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David F. Prill
RANCHESTER, Wyo. - David F. Prill, 81, died Thursday, March 9, 2000, in the VA Center in Sheridan.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:30 on Monday from Trinity Lutheran Church. Cremation will follow the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Big Horns, Box 6242, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Fudge Stelmachuk
Fudge Stelmachauk, 76, of Billings, passed away March 9, 2000, at Deaconess Hospital.
Fudge was born Jan. 3, 1924, in Fallon County, the daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Waller) Kos-chel. The family moved to Plevna where they farmed until moving east of Billings. She attended Pioneer School. She served in the military during WWII and was the first lady to be a jumper from airplanes.
She worked at Newberry's Department Store food department for several years and then began a 25-year career with Marriot food service at MSU-B. She retired in September of 1999.
Fudge loved baseball and was a avid fan of the Mustangs. She served as president of the Mustang Fan Club for a year. She also enjoyed bowling and bowled on the Tiny's Tavern Team. She enjoyed crocheting and playing cards.
Fudge was a member of First Congregational Church and the Coast Guard Auxillary.
Survivors include her husband, Mike; daughters, Barbara (Pete) Fiederl of Seattle, Peggy (Steve) Alger and Shirley Stelmachuk of Billings, and a nephew that they raised, Joey Stelmachuk; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Edna Rials of New Orleans; Anna Travis of California, and Delores Olivery of California; and her brother, Fred Koschel of Billings; her best friend, Arnie her poodle.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sheri Jenzen, and brothers, Art and Ted and a sister, Irene.
Viewing will be at Smith Downtown Chapel Saturday, Sunday and Monday and at 6 p.m. until the service at the church. Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Monday, March 13, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Cremation will follow. Smith Downtown chapel is in charge of arrangement. Memorial to the Mustang Fan Club, in care of Dean Fuller, 2111 24th St. West, or the American Cancer Society, 2116 Broadwater Ave., Billings, MT.
Lu Tronson
MEDICINE LAKE - Funeral services for Lu Tronson will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 13. Pastor Grant Patterson will officiate at the service at Medicine Lake Lutheran Church; interment will be in Medicine Lake cemetery. Lu, 88, died Wednesday evening at Roosevelt Mem-orial Medical Center in Cul-bertson.
Lu was born May 17, 1911, at Medicine Lake, the daughter of Edward and Sophia (Horstmann) Spencer, early Sheridan County homesteaders who moved from Minnesota. Lu attended the Smith grade school, and Medicine Lake High School. While working in Plentywood, she met and married
Melvin Tronson in 1929. They lived on a farm seven miles west of Medicine Lake until 1936 when they purchased and moved to their present farm east of Medicine Lake. Her hus-band, Melvin, passed away in 1972, and Lu continued living on the farm until September 1999 when she entered the nursing home.
Lu was an active member of the Medicine Lake Lutheran Church and Ladies' Aid, where she held several offices. She participated in many quilt- and soap- making projects, which she enjoyed for many years, until her eye-sight became impaired. She enjoyed working with the elderly, and was active in Senior Citizens' affairs locally and at the County level. She assisted with organizing the club in Medicine Lake; and attended many Governor's Conferences on Aging. She planned many of the Senior Citizen tours for Sheridan and Roosevelt County members and served as hospital ombudsman for several years. Lu was an active member of the Medicine Lake V.F.W. Auxiliary for many years, serving both local and district offices. She was a member of the first Medicine Lake Band Mothers Club and was a correspondent for the Plentywood Herald and the Froid Weekly papers.
She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, and canning for her family, and traveling. In 1979, she married
Jim Hatfield; they were later divorced, but remained best of friends.
Lu is survived by six children: Mae, and her husband, Keith Reynolds of Molt, Mont.; William Tronson; Betty and her husband, Richard Hendrickson; and Melvin and his wife, Charlotte Tronson all of Medicine Lake; Shirley and her hus-band, Greg Wallander of Froid; and Don and his wife, Carrol Tronson of Medicine Lake. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 31 great-grand-children, nine step-grandchildren, and by a brother, Ralph Spencer and his wife, Delores of Plentywood. Besides her parents and first husband, Melvin, she was preceded in death by one sis-ter and two brothers.
Should anyone wish to send memorials, the family suggests they be made to the Medicine Lake Lutheran Church or to the charity of the sender's choice. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of arrangements.
Milton J. Weisz
Milton J. Weisz, 52, of Billings, died unexpectedly Thursday, March 9, 2000.
Funeral services and interment will be in Riverton, Wyo. Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of local arrangements.
Carol Anderson
FROID - Carol Anderson, 64, died Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney. Cremation has taken place. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney is in charge.
Leland 'Lee' Asay
LOVELL, Wyo. - Leland "Lee" Asay, 94, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at New Horizons Care Center.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, in the Lovell LDS Stake Center. Interment will be in the Lovell cemetery. Haskell Funeral Home is in charge.
Chad Bushman
Chad Bushman, 13, left behind his family and friends on Wednesday, March 8, 2000. On Oct. 7, 1986, Chad was born in Billings, the son of Eric and Victoria (Schaff) Bushman. At the time of his death, he was attending St. Francis Catholic School.
During the summers, Chad worked for the family business. He served as an alter boy at St. Pius X Catholic Church, and Chad, very willingly, did volunteer yard work for the elderly. He was active in baseball, football, basketball, paintball, hunting and fishing. He was an avid sports follower and collected baseball cards.
Chad was a star that burned bright, leading the way in determination, perseverance and positive thinking that was contagious to all he touched. Chad takes with him a part of everyone he touched during his short time with us and now that he is gone we will all have a void that he used to fill. But we will all be better people to have known him.
Survivors include his sister, Jillian; brothers, Corey and Matthew; grandparents, Hazel Bushman, John and Carroll Schaff, all of Billings; great-grandmother, Magdalene Garnier of Bismark, N.D., and 34 loving cousins.
His grandfather, Don J. Bushman, preceded him in death.
Both vigil service and funeral mass will be at St. Pius X Church, the vigil is Friday, March 10, at 7 p.m., funeral Mass will be Saturday, March 11 at 11 a.m. with interment in St. Pius Calvary cemetery. A luncheon will follow interment at Central Catholic High School.
Memorials may be made to the Chad Bushman Scholarship Fund, in care of Sister Elizabeth, Box 31158, Billings, MT 59107.
Chad, we will love and remember you and your desire to succeed for as long as we shall live. Thank you for that and so long for now. Your family and friends.
Daniel James Butler
GILLETTE, Wyo. - Daniel James "Danny" Butler, 65, died Monday, March 6, 2000, at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital.
Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, at the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 10, at the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Gillette-Mt. Pisgah cemetery. A memorial has been set up in Mr. Butler's name and donations may be sent in care of Wilson Funeral Home, PO box 734, Gillette, WY 82717.
Marguerite Warren Helmer
Marguerite Elizabeth Warren Helmer, 92, died of natural causes on Tuesday, March 7, 2000, in Billings. She was a strong, wonderful woman and we thank the Lord for her life.
Marguerite was born the oldest of four girls to Louise and Eugene Warren on Sept. 18, 1907, in White Earth, Minn. Her father worked for the Government Service (now known as the Bureau of Indian Affairs) while her mother taught school. Marguerite loved her family dearly and spoke of them often. Some of Marguerite's fondest childhood memories surrounded the Minnesota country house she lived in, including watching her father craft wood furniture and riding in horse-pulled sleighs with her family, nestled under heavy blankets and furs.
Although her family moved to Poplar in 1926, Marguerite returned to Minnesota to attend Duluth State Teachers College. She married
Howard Laurence Helmer of Poplar on Sept. 12, 1929, in Minot, N.D. The Helmers were northeastern Montana pioneers who originally ranched in the Big Muddy country. Howard and Marguerite lived and farmed in Poplar for 39 years before moving to Billings in 1968, where they managed the Sheraton Arms Apartments and Howard worked as an independent oil and gas landman.
After Howard died in 1984, Marguerite was the happiest when she was with her children and their families. She was always the voice of reason, offering sound advice and steady encouragement. Marguerite was also active in several organizations, and served as a Past Worthy Matron and Life Member of the Order of Eastern Star; the past president of Colonial Dames XVII Century, Governor William Bradford Chapter; a member of the Montana Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Shining Mountain Chapter; and a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Billings. A woman of great taste and style, Marguerite enjoyed helping her family and friends decorate their homes. She also enjoyed playing bridge. In her youth, she was accomplished in swimming and drawing.
Marguerite was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, Lois Olson and Virginia McGlue and a daughter, Caryl Jean (John) Graham. She is survived by a son, Warren H. (Sheila) Helmer of Billings; a daughter, Vonne (Joe) Strobbe, 8228 Yeager Drive N.E., Albuquerque, N.M.; and a sister Eugenia Joy (John) Reno, 1040 Abernathy Lane #112, Apopka, Fla.; three nephews; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the staff at the Western Manor Health Care Center for their kind and loving care. Cremation will take place after a private family service. Donations may be made St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the Billings Masonic Center Association, Western Manor Health Care Center or to a charity of choice. We are so thankful that Marguerite will always be a part of those of us who loved her.
Merle Lewis "Don" Inman
HELENA - Merle Lewis "Don" Inman, 72 of Helena, passed away March 8, 2000, at Big Sky Care Center. Don fought a valiant baffle with lung cancer for over two years.
Don was born in Santa Rosa, Calif., on April 15, 1927, to Lewis and Gladys Inman. Don's mother Gladys passed away when he was very young. He has one sister, (Muriel Morr), who resides in San Leandro, Calif. Don served in the U. S. Navy from 1946 to 1951 in the capacity of aviation electrician's mate.
In 1950, Don moved to Helena and met Gladys Petersen which began a 50-year love affair with a very short engagement period. Don and Gladys anxiously awaited their Golden anniversary which would have been Sept., 9, 2000. He worked for the Department of Public Roads, Montana Power, Mountain Bell, and then the City of Helena as assistant city engineer. Don also worked at L.P. Barney Construction and Steinberg Construction.
In 1957, he began a 30-year career with the Veterans' Administration at Fort Harrison and ending with HUD/FHA. After retirement in 1987, Don performed independent residential appraisals for two years, then remained active as an agent for Sentimetal Bronzing Co. He loved the Montana outdoors spending family time fishing, big game and bird hunting, camping, and motorcycle riding. Don also loved exploring distant lands, traveling as much as possible. He loved working in his wood and metal shop repairing whatever broke and building useful creations. Don loved to work with his hands and centered his life around his family. He took lemons and made Lemonade.
Don is survived by his wife, Gladys; son, Steve and daughter-in-law, Cindy, grandsons, Tucker (9) and Lance (5) (Billings); daughter, Sandy and son-in-law, Dave Graf (Spokane); and sister, Muriel Morr (San Leandro, Calif.). He loved and was loved by his entire family and friends.
Come join Don's family in celebration of his life at a memorial service 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 13, 2000, at Retz Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Montana State Veteran cemetery at Fort Harrison with military honors by the Lewis and Clark County Veteran Council. Memorials in Don's name are suggested to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604.
Alvin Krueger
Alvin Krueger, 78, of Billings, went home to be with Jesus, March 9, 2000. Alvin was born May 28, 1921, in Wishek, N.D., son of Alfred and Pauline (Deitrich) Krueger.
He married
Lea Wittman on October 24, 1939, in Hardin.
Alvin was a farm laborer before moving his wife and family to Billings. He worked at Pierce Packing 33 years until his retirement in 1983.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and lending a helping hand to those in need.
His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoyed going fishing, bowling, golfing, and gardening with their grandpa. Most importantly, Alvin enjoyed sharing the Bible with family and friends. His service to the church was an important part of his life. He ministered in many areas including ushering, teaching, greeting and serving at camps and men's fellowships.
Alvin is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Benjamin; sister, Agnes Perkins; and daughter, Delores Irene. He is survived by his wife, Lea; daughter, Mary Jean (James) Erickson of Billings; sons, Benjamin (Luz) Krueger of Bozeman, and Allen Krueger of Hardin; three sisters, Irene (Leo) Finck, Esther (Mike) McGrady both of Portland, Ore., and Elsie (Theo) Wuest of Billings; three brothers, Edward (Donna) Krueger, Clifton Krueger, both of Portland, Ore., and Ervin (Mia) of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Ave., Billings. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, with luncheon following interment at First Assembly Life Center, 550 32 St. W. Memorials may be made to YVC-TV, P.O. Box 21157, Billings, MT and Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT.
Reuben I. Lovatto
HARLOWTON - Reuben I. Lovatto, 67, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at his home in Harlowton. Reuben was born on Nov. 11, 1932, in Morrill, Neb., to Isidore and Thelma (Snow) Lovato.
Reuben served in the Korean War as a sergeant in the Army. He worked overseas and in the states as a Caterpillar mechanic for over 40 years. On Sept. 30, 1989, he married
Joyce Henrichs in Elko, Nev., and then moved to Harlowton in 1991. Reuben loved to fish and was always looking for something to fix or repair. He was a member of the UMWA, VFW, and the Operating Engineers. His family and friends will always be most dear to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister and a step-daughter.
Reuben is survived by his wife, Joyce, of the home in Harlowton; eight children, four stepchildren, six brothers, six sisters, 38 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at Perkins Funeral Home with interment following at the Harlowton cemetery. A gathering will follow at the LDS Church in Harlowton.
Pauline Mees
POWELL, Wyo. - Pauline Mees, 86, formerly of Forsyth, died Wednesday, March 7, 2000, in Cody.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, in the chapel also. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Forsyth cemetery.
Dorothy Phair
MILES CITY - Dorothy Phair, age 73, of Miles City, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at the University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Dorothy was born on Oct. 27, 1926, in Thor, Iowa, the daughter of Jens and Agnes (Tennyson) Lund. At the age of two she moved to Minneapolis after the death of her father. She graduated in 1945 from Washburn High School in Minneapolis, attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from the School of Art and Design. She was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. She graduated from college in 1949.
Following graduation, she went to work for Dayton's Department Store as an interior designer. Dorothy moved to Montana in the early 1950s. On June 8, 1973, Dorothy married
Bob Phair in Miles City. Dorothy's final painting will go on display in April in a gallery in Washington D.C. Painting was Dorothy's true love. Her paintings were well known in Arizona, winning countless awards year after year.
Dorothy was a member of the Miles City Club, Town and Country Club, Custer County Art Center, First Lutheran Church in Miles City, Montana Watercolor Society, Peace Lutheran Church in Tucson, Southern Arizona Water Guild, and the National League of American Pen Women Association. Dorothy also served on the Montana Arts Council to which she was appointed by the governor.
Dorothy is survived by two sons, Jim Nelstad and his wife, Karol of Kent, Wash.; Doug Phair of Miles City; two daughters, Roberta Schulz and her husband, Denny of Chillicothe, Ohio; and Barbara Phair of Lummi Island, Wash.; three grandchildren, Kathleen "Katy" Schulz of Chillicothe; Robert McLean "Mac" Phair and William Douglas Phair of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob Phair; a brother, Christian; and three sisters Jeanette, Kathryn, and Mildred.
Funeral services in Tucson will be held Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m. in the Dove of Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. Wendell Clutz officiating. Funeral services in Miles City will be held Tuesday, March 14, at 1 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church with Rev. Steve Rice officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in the family lot in the Thor, Iowa, cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
