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Atrael Bearchum
LAME DEER - Atrael Bearchum was born March 27, 2000, and died March 28, 2000, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings.
Our lil warrior fought with all his heart
But God said he had to depart.
Two months early out of his loving mother's womb
We had lots of hopes of another son but it was too soon.
We only wish that he knew we could have waited for his arrival coming this June.
You'll never be forgotten, son.
Love and miss you lots, Mommy and Daddy
Survived by parents, Rocky and Samantha Bearchum; brothers, Cross Chaz, Romeo Bearchum and Larold Little Bird Jr.; sisters, Tai Bree Shay, Noveko Lei and Chantel Bearchum; uncles, Tyerone Lee Bearchum, Lomar Wandering Medicine, Craig (Pearl) Elk Shoulder and Micheal (Cheles) Elk Shoulder; aunties, Libby (Barry) Webster, Huberta (TJ) Morris and Marcia, Marquel and Bessi Elk Shoulder.; grandparents, Mark (Ilo) Wandering Medicine, Happy Herb (Marie) Bearchum; adoptive grandparents, Steve and Claire Stewart of Phoenix; and numerous cousins and family members.
Wake services will be at 9 p.m. Friday with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, both at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Bearchum cemetery near Lame Deer. Rausch Funeral Home is in charge.
Curtis A. Beswick
HAVRE - Curtis A Beswick, 58, died March 27, 2000, in Havre, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Curtis was born on June 27, 1941, to Nina (Dawes) and Leo Willis Beswick in Billings.
He attended Billings schools and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1959. He graduated from Montana State College in Bozeman, majoring in microbiology. He was a member of the Delta Lambda chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and lettered on the varsity M.S.C. Rifle Team.
In June of 1965, Curtis received a commission into the Army Medical Service Corps and served on active duty in the U.S. and Germany for 11 years. He remained in the U.S. Army reserves until his death and was recalled to active duty for a period in 1991 during Desert Storm Operation. He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In 1979, he and his family returned to Montana where he assumed the position of clinical laboratory supervisor at the Chippewa Cree Indian Health Center on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. He held this position until illness forced his retirement in 1999.
Curtis was a devoted hunter and fisherman. Even when cancer made it difficult for him, friends made elk, deer and goose hunting possible. His favorite topics of conversation were of hunting expeditions.
Beswick was a member of the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre. He spent his life devoted to Masonry beginning with the Billings Chapter of DeMolay. He was an active member of the following chapters: Havre Lodge No. 55, Order of Eastern Star No. 30, Algeria Shrine, York Rite, and Scottish Rite.
On Sept. 19, 1964, he married
Peggy Jo Bergeson in Billings. She survives him as do their daughters, Barbara Paige and her husband, Lee Richardson of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Ashley Anne and her husband, Gregory Passon of Bozeman; a son, Bruce Willis Beswick of Portland, Ore.; and two grandsons, Skylar Blake and Gage Curtis Passon of Bozeman. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.
A Memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Havre Masonic Lodge No. 55, P.O. Box 87, Havre, MT 59501. These funds will be used to establish a Curtis Allen Beswick memorial scholarship.
Bill Christiansen
HELENA - Edward William "Bill" Christiansen went to be with our Lord on March 28, 2000. Bill was born on Feb. 24, 1914, in Fargo, N.D. He attended Fargo High School and North Dakota State University.
He moved to Hardin in 1947 where he met and married
Hattie James on Dec. 27, 1947. This began a lifelong relationship of love, friendship and devotion. They began raising a family, which always remained the number one goal in their life together. Bill was part owner of Hardin Auto, a Ford dealership, for many years. The most treasured and important part of that business was the many lifetime friendships that were established.
Bill's community services included president of the Hardin Youth Council, president of the Camp Fire Girls Association, finance chairman of the Boy Scouts of American, chairman of the Senior Citizen Association. He received many awards which included: the JCC Outstanding Citizen Award; the Cascade County Senior Citizen Appreciation Ward; Hardin Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Award; Citizen of the Year in Western Broadcasting; ACLU Distinguished Service Toward a Clean and Healthful Environment; Distinguished Service Award by Montana Environmental Health Association and the Toastmasters International Distinguished Service Award.
In 1969, Bill entered public office and moved to Helena. Like everything Bill did, this was with commitment, dedication and respect. Bill was eight years in the Montana House of Representative, Democratic floor leader in 1971 and president of Montana Senate in 1973.
Bill's legislative service included serving on the Executive Reorganization Commission, Appropriations, Education, and Fish and Game Committees and the Montana's Coal Resources Research Council. Bill also had the distinction of being the last lieutenant governor to be elected on a ticket separate from the governor and the first one to serve on a full-time basis. He was also considered by many to be the father of Montana's Coal Tax. Some of the legislation Bill sponsored were: 1-Mill Permissive Levy for Senior Citizens' Activities; Commission on Alcohol and Drug Dependence; Driver's Education Bill which enabled over 70, 000 students to complete the course from 1969-1974; a 4-year Certification of Elementary Teachers; legislation making illegal, obscene or harassing phone calls within the state and protecting native handwork of Montana's Indians.
Bill's statewide activities included serving on the Montana's Crime Control Commission, Montana's Environmental Quality Council, Superintendent's Council on Education for Disadvantaged Youth, Citizen's committee on Court Improvement and the White House Conference on Aging. Bill's executive service included lieutenant governor, 1973-76; chairman of the Montana Energy Advisory Council, coordinator of the State Drug Abuse and Addictive Diseases Program, staff coordinator of the Montana Energy Office and the Governor's Task Force on Coal Gasification. Bill received the Distinguished Service in Government Award from the Federal Executive Board, Denver Region. In his political career, Bill is remembered as a true statesman.
Upon retirement in 1980, Bill continued to pursue an active and physical lifestyle. Many people saw him playing tennis at Lockey Park or swimming at the spa where he was a lifetime member. Tanned and fit, Bill described his retirement as more time to spend with his wife and family.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Billy. He is survived by his loving wife, Hattie; his daughters, Linda Susan Davis and Deborah Ann Christiansen and her partner, Bob Gelina; his grandchildren, Shannon Lee Doane and husband, Thomas Hanser, Pamela Deborah Russell and husband, Allen Russell, Ryan William Rickman; his great-grandchildren, Shea Nicole, Jacob, Sarah, David and Malachai William. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren lovingly called Bill "Papa." Bill touched the heart and soul of everyone he met. He will be remembered forever and truly missed.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., on March 31, at the Cathedral of St. Helena.
Memorials in his name may be made to the Westmont Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Mary Hayman Collins
Mary Hayman Collins, 88, of Billings, passed away peacefully at her home following a long struggle with cancer.
She was born Aug. 24, 1911, in Big Elk, Mont., the daughter of Thomas and Emily (Doble) Hayman. She was raised in Big Elk and attended Big Elk Schools.
On May 25, 1935, she married
Stanley Collins in Harlowton.
They owned and operated a ranch half-way between Two Dot and Big Elk. In October 1950, they moved to a farm on Pryor Creek, south of Huntley, that they had purchased. They farmed there until 1976 when they moved to Billings.
Mary was a hard worker and could work as good as most men on the farm. In addition, she raised mink for many years. She enjoyed doing odd jobs such as painting homes in Huntley and helping others do their work.
Mary received the title of "Grand Dutchess" for being the oldest bowler at the State Championship. She bowled 25 years in league and State Bowling Championships.
Mary played in the Pinochle Club, and did volunteer work for Easter Seals.
She loved to crochet, embroidery, and share her beautiful doilies and pillow cases with all her family. She also loved to garden, do yard work and especially enjoyed fishing.
Mary was a member of the Women's International Bowling Congress.
Mary remained very close to her only sister, Gladys Hazelton of Roundup. They talked often on the phone and they wrote to each other weekly.
Survivors include her husband, Stanley of Billings; her daughters, Frances Coquillette of Turlock, Calif., Anne Moore of Ballantine and Gladys Homer of Burbank, Wash.; her sister, Gladys Hazelton of Roundup, 23 grandchildren, 81 great- grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Maine Collins, four brothers and one sister.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, April 3, at Smith Downtown Chapel. Interment will be at the Huntley cemetery.
Norma L. Crowder
GILLETTE, Wyo. - Norma L. Crowder, 76, died Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. at Belfry cemetery. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge.
Grant Wellington Curtis
CHOTEAU - We, the family of Grant Wellington Curtis, invite you to celebrate with us the end of his life, on March 28, 2000. He died as he had lived, with a sense of adventure, generosity and appreciation for the gift of life. His death occurred while operating his favorite old dozer on farm land he was clearing for spring planting.
He came home in a sleigh from Cooperstown, N.D., a few days after his birth on Dec. 9, 1922, and lived with his parents, Freeman G. and Inga Curtis and his older sister June (now Mrs. Charles Gray of Choteau) in Wyoming, North Dakota and Billings, Mont., until moving to Choteau in 1936, where he graduated from high school.
After serving in the European Theater in the Army Air Corps as a B26 bomber pilot, he returned to Choteau to be in the John Deere implement business with his dad. He then married
Joyce Logan, of Billings, and, in the years that followed, raised a family and started farming. He devoted full energy to farming after selling the implement business in 1964.
His dedication to community and his generosity to mankind were evidenced by his participation in the Deacon's Council of Trinity Lutheran Church, as a volunteer fireman, in the local Lion's club, the American Legion, VFW and as firing squad commander for military funerals for the past 55 years. He was Choteau's resident tuba player and he enjoyed the fellowship of golf and bowling. His personal acts of kindness and help are remembered by many throughout the surrounding communities. He was elected by farmers and ranchers to the ASCS Committee for Teton County.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years; children, Greg, Jeff, Marci (and Tom) and Todd (and Brenda), his sister and their respective families. He has now rejoined his parents, three half brothers, two baby daughters and grandsons, Chad and Tyler, who preceded him.
A memorial Service will be held in Choteau at Trinity Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, with reception in the church to follow the services. Gorder Funeral Home of Choteau, arrangements. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran for handicap facilities or to your favorite charity.
Lorraine E. Davey
Lorraine E. Davey, 64, of Billings, went home to be with the Lord on March 29, 2000, after a short bout with cancer. She was born Dec. 4, 1935, in Billings, the daughter of Jacob and Marie (Frickle) Heimbichner.
Lorraine graduated from Billings Senior High School and Billings Business College. She met Bob Davey and they were married
Nov. 18, 1955. They lived in Billings, where they raised their three children.
Lorraine will be remembered for her beautiful smile and the many hugs she loved to give and receive. She was an active member of American Lutheran Church. She loved spending time with her family and friends, reading, gardening, and keeping her German heritage alive in sharing traditional German foods. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her parents, Jake and Marie, her brother, Jim, and her sister, Eleanor.
Survivors include her daughter, Lou Ann Ball (Chuck); her sons, Scott (Yvonne) and Keith (Summer); her two sisters, Pat Dunbar and Dorothy Rupp (Lyle) of Tucson, Ariz.; a brother-in-law, Jim Brese; a sister-in-law, Marian Heimbichner; eight grandchildren, Sara, Sierra Dawn, Andrew, Eric, Caitlin, Morgan, Ian, and Lauren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin 11 a.m. Thursday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist, 1001 Alderson Ave. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, March 31, at Mountview cemetery, Section 11. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday, March 31, at American Lutheran Church, 5 Lewis Ave. Memorials may be directed to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107-5033, or the American Lutheran Church, 5 Lewis Ave., Billings, MT 59101.
Myrtle Belle Harma
Myrtle Belle Harma, 76, of Billings, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2000, at the Deaconess Hospital. She was born April 18, 1923, in Minneapolis, the daughter of Fred and Ethel DeVault.
The family moved in 1936 to Deer River, Minn., where Myrtle graduated from high school in 1942. After receiving training as a laboratory technician in 1955, she moved with her sister and daughter to Billings, where she worked at the Billings Clinic for 25 years. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Daniel and Daren DeVault.
Survivors include her sister, Wanda Mason; her daughter, Wanda Thompson; her son, Robert Harma and his wife, Delia of Long Beach, Calif.; six grandsons and their families, Larry and Michael Harma of Long Beach, Jackson Thompson of Bath, Maine, Paul and Jennifer Thompson and their daughters, Amanda and Jamie Lee of Roundup, Raymond Thompson and his son, Adam, Donald and Carolyn Thompson and their children, Matthew, Crystal and Nicole of Okinawa, Japan; and numerous other nieces and nephews in Minnesota, Colorado, Montana, and Washington.
Visitation will begin 3 p.m. Monday, April 3 at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6 at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist with interment in Mountview cemetery. A gathering for family and friends will follow at 2820 Arvin Road.
William John Hruza
LIVINGSTON - William John Hruza, M.D., 82, died at his home Tuesday, March 28, 2000.
Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Graveside committal with military honors and interment will follow in Calvary cemetery.
Agatha Kroll
Agatha Kroll passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Deaconess Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was born to Nick and Amelia Kuntz Hegel July 12, 1922, in Richardson, N.D. She married
Frank Kroll Oct. 4, 1939.
Survivors include her daughter, Arletta Tucker; sons, Frank (Debbie), Bill (Shirley), Jim; seven granddaughters, Debbie Gardner, Shannon Kroll and Kelly Kroll, Lauri (Steve) Schilling, Kandi (Howard) Massey, Diana (John) Zaleski, and Joanna (Gary) Nickelson; three great-grandchildren, Cody Gardner, Walker Gardner, Terra Schilling; three sisters, Eva Ott of Reed Point, Irene Sticka of Columbus, and Sally Kokkeler of Belfry. Agatha was preceded in death by her husband and daughters, Lillian and Darlene.
Vigil will be held 5 p.m. Sunday and Mass of the Christian Burial will be 1p.m. Monday, both at St. Pius X Parish due to construction at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral. Rite of Committal will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with arrangements made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Lois A. Marx
BUTTE - Lois was born in Iowa on Aug. 30, 1936, to the late Herb and Dortha Hibnes. Her family moved from Iowa to Nebraska and at an early childhood moved to Hardin, Mont., near Tuloc Creek. She was the 1954 Hardin rodeo queen. She graduated from Hardin High School and attended Billings Business College. Lois worked in the Columbus Hospital.
She married
Ted Martin at Nye. They had two sons and later divorced. She married
Tom Marx from Ennis and they later divorced. They lived in Butte for over 20 years. Lois worked as a bookkeeper for a drilling company in Butte She retired from the Montana Power Company, working for twenty years as a computer analyst. She was a member of the People Count Network, an organization that is affiliated with MPC that worked with people with physical disabilities.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ted and Debi Martin of Bellingham, Wash., Dan (Boone) and Marlene(Dutch) Martin of Ennis; grandchildren, Jennifer Martin, Jacob Martin, Christie Flynn, Guy Flynn, Victoria Martin and Danyel Martin. Also surviving is a brother, Robert Hibnes of Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 2, at 1:30 p.m. in the Twin Bridges School Auditorium with Elder Dawes Lott officiating. Interment will follow in the Twin Bridges cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Rivers Edge Trail, P.O. Box 553, Great Falls, MT 59403, or to the Zoo Montana, in care of Dr. Bill Torgerson, P.O. Box 80905, Billings, MT 59108. K & L Mortuaries of Twin Bridges is handling the arrangements.
J. Emery Payne
J. Emery Payne, 96, of Billings passed away Thursday morning, March 30, 2000, at his home.
He was born March 5, 1904, in Denver, the only child of Harvey Allen Payne and Emma Olga Ellison Payne. He lived on a farm near Wiggins, Colo., in days of his youth. He taught school and was principal.
He met Helen Saunders (also an only child and a teacher). They married
and Emery went to work for Helen's dad at Saunders Lumber Yard in Worden. It later became Payne & Saunders Lumber and Hardware, and Emery owned and ran it for many years. He also was the founder of Western Builders Supply.
He attended Christian Science Church and was active in it. Helen Saunders Payne passed away in 1955. There were no children to that union.
Emery then married
Helen Jacobi in 1957, and they built their home on Poly Drive shortly afterward.
Emery was fond of boating and had a nice boat on Yellowstone Lake for a number of years called "The Helen C". Then he hauled it to Anacortes, Wash., where they really enjoyed the San Juans area, even taking it as far as Kitamat, Alaska, one time. He then wanted a bigger and better boat - "The No Payne" which was a custom 46-foot boat. They enjoyed the planning and building to the utmost. He and Helen S. enjoyed many summers of boating. He even had an electric organ on "The No Payne" and delighted in playing it when in port and the music went out over the water. He called himself the "Sagebrush Navigator."
Emery was an avid fisherman. Even before his boating days he loved to fish. Black Canyon on the Clarks Fork was one place he spoke of. Emery loved his home and was fortunate to be able to stay there with care throughout his last days.
Emery helped a lot of people financially through hard times. He was a very loving giving person.
Emery was a lifetime Mason and Shriner and a member of Scottish Rite Bodies and Order of Eastern Star. Years ago, he played the xylophone in the marching Shrine Band . And he loved playing his organ and piano at home for his friends.
Graveside memorial services will be 2 p.m. Monday, April 3, at Mountview cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Memorials to the Shriners Children's Hospital, c/o Al Bedoo Shrine, P. O. Box 20673, Billings, MT 59104.
