Hammond of Selangor, Malaysia; 14 grandchildren; a sister, Agnes Porter of Billings; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Carson and Sally Hughes of Billings; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Hughes, her parents, one sister and three brothers.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church with rite of committal to follow at Holy Cross cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
E.E. (Bill) Friez
E.E. (Bill) Friez, 74, of Billings, passed away on Feb. 2, 1999, at Deaconess Hospital, Billings.
Bill, a proud World War II veteran and prominent barber in Billings, is survived by his wife, Marilyn; eldest son, Terry (wife Randi), Billings; daughter, Laura (husband Dennis), Glenburn, N.D.; and youngest son, Todd, Billings. Surviving brothers: George, Cambridge, Minn.; Rueben, Bismarck, N.D.; Ben, Placerville, Calif.; and Leo, McLaughlin, S.D.; grandchildren: Marnell (Jodi), Collette, Karnell, Shauna, Rusty, Scott (Laura), Stacy (Todd); and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and two brothers.
Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at 2 p.m. at Smith's West Funeral Chapel, 304 34th St. W., Billings. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Assoc. or the charity of one's choice. Interment with military rites will be held at Terrace Gardens cemetery. Viewing will start Wednesday at Smith West Chapel, 5-9, and Thursday, 9 a.m. until service time.
Arvid Alan Messerly
WHITEWATER - Arvid Alan Messerly, 33, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, in a two-car collision 41 miles north of Malta.
Wake service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the home of Arvid and Billie Messerly northeast of Whitewater. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Whitewater School with interment at the Mike Hammond Ranch north of Whitewater. A reception will follow at the Whitewater School. Everyone is invited to ride horses the last mile to the cemetery. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge.
Kenneth Eugene Obie
WHITEWATER - Kenneth Eugene Obie, 48, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, in a two-car collision 41 miles north of Malta. He was born March 31, 1950, in Billings. His family lived in Shepherd at that time. He was the fourth son of Louie and Florentine Schaff Obie. When he was four years old, his family moved to a farm south of Hardin. He graduated from Hardin High School in 1968, and attended Eastern Montana College. He served in the National Guard.
On Feb. 26, 1972, Ken married
Kathy Mae Kaiser of Hardin. Two years later on their anniversary, their first child, Jennifer Leah, was born. Jennifer was the apple of her father's eye, and he was her hero.
Ken and Kathy farmed in Hardin and Ekalaka until they moved to Winifred in 1974, where they operated a farm ranch operation with Ken's brother, Donald L. Obie. During their stay in Winifred, Ken served on the Farmers' Union Board, Catholic-Methodist Church Board, was vice president of the Montana Foster Parents' Association, and ran for a position on the National Cenex Board. In 1976, son, Joshua Levi was born, followed in 1980 by Jacob Luke. While living in Winifred, Ken and Kathy and their family served as foster family for several foster children.
Ken was involved in the Cursillo movement in Lewistown. Through this, his faith in Jesus was enriched. His Christian faith and love for children led to his becoming the administrator of the Northern Montana Youth Ranch in Whitewater. He served in this position from 1986 until 1998. Ken's gentle spirit and compassion, his fairness and firmness influenced many troubled youth to strive to reach their full potential. At the time of his death he was employed by the Lynn Simonson Ranch at Whitewater.
Ken was an avid collector of Indian and Western Art and classic cars. Favorite time-off activities were camping, hiking, snowmobiling, and rafting with friends and family. He was a member of the Phillips County Ambulance Service at Whitewater.
Ken is survived by his wife, Kathy and son, Jake of the family home northeast of Whitewater; son, Josh of Havre; and daughter, Jennifer of Galena, Alaska. He is also survived by his mother, Florentine and her husband, Ken Malsbury of Billings; and brothers, Richard and Donna Obie of Ekalaka, Ed and Naomi Obie of Juneau, Alaska, and Donald and Sandra Obie of Winifred; and several nieces and nephews. Over the years the Obie household was also home to 10 foster children; a niece and nephew, Holly and John Link; and two foreign exchange students.
A Rosary will be at 5 p.m. at the Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta on Wednesday, Feb. 3, and Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Malta with a reception immediately following the Mass at the Whitewater High School. Burial will be Friday, Feb. 5, at 12:30 p.m. at Fairview cemetery in Hardin. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements. A reception will follow burial at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hardin. Ken will be buried beside his father. "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21.
The family requests memorials to be sent to the Northern Montana Youth Ranch "Basketball Court Fund, " First Security Bank, P.O. Box 730, Malta, MT 59538 or to the Northern Montana Youth Ranch "Basketball Court Fund" Whitewater, MT 59544.
William 'Bill' Cannon
William "Bill" Cannon passed away Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999, at Valley Health Care Center after an extended illness. He was born to George D. and Elizabeth Rivenburg Cannon on Oct. 10, 1921, in Saugerties, N.Y. He attended schools in Saugerties until 1937 when the family moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. Bill attended City College of New York and was employed by the Mergenthaler Linotype Corp. until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in November of 1942. He served in the 3761 Quartermaster Truck Company in Hawaii, Okinawa, and Korea, and was discharged Dec. 31, 1945.
He married
Vivian Mae Foster, March 10, 1946, in Livingston. They made their home in Brooklyn until coming to Billings in 1951. He retired in Billings from the U.S. Postal Service in 1986.
Bill is survived by his wife, Vivian of 52 years; children: Dorothy Coslet and her husband, Bart of Billings, Linda Patterson and her husband, Harlan of Seattle, Wash., and Debbie O'Gorman and her husband, Tim of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren, Rebecca Coslet, Eric and Amy Patterson, and Molly and Megan O'Gorman; and a brother, Richard Cannon and his wife, Eleanor of Sebastian, Fla.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the Evangelical United Methodist Church, 345 Broadwater Ave. Interment will be in Terrace Gardens cemetery. Visitation will start 9 a.m. Thursday at Smith's West Chapel, 304 34th St. W.
Memorials may be made to Evangelical United Methodist Church or Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107.
