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Hazel Johnstone Milek Bowman
BOZEMAN - Hazel Johnstone Milek Bowman, 81, passed away on Dec. 25, 1999, in Bozeman where she was spending the holidays with family.
Hazel was born Dec. 29, 1911, in Boone, Iowa, to William and Mary Johnstone. The family moved to Gebo, Wyo., in 1923 where she graduated from high school. In 1932 she married
her childhood sweetheart, Art Milek, in Thermopolis, where they lived and raised their family. Art preceded her in death in 1960.
In 1963, she married
Milo Bowman, a kind and gentle man, and they made their home in Santa Barbara, Calif., for a short time before returning to Thermopolis in 1965. He preceded her in death in 1989.
Hazel lived for 75 years in the Thermopolis area where she loved to spend time with her family. She enjoyed laughter and the camaraderie of playing golf and bridge with her many friends. She was active in the Altar and Rosary Society of St. Francis Church and belonged to a sewing club that met weekly for over 50 years.
A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Mortimore Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at St. Francis Catholic Church with Father Michael Ehiemere officiating. Interment will follow at Monument Hill cemetery.
Survivors include daughter, Janet Swenson and her husband, Bob, of Baseman; son, Jim Milek and wife Marsha of Casper; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Milek, Thermopolis; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Her parents, her son, Robert Milek; three brothers, Harold, George and Roy Johnstone and her sister, Ethel Spicer, preceded her in death.
May the memory of the sweet woman who shared kindness, joy and humor with family and friends be forever in our hearts.
Mortimore Funeral Home is in charge of Thermopolis arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to the Hot Springs County Library Association or St. Francis Catholic Church in Thermopolis.
Alvin Fulton
GLENDIVE - Alvin Fulton, age 84, of Glendive, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in the Glendive Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at the Evangelical Church of North America with Pastor Arlie Rauch officiating. Interment will follow in the Dawson Memorial cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements.
Alvin was born on June 21, 1915, the son of Clark and Altha (Holmes) Fulton in Pierce, Neb. He was raised and educated in rural schools in Pierce County, Neb. After his education, Alvin worked on the family farm. Alvin married
LaVerne Carstens on Sept. 25, 1941, in Pierce.
The next day they moved to Montana. Alvin worked on various farms in the Burns Creek area. In 1945, they moved to Bloomfield, Mont., and the next year started farming and ranching on their own. They continued to farm until 1980 when Alvin semi-retired. In 1988 they moved into Glendive.
Alvin enjoyed visiting, hunting and fishing. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and their families. He was a member of the Community Bible Church in Glendive and did much volunteer work at the Eastern Montana Bible Camp.
Survivors include his wife, LaVerne of Glendive; his daughter, Jackie Senner and her husband, Rod of Bloomfield; his son, Monte Fulton and his wife, Ranetta of Glendive; one brother, Howard Fulton of Parumph, Nev.; three sisters; Thelma Schroeder of Bloomfield, Neb.; Dorotha Kamrath of Norfolk, Neb.; and Corlis Boren of Adel, Iowa; four grandchildren, Tern (Fulton) Patterson and her husband, Jeff, and their children, daughter, Fallyn and sons, Brock and Riley of Rapid City, S.D.; Dennis Fulton of Casper, Wyo.; Lisa (Senner) Setterstrom and her husband, Steve, and Kelly (Senner) Setterstrom and her husband, Dave and their son, Jarrod of Minneapolis.
Memorials are suggested to the Eastern Montana Bible Camp, C/O Connie Unruh, 431 Road 523, Bloomfield, MT 59315.
Donald Olaf Johnson
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS - Donald Olaf Johnson, 87, died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at Mountainview Medical Center of natural causes.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Mayn cemetery. Twichel Funeral Home in White Sulphur Springs is in charge.
Mark Alan Leininger
CODY, Wyo. - Mark Alan Leininger, 41, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, at his home in Cody of natural causes.
Cremation has taken place. Private family memorial services will be held at a later date.
Kenneth Lee Miller
CODY, Wyo. - Kenneth Lee Miller, 70, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at West Park Hospital Emergency Room.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at First Presbyterian Church of Cody.
Alma Holmes Cunningham
FORSYTH - Alma Holmes Cunningham, 86, of Forsyth, died Saturday Dec. 25, 1999, at the Rosebud Health Care Center.
Alma was born Dec. 24, 1913, in Ravana, Miss., the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Hilton Callen. She spent her youth and attended schools in Ravana.
In 1932, Alma married
Fred Holmes in Ravana. They moved to the Cartersville area in 1934 where they farmed until 1973 when Fred died. In 1974, Alma married
Ted Cunningham in Forsyth. They lived in Hysham for a few years before moving back to Forsyth, where Alma has lived since.
Alma was a member of the Forsyth Presbyterian Church, the Rebekah Lodge at Rosebud, and the Sand Creek Homemakers Club. She enjoyed doing crafts and bowling, especially with her husband Ted.
She is survived by her son Dean Holmes and wife Rose of Clyde Park; her daughter Janet Vassau and husband Joe of Forsyth; nine grandchildren, Debbie Rice, Sheri Stroppel, Mark Holmes, Dena Dockter, Arthur Holmes, Thomas Holmes, Howard Vassau, Arnold Vassau, and Joe Vassau; eight great grandchildren. Alma was preceded in death by her husband's Fred Holmes and Ted Cunningham, and her son Ernest.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday Dec. 30, 1999, at the Beals Mortuary Chapel in Forsyth. Interment will follow in the family lots at the Forsyth cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's own choice. Beals Mortuary of Forsyth is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Lyle Vaagen
Lyle Vaagen, 72, of 3456 Winchell Lane, passed away Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, after a short battle with cancer. Upon arriving in Billings in 1990, Lyle owned and operated Lyle's Small Engine Repair until the onset of his illness.
Lyle is survived by his loving companion, Marge Booke; dear friends, the Booke Family; and five children: Russell, Nancy, Lori, Jeff and LeeAnn. Lyle touched many lives and we thank those who touched his. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999 at Price/Murphy Funeral Home in Dickinson, N.D.
Mary Katherine Barkhuff
COLUMBUS - Mary Katherine (Ziler) Barkhuff, 93, passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 26, 1999, at the Beartooth Manor Care Center in Columbus.
Mary was born on May 20, 1906, in Odessa, Wash., the daughter of Conrad and Mary N. (Heimibichner) Ziler. The family moved to Montana in 1911 and Mary's early schooling was at Emerson School at Shepherd. In 1923 she moved to Hardin where she lived until she married
Rex B. Barkhuff on Dec. 23, 1926, in Billings.
Mary and Rex lived in Hysham for a number of years and to this union was born a son, Rex H. Barkhuff. They later moved to Billings, living at 1441 Avenue F.
Mary was a very talented lady. She loved to paint and was an excellent seamstress. She is survived by her son Rex H. of Shepherd; two granddaughters; one grandson; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Joe of Shepherd and Lawrence of Sidney.
Cremation is planned and private family services will be held. Interment of the urn will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Mona M. (Stovall) Munyan
Mona M. (Stovall) Munyan died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at St. Vincent Hospital and Health Center of complications from cancer.
Mona was born in Laurel on Jan. 12, 1924, to Lester (Tobe) and Catherine (Marsh) Stovall.
Mona married
Paul Munyan on Sept. 29, 1943, in Billings, and they later moved to Troy in 1948. After Paul's death in 1982, Mona lived in various places.
She spent a lot of time with her sister Mary Lou and sister-in-law Helen in her later years.
She is survived by her children: Terry of Havre, Gary of Helena, Timothy of Laurel; her sister, Mary Lou Farnes of Columbus; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel. Interment will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31 at the Troy cemetery in Troy, Mont. A potluck dinner will be held after the funeral service at the First Church of the Nazarene in Laurel, 210 W. 11th St. Memorials: American Cancer Society, Montana Division c/o Mrs. Harold Gerke, 1201 Clark Ave., Billings, MT 59102.
Joe F. Gonder
LAUREL - Joe F. Gonder, 68, died at his home on Friday, Dec. 24, 1999.
Cremation has taken place and family services will be held at a later date. Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel was in charge.
Foy E. Winters
CODY, Wyo. - Foy E. Winters, 79, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, at West Park Long Term Care Center.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody. Interment will follow in Riverside cemetery. Ballard Funeral Home is in charge.
Michael R. Gorzalka Sr.
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Michael R. Gorzalka Sr., 77, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Holy Name Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Elks cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be made to Holy Name Athletic Association, the Sheridan College Rodeo Team, Big Horn City Historical Society, or the Holy Name School Foundation in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Anna Herman
Anna Herman, age 86, passed away on Christmas Day at Valley Health Care Center where she had been a resident for three years. Anna was born March 6, 1913, in Garden City, Kan., to Jacob and Katherine Kramer. She came to Montana as a young child and was raised on a farm west of Billings.
Anna married
Alex Herman in 1932. Alex died in 1989. In their 57 years of marriage, Alex's railroad employment required that they live in Laurel, Fallon, Huntley, and Pompeys Pillar. They then returned to Laurel where they retired. They raised their four children as well as Alex's younger sister and brother, Martha and Fred.
Anna enjoyed being a homemaker, mother and grandmother. She especially enjoyed family dinners and celebrations. Her children and grandchildren gave great joy and meaning to her life. She was an excellent seamstress and delighted in sewing for her family.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Alex; sister-in-law Martha; brother-in-law, Fred; her brothers, Jacob, Solomon and George; and sisters, Katy, Elizabeth, Molly and Marie.
She is survived by her four children, Dorothy (Trent) Turnbull of Billings; Anna (Edgar) Lewis of Lavina; Sally (Jack) Samson of Billings; Jack (Phyllis) Herman of Maple Valley, Wash.; her brother, Bill (Bonnie) Kramer of Billings; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel. Interment will be at the Laurel cemetery. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Richard Ira 'Dick' Sipes
FROMBERG - After spending a joyful Christmas season with family, a loving husband of 45 years, brother, father, grandfather, and friend passed away at home on Dec. 26, 1999, when his heart suddenly failed. Dick, 78, was born at home on Friday the 13th, July 1921, in Paradise, Mont., to Mary Adeline and Jonathan Robert Sipes. Due to his mother's superstitious beliefs, his birth was officially reported and recorded as July 15, 1921. He grew up on the family farm at Camas Prairie, attending school in Hot Springs. After graduating high school, he attended Western Montana College until he was called away to serve his country during WWII. Dick was inducted into the Army in October of 1942 and served as a staff sergeant in the 33rd Infantry Division. He saw action in New Guinea, Luzon, and the Western Pacific. As an Army ranger and squad leader, he was injured in battle by shrapnel wounds to his back, but refused his Purple Heart when an officer with a scraped finger stood in line to receive one also. He earned a Bronze Star while helping to liberate the Philippines from the occupying Japanese forces. He was on a ship sailing for the invasion of Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, probably saving his life and that of millions of other Japanese and American soldiers and civilians.
He was part of the occupying force for several months before being sent home. Dick proudly served his country and always reminded people of the freedom that was earned by the sacrifice of many. He was witness to the terrible atrocities of war and always refused to comment about or glorify any aspect of being a soldier during war.
Upon his return, he attended college at Montana State College in Bozeman. On July 3, 1954, he married
Lola Hutchison in Missoula. He adopted her two daughters, Donna and Linda, from a previous marriage, and shortly after, they adopted another son, Richard, as their own. Later, they adopted and raised Kathy, Roy, Elaine, Allan, Lisa, and Jeff as their own. Dick and Lola were parents to 50 plus foster children over the years and several foreign exchange students.
Dad and Mom ran a restaurant for four years in Boulder, Colo. In 1962, they returned to Stevensville where Dad worked as an independent carpenter and contractor. He was actively involved as a scoutmaster, hunter safety instructor, and in several clubs and organizations.
In 1977, he was elected to the Town Council in Stevensville. He served as a councilman for two years before being appointed mayor in 1979. Through election, he remained as mayor for the next 14 years. He resigned this position in 1993 to move to Fromberg to be closer to many of his children and his brother, Walter.
In Fromberg, Dick and Lola became very involved in the Senior Citizens, became members of the United Methodist Church, and held a weekly Bible study in their home. Dad enjoyed exploring Montana, Elder Hostel excursions, dancing, hunting, rock collecting, practical jokes, and cavorting with family, friends, and his Chihuahua, Missy.
Dick leaves behind his loving wife, Lola, of the family home in Fromberg; daughters, Donna Byrne (Tyler) of Hamilton, Linda Blatter (Gene) of Havre, Kathy Kline (Rod) of Shepherd, Elaine Parsons (Curtis) of Billings, and Lisa Springer (Kevin) of Kremlin; sons, Allan Sipes (Linda) of Wilsall, Jeff Sipes (Kelly) of Sumner, Wash.; older brother, Walter Sipes (Jane) of Fromberg; sister, Dotte Thorbergson (Ron) of East Helena, 23 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many friends. He was preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Roy, and eleven brothers and sisters.
A memorial celebration of Dick's life will he held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, in the United Methodist Church of Fromberg. A luncheon will follow at the Catholic Hall. Cremation is being handled by Cremation or Funeral Gallery of Billings.
