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William Frederick Van Ham
William Frederick Van Ham, 64, of Miles City died on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006, at the Holy Rosary Heathcare in Miles City.
Mr. Van Ham was born on Jan. 2, 1943, in Anaconda, the son of William and Martha Knapp Van Ham. He attended school in Whitefish where he graduated from high school.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1960 where he served for six years before being honorably discharged on March 31, 1966. He then went to work in the Sunshine Mines in Osborn, Idaho.
He married
Mary Entzel on June 4, 1969, in Cherry Creek, Nev. He was a logger at the time.
Mr. Van Ham was an active member in the Demalays as a youth and later in the Elks. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Van Ham also enjoyed seismographing, which he did throughout the United States.
His survivors include his wife of 37 years, Mary; their children, Lynn (Joe) Rogers of Bozeman, Martie (Gary) Lawson of Miles City, Ida Van Ham of Miles City, Shirley (Michael) Van Ham of Sioux Falls, S.D., Joe (Christina) Van Ham of Fayetteville, N.C., Jim Van Ham of Miles City, and Missy Van Ham of Sioux Falls, S.D.; one brother, Joe Van Ham (Margarget) of Houston, Texas; and three sisters, Bobbi (Mike) Janetski of Kalispell, Jean (Ron) Kruder of Lakeside, and Shirley (Dave) Johnson of Whitefish.
He is also survived by 20 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Mr. Van Ham was preceded in death by his parents, William and Martha.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 1 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with military honors provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1579. Interment will be in Whitefish, MT.
If desired, flowers and gifts may be addressed to the family at 602 S. Stacy Ave., Miles City, MT 59301.
Myrtle Peterson
Myrtle C. Peterson, 100, of Miles City, formerly of Bowman, N.D., died Thursday evening, Aug. 17, 2006, at the Friendship Villa Care Center in Miles City.
Myrtle Clarice Olson was born Dec. 17, 1905, at Hendricks, Minn., at the home of her grandmother, the daughter of Lewis and Ingeborg Ronne Olson. At the age of three years, she moved to North Dakota with her parents and younger brother, Selvin. They moved to a homestead south of Rhame, N.D., in Nebo Township. She was baptized at the Wood Lake Lutheran Church south of Rhame. She received her education at rural Nebo School with her brother and sister.
After her education, she worked as a hired girl for neighboring farmers and ranchers. While working for the Erik Ericksons, she met Knute Peterson and on Feb. 15, 1924, they were married
at Baker.
Again they worked for local farmers and ranchers until they purchased their own farm in 1936. They farmed and ranched there until 1947 when they sold out and moved to Miles City.
Mr. Peterson went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad until his retirement in 1963.
They continued living in Miles City until 1980 when they moved back to Bowman. They resided at the Pleasant Manor for 22 years. Mr. Peterson died in 1983.
In 2002, Mrs. Peterson entered the Sunset Home in Bowman where she lived until moving back to Miles City. She entered the Friendship Villa Care Center where she resided until the time of her death.
Mrs. Peterson was a lifelong member of the Bowman Lutheran Church where she was a member of circle. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Miles City, the Eagles Auxiliary, the Lady Trainmen, the Milwaukee Woman’s Club and the American Association of Retired Persons.
An accomplished crocheter, she lovingly shared her love of the artistic work with her family and many friends. She blessed many lives with her optimistic attitude, love of life and all those around her. She always had a sugar cookie and a cup of coffee ready for her family and many friends. She had a special love for children and thoroughly enjoyed her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Peterson was very artistic in whatever she was doing and her clothing was always matched to a “t.” She was one classy lady. She had a mind of her own and generally spoke her piece, but always meant well.
Her survivors include three daughters, Eunice Taylor of Miles City, Lyla Greni of Dickinson, N.D., and Emily Stadheim of Reeder, N.D.; one son, Orville Peterson of Forsyth; 16 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 22 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Ingeborg; her husband, Knute; one son, Kenneth; one sister, Eunice Hovitek; two brothers, Selvin and Martin; one granddaughter, Shirley Greni; and one great-granddaughter, Angie Hansey.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006, at 2 p.m. in the Bowman Lutheran Church in Bowman. The Rev. Galen Strand will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman cemetery. Krebsbach Funeral Service, 301 S. Main St., Bowman, N.D. 58623 is in charge of arrangements.
Donald South
Donald F. South, 85, of Central Point, Ore., former Miles City resident, died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006, at his home after a long battle with Paget’s disease.
Mr. South was born Jan. 31, 1921, in Auburn, Neb., to Leonard and Lenora South, the youngest of 10 children. He lived in Howe, Brock and Auburn, Neb.
He worked at various jobs in Nebraska until being drafted into the Army in 1941.
In 1944, after serving in the Army, he moved to Miles City where he lived until moving to Central Point in 1997.
Mr. South was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Miles City and in Medford, Ore.
In 1958, Mr. South married
Shirley Elliott of Miles City at Bozeman.
He worked for the railroad, the highway department and then went into the building profession as a contractor and builder. Most of his work was done in the Jordan area.
Mr. South enjoyed many hobbies including Bible study, woodworking, reading, writing and gardening, especially flowers. He loved visiting with family and friends.
His survivors include his wife, Shirley South, his son, Lowell South, and his daughter, Lynell South, all of Central Point; a brother, Vernon South of Helena; a granddaughter, Brittany South of Federal Way, Wash.; his sisters-in-law, Margaret South of Jordan, Jeanette Elliott of Central Point and Jeanenne Elliott of Medford, Ore.; and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Tom, Leo, Floyd, Ervin and Joey South; and three sisters, Maude Howell, Flossie South and Opal Maxine South.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006, at 11 a.m. in the Medford Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1900 Greenwood, Medford, Ore., with Pastor Floyd Bresee of Central Point officiating. Inurnment will be in the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Medford.
Mary Gundlach Warburton
A Funeral Service for Mary Zillane Gundlach Warburton, 50, of Baker wash held Monday afternoon, Aug. 21, 2006, at the American Lutheran Church in Baker with Pastors Bruce and Reba Kolasch officiating.
Special music was provided by Debbie Jo Varner, Gloria Press, Robin Menger and Farron Henderson. Burial was in the Beaver Lodge cemetery at Ekalaka with Pete Renner, Matt Renner, Shawn Gilmore, Eric Gilmore, Christopher Gilmore, Dustin Gundlach, Scott Gundlach, Chad Cordell, Lee Cordell and Gavin Cordell as pallbearers.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker.
Mrs. Warburton died Friday, Aug. 18, 2006, at Deaconess Medical Center in Billings following a valiant and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by the love and presence of her family.
Born Sept. 26, 1955, in Ekalaka, she was the fourth child and daughter of Leland and Virginia Schweigert Gundlach. She grew up in Baker and graduated from Baker High School.
She and Mark Wang were married
in 1973. To this union two children were born, Corey and Tifhany.
On April 8, 2000, she and Steve Warburton were married
in Miles City.
A member of the American Lutheran Church in Baker, she also was a member of Beta Sigma Phi.
She devoted her life to family and raising her children. She had the ability to accomplish whatever she set her mind to and was a skilled seamstress, carpenter, gardener, crafter and was there to help anyone in need. After raising her children, she took on the challenge of furthering her education graduating from Miles Community College in 2003 with a computer science degree. Her greatest love was for her grandchildren, Paysha and Jakob.
Survivors include her husband, Steve of Baker; a step-daughter, Kayla of Baker; a son, Corey (Alissa) Wang and grandson, Jakob of Billings; a daughter, Tifhany (fiancé John Rex) and granddaughter, Paysha of Miles City; her father, Leland Gundlach of Baker; one brother, Shane (Stephanie) Gundlach of Billings; four sisters, Karen (Ed) Renner of Huston, Texas, Jayne Gilmore (Bill Menkin) of Joliet, Robin (Richard) Menger of Baker and Lorri (Steve) Madler of Colstrip; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and very special aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Gundlach; a nephew, Joel Renner; and her grandparents, John and Clara Schweigert and George and Francis Gundlach.
Bernard "Bud" Vonderheide
Bernard “Bud” Vonderheide, age 85, of Miles City died August 18, 2006 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.
Mr. Vonderheide was born on April 8, 1921 in Miles City to Charles and Maud (Wynes) Vonderheide. He attended school at Sacred Heart Catholic School where he graduated from High School. After school, he worked at the Sawyer Grocery Store.
He and Mary Bitle were united in marriage on May 25, 1944 and he later enlisted in the United States Army in 1945. He returned to Miles City where, along with Mary, ran a bread truck. In the late 1940s, they purchased their own grocery store called Bud’s Grocery, which they ran until 1993 when he retired.
When given the free time, Mr. Vonderheide enjoyed fishing as much as he could. He was a life-long member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
He is survived by his sister, Betty Bolliger of Fort Worth, Texas; and several nieces and nephews of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother, Don, and sister, Mary Gomez.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 with a Prayer Service at 6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will be held at a later date in Calvary cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Church; 520 North Montana, Miles City, MT 59301.
Cecil Brown
Cecil Von Brown, 84, of Miles City died Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006, at the Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City.
Mr. Brown was born on Nov. 29, 1920, in Mahaska, Kan., the sixth of seven children born to William and Bertha Hamilton Brown. When he was five years of age, the family moved to a farm near Pompey’s Pillar where he grew up. He attended elementary school at Pompey’s Pillar, and went to high school at Huntley Project where he played football, basketball and was student body president his senior year.
After graduation, Mr. Brown worked for his father on the farm, and for other farms and ranches in the area.
He and Ruth Woodruff were married
December 23, 1947, and went to work for her father on the ranch in the Knowlton Hills near Ismay. Mr. Woodruff moved to Miles City shortly thereafter and Mr. Brown took over the operation of the ranch that was his life work and passion. He loved the ranch and expanded it, and took great pride in his cattle and crops.
Mr. Brown was a member of the Masonic Lodge, joining in Worden, belonging many years to the Ismay Lodge and later the Miles City Lodge. He also was a member of the Albedoo Shrine, Ismay Community Church and First Baptist Church in Miles City, Custer County Farm Bureau, Montana Stockgrowers and R-Calf. Mr. Brown served for many years on the Knowlton School Board and the Miles City Unified School Board. From 1971 to 1972 he was the president of the Montana School Boards Association, as a part of his efforts to protect rural schools in local communities.
In 1985, Mr. Brown began semi-retirement and the Browns were able to do some traveling. They also spent 17 winters volunteering on the Wycliffe Bible Translators Center in Tucson, Ariz. In June, 2001, they bought a house in Miles City and moved to town.
His survivors include his wife, Ruth of Miles City; four daughters, Lavonne (Mark) Forman of Ismay, and children Levi, Luke, and Lona; Linda (Clyde) Turner of Billings and sons Jason (Lisa), Jesse, and Jake; Jane Logan of Miles City and children Alicia, Tessa, and Clay; and Jill (Frank) Witt of Billings and their daughters Shawnee and Savannah.
Survivors also include two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Andrew Turner; one brother, Marvin of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Tucker Ray Logan; four brothers, Fred, Ray, Ralph, and John; and his sister, Vera.
A prayer service will be held Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006, at 5 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Knowlton cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Lentina "Tiny" Katherine Higgins
Lentina “Tiny” Katherine Higgins, 89, died early Thursday morning, Aug. 17, 2006.
She was born in Angela on Feb. 1, 1917, the daughter of John and Rosina Hoffer Schmidt.
She and Albert Higgins were married
on Sept. 30, 1945.
Mrs. Higgins worked for the Miles City Steam Laundry and the Hammill Courts in the 1950s and 1960s.
She loved fishing, playing cards, gardening, crafts and visiting with all her friends and family. Christmas was her favorite holiday, having fun with her family, wearing her stocking hat and reindeer antlers.
Mrs. Higgins always enjoyed being with people, loved the Lord and blessed her friends and family with her wonderful sense of humor. She loved getting on the bus and going to Phoenix, Ariz., to visit her grandchildren until they moved back to Montana. Mrs. Higgins will be remembered for her petunias that have spread to many gardens in Miles City.
Her survivors include her son, Royce, and his wife, Judy; a granddaughter, Charlene; a great-granddaughter, Breanna Bartz, and her husband, Adam; two sisters, Viola, Geist of Miles City and Trudy Hundley of Hamilton, Ohio; and a brother, Ervin Schmidt, and his wife, Alice, of Miles City.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; a grandson, Bryan; and two brothers, Al and Art Schmidt.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place and burial will be at a later date.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charities of their choices.
Iris Reimers
Iris L. Reimers, 88, of Billings, sister of Norma Hartse of Miles City, died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006, at Aspen Meadows in Billings.
Mrs. Reimers was born May 9, 1918, in Joliet to Joseph “Vern” and Hazel Daniels. She attended elementary school in Joliet and graduated from Laurel High School. She later attended Billings Polytechnic.
She and Henry Reimers were married
June 28, 1944. She worked with her husband at his accounting firm, keeping the books.
Together they were long-time members of the Goggles and Dusters Antique Car Club and they spent a lot of time traveling together.
Mrs. Reimers enjoyed her pinochle club and was proud of her “green thumb.” She took good care of all of her plants and could make anything grow. Following the death of her husband in 2000, Mrs. Reimers got her driver’s license at the age of 76.
In addition to her sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Ralph Hartse of Miles City, Mrs. Reimers is survived by her nieces and nephew, Kristyna Hartse, Marcus (Denise) Hartse, Paula (Roger) Hufford and Lori Hartse; and her sisters-in-law, Ruth Hancock and Helen Daniels.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her brother, Frederick Eugene Daniels.
Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at 2 p.m. in Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings. Interment will follow in the Mountview cemetery in Billings.
Florence Franckowiak
Florence Franckowiak of Miles City died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility.
She was born to Herman and Evina Luddeke in Valley City, N.D., on May 9, 1907.
On Sept. 28, 1938, she and John Franckowiak were married
. After marrying in North Dakota, they moved to North Bonnieville, Wash., where he was a carpenter and she was a housewife.
During her married
life she worked as a waitress and in a salmon cannery when the salmon were running.
Mr. Franckowiak died and a few years after his death, Mrs. Franckowiak came to Miles City to live with her sister, Babe McElroy.
Her survivors include a nephew, Wm A. (Nadine) Ford of Lancaster, Calif.; and a niece, Delores (Wayne) Lathrop of Miles City.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Franckowiak was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
At her request, a graveside service was held.
