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Franklin Quentin "Q" Johnson
HELENA - Franklin Quentin "Q" Johnson, a retired businessman and civic leader, died Thursday at St. Peter's Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was 79.
He was born in Harlowton on Feb. 26, 1920, the son of Charles A. and Anna Johnson. The youngest of six children, Johnson graduated from Harlowtown High School in 1938.
Johnson graduated from the University of Montana in 1942 with a degree in pre-medicine. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was manager of the Grizzly football team.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army June 25, 1942, and served in the infantry until his honorable discharge as a captain on March 18, 1946. After training in England, he fought in North Africa, where he was seriously wounded. After his recovering, he later fought in Italy and Germany. Johnson was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for valor.
After the war, Johnson returned to Missoula where he met Ruth Ann "Rudy" Sackett. They married
in Billings on Aug. 2, 1947. They lived in Great Falls before settling in Helena in 1949.
He was a property and casualty insurance underwriter from 1949 until his retirement in 1983. Johnson also studied for and earned the designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter.
In Helena, Johnson was active in numerous community projects and served on numerous civic boards. He served on and was chairman of the boards of directors of the YMCA, the Lewis and Clark Library and St. Peter's Hospital. He and Bud Little were responsible for saving the buffalo statue, which became the library's symbol, from a downtown building destroyed by Urban Renewal.
He was the first president of Green Meadow Country Club in 1970 after it split off from the Montana Club.
In addition, Johnson was a long-time member of the Helena Kiwanis Club and St. Peter's Episcopal Church. After retirement, he participated in the HOST program, helping tutor Bryant School students in reading.
Johnson loved participating in sports, particularly golf, and watching them. The New York Yankees, University of Montana Grizzlies and Helena High School Bengals never had a bigger fan. He enjoyed his weekly Wednesday night poker games and his monthly Commerce Inc. investment club meetings, both with special groups of friends.
He was devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved swimming, golfing and barbecuing with his family and friends at the family cabin at Whitefish Lake.
His parents and his brothers, Claude and Lloyd, and his sisters, Alice, Grace and Pearl preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Rudy; sons: Chuck and his friend, Patricia Hunt, of Helena; Tom and his wife, Kerry, and their children, Allison and Curtis, of Montana City; and Peter and his wife, Kathy, and their children, Luke and Jacob, of Great Falls; daughter, Sally Johnson and her husband, Ross Miller, and their daughter, Florence, of Missoula; two sisters-in-law; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 511 N. Park Ave. in Helena.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the new Alzheimer's wing at the Cooney Convalescent Home, 2555 E. Broadway, Helena, Mont. 59601 or to the donor's choice.
Retz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Anna Turk
EAST MISSOULA - Anna Turk, 89, passed away at her home in East Missoula, Mont., Wednesday, April 28, 1999.
She was born July 7, 1909, in Roundup, a daughter of Phillip and Donna Schwab. She was raised in the Bull Mountains where her parents homesteaded. In 1927, she married
Joseph Turk, and they resided in Roundup where he was a coal miner. In 1936, they bought some property on Rock Creek near Missoula and in 1945, the family moved there to make their permanent home.
She was a true pioneer who knew nothing but hard work, but also knew how to enjoy life with her family, the outdoors, fishing, and camping and in her later years, extensive traveling. Anna was a wonderful cook both at home and at Rock Creek Lodge. She was famous for her prize-winning bread,
Anna was preceded in death by a son Joseph Jr. in 1987, her husband Joseph Sr. in 1989, a son Augustine in 1996 and a brother, Phillip.
She is survived by five Sons: Bill of East Missoula, Dick of Butte, Jerry of Hamilton, David of Clinton and Jack of Tok, Alaska; two daughters; Madeline Milligan of Helena and JoAnn Finn of Townsend. Also surviving are a sister, Rose McDonald, Denver; a brother, Ed Schwab of Whitehall; 12 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 2 from 6- 8 p.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Bonner. A Christian Wake service will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at the Church. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 4 at 2 p.m. at the New Miners cemetery in Roundup, Mont. The Malletta Family of Funeral Homes, Livingston Chapel, 224 W. Spruce is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials in Anna's name may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Isabel Christine VonBergen
Feb. 22, 1999 - April 26, 1999
On February 22, 1999, God began to work miracles in our lives with the birth of Isabel Christine VonBergen. Although she was the youngest and smallest of triplets, we knew by looking into her big brown eyes, that God was at work in her. Through "Izzy Bell" He taught us about courage, inner strength, the love of strangers, and the faithfulness of friends and family. When we were with Izzy we wanted the world to stop so that each precious, God-created moment with her could be cherished. The doctors at The Children's Hospital in Denver told us she had heart problems and those problems are why she died on April 26th. We know, however, that the love and strength in her perfect heart helped her live and will never die in the hearts of those who love her.
She will be missed by her Mommy and Daddy, Connie and Brad VonBergen; triplet sister, Elise Faith and triplet brother Christian Louis Lawrence all of Billings, Mont.; her big sister, Chelsea LaRae Ramsey of Colstrip, Mont.; Maternal grandpa Lawrence Meland of Parhump, Nev.; Paternal grandma Darlene Foote of Sacramento, Calif., and Paternal great-grandma Lucille Nelson of Billings; and many loving uncles, aunts and cousins. Isabel has joined maternal grandma Irene Meland, paternal grandpa Louis VonBergen and paternal great-grandpa Art Nelson in heaven.
Isabel, thank you for your love and for letting us love you. You have changed our lives forever. We love you, Sweet Little Izzy Bell.
Visitation will be held 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Please join us for a celebration of Isabel's precious life on Monday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be directed to the Isabel VonBergen Memorial Fund, C/O Jalee MS8007, Norwest Bank, 175 N. 27th, Billings, MT 59101.
DeAnna L. Atkinson
POPLAR - DeAnna L. Atkinson, 21, died on April 29, 1999, at the Poplar Community Hospital in Poplar, Mont., from cancer.
DeAnna was born on Nov. 17, 1977, at Poplar, the daughter of Robert and Tana Atkinson. She was raised and attended schools and graduated from Poplar High School. DeAnna attended Montana State University-Billings and Fort Peck Community College. She lived in Poplar most all of her life
She enjoyed her family and friends. DeAnna also enjoyed writing and touched many people's hearts by sending cards and letters to them. She was a very loving and caring person and put other people first in her thoughts rather than herself. She received many letters from people praying for her through her illness.
Survivors include her parents of Poplar; her maternal grandparents, Sally and Pete Loegering of Poplar; two sisters, Chelsea and Stacy, both of Poplar; a niece Tauni Atkinson and two nephews Kolt Robert Atkinson and Coy Atkinson; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitations will be held on Sunday, May 2, from 1 to 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 3, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Rev. Father Robert Fox officiating. Interment will be in the Poplar City cemetery. Clayton Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Leonard W. Schaefer
POWELL, Wyo. - Leonard W. Schaefer, age 77, died of acute leukemia Thursday, May 20, 1999, at the Powell Hospital. Leonard was born April 5, 1922, at the family farm south of Minot, N.D. He was the sixth of 11 children born to Edward C. and Margaret (Frost) Schaefer. Leonard graduated from St. Leo's Catholic High School. He married
Edna J. Fuchs on June 4, 1946, at Foxholm, N.D. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1943 - 1946. He and Edna farmed near Minot, N.D., until 1951 when they moved to Powell and farmed west of Powell on Ralston Bench. Leonard and Edna retired from farming and moved to Powell in 1983.
He was a member of St. Barbara's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and American Legion. Leonard served on various boards including Big Horn Coop, Powell School Board, Diocesan Pastoral Council and Wyoming Community College Commission and was a long-time trustee of St. Barbara's Catholic Church. He enjoyed being around people and enjoyed serving on various boards. He gave freely of his time and advice. His grandchildren were the joy of his life and he enjoyed watching them participate in their various sports and other activities. In the past few years, he became an avid tennis fan. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Edna; three sons: Lynn and Marjorie Schaefer of Rock Springs, Allan Schaefer, and Keith and Brenda Schaefer of Powell; two daughters: Judi and Gary Buckingham of Powell, and Joyce and Tom Bales of Cody. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Elizabeth and Christopher Schaefer, Jeffrey and Scott Buckingham, Eric, Maureen and Joel Schaefer, Jason, Kyle and Jennifer Bales, and Colby and Brady Schaefer; and one great-grandson, Nicholas Schaefer. He is also survived by three brothers and two sisters: Loretta and Harvey Gilbert of Powell; Harold Schaefer, Bernard and Elaine Schaefer, Mary Kay and Glenn Whitted all of Minot, N.D., and Lawrence and Lucille Schaefer of Hot Springs, Ark. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, James Schaefer, grandson Jordan Schaefer, brothers: Ted, Ed and Francis Schaefer, and sisters: Margaret Burnham and Eleanore Schaefer.
Rosary for Leonard will be held Sunday, May 23, 7 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, May 24, at 10 a.m. Both services will be held at St. Barbara's Catholic Church with burial at Crown Hill cemetery in Powell. Viewing will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Powell Athletic Roundtable, PO Box 21, Powell, WY 82435; Leonard Schaefer Memorial, c/o Powell FFA, 160 N. Evarts, Powell, WY 82435 or Leonard Schaefer Memorial, Cody FFA, 1225 10th Street, Cody, WY 82414.
Robert Warren Stricklin
KALISPELL - Robert Warren Stricklin passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, May 20, 1999, in Kalispell. He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-two years, Annie. He is survived by his sons: Patrick, Michael, Victor, and Charles; his daughters-in-law: Brenda and Sheri; his sister, Nancy Kellogg; and grandchildren: Victor, Sarah, Joseph, Cassie, Whitney, Paula, Ryan, Kyle, Austin, Rachel and Kaitlyn.
Bob was born in Conrad on Dec. 22, 1928. After graduation from high school, he graduated from Kenmon Business School in Washington. In 1955, he moved to Billings where he raised his family. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Billings Elks Club.
In 1976, he bought Automatic Vending Service of Billings. Bob was involved in some of Montana's first video rental stores and helped bring cable television to several of the smaller towns in Montana. In 1996, he moved to Kalispell Heritage Nursing Home where he had resided since.
He loved his friends, fast cars, big boats and hunting pheasants. One of his favorite past times was helping his friend Ira taste test his many home made wines. All of us will greatly miss our father. We find peace of mind in knowing that he is finally with his "Annie".
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 26th, at Michelotti, Sawyers and Nordquist. Memorials may be sent to the charity of one's choice.
Diane Lester Cofer
BOZEMAN - Diane Lester Cofer, 58, died May 21, 1999 at home in Bozeman. In 1989, Diane founded For One Another (FOA) a cancer family support network for Montana and directed this program for the past ten years. Diane was so grateful for all the tears, laughter, joys and hurts the FOA families have shared - these helped her cope when she too was diagnosed with this disease nine months ago.
Within these past nine months, Diane and her family have appreciated the care of Dr.'s Heibert, Castillo, Robbins, Campbell and Mansfield and the relentlessly loving support from the nurses and volunteers of Gallatin Hospice.
Diane was born March 4, 1941, in Stuart, Fla., to Dot and Andy Lester and grew up in South Florida. She attended Mississippi College and graduated from Mars Hill College. She met her husband to be at the University Baptist Church, Coral Gables, Fla., and two years later, was married
Aug. 17, 1962, to R. Gent Cofer. Together they served the congregations at First Baptist Church (St. Paul, Va.), Westhampton Baptist Church (Richmond, Va.), and Candlewood Baptist Church (Danbury, Conn.), before moving to Bozeman in 1984. From 1984-1991, she worked as Administrative Assistant in the Men's Athletic Department at Montana State University.
For thirty-five years she served as a special Mom for her three children, Andy, Dorie and DidiAnne; and for three years provided a loving home for five pre-adoptive babies, Mark, Davey, Tiffany Ann, Stephanie Lynn, and Lisa. Her granddaughters, Bronte and Aliya, have been a source of joy and light for the past four years. She and Gent also rejoiced in their extended family at Big Sky Christian Fellowship (Big Sky, Mont.) who, in her words, "Loved us up one side and the other."
Diane Cofer is survived by her husband, Gent Cofer; son, Capt. Andrew Cofer, USMC, of Joshua Tree, Calif.; daughters: Dorie Cofer, of Boulder, Colo., and DidiAnne Cofer Gilman of Bay Point, Calif.; mother, Dorothy Lester of Miami, Fla.; brothers: Andrew Lester of Fort Worth, Texas, and Rusty Lester of Dornbirn, Austria; sisters: Sharon Jones of Willis, Texas, Dede Baker of Bozeman, and Bonnie Scherer of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren: Bronte and Aliya Gilman. She was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Lester.
A memorial service will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 300 Highland Blvd., Bozeman, MT, 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 25. FOA families and volunteers are invited to wear their FOA T-shirts. In lieu of flowers, she requested that donations be made to For One Another Cancer Family Network (FOA), P0 Box 6446, Bozeman, MT 59771-6446.
Eddie Bert Leuthold
Blessed are the pure in heart
for they will see God
Matthew 5:8
On May 19, 1999 at 2:00 P.M. Eddie was invited to take a beautiful walk to see God. His was a noble journey. A life which ended just as he lived - with a warm thought in his heart and a smile on his face.
Eddie was born October 28, 1937 in Billings, Montana, son of Albert B. and Louise P. Leuthold. Eddie began his schooling at the Leuthold School near Molt. After spending a short time in Santa Rosa, California, the family returned to Laurel where Eddie entered the 4th grade, eventually graduating from Laurel High School in 1955. Upon graduation he attended Eastern Montana College for one year. Eddie then moved to Dallas, Texas and attended Southern Methodist University until graduating in 1959 with a degree in Economics. On June 9, 1957 he married
Donna Mae Deines of Laurel. They had two sons, Rick and Jeff. His business career started at the Yellowstone Bank of Laurel. In 1964 he moved to the Midland National Bank in Billings where he spent 14 years in the Business Loan Department. In 1979 he established Leuthold Real Estate which he owned and operated until his death.
Throughout his life he served the community in various ways which included: Laurel City Council - 2 years; Billings City Council - 4 years; Jaycees; President of Yellowstone Kiwanis; Chamber of Commerce; Masonic Lodge; Scottish Rite; Al Bedoo Shrine; Billings and National Association of Realtors; First United Methodist Church in various capacities and for the past 9 years he has served the Lord at Faith Chapel.
Eddie had a voracious appetite for knowledge. A favorite past time would be reading the encyclopedia on various items of interest. And no one could imagine Eddie's delight and amazement as son Jeff introduced him to the internet, which placed all the information of the world at his fingertips. The other great personal joy in his life was the Leuthold OK ranch. Like his Father before him, the simple pleasures of the land brought him great happiness and comfort.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Albert B. Leuthold. He is survived by his wife Donna - whom he loved and cherished; his mother Louise P. Leuthold; brother Ken and wife Janie Leuthold; sister Betty Waddell; brother Stephen Leuthold; son Rick and his wife Cindy; son Jeff and his wife Ingeri - from all of which he derived great pride; grandchildren Katie, Lindsay, Jessica, Keaton, Parker, and Chloe - the Loves and lights of his life; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, May 24th at Faith Chapel in Billings with internment at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Dialysis Clinic, Inc., 2411 Village Lane, Billings, MT 59102; Big Sky Hospice, PO Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107-5033; or Faith Chapel Youth Program, P.O. Box 20674, Billings, MT 59104.
Eddie was truly a light unto the World through his Faith and guidance. He has illuminated the path for all to follow.
Bumpa we will miss you, but know you are in the hands of the Lord!
Marvin A. Takes the Horse Jr.
LODGE GRASS - Marvin A. Takes the Horse Jr., 36, of Lodge Grass, passed away Thursday, June 24, 1999, in the Crow Agency IHS Hospital
Aseshucheeush "White Head" was born Aug. 27, 1962, in Crow Agency, a son of Marvin Takes the Horse Sr. and Alta Red Wolf. He grew up in the Wyola area and attended schools in Wyola, Crow Agency, Pretty Eagle, Intermountain Indian School in Utah and Hardin High School. Following his high school education, he attended several trade schools in Illinois and Montana, before attending Little Big Horn College.
"Chico" or "Indian Elvis" as he affectionately was known was a certified iron worker who worked in Illinois, New Mexico, Florida and Montana, who was an integral part of the iron works on the new Crow Agency IHS Hospital. He was also a fire fighter and currently had worked as a janitor for the Lodge Grass school system.
He was a member of the Four Square Church, Ties the Bundle Clan and a child of the Greasy Mouth and Whistling Water Clans. He was an entertainer often called upon for gatherings across the Reservation. He was well known for his Elvis impersonations and his abilities to make people laugh.
Survivors include his wife, Walla Red Star Takes the Horse of Lodge Grass; three sons, Jaymeson Red Star Takes the Horse of Lodge Grass, Angel and Marvin Takes the Horse III of Polson; two daughters, Larena Takes the Horse of Polson and Alisha Red Wolf of Fort Belknap; his father, Marvine (Annie) Takes Horse Sr. of Lodge Grass; his mother, Alta (Glen) Bird in Ground of Crow Agency; his adopted parents, Harold and Violet Enick of Crow Agency; two brothers, Conrad Reed and Al (Eunice) Takes the Horse of Crow Agency; four sisters, Elena Nomee of Lodge Grass, Gladys Takes the Horse, LaVerne (Ben) Big Man and Glenette (Orrin) Alden of Crow Agency; two adopted sisters, Violet James of Billings and Mary Enick of Crow Agency; nine adopted brothers, Calvin Jefferson Jr., Lincoln White Shirt, Louie Walks Over Ice, Maurice Mountain Sheep, Ronald Anderson, John, Francis, Nathan and Louis Enick; nine uncles, Carl Venne, Carl Leider, Floyd Morrison Jr., Franklin, Clifford, William, James, Samuel and Dennis Takes Horse; 18 aunts, Loretta, Karen Sue, Karolyn Lee and Saramae Takes Horse, Sarah Armajo, Shirley Kristofek, Marie Tikka, Georganna Bad Bear, Joan Horn, Priscilla Gardner, Marietta Deputee, Violet Wolf Black, Arna Morrison, Alice Mae LaForge, Mary Hoops, Gloria Driftwood and Julia Good Luck; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Monday in the Lodge Grass First Crow Indian Baptist Mission. Interment will follow in the Lodge Grass cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
