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Clarence Starr
Clarence Starr, 99, of Glendive, died Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at the Glendive Medical Center.
Mr. Starr was born on Feb. 6, 1907, in Little Falls, Minn., the youngest of 14 children born to Frank and Helen Kapinos Starr. He received his early education in Minnesota. Mr. Starr moved with his family east of Fallon where they homesteaded.
He was a self starter. His working career started at the age of 12 years when he worked on a ranch near Brockway and was paid with a saddle horse (with no saddle) and came to Glendive where he worked for several area ranchers.
Mr. Starr was united in marriage to Mary A. Green on April 21, 1930, in Miles City. In the 1930s, he started mining coal at what was to become the Starr Mine. There he broke horses, stripping the dirt off the coal mine with a four horse fresno. He would then ship on the Northern Pacific Railroad one or two carloads of these horses every year for the next 10 years to Minnesota and Wisconsin where they were sold.
Mr. Starr and his wife settled in the Glendive area and raised their family. Later in his working career, he operated heavy equipment — building dams and doing other dirt work. At the end of his working life, Mr. Starr drilled water wells for area ranchers and farmers.
He was an avid reader of nonfiction books, ranging from his children’s history books to geological surveys. He was a great story teller, loved a good game of cards, sang many a song and just having his family near was a happy time for him. After his retirement at age 80, Mr. Starr enjoyed making artistic branding irons and other metal work from horseshoes.
His survivors include his children, Norman (Lorraine) Starr of Big Timber, Calda (Bland) Lunde and Norma Jean (Danny) Peterson, all of Glendive and Betty (Walt) Sauther of Billings; 13 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary in 2003; all of his brothers and sisters; a grandson, Mark Lunde; and a great-grandson, Derek Sauther.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 27, 2006, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Avis Anderson and Pastor T.C. Chatman officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson County cemetery in Glendive.
Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements.
Voyle Samuelson
Voyle Sidney Samuelson, 87, of Volborg, died Sunday, March 19, 2006, after a short illness.
Mr. Samuelson was born in Dupree, S.D., on July 6, 1918, to Carl and Clara Neisham Samuelson. He was the second oldest of six children. He grew up on the family ranch south of Faith, S.D. He graduated from Faith High School in 1936. During high school he earned money riding and breaking horses on his way to and from school. Many of the kids waited around to see the rodeo after school.
He then attended Spearfish Teaching School for two years. He taught for two years at White River, S.D., and one year south of Faith at Turtle Creek. Mr. Samuelson ranched with his father during this time. He rode saddle bronc for several years, supplied rodeo stock and judged rodeos.
In 1948, he and Virginia Shannon were married
. To this union of 57 years were born five children — Carl Edward, Sherry Ann, Sidney Voyle, Norman Otis and Donald Robert.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson lived at Little Ireland after they were married
. For 11 years they ranched with Mr. Samuelson’s dad and brother, Bob.
In 1959, they moved to Montana. Mr. Samuelson took great pride in his family and in the care of his cattle and horses. He enjoyed all sports. Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson began attending games soon after moving to Montana, even before their children were old enough to participate. He had watched his children, grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He watched basketball up until the time of his surgery.
His survivors include his wife, Virginia, his four sons, Carl (Melanie), Sid (Gaye), Norman (Julie), Donald (Patty), and son in-law Dick Gaskill.
Survivors also include one sister, Becky (John) Baranski; 16 grandchildren, Tawny (Lewis) McGill, Ila (Steve) Gnerer, CJ (Echo) Gaskill, Amy (Jerry) Aberle, Holly (John) Perkovich, Carrie (Tony) Adolf, John Samuelson, Shawn (Kim) Samuelson, Kevin, Cody, Heidi Samuelson, Mandy (Todd) Rambur, Bob (special friend Leah), Tara (fiancé Kyle) Samuelson, Derrick and Tyler Samuelson; 17 great-grandchildren, Lane and Lawson McGill, Kaleb, Gavin, Mia Gnerer, Neddie, Kali, Shawn Hayes, Madelyn and Jack Perkovich; Lexie and Natalie Adolf; Jake and Alli Samuelson; Jared and Shane Samuelson and Addison Rambur; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Clara; two sisters, Nina and Willow; two brothers, Carl and Bob; and his daughter, Sherry (Gaskill.)
Funeral services will be Friday, March 24, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the Valley View cemetery.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Broadus, the Broadus Sports Boosters or the charity of one’s choice in lieu of flowers.
Travis Klapmeier
Travis C. Klapmeier, 23, of Billings died Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at his home in Billings.
He was born on March 11, 1982, in Woodland, Calif., to Randy Klapmeier and Diana Greenfield. Mr. Klapmeier was raised and attended school in Billings.
He enjoyed playing his guitar, driving his old beat-up station wagon and attending classes at E.M.C. of Billings.
His survivors include his parents, Randy Klapmeier and Diana (Rick) Stern of Billings; a sister, Tracey (John) Magalsky of Billings; a brother, Tyler Klapmeier of Billings; two nephews, John Charles and Issac Ross Magalsky of Billings, MT; his grandparents, Betty Greenfield of Miles City and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Klapmeier of Miles City; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Charles L. Greenfeild.
Funeral services were Monday, March 6, 2006, in Billings with cremation following.
Family graveside services will be Friday, March 24, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the Custer County cemetery in Miles City with Pastor Howard Schreibeis of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City has been entrusted with the local arrangements.
Gerald "Gerry" Polesky
Gerald “Gerry” Polesky, 70, of Glendive died Friday, March 17, 2006, at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive.
He was born Aug. 16, 1935, in Billings, the son of George and Elizabeth Morgan Polesky.
On Aug. 2, 1958, he and Colleen Houseman were married
in Billings.
Mr. Polesky received his bachelor of science degree in 1957 from Eastern Montana College in Billings. In 1962, he received his master’s degree in guidance counseling. He remained in the Guidance Counseling Department at Dawson County High School in Glendive until his retirement in 1994.
He served in the National Guard and Reserve. Mr. Polesky was one of the founding members of Makoshika Bowmen and helped set up the target range in Makoshika State Park. In 1962, he was one of the coaches during the Babe Ruth World Series held in Glendive. In 1985, he coached the Blue Devils to their first State Championship in 20 years.
He had a passion for archery, and enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports. An avid hunter, he harvested the World Record Pope and Young whitetail deer with his bow and arrow in 1959. This trophy remained the World Record for approximately three years, and the State Record for many years.
On May 16, 2003, he was inducted into the Billings American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame. Mr. Polesky was recognized as one of the players from the 1950/51, Post No. 4 Royals State Champions, which was the beginning of a long-running dominance within the state and region.
His survivors include his wife, Colleen of Glendive; his children, Connie (Rod) Adamson of Marysville, Wash., Vicky (Ken) Mayer of Dickinson, N.D., Steve (Leann) Polesky of Glendive and Keith (Pam) Polesky of Miles City; and his grandchildren, Michael, Katelynn, Kolton, Sarah, Autumn and Dalton.
He was preceded in death by his parents and caring step-mother, Rene (Von Eschenne) Polesky.
A Vigil service will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, March 20, 2006, in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2006, in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Denis Fournier officiating. Rite of Committal will be in the Dawson County cemetery in Glendive.
Phillip Edward Schaff
Phillip Edward Schaff, 69, of Miles City, died surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at the Fort Harrison Veterans Affairs Hospital in Fort Harrison.
Mr. Schaff was born on July 7, 1936, in Billings to Victor and Rosemary Schaff. He attended the Catholic school system in Billings, graduating in 1954.
After high school, he went to Eastern Montana College-Billings for a year. After deciding that college was not really for him, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
Mr. Schaff became an aero medical technician and was stationed in Moses Lake, Wash. After his honorable discharge in 1961, he returned to Billings where he began working for Burrough’s Corporation.
During his travels to repair office machines, he became smitten by the likes of Betty (Diane) Hanson. The two were married
on Feb. 9, 1963.
The couple had two children, Tanna and Scott. They settled in Miles City where Mr. Schaff worked for several years for First National Bank. After a stint in mobile home sales, he started his own business, Tri-Way Mobile Homes. This eventually led to a career as a self-employed general contractor.
Mr. Schaff loved building things with his own two hands. He also enjoyed camping, fishing and drinking beer with his buddies.
He continued his work as a contractor until he was disabled by a stroke in 1999. After the stroke, Mr. Schaff remained active as a volunteer for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. He shared his time with the residents of the Holy Rosary and VA nursing homes. Additionally, he delivered papers to the hospital and rehab patients at Holy Rosary Healthcare.
When Mr. Schaff found out that the hospital had cut the funding for the Friday papers at the hospital, he mounted a one-man recruiting drive for monthly sponsors to pay for the papers. He was tireless in these efforts for five years, until his death.
His survivors include his wife, Diane of Miles City; his daughter, Tanna and her fiancee, John Bunderson of Billings; his son, Scott and his wife, Tonja of Great Falls; and one granddaughter, Shelby (daughter of Scott and Tonja).
Survivors also include his brother, Leo and his wife, Sharon of Billings; his sister, Loretta Glatt and her husband Arnold of Billings; and 12 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosemary and Victor Schaff; his brother, Kap; and his wife, Bette.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Friday, June 9, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Interment will follow in the Eagles Section of the Custer County cemetery in Miles City with full military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1579.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Foundation for continuation of Friday paper deliveries.
Elvira LuAnn Fisher
Elvira LuAnn Fisher, 68, of Cupertino, Calif., former Miles City resident, died Wednesday, May 31, 2006, on the way to a doctor’s appointment from an apparent respiratory/cardiac arrest.
Mrs. Fisher was born Aug. 16, 1937, to Earlon and Hilda Fisher in Miles City. She attended Custer County High School, graduating in 1956. In school she was active in marching band and edited the school paper “The Branding Iron.” She attended her 50-year high school reunion just nine months ago in September.
She began her married
life in 1957 and began her homemaker/mothering career on Dec. 14, 1958, with the birth of the couple’s first child.
Mrs. Fisher was a stay-at-home mom, giving up her opportunity to continue college/career goals.
She lived in New York state after her husband, Duane, graduated from Montana State University and then moved to Cupertino where the family had lived the past 40 years.
Mrs. Fisher was an awsome mother, sister and friend to many. She continued her education late in life earning an associate arts degree at the local junior college.
Her survivors include her ex-husband, Duane; her daughters, Rosanne Hofland and Donna Bretzke; her sons, Mel, Richard and Steve Bretzke; her grandchildren, Wendy, Alison, Sarah, Heather, Jessica, Luann, Anthony, Deborah, Zachary, Jacob, Danny and Alan, all in the Bay Area in California.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Eleanor; and her oldest child, Maribeth.
A Funeral Service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2006, at the Crossroads Bible Church in San Jose, Calif. Inurnment will be in the Custer County cemetery in Miles City.
Howard Maywood Harn
Howard Maywood Harn, 78, of Miles City died Sunday, June 4, 2006, at the Friendship Villa in Miles City.
Mr. Harn was born on March 9, 1928, in Plentywood, the son of Ralph and Selma Storaasli Harn. He attended schools in Plentywood until the age of 16, when he entered into the Merchant Marines for two years. He then returned to Plentywood where he graduated from high school.
He and Leona “Lee” Patneaude were married
in 1951 in Independence, Mo. In 1952, he entered the United States Coast Guard where he finished first in the nation with the Coast Guard test. He traveled around with the Coast Guard and retired in 1972 at Boston, Ma. He then moved to Miles City where he had lived since.
Mr. Harn loved working with anything mechanical. He loved hunting, fishing, carving wood, doing leatherwork and was an excellent pool player. He loved history and was always up on current affairs. He always kept a personal journal which he wrote in everyday. Mr. Harn loved traveling throughout the country with his wife and family.
His survivors include her daughter, Susan Harn of Milltown; a daughter Juanita and two granddaughters, Lanza and Leisha from a previous marriage; a brother, Larry Harn and Joan of Miles City; a sister, Lorraine Zeitner and her husband Zeke of Miles City; a special nephew, Patrick Harn his wife Jennifer, an adopted son, Ernie Bighorn and his wife Mary and numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years, Lee Harn; a son, Daniel; an adopted daughter, Kathy Larsen; and a sister-in-law, Joanne Souza.
A Memorial Service will be Friday, June 9, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be held at a later date.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson St., Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Lyle Nathan Babcock
Funeral services for Lyle Nathan Babcock, 87, former Miles City resident, were held Monday afternoon, June 5, 2006, at the First Baptist Church in Missoula where he was a member and choir director emeritus, followed by a graveside service at the Missoula County cemetery.
Mr. Babcock died Sunday, May 28, 2006.
He was born in Webster, Wis., on Oct. 4, 1918, the first of three children for Caleb Amos “Kelly” and Lillian LaForge Babcock.
Mr. Babcock and his wife, Dorothy, were married
on March 6, 1942, in Seattle.
After graduating from college, he began his teaching career in Wallace, Idaho, where he taught the high school band.
In 1951, he went to Miles City where he was the junior high principal, teacher and Administrator Assistant of Schools. He taught junior high English and social studies, instrumental music in the grade school and junior high and found a field he was at home with when modern math was introduced.
He developed a junior high band that competently competed with high school bands. Mr. Babcock was happy in Miles City and grateful for the support he received from the whole community.
He started the summer music program, which is celebrating its 53rd year. After 16 years in Miles City, Mr. Babcock moved to and taught in Inchclium, Wash., where he became the superintendent after an incident that left the school in need of one. He continued to teach there and introduced driver’s education to the school curriculum, a subject he first taught at the community college in Miles City, where he also had taught math. He was offered a position at Bonner and taught there until he retired in 1980.
Over the years, Mr. Babcock worked summers at many places, starting with the Forest Service during his time in Wallace, to gas stations, grocery stores and Taber’s Diner in East Missoula. These were in addition to his summer band program.
It was in Wallace that Mr. Babcock started his lifetime service of directing the choir in each church he attended and also began his years of service as a lay speaker, not only for his home church, but at many churches when asked. He also taught high school Sunday school classes and served as master of ceremonies for many banquets and events.
Mr. Babcock enjoyed his family, many activities outside of work, including HO train sets, real trains, football, baseball (he played for the Rambling Wrecks in Miles City), pinochle and, later in life, sports on television.
His survivors include his wife of 64 years, Dorothy; a son, Nathan Kelly, and his wife, Susan, of Kalispell; two daughters and their husbands, Ellen and Ron Bourgeau and Gayle and Dwaine Stacken of Missoula; a sister, Bonnie Teja; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law; and many friends and admirers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Caleb and Lillian Babcock; his father-in-law, William Berwald; his brother, Morrell Babcock; his brothers-in-law, Charles Berwald, Robert Berwald and Ray Teja; his sister-in-law, Pat Wolcott; his precious daughter, Barbara, and son-in-law, Al Johnson; and a niece, Misty Teja.
For those who wish to dedicate a memorial, it was Mr. Babcock’s wish they be made to the First Baptist Church, 308 W. Pine, Missoula, MT.
The Garden City Mortuary of Missoula was in charge of arrangements.
