Search Archived Marriage Records
Rae M. Haas
Rae Marie Haas, former Helena resident, passed into God's hands on Aug. 21, 2002. Born July 27, 1929, in Butte she passed away at age 73.
Rae married
John E. Haas in 1948, and they raised four children together. She worked for the State of Montana for many years and then started her own CPA firm in 1978.
She was an active member in the Helena community and St. Peter's Episcopal Church. In 1982, she moved to the Washington, D.C. area, and lived a full life in the D.C. area culture with many friends and colleagues, several of which came from the Helena area.
Then in 1993, she retired to live near the beach in Niceville, Fla. In Niceville, she became very active with the Northwest Florida Symphony Guild and started the Symphony's young people string orchestra program. She was a former president of the Symp a member of the Florida Arts Council. She was active at both St. Jude's Episcopal Church and St. Simon's Episcopal Church.
Rae lived a full life with many friends, adopted children and her own family all of which will miss her spirit for God and love of life.
Survivors include her sister Eileen and husband Lloyd Whelan, Yuma, Ariz.; her former husband and friend John E. Haas of Helena; her son John David and wife Derinda Haas, Germantown, Md.; her daughters Susan Benz, Niceville, Fla., Dorie and husband Brad Hahn, Tacoma, Wash., Caroline Huckaby, Tacoma; and eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Rae touched and changed the lives of many people young and old, near and far. Memorial contributions in her name are suggested to the Northwest Florida Symphony Guild toward the continuing growth of the Children's Symphony. A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2002, at St Simon's on the Sound Episcopal Church in Niceville, Florida.
Richard B. Mitchell
Sept. 1, 1933 - Sept. 6, 2002
Services will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at Miller-Carlin Funeral Home Chapel in St. Cloud, Minn., for Richard B. Mitchell, age 69, who died Friday at the St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Richard Mitchell was born Sept. 1, 1933, in Baker, Ore. He worked as an electrician for over 40 years, working with Local 185 of the Electricians Union.
He married
Marty Allmer Johnson on Nov. 9, 1983, in Helena. They lived in Billings before moving to St. Cloud in 1987. Richard retired Sept. 1, 1998. After retiring, Richard and Marty spent their winters in Alamo, Texas, and their summers in Brainerd.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marty; children, Celia Mitchell, Spokane, Wash., Randall (Cindy) Mitchell, Cheney, Wash., Cindy (Leo) Dufresne, Ramona, Calif., Melissa (Ron) Latterell, St. Cloud, Billie Jo (Lonnie) Morehouse, Billings, and Robin (Chad) Hofmann, Cold Spring, Minn.; brothers, Clair Mitchell, Portland, Ore., Delbert Mitchell, Eagle, Idaho, and David Mitchell, Boise, Idaho; sisters, Melba Jeffords and Merle Singley, both of Baker, Ore., and Bernice Varner, Boise; 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Richard is preceded in death by his brothers, Harold, Grant, Frank and Forrest, and a sister, Mona Jean.
Daniel William Schneider
Dan Schneider, age 53, a native of Philipsburg, Mont., died on Sept. 4 in Elko, Nev., of a heart attack.
Dan was born in Philipsburg on June 22, 1949, and graduated from Granite County High School in 1967. He attended the University of Montana and graduated in 1971 with a degree in history and education.
He married
Debbie Heston on March 4, 1989. Dan, Debbie and their children Claire, age 11, and Matt, age 8, made their home in Reno, Nev.
Before settling into a 30-year career in the mining industry as a landman and geological surveyor, he'd done it all. Most notably, he and brother Tom had a garbage hauling business while in high school, the source of many infamous family stories.
Dan had a kind and gentle soul. His greatest pride was his family. He loved playing baseball with Matt and cheering on Claire in track. He was one of those unique people whom everyone wanted to have as a friend. Dan was incredibly generous and gave effortlessly of himself without expecting anything in return. He had an infectious laugh, a wonderful smile and a perpetual twinkle in his eyes.
Dan had a zest for life, and he lived it to the fullest doing the things he enjoyed with the people he cherished. He loved camping, fishing, cooking, baseball and traveling. He relished telling tales of his journeys and the characters he met along the way. A lifelong Yankees fan, Dan was recently able to take in a Yankees-Mariners game in Seattle with his family. His passion for fly fishing led him to spend countless hours on the streams and rivers of Montana and Nevada, especially on Rock Creek near P'burg, one of his favorite places in the world. Camping with his family was a favorite pastime; he always told the best ghost stories around the campfire. A gourmet cook, Dan loved having his family test his latest hot sauce recipes or spicy creations.
Dan is survived by his wife, Debbie, and children, Claire and Matt; parents, Bill and Joyce Schneider of Philipsburg/Helena; brother, Tom (Nancy Lee) Schneider of Helena; sisters, Robbie (Denny) House of Philipsburg, Lorri Schneider of Glendive and Tammy (Joe) Olk of Butte; nieces and nephews, Krista (Jay) Partridge, Kim (Oliver) Schwabe, Kerri Schneider, Travis (Kristine) House, Adam House and Marni Olk; and great-niece and -nephew, Rebecca and David House.
Dan, you were one of a kind. We love you dearly, and our memories of you will always remind us of how life should be lived.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 3 p.m., in Reno, Nev., at St. Joseph's Presbyterian Church. Services in Philipsburg will be held on Friday, Sept. 13, at 11 a.m., at St. Philip's Catholic Church. The family suggests memorials to The Schneider Children College Fund, 980 Robin St., Reno, NV 89509.
Helen K. Metier
Helen K. Metier, age 79, passed away peacefully at her beautiful home on Swan Lake on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002.
Helen was born on March 6, 1923, in Wilsall, Mont., to Claude and Alliena Dietz Kaiser.
After graduation, Helen worked at several jobs, including for the Clydehurst Dude Ranch, for her cousin Pat Grimes, and as a telegraph operator for the Western Union for 2 1/2 years.
Helen married
Dwight Atkinson on June 30, 1943, and they moved to his father's ranch at Ronan. During their 11 years of marriage, they resided in Missoula, Helena, White Sulphur Springs, Polson and back in Ronan. They had two sons, Deni and Jim.
Dwight passed away in July of 1954. Helen and her sons moved to Helena, where she worked for the Montana State Patrol as an accountant for 16 years.
On May 1, 1970, Helen married
Tom Metier. They moved to Wilsall, where she kept the books for the Park Farmers Co-op. They moved to Whitehall, where Helen owned her own accounting business working with Pacific Mine Contractors, Hippert Furnace Company, Sallesses Greenhouses, the Borden Hotel and Cenex.
Helen loved to travel, and she and Tom managed to go to all 50 states, as well as southern Canada and the Yukon on their way to Alaska. In 1992, they bought their land on Swan Lake and built their home, moving in permanently in 1993. Tom passed away in October 2000.
Helen was a 50-plus-year member of the Eastern Star, had been a member of the Daughters of the Nile since 1953, and was a member of the Sons and Daughters of the Montana Pioneers, who had to have direct lineage to Montana settlers prior to 1868. Helen took great pride in her home on Swan Lake, and truly enjoyed every moment she lived there.
Helen is survived by her son, Deni, and his wife, Sandi Atkinson, of Ritzville, Wash.; son, Jim, and his wife, Vivian Atkinson, of Kalispell; four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, at the Glacier Church, with the Rev. Hal Irvine officiating. The family request memorials be made to Wilsall High School Scholarship Fund, Wilsall Senior Citizens Center, or the Wilsall cemetery. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the arrangements.
Gene Gordon Brown
On Aug. 24, 1926, the world became a brighter place with the birth of Gene Gordon Brown to Dr. Floyd and Lora Juanita Howell Brown in Los Angeles. Gene joined his older brother, Ansen J. (Jerry) Brown and they became inseparable brothers and friends throughout their lives.
Gene entered a military academy early in his life and fulfilled his mother’s wishes of becoming a musician and percussionist. Gene lost both of his parents during his teens but never lost the love and respect he had for them. After graduation, he joined the United States Army Paratroops and attended officer training school at Fort Benning, Ga. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations in the Aleutians during WWII. Following his military discharge, Gene pursued his love of music becoming a professional and playing with such greats as Les Brown, Harry James, Stan Kenton, Xavier Kugot and Red Norvel.
During one of his numerous road trips as a musician, Gene played a “gig” in Billings where he met the “twinkle in his eye” and the love of his life, Dolores ”Dode” Lorraine Fellows. They forged a union in marriage in June 1948 that has spanned 54 years. During their early years, he grew to love and respect his father and mother-in-law, Joseph D. and Lydia Fellows. Always the consummate educator he trained his father-in-law how to play military rudimental drumming and they played with the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corp Marching Band. Gene would go on to compete in drumming competitions and usually came away with the first place awards.
Gene attended Eastern Montana College in Billings and attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. He worked in the music and theater business, managing various Fox Theaters. Gene and Dode moved to Helena in 1959 where Gene managed the Marlowe Theater. He left the theater in the early ‘60s and began teaching music in the Helena area schools. Gene always referred to his students as his cherubs, and could not go anywhere on any day without someone walking up and saying, “Hi Mr. Brown, I was in your choir.”
In addition to his teaching, he also worked as a news anchor with KBLL TV, emcee for the “Classics in the Night, ” Lewis and Clark County Fair Commission, a board member of the Helena School District, Board of Trustees for School District No. 1, writing critiques for the Independent Record of musical performances, and was a percussionist in many local bands and musical organizations, including the Helena Symphony Orchestra and the Helena City Band. Gene was a member of Toastmasters, winning many first place competitions for public speaking. He also participated in Helena Kiwanis, SCORE, was a member of the 7th Legacy Legislature, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Gene was famous for his “poison pen” letters to the editor.
After their retirement, Gene and Dode spent time traveling in their Bounder motorhome throughout the country, with Dode driving and Gene navigating. They actively participated in their Bounder group, and attended many rallies. The most recent one a few weeks ago in Colorado.
Gene and Delores’ three children are Kerry Gene Brown, Kim Gordon Brown and Kelly Todd Brown. Gene passed his love of music on to all three of his children Gene is also survived by two grandchildren, Kory Gene Brown and Christina Gantt; and Kerry’s wife, Gail. Kory and his grandfather were very close.
Gene was a very tender, caring and respectful man, and wanted nothing but the best for everyone. He loved Helena and Montana’s great history, and will always be loved and remembered by his family, friends and the students (cherubs) that he taught.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Retz Funeral Home Chapel. A private family interment will be held at the Montana State Veterans cemetery. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the PeeWee Weber Music Scholarship Fund. Contact Tom Miller, 1822 Cannon, Helena, MT 59601.
Retz Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.
William Wilcox Hall
William Wilcox Hall, age 89, of East Helena died on Oct. 4, 2002, at his home.
He was born Jan. 31, 1913, in Riverside, Calif., and graduated from the University of California with a BA. He was employed for 27 years by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and retired as a captain at the Calabasas, Calif., Fire Station in 1965. William did bulldozer work and built homes specializing in masonry and tile.
In 1945, he married
Elizabeth Knapp of Canoga Park, Calif. He moved to Montana City in 1978 to hunt, fish and be in the outdoors. William will be remembered as a good guy.
He is survived by his two children, Lynne Hall of East Helena and Ed Hall of Montana City.
Memorials are suggested to the Montana City Volunteer Fire Department.
Joyce V. Schnablegger
Joyce V. Schnablegger went to be with her Lord Jesus on Aug. 25, 2002, after a bout with cancer. She was born Oct. 29, 1935, in Ness City, Kan., to Fred and Myrtle Delaney.
Joyce spent her whole life loving and caring for her six children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce spent many years loving and dedicating her life to her almighty Jesus, knowing that in the end He would take her home.
Preceding her in death was her father, Fred Delaney; mother, Myrtle Delaney; sister, Fern Menth, and a nephew, Vernon Delaney.
Survivors include her husband of 37 years, Tony Schnablegger of Helena; daughters, Lynn Young of Helena, Pam Schuck (Chris) of Kalispell, Patty Heppner (Leroy) of Portland, Ore., Rhonda Schroeder (Steve), and Toni Lee Byrd (Barney) of Townsend; son, Douglas Schnablegger (Sandra) of Gresham, Ore.; step-children, Curtis and David Schnablegger and Brenda Randall, all of North Carolina; a brother, Fred Delaney; a sister, Naomi McKeever; and numerous nieces and nephews. Grandchildren include Stacy, Rodney, Chris and Andrea Wagner; Matt Schuck; Jacob and Delaney Heppner; Amanda and Tyler Castona; Shalynn and Alisha Byrd; Savannah Schnablegger and Eric and Brittany; and nine great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be from 4 p.m. today until 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Hagler-Anderson Chapel, where friends and relatives may pay their respects. Church services will be Thursday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m., from the New Hope Ministries-UPC, 405 Griffin Road in the Helena Valley. Graveside services will follow at the Montana State Veterans cemetery, Fort Harrison. Family prefers memorials to the Cancer Treatment Center or Hospice of St. Peter's Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
Nellie Hilger
Nellie B. Hilger, resident of the Bumble Bee Homes, passed away Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at the age of 85.
She was born in Helena, March 5, 1917, to Charles and Verna McElhaney Barrett. Her mother died when she was 6 months old and she was raised by her grandmother, Lucy McElhaney.
They lived on her uncle's homestead near the Gates of the Mountains interchange. She attended the Beartooth School. In her grandmother's later years, Nellie took care of her and worked in Helena.
On Oct. 2, 1954, she married
George Hilger. They lived and worked in the Helena area, Cut Bank and Townsend. In 1988, they moved to the Hilger Ranch where George was born and raised. They resided there until their health failed. George preceded Nellie in death on Jan. 28, 2002; they were married
47 years.
Nellie was a talented artist, but did not pursue that profession. Her paintings were truly fabulous.
Nellie is survived by her cousins, Dorothy McEnaney, LaVern Beck, Lucille McElhaney Howe, Rosella Hegre, Evelyn Meredith, Lois Poepping, Jim and Bob McElhaney. Also brother-in-law Charles Hilger, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Hilger, Hollie Alexander and Viola Nelson survive.
Visitation will begin this afternoon at Retz Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Bumble Bee Homes or to an organization of the donor's choice.
Judy A. Jones
On Oct. 14, 1943, one of God's truly beautiful angels was sent into this world. On Aug. 24, 2002, this tired angel went to be with her Lord.
The daughter of Leelian and Mayme Tintinger, she was born in Great Falls. On Oct. 28, 1961, Judy married
her soulmate, life partner and best friend, Larry G. Jones. To that union two daughters were born, Cami and Treni. Her calling in life was to be a wonderful mom and wife. After her children got older, Judy was employed by Equifax Services for 16 years.
Survivors include her husband, Larry; daughters, Cami Kisling and Treni Nauman; sons-in-law, Jim Kisling and Kent Nauman; three beautiful grandchildren, Cody Kisling, Kayla and Keri Nauman, all of Billings; brother, Art Tintinger (Betty); sisters, Darleen Doig, Myrna Clark (Corky) and Grace Gilmore (Charlie), all of Townsend; mother-in-law, Neoma Jones of Grand Junction, Colo.; sister-in-law, Vicki Dolven (Lynn) of Morrison, Colo.; brothers-in-law, Jeff Jones (Marilyn) of Nevada City, Calif., and Charles Jones of Denver; numerous nieces and nephews and her special "children, " her pets, Miss Lizzie and Alf.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Walter and Edward "Muggs" Tintinger; and sisters, LaVerne "Toots" Hilt and Shirley Simon.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. today, Aug. 27, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Billings Animal Shelter, 302 Edwards, Billings, MT 59101, or to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107.
The true joys in life were her children, grandchildren and taking pride in creating a loving home. We love you and miss you.
She wiped our noses when we were 3, dried our tears when we were 14 and calmed our fears when we were 20. Seemingly inexhaustible as a source of comfort and support. That was our mom and my beloved wife.
William Chapman
William H. (Bill) Chapman was born March 30, 1945, in Livingston, the son of Harley and Ruth Chap man. He stepped from life here with his family to eternal rest with God on Feb. 15, 2000. Bill loved his family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working with wood, gardening, and playing with his grandchildren.
Bill attended school in Livingston and graduated from Park High School in 1963. He worked as an electrician for the Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern in Livingston and Glendive from 1963 until his medical retirement in 1987. Bill married
Judy Simpkins on Jan. 15, 1966, in Livingston.
He was preceded in death by both parents and his father-in-law, Frank Simpkins.
Survivors include his wife, Judy of Helena; son, Michael Chapman; daughters, Anne Chapman James and her husband Rusty James, and Leya Chapman, of Helena; grand sons, Jesse and Zachary James, of Helena; brother, Duane Chapman of Livingston, aunt, Grace Beek of Minneapolis, Minn.; mother-in-law, Marie Simpkins of Livingston and special aunt, Sister Mary Simpkin of Wheaton, Ill.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, many wonderful friends, and Buffy, his constant companion.
Vigil service will be con ducted Friday Evening in the Hagler-Anderson Chapel at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at our Lady of the Valley Church in Helena at 11 a.m. on Saturday Feb. 19.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up at Helena Community Federal Credit Union.
Cremation to follow services.
