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Avis Smith
THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. - Avis Teresa Burbank Smith, 87, died Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, at St. Francis Catholic Church. Rosary will be 7 p.m. Monday.
Gaar Thomas
HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Memorial services for Gaar Thomas, 84, of Hutchinson, will be Tuesday, 10 a.m., March 28, 2000, at the Lonsdale United Methodist Church, in Sidney, Mont., with Pastor John Ulrich officiating.
Interment with military honors provided by the VFW Post No. 4099 of Sidney will be at the Richland Memorial Park cemetery under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Gaar Montrose Thomas, was born to parents, Gaar and Mae (Herbst) Thomas on July 3, 1915, in Minneapolis. Gaar moved with his family to rural Fairview, Mont., at the age of five, attended Fairview schools and graduated from Fairview High School with the class of 1933. Gaar played basketball and in 1941, he joined the Army. While be was in the Army, he enrolled in the Capitol Radar Engineering School and was stationed in Hawaii. He was promoted to master sergeant in just two years and was stationed there until his discharge.
On June 1, 1945, he was united in marriage to Jeannette "Terry" Taylor, at the Community Presbyterian Church in Fairview. They made their home in Fairview where he served as mayor. In 1949, he and his brother, Joe, were in business together as the Thomas Brothers International Harvester dealers. They purchased the International Harvester dealership in Sidney in 1965 and sold the business in 1972. They moved to Billings for five years, returned to Sidney in 1977, remained in Sidney until September 1998, when they moved to Hutchinson.
Gaar enjoyed bowling, hunting, working cross word puzzles. He enjoyed walking. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren. Gaar was a happy person and enjoyed telling stories of his past ventures in his life.
Gaar died enroute to Hutchinson, Kan, Wednesday, March 22, 2000.
Gear is survived by his wife, Jeannette, of Hutchinson, Kan.; sons, Tommy Gaar M. Thomas of Medford, Ore., Dale L. (Jeanie) Thomas of Hutchinson, and Jerry (Diane) Thomas of Billings; brothers, Joe (Alice) Thomas of Sidney, Dennis (Nancy) Thomas of Williston; sisters, Eloise Brice of Enterprise, Ore., Marge (Sam) Thorsen of Denver; and Delores (Ray) Peterson of Sidney; five grandchildren; great-granddaughter and great grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Harvey.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.
Kenneth S. Truax
MALTA - Kenneth S. Truax, 80 years, died Thursday, March 30, 2000, at the Phillips County Hospital from a massive stroke. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, April 3, at the Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta with burial and military honors at the Malta cemetery. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth was born July 14, 1919, at Saco, the son of Silas and Ivy (Balance) Truax. He was raised on his parents homestead at Corwine Center northeast of Whitewater, attending Plainsview, Dunbar and Nelson Elementary School, graduating from Whitewater High School in 1937.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army April 21, 1942, and trained at Camp Roberts, Calif. A member of the 1st Army, 981st Field Artillery was shipped to England on Dec. 29, 1943, and dispatched to France on June 13, 1944. He was awarded the European Theater of Operations Ribbon with five Bronze Stars for the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe and the Good Conduct Medal, and was discharged on Oct. 10, 1945.
Beyond being a soldier, a loving son and brother, a devoted husband, a dedicated father and faithful friend, Ken did many things in his life, working as a ranch hand for primarily the Dunbar and Anderson Ranches and later a heavy equipment operator. He drove a street car in Kansas City, Mo., for two years. He was a former Whitewater School maintenance man, bus driver and former postmaster of Whitewater.
He and his wife, Ruth, ran the Diner Cafe in Malta for a while and he made great hotcakes! Ken was secretary/treasurer of North and South Phillips County Cooperative Grazing Districts; secretary/treasurer of Square Butte Grazing Association (68-96), and Cottonwood Grazing Association (68-98), for a time was bookkeeper for Ezzies Wholesale of Malta. He became a Farmers Insurance Group agent in 1968, operating his own agency from 1977 to 1987.
Kenny enjoyed riding and fishing, dancing, laughter, and he loved to play the fiddle. He played for country dances in his younger days and, as long as he was able, for the residents of the Good Samaritan Center and County Home in Malta. He was a member of the District 5 Fiddlers Association, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4067 and served as post commander and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a Milk River Wagon Trainer receiving the Top Hand Red Bandanna in 1990.
Ken married
Ruth Opland Pray May 5, 1956, and they were blessed with a daughter Roxanne. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Cindy Sue; and sisters, Alice Majors in 1986 and Edith Taylor 1997.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth and loving children, Roxanne and Gerard Van Houdt of San Diego, Calif., Sherry and Ray Reede of Wolf Point, Sandy and Lorna Pray of Malta; grandchildren, Dina and Kenny Van Houdt, Shawna Jensen, Rusty Pray and Rebel Levesque; great-grandchildren, McKenna and Mcall Levesque, Tel Z Jensen and special daughter, Dixie Moore, and grandchildren, Julie, Mary and Scott Moore, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We all know that when God made Kenny, he surely broke the mold.
Glenn Walter Weidler
Glenn Walter Weidler went home to Jesus after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Glenn was born Aug. 13, 1938, in Billings to Walter and Dorothy Weidler.
He graduated from Senior High School in 1956 and from Eastern Montana College. He served in the United States Army and felt privileged to do so. Glenn was an avid bowler and golfer. He was inducted into the Billings Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1998 and the State Bowling Hall of Fame in 1999. We were all very proud of him for that accomplishment.
Glenn and Linda met in Red Lodge on the 4th of July of 1963 and were married
on Sept. 19, 1964. Glenn's greatest joy in his life were his children and grandchildren. He was a strong family man and a wonderful husband and father. He coached his son Mike in little league and taught him how to fish and hunt. He loved watching his daughters compete in sports. He was very proud that they both went to college on basketball scholarships. Glenn was a loving husband, and Linda and he enjoyed many special times together. We loved to golf together at the Laurel Golf Club and take part in spectator sports. We bowled in a mixed league and in several state and local mixed tournaments.
Glenn was a member of the Laurel Golf Club, the Elks lodge, the Petroleum Club and the Billings Bowling Association. He went to work for Mule Creek Oil Co. in 1969 as an accountant. The company then went to Fortin Hancock Enterprises and eventually became Hancock Enterprises. Glenn loved his job and was a loyal employee and a respected businessman.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Linda; his father, Walter; his children, Mike (Renita) and grandchildren, Brett, Logan and Lauryn; Tracy (Jim) Hawbaker and grandchildren, Bryce and Sydney; and Kristen; his sisters, Gay (Jack) Engleman and Glee (Peter) Killom of Livingston; numerous nieces and nephews; and five special brothers-in-law (who always said Glenn was their favorite brother-in-law, their only one).
Visitation will begin 9 a.m. Friday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. A Vigil Service will be held 7 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, April 3, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church with Rite of Committal in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Northern Rockies Cancer Center or the charity of ones choice.
Judith Kay Thompson
Judith Kay Thompson, 48, of Billings, died at St. Vincent Hospital, March 27, 2000. She was born in Billings June 19, 1951, a daughter of Glen and Annaruth Huffer Thompson. She graduated from Senior High in 1969. She was employed as a card dealer in the gaming industry. Judy loved camping, fishing, and collecting rocks.
Survivors include three sisters, Sally (Glenn) Jeffrey, Beverly (Gary) Cooper, and Bonny (Jerry) Richter; longtime companion, Jim Knox; and several uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews.
Private family memorial was held. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 2812 First Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101. Cremation has taken place at Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Virgil N. Huston
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Virgil Norman Huston, 74, died on March 28, 2000, at the Billings Deaconess Medical Center.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 31, at Kane Funeral Home. Private family interment will follow in the Sheridan Municipal cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be made to the Church of Christ Benevolence Fund, 1769 Big Horn Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Leonard Edwin Bell
RED LODGE - Leonard Edwin Bell passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Beartooth Hospital in Red Lodge. He was born to Matt and Mayme (Harmala) Bell in Roberts on Jan. 30, 1924.
He attended grade school at Cottonwood School and graduated from Roberts High School. Leonard spent his whole life on the farm and enjoyed irrigating his fields. He also did custom combining around the area. When he had time, he would go into his shop to try out a new idea he dreamed up. Leonard enjoyed music and played the trombone in the Red Lodge Band.
He was on the board of directors for the Roberts Volunteer Fire Department and was secretary/treasurer of the Fin Ditch Co. for years.
Preceding Leonard in death are his father in 1947 and his mother in 1999.
Surviving are his brother, Arthur (Cammie) Bell of Billings; nephews, Allen (Connie) Bell of Roberts and Gene (Karen) Bell of Maple Valley, Wash.; niece, Teresa (John) Hanson of Billings; great-nephews, Erik Souther, Colin and Connor Bell; great-niece, Kaitlin Hanson and a step-great-nephew and -niece, Travis and Ashley Hanson. Leonard also leaves numerous cousins and his good friend, his collie, Sharpie.
At Leonard's request, cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Cremation of Funeral Gallery has been entrusted with the arrangements.
If so desired, memorials may be made to the Roberts Volunteer Fire Department in Leonard's name.
Mary Gabriella Roybal
CODY, Wyo. - Mary Gabriella Roybal, 87, died on Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at West Park Hospital.
Visitations will from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Ballard Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at Ballard's with interment following in Riverside cemetery.
Russell Gordon Baughn
BALLANTINE - Russell Gordon Baughn, 55, went to join his father, Ted, on March 24, 2000, while driving through Roundup. Russ was an avid fisherman, loved to be in the outdoors, and had an amazing sense of humor. He was the self-acclaimed in-ventor of the "Baughn shortcut" and has gotten many people lost through this process. Some are yet to be found.
Russ was born to Dorothy and Ted Baughn on Aug. 23, 1944, in Spokane, Wash. Russ graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1963 and joined the Air Force National Guard, from which he retired. In 1966, he married
Kay Turnley, they divorced in 1985, and he then returned to Montana. He spent most of his life as a traveling salesman and recently owned and operated Automotive Diagnostics in Billings. He recently became engaged to Savola "Sami" Blanchard of Ballantine, and they planned to marry in August.
Russ leaves behind his fiancee, Savola "Sami" Blanchard of Ballantine; his son, Todd Baughn, daughter and her husband, Tammi Baughn-Moran and Chip Moran, mother, Dorothy Baughn, his brothers, Mike and Tim Baughn, his sister, Kathy Donahue, grandchildren, Samantha Moran and Cody Baughn, all of Spokane; uncle, Delmer Bemis of Kingston, Idaho, two nieces and one nephew, and numerous close friends throughout the states.
He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. Thank you for the memories, the adventures and the laughs. All our love.
Smiths Funeral Chapel of Billings is in charge of cremation. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, at the VFW, Main St., in Worden, Mont. A second memorial service will be held in Spokane, Wash., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Worden Volunteer Fire Department.
Arlene Drevs
Arlene Drevs, 74, of Billings, passed away at home early Wednesday morning, March 29, 2000.
She leaves behind her loving and devoted husband, Les; a sister, Clare Ivie of Billings; her daughters, Sher-ry Jernigan of Texas, Donna (Don) Cash of Broadview, Connie (Dale) Solverson of Washington; and a son, Jay Drevs of Washington; two half brothers, Melvin and Olon Armstrong, and a half sister, Cindy Blueher; Three grandchildren, Brad, Michael, and Heather; numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 31, at the Cremation or Funeral Gallery, 8th and St. Johns Ave. Interment of her ashes will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Melvin E. Nielson
SIDNEY - Melvin E. Nielson, 72, died on Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at the Deaconess Medical Center in Billings.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 31, at the Pella Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Sidney cemetery. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney is in charge.
R. Bennett Jacobs
MUSSELSHELL - R. Bennett Jacobs, 83, of Musselshell, died unexpectedly at his home on March 28, 2000. He was born on Dec. 11, 1916, in Musselshell and raised by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jacobs. He attended school in Musselshell.
Bennett proudly served as a radio operator in the army during WWII from June 1942 until August 1945. He received the European-African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, four overseas service bars, and good conduct medal.
Bennett married
Thelma Abercrombie on Sept. 26, 1946. They ranched in Musselshell and sold the ranch in 1980.
Survivors include wife, Thelma; daughters, Sandy (Ryan) Gray of Laurel, Candy (Randy) Gray of Albuquerque, N.M.; grandchildren, Cindy Gray of Roy, Utah, Greg (Krisstinna) Gray of Billings, Heidy Gray of Laurel, Jeff Gray of Missoula; great-grandchildren, Kelsy of Roy, Utah, Brittney and Kalli of Billings.
Graveside services will be held Friday, March 31, at 1 p.m. at the Musselshell cemetery. Refresh-ments will be served at the Musselshell School for those who would like to attend. Wier Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Dorothy Jelean (Morris) LeBrun
REED POINT - Dorothy Jelean Morris LeBrun passed away March 28, 2000, after a courageous battle with cancer at St. Vincent's Hospital.
She was born Feb. 26, 1932, in Billings, to Thomas and Flora Morris.
She spent part of her childhood in Salt Lake City, Utah, and her remaining years in Montana. She married
Arthur "Frank" LeBrun in Billings on March 19, 1949. They lived in Billings and the surrounding areas. At the time of her death they resided in Reed Point.
She enjoyed being a homemaker, raising her children, bum lambs and calves. She also enjoyed spending time with her array of many friends.
Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Frank; one brother, Harry "Jr." Dawson (Gloria) of Cottage Grove, Ore.; three sons, Rick (Linda) of Columbus, Bob (Dianne) of Luther, Joker (Kim) of Columbus; and five daughters, Bernice Bishop of Columbus, Nancy (John) Bastian of Lewisville, Texas, Shirley Nelson of Billings, Fran Emmert of Reed Point, and Karen (John) Siemion of Reed Point; and 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Bill, Dave and Bob.
You will be loved and missed and remembered by all forever.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 31, at Reed Point Evangelical Church, with interment in Reed Point cemetery. Visitation: 5 to 8p.m. Thursday at Smith Funeral Chapel in Columbus.
