Search Archived Marriage Records
Elsie Zawada
Elsie Zawada, 89, died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Missoula. She was the last of her generation of four brothers and three sisters.
She was born Sept. 11, 1923, at Crow Rock. in her parents’ home. Her parents were John and Elizabeth Finkbeiner Leitholt.
She and Frank Zawada were married
Nov. 22, 1940, in Miles City. To this union, two children were born. Mrs. Zawada enjoyed being a homemaker and housewife and loved to cook for her family and friends. She loved being at home raising her children, Leonard and Evelyn.
The family lived in Miles City until Mr. Zawada was transferred to Idaho. They settled in Missoula in 1999 to be close to their children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Zawada is survived by her son, Leonard; grandchildren, Tina Zawada, Scott Ochsner and Kory Ochsner; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank; and daughter, Evelyn.
Graveside services were Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, at the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula under the direction of Garden City Funeral Home.
Priscilla Louise Terrett
Priscilla Louise Terrett, 91, of Miles City, died Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City.
Known as Louise, she was born on Aug., 26, 1922, in Miles City, the daughter of Julian Terrett Sr. and Marion Lantz Terrett. She attended her early years of schooling on the J O ranch, as well as two years of school at the Custer County High School. The family moved to Washington, D.C., where she completed her high school education at Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1939.
After high school she attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., where she was a member in the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She graduated with a degree in sociology and psychology in 1944. Upon graduation, she returned to the ranch where she lived the majority of her life, moving to the Eagles Manor in 2003.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching the news, politics, Jeopardy and Lawrence Welk. She loved traveling across the world; her travels included an extensive tour through Europe, New Zealand, Australia, England, Alaska and the Balkan Countries. She prided herself on being the family historian and always paid great attention to detail. She was a wonderful cook and especially loved to make Christmas goodies. She was a member of the CowBelles, the GFWC Miles City Woman’s Club and the Range Riders Reps.
Her survivors include her sister-in-law, Ellen Terrett of Miles City; two nephews, Jay (Debbie) Terrett of Colstrip and Curtis Terrett of Miles City; one niece, Nancy (Stan) Markuson of Miles City; great-nephews: Will (Danielle) Terrett, Cody Terrett and Pete Markuson; great-nieces: Jaylene (Dade) Allison, Jody (Tony) Reda, Johnna (Jim) Goodwin and Megan Markuson; four great-great-nephews; and three great-great-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Julian Terrett Jr.; and Curt’s wife, Gayle Terrett.
Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, from 1 to 6 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Range Riders Museum or to the charity of one’s choice.
Helen J. Nesbit Damm
Helen J. Nesbit Damm, 85, of Miles City, formerly of Broadus, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Mrs. Damm was born in Miles City on Nov. 6, 1927, to Gerald and Nellie Robison Nesbit. She was raised on the family ranch and attended school on Crow Creek near Powderville.
She married
Lenn S. Damm on March 16, 1947, in Miles City. They raised their family in Broadus and were lifelong Powder River County residents until she moved to the Holy Rosary Health Care Facility in Miles City.
She loved working in her yard and flower gardens. Mrs. Damm had a great compassion and love for all animals, particularly her cats and dogs. She enjoyed antiquing and reading.
Her survivors include her four children: Cheri (Earl) Alt of Joliet, Deanna (Larry) Hay of Bridger, Vicki Damm of Miles City and Shawn (Corinna) Damm of Billings; six grandchildren: Bodee and Reed (Beth) Alt, Heather (Dana) Quenzer, Spencer Hay, Kylie Damm and Garrett Damm; great grandchildren: Hailly and Aidyn Clark and Skyler and Shaylee Quenzer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers: Bill and Hank Nesbit; and her husband of 52 years: Lenn Damm.
Cremation has taken place and as per her wishes there will be no services. Interment will be at a later date.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Powder River Museum in Broadus.
Melvin Morgart
Melvin Morgart, 86, of Miles City died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, at Holy Rosary Health Care in Miles City.
Mr. Morgart was born Nov. 10, 1926, to George and Mary Bannister Morgart in Oneida, S.D. He worked as a farm/ranch hand until joining the Army in 1945.
After returning from the war, he was hired by Occident where he worked through several owners and retired in 1991.
Mr. Morgart loved horses and was proud of the ones he owned over the years. He enjoyed the outdoors, doing a lot of camping and fishing when the boys were young.
He is survived by two sons, Robert (Annette) Morgart of Billings and Jerry Morgart of Miles City; and two grandsons, Ryan and Keatyn Morgart.
A graveside service, with full military honors, will be Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery in Miles City.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Richard Duane "Duke" Dunning
Richard Duane Dunning, always known as “Duke” to his family and friends, was born Feb. 29, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri, to George and Joan Dunning.
He grew up in Miles City, attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Custer County High School in 1974.
He enjoyed being on Dave Rivenes’ swim team, delivered the Billings Gazette and cooked at Crossroads Inn. He was a dedicated Cribbage player.
After graduation he joined the Air Force, following in his father’s footsteps. He was stationed at Kadena, Okinawa, as his father had been. He loved scuba diving there.
When he was discharged, he returned to Miles City and married
Lisa Newhouse. They attended Eastern Montana College in Billings together, graduated and accepted positions in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Duke participated in creating the communications system for the new MGM Grande Casino there. Their two children, KateLynn and Robert, were born there.
They moved to Bixby, Oklahoma. Duke worked in computer programming and opened a coffee shop there. But Duke’s dream was to build a cabin in the Black Hills near the family cabin where he had enjoyed so much time growing up — and the site of their honeymoon. He had purchased land there and with his brothers planned the design — putting his Oklahoma home on the market as his son graduated from high school.
Duke died unexpectedly at home on Aug. 23 after a short illness. He is grieved by his mother, children and large extended family. He is still following in his father’s footsteps. Both he and his father were 57 when they died with sons who had just graduated from high school.
Duke will be greatly missed by his children, KateLynn and Robert; his brothers Bryan of Bixby, OK, Leonard of Miles City, Rob of Billings and Jess of Miles City; his sisters, Fidella Brown of Centennial, Colorado, Pat Goecke of Johnstown, Colorado, Chris Joyce of Geraldine, Montana, Terry McComas of Manhattan, Montana and Katherine Akiti of Excelsior, Minnesota.
“Goodbye, Darling, I will miss you and your Saturday phone calls.”
Services are Friday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Richard "Duke" Dunning
Word has been received of the death of Richard “Duke” Dunning of Bixby, Okla., former Miles City resident.
Mr. Dunning died Friday, Aug. 23, 2013.
He was born Feb. 29, 1956, the son of George and Joan Dunning of Miles City.
Services for Mr. Dunning are pending.
Duane Haidle
A funeral service for Duane Haidle was Monday morning, Aug. 26, 2013, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Terry with graveside services and full military honors at Prairie County cemetery in Terry followed by lunch at the American Legion.
On Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, Mr. Haidle died. His wife of 24 years, Shirley, was by his side to see him off.
William Duane Haidle was born Dec. 7, 1931, on the family farm in Fallon to Gottlieb and Annette Haidle.
On July 3, 1951, he and Gertrude Verworn were married
. They had four children, Belinda Rae (Ken Madden), William Duane, Roxanne Gay (Steve Simpson) and Thomas Lynn (Shelly).
Mr. Haidle was called up for a two-year stint in the Army. When he came home he went on to study at Hillcrest Christian College, Cascade Christian College and Montana State University to receive his Doctorate in Psychology.
On June 15, 1989, he married
Shirley Sekora in Colstrip, beginning his life with his soul mate and partner for the remainder of his life here on earth. With this union he inherited a step-son, Dale Sekora (Lori).
Mr. Haidle was a private and quiet man with a free spirit and was known to set out on adventures at a moment’s notice. He loved horses and his dog, Pepper, was always by his side. He taught himself to play many different instruments and he was very active with the Utah Old Time Fiddlers.
After he retired, Mr. Haidle volunteered as counselor for congregation members at Mount Vista United Methodist Church in West Jordan, Utah.
His survivors include his wife and four children, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one due in February, and his sister, Bernice (Mel) Pomeroy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Leroy; and a son, William Duane Jr., who died in infancy.
Mr. Haidle will be missed by his family and friends. If you see a lone figure riding the horizon on a flea bit gray horse, it is our Duane and Fairfax gathering strays.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society/Animal Rescue or to a charity of one’ choice.
Robert "Aber" "Bob" Abernethy
Robert “Aber” “Bob” Abernethy, 78, of Beach, N.D., died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, near Beach.
Visitation was from 1 p.m. until service time on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2013, in the blue building at the Golden Valley Fair Grounds in Beach. A Funeral Service was at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, at the Golden Valley Fair Grounds with The Rev. Warren Maxted officiating. Interment was at the Beach City cemetery in Beach following the Funeral Service. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach was entrusted with the arrangements.
Mr. Abernethy was born on Oct. 4, 1934, a son of Robert and Violet Johnston Abernethy in Beach. He was raised in the Beach area and educated in the Beach Public School System graduating with the class of 1952.
He met and was later married
to Sally Quast on July 13, 1958, in Wolf Point and to this union three children were born: Jody, Jeff and Jim.
Mr. Abernethy’s life was centered around the rodeo circuit. He was known for his bareback and saddle bronc riding. He was sitting second in the world in riding barebacks prior to breaking his neck, which required him to hang up his spurs early.
His passion for rodeo did not end as he became a stock contractor in the following years. The highlight of his rodeo career was being inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, N.D., along with his rodeo stock: Double Jeopardy and Old Shep. Top Hand also will be inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame later this year.
Mr. Abernethy was very proud of all of his children and their accomplishments. He loved playing cards with his buddies, watching sports on TV and loved having control over his remote control. He was also on the television program “To Tell The Truth.” He spent many hours in the country working on projects and looking over the land. Mr. Abernethy will be missed by all his family, friends and especially his grandchildren.
His survivors include his wife, Sally of Beach; one daughter, Jody (Tate) Cymbaluk and their children, McKenzie (Mackey), Addison and Grant all of Williston, N.D.; two sons, Jeff Abernethy of Temecula, Calif., and Jim (Jan) Abernethy and their children, Luke, Chloe and Sam of Littleton, Colo.; four sisters-in-law, Rella Abernethy, Bonnie Underwood, Lou Quast and Barbara Austin; one brother-in-law, Leroy Quast; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Abernethy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Donald Abernethy; his mother-in-law, Leone Quast; and his brother-in-law, George Underwood.
Evelyn "Jody" Molstad
Funeral Services for Evelyn “Jody” Molstad, 93, of Baker were held 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 23, 2013 at the Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Burial was in the Bonnievale cemetery in Baker.
Visitation was on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker.
Jody passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at the Fallon Medical Complex in Baker.
Jody Molstad was born February 5, 1920 at the family ranch in the Chalk Buttes south of Ekalaka, the daughter of Henry J. and Clara (Russell) Trenk. Jody attended boarding school and graduated from Bismarck Indian School. Following graduation, Jody fell in love and married
Rueben Molstad, who worked for her family’s sawmill. Jody and Rueben had four children, Rosie, twins, Edwin (who died at birth) and Edward and Russell. She worked as an outfitter throughout Carter County and did so until just recently. She was fond of animals especially her dog “Puggie.”
Jody was the Granddaughter of Ekalaka, therefore proudly rides in the Ekalaka summer festival parade. She was a descendant of Sitting Bull, the granddaughter of the American Indian woman for whom Ekalaka, MT is named. She was quoted, “I am a one-fourth Sioux and so proud of it. To think I’m Indian! We as a people are getting sparse.” Jody had a happy childhood with her family who sold pine locally to area ranchers who built barns and homes.
Jody is survived by her daughter, Rosie “Cookie” of Vernal, UT; and two grandsons, Aaron (Michelle) Scoles, of Billings, MT; Richard (Kelley) Scoles of Billings, MT; two granddaughters Beth (Tony) Munari of Billings, MT; and Mary (Anthony) Gallegos of Thorton, CO and numerous great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rueben; and children, infant twin Edwin and twin Edward, and Russell.
Jacqueline E. "Jackie" Rakes
Jacqueline E. “Jackie” Rakes, 85, of Miles City, formerly of Fallon, died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, at the Cottonwood Care Home in Miles City.
She was born on Nov. 3, 1927, in Marmarth, N.D., the daughter of Arthur and Esther Ruppert Ashley. She grew up in Marmarth, and graduated as the Valedictorian of her class from Marmarth High School. After high school, she went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad as a telegrapher living in Mildred.
She met Bernard W. “Bernie” Rakes at a local dance and so began his courtship, where he would fly his plane to Mildred for frequent visits. They were married
on Jan. 11, 1947, and moved to their farm north of Baker. They started their family: Rene Marie, Janice Kay, Clinton Eugene and Bernard Wesley Jr. In 1953 the family moved into Baker where Thomas Bruce and Barry Michael were born. In 1960, the family moved to an irrigated farm along the Yellowstone River in Fallon, where Brian Scott was born.
Mrs. Rakes was a true homemaker, a great farmhand and a wonderful mother. She made all of her own bread and cooked for the family, as well as for any friends that might stop by. Mr. and Mrs. Rakes loved dancing, playing cards and visiting with friends. They loved family get-togethers with in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins. Mrs. Rakes was a long time member of the Fallon Homemaker Club and the Sacred Heart Altar Society. She was involved with helping at the Fallon Harvest Fest, Fair Booth, Church Harvest Dinner, as well as many other charitable projects.
In 1982 Mr. and Mrs. Rakes started spending their winters in Apatchee Junction, Ariz., until 2000. In 2002, they retired from the farm and bought a house in Miles City. IN 2009 they moved to Cottonwood Care Home in Miles City where she received compassionate and wonderful care until the time of her death.
Mrs. Rakes is survived by her husband: Bernie; her children: Rene (Newell) Clarke, Jan Taylor, Clint Rakes, Barry (Del Linda Frost) Rakes and Brian (Yvonne) Rakes; her grandchildren: LaNee (John) Sokoloski, Lana (Mark) Sokoloski, Mitch (Susan) Gallo, Tracy (Jim) Cornelia, Jenna Rakes, Greg (Julia) Rakes and Jenessa (Cody) Clark; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister: Dorothy Gilmore; her brother: Frank Ashley; and a daughter-in-law: Sheila Rakes. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. An additional visitation will be Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Terry, followed by a vigil service at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Terry. Rite of Committal will follow in the Prairie County cemetery in Terry.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, a Parkinson’s Research Program, or the charity of one’s choice.
Melisena “Mel” Reidinger, 86, of Billings, formerly of Terry died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, in Billings.
She was born Nov. 15, 1926, in Marsh to Gottlieb G. and Magdalena Gaub. She attended the Bossert country school for eight years and graduated from Terry High School.
She worked in the nursing field until she married
Rudy Reidinger in 1947 in Terry. They lived in Terry until moving to Billings in 1956.
Eventually they bought a ranch and settled in the Bull Mountains near Musselshell until 1975 when they sold the ranch and returned to Terry to pursue other interests.
Mrs. Reidinger enjoyed traveling and visited many different countries. She took pride in her appearance and loved to shop, was a meticulous housekeeper and was a good cook. She enjoyed music and playing an accordion that was almost bigger than she was. Her faith was very important to her and she remained active in her church as long as she was able.
Mrs. Reidinger lived in Billings until the time of her death. Following her husband’s death, Mrs. Reidinger met her good friend and companion, Arnie Weiss in Billings, and enjoyed their time together until her passing.
Her survivors include two brothers, Edward (Dolly) Gaub and Miles (Isabel) Gaub; and four sisters, Ruth Carlson, Marion (Pete) Anderson, Dalyce (Don) Record, and Jeanette (Marty) O’Dea.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one brother, Ervin Gaub; and one sister, Edith Rinker.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, at 9 a.m. at the Smith West Chapel in Billings. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. in the Prairie County cemetery in Terry.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
