Search Archived Marriage Records
Joyce Elaine Spang Lahn
Joyce Elaine Spang Lahn died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011.
She was born on Jan. 1, 1931, in Lame Deer to Cash “Buster” Spang and Miriam Newton Spang. She attended schools in Montana and later in Burbank, Wash., where she graduated in 1949.
Upon moving back to Montana in the 1950s she married
Albert Lahn. After years of travelling the state while her husband worked road construction, they made their home in Miles City and raised their eight children.
Mrs. Lahn was best known for her talent as a local artist and was an annual Quick Draw participant. She also enjoyed coaching young girls’ basketball, softball and playing tennis. She loved attending garage sales, researching Montana history, Native American history, and family genealogy.
Her survivors include her children: Lyle Lahn, Shelly (David) Barick, Annette Colvin, Sandy Phalen, Mark Lahn, Burt (Shelly) Lahn and Catherine (Randy) Dazy; her brothers, Kenneth (Donna) Spang, Joe, George and Shorty Spang; her sisters, Betty and Lucy Spang; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cash and Miriam Spang; her brothers, Don and Marvin; her daughter, Lura “Mosey” Lahn; her grandson, Milo Colvin; her granddaughter, Catlin Smith; and her sons-in-law, Paul Grenz and Dan Phalen.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be at a later date.
Duncan Alistair McRae
Duncan Alistair McRae, 84, of Lewistown passed peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s dementia.
He was born March 3, 1927, in Miles City, Montana, and was the second child of Scottish immigrants Duncan “Chief” and Janet (Munro) McRae. Duncan, known as “Al, ” spent much of his childhood in the Cohagen area with his aunt and uncle, Bella and Duncan McKenzie, on their sheep ranch. During his high school career, Al was an enthusiastic and competitive athlete, playing tennis, basketball, football, and baseball.
After graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota with an interest in Veterinary Medicine. During his studies he joined the Navy and served for nearly two years until the end of the Second World War. He took his love of baseball to Japan, where he played on his Navy team. After the war he returned to the University of Minnesota, where he met Thelma “Terry” Lagerstrom, who would become the love of his life and wife of 62 years.
He graduated with degrees in Animal Husbandry, Agriculture Economics, and Agronomy. After graduation, Al returned to Miles City and he and Terry married
that September. His first two children were born; Cathy Ann and Mary.
Al and his family relocated to Lewistown, Montana where he took the position as an Assistant County Agent. With his intimate knowledge of the surrounding agriculture community, he was recruited by First National Bank to work as an Ag Representative. During this time he became well-acquainted with country and city folks alike, and he was deeply involved in the Central Montana Foundation, a philanthropy group servicing Lewistown and beyond. He was also a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church, and he was active as a 4-H leader and educator. Those who knew him knew he was devoted to his beloved town and its people. In Lewistown, his two sons were born; Duncan and Colin.
Al and his family loved the outdoors and wildlife, and they enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting together. Al was a family man first and foremost, and he emphasized togetherness, values, and of course, love. He has been described as a man with “sheer toughness with a kind and gentle presence, ” and he was respected by all who knew him. Al retired as president of First National Bank in 1985.
He returned to the Miles City area to his family ranch, where he pursued his dream of becoming an Angus cattle rancher. He ranched for 17 incredible years, until a car accident put him into the Yellowstone River just north of Miles City. Al returned to the home that he and his wife built in 1961 in Lewistown, where he and his wife had raised their children. He spent his remaining years with his dear and devoted wife Terry. His children and grandchildren were never far, sharing many milestones and good times with Al and Terry, better known then as Papa and Nana.
He is survived by wife Thelma McRae, daughter Mary McRae of Billings, MT, sons Duncan (Terri) McRae of Rapid City, SD and Colin McRae of Las Vegas, NV; brothers Arthur Glen (Donna) and John McRae both in California. He has seven beloved grandchildren; Blade (Stephanie), Heather, Duncan, Ian, Alistair, Steven, and Colin.
He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Cathy Ann McRae, his parents and eldest brother Don McRae.
Memorial Services for Al McRae will be Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Lewistown. His body was donated to Montana State University for medical education and research. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Friends are asked to make memorials to the Central Montana Foundation or the charity of their choice and they may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home.
Irene Mann
Irene Mann, 77, passed away Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, after a long illness with emphysema.
Irene Elaine Lunder was the youngest of eight children born to Lillie and Thomas Lunder and the only one of their children born in a hospital. Irene lived on a homestead in Willard, Montana, attending school in Willard, sometimes by horseback. She attended Custer County High School, in Miles City.
Irene Lunder married
Max Mann on Christmas day 1951, they were both 17. This Christmas marks the 60th year of their union. She is survived by her loving husband Max; three children, Becky Mann Malone of Vancouver, Washington, David Mann and Tom Mann of Miles City; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The 60 years of married
life brought many adventures. From Missoula, Montana to Fremont California, Utica, Michigan, Peoria, Illinois, Pevely, Missouri, and Mentor on the Lake Ohio. In 1967 Max and Irene bought a dairy farm three miles outside of Miles City on Highway 12 and started “Mann’s Dairy” bottling and selling raw milk to the public. In the 70’s they owned and operated “The Dew Drop Inn” at Coram, Montana. During the 80’s Irene worked as a hotel manager of “Custer’s Inn, ” and with her husband built “Hiway 12 Furniture, ” at the time of her death she was co-owner of “Yellowstone Tavern” on Yellowstone Drive in Miles City.
Irene was the heart of her home, a bright light, full of wit. Our beloved ‘Marmee, ’ ‘Gramma Tacky’ and Dad’s ‘Hot Lips.’ An awesome cook, she enjoyed working in her gardens, sewing, crocheting, reading, good movies, traveling, and of course her beloved Chicago Cub’s. Most of all she loved and was loved by her family.
Bullis-Graves Memorial Chapel is assisting with cremation arrangements.
Helen (Irene) Kudzia Jordan
Helen (Irene) Kudzia Jordan died on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Billings.
She was born on Dec. 15, 1913, in Butte. She was raised and ranched in Roy all her life until moving in 1990 to the Billings area.
Mrs. Jordan graduated from Eastern Montana State Normal School (now Montana State University-Billings) and was the captain of her basketball team. She was proud of the fact that she helped pack the cornerstone for McMullen Hall.
She later taught at numerous small rural schools in central Montana, including Black Butte, Coal Hill, Cimrhakl and others.
She and Larry Jordan Sr. from Ismay were married
in Lewistown, a union that lasted for 65 years. They ranched for more than 60 years in and near the Missouri River Breaks, north of Roy. They were known far and wide throughout the country for their Quarter and Paint horses.
Mrs. Jordan was a horsewoman in the truest sense, caring for the horses and cattle her entire life. One well-known horseman, Randy Rasmussen, named his very best filly “Helen of Roy” in her honor.
In 2010, Helen and Larry Jordan Sr. were awarded the Cowboy and Cowgirl Heritage award from the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame in appreciation for preserving the Western Heritage Way of Life. In addition to being a devout Catholic, she was also a cowgirl, schoolteacher, homemaker, horsewoman and above all a great mother. She was known as the hard-working lady with the big heart.
Her survivors include her youngest sister, Wanda Grauman (Don) who has been an important part of her life; her son, Larry Jordan (Kirstie) and grandson, Brent Jordan, who was the apple of her eye. She leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years who died in 2001; her sister, Marie Selway; and her brothers, Eddie Kudzia and Emil E. Kudzia.
Memorials may be made to Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame, P.O. Box 930, Billings, MT 59103.
The family will receive friends Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Graveside Service and Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Cavalry cemetery in Miles City.
Warren "Bud" Franklin Brewer
Warren “Bud” Franklin Brewer, 87, died Monday, Nov. 21, at Rosebud Community Hospital in Forsyth. His daughter, Diane, and son-in-law, Jerry, were by his side.
He was born on the ranch of his Grandma and Grandpa Strain near Ekalaka on Aug. 23, 1924, and was named after his two grandfathers. His parents were Thomas Albert and Mae Strain Brewer. He was their second child, as his brother, Evert, was two years old. The two brothers grew up on Tie Creek 13 miles west of Camp Crook.
Mr. Brewer went to school at Tie Creek School, Ekalaka and a couple of other country schools. He never liked school much and would rather ride his horses.
When he was in the seventh grade, he said the teacher didn’t like him, so one morning he decided to drop his horse close to the school door, because he had a plan. As soon as the teacher turned her back to write on the blackboard, he walked out the door. He jumped on his horse and never went back to school. His mother taught him at home after that, as she had been a teacher. He took and passed his eighth grade exams the next year.
When Mr. Brewer was 16, he and a friend went rodeoing. They hit small rodeos as well as some big ones like Cheyenne Frontier Days. Mr. Brewer said they traveled in a Model T pickup and slept in the back under a tarp. They had a nice adventure, but it was during the war and Mr. Brewer needed to go back home and help on the ranch.
After Mr. Brewer’s brother, Evert, came back from World War II, he and Mr. Brewer started a trucking business. Mr. Brewer continued driving trucks for himself and others for years. He also worked on ranches. He was good with livestock and was quite a cowboy. He proudly rode his horses in many parades carrying flags and sometimes having the honor of being a Grand Marshall.
His survivors include his daughter, Diane and son-in-law, Jerry of Sheridan, Wyo., and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth assisted the family with the arrangements and at his request no services will be held.
Linda Docherty
Linda Docherty died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.
She was born on April 22, 1959, and grew up in Hopatcong, N.J. She was baptized at Our Saviour Lutheran Church of Stanhope, N.J. She was confirmed by faith into the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod at the age of 14 and had been a dedicated Lutheran ever since. She was a gifted student and excelled in math, science, languages and sports.
In her spare time she played All-State soccer, field hockey, basketball and softball. She completed her senior year of high school as a Rotary International exchange student in Chile. It was there her true language skills blossomed.
After graduating from Hopatcong High School in ’77 she worked various waitress jobs to build a college fund. While raising money for her college fund she was in a near fatal motorcycle accident.
She moved to Utah to live her mother, Joyce. It was there she met John L. Colson, her new step-father. Little did she know at the time she met Mr. Colson, how much she would learn from him: about unconditional love and the impact he would make on her future.
She attended the University of Utah, where she graduated with two bachelor of science degrees and four minor degrees. She accomplished her degrees in fives years with an over all Grade Point Average of 3.68. This amazing achievement paled in comparison to her life-changing event on Nov. 26, 1982. John introduced her to the friends of Bill W. and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). She was on her way to Eugene, Ore., to celebrate her 29th anniversary with AA when she died in a car accident on Nov. 22, 2011. Wherever she lived she worked with many different AA groups and also attended some international conventions.
In the late 1980s she was diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis, which may have limited her physical ability, but it didn’t limit her determination. She lived in Utah until 2009 when she moved to live with her “Seester, ” Kathy Monington, in Miles City until her untimely death on Nov. 22, 2011.
An active member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Miles City, she served on the Board of Stewardship and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She was very faithful in saving her “mites” for LWML Missions around the world.
She is survived by her father, Dean Robert Docherty of Newton, N.J.; her sister, Kathleen D. Monington and her husband, Roy Monington of Miles City; her brother, Mark Dean Docherty and his wife Carrie of Newton, N.J.; half-brother, Jay J. Docherty, his wife, Jennifer, of Lafayette, N.J. Jersey; six nieces and nephews; one great-nephew; and four cousins.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Marie Jamieson Colson, and step-father, John Leslie Colson, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A funeral service will be Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City. Burial will follow in the Custer County cemetery.
Ethel Marie Frye
Ethel Marie Frye, 84, of Ekalaka died peacefully at her home Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. She had just spent a wonderful day with family at Thanksgiving and enjoyed all the visiting and the music being played by her family.
Mrs. Frye was born to Catherine and John Arnold on March 1, 1927, at the ranch at Belltower. It was a very stormy day; the doctor couldn’t get there so she was brought into this world by her father and older sister, Addie Mae. She attended school through fifth grade at the Lone Tree School and then attended school in Ekalaka and graduated from Carter County High School in 1944.
On Jan. 22, 1944, she and Glenn Frye were married
at Wichita, Kan. Mr. Frye was in the Army at that time, and after the marriage Mrs. Frye came back to high school and finished with her class that spring.
After the war Mr. Frye came home, and the young couple tried to get started on the old Frye place. Deciding they needed some money to get started, they leased out the place and went to California to work in the woods. They came back in 1949 and enjoyed building up the farm ever since. In 1954 they moved to Mrs. Frye’s father’s place one mile out of Ekalaka because it was closer to schools, and it became their headquarters.
Mrs. Frye enjoyed going with her husband to many school sporting and music events throughout the years. They also did lots of hunting, fishing, dancing to Jada and other family bands, playing cards, and gardening. Mrs. Frye started oil painting classes in 1967 and later enjoyed watercolor painting, as well. She loved all kinds of crafts and most recently was known for her beautiful pheasant feather art. She was a fantastic cook and loved to cook for family and friends. She served on the school board, was a member of Artists of the Prairie, CowBelles, and Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. and Mrs. Frye raised a family of five. Mr. Frye died in 2008 at the age of 84. They had been married
64 years. Their children are Richard, Rene (Jordan) LaBree, Betty (Jerry) Cline, Bill (Cathy) and Jack (Jane). Jack died in 2001.
Mrs. Frye also is survived by her 12 grandchildren: Buddy (Amy) LaBree, Lee (Cam) LaBree, Matthew (Katie) Frye, Michael Frye, Dianna (Erik) Anderson, Mikal (Scot) Moore, Katie Cline, Jon Cline, Jeremy (Marissa) Frye, Jason (Kristy) Frye, Ashley Frye and Glen Frye; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Catherine and John; her son, Jack; her husband, Glenn; three brothers, Edward Shuffield, Bob Shuffield and Johnny Schuffield; and one sister, Addie Mae Mumedy.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Frye will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka. Interment will follow in the Beaver Lodge cemetery at Ekalaka.
There will be a Family and Friends Service at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka.
Arrangements are under the care of Stevenson Funeral Home of Ekalaka.
Charlotte Arnold
Charlotte Arnold, 92, of Miles City died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, after an extended illness.
She and twin brother, Daniel, were born April 14, 1919, in Aitkin Minn., to Joseph and Elsie McDonald. She was preceded in death by her three brothers and two sisters; husband, Keith Arnold; daughter, Peggy Lynn Arnold; and son, Reginald Earl Arnold. Surviving siblings are her sisters, Marion Holland of Alabama and Marcella Smith of North Dakota; and her brother, Patrick McDonald of Wisconsin. Her surviving children are, Leah (Jim) Doolan of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Patrick Arnold of Rathdrum, Idaho, Judy Arnold, Dan (Patricia) Arnold and Sheldon (Cindy) Arnold, all of Miles City, and Dennis (Patricia) Arnold of Grand Haven, Mich.; her 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Arnold attended grade school in Aitkin and went on to graduate from Santa Ana High School in California in 1940 with the aspirations of becoming a journalist. The onset of World War II changed her focus from journalism to supporting the war effort working in factories making bullets for the military.
Her future occupations would have her working alongside her husband, Keith Richmond Arnold, in Beach, N.D., Terry and Miles City in the restaurant business until his untimely passing in 1961. The many restaurants include the Theatre Café, Alta Club, Ten Spot Café, Beacon Café and the Husky Truck Stop.
Mrs. Arnold remained in Miles City where she dedicated her life to her family raising her remaining seven children by herself in the big yellow house (as she would always refer to).
She was a talented seamstress, baker, gardener and loved to create beautiful hand-tied quilts. Her favorite pastimes were playing cards and Scrabble with family and friends. She supplemented her talents with her family first and foremost in her life. She always knew what needed to be done to provide for her family’s everyday needs.
Mrs. Arnold was a friend to all who came into her life. Her warm greetings, infectious smile and soft spoken words would always make you feel welcome. She loved conversation and entertaining. Her tremendous memory for detail was one of her strongest attributes throughout her life. Reciting the Patriotic Instructional verse for the Veterans of Foreign Wars from memory was a very proud accomplishment for her.
She was encouraged by Genevieve Gray to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 1579 in Miles City. She honorably and vigorously served the auxiliary for 50 continuous years holding positions such as: Auxiliary President, Guard Chaplain, Patriotic Instructor and District 6 President. She was presented her 50 year pin (for which she was so proud) in a ceremony conducted at the Friendship Villa this year. The VFW Auxiliary, she believed, was not only fulfilling, but also necessary to support those who have served our country.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at 11 a.m. in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home with internment following at Calvary cemetery in Miles City. A reception will receive family and friends at the VFW Hall following internment.
Should family and friends desire, memorials may be made to the Military Affairs in support of Unmet Needs local VFW Auxiliary Post 1579, Miles City or the Council on Aging.
James Lee "Jimmy" Sanburn
James Lee “Jimmy” Sanburn was born May 11, 1930, in Gillette, Wyo., to James N. “Jock” and Iris Mahoney Sanburn. He was joined by his sister Patty in 1938. They lived on Three Bear Creek. They then purchased the ranch on Bay Horse when Mr. Sanburn was 10 years of age. He attended school at Bay Horse.
On May 11, 1949, he and Betty C. Elkins were married
. They lived at Belle Creek for a short time before moving to the ranch at Bay Horse. They were blessed with two sons, Kenneth Neal and Scott James.
Mr. Sanburn enjoyed riding horses and also raising them. He and his wife enjoyed roping, hunting, square dancing and spending time with family and friends. As a young man, Mr. Sanburn enjoyed calf roping and team roping. Roping was an important part of his life, one that he shared with his entire family. Mr. Sanburn and his father roped together for 42 years, while spending so much time in the arena they also taught Mr. Sanburn’s sons, Neal and Scott, to love it too. For many years, most weekends you would find Mr. and Mrs. Sanburn, his parents and the boys at a roping or rodeo somewhere in the tri-state area.
Mr. Sanburn was a Charter Member of the East Fork Roping Club and he and his wife helped start the Little Levi Rodeo in Broadus. Mr. and Mrs. Sanburn lived, worked and played together on their ranch until her death in 1990. Mr. Sanburn remained on the ranch until he moved to the Powder River Manor.
His survivors include his sons, Neal (Pat) of Sheridan and Scott (Sonia) of Biddle; his sister, Patricia Worman of Broadus; his sister-in-law, Aurise Jones of Broadus; brother-in-law, Edwin Elkins of Gillette; grandchildren, Shane (Rhonda) Sanburn, Todd Sanburn, Micky (Bret) Culey, Erin Sanburn and Jamie Sanburn; step-grandchildren, Lexie (Hank) Burgess, Buddi Clements and Austin Clements; and great-grandchildren, James, Cody and Brooke Sanburn, Taylor and Cameron Sanburn, Derric and Jayd Culey and Ethan Tarver. He also leaves behind his best dog, Lacey, and will be missed by his true friend and caregiver, Mae Giacometto.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; and his brother-in-law, Truman Worman.
Funeral services will be Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Interment will follow in the Valley View cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Powder River Manor.
