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Walter H. Willett
Walter H. Willett, 86, died on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at Billings Deaconess Hospital. His wonderful heart finally wore out. Walt was born on May 20, 1913 in Collins, N.Y. to Hampton and Emma (Clark) Willett.
At the age of 18, he rode a freight train to join his brother in Montana. On Nov. 18, 1934, he married
Neva May Reno in Hardin. They lived in Hardin and Lewistown, and Henderson City, Nev. Walter served in the army as a military policeman from 1943 to 1946 in Long Beach, Calif. After the war, they returned to Montana and farmed at St. Xavier. In 1951, he began working for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in Billings and served as Chief Criminal Investigator for Montana and Wyoming until his retirement in 1976. They have lived here since. Walter was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers and three sisters.
He is survived by Neva, his loving wife of 65 years; his three sons, Walt Jr. and wife Bea, Tracy and wife Pam, and Jim and wife Dawn, all of Billings; 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous very close nephews and nieces. Of particular note are the Reno nephews and nieces that they raised as their own upon the death of their parents.
Although we feel that Walt led an exemplar and successful life, he will be most remembered for the unbounded love that poured from his heart to all of his family and friends and for his own brand of humor that uplifted our lives. We'll miss you Dad, but your presence will always be with us.
Visitation will begin 10 a.m. Tuesday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan.19, at Rimrock Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Bracy officiating. Interment will follow in Mountview cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of one's choice.
Herbert Edward Foulk
GREYBULL, Wyo. - Herbert Edward Foulk, 86, died on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at the Bonnie Bluejacket Memorial Nursing Home.
Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, at Atwood Family Funeral Chapel in Greybull. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, in the First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Hillside cemetery with military rites.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the memorial fund established at the First Interstate Bank in Greybull. Atwood Family Funeral Directors, Inc. is in charge.
Gayle (Haggerty) Champion
SEATTLE - Gayle (Haggerty) Champion was born March 13, 1951, in Billings, the daughter of Henry and Margaret Haggerty. Gayle passed away due to natural causes on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000.
Gayle attended Newman Elementary, Riverside Junior High and Billings West High School. After graduating in 1969, she moved to Seattle to make this her new home and pursue new careers. In 1982, she met and married
Bill Champion. Gayle was a well respected mortgage broker, supplementing this career with her duties at the Boeing Credit Union.
We will always remember her for her fascination with doll houses and the efforts she put forth in her yard. She was a great story teller. We will always cherish her ability to make people laugh.
Gayle is preceded in death by her father, Henry Haggerty; her husband, Bill Champion; and nephew Kelly Prkut. Survivors include her mother, Margaret Haggerty of Billings; sisters Rose Prkut and Linda Bogart of Seattle; brother Bill (Pam) and nieces Erin, Megan and McKenzie Haggerty of Billings; nephew Nick (Diane) Prkut and children Austin and Taylor; and her nephew Kelly's wife and son, Debbie and Blaine Prkut of Seattle.
"We love you, your stories will always remain close to our hearts."
Funeral services and burial have taken place in Seattle on Tuesday, Jan. 11. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.
Walter H. Willet
Walter H. Willett, 86, died on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at Billings Deaconess Hospital. His wonderful heart finally wore out. Walt was born on May 20, 1913 in Collins, N.Y. to Hampton and Emma (Clark) Willett.
At the age of 18, he rode a freight train to join his brother in Montana. On Nov. 18, 1934, he married
Neva May Reno in Hardin. They lived in Hardin and Lewistown, and Henderson City, Nev. Walter served in the army as a military policeman from 1943 to 1946 in Long Beach, Calif. After the war, they returned to Montana and farmed at St. Xavier. In 1951, he began working for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in Billings and served as Chief Criminal Investigator for Montana and Wyoming until his retirement in 1976. They have lived here since. Walter was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers and three sisters.
He is survived by Neva, his loving wife of 65 years; his three sons, Walt Jr. and Bea, Tracy and wife Pam, and Jim and wife Dawn, all of Billings; 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous very close nephews and nieces. Of particular note are the Reno nephews and nieces that they raised as their own upon the death of their parents.
Although we feel that Walt led an exemplar and successful life, he will be most remembered for the unbounded love that poured from his heart to all of his family and friends and for his own brand of humor that uplifted our lives. We'll miss you Dad, but your presence will always be with us.
Visitation will begin 10 a.m. Tuesday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan.19, at Rimrock Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Bracy officiating. Interment will follow in Mountview cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of one's choice.
Margaret Christenson
Margaret "Fergie" Christenson, 89, passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000 at St. Vincent Hospital.
She was born Dec. 7, 1910 in Bottineau, N.D. She moved to Harlowton, Montana to marry her husband Garfield Christenson in 1936. Then in 1948 they moved to Billings.
She worked at St. Vincent Hospital as a switchboard operator and volunteer for 40 years.
Survivors include her brother John Ferguson (Doris) of Ark. Daughters: Sharon Herzog (Jim) of Laurel, Linda Ibach of Billings, and lone Apling (Len) of Ore. Seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren also survive her.
You are our strength and our joy, Mom and Grandma. We will love and miss you forever and ever.
Memorial graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Cremation has taken place.
Memorials may be given in Margaret's name to the First Christian Church, 522 North 29th Street, Billings, MT. 59101.
Marlene Teel
WOLF POINT - Marlene Teel, 45, of Wolf Point, died on Jan. 14, 2000, at the Benefits East Hospital in Great Falls, after a illness with cancer.
Marlene was born on May 3, 1954, in Wolf Point, the daughter of Leo and Angela Richard. She was raised in the rural Wolf Point and Vida area and attended country grade school, graduating from Wolf Point High School. She lived most all of her life in the Wolf Point area and worked at various jobs in Wolf Point. She worked for N. E. Montana Water Conditioning for many years, and for the last eight years was employed by Roosevelt County as a Deputy Clerk of District Court.
On July 19, 1997, she married
Marvin Teel in Wolf Point.
Marlene had many interests but her family was her life.
She was preceded in death by her father. Survivors include her husband, her mother Angela Richard, both of Wolf Point; two sons, Shane Courchene of Schofield Barracks U.S. Army Base in Hawaii; Donnie Courchene of Wolf Point; and a stepson Cody Ray Teel of Charleston, S.C.; a brother Dale Richard of Vida; sisters, Ione Iwen of Great Falls; Joyce Richard, Kay Matejovsky, Karen Sorley and Vicki Delger all of Wolf Point.
Visitations will be held from 9 a.m. to p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Gospel Fellowship Church in Wolf Point with Pastor Bruce Bogar officiating. Interment will be in the Riverside cemetery near Vida. Memorials may be made to the Wolf Point 100 Club.
John Klaboe
BUTTE - John F. Klaboe, 81, surrounded by his beloved family, died at his home Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, following an extended illness.
He was born Aug. 30, 1918, in Wolf Point, the son of John F and Harriet Parks Klaboe. He lived in Wolf Point, Havre and Popular before moving to Great Falls in 1928. He graduated from Great Falls High in 1937, and attended Montana State College Bozeman from 1937 until he was drafted in the Armed Forces. He served in the Army from 1941 until the end of Word War II in 1945.
He trained at Fort Lewis, Wash., as a member of the 41st Sunset Division, serving in the South Pacific against the Japanese armed forces. He participated the New Guinea campaign and the invasion of the Philippines.
Returning to stateside in 1944, and while still in the service, John married
Mary Frances Lester of Butte on Feb. 28, 1945, in Santa Barbara, Calif. Following the war he worked for Carson Construction, the Montana Highway Department and Sullivan Valve and Engineering Co. In 1962, he started John Klaboe Manufacturers' Representative, selling heating equipment for various manufacturers, with Modine being his major line. After 35 years in business, John retired at the age of 78.
John had an enormous love for his wife and family, and was an extremely hottest, kind and patriotic man.
John belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Butte Elks Lodge 240, Montana Society of Professional Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers.
He will be sorely missed by his wife, Mary; children, Judy Klaboe-Russell of Butte, Rick and Mati Klaboe of Miles City, Paul and Maureen Klaboe of Billings; nine grandchildren, Amanda, Sara, Molly, Caitlin of Miles City, Dane Russell of Butte, and John, Kevin, Paul and Casey of Billings, who will serve as "Grandpa's" pallbearers.
Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Betty Ambrosetti of Butte; numerous nieces and nephews, including Kathy, Kent and Laura Lodge of Denver.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Burton; and sisters, Harriet and Edith.
Friends may call to Duggan Dolan Mortuary after 5 p.m. Monday, with parish vigil services to follow at 7 p.m. in the mortuary chapel. Services are held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the mortuary, proceeding to St. Ann's Church where Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Entombment will be at Holy Cross Mausoleum. Memorials to Butte Central Catholic Education Fund and the Spirit of the Columbia.
Carl 'Fat' Big Man, Sr.
Carl Big Man, Sr., 54, of Hardin, died Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000, in the Billings Deaconess Medical Center.
He was born June 5, 1945, in Crow Agency, a son of Frances Big Man and Frank Falls Down, Sr. His biological father was Edgar Pretty on Top. He received his education in Crow Agency and Hardin. During his younger years, he broke horses and participated in bull riding events.
Carl enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he received his Honorable Discharge. Following his discharge, he joined the police force in Crow Agency and attended the United States Police Academy in Roswell, N.M., graduating from class # 3 in 1969. He served as a law enforcement officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 15 years, leaving the force as a Captain. He later worked at various jobs and most recently worked as a delivery man for Sun Ice.
He was a member of the Catholic Church, Piegan Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan. He was an accomplished guitar player, who loved to spend time with his family and his favorite cat, "Buck Wheat", as well as walking around town visiting friends.
Carl married
Henrietta Sioux and was later divorced. He married
Cathy Clark and was later divorced. He married
Margie Mathleson and was later divorced. He married
Nancy Bentz in 1983 and the couple made their home in Hardin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and one brother.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy of Hardin; five sons, Daniel (Lillian) Big Man of Lame Deer, Carl (Jennifer) Big Man, Jr. of Hardin, Kenneth Big Man of Washington, William and N'Quala Big Man of Idaho; three daughters, Cordelia (Stacey) Big Man Fisher of Lame Deer, Carlene (Bruce) Bird in Ground of Billings and Samatha (A.J.) Broken Rope of Hardin; nine sisters, Dorcella (Ronnie) Little Light of Dunmore, Leda Falls Down, Phyllis Well Known and Darlene (Dwayne) Bixby of Hardin, Carol (John) Bull in Sight, Sr., Rena Little Light and Tana (Max) French of Crow Agency, Mary Ann Big Head of Browning and Mary (Gale) Three Irons of St. Xavier; 11 brothers, Tyrone (Linda) Ten Bear, Donald (Lavina) Passes, Ron (Ruby) Big Man and Arthur (Alvira) Alden, Sr. of Crow Agency, Curtis (Samantha) Rides the Horse of Fort Smith, Adali (Norma) Falls Down of Pryor, Dexter (Diane) Falls Down of Poplar, William (Donna) Falls Down, Frank (Agnes) Falls Down, Jr., Carl (Edwina) Venne, Sr. and Burton (Randine) Pretty on Top of Hardin; four adopted brothers, Tom Walkins of Wyoming, Sammy Hoops of Lodge Grass, Tony Davis and Ronnie Gramblin of St. Xavier; one step brother, Lawrence Falls Down, Sr. of Pryor; three aunts, Beverely Big Man of Crow Agency, Henrietta Pretty on Top and Eloise Pease of Lodge Grass; two uncles, Ben Big Man, Sr. of Crow Agency and John Pretty on Top of Lodge Grass and 13 grandchildren.
Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m., Sunday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday in the Crow Agency St. Dennis Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will follow in the Crow Agency cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Ted Rapstad
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Ted taught all those who loved him his final lesson on Friday, Jan. 14, 2000. Together, those who adored him learned to say goodbye to an incomparable man.
Nora and Mathias Rapstad gave birth to Ted on Sept. 18, 1940, in Billings, Mont. He attended school in Montana and Wyoming and graduated from Basin High School in 1958. Ted's athleticism and competitive spirit led him to Rocky Mountain College where he ran track and graduated with a degree in education. He married
Jeanette in 1962. They moved to Poplar, where Ted began a 30 year career as a teacher and a coach. His desire to lead a team as head coach took the couple to Sheridan, in 1968 where he taught and coached for 24 years in the Sheridan School District, and spent his summers designing and building home improvements for many friends.
"Coach" led his teams with an inspired competitiveness that all of his adversaries respected and revered. The same unstoppable spirit showed in every one of Ted's successes including his winning teams, classroom, carpentry and the last years of his life. One of his greatest joys was hunting and fishing with loyal buddies and lab dogs and passing his passion on to his son-in-laws and grandsons. Ted lead his life with grace, dignity and perseverance. Each person who knew him holds in his or her heart an example of Ted's special brand of advice.
Those who will miss him include his beloved wife of 37 years, Jeanette; two devoted daughters and son-in-laws, Janelle and Scott Hanser of Billings, Teddi and David Heard of Dallas, Texas; three adoring grandchildren Austin, Dylan and Peyton; two loyal lab dogs, Digger and Mocha; three sisters, Thelma Kratochvil of Calif., Tiny Gunn of Billings, and Connie Durfee of Calif.; two brothers, Harold Rapstad of Calif. and Bud Rapstad of Custer; many loving nieces and nephews; and countless special friends. His mother and father, brothers Art Rapstad and David Rapstad, and sister Pat Kaiser preceded him in death.
The family would like to thank the professional, devoted doctors, nurses and staff that cared for Ted and supported us, God Bless each of you.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, beginning at 7 p.m. at Kane Funeral Chapel in Sheridan. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sheridan. Internment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Billings, at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Ronald McDonald House, Billings, MT 59101; Special Olympics Festival of Trees, c/o Anita Badgett, Sheridan, WY 82810.
Robert J. Barnhart
CODY, Wyo. - Robert J. Barnhart, 46, passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, at the West Park Hospital in Cody.
No services are planned and cremation has taken place. Ballard Funeral Home of Cody was in charge of arrangements.
Carl 'Fat' Big Man Sr.
Carl Big Man Sr., 54, of Hardin, died Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000, in the Billings Deaconess Medical Center.
He was born June 5, 1945, in Crow Agency, a son of Frances Big Man and Frank Falls Down Sr. His biological father was Edgar Pretty on Top. He received his education in Crow Agency and Hardin. During his younger years, he broke horses and participated in bull riding events.
Carl enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he received his Honorable Discharge. Following his discharge, he joined the police force in Crow Agency and attended the United States Police Academy in Roswell, N.M., graduating from class #3 in 1969. He served as a law enforcement officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 15 years, leaving the force as a captain. He later worked at various jobs and most recently worked as a delivery man for Sun Ice.
He was a member of the Catholic Church, Piegan Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan. He was an accomplished guitar player, who loved to spend time with his family and his favorite cat, "Buck Wheat," as well as walking around town visiting friends.
Carl married
Henrietta Sioux and was later divorced. He married
Cathy Clark and was later divorced. He married
Margie Mathleson and was later divorced. He married
Nancy Bentz in 1983 and the couple made their home in Hardin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and one brother.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy of Hardin; five sons, Daniel (Lillian) Big Man of Lame Deer, Carl (Jennifer) Big Man, Jr. of Hardin, Kenneth Big Man of Washington, William and N'Quala Big Man of Idaho; three daughters, Cordelia (Stacey) Big Man Fisher of Lame Deer, Carlene (Bruce) Bird in Ground of Billings and Samatha (A.J.) Broken Rope of Hardin; nine sisters, Dorcella (Ronnie) Little Light of Dunmore, Leda Falls Down, Phyllis Well Known and Darlene (Dwayne) Bixby of Hardin, Carol (John) Bull in Sight, Sr., Rena Little Light and Tana (Max) French of Crow Agency, Mary Ann Big Head of Browning and Mary (Gale) Three Irons of St. Xavier; 11 brothers, Tyrone (Linda) Ten Bear, Donald (Lavina) Passes, Ron (Ruby) Big Man and Arthur (Alvira) Alden, Sr. of Crow Agency, Curtis (Samantha) Rides the Horse of Fort Smith, Adali (Norma) Falls Down of Pryor, Dexter (Diane) Falls Down of Poplar, William (Donna) Falls Down, Frank (Agnes) Falls Down, Jr., Carl (Edwina) Venne, Sr. and Burton (Randine) Pretty on Top of Hardin; four adopted brothers, Tom Walkins of Wyoming, Sammy Hoops of Lodge Grass, Tony Davis and Ronnie Gramblin of St. Xavier; one step brother, Lawrence Falls Down, Sr. of Pryor; three aunts, Beverly Big Man of Crow Agency, Henrietta Pretty on Top and Eloise Pease of Lodge Grass; two uncles, Ben Big Man, Sr. of Crow Agency and John Pretty on Top of Lodge Grass and 13 grandchildren.
Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m., Sunday in the Burns Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday in the Crow Agency St. Dennis Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will follow in the Crow Agency cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
