Search Archived Marriage Records
Dorothy E. Raines Ruff
Dorothy E. Raines Ruff, 81, of Great Falls, a homemaker, died at her home of natural causes on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012.
A memorial service was held Monday morning, Feb. 20, 2012, at Heritage Baptist Church in Great Falls with burial of ashes at Highland cemetery in Great Falls.
Cremation took place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home in Great Falls.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda (Arvid) Ronning of Miles City, Diana Ruff of Great Falls, Susie (Russ) Williams of Havre, Carrie (Dale) Cline of Big Sandy, and Sheila Muir of Brighton, Colo.; sons, Fred Ruff and Richard Ruff, both of Great Falls; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Her survivors also include her brother, Jerry (Janet) Driscoll of Billings; and her step-sister, Marion Cadwell of Billings.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Ruff in 2000; her mother, Mollie Lachelt in 2010; and her daughter, Debbie Dean in 2011.
Wade Alan Klauzer
Wade Alan Klauzer, 55, of Baker died unexpectedly at his ranch house southeast of Baker on Thursday evening, Feb. 16, 2012.
Public visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. In keeping with Mr. Klauzer’s wishes there will be no formal funeral service. Interment will be at a later date on the Klauzer Ranch.
Mr. Klauzer was born on Aug. 27, 1956, at Ekalaka, the son of Albert G. and Lois Joy Barkley Klauzer. As a young boy, he grew up on the Klauzer ranch in the Mill Iron Community in northeastern Carter County.
In 1962, he moved to Baker with his mother and sisters where he attended school. In 1965 they moved to Terry where he completed school, graduating with the Class of 1974.
Following graduation, Mr. Klauzer joined the United States Army, serving in Germany until his Honorable Discharge in 1976.
Following the death of his step-father, Ted Zupanik, Mr. Klauzer returned to the Mill Iron Community where he took over the Zupanik ranch.
On Sept. 5, 1981, he and Barbara Rae Owens were married
in the Baker Community Church. To this union three children were born: Justin, Kylan and Jalynn. The couple later divorced.
Mr. Klauzer was a very talented man with his hands. He was an excellent welder and very proficient in custom fabricating for many of his neighbors. He was a self-taught mechanic and could fix about anything and was no stranger to woodworking. He was a member of the Baker American Legion and used his welding talent to make many of the “White Crosses” that are seen along the roads marking the spot where someone had tragically died.
His survivors include his three children, Justin Klauzer of Baker, Kylan Klauzer of Dickinson, N.D., and Jalyn Klauzer of Baker; his three sisters, Deb (Dan Finken) Kosbab of Apache Junction, Ariz., Bernice (Tom) Buckingham of Brainerd, Minn., and Jean (Brad) Culver of Princeton, Minn.; his aunts, uncles and cousins; and his special friend, Sheila Bondell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lois; and step-father, Ted.
Arrangements are under the care of Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker.
Emma Baugatz Bartsch
Emma Baugatz Bartsch, 70, of Miles City died peacefully at her home on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012.
She was born March 16, 1941, to August and Mary Belle Allen Baugatz in Miles City. She attended school in Miles City and later worked at the Red Rock Supper Club.
She then married
Ralph Bartsch and became a homemaker to raise her family. She enjoyed being home with her three children and taking care of her family.
Her husband, Ralph, died in October 2000 in their home.
Mrs. Bartsch had a great sprite and joyful presence. She enjoyed the time she had with those close to her.
Her survivors include her daughters: Emmalou (Allan) Parker of Miles City, Jeanie (Ken) Thueringer of Miles City and Emily Bartsch of Sheridan, Ore.; her brother: John (Louise) Baugatz of Miles City; and two grandchildren: Timothy and Nicole Fisher.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Ralph; four sisters: Martha Baugatz, Viola Stemochuck, Dorothy Kochel and Alice Brown; two nieces; and four nephews.
Visitation is today until 5 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral Services will be Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the family of Emma Bartsch to help defray costs.
Cleora Anastasia "Pat" Gamrath
Cleora Anastasia “Pat” Gamrath, 96, of Miles City died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, surrounded by her family while under hospice care at TLC in Miles City where she had resided for the past seven years.
She was born on Sept. 26, 1915, in Crary, N.D., to Charles and Rachel Nixon Durbin. She grew up in Montana, graduating from Opheim High School in 1933.
She worked for a time in both Fort Peck and Glasgow. She married
Dwight Gamrath in Montana. They lived in Opheim, Richey and Miles City in Montana and Valley City in North Dakota. They were running a grain elevator in Richey when Mr. Gamrath was stricken with rheumatic fever. Mrs. Gamrath kept the elevator operating for the next year. She worked for several years at Montgomery Ward in Valley City. She also worked at Della’s in Miles City for many years. She worked hard her entire life.
Mrs. Gamrath was an excellent cook. The cookie jar was always full. She was a quilter and made quilts as wedding gifts for her grandchildren and crib quilts for her great-grandchildren. Gardening was a source of much pleasure for her. She loved all flowers, but growing spectacular tuberous begonias was her specialty. She was an “on-call” mom and grandma, with a sympathetic ear and a warm hug for one and all.
Her survivors include her children: Monica Cresap of Minot, N.D., Patty (Robert) Fearing of Valley City, N.D., Gerald (Mary Ann) Gamrath of Baker, Wayne (Cathy) Gamrath of Miles City, Karen (Jim) Ferris of Miles City, and son-in-law Norm Pedersen of Fargo, N.D.; 18 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Betty Jo; three brothers; one sister; a grandson; and a great-granddaughter.
Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 24 N. 11th St. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery in Miles City.
Memorials may be sent to Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson St., Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Thomas S. "Tom" Johnson
Thomas S. “Tom” Johnson, 58, of Miles City died on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at Riverstone Hospice in Billings due to renal failure.
Mr. Johnson was born in Morganton, N.C., on Feb. 24, 1953, the son of George Johnson and Gazzie Kiser Johnson. He was raised in Morganton, N.C., where he also attended school. As a typical southern boy he spent his teenage years getting into “trouble” with his buddies Carl and Jerry on the outer banks.
In the spring of 1975 he met his soulmate Ann Dobson. He made her his wife on July 3, 1976. During the course of their marriage they were blessed with three gifts of life, Llia, Mandy and Steve who gave him his passion in life.
Mr. Johnson provided for his family by working many jobs. He was a trucker, cashier, maintenance man and also worked in the textile industry.
Always on the move, the family had lived in not only North Carolina but also Germany, Canada and New York. It was not until 1989 that the family vehicle broke down in Miles City and it became home.
During his time in Miles City, Mr. Johnson enjoyed many MANY adventures with family and friends. Whether it was storm chasing out in the boonies or cutting donuts in the old Buttrey’s parking lot with Riggs the man knew how to show his friends and family a good time and keep them on their toes. It was in 1992 that he injured his back and became disabled.
During the next few years many changes happened. He needed to find other ways to have adventures. He loved fishing with Rich, searching for “Old Dodges” with Rex, and “shooting the breeze” with Dale and Larry.
In 1998, the family moved to Rosebud. It was there that he left his mark. He LOVED Rosebud. Some of his favorite things to do were to host “Nitro Parties” (Professional Wrestling for those who don’t know), take the “kids” bowling (this meant every kid in town), and to go to the Wrangler basketball games. He treated most of these “kids” like they were his own. If one of them needed something then he would try his best to help in whatever way he could.
He enjoyed many nights talking to “Anderson, ” Willy, Luke, Joanie, Sheena, Bebbis, and all the other kids that would come over. He loved learning from the Foreign Exchange Students and many became his foreign children. One of the best times he had was camping. Whether it was Fort Peck, Cooney, Decker or Yellowtail, he would take as many of the kids as possible. Showing the foreign kids the hillbilly way of camping was one of the many adventures he also loved and Suzy, Sara and Craig still remember.
Later in life he was blessed with his first grandchildren, Dahlia and Nico. He spared no expense to make sure that they had everything they wanted. They showed him how it was to be a kid again. He would constantly tease Nico and Dahlia about what was for supper … it was always possum or Taco John’s, which never went over well. They would always tease and go on with another. The one thing that they always teased about was him shaving his hair. He enjoyed buying the wigs during Halloween and dressing up with them to make them laugh. He held each of them when they were babies and would constantly fall asleep with them in his chair or on the bed.
Mr. Johnson was a dog lover. Bandit was HIS dog for almost 17 years and died on April 25, 2011. No dog could have ever have taken Bandit’s place, but Mr. Johnson found another companion in his Jack Russell “Terror, ” Vegas. His family, friends and dogs were a constant source of joy in his life, and he rarely ever wore a frown.
His survivors include his wife, Ann Johnson; his children, Llia (Jeremy) Hawkins of Miles City, Mandy Johnson (Josh Schneider) of Covington, Ga., and Steve Johnson of the United States Navy in Bremerton, Wash.; grandchildren: Dahlia and Nico Willis of Forsyth; mother, Gazzie Johnson of Morganton, N.C.; half-brother, Wayne Kiser (Andrea) of Morganton; his faithful companion, Vegas; many friends and adopted family: Harms, Felice, Hahne, Mogen, Anderson, Morrison, Beyle, Frost, Hanson, Silvers, Rudolph, Riggs, Knutson; and of course his foreign families: Sasse, Kofoed, Marinho and McFadyen.
He was preceded in death by his father, George; and beloved companion, Bandit.
Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery.
Reuben William Entzel
Reuben William Entzel, 79, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home.
Committal Service will be Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. at the Custer County cemetery.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Hill McCuistion
Mary Hill McCuistion died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula of natural causes.
She was born Feb. 26, 1934, at Lee to Mary Parkins Hill and William Hill. She attended school in Colstrip, graduating in 1953.
She and Perry McCuistion were married
in December 1951. A daughter, Katherine Marie, was born June 23, 1953, in Forsyth while Mr. McCuistion was stationed at Murdo Air Station in Anartica. The couple later divorced.
Over the years, she worked as a waitress and a nurses aide.
Her survivors include her daughter, Kathy; a grandson, Kris; her brother, Joe Curran; three sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Randy Coates; and her brothers, Bud Curran, Jim Curran and W.T. Hill.
Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.
Wilbur L. Larson
Funeral services for Wilbur L. Larson, 81, were Monday morning, Feb. 20, 2012, at the First Lutheran Church in Circle, with Pastor Neva Rathbun officiating. Burial followed in the Brockway cemetery at Brockway. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Larson died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at McCone County Health Center in Circle.
He was born on the family farm, the youngest child of Nyites S. and Sophie Eissinger Larson on Oct. 20, 1930. Mr. Larson attended grade school at country school and later in Brockway and graduated from Circle High School in 1949. After attending Montana State University in Bozeman and the University of Montana in Missoula for a brief time, he enlisted in the Air Force. After being honorably discharged, he returned home and married
his high school sweetheart, Agnes McCloy, on May 21, 1954, at First Lutheran Church in Circle. They started their life together on the family farm, and maintained that lifestyle throughout the rest of his life.
He enjoyed all things automotive, and was able to restore a ’41 Plymouth (like his dad had), and a ’57 Studebaker pickup. He was always able to fix just about anything, and took pride in maintaining a neat farm, with his shop just so, and having the kids vacuum the shed floors, “just in case they were bored.”
In later years, he and his brother-in-law, Elmo McCloy, spent many a Sunday afternoon shooting pool, each trying to out-do the other, and invariably ending in a tie. He also enjoyed several trips traveling throughout the United States, culminating with an Alaskan Cruise and a two-week tour of Europe in ’07.
He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 58 years, “Aggie Mae;” his son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Lynae Larson of Brockway; his daughter and son-in-law, Lesley and Kevin Bentz of Bismarck, N.D.; his seven granddaughters, who were the apples of his eye, Jenessa and Tristen Bentz, Lynae’s daughters, Alexis, Paige and Brooke, and Mallory and Hailey Larson; and his brothers, Leo and Herbert (Helen).
He was preceded in death by his sister, Helen; a niece and a nephew; his parents; his in-laws; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
Glenda Marie Rebhahn Muller
Glenda Marie Rebhahn Muller of Billings, former Miles City resident, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.
She was born to George and Frieda Rebhahn on June 11, 1935, at the Harlowton Hospital. At a very early age, her family moved to Kinsey. She went to school in Custer County.
She and Otto “Bud” Muller met in Miles City in 1952. They were married
at St. James Catholic Church in LaCrosse, Wis., on Feb. 14, 1953. While in Wisconsin, she worked at a garment factory and Woolworths.
Mr. and Mrs. Muller moved back to Miles City after one year and she worked at Miles & Ulmer Hardware.
After moving to Billings, Mrs. Muller worked at Eddy’s Bakery and later at Dandy Donuts until she retired.
She was creative and loved to paint on canvas, wood, rocks and clothing. She grew beautiful flowers, had a wonderful vegetable garden and was an excellent cook. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery and was a talented seamstress sewing quilts that many will treasure forever.
Her survivors include her husband, Bud; children, Steve (Tina) and Teri (David); grandchildren, Holly (Blake) Wells, Heidi, Harmony and Hailey Muller; her beloved great-granddaughter, Addison Wells; her brother, Arnold (Lianna) Rebhahn; her sister, Sharon (Orville) Hope; brothers-in-law, Ray (Nancy), Bob (Betty) and Dick (Evelyn) Muller; and sisters-in-law, Vi DeBettigines and Muriel Muller; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Also surviving her are her neighbor and friends, Mary Beth Dahlin, Caryl Dahlin-Martzolf and Harvey and Lorinda Fields; Dr. Christianson, Dr. Brost and the staff at Frontier Cancer Center, and RiverStone Hospice.
Memorial services will be Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Smith Downtown Funeral Chapel in Billings.
Howard Andrew "Andy" Strom
Howard Andrew “Andy” Strom, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, in Oceanside, Calif.
Mr. Strom was born in Glendive on June 8, 1952, the son of John Henry and Donna Marie Strom.
Following his graduation from Sacred Heart High School in Miles City in 1971, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served 22 years of active duty before retiring in 1993. He held career positions of Finance, Inventory Control and Material Management. For half of his career, Mr. Strom was selected for special duty as a Systems Analyst. While attached to this elite group, he was tasked with analyzing and reporting about the effectiveness and efficiency of Marine Corps units worldwide.
During his tenure in the USMC he received numerous meritorious commendations. He was recognized as “an outstanding individual, mature beyond his years and experience” whose outstanding performance and untiring devotion to duty were in the highest tradition of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Mr. Strom met Meiyeh Chou while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and they were married
July 25, 1979. They were blessed with a beloved daughter, Eifeh Maria Strom, on Feb. 9, 1986.
Mr. Strom and his family have been residing in Oceanside, Calif., since 1989.
After retiring from the military in August 1993, he embarked on a new project as a researcher on World War II history and technology, which he had worked on for the past 17 years. Mr. Strom, also known as Dru, had gained recognition for his work and accomplishments as an international author and lecturer about this subject, to include a multitude of television, radio and print media.
His survivors include his wife, Mei of Oceanside; his daughter, Eifeh; his mother, Donna Marie Strom of Miles City; five sisters, Mary Kay (Bill) Jackson of Billings, Jean (Randy) King and Donna (Dennis) Petroff, both of Miles City and Lyla (Tom) Blazer and Lisa Strom of Mandan, N.D.; a brother, John (Inge) Strom of Hudson, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Henry Strom.
A celebration of Mr. Strom’s life was held on Tuesday morning, Feb. 7, 2012, in the Eternal Hills Memorial Chapel in Oceanside. A graveside burial followed.
A memorial for Mr. Strom will be Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1579 Hall in Miles City.
