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Catherine "Tootie" McDonald Burnett
Catherine “Tootie” McDonald Burnett was born the second child and only daughter to Duncan “Big Dunk” and Ava Robuck McDonald on September 15, 1923, in Miles City, Mont. She died on November 11, 2010 at Holy Rosary Hospital. A service is planned for Saturday, June 23, 2012.
Mrs. Burnett attended school in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High School in 1941. She, as her three brothers, was an excellent athlete, excelling in all sports that women had available to them, basketball being her favorite. She always put family first and, with pride, cheered on her brothers through their school years, as she did throughout their lives. After high school, she attended Custer County Junior College and the Montana Business Institute. She then accepted a Red-Cross secretary job for the Civil Service, working for the Navy in Seattle, Wash., after which she moved to Long Beach, Calif., where she accepted a position working for the Air Force.
Her oldest brother, Duncan “Duff” McDonald, was injured in WWII and was being cared for at Bushnell Army Hospital in Brigham City, Utah and had become close friends with his roommate, the kind gentleman from Chaffee, MO. She went to visit her brother in the hospital and met the love of her life and husband of 65 years, James Burnett. Due to Jim’s injuries, he spent over three years at Bushnell Hospital. After meeting him, she never left Jim’s side, and they were married
in the hospital chapel June 3, 1944. After Jims’ discharge from the hospital in October 1945, they moved to St. Louis, where Jim took a job as a car salesman and she worked as a secretary. One of her younger brothers, Robert “Potts” McDonald came to visit and stayed with them for quite some time. As he had with Duff, Jim became instant friends with Potts.
Mrs. Burnett missed her family, and she and Jim “Big Jim, Grandpa Jim” moved to her hometown Miles City, where she introduced her husband to her parents and youngest brother Donald “Babe” McDonald, along with a close family friend, Colin Murray, who was considered part of the family, thought of as another brother. Because family was everything to Mrs. Burnett, after establishing their home in Miles City, every holiday or gathering was spent at their house. She was a wonderful cook but very modest, giving all the credit to her mother, Ava. There was never a day where there wasn’t extra food or an available seat at mealtime in the Burnett home.
Taking tremendous pride in her exceptionally clean and flawlessly decorated home, she would spend hours encompassing the seasons and holidays into the decor and cleaning to the highest of standards, just as Jim did in his partnership, management and operation of the historic Montana Bar. She loved to socialize and gather at the home for weekly Bridge games, holidays, social gatherings of any sort, especially Caledonian parties full of Scottish flair, music and dance. Always admired for her keen sense of style, in the 1950s, ’60s, and early ’70s, she was asked and did in fact model for many of the woman’s clothing stores in Miles City. In the 1970s she even shared a part-time job as a T.V. Hostess at Holy Rosary Hospital.
Being an avid bowler, she won too many titles and trophies to count, playing singles, mixed leagues, and women’s leagues, reigning many years as an All-Events department winner. She bowled with many close friends over the years, usually playing for the Montana Bar team, or the Montana Bar Budweiser team.
She always wanted a large family, but they were married
over 10 years before she gave birth to her first child and only son, James “Jimmy” Duncan. Immediately following Jimmy, her first daughter, Ava Kay, was born. Five years later their youngest daughter, Jodie Ann, was born. Mrs. Burnett was a very loving mother and was always involved in any of her children’s endeavors, such as sports, fishing and especially Highland dancing.
She loved to travel and she and Jim would make annual trips back to Chaffee to visit and enjoy the Burnett family gatherings. She traveled to Scotland twice, once in 1975 with her parents and daughter Jodie, and again after her parents had passed on with her brother Babe, sister-in-law Carol and her brother Potts. She also took many trips with her daughter, Ava.
With her and Jim’s first grandson, Kevin James Boschee, prouder grandparents could not be found. As with her children, she cooked meals for Kevin every day from grade school through college and cheered for him along with her nephews, cousins and friends’ kids in their sporting events. If “Grandpa Jim” couldn’t be there in person, he would listen by radio.
Years later the couple was blessed again with their first granddaughter, Catherine “Catey” Ann (named after her grandmother) and second grandson, Colin James Rhodes. They were once again overwhelmed upon the birth of their precious great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Rose Boschee, who brought such joy to them in their later years.
When she lost the love of her life July 21, 2009, life was never the same. One very special friend, Alice Spear-Bankey, never left her side for long.
Mrs. Burnett is survived by her son, Jim Burnett, daughter, Ava (Kenny), and grandson Kevin Boschee, all of Miles City; daughter Jodie and grandchildren Catey and Colin Rhodes of Spring, Texas; the highlight of her life, her great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Boschee’ brother Babe (Carol) of Cohagen; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews from Montana and Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim; her parents, Duncan and Ava McDonald; brothers, Duncan “Duff” and Robert “Potts” McDonald; and close family friends Colin Murray and Kay Lee.
Family and friends will meet at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 1 p.m. for a luncheon, then proceed to the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery at 2:30 p.m. for a graveside funeral service. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
If one desires, donations may be made to the Salvation Army specifically for Injured or Homeless Veterans, The First Presbyterian Church of Miles City or a donation of one’s choice. Informal attire is requested.
Bernice Marie Draine
Bernice Marie Draine, age 93, of Broadus died on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.
Mrs. Draine was born on January 3, 1919 to Hans Christian Larsen and Mable Amanda Oberg Larsen in the Crane, Mont., area. She was the oldest of three children, a sister, Irene and a baby brother, Ervin. The family faced a terrible tragedy when their mother got burned while trying to start the wood and coal stove. She died in 1922 just a few days later. Bernice and the children were separated and lived with different relatives for about six years before their father married
a woman named Minnie Rasmussen in 1928.
While she was living with relatives, her cousin Herb Larsen became her best friend. They remained that way for over 70 years. Shortly before she entered the Powder River Manor, she made a trip to Sidney, Mont., to visit him.
Once the family was back together they worked on the farm. Her dad raised honeybees for a while and they used honey to cook. The kids did the typical chores of harnessing horses, gardening, milking the cows, feeding animals, hauling water and keeping the house clean. The Depression hit and times got tough. She used to talk about stomping thistles and treating them with molasses to feed the horses in the winter. Fortunately, she has a written record of her family history.
One of her favorite things as a child was hunting for agates on the hills and in the dry creek bed. Another favorite thing was Christmas trees. She only remembers one tree they had for about a day, and then they hauled it (decorations and all) to the neighbor’s to share. In her adult years, she always had a beautiful tree and she adored it immensely…so much that it stayed up longer than most people’s.
She attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, where she met Harold Draine. She really enjoyed her college years meeting new people. (It was at college that her friends nicknamed her Bunny because her nose wrinkled up like a Bunny when she smiled.) They worked two summers at Yellowstone Park, where she had many happy memories with friends. They received their teaching degrees in May of 1942; got married
the next day at a professor’s house and hitchhiked out to Seattle to work in the shipyards.
They came back to Montana a few years later and attempted to raise sheep. That was a tough learning experience. They then moved to California and lived with her sister and husband for a brief time. They tended to her father’s farm in the Sidney area for about a month in the summer of 1946, while he made a trip back to his homeland in Denmark. She taught school there that fall.
The couple lived in a sheep wagon for a few years before buying the current ranch in 1948 and building a home. She taught for a few years at the Boyes School before starting a family. She and Harold had three sons – Harold Jr., Larry and Gary. She raised more than just these boys since they were always bringing friends home. She was forever fixing a table full of food for them and anyone else who might stop by, many times at a moment’s notice.
They were together over 60 years before Harold passed on in May of 2006. She lived on the ranch until February 2009, when she moved into the Powder River Manor. She remained there until her death.
She is survived by her sons: Harold (Sacha) Draine, Larry (Dawn) Draine, and Gary Draine; five grandchildren: Colt Draine, Tim (Joni) Draine, James Draine, Stacie Draine (Kelly) Ostendorf and Corie Draine; and two great-granddaughters: Damara and Addison. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister. She will be missed immensely by many including her “family” at the Manor who took special care of her. She will always be remembered for her warm smile and sparkling blue eyes. To those who really knew her, they witnessed what a survivor she was. One of the highlights of her life was her trip in 1972 to Denmark with her Dad and Harold. She also loved her Siamese cats, raising Border Collies, square dancing, reading a good book, watching birds and mystery movies.
When a woman lives to be 93, stories are too numerous to share in a brief space. We encourage you to remember and share your stories of her to keep her memory alive.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 25, 2012 from 1-6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Valley View cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Richard Anton Dinstel
Richard Anton Dinstel, 89, of Ridge died Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Fort Meade Vets Home in Fort Meade, S.D.
Mr. Dinstel was born on Sept, 25, 1922, at Ridge, the son of Mathias and Iva Hall Dinstel. He attended elementary school at Donald Country School and then attended high school in Boone, Iowa, Ekalaka and graduated from high school in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1942.
In 1945, he entered the United States Army where he served in the Pacific Theatre and served in General Douglas MacArthur’s Honor Guard. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the family ranch where he lived until the time of his death.
His survivors include three sons: Bruce (Lori) Dinstel of Alzada, Dan (Roxie) Dinstel of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Del (Sharon) Dinstel of Colstrip; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 19, 2012, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the Ridge Hall. Military graveside services will follow in the Ridge cemetery.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements.
Monica Barbara Schwindt Kuntz
Monica Barbara Schwindt Kuntz died Sunday, June 17, 2012, on Father’s Day, just five days prior to her 101st birthday.
She was born June 22, 1911, in Dickinson, N.D., to Anton and Teresa Hirsch Schwindt. She was the eighth child of 11 children. She grew up in the rural Dickinson area and attended country school until the eighth grade.
She lived on the family farm for 26 years, working hard and attending many dances. At one of these dances she met John C. Kuntz, whom she married
on Nov. 23, 1937. They lived in the Dickinson area, later moving to Medora, N.D. In May of 1959 they moved to Circle and operated a gas station.
Mrs. Kuntz was a faithful member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Circle where she attended mass weekly. She was a member of the Catholic Christian Women where she wrapped silverware for many special occasions at the church. Mrs. Kuntz was a good homemaker, caring for her husband and family. She liked to garden, take care of her flowers, and watch the birds that she fed daily, even taking the time to cut up carrots for the birds to eat.
She always had a puzzle on the table for everyone to enjoy when visiting her. She made homemade donuts and shared them with many. They were known as “Monica’s Doughnuts.” Mrs. Kuntz also was known for her many delicious German dishes. She made many stocking caps for family and friends. Some even got to choose the color of cap that they wanted.
She was “Gram” or “Gramma-great” to many that knew her. She looked forward to Wednesdays, her blood pressure day. Her friends would come to her home or go to theirs. She enjoyed having company and spending time with her family. They were her joys in life. She was always ready to go for a ride with any of them. Mrs. Kuntz lived her life to the fullest and was known as an “amazing” lady to many.
Her surviving relatives include sons, Leonard (Kathleen) of Circle, Ray (Linda) of Libby, Harvey (Patsy) of Billings, Perry (Paula) of Circle and daughters, Ruth (Rudy) Haynie of Circle, Bonnie (Bill) Gardner of Circle and Sandee (Dale) Dean of Lewistown; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson;and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her 10 brothers and sisters; one daughter-in-law; two granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters.
Visitation will begin on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Vigil services will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the Riverview cemetery in Circle.
Harry H. Jones
Harry H. Jones died Sunday, June 10, 2012, in Fort Collins, Colo.
Mr. Jones was born Aug. 9, 1925, to George and Francis Jones in Oklahoma City, Okla. His passion for the cattle business began with Mr. Jones’ father, George R. Jones, who owned a livestock commission company and operated a cattle ranch in Osage County, Okla. Mr. Jones continued this tradition as a cattle buyer with a career that spanned almost 60 years and in the process, he made many friends from many states including Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, California and Oklahoma.
He could have written a book about all the ranches he visited and bought cattle from year after year. In his later years, he kept and treasured these friendships, talking with as many of these friends as he could, some, almost daily. He looked forward to every phone call and every visit.
He and Virginia Norris were married
on Feb. 14, 1953, in Omaha Neb. They moved to Billings to begin their married
life. In 1957, they moved to Scottsbluff, Neb., where they lived with their family until they moved to Fort Collins, Colo., in 1978. Mr. and Mrs. Jones enjoyed a long marriage and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family in 2003.
Mr. Jones served his country in World War II from 1943 to 1946. He enlisted out of high school in the United States Army Air Corp. He was commissioned an officer in December 1944, when he won his wings as a pilot. Mr. Jones was 19 years of age at the time and became a Martin B-26 instructor for the balance of the war. In September, 2010, he was thrilled to go on the World War II Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and he cherished that trip until the end of his life.
His survivors include his children, Harry H. Jones of Denver, Janie F. Jones of Fort Collins, Kim McCall of Danville, Calif., Mary Normandin and her husband, Michael of Fort Collins and Robert Jones of Fort Collins; his grandchildren, Emily Normandin and Brigette Normandin of Fort Collins, Jeffrey Jones, his wife, Rhiannon, as well as his great-grandson Samson Jones; his sister, Mary Francis Carroll of Ardmore, Okla.; two brothers, Bob Jones and Mike Jones, both of Atlanta, Ga.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia; his oldest brother, Dick Jones; and his granddaughter, Leslie McCall.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seeton Church on June 20, 2012, at 10 a.m. Interment will be Friday, June 22, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Custer County cemetery in Miles City, Mr. Jones’ favorite town on earth. Family and friends will gather at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home at 10 a.m. to proceed to the cemetery together.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the local arrangements.
Norma "Jean" Bennett
Norma “Jean” Bennett, 82, of Miles City died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City.
Mrs. Bennett was born in Glendive on Nov. 5, 1929, the daughter of Donald and Beatrice Haines McLeod. After the death of her father, she moved with her mother and two sisters to a farm near Sanders in 1937. She attended school at Sanders through the eighth grade and graduated from high school at Hysham in 1947.
On Sept. 6, 1947, she and Clarence Bennett were united in marriage. They made their home in Harlowtown for a short time before moving to Miles City. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were blessed with four sons. In 1952, at the age of 22, Mrs. Bennett was stricken with polio. She spent about six weeks in the iron lung. She then spent several months at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena for physical therapy. The therapy helped with movement of her arms, but she was confined to a wheelchair.
Mrs. Bennett loved to read and learn. In 1981, she went to college at Miles Community College. She took classes for computers and office management.
She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, artex painting and working daily crossword puzzles in the newspapers. Mrs. Bennett enjoyed playing cards. She would tease her sons’ wives they weren’t part of the family until they learned to play pinochle.
In the spring and summer months, she would spend hours in her garden enjoying the beautiful flowers. Mrs. Bennett loved being with and talking to people. If you stopped by her home, you would be there longer than planned. She made you feel welcome. She was known to many as Mom or Grandma Jean.
Her survivors include two sisters: Betty Milmine of Sanders and Donalene McLeod of Miles City; her children: Larry (Lynn) Bennett, Dale Bennett, Earl (Laura) Bennett and Lyle (Darcy) Bennett, all of Miles City; her grandchildren: Larry Ed, Donald, Dyna, David, Emily, Misty and Wyatt; seven great- grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many unofficial adopted children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Bennett was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; her father, Donald McLeod; her mother, Beatrice Freestead; her step-father, Henry “Daddy Hank” Freestead; and two brothers, David and Roger Freestead.
Visitation will be Monday, June 18, 2012, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 10 a.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 charity of one’s choice.
Glen Eugene Chamberlin
Glen Eugene Chamberlin, 80, of Miles City, formerly of Fallon/Terry, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City.
Mr. Chamberlin was born on Jan. 1, 1932, in Oroville, Wash., the son of Clarence Eugene and Irene Mildred Buckmiller Chamberlin. He was raised in Oroville and graduated from Oroville High School in 1950.
He went into the orchard business in 1953 and spent 30 years planting and raising apples. He spent 20 years on the Oroville Fire Department. He went to work for the United States Army at Herlong, Calif., and retired from there, spending the remainder of his life in eastern Montana with his ex-wife and longtime friend, Beverly Towler.
Mr. Chamberlin was a member of the Boy Scouts, Key Club, Junior Chamber, Oroville Fire Department, the Okanogan County Sheriff and Posse, National Rifle Association member, Rod and Gun Club, and a member of the Arabian Horse Association (AHA).
He is survived by a step-daughter: Joanie (Shawn) Niedge of Miles City; and his three step-grandchildren: Dalton, Dillon and Sierra Niedge; a brother: Floyd (Pauola) Chamberlin of Kent, Wash.; his nephew: Christopher (Pearl) Chamberlin, and their two girls: Katrina and Mariane; a niece: Simone Chamberlin, and her son: Blake Reichert; cousins: David (Beverly) Buckmiller, Carol Williams, Barbara Porteous, Ruth Cross, Mary Alice Robinson, Eunice Godwin, Peggy Jo Wall, Tom Buckmiller, Melanie (Lance) Waite, Ilene Cody, Betty Jones, Linda Jones, Ernie Jones and Loren Adams.
Mr. Chamberlain was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; his uncles: Ezra and Harold Buckmiller; and his aunts: Ester (Buckmiller) Hart, Alma Buckmiller and Rosie (Buckmiller) Balmes.
Services will be Monday, June 25, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Burghs Funeral Home in Oroville, Wash.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of local arrangements. Berghs Funeral Home of Oroville, Wash., is in charge of the service.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Bettyan H. Gjerden
Bettyan H. Gjerden, 87, formerly of Miles City, died peacefully on Saturday, June 9, 2012, in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1924, to Dreng O. and Frieda M. Scholz Gjerden. She graduated from Custer County High School in 1942.
Later she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) and while stationed in Germany met James B. Edwards of Indiana. They were married
on March 29, 1947.
She returned to Miles City in 1970. She was a voracious reader and loved to crochet and sew.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Donald O. Gjerden, all of Miles City. Her survivors include her only child, Charlene M. “Sherie” Edwards of Inver Grove Heights.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Donald O. Gjerden, all of Miles City.
At her request, no services will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Spencer Werness Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 13745 Reimer Dr., Maple Grove, Minn. 55311, 1-952-883-0555, SpencerWernessFamily@comcast.net.
Because she had worked in the Miles City, Billings and Bozeman libraries, in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor her memory is encouraged to make a donation to his or her local library.
Walter Raymond "Ray" Beecher
Walter Raymond “Ray” Beecher died Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Valle Vista nursing home in Lewistown.
Mr. Beecher was born Jan. 27, 1922, in Spokane, Wash., the son of Walter and Jeanette Beecher.
As a child, Mr. Beecher moved to Sand Springs where his mother was a teacher at several country schools. He enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served in Europe until World War II was over.
He and Mary Green were married
in Lewistown on June 11, 1942. They had three sons, Floyd (Kay) of Billings, Glen of Cohagen and James (Karen) of Wolf Point.
After returning from the war, Mr. Beecher started ranching north of Winnett. He then moved to a ranch at Brussett. From there, he moved to a ranch at Cohagen, where he lived for many years, raising sheep, cattle and horses.
On Dec. 1, 1972, Mr. Beecher married
Marjorie Chapman Hubing in Terry. They continued to ranch at Cohagen until moving to their “retirement ranch” near Grass Range in 1996. There, they raised black angus cattle and quarter horses.
Mr. Beecher was well respected for raising working quarter horses, especially blue roans. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association for almost 50 years. He had a good eye for quality in horses and cattle. He took pride in the care of his livestock and the land.
Mr. Beecher loved to observe wildlife. He enjoyed watching them on his ranch from the window of the house or when out in the pasture. He also loved to tell a good story while drinking coffee with friends.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marjorie; his three sons and their families; his three step-daughters, Diane, Sharon and Judy, all of Spokane, Wash., and their families; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be in the Eastern Montana Veterans cemetery in Miles City with full military honors.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Grass Range Ambulance, the Jordan Ambulance or the charity of one’s choice.
