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Steve Puhek
Steve Puhek, age 75, passed away Friday, April 12, 2002, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings due to complications from heart surgery.
Born in Bear Creek, Mont., (near Red Lodge) to Steve Puhek and Mary Krivtz Puhek on Nov. 13, 1926, Steve attended local schools and graduated from Bear Creek High School where he excelled in basketball.
Steve served in the U.S. Army. He graduated with an engineering degree from Montana State College in Bozeman.
On April 28, 1962, Steve married
Lenore Louise McKelvey in the Cathedral of St. Helena. They had one son, Joseph James. They moved to Salt Lake City so their son could receive medical care at the Shriner's Hospital.
Steve worked and attended night school and graduated from the University of Utah with an accounting degree. The family then returned to Helena where Steve worked for the Montana State Department of Highways. He retired in 1988.
Steve had many hobbies and he loved to garden. The neighbors and local mission can attest to his gardening skills. He won many prizes and awards over the years, and his innovative watering method received national attention in a garden magazine.
He was preceded in death by his only son, Joseph James, his parents and his stepfather, Steve Naglich, and his in-laws, Thomas and Bee McKelvey.
His wife, Lenore, of Helena, survives him. Aunts Francis Knuttila of Long Beach, Calif., Marion Krivtz of Red Lodge, and numerous nieces and cousins also survive.
Christian vigil service is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be at the Cathedral of St. Helena, Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Resurrection cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Lenore requests memorials be sent to Algeria Shrine Temple, P.O. Box 1174, Helena, MT 59624, for transportation of children needing the Shriner's hospitals and facilities.
John Marshall
With his family at his side, (Our Papa) John Marshall, age 83, of Helena, died of complications resulting from Alzheimer's disease on Friday April 12, 2002.
John was born in Combai, Italy, on Nov. 1, 1918, to John and Marie Marshall. He had three sisters, Ann, who is deceased, and twins Adele and Marie, and one brother, Frank, who is deceased. He emigrated from the Czech Republic to Canada with members of his family when he was 8 years old. The family lived in and called North Battleford, Saskatchewan, home.
He moved to Princeton, Alberta, where he worked and played hockey as a goalie prior to joining the Canadian Armed Services. He volunteered for the First Special Service Force in 1942 and trained at Fort Harrison, in Helena, as part of a special group of men who were known as the "Devils in Baggy Pants." During his military career, he served in the Kiska Invasion and European Theatre from North Africa, through Italy and the Invasion of Southern France. His unit was one of the first to "liberate" Rome. He completed his overseas duty in England in1946 before returning to Helena.
John met his wife "to be" during training at Fort Harrison. John was married
to Phyllis Hart upon his return to the states on Aug. 17, 1946. They would have been married
56 years this August. They were blessed with three daughters, Leslie, Sharon and Pamela.
John and Phyllis opened Marshall Refrigeration and operated the business for over 39 years. John continued to work until his Alzheimer's disease interfered with his ability to work with his usual tenacity.
John would say that his wife, his sisters, his children, his grandchildren and his dog, Buster, gave him the most joy. John also kept his "Special Force" friends, as well as the many friends that he enjoyed through 39 years of business. John loved the outdoors and found solace at his cabin, enjoying the trees, the wildlife, his flower gardens, hunting, boating and working under the sun and sky as part of his recipe for life.
John is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughters, Leslie Mack and husband Tom of Golden, Colo., Sharon McCullough and husband Bruce of Helena, and Pamela Davidson and husband David of Helena; sisters, Adele Nonemaher of Calgary, Alberta, and Maria Nunes of Navato, Calif.; grandchildren, Kevin, John and David Mack; Danielle and Collin McCullough; Brian and Hannah Collins; Darby and Peder Davidson; great-granddaughter, Hailey Collins. We will all miss you "Papa!"
A Christian vigil service was held at Retz Funeral Home on Monday, April 15. Mass of Christian burial will be today, April 16, at the Cathedral of St. Helena at 11 a.m., with interment to follow at the Montana State Veterans cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in John's name be made to Big Sky Care Center, 2475 Winne Ave., Helena, MT 59601, or to the First Special Service Force Memorial, 624 N. Benton, Helena, MT 59601.
Elsie Aasen
Billings - Longtime Billings resident Elsie Aasen died April 10, 2002, at the Valley Health Care Center.
Elsie Lois Hocken Aasen was born Feb. 5, 1918, in Glendive to Bert and Minnie (DeGrote) Hocken. She grew up and attended schools in Glendive. She married
Tom Aasen in 1937 and moved to Billings. They had two children and were divorced in 1963.
Elsie enjoyed a simple life. She liked flowers and plants and classical music. Elsie enjoyed crocheting and other crafts. She was primarily a homemaker and worked some years for the Red Cross.
Elsie was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Aasen. She is survived by her brother, Marvin Hocken of Glendale, Calif., and son, Hal Aasen of Helena, and their families.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 19, at the Smith Downtown Chapel with interment of the urn to follow at Mountview cemetery in Billings.
Mary West
Mary (Maria) Cesari West went to the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on April 13, 2002, after a lengthy illness. Mary was born and raised in Kenosha, Wis., to Angelo and Antonia Cesari on June 10, 1916.
As a young woman she went to work in Washington, D.C., as one of the first employees at the "new" Pentagon. She worked in the radar department when it became the groundbreaking technology of WWII. She had the privilege of working with Col. Kaiser, Gen. Mead, and working across the hall from Gen. Doolittle. She was later transferred to the war department in Chicago.
In 1949, she married
William Henry West II of Butte. They made their home and raised their three children in Kenosha. In 1978, Bill and Mary retired to Missoula. While living there, Mary worked for St. Patrick Hospital. She was active in Women's Aglow and was a member of the Catholic Church in Bonner. In 1997, they moved to Townsend to be closer to their children and grandchildren. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and attended Lutheran Bible Studies.
Mary was a woman of strong character and deep faith. She was a loving wife, devoted to her children and a fabulous cook. She loved the Lord and spent many hours in prayer and thanksgiving.
Mary is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bill; daughter, Mary Ann West of Lake Peekskill, N.Y; sons, William H. "Bill" West III and his wife, Pam of Boise, Idaho, Matthew West and his wife, Jeanne of Townsend; grandchildren, Heather (Larry) Quisel, William H. "Billy" West IV, Jacob, Taylor, Grace, Leigh and Mitchel West; and great-granddaughter, Jaelyn Quisel.
Mary's love, Italian spirit and humor will be greatly missed by all of those she touched during her life.
A rosary will be Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church of Townsend. A celebration of Mary's life will be held Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Connor's Funeral Home of Townsend is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Waller
East Wenatchee, Wash. - Richard Linderman "Rick" Waller, 73, of Wenatchee, Wash., died April 12, 2002, following a long battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 11, 1928, in Kalispell, to Roy and Norma Waller.
He attended schools in Kalispell, graduating from high school in 1946. Following his first year at college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged on Oct. 31, 1948. Following his discharge from the service, he completed his studies in architecture at Montana State University. He was employed as an architect in Kalispell, Bozeman, Helena and Spokane, Wash., before moving to Wenatchee in 1959, where he enjoyed a long and successful career in architecture.
Survivors include his wife, Grace Elaine "Sunny" Waller of East Wenatchee; three sons, Rick of Wenatchee, Scott of Tumwater, Wash., and David of East Wenatchee; six grandchildren; brothers, Jim of Santa Ynez, Calif., and Jack of Kalispell; sister, Sarah Hatfield of Kalispell; five nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by one son, Doug.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, at Telford's Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee. The family asks that donations and memorials be made to Central Washington Hospital Home Care and Hospice in lieu of flowers.
Father Emmett Kelly
MISSOULA - Father Emmett Kelly of Missoula died on Thursday, April 11, 2002. A Butte native, Father Emmett was born on Dec. 3, 1923, to John and Annie Kelly. He attended elementary school and high school in Butte. He enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard and served in Alaska during WWII.
Upon his discharge from the service, Father Emmett attended Carroll College in Helena, Mount Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Ore., and St. Thomas Seminary in Denver. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1955, by Bishop Joseph M. Gilmore.
Father Emmett served as vice chancellor of the Diocese of Helena under Bishop Gilmore and Bishop Raymond Hunthausen for 15 years. Also, he served in the following parishes: St. Patrick's in Butte, St. Mary's in Helena, St. Peter's in Anaconda, St. Matthew's in Kalispell, Holy Family and Spirit of Christ in Missoula and Lolo. As vice chancellor, he served as chaplain of St. John's Hospital in Helena.
Father Emmett retired from active ministry on Aug. 4, 1993, but continued his priestly ministry by helping parishes throughout the diocese, as well as serving as a volunteer chaplain at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Flurry; brothers-in-law, Bill Schudy and Jim Dennehy; sisters-in-law, Mary (Shea) Kelly and Ellen (Sullivan) Kelly, and nephew, Joseph Patrick Kelly. Father Emmett is survived by two sisters, Mary Schudy and Ann Dennehy; two brothers, Bill Kelly and Joe Kelly and wife Jeanne; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Father Emmett will be greatly missed by his family and all who were affected by his ministry.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 16, at 11 a.m., at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with a reception following at Holy Family Catholic Church. At his request, cremation will take place following the funeral mass and private committal services will be held at Holy Cross cemetery in Butte.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Holy Family Parish, 4616 Gharrett, Missoula, MT 59903. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.
Evie Hansen
Evie (Stanghill) Hansen of Spokane, Wash., formerly of East Helena, died Dec. 12, 2001. A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m., on Wednesday, April 17, at the East Helena VFW Club. A private burial will be held.
Eva P. Geier
Eva Pearl Geier, age 59, of Helena died May 25, 2002, at St. Peter's Hospital.
She was born on Dec. 23, 1942, in James City County, Va., to Miles A. and Ruby B. (Cecil) Pitts. On Oct. 5, 1963, she married
Chuck Geier in Helena. He survives.
Eva loved to take care of children. Along with being a wife, mother and grandmother, Eva found taking care of other children was one of her life's greatest pleasures. She will be missed by many generations for a long time to come.
After suffering from a brain aneurysm on Dec. 16, 1996, and years of recovery, she worked for Benchmark, a subsidiary of Helena Industries, for the last three years or so. Eva had a zest for life and fought a long battle without ever once complaining. If she could, I know she would say 'Thank you' to everyone for all their help and support, for the friendships over the years, and for letting her share in other families' lives through taking care of their children.
Thank you so much to her husband, Chuck, for the last 38 years of marriage, Keith (and his wife Shona), Bonnie Jo and her daughter Catie, and the rest of the family for all of the memories that we have all had the blessing to be able to share with Eva Pearl.
Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Miles and Ruby Pitts, and her sister, Patricia Larson. She is survived by her husband, Chuck Geier, daughter, Bonnie Jo Geier, both of Helena, son, Keith Charles (Shona) Geier, of Richmond, Va., granddaughter, Cathleen Carolyn 'Catie' Geier-Carson, of Helena, brothers Miles A. Pitts, Jr. and John L. Pitts, sisters Harriet Gritzmaker, Bernice Burks and Laura P. Matschke, all of Virginia.
Viewing will be at Retz Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 28, 2002, from noon to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at Retz Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m., followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials in Eva's name may be made to the organization of the donor's choice.
Benjamin E. Wegner
Benjamin Ernest Wegner passed from this world on May 25 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Helena.
Ben was born in Elgin, N.D., on Oct. 5, 1929, to Johannas and Wilhelmina "Minnie" Stumm Wegner. He was the youngest of 12 children. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from January 1951 until January 1953 during the Korean Conflict. He was a translator for the occupied forces.
On April 11, 1954, he married
Loretta Jane McMillen. They were married
for 47 years, until her death in July of 2001, and had three daughters. They resided in Great Falls from 1956 until he retired, they then moved to Helena. He and Loretta served as hosts for the Big Sandy Campground at Hauser Lake for several years.
Ben enjoyed outdoor activities including fishing, boating, camping and hunting. He and Loretta had weekly pinochle games with their very dear friends Betty and Foster Shelton. Ben's greatest love was for his family. He was happiest surrounded by his children and their children. He especially enjoyed the littlest ones.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Loretta, his brothers Jacob, Samuel, John, Emanuel, Reinhold and Julius, and his sisters Elsie Rekow and Lydia Wegner.
He is survived by his sisters Holda Koepplin of New Salem, N.D., Ruth Schriock of Minot, N.D., and Frieda Huber of Bismarck, N.D., his daughters Connie Jean Wegner of Butte, Marie Mae Rose of Eagan, Minn., and Peggy Lee Long of Helena, his grandchildren Rachael Kay Michel and Jennifer Jane Vinson of Kennewick, Wash., Yolanda Maria Crawford of Eagan, Minn., and Celeste Michelle, Amelia Elizabeth and Alexander Benjamin Johnson of Helena. He also had five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 28, 2002, at Retz Funeral Home and also before services at the church. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, May 28, at the First Lutheran Church, followed by interment at the Montana State Veterans cemetery with military honors.
Harry E. Thomson
MISSOULA – Harry E. Thomson, 86, of Missoula, died Nov. 28, 2002, at St. Patrick Hospital. He was born July 31, 1916, in Anaconda to Henry and Viola Thomson.
After graduating from Hellgate High School, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in January 1947 with the rank of master gunnery sergeant. On Aug. 10, 1960, he married
Iris Hansen. Harry retired from Associated Foods in Helena and the couple moved to Missoula in 1994.
His hobbies included playing music, woodworking and church activities.
His son, Wayne Thomson, preceded him in death in 1973. Survivors include his wife, Iris Thomson of Missoula; sister, Fuss Damuth of Logan; son, John Thomson of Pengelly, Minn.; daughters, Loreene Skeel and Shelley Crowley, both of Missoula, and Janeen Sullivan of Kennewick, Wash.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Donnelly officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Clark Fork City Church.
Edna Jane Dallo
Edna Jane Dallo, our beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away on Nov. 30, 2002. She lost her battle with Lou Gerig's Disease, a battle she fought hard and courageously.
Jane was born in Helena to Robert and Ann Lewis on March 31, 1934, where she attended local schools and graduated from Helena High School in 1952.
She enjoyed reading, doing crafts, listening to music and spending time with her family and her numerous friends. Jane worked for 28 years for Mountain Bell and gave the last 10 years of her life as a senior companion to many in Helena. She was a great friend to all that met her and will be greatly missed. She was a member of The Women of the Moose.
Survivors include her husband of 48 years, James Dallo, and two daughters, Roberta Armstrong of Townsend, and Linda Dallo of Vancouver, Wash.; four grandchildren, Levi, Jack, Hunter and Trapper.
No formal funeral services are scheduled at this time. A celebration of Jane's life will be held at the Helena Moose Lodge on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cremation has taken place. Hagler-Anderson Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.
