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MARY “SUE” LAMERE
COOS BAY, Ore. — Memorial services for Mary Susan “Sue” LaMere, 57, of Coos Bay, formerly of Red Lodge, will be held Friday, April 7, 2000 at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Park in Billings, off 5th Street near the Recreation Building.
Sue was born March 2, 1943 in Denver, Colo., to Dr. John and Mary M. (Coppo) Hammerel. She died March 29, 2000 at her home.
She was raised and educated in Billings. She lived in Red lodge for a long period of time. She spent the last 20 years of her life enjoying sobriety, and constantly worked to improve her growing spirituality by helping others. She had many close and dearly loved friends in the Red Lodge area.
She graduated from Montana State University-Billings in 1993, with a degree in communications and a minor in social services. She moved to Coos Bay in 1995. She worked there as director of the South Coast HIV/AIDS Resource Program.
She loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, crabbing and gardening. She had a voice in working to strengthen her community. Her greatest love was her family.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael Dean and Brandy Hammerel of Roberts, Mont.; daughters and sons-in-law, Jamie Kay and Richard Kimball of Yreka, Calif., and Mary Jo and Allen Golder of North Bend, Ore.; stepmother, Patricia Hammerel of Billings; brother and spouse, John and Janie Hammerel of Livingston; stepbrother and spouse, Gary and Julie of Billings; stepsister and spouse, Diane and David Owen of Minneapolis, Minn., grandchildren, Michael, Paul, Richard Nathaniel, Richard James, Rebekah and Jessie Allen, and niece, Anna Hammerel of Fort Collins, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Ayla Dawn Hammerel.
The family suggest memorial contributions to SCHARP, 1620 Thompson Road, Coos Bay, OR 97420.
She will be loved and missed by many. Have a happy journey, Mom.
SCOTT RONALD KOSKI
BILLINGS — Scott Ronald Koski lost his lifelong battle with drug addiction Tuesday, April 4, 2000. He was born in Red Lodge May 16, 1956.
Scott received his education in Billings, graduating from West High School. Early in life, he had a passion for motorcycles. Not only did he enjoy racing them, he worked in several shops and made many friends. Later, his interests turned to writing, and he used his talent to produce science fiction, enjoyed by people in Billings literary circles.
His father, Ronald W. Koski, preceded him in death.
Scott leaves behind his mother, Charlotte Koski of Billings; his little brother, Mike, and his wife, Lorrie of Columbus, and his sister, Teresa, and her husband, Bill Kemp of Billings.
“A battle with addiction is a hard war to win. It drains relationships and wastes lives. Scotty, we love you more than you’ll ever know. God will take care of you.”
Graveside committal of ashes was Friday, April 7 at the Red Lodge Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to The Hub, P.O. Box 219, Billings, MT 59103, or the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements were made by Dahl Funeral Chapel.
GERALD L. VARNELL
son of Gerald O. Varnell and Beulah (Carter) Varnell, in Mannford, Okla. He was the oldest of eight children. He attended schools in Oklahoma and served in the U.S. Army.
Gerald was a journeyman meat cutter for 30 years. He was the meat department manager at the Beartooth IGA in Red Lodge. He married Jan Horsman April 29, 1983 in Loveland, Colo.
Gerald loved fishing, gardening, barbecuing, mint chocolate chip ice cream and praising the Lord. He lived by his motto, “Doing right is never wrong.”
Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Jan Varnell of Belfry; a son, Jerry Lee Varnell of Red Lodge; his mother, Beulah Varnell Parks of Oklahoma; brothers, Ted, Bill and Darrell, all of Oklahoma; sisters, Janet, Debbie, Marlene and Fonda, all of Oklahoma; step-children, Gail, Mike and Marc; a dear mothr-in-law, Mary Birney of Belfry, and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald O. Varnell.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13 at the Dahl Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge, with interment in the Belfry Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Christian Life Assembly in Red Lodge, 211 N. Broadway.
Leland Albon Slack
Leland Albon Slack, age 83, died April 2, 2000 at the Beartooth Manor Care Facility in Columbus. He was born in the town of Franklin, Vernon County, Wis. on Oct. 5, 1916 to Albon and Lizzie (Davis) Slack. He married Harriett Ann Barker. They farmed in Crawford and Vernon County and were later divorced. He also worked as a carpenter before moving to La Crosse, Wis., where he lived for several years and the past seven years had lived in Montana.
Leland is survived by one son, Charles “Charlie” Slack of Onalaska; four daughters Patricia Solch and Kathryn Slack of Iroquis, Ill.; Carol (Ron) Brookie of Laurel, Mont.; and Linda (Lyle) Peters of Lansing, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister Eva Mae (Delano) Stetzer of Melrose; and his former wife, Harriett Slack of Onalaska. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Layton and Clayton, twins who died at infancy and Ernest and Donald Slack.
Memorial services were held April 7 at the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua, Wis. with Pastor Tom Mattson officiating. Burial was held April 8 at the Boscobel Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery of Billings.
MARIE QUILICO BRAIDA
BILLINGS — Marie Quilico Braida passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2000 at Valley Health Center. She was born Oct. 26, 1902 in Red Lodge to Andrew and Teresa Quilico. She was educated in Red Lodge public schools and graduated from the Oakland (Calif.) Conservatory of Music on June 18, 1918.
Marie taught piano and accordion and was a member of the Treasure State Jazz Band from 1919 through 1929. She was chosen the first Miss Montana and Miss Billings in March, 1933, and represented Northwest Airlines at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago as the first airline hostess on the first Inaugural Air Mail Flight out of Billings. She married Sylvester Louis Braida in Red Lodge in 1922. Soon thereafter, they moved to Billings where Syl opened a commercial print shop next to their home at 645 Grand Ave.
Marie participated wholeheartedly in many organizations. She was a member of the First Congregational Church and Congo Club. She was active on the Women’s Committee of the Billings Symphony Society and a member of the Order of Eastern Star, serving as Associate Matron of Venus Chapter No. 3. She was a board member and directed choir for Assembly No. 24, Order of Rainbow Girls, and was awarded the Grand Cross of Colors. Marie also served with the Midland Empire Girl Scout Council, being involved with Troop No. 1 from 1954 through 1959. Marie loved her sisters in Chapter Y, PEO, and was an enthusiastic member for 48 years.
Marie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Syl, her parents and two brothers, Frank and John Quilico. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Welker and her husband, Jack, of Rapid City, S.D.
Marie was pure “Italian.” She loved to cook Italian food, speak and sing in Italian and tell stories of her grandparents who lived in northern Italy. She enjoyed life to the fullest by sharing her musical talents and great sense of humor with her many friends, fellow residents and staff at West Park Village Retirement and Valley Health Care Center. She always had a twinkle in her eye, and brought cheer and laughter to those around her. Her strong faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ sustained her through good times and bad during her 97 years of life.
Memorials may be given to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Chapter Y, PEO Sisterhood or the Shriner’s Hospital. A memorial service was held April 17 at West Park Village Retirement Center.
RUTH CADY
BILLINGS — Ruth Cady, 88, of Billings, formerly of Lame Deer and Forsyth, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2000 at her home in Billings.
Funeral services were held April 15, 2000 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, with interment in the Forsyth Cemetery.
FRANK DANICHEK III
HELENA — Frank Danichek III was born Aug. 24, 1938 in Red Lodge to Eleanor (Warila) Danichek and Frank Danichek, Jr. He died in the early morning hours of March 30, 2000.
Frank spent most of his childhood in Red Lodge, and graduated from Red Lodge High School in May, 1956. He attended Eastern Montana College, and in late 1957 he enlisted in the army. He had a four-year enlistment including a tour in Korea. After his discharge, he returned to Montana and continued his education at the University of Montana. His son, Frank H. Danichek, was born Jan. 15, 1962, and Frank III graduated from UM with a bachelor of arts in June, 1962.
Frank was a hunter and fisherman from childhood. He was an avid reader and as aspiring novelist. Frank would discuss politics with anyone, anywhere. He was a self-described “yellow dog democrat” and extremely proud of it. He always had an amusing, if sometimes pointed, anecdote or story to entertain friends and strangers alike. He was generous with the needy, loyal to his friends, and devoted to his family.
Frank was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, Otto and Senia Warila and Frank and Mary Danichek: his father, Frank Danichek, Jr., and by paternal uncles Matt and Sam and aunts Josephine and Rosella.
He is survived by his mother, Eleanor (Warila) Danichek of Helena; his son and daughter-in-law, Frank H. Danichek and Kathi (Humiston) Danichek of Cooke City; his maternal aunt, Ethel (Warila) Renko of Billings, and his sister, Diane J. Danicheck of 601 9th Ave., Helena, MT 59601-3724. He is also survived by one paternal uncle and aunt, George and Elsie Danichek of Twin Falls, Idaho; three paternal aunts, Rose, Rae and Ida of Washington state, and numerous paternal cousins.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be scheduled and announced at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Red Lodge Public Library, the Carbon County Historical Society or the Montana Historical Society.
DOROTHY K. GRAHAM
BILLINGS — Dorothy Katherine Graham, 76, passed away, with her husband, Dean, at her side on Sunday, April 2, 2000 at her home in Billings.
Dorothy was born Aug. 15, 1923 at Red Lodge to Croatian immigrants Gasper and Katherine Tomicich. She grew up in Red Lodge with her parents, five brothers and two sisters.
Dorothy married Dean Graham at Red Lodge Aug. 1, 1942. Dean “the most handsome and the most polite man, and everything a man should be,” was the love of her life for 57 years. Dorothy and Dean made their early home in Stillwater County before moving to Billings in 1952.
Dorothy is survived by her devoted husband, Dean; three daughters, Gerdean (Alex) Tan, Judith Dawn Graham and Holly (Randy) Dunn; three sons, Dean (JoAnn) Graham, John (Ann) Graham and Louis (Lori) Graham; 11 grandchildren (and baby); four great-grandchildren and her sister, Mary Monego.
Funeral services were held April 6 at St. Bernard’s Church, with interment at the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Smith Funeral Home.
