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Edward P. "Ed" Ritter
Edward P. “Ed” Ritter, 76, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, in Jordan.
Mr. Ritter was born in Jordan on Aug. 6, 1937, to Pete and Caroline Ritter. He attended grade school and high school in Jordan graduating in 1955.
He and Evelyn Mury were married
on Sept. 16, 1956. They recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Ritter worked for the Weeding Ranch, the Pioneer Garage and later Farmers Union Oil Company in Jordan, retiring there in 1997. He was active in the Jordan community serving on community boards such as: Jordan Volunteer Fire Department and town council. Mr. Ritter received the Distinguished Service for the Betterment of Garfield County Award in 2008.
He drove school bus and retired from driving in 2012. Mr. Ritter enjoyed all outdoor activities, especially with friends and family, during his lifetime. There is not a coulee, flat or fishing bank Mr. Ritter did not know about. Many great memories and stories were shared during these hunting and fishing trips. He enjoyed delivering and sharing produce from their garden around the community. He also was a key player in the local coffee clubs.
His survivors include his wife, Evelyn Ritter; son, Terry (Debbie) Ritter of Livingston; daughters, Deanna (Dan) Hansard of Jordan, Lena (Mike) Ritter of Belgrade and Carol (Bruce) Fellman of Culbertson; his brother, Robert Ritter of Miles City; sisters, Janet (Bill) Sherer of Jordan and Pauline (Loren) Abarr of Fallon; grandchildren, Dusty Ritter, Shae Ritter, Kristyn Hansard, Seth Hansard and Samantha Fellman; and great-grandchildren, Arabelle Ritter and Maylynn Ritter.
A memorial service was held on Monday morning, Sept. 23, 2013, in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Jordan. A luncheon will follow the service.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jordan Swimming Pool Fund or Jordan Relay For Life.
Richard "Dick" Janssen
Funeral services for Richard John “Dick” Janssen, 81, of Fort Benton, former Miles City resident and a United States Army Air Corps veteran and retired funeral director, were Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2006, in the Fort Benton United Methodist Church. Burial followed in Riverside cemetery at Fort Benton.
Mr. Janssen died of natural causes Friday, July 28, 2006, at a Fort Benton nursing home.
He was born on his family’s homestead in Coalwood (population 15) on Aug. 20, 1924. He went to high school in Miles City and worked for room and board. He was his high school commencement speaker and he loved to sing.
He enlisted in the Army immediately upon graduation at the age of 17 years and served from 1942 to 1945. He became a turret gunner on a B24 Liberator in the 846-Bomb Squadron of the Army Air Corps. Shot down over Poland, he survived in the woods for a week before being taken prisoner and remained a Prisoner of War for 10 months. His POW term ended following participation in the 89-day “Black March” and news of liberation. For his service he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
He and Carolyn Purdum were married
and they started a family. They later divorced.
Mr. Janssen worked as a banker and then, after going to Chicago to receive his education, he became a funeral director. He spent the next 30 years working in the funeral business.
His accomplishments included leadership roles in the Jaycees, Masons, Shriners, Jesters and the cemetery Board. He was president of the Montana Funeral Directors Association in 1967 and was mayor of Fort Benton from 1972 to 1980. Mr. Janssen collected stamps, loved electronics and had to have the latest stereo and computer equipment. He loved cats. Mr. Janssen remembered birthdays, wrote letters, bought perfume for Christmas, gave his daughters pearls at their weddings and showed strength and resiliency through countless challenges. He never lost that inexplicable sense of himself.
Fort Benton. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Survivors include daughters, Pam (Bob) Schoonover of Fort Benton, Sheryl (Chris) Solberg of Redmond, Wash., Denise (Terry) Aylesworth of Algonquin, Ill., and Kim (Dean) Dunlap of Great Falls; a sister, Rowena Hulce of Moscow, Idaho; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Bille Janssen; and a sister, Dorothy Bailard.
O’Connor Funeral Home of Fort Benton handled the arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to Missouri River Medical Center for doors and a recreation room.
Joe Benjamin Lind
Joe Benjamin Lind, 86, of the Sarpy Creek area, south of Hysham died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, at Billings Clinic.
Born May 2, 1925, as a twin in Colorado Springs, Colo., he was the son of Joe B. and Beulah Lind. He spent his young years up in the mountains where his father managed Camp Vigil near Cripple Creek, Colo., and his school years around Colorado Springs and Littleton, Colo.
He entered the Coast Guard before finishing high school and met Francis Jeanette Hubbard while stationed in Ocean Park, Wash. They married
July 20, 1944. They moved to Montana in 1946, left in 1952 to live in Iowa and Colorado before moving to the family ranch on Sarpy Creek in 1957 where he raised six children.
He loved his ranch where he raised cattle, pigs, goats, rabbits and cats. He ran a saw mill for at least 20 years. He loved leading Bible studies in Hysham, Forsyth, Decker and Sheridan, Wyo.
He pastored a church in Decker for a number of years. He always had a listening ear and a helping hand. Nobody was a stranger and he always wanted to talk about his Savior.
Mrs. Lind died in 2003 and he married
Mableanne Robertson on Aug. 28, 2004, in Worden. At that time they each had four sons and a daughter.
His survivors include his five children, Lance (Edith) Lind, David (Doreen) Lind, Lawanda (Frank) Mouat all of Billings, Dennis (Gail) Lind of Trenton, Ga., and Joe(Carla) Lind of Hysham; Mableanne of Nibbe; step-children John Robertson, Kenneth Robertson (Tracy Sausaman), both of Nibbe, Karilyn (Dennis) Kraft of Shepherd, Bradley Robertson of Tukwilla, Wash., and Vincent Robertson of Renton, Wash.; 22 grandchildren; and 47 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette; son, Daniel Eugene; and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideon’s International or to Rosebud Health Care Center.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. A Funeral Service will be Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Interment will follow in the Forsyth cemetery with full Military Honors.
Landon James McCabe
Landon James McCabe, 24, of Billings, formerly of Ekalaka and Miles City, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. He left behind an imperfect body, seizures and years of pain. Landon influenced countless people during his stay, and touched many lives despite not walking or talking.
Landon was born on May 4, 1987, to Jim and Rebecca McCabe.
It was early in Landon’s life that his parents learned he would not be able to do the worldly things most can, as cerebral palsy was the diagnosis.
Landon loved music, being outside and going on walks, animals and children. He not only blessed his parents, but had wonderful foster parents, Lyle and Norma Severance of Miles City who cared for him with love, compassion and dedication for 20 years, in addition to seeing to Landon’s vast medical needs. When his care became overwhelming, Landon entered the lives of the staff at Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings and resided there since May of 2010.
Those grieving Landon are his parents, Jim and Rebecca McCabe; a brother, Matthew McCabe; foster parents, Lyle and Norma Severance; an extended foster family; his paternal grandmother, Hope McCabe; his maternal grandparents, Bob and Enid Krauth; his aunts and uncles, Rodney McCabe, Dean and Jan McCabe, Paul and Janet McCabe, Bradley and Ronnette McCabe, Robertta and Kevin Dawe, Wade and Laura Krauth, Geneal and Jim Bott; and 16 cousins. Also missing Landon is his special guardian, Brianna Gilbertson.
A Memorial Service for Landon will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, at St. Elizabeth Lutheran Church in Ekalaka with the Reverends Bruce and Reba Kolasch officiating. A Service of Remembrance will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with Reverend Steve Rice of the First Lutheran Church in Miles City officiating. Cremation has taken place and a private family inurnment will take place in the Elgin cemetery at Ekalaka.
Arrangements are under the care of Stevenson Funeral Home of Ekalaka.
Gavin Russell Schimetz
Gavin Russell Schimetz, beloved infant son of Russell and Kaila Zimmer Schimetz, passed gently into the arms of Jesus at 6-1/2 weeks of age in Fargo, N.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011.
His stay was short, but his impact on the lives he touched will be everlasting.
Gavin was a long awaited answer to his parents’ prayers and they anticipated his birth with joyful expectations. Gavin was born prematurely at 29 weeks gestation on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, at Trinity Hospital in Minot, N.D., weighing in at two pounds and was no bigger than a one hundred dollar bill.
During his brief stay on earth Gavin enjoyed visits in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from Mom and Dad, Grandpa Russ, Grandma Marla and Aunt Keisha as well as numerous family members peering through the nursery window. His favorite things were being cuddled by his mother and father and smiling softly in his sleep.
Gavin will always remain his parents’ special baby and they will hold him in heaven again one day.
Gavin is survived by his parents, Russell and Kaila of Minot; his paternal grandfather, Russ W. Schimetz of Williston, N.D.; his maternal grandparents, Marvin and Marla Zimmer of Miles City; his paternal great-grandmother, Roberta Schimetz; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Gavin was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Vicki Schimetz; his paternal great-grandfather, Thomas Russell Schimetz; his maternal great-grandmother, Darline Hoff; and his maternal great-grandfather, Raymond Hoff.
Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home from 1 to 6 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Living Way Fellowship Church with Pastor Eldon Toews officiating. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the family to help cover medical expenses.
Lloyd Emmett Lamb
Lloyd Emmett Lamb, age 93, of Helena, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at St. Peter’s Hospital.
The family will receive friends between 5 and 7 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2011. Requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, October 21, 2011, at Holy Cross Church, 449 North Hoback, Helena, Montana, with Fr. Martin Skierka as Celebrant. A second Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 22 at the Bullis-Graves Memorial Chapel in Miles City, Montana with the Rite of Burial following at Calvary cemetery in Miles City, Montana.
Lloyd Emmett Lamb was born in Helena on May 25, 1918, the son of Benjamin Earl Lamb and Helen (Leffler) Lamb. He attended grade school in Helena. Later, following his father’s transfer by the NP Railroad, he finished his schooling in Butte graduating from Butte High School in 1936. Following high school, he worked as night clerk at the Tate Hotel and later as a book-keeper for the Metals Bank and Trust Company of Butte, Montana.
In December 1941 he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He was commissioned in 1943 and assigned to the 8th Air Force and stationed in England. He piloted 30 combat missions over Europe in the B-17 Flying Fortress. His final mission occurred on D-day. He flew 25 different airframes while on active duty. His military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Overseas Service Bars, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit Badge, and EAME Theatre Ribbon with three Bronze Stars. In addition, he was given a personal letter of recognition from General Curtis E. LeMay for his service.
Following his tour of duty overseas, he returned to Great Falls, Montana where he was assigned to the 557th AAF Base Unit, Gore Field (ATC). He married
Katherine Ann Shields at St. Patrick’s church in Butte, Montana on April 12, 1945. Lloyd was honorably discharged from the US Army Air Force in October 1945. In 1946, he and Kay moved from Great Falls to Helena. Into this union were born Earl, Anthony, Kathy and Arthur.
Lloyd worked at the Ford Motor Company until October 1946 when he joined Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company until his retirement in 1980.
Lloyd enjoyed working on his father’s ranch in Whitehall, Montana. He was an avid fisherman and loved to fly-fish on the Jefferson and Madison Rivers near the family ranch. He enjoyed woodworking all his life. He cut and milled the lumber he and Kay used to build the family home at 1231 Hauser Boulevard. They lived there almost 50 years raising all their children.
His first wife, Kay, passed away in 1992. In 1993 he married
Betty Ann (Roberts) Weber. They lived in Helena and Seeley Lake, Montana. Into this union were added daughters Judy (Weber) Spiro, and Joann (Weber) Naify. Betty passed away in 2009.
Lloyd was from a pioneer Montana family. His aunt and uncle, John and Maggie Gavin, homesteaded and ranched near Kinsey, Montana in the early years of Custer County. His grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Lamb, was one of the first residents of Miles City in the late 1870’s. In a book Ben wrote with co-author Lucius Nutting entitled Raw Country, he recalls the early years of Miles Town as seen through the eyes of a buffalo hunter, scout, and rancher. The following excerpt from Raw Country, seems a most fitting tribute for Lloyd’s passing:
To Our Fellow Pioneers
We die not all, for our deeds remain, to crown with glory or to mar with shame. Through endless sequence of years to come, Our lives will speak when our lips are dumb.
Lloyd was a proud Montanan and believed in the integrity of a man’s word and handshake.
His survivors include: sister-in-law Eileen (Shields) Gaved of Pocatello, Ida.; children, Judy (Steve) Spiro of Danbury Conn., Joann (Jack) Naify of San Mateo, Calif., Lloyd Earl (Rosemary) Lamb of Vacaville, Calif., Tony (Therese) Lamb of Helena, Mont., Kathy Lamb of Billings, Mont., and Art Lamb of Billings, Mont.; four grandchildren, Veronica (Russ) Ruggiero of Vacaville, Calif., John, Daniel, and Minnie Lamb of Helena, Mont.; one great-grandchild. Adriana Ruggiero of Vacaville, Calif.; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Earl and Helen, and step-mother Mary (O’Neil) Lamb; his wives Katherine and Betty Lamb, one brother Franklin Earl Lamb; and sister-in-law Geri Lamb.
As a token of sympathy, masses are suggested to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 449 North Hoback St., Helena, Montana 59601; Hospice of St. Peter’s c/o St. Peter’s Hospital 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; The Montana Military Museum, P.O. Box 125, Fort Harrison, MT 59636-0125; or the Range Riders Museum, 435 LP Anderson Rd, Miles City, Montana 59301. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Ruth Irene Burmeister Schell
Ruth Irene Burmeister Schell, 73, of Camp Crook, S.D., died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at Dahl Memorial HealthCare in Ekalaka after a long battle with health problems.
Mrs. Schell was born May 8, 1938, in Burlington, Wash., to Harry and Gladys Arvidson Burmeister. A short time later, the family moved to Wasta, S.D., and she grew up and attended school there, graduating from Wasta High School in 1956.
She and Robert Vernon Schell were married
on Sept. 29, 1956. To this union six children were born: Julie, Rose, Tim, Lila, Jo, and Hope. They lived on various ranches north of Wasta until moving to Montana in 1968, where they had ranched for 43 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Schell actively supported their children in school, sports and 4-H activities. Mrs. Schell had a green thumb and always grew a large garden from which she prepared wonderful meals for her family. Additionally, her homemade bread and jelly were liked so well by the family that when the grandchildren would come to visit they would request that she make a batch of jelly so they could take a jar home with them. Mrs. Schell also helped with ranch work whenever necessary.
Her survivors include her husband of 55 years, Bob of Camp Crook; one son, Tim (Jodi) Schell of Camp Crook; five daughters, Julie Schell of Camp Crook, Rose (Todd) LaRowe of Miles City, Lila (Kirby) Baier of Buffalo, Jo (Jeff) Thompson of Dickinson, N.D., and Hope Schell of Camp Crook; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She also is survived by three brothers, Harry “Jack, ” Jerry and Darrel; seven sisters: Lois, Doris, Ginger, Barbara, Peg, Tammy and Jona; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Schell was preceded in death by her father, Harry Burmeister; her mother, Gladys Burmeister; three infant siblings; her father-in-law, William Schell; and her mother-in-law, Blanche Schell.
A Funeral Service for Mrs. Schell will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at the Camp Crook Community Center in Camp Crook with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairview cemetery at Camp Crook.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Camp Crook Area Community Center, the Camp Crook Methodist Church or charity of one’s choice.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Stevenson Funeral Home of Ekalaka.
Olive Lockie
Olive Lockie, 97, of Billings, Montana, peacefully passed away at her home surrounded by her family on October 11, 2011. We are assured of her place in heaven as at the age of 10 Olive accepted Jesus as her Savior at a Salvation Army Christmas Party.
She was born in Lebanon, South Dakota on May 1, 1914 to Elmer and Persis Clark, the 7th of 13 children. She graduated from Custer Country High School and was then employed by Montgomery Wards and the Dime Store in Miles City.
She married
George Lockie on Oct. 15, l935 and they made their first home on the Lockie Brothers ranch west of Miles City. The ranch was sold in 1959 and Olive moved with her family to Miles City. In 1963, the family moved to Bozeman purchasing and operating the Mountain View Motel until it was sold in l975 at which time the Lockies retired. Olive and George then spent much of their time traveling visiting family and friends. She visited 49 of the 50 states and numerous foreign countries.
In 1993 Olive and George moved to Billings to live with their youngest daughter and family. They were married
59 years before George passed away in 1995.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings.
She is survived by 2 sisters-in-law: Gladys Clark of Red Lodge and Margo Clark of Miles City and her six children: James and Kathy Lockie and David and Jennie Lockie of Bozeman; Doug and Debee Lockie of Los Gatos, CA; Dottie and Wayne Westberg of Anchorage, AK; Jerry and Stephanie Lockie, and Paul and Joyce Evanson of Billings; and Marla Moody and Arlette Jullian of Joliet who always held a special place in Olive’s heart. She was blessed to have 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews, including Gary and Joanne Clark who spent many happy hours with her.
Throughout her life Olive was involved in many groups and organizations. In her younger years she was President of the Range Riders Reps, a 4-H Club leader, FHA leader, Home Demonstration Club member and was involved in the Methodist Women’s Group.
Later in life she was a member of Eastern Star, Lily of the Valley #4, achieving a life membership, Rainbow for Girls, Lioness Club, Soroptimist International, AFS (hosting a French foreign exchange student, ) Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, Montana Motel Association and serving on the election board. During this time many wedding reception tables were adorned with the wedding cakes that she created. In Bozeman she attended the Methodist and then Evangelical Free Church of Bozeman. Her last years were spent focused on her grandchildren, attending many concerts, plays, games, graduations, equestrian events and weddings.
In Billings she attended Faith Chapel until her health limited her out of home activities. Her very last years were filled with numerous phone calls, visitors and crocheting 20 afghans for family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Ave., Billings, MT. A reception will immediately follow the service. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Salvation Army, Eagle Mount of Bozeman, Range Riders Museum in Miles City or the charity of your choice.
‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21.
