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Beryl May Archer
LEWISTOWN - Beryl May Archer, 82, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, in St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings of natural causes.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Cloyd Chapel with interment to follow in the Lewistown City cemetery. The Cloyd Funeral Home is in charge. Memorials may be made to the Cardiac Care Unit of the Central Montana Medical Center and may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home.
Mary K. Thompson
DENVER - Our beloved Mary K. Thompson, 87, went home to be with our Lord on Feb. 19, 2000, at the Christopher House in Denver. Mary was born June 1, 1912, to Charles and Marie Kolarich in Red Lodge, Mont. Mary attended school in Red Lodge and upon graduation moved to Billings to attend Billings Business College, majoring in accounting.
She started her career at the Laurel Refinery, later moving to Yale Oil. She married
Theodore Thompson Dec. 21, 1940, and moved to Missoula to further her education as a CPA. She returned to Billings to work for Colberg Accounting, later working for the EMC Business Office where she retired in 1984.
Mary is survived by one son, Todd Thompson and wife, Dicksie of Aurora, Colo. Other survivors include sisters, Betty J. Bourne of Billings, Helen Pipkin of Freeland, Wash., one brother, Louis Kolarich of Red Lodge, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Charles and Robert.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Smith Chapel West with burial following in Red Lodge at 3 p.m.
Persis H. Knutson
Persis H. Knutson, 81, died at home of cancer on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000. Ms. Knutson had lived in Yellowstone County her entire life.
Born in Billings on Dec. 3, 1918, a daughter of Bert and Ella Bowman, she spent her early years growing up on farms in Pryor and Blue Creek. Persis attended schools in the Billings area, and, following her graduation from Senior High, she married
Arvin Knutson in 1937.
Together they would spend the rest of their lives in Billings while Persis delivered rural mail, later working for Scheels Hardware, Hart Albin and Billings Orthopedic. Ms. Knutson was a member of the First Christian Church, the Huntley Senior Citizen's Club, the Eastern Star and a frequent volunteer at the Billings Friendship House.
With the capture of her son, Rodney, in Vietnam, Persis became active in the MIA/POW organization, traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe gathering support for missing military personnel.
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Ms. Knutson is survived by her husband, Arvin; two sons, Rodney and his wife, Shelle of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Melvin and his wife, Patricia of Roseville, Calif.; daughter, Judith Knutson of San Jose, Calif.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, John and wife, Martie Bowman of Billings, Sterling and wife, Dixie Bowman of Livingston, and Bert and wife, Joanne Bowman of Eugene, Ore.; sister-in-law, Virginia Bowman of Hardin; and sister-in-law, Cora and husband, Norman Jones of Billings.
Visitations will begin at noon on Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 29, at the Smith Downtown Chapel with interment to follow at Mountview cemetery. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Gayle Edith Larson
Gayle Edith Larson, 84, of Billings, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, at Billings Deaconess Hospital.
Our mother was born Feb. 25, 1916, on a warm winter day on a homestead near Winnett. She attended school at Winnett and the Cat Creek oil fields and high school at Winnett and Lewistown. She graduated from Billings Business College.
Gayle worked as a clerk-stenographer in Billings, Washington, D.C., Reno, Nev., and Casper, Wyo. She retired as a payroll clerk from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Albuquerque, N.M., where she also attended the University of New Mexico.
She married
Anthony Arra in 1940, a marriage lasting 10 years. She then married
Lawrence Larson, on Oct. 16, 1965, in Billings, who adopted her two children.
Lawrence preceded her in death in 1985. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Helen (Kasner) Pierson, and two sisters, Frances Vincelette and Betty Lou Harris.
Survivors include her son, Robert A. Larson of Palatine, Ill., and his companion, Trudy McDowell of Albuquerque, N.M.; her daughter, Nancy Klee and her husband, George of Townsend; a brother Frank Pierson (Claralee) of Columbus; four grandchildren, Eric A. Larson (Alyson) of Salt Lake City, Rick Klee (Kim), Topeka, Kan., and Rebecca M. Carey (Earl), and Robert A. Klee, of Russell, Kan.; great-grandchildren, Bailee and Jacee Larson, Adam Carey, Jasmine and Chianne Klee and Tristan Klee; nine nieces and nephews, and special friend, Dr. Bill Holmes.
Gayle was a member of First United Methodist Church, Bible Study Fellowship International, American Legion Auxiliary, AARP, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Residers, Elks and Widowed Person Service. She was a charter member of Golden Dancers and Pilot.
She enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle, gardening, dancing, and volunteering at the Senior Center and RSVP. She also liked to keep in touch with her many out-of-state friends.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church. Private interment will take place at Mountview cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Hildegarde Richards
POWELL, Wyo. - Hildegarde C. Richard, 85, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at her home of natural causes.
Cremation has taken place. Private family services will be held at a later date. Haskell Funeral Home is in charge.
Richard Ostrum
ABSAROKEE - Richard was born on Volney Creek on Aug. 31, 1912, to Chris Ostrum and Eli Bakke Ostrum. There ware eight in his family, Anunda, Cornelius, Olaf, Jake N., Carl, Alfred and Stanley, Richard, being the sixth from the oldest. His parents ware Scandinavians who came to the U.S. from Norway and each obtained a homestead on Butcher Creek. His mother, Eli, died in 1919. His father, Chris, also preceded him in death.
On Oct. 15, 1934, he married
Cora Evelyn Piper. They moved to the Elmer Piper place on Butcher Creek. Four children were born to this union: Coral Jean, Clarice Dean, Richard Merrill and Robert Wayne. Clarice Dean died of pneumonia at three months of age.
Cora died on Dec. 4, 1953, after a long illness. On May 17, 1958, Richard married
Thea 0. Lybeck. Thea died Oct. 31, 1992.
Richard followed in his father's footsteps as a successful stockman, and was a director of the Stillwater Woolgrowers Association and a member of the Beartooth and Montana Stockgrowers Association. He was also a member of the Absarokee Lions Club.
Survivors include his three children, Duane and Coral Jean Delger, Richard Merrill and Kathleen Ostrum, Robert Wayne and Karen Ostrum; his brother, Carl; sisters-in-law, Berniece Ostrum and Juanita Ostrum and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, Venessa (Ken) Monson, Tamara (David) McGraw, Terrill Ostrum, Marsha (Scott) Salisbury, Kari (Cory) Lamey, Craig (Christina) Delger, Chad (Jodi) Ostrum and Jason Ostrum. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, the joys of his life, Brande (Clayton) Young, Dustin Ostrum, Janessa Jo Munson, Kieler Salisbury, Cooper Lamey, Julie McGraw, Cierra Marie Lamey, Sienna Salisbury, and Chase Ostrum.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 29, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Absarokee. Interment will be at the Rosebud cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Stillwater Community Hospital.
Woodrow Wilson Wentworth
At the age of 87, Woodrow Wentworth died on Feb. 24, at Valley Health Care Center in Billings. "Woody" was born the son of Daniel O. and Helen (Mutta) Wentworth in Great Falls, on Aug. 28, 1912, and received his education in Great Falls. In 1937, Woody went to work for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph, where he received his training as an electrician.
Transferred to Billings in 1955, he was promoted to Central Office supervisor. In 1971, he traveled to New York with other supervisors on special assignment.
Woody was united in marriage to Virginia E. Weston on July 9, 1938, in Great Falls, where they constructed their first home and lived until his transfer to Billings. Along with a wonderful wit and sense of humor, he had considerable artistic talents in sketching and woodcarving. He was an avid amateur photographer and even had his own darkroom facility. Woody was also known for his talent as a creative inventor; the family vacationed in the homemade camper which he designed and built. He also enjoyed hunting with his homemade bows and arrows, as well as with his rifle and cartridges cast himself, and loved hiking and fishing. Woody's faith served him well, as exhibited by his service as deacon, elder and chairman of the board of Central Christian Church. He enjoyed many years serving as Bible camp counselor.
Woody was a charter member of the Free Lance Motorcycle Club, which celebrated its 60th reunion in 1991. He was an Alaskan adventurer as a young man. Woody and Virginia square danced for 20 years and folk danced with the Sons of Norway 16 years.
Woody is survived by Virginia, his wife of 61 years; three daughters, Sylvia and her husband, Dennis Thomas of Montrose, Colo., Dana and her husband, Max Kingsley, of Spokane, Wash. and Pat and her husband, Gary Athey, of Denver. He also leaves six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His brother, Gerald Wentworth, preceded him in death.
Memorial services will take place at the Central Christian Church, 1221 16th Street West Monday at 2 p.m., followed by a reception. Private interment at Mountview. Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church in lieu of flowers.
John Lloyd Hansen
John Lloyd Hansen, 76 of Billings, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at his home.
The son of Norman E. and Alice Van Overstraeten Hansen, John was born Feb. 5, 1924, in Hartford, Conn. He attended school in West Yellowstone, graduating from Gallatin County High School. He graduated from Montana State University, Bozeman in 1950. He served with the Army Air Corps during WWII and in the army during the Korean Conflict.
John married
Jean Lenham on a beautiful snowy day in West Yellowstone, Sept. 30, 1950.
John had worked for Peter Kiewit Sons, and was past president and owner of COP Construction. He was past president of the Montana Contractors. He had served on the Civil Engineering External Advisory Commission for Montana State University, Bozeman, and on the Billings Logan Airport Advisory Board. He belonged to Yellowstone Kiwanis, Holy Name Society of St. Thomas, Life Loyal Sigma Chi and the Nina Clare Chowder & Marching Society and was a Bobcat Booster.
Our Dad was a kind gentle father. He loved to ski with his beautiful wife of nearly 50 years, his four children, all his grandchildren and many friends. John tramped all over Montana hunting, fishing and watching West High and Montana State University sports. Dad traveled the world sight-seeing with Mom and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Bunny; children, John L. Hansen, Jr. "Hans" and his wife, Maribeth of Billings, Joel L. Hansen and his wife, Patty Murphy Hansen of Bozeman, Norman Peter Hansen of Billings, and Joan Hansen Jacobsen and her husband, John W. of Billings; his sister, Mary Hansen Sandner of San Francisco; a sister-in-law, Diana Hansen Kelly; six grandchildren, Patrick, Katy, Annie, Charlie, Maggie and Luke; two AFS students, Erwin M. Schiele of Kassel, Germany, and Anette Koinberg Behm of Stockholm, Sweden; and many other friends who passed through their home as "temporary" children.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Norman M. Hansen, brother-in-law, Dr. Donald Sandner and an infant sister, Baby Alice.
We will miss "John's", "Dad's", and "Poppa's" friendship and bear hugs.
Two Boards upon cold powdered snow YO HO!
Visitation will be 9 a.m. Saturday to 12 noon Monday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist with cremation to follow. Vigil services will be 7 p.m. Monday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Memorial Mass in John's honor will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Private interment with military honors is planned at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Yellowstone Historic Center, P0 Box 1299, West Yellowstone, MT 59758 or the WWII Memorial, PO Box 96766, Washington, D.C., 20090-6766.
Kathy King Bowman
Kathy King Bowman, 50, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 25, 2000, at St. Vincent's Hospital from complications of a stroke.
She was born in Billings on Dec. 30, 1949, to William Stuart and Dora Jane (Derry) King. She graduated from Billings Senior High in 1968.
She married
Brad Bowman in 1975 and lived in Waco, Texas, and Naples, Fla., before returning to Billings in 1996. They were divorced in 1998.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her son, Stephen, of Naples and daughter, Stephanie, of Houston; three brothers, Derry (Susan) of Missoula, David (Gail) of Maxville, Mont., and Greg (Debbie) of Billings; a sister, Susan Spears (George) of Billings, as well as several aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and good friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, at the LDS Chapel, 2929 Belvedere Drive. Viewing will be 30 minutes prior to services. Interment will follow at Mountview cemetery. Should friends desire, memorial may be made to their favorite charity. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge or arrangements.
Lara Valerie Irene Stewart
LINCOLN, Neb. - Lara Valerie Irene Stewart, 8 years old and formerly of Billings, left us to be with the Lord on Feb. 21. 2000.
She was a gifted student involved in the gifted student program at Lakeview Elementary School in Lincoln She was a member of No Greater Love Fellowship Church and also a Brownie. Lara touched the lives of everyone she met. She is greatly missed.
Survivors include her parents, Diane Good (Stewart) of Lincoln, Michael Stewart of Great Falls, Mont.; paternal grandmother, Sandra Silverstein of San Jose, Calif.; maternal grandparents, Bert Good of Trail, Minn., Clyde and Irene Bendickson of Lavina, Mont.; her brothers and sisters, Paige and Sam Gardipee of Shelby, Mont., Latasha Farmer of Great Falls, Michael and Amanda Stewart of Lawton, Okla., Kendra Stewart of Billings, and Kenneth "Boo Boo" DeVante of Lincoln; eight uncles, 12 aunts and 22 cousins also mourn her.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandfather and a cousin.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 with funeral service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, both at Cease Funeral Home, Bagley, Minn. Interment at the Good family cemetery with Pastor Bob Dahlen officiating. Memorials may be made to Cease Family Funeral Home.
James I. Myers
LAUREL - James I. Myers, 77, of Laurel, died at home Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000. At his request, no memorial is planned. Private inurnment will be held at the Laurel cemetery. Cremation has taken place at Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Mary Bell Hoppel
LAUREL - Mary Bell Hoppel, age 87, an English and music teacher to hundreds of Laurel area students, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000, at Evergreen Health Care Center in Laurel. Mary Bell and her husband, Donald have resided at Evergreen for the last nine months.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Laurel United Methodist Church with Eastern Star and Delta Kappa Gamma participating. Interment will be in the Laurel cemetery following the service. Visitation is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Smith Funeral Home in Laurel.
Mary Bell, a Laurel resident for most of her life, retired in 1973 after teaching English to Laurel Junior High students for more than 18 years. She also taught all-school music in area schools and enjoyed teaching students American folk and patriotic music. Her ear for music and lovely alto voice kept her busy singing in and directing various choral groups including the Eastern Star choir, Key Notes, a ladies choral group and the Methodist Church junior choir.
Mary Bell's life included active and gracious participation in a number of organizations. She served as president of Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, the Laurel Junior Woman's Club (Federated Woman's Club) and the former Wesleyan Service Guild. She was also a member of Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Mary Bell was a member of Laurel United Methodist Church for 67 years and active in Hannah Circle. She was a 58 year member of Zidonian Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of the state and local chapters of the National Retired Teachers Association and a member of the Laurel Senior Citizens.
In earlier years, Mary Bell was a Billings and Laurel Girl Scout Camp Counselor and music leader. She worked as a library aid in the Laurel schools. She had a special passion and talent for nurturing friendships which kept her in touch with many friends, former students and relatives across the country. Mary Bell never forgot a birthday and with her husband, Donald, were likely the first to visit when friends and family were ill or in the hospital.
Her collections of poetry and history books, old glass and American furniture brought her great pleasure.
Mary Bell was barn Oct. 23, 1912 in Wagoner, Okla., to Vivian Freund and James Bayard Williams. She attended schools in Oklahoma, Iowa and Montana and was graduated from Laurel High School in 1930 as class valedictorian. She earned a two-year teaching degree from Eastern Montana Normal School in 1934 and was chosen one of the 10 most likely to succeed in teaching. She taught four years in Yellowstone County rural schools.
She married
Donald J. Hoppel on June 5, 1938, in Laurel. In 1965, Mary Bell earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Eastern Montana College. In 1984, at her 50-year college class reunion, she received a third diploma. In 1994, Mary Bell Hoppel was awarded the Rose Medallion from the Order of Eastern Star, recognizing her outstanding and continuous dedicated service.
Mary Bell was preceded in death by her brother, Emil, and her parents. She is survived by her husband, Donald of Laurel; her brother, J. Melvin Williams of West Park Village Retirement Center; nieces, Kay Fulkerson of Sidney, Barbara Wanvig of San Francisco and Susan Lubbers of Billings; nephews, Joe Hoppel of St. Louis, Mo., Jack Hoppel of Billings and Gary Hoppel and sister-in-law, Catherine Hoppel of Billings. Survivors include many great nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to Laurel United Methodist Church.
