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Rudolph Paul ‘Rudy’ Koch
BUTTE – Mr. Rudolph P. “Rudy” Koch, died unexpectedly at his residence in his loving wife Dee’s arms on June 23, 2000. Rudy was born December 11, 1919, to Anton and Anna Matilda (Hassler) Koch of Sumatra, Mont. He was the youngest of 15 children. Rudy’s favorite topic of conversation was his love for the old homestead in Sumatra, his beloved dog Scamper, and the bean soup in Ingamar, Mont. His favorite past time was catching the latest sports on TV.
Rudy served two and a half years in the Air Force during WWII in the Air Corps, as a Radio Operator Gunner. He received his education at the Sumatra Grade School and High School, an MA degree in Education from Montana State University in 1952; Elementary Guidance Institute, State College of Iowa, 1965; Institute for Administrators of Pupil Personnel Services, State University of New York at Albany, 1970.
During his years of study Rudy worked as a Timekeeper in Billings, Mont., Pacific Car & Foundry in Renton, Wash., and as a Customs Inspector in the summer months of 1951 to 1956 In Babb, Mont. and Chief Mountain, Glacier Park.
Rudy’s teaching and administrative experience include: two years at Sidney, Montana, one elementary and one secondary; one year secondary, Santa Barbara, Calif.; over thirty years in Butte, Mont.- seven years as an elementary teacher, two years Junior High, three years elementary principal, two years elementary counselor, two years guidance coordinator and nine years Director of Pupil Personnel Services. He retired as Director of Pupil Personnel Services in July of 1977.
Rudy was a friend to his students and teachers alike and believed that teaching was a way of life, not a paid career. Rudy’s participation in community activities was often sought due to his sense of fair play, his ability to show fairness, common sense, honesty, and his undying faith in the human spirit to accomplish what seemed impossible.
During his career as a teacher, counselor, principal, and administrator in the area of pupil personnel services, he served the community as a member of the Board of Directors, Camp Fire Girls; Elks Scholarship Committee; Board of Directors, Butte Easter Seal Speech and Hearing Clinic; Board of Directors, Rocky Mountain Retarded Children Association; Instructor, Red Cross First Aid; State Council of Special Education for Regional Services (OSPI); Region IV Developmentally Disabled Council; PTA and Home School Associations; CRY, a local organization activated to initiate pre-school training for handicapped; Silver Bow County D.D . Council; PRIDE (Butte Epileptic Association); Admittance Board, Butte Girls Home; Four “C’s Board; State Coordinator for Elementary Counselors; President of the local Toastmasters; and as a Lector at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.
Rudy was the first Elementary Counselor in Montana. He was one of 30 counselors out of 19 states chosen to participate in an eight week counseling and guidance institute at the College of Iowa, Cedar Falls, in 1965. He was appointed Director of the Developmental Disabilities Montana Advocacy Program in Helena in 1975 and served until resigning in 1977. He is credited with initiating one of the first Drivers Training Courses, if not the first in the state, in Sidney, Montana.
Rudy married
the former Willa Marie LaVelle in 1959. She died in 1966, leaving their two children Kathleen Koch and James Koch to raise. On November 29, 1969 Rudy married
his beloved wife, friend, and soul mate Kathleen (Dee) Combo and immediately became a loving father of eight. Rudy loved spending time with his family fishing, hunting, camping and mentoring. He loved woodworking and giving his finished projects to those he loved. He dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This Father’s Day was special due to the birth of Rudy’s new great-grandson Aidan.
Preceding Rudy in death were his parents; brothers: Fred, Pete, and Anton; sisters: Anna, Agnes, Hilda, Elizabeth, and Mary; mother-in-law: Alice Combo; grandson: Gar Rosenleaf; and son-in-law: Tom Layne.
Survivors include his loving wife, Kathleen (Dee) Koch; sons and daughters-in-law, James Koch, and James and Colleen Wulf of Billings, Mark and Sandy WuIf of Livingston, Brian and Allison Spring of Washington; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Jim Peacock of Oceanside, Calif., Kerry and Dan Hanks of Wolf Point, Kathleen Layne, and Karlene and Rick Skocilich of Butte; grandchildren, Erin, Shanee’, and Grant Peacock, Jodee and Matt Cohen, Mike and La Rae Hanks, Danna and Cole Hanks, Ozzie and Sunvee Rosenleaf, Dawn and Dan Petritz, Kim Shannon, Rick and Kevin Skocilich, Jason and Michele Koch, Michael Koch, Eric, Bryce, Alanna, and Derek WuIf, Ryan and Breanna WuIf; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Sierra, and Shelby Hanks, Kheylei Peacock, Jason and Eric Koch, Joby Marie Rosenleaf, Archie and Aidan Petritz, Valerie Skocilich, Kevin Shannon; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leo and Martha Koch of Corpus Christi, Texas, Joe and Emma Koch of Bridger, John Koch of Tacoma, Wash., Kay Koch of Billings; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Claire and Si Holman of Butte, Shirley and Ray Rand of Butte, Mary Alice and Dan Crowley of Kalispell, Jim and Sharon Combo of Tucson, Arizona, Jerry and Dorothy Combo of Butte; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Koch’s remains are in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home in Butte, where friends may call beginning 4 p.m Monday, June 26. Vigil services will be conducted 7 p.m. Monday, June 26, in the funeral home. Prayers will be recited 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, proceeding to St. Ann’s Catholic Church where Liturgy of The Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Reception will follow in St. Ann’s Parish Hall. Memorials may be made to the Easter Seals, Goodwill Industries, Highland Hospice, Home Healthcare, Butte Sheltered Workshop, or a charity of the donors’ choice.
Mark Robert Haynes
JUDITH GAP – Mark Robert Haynes, 87, died June 23, 2000, at Wheatland Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in Harlowton.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, at Judith Gap Community Methodist Church. Perkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Ben Boyd
Ben Boyd, 83, of Billings passed away June 20, 2000, at the Deaconess Medical Center. He was born Oct. 14, 1916, the son of Isaac and Vinetta Boyd Sr. in Jacoby, La. He was the youngest of seven children.
Ben came to Montana in the early 1950s, where he started his own concrete finishing business. Something he enjoyed very much, as well as the outdoors.. Ben was an avid fisherman and enjoyed telling his fish stories. He loved to entertain and had many friends.
He is survived by six children, Marguerite Boyd Henandez of Billings, Mont., Cassandra Tyler of Detroit, Mich., Bennie Kay King of Las Vegas, Nev., Vickie Lynn Hammontree of Chicago, Ill., Benjamin Boyd, Jr., Baton Rouge, La. and Gregory Richard Boyd of Concord, Calif.; and a grandson he raised, Frankie Hammontree. A companion, Tupou Pauu of Billings, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nine nieces and nephews, several great-nieces and -nephews; and several great-great-nieces and -nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Noah, Isaac, Hillary, Henry; and two sisters, Lizzie and Luella.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. Visitation will be at Smith Downtown Chapel until 8 p.m. Sunday. Viewing will continue at the West Chapel until service time. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A fellowship and luncheon will follow graveside services at the Howard Johnson Hotel, 1001 So. 27th St.
Howard Edgar Cross
Howard Edgar Cross died Thursday June 22, 2000. He was born March 23, 1917, in Bloomville, Ohio, to Cloyd and Mabel Cross, and attended schools in Bloomville and Melmore, Ohio.
Howard Served with the CCC in California, Yellowstone Park and Montana, coming to Bozeman in January 1939. He enlisted in the Army with the 24th Infantry Division in the South Pacific, serving from February 1942-May 1945.
On Nov. 25, 1945, he was united in marriage to Shirley J Huffine and she died in April 1973. Howard worked at the Bozeman Hot Springs and Bozeman Hotel and managed the American Legion Club in Bozeman. In January 1956, Howard went to work for the Army Reserve as civilian administrative assistant and was transferred to Billings in November of 1965. Howard was an active member of the Army Reserve, retiring in 1977 as a first sergeant.
He then meet Geraldine Nelson, they were married
on March 2, 1977 in Cody, Wyo. After his retirement from Civil Service he worked at Poly Food Basket IGA as a part-time stock clerk for three years. He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Elks Lodge, American Legion post #4, and National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; daughter, Diane (Jeff) Daniell; stepdaughter, Linda Phythian Bice (Rick); three grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Shirley; brother Ronald; and stepson Richard Phythian.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Graveside services will be at Sunset Hills in Bozeman at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27. Visitation will be 1-5 p.m. Monday, June 26. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Carver D. Boucher
Carver D. Boucher went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, June 23, 2000, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. We love him and will miss him greatly. His devotion to his family and friends was remarkable. He was always there when you needed him with a smile and a helping hand.
Carver was born in Butte to Ross and Grace Boucher. He spent his childhood in Butte, Miles City and finally in Billings where he graduated from Senior High School in 1974. He married
Carolyn Taylor in 1979. They had three children, were separated and later divorced.
Carver was a king of all trades. It seemed that whatever he put his hand to he was able to do it. He had his own business building steel buildings from the ground up, was a welder, a salesman, a farm worker, a UPS driver and carpenter extraordinaire. If something needed to be done, he could do it.
Carver’s greatest love was the Lord and his family. He was very active in his church, helping build and finish it when they added a new addition and working in various other positions there. This is where he met and later married
Rhonda Broderson in 1991. He then adopted her two children making them a part of a wonderful family.
Carver is survived by his wife, Rhonda; their five children, Jason Boucher of Billings, Joniene, Joe, Tawny and Levi Boucher, all of the family home; parents, Ross and Grace Boucher of Billings; brothers, Jim (Carla) of Terry, Kelly (Alicia) of Helena, Rayce (Rhonda) of Dallas, Texas; sisters, Gayle (Leonard) Francis of Highlands, Texas, Joleen (Dick) Perry of Judith Gap, Coleen Kolbeck of Billings, Beccie (Dave) Householder of Milwaukie, Ore., and Carla (Dana) Connelly of Duvall, Wash. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church, 423 Westgate Drive at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, with a luncheon to follow. Memorials may be made in Carver’s name to Fellowship Baptist Church. Proceeds will go to help others going through similar circumstances.
We love you Carver and are glad we have the hope of seeing you again that only Jesus can give. You are our hero!
Charles Thomas Killebrew III
“If this is how it’s meant to be, I have only one request of God. Let me spend one more spring in the Rockies.” Chuck Killebrew, 53, passed away on the last day of spring, June 20, 2000, at his home in Red Lodge after a long battle with leukemia.
He is survived by his soul mate, Patricia Frounfelter of Red Lodge; daughters, Alexis Burke of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Aleisa Frounfelter of Billings; a son, Morgan Killebrew of Los Angeles; and four cherished grandchildren; sisters, Carol Killebrew of Dobbins, Calif., Parnala Brown of Burbank, Calif.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; family and friends.
Celebration of his life to be held at his home in Red Lodge at 2 p.m. Thursday June 29. “Laughing is good for the soul, crying cleanses it” C.T.
Memorials to be made to the National Leukemia Foundation.
Mike Liles
TERRY – Mike Liles, 44, of Bad Route, north of Terry died on June 24, 2000, at the Glendive Medical Center with his family by his side.
Vigil services will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 26, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow in the Prairie County cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home is in charge.
Robert L. Noe
ABSAROKEE – Robert L. Noe, 70, of Absarokee, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2000, following a long battle with cancer.
Robert was born on July 5, 1929, in Denver, a son of Gladys and Luther Noe. They moved to Billings in 1936 where Bob graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1948. He served in the Korean war, and following his discharge was employed by Shell Oil Co. in Billings for 10 years.
Bob married
Laura (Jeanne) Woodard on Dec. 30, 1955. In 1959, they moved to Stlllwater County where he purchased Stillwater Abstract & Title Co. Bob and Jeanne lived in Absarokee for 41 years, and he worked in the title industry for 40 years until retiring in 1999.
Bob served as justice of the peace in Stillwater County for 32 years. He was past president of the Montana Land Title Association and received their Title Executive of the Year in 1988. He was also past chairman of the Stillwater Republican Central Committee, a member of the Absarokee Volunteer Fire Dept. of which he was recently made honorary fire chief, a member of the Absarokee Water Users Association, past patron of the Rock Rose Chapter of the Eastern Star of Columbus, a life member of the Ashlar Lodge No. 29, A.F. & A.M., a member of the Al Bedoo Shrine Temple, the Beartooth Elks Lodge of Red Lodge, and the Community Congregational Church of Absarokee.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Noe of Absarokee; two sons, Jim (Mary Beth) of Red Lodge, and John (Shelly) of Absarokee; four grandchildren, Jackie, Jeff, Stephanie and Steve; two sisters, Betty Bridges of White Sulphur Springs, and Shirley (Lewis) Plouvier of Billings. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, in the Community Congregational Church in Absarokee. Cremation has taken place and interment will be in the Rosebud cemetery. Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge is assisting with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Absarokee Volunteer Fire Department, Community Congregational Church or the Al Bedoo Shrine Transportation Fund.
Claude Windecker
HAVRE – Claude Windecker passed away in Columbus of natural causes June 22, 2000. He was born in Laramie, Wyo., March 27, 1908, to Gene and Josie Windecker who homesteaded a year later at Huntley Project near Ballantine where he attended school. In 1931 he graduated from MSU.
His first job was managing Charlie Kinmonth’s Hereford cattle near Billings which was his calling the rest of his productive years. A job came along in the ’30s to work for Montana Extension Service as assistant agent of the Sun River Irrigation Project at Fairfield. During this time he married
his lifelong love and partner of 64 years, Georgia Thompson, who preceded him in death Feb. 19, 2000.
Alter a short stint with government work. he managed commercial and registered Hereford operations for 20 years in Western Montana and was instrumental in promoting Hereford cattle organizations and sales. Ranches he operated were Durnin-Proctor Ranch Flat Creek in Augusta, Mission Ranch in Livingston, Jumping Horse Stock Ranch in Ennis, and Old Sappington Ranch in Willow Creek. In 1957, he was named superintendent of North Montana Branch Experiment Station Fort Assinaboine in Havre where he spent 19 years until his retirement. He and Georgia moved to their home in Havre following his lifelong passion for fishing. refinishing furniture and helping friends with ranch operation plans, especially animal breeding systems.
Claude was a member of Van Orsdel Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Masons, Elks and Kiwanis
Surviving family include his sister, Helen Funk of Friday Harbor, Wash.; two sons, Neill (Karen) Windecker of Cascade and Clyde (Sonja) Windecker of Absarokee; grandchildren, Mike Windecker of Clyde Park and Jodi Arthur of Boise, Idaho; great-granddaughter, Kyle Windecker of Clyde Park; step-grandsons, Shane, Heath, and Justin.
Memorials in his honor are suggested to MSU-Northern
Agriculture Scholarship Fund, P.0. Box 1691, Havre, MT. 59501 or Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, P.0. Box 606, Havre, MT. 59501.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial is 2 p.m. Tuesday June 27, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery in Billings.
Ben Boyd
Ben Boyd, 83, of Billings passed away June 20, 2000, at the Deaconess Medical Center. He was born Oct. 4, 1916, the son of Isaac and Vinetta Boyd Sr. in Jacoby, La. He was the youngest of eight children.
Ben came to Montana in the early 1950s, when he started his own masonry business. Something he enjoyed very much, as well as the outdoors. Ben was an avid fisherman and enjoyed telling his fish stories. He loved to entertain and had many friends.
He is survived by four children, Marguerite Boyd Hernandez of Billings, Cassandra Tyler of Detroit, Bennie Kay King of Las Vegas, Nev., Benjamin Boyd, Jr., Baton Rouge, La.; and two stepchildren, Carolyn LaFramboise, and Porter Conner, both of Billings. His common-law wife, Tupou Pauu of Billings; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nine nieces and nephews, several great-nieces and -nephews; and several great-great-nieces and -nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Noah, Isaac, Hillary, Henry; and two sisters, Lizzie and Luella.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. Visitation will be at Smith Downtown Chapel until 8 p.m. Sunday. Viewing will continue at the West Chapel until service time. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A fellowship and luncheon will follow graveside services at the Howard Johnson Hotel, 1001 27th St. South.
Benny Fjeld
BAINVILLE – Benny Fjeld, 80, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at the Trinity Hospital in Minot, N.D.
Friends may call at the Everson Funeral Home Monday June 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the church with military honors.
Donald William Graves
Don Graves was born March 6, 1924, the son of Clarence and Edna Graves in Billings and passed away June 21, 2000, at Aspen Meadows. He attended schools in Billings and graduated from Senior High in 1942.
Don entered the Navy in 1943 and served in WWII in the South Pacific on the USS Saratoga. Following the war, Don attended Eastern Montana College and later worked at Eaton Metal where he met Monica Maher. They were married
in 1949.
In 1953, they moved to Nye, where Don was the purchasing agent for the American Chrome Co. They returned to Billings in 1961 when Don worked as traffic manager and new products manager for WyoBen Products until his retirement in 1983. Unable to stay retired, Don went to work for United Properties until ill health forced his retirement in 1988.
Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, Monica; daughters, Kelle, and Chris and her husband, Curt Cotton; sister, Mary Phyllis and husband, Harlyn Bakko; brother, Robert and his wife, Frances; aunt, Phyllis Shadoan, and nieces and nephews and grandpets.
As Dad always said, war is hell and win some/lose some.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chase Hawks Memorial Association Inc., Box 31333, Billings, MT 59107 and the Ann Millikan Fund or Patient Assistance, c/o the Deaconess Foundation, PO Box 3566, Billings, MT 59103-9978.
