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Milton Justin ‘Sam’ McDonnell
LEWISTOWN – Milton Justin “Sam” McDonnell, 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000, following a lengthy illness.
Sam was born Jan. 9, 1918, at Joplin, Mont., to John Vincent and Mary Amelia (Cruden) Mc-Donnell. He graduated from Moore High School in 1938.
On Dec. 28, 1941, he was united in marriage to Nileen Mathews at Moore. They farmed and ranched in the Hobson area until 1960. The family then moved to Billings where Sam went into the upholstery business. In 1963, he moved his upholstery business and family to Lewistown.
He enjoyed his work and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Nileen Mathews McDonnell of Lewistown; three daughters: Sarah (Bill) Wier of Bozeman, Margaret Stephens of Forsyth, Mary Wilson of Red Lodge; five sons: Andy (Kendra) McDonnell of Big Timber, John McDonnell of Red Lodge, Pat McDonnell of Payson, Ariz., Matt (Shirley) McDonnell of Billings, and Dennis McDonnell of Red Lodge. In addition, he is survived by one brother, James Dennis McDonnell of Twin Falls, Idaho; 25 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary McDonnell, his twin sister, Mary Watt of Tacoma, Wash., and brothers: Vincent of Hayward, Calif., Virgil of Twin Falls, Idaho, Vernon of Kent, Wash., Leo of Billings, and John of Seattle.
Sam was a devoted husband, a loving father and wonderful grandfather. He will be deeply missed.
A Vigil Service for Milton Justin “Sam” McDonnell will be held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church oh Sunday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on Monday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Mount Calvary cemetery. The family suggests memorials may be designated to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, St. Leo’s Catholic Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Creel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Marjorie P. Moss
PAYSON, Ariz. – Marjorie P. Moss, 92, passed away in Payson Aug. 1, 2000.
She was born in Quietus, Mont., May 21, 1908. Marjorie lived in Billings for 52 years before moving to Arizona in 1997. She was the daughter-in-law of P.B. and Mattie Moss, a pioneer Billings family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David H. Moss (1958) and seven brothers and sisters. Marjorie was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, First Church of Christ, Scientist of Billings, and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn M. Castleman and son-in-law, Don Castleman of Payson; a sister, Josephine Parker of Sheridan, Wyo., and many loving nieces and nephews. “She was a loving mother and wonderful friend of many.”
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. Contributions may be made to El Zaribah Shrine Temple, Transportation Fund, 552 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ, 85008 or to a charity of your choice.
Evelyn Tuss Nelson
LEWISTOWN – Evelyn Tuss Nelson, 90, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Central Montana Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at the Creel Funeral Chapel at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4. Cremation will take place following services with private family inurnment at Lewistown City cemetery at a later date.
Betty Koerber Pattyn
PARK CITY – Betty Louise Koerber Pattyn, 66, of Park City passed away Monday, July 31, 2000, in the Valley Health Care Center.
She was born Sept. 12, 1933, in Hardin, a daughter of Clarence and Bertha Schilreff Koerber. She received her education in Hardin and graduated from Hardin High School in 1954. Following her education, she lived in Hardin.
Betty married
John Pattyn on June 24, 1967, in Hardin. Mr. Pattyn died in 1981.
She loved baby-sitting and assisting others in raising their children. However, her nieces and nephews were the focal point of her life. She was a member of the Catholic Church, St. Anthony’s Altar Society in Laurel, St. Bernadette Council in Park City, Park City Senior Citizens and the American Legion Auxiliary in Park City.
Betty is survived by two brothers, Thomas (Delores) and James (Donna) Koerber of Billings; one sister, Thelma Coffey of N.J.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Hardin Fairview cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Peter Pfau
SIDNEY – Funeral services for Peter Pfau, age 70 of Sidney, will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, August 5, 2000, at the Lonsdale United Methodist Church. Pastor Susan Twidwell will officiate. Burial will be in the Sidney cemetery under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Peter Pfau was born Feb. 8, 1930, in Dodge, N.D., to parents Othilia (Pfaff) and John Pfau. He grew up in the area and started schools. In 1938, the family, including eight children, moved to Sidney. Two other sons were in the CCC. A year later, they moved six miles northeast of Sidney. Peter went to the Ridgelawn School.
In 1940 at the age of 10, Peter’s mother died. In 1942, the family moved into Sidney. Pete worked for his brothers and sisters as well as his cousins in North Dakota. In 1951, Pete joined the U.S. Army. On Dec. 22, 1951, while on leave from the service, Pete was united in marriage to Jean Etta GoldSmith. Pete served in Korea with the 180th Infantry Division until he returned to the States in 1953. He was discharged and returned to Sidney. Pete continued to be active in the National Guard and Army Reserve, where he served over thirty years.
In 1954, Pete started working with Jack Cosgrove at Culligan Water Service where he remained until 1976. He later sold water softeners, worked for Sears and worked three years full time with the Montana National Guard. The last 12 years before his retirement, he worked for the Sidney Public Schools as a maintenance and custodial supervisor for the four Sidney schools. Pete retired in 1992. Pete enjoyed puttering in his shop and helping out on his niece’s farm.
Pete was a member of the Lonsdale United Methodist Church and a life member of the VFW, a member of Germans from Russia Heritage Society, the Sidney Moose Lodge, and the Guys and Gals Square Dance club. He enjoyed woodworking, stain glass and coin collecting. He was devoted husband and father who especially enjoyed his grandchildren.
Peter died early Tuesday morning, Aug. 1, 2000, at his home in Sidney.
Survivors include his wife, Jean E. Pfau of Sidney; two sons, Lou Pfau and his wife, Mary of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Jay Pfau and his wife, Mary of Sidney; a daughter, Tana and her husband, David Johnson of Miles City; five grandchildren, Ryan Pfau, Jeremy Pfau, Jessie Pfau, Shalako Emy and Alicia Cahill; two sisters-in-law, Jean M. Pfau and Ione Pfau; a brother-in-law, Wilbur Rupp.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Henry, John, Dan, Phillip, Tony and Joe; three sisters, Regina, Eva and Mary Ann.
Robin Leon Underwood
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Robin died early Thursday morning, July 6, 2000, at his home in Las Cruces with his family, after a long-hard fight against cancer. He was born Dec. 18, 1951, in Billings, the son of Donald and Grace Underwood.
Robin attended schools in Billings and in Laurel. He served 12 years in the Army and then served four years in the Navy and was partially retired on disability.
Robin is survived by his wife, Jacki; three daughters, Kahla, Crystal and Grace; and two sons, William and Robin Jr. His father, Donald, of San Diego and two brothers, Ricky of Billings and Marc of Scottsdale, Ariz., two sisters, Nancy Peters and J’Adore Williams of San Diego, Calif., also survives him. He was preceded in death by his twin daughter, Katie and his mother, Grace, and sister Laura.
His life was never an easy one, but when he married
Jacki and they settled down to raise Crystal and Gracie, he found the happiness he had been searching for. We will always be thankful for that. His family and the friends that knew him will forever miss him.
Cremation has taken place and a service was held at his home. His ashes will be scattered at a later date.
We are so sorry you had to leave us so young, Robin, but we are grateful the pain is over and you can rest easy now with Mom and your loved ones until we are all “Together Again.”
Norman Warkins
EKALAKA – Norman Warkins, 98, died on August 1, 2000, at the Dahl Memorial Nursing Home.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. in the Stevenson’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Ekalaka.
Carl Arthun
WILSALL – Carl Arthun, 82, died at his home on the family ranch Monday, July 31, 2000.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at Shields River Lutheran Church. Graveside committal and interment will follow in Wilsall cemetery. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home of Livingston is in charge.
Ralph Bermis
ST. MARIE, Mont. – Ralph Edward Bermis, 72, passed away July 31, 2000. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at St. Marie Chapel. Burial will be in Green Acres cemetery in Bellingham, Wash. Bell Mortuary in Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.
Neil Duke
JOLIET – Neil’s love of the mountains and wildlife defined his life since retiring as a cattle rancher
Neil Duke was born to Roy and Louise Duke in Greybull, Wyo., on Nov. 15, 1919, the third of four sons. He was raised and schooled in Lewistown, graduated from high school in 1937 and worked on the Fort Peck Dam project. His family moved to Edgar in 1938 where he and his parents farmed. Neil married
Joyce Epperson on Jan. 11, 1941, in Columbus, and together they raised three daughters.
He worked at the Benbow Mine and then started his lifelong occupation of farming and ranching, raising registered polled Herefords at Edgar. In 1980, he bought his parents’ ranch at Roberts where he realized his dream of specializing in cattle and bumper hay crops in the shadow of the Beartooth Mountains. Neil and Joyce sold the ranch and retired in 1978, moving to Joliet where they had a home built.
After that time, his hobbies were scenic and wildlife photography along with writing. He had numerous photographs and articles published and went on to write and publish the novel, “Trails of Destiny”. Traveling around the country to see and photograph beautiful scenery was one of his greatest passions. He always enjoyed playing the guitar and singing, especially with his brother, Jim. Neil and his family and friends celebrated his 80th birthday last November. Neil always had a zest for life, just recently returning from a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Neil passed away at his home on July 30, 2000.
Neil is survived by his wife, Joyce, of Joliet; his three daughters, Bonnie (Walt) Kuhr and Janet (Bill) Patenaude, both of Laurel, and Joni Duke of Kent, Wash.; his three brothers, Jim Duke of Lewistown, Galen Duke of Billings, and Bob Duke of Riverside, Calif.; his grandchildren, Kris Kuhr, Karl Beebe, Dena Dentler, Holly Bragg and Starla Patenaude, and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one grandson, Ken Kuhr. He loved his family and will be greatly missed.
Visitation and funeral services will both be held at Smith Funeral Chapel, 315 E. Third St. in Laurel. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3. Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Interment will follow at Rockvale cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, Montana Division, 2812 First Ave. N. No. 216, Billings, MT 59103, or charity of choice.
Georgetta Gonzales
HARDIN – Georgetta Gonzales, 80, of Hardin, passed away Friday, July 28, 2000, in the Big Horn County Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 21, 1920, in Hardin, a daughter of Laura Lucero. She received her education in Hardin and Lewistown.
Georgetta married
Sylvester Gonzales in 1936 and the couple divorced in 1974. She was a dedicated mother who loved to read, dance and sew. She was very proud of the many accomplishments of her family.
She worked as the manager of the Hardin Wilson Apartments for over 20 years. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Georgetta was preceded in death by a daughter; one sister; and five grandchildren.
Survivors include six daughters, Arlene O’Brien of Bridger, Connie Schomer of Oklahoma, Rita Herman of Colstrip, Laura Hochhalter, Sylvia Erickson and Thersa Nedens of Las Vegas, Nev.; two sons, Richard Gonzales of Hardin and David Gonzales of Oklahoma; one sister, Judy Chavez of Hardin; 29 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Monday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday in the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Fairview cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Marcia Joan Hubber
TERRY – Marcia Joan Hubber, age 69, of Terry, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000, at the Prairie County Nursing Home in Terry due to complications of diabetes.
Marcia was born on Nov. 5, 1930, at Great Falls, the daughter of Marvin and Elizabeth (Marshall) Smith. She graduated from Great Falls High School. On Oct. 11, 1949, Marcia married
Don Hubber in Great Falls. Following their marriage, they moved to Bozeman, Three Forks, Belt and Helena.
Marcia loved to oil paint, knit, cook and most of all spend time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Don of Terry; two sons: Dale Hubber and his wife, Joan and sons, Jude and Ross, of Terry; and Dan Hubber and his wife, Peg and children, Bret and Erica, of Clancy; a daughter, Susan Miller and her husband, Kevin and children, Evan and Bethany, of Glendive.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m., in the Community Presbyterian Church with Rev. Leon Rathbun officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Prairie County cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of arrangements.
Marcia Ruegamer Jacques
Marcia Ruegamer Jacques, 61, of Billings, died of heart failure, Saturday, July 29, 2000.
The daughter of Howard and Helen Ruegamer, Marcia was born March 21, 1939, in Fargo, N.D.
She spent her last year where she wanted to be, “Home.”
Survivors include her husband, Jim Jacques; three children, Sheri Thomas, Teresa Aichele and Larry Michael; four grandchildren, Chris, Sharisse, Heather and Lance; and two brothers, Vince and Bill Ruegamer.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary. Private interment will be at Mountview cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Montana Rescue Mission or the American Heart Association.
