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Alberta M. Klockler
Alberta M. Klockler of Helena passed away Nov. 4, 2002, in Coeur d'
Alene, Idaho. Alberta was born to C.O. and Hannah McVey in LaCrosse, Wis., on Dec. 14, 1916.
Her family moved to Great Falls, and she graduated from Great Falls High School in 1934. Alberta then attended Northern Montana College, originally graduating with a two-year teaching certificate and then returning to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in 1961. She began her teaching career at Geyser, and then taught in Great Falls, the Great Falls School for the Deaf and Blind, Thompson Falls and Helena.
Alberta married
Wallace C. Klockler on June 14, 1941. They then embarked upon a wonderful life together, which saw Alberta follow Wally's Montana Power career to Thompson Falls and later Helena. Alberta taught first grade at C.R. Anderson school from 1959 until her retirement.
Alberta was honored by the Montana Education Association in 1971 as the Teacher of the Year, an honor of which she was very proud. Alberta was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, serving as president of the local Alpha Chapter from 1970 to 1972 and president of the state chapter from 1977 to 1979. Alberta also served as secretary for the Lewis and Clark Retired Teachers Organization. Alberta was an inspiration to her schoolchildren and was often visited by her former students.
Alberta and Wally were active in Ham Radio clubs and often attended the Hamfest in Glacier Park. Alberta was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist of Helena, where she had many friends. She was a collector of anything to do with pansies and many thought that should have been her middle name. Alberta's high school yearbook contained the following quote, which describes Alberta:
"Here's to one who'll not pretend - But is, and stays the steadfast friend."
Alberta was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a daughter, Patricia Conrad. She is survived by her grandson Nathan Klockler of Rathdrum, Idaho; and nieces Madelon Nelsen of Fairfield, Mariel Cummins of Great Falls, Neva McRae of Missoula, and Betty Tift of Camano Island, Wash.
Memorials may be made in her name to Camp Mak-a-Dream of Gold Creek, Mont. Cremation has taken place and interment will take place on Nov. 14, at 1:30 p.m., at the cemetery in Choteau.
Robert 'Bud' Maras
Boulder, Colo. - Robert "Bud" Maras of Boulder died of natural causes on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Boulder, Colo. He was 78.
Born June 16, 1924, in Helena, he was the son of Robert Maras and Mary Vargo Maras. He married
Betty Patterson on March 17, 1949, in Camden, Ark. He earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Montana State University.
Mr. Maras worked for Carter Oil Co. from 1946 to 1952, was a health physicist at Dow Chemical from 1952 to 1968 and worked at Rockwell International from 1968 to 1989.
He was president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and of the Health Physics Society, and he was a member of IEEE. He moved to Boulder in 1968.
Survivors include his wife of Boulder and two sons, Steve Maras of Boulder and Matt Maras of Broomfield. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Durkee, and his parents.
His funeral was held on Monday, Nov. 11, at Crist Mortuary Chapel in Boulder.
Contributions may be made in his name to the Boulder Community Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 9019, Boulder, CO 80301-9019, or the Hospice of Boulder County, 2594 Trailridge Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026.
Jessie Martin
Jessie Robert Martin, 20, of Helena, died early Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, of injuries following an accident. Jessie was born in Helena on Nov. 29, 1981, to Robin Lynn (Martin) Walton. He was currently attending Job Corps in Anaconda studying welding and masonry.
He enjoyed camping, hunting, and riding motorcycles, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. He enjoyed returning to Helena on weekends to spend time with his family and friends. He resided with his Uncle Dave and Aunt Stacey since the age of 14.
His mother preceded Jessie in death in June of this year. Survivors include his brother David Leuwer; aunts and uncles Dave and Stacey Martin, Shari Martin, Gene and Bert Leuwer, Steve and Dawn Martin, and Jim and Melinda Devine, all of Helena; grandparents Jennie Martin of Helena and Albrick Martin of Maine; great-grandmother Adrienne of Maine; former stepfather Richard Leuwer and his wife Lynn of Idaho; and cousins Jason, Megan Martin, CJ, Ashley, Steve, Brittany (Brown) Martin and Amanda Devine, all of Helena. His best friend, Shawn Williams of Helena, also survives.
Chapel services will be Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 3:30 p.m. from Hagler-Anderson Chapel with the Rev. Dan Shea officiating. Cremation has taken place.
Helen V. Woehl
Helen Vraspir Woehl, age 76, of Helena passed away at St. Peters Hospital in the early morning hours of Oct. 27, 2002. Helen was born on June 28, 1926, in Opportunity, Neb., to Joe and Ether Vraspir. She married
Ivan Woehl on July 3, 1948, in Gregory, S.D.
Helen graduated from Butte, Neb. High School with the class of 1945. She then moved to Bonesteel, S.D., where she and Ivan ran their own dry cleaning business. The family moved to Helena in July 1969. Helen continued to work in Helena at Jorgenson’s Motel until she retired in 1999.
Her hobbies included beadwork, playing pinochle, taking rides in the mountains, puzzles, fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Clara and Bessie; brothers, Alvin, Tony and Ernie; a niece, Tammy Pengra, and granddaughter, Brittney Webster.
Helen will be sorely missed by her former husband, Ivan of Helena; son Tom Woehl of Helena; daughters, Glenda Heaney of Helena and Renee and Jim Webster of Whitehall; grandchildren, Melissa Heaney, Joe and Josh Wilson, Brandon and Brianna Webster, Matinda, Darin and Bradlee Woehl, and past daughter-in-law Wendi Farrell, past sons-in-law Chuck Heaney and Dennis Wilson (Helena), many nieces and nephews and close friends.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Retz Funeral Home with interment to follow at Forestvale cemetery.
Robert F. Armstrong
Robert Franklin Armstrong, 85, of Townsend, died Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002, at a care center there. He was born in Philipsburg on Jan. 7, 1917, to Edwin and Jennie Armstrong.
On June 1, 1939, Robert married
Gladys Johnston Armstrong. Robert was a rancher in the Cardwell area for many years. In 1961, they moved to Townsend where he worked for Neifert and White Company and then Strong and Bradley.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys; son, Monte (Cathy) of Townsend; daughter, Montana of Casper, Wyo.; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephew, cousins and many friends.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at the Townsend United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Hart officiating. Cremation has taken place. Connors Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.
Douglas L. O'Neal
Douglas L. O'Neal died Oct 26, 2002, from cancer. He was born Sept 2, 1922, in Butte to Larry and May O'Neal.
Douglas was raised and received his education in the Helena area. He married
June Linn on April 9, 1944. Douglas worked for Montana Power Company at Hauser Dam until 1956, when he transferred to Bonneville Power in Spokane. In 1961, he returned to Montana, where he worked at Hot Springs and then as chief of operations at the Conkelly Substation in Columbia Falls. He retired in 1983.
Survivors include his children, Penny (Gabe) Takala of Missoula, Tom O'Neal of Cascade Locks, Ore., Patty Timlick of Peoria, Ariz., and Mark O'Neal of Columbia Falls; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Thomas R. Cole
Thomas Russell Cole, 58, of East Helena, died Oct. 19, 2002, at his home there.
Tom owned and operated an upholstery shop in East Helena.
He is survived by his daughter, Charlotte Brodie of Stockton, Calif.; son, Tommy Cole of Modesto, Calif.; a sister, Margaret Gurley of California, and a brother, Kenneth Cole of Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Forestvale cemetery. A potluck dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the VFW Post #10010 in East Helena.
Anita Fricker Sommerstedt
Anita Fricker Sommerstedt, surrounded by her family, passed away in the comfort of her own home after a courageous battle against cancer on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002.
Anita was born Oct. 30, 1932, in Zurich, Switzerland. She immigrated in 1956 to the U.S., where she met Robert Sommerstedt, the man she would spend the rest of her life with.
They married
in 1958 and raised their three children while traveling around the world while Robert served in the United States Air Force. Bob retired from the service in 1977. In 1980, they moved to Switzerland, where they spent many happy years. In 1992, Robert and Anita made their home in Helena.
In 1996, Anita was diagnosed with cancer and given weeks to live. Through the amazing care of Dr. Tom Weiner and his staff at St. Peter?s Cancer Treatment Center, along with her incredible will to live, Anita survived to become a snowbird, making several trips to Phoenix, Ariz.
Anita also had time to see her children marry and the opportunity to see her grandchildren grow.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Robert; son Roger; daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Bryon Steinward; son and daughter-in-law Daniel and Diane Sommerstedt; grandchildren Emily and Sophie Steinward; sister and brother-in-law Lee and Xavier Muller, as well as many other family members and friends.
Anita du bist immer bei uns and werde sehr vermisst. Wir liebe dich sehr.
A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Lynn DeYoung of the New Life Lutheran Church presiding.
Gary W. Brakefield
Gary W. Brakefield, 51, of Townsend, passed away Monday, Sept. 30, at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena.
Gary was born Aug. 24, 1951, to Rudolph and Jacquelyn (Stanford) Brakefield in Fort Smith, Va. He was a 20-year veteran of the Air Force and has been a resident of Townsend since 1991.
He is survived by his father, Rudolph of Mount Ida, Ariz.; son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Lacey Brakefield of Townsend; daughter, Michele Brakefield of Tacoma, Wash; brothers, Michael of Conroe, Conn., Bruce of Hot Springs, Ariz., and Philip of Las Vegas; sisters, Janice Richburg of Hot Springs, Ariz., and Joyce Bobo of Norman, Ariz., and grandchild, Riley Brakefield.
Memorial services will be 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Faith Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Wenzel officiating. Connors Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Adele (Ella) Micheletti
Surrounded by the voices and arms of her family, Adele (Ella) Micheletti, a lifetime resident of her beloved Anaconda, died at Anaconda Community Hospital on Nov. 27, the 75th anniversary of her first child’s birth. She died as she lived, in a peaceful and prayerful way, led by her Lord to her place in heaven, still sharing her grace, wisdom, sense of humor and love of music with those who surrounded her.
Ella was born on Dec. 17, 1909, at “914 East Fifth, ” as she would proudly proclaim to anyone who thought she had been born anywhere else but in Anaconda. She was the third child of Michael and Filomena Pirotta. Ella attended, St. Peter’s School through the eighth grade.
Although her formal education was brief, Ella had a lifelong desire to learn and she was a great teacher to her family and friends. She graciously shared with whomever asked her knowledge of cooking and baking, sewing, crocheting, wine making, music, history, foreign affairs, the Italian language and life.
Ella will always be remembered for her wonderful talent of playing the piano. As a young girl she won many first-place medals for her playing at local children’s festivals. Throughout her life, Ella instilled in her family her deep sense of honesty, integrity, fairness, optimism and deep devotion to faith, prayer and family. Anyone who knew her will always remember her words of wisdom, positive attitude, smile and twinkle in her eyes.
After a brief courtship, Ella married
Joseph Micheletti on Feb. 28, 1927. Joe and Ella shared their years together raising their growing family in several remodeled homes in “Goosetown” until they moved to “the west end” into the home they built together. She resided there until her death with her cherished son, Jerry.
During her married
years, Ella’s life was her husband and children. She spent many sleepless nights cooking, sewing and cleaning and her family is blessed with the wonderful memories she created because of her devotion to family and friends. Her family was her life and up to her death, she continued to think of her loved ones and give them her cherished words of wisdom.
Following the death of her husband, Ella began a new adventure as cook and housekeeper for the St. Joseph Parish rectory. She shared her many talents and wisdom with several parish and diocesan priests who delighted in her wonderful cooking and humor. Ella was a lifelong member of the Anaconda Catholic community. She was a Daughter of Isabella, member of the Ancilla Club, one of the initial members of the Retarded Children’s Association, which later created A.W.A.R.E., and the surviving member of the Molly Gimmet “sewing club, ” a faithful group of friends who supported one another through life’s journey.
Besides her husband, Joe, Ella was preceded in death by her infant son, Michael; her parents; brother, Mario; infant sister, Francis; a son-in-law, Jim Meister; and numerous aunt, uncles and cousins. Ma (Nonna to so many) is lovingly remembered by her sons and daughters, Dina Turner and husband, Bud, of Edmonds, Wash.; Adele Meister of Great Falls; Joe and wife Marilyn of Anaconda; Mary Kay Senden and her husband, Rich, of Helena; and her precious Jerry, her reason for such a long and beautiful life. She is also fondly remembered by 16 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren; her sister, Dina P. Sanders; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins of California, Canada and Italy.
Nonna always wanted to celebrate life. Her physical presence will be greatly missed at future weddings, baptisms, graduations and other celebrations. But all are comforted in knowing that her spirit and joy will be with us always.
Visitation for Ella will begin at 3 p.m. at Holy Family Church on Monday, Dec. 2. The Daughters of Isabella will lead the rosary at 3:30 p.m. The vigil will begin at 7 p.m. in the church. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 3.
All friends and family are asked to continue the celebration of Ella’s life after the interment at Mt. Olivet cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Ella requested donations be made to the Anaconda Catholic Community of the Maryknoll Missionaries. As a remembrance to our wonderful mother and grandmother, we ask those of you who read this to take a moment to be kind to someone with special needs, show patience and understanding to those you love and always remember, “The first hundred years are the worst!”
June R. Erickson
June R. Erickson, age 72, of Jefferson City, died on Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at Big Sky Care Center. She was born on Feb. 26, 1930, in Elko, Nev., to Tony and Rose (Mikolich) Gasser. She spent her junior years in Neihart, her teen years at St. Joseph's Orphanage and spent her free time crocheting, playing the accordion and the piano. On June 6, 1949, she married
Edwin Erickson at the Lutheran Church in Townsend.
She is survived by her husband, Edwin, of Jefferson City; daughter, Martha Erickson, of Butte; grandchildren, Alvin Steiner and Angee Webb; two great-grandchildren; and siblings Edward Gasser, Robert Blotnick, Betty Smallfield and Mary Lou Elicegui.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002, at Retz Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Retz Funeral Home with interment to follow at Jefferson City cemetery.
