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Helen M. Virag
Helen M. Virag, 98, of Brandon, Fla., former Miles City resident, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2008, in Brandon. Her last remaining sister, Theresa Stack, died on Oct. 25, 2007. They had both resided at Hawthorne Assisted Living Facility in Brandon.
Helen was also preceded in death by her father and mother, Casper and Theresa Virag of Miles City, and 10 other brothers and sisters.
She was born in Dickinson, N.D., and moved with her family to Miles City. She attended Custer County High School and later attended Business School. She worked as a secretary in Jordan and Bozeman and eventually took a job with the government in the Soil Conservation Service.
She lived in Wisconsin, Michigan and Oregon and retired in Portland, Ore., after 38 years of service.
Helen attended St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Portland. She was the quintessential career woman, but she was always ready to stop everything to help a mother, brother, sister or friend. She was an avid golfer and she was involved in philanthropic endeavors at work and at home.
She loved Portland and had many friends there, especially David and Steve. She moved to Florida in 2003 to be close to her sister, Theresa Stack, and her niece, Patsy. Helen was a kind and loving person and made many new friends in Brandon. She will be greatly missed, especially by her nieces, Marilyn Roth and Patsy Stack, who loved her dearly.
There will be a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Calvary cemetery at noon.
John R. "Jack" Carr
John R. “Jack” Carr, 83, longtime resident of Miles City, died peacefully Monday, June 2, 2008, at the Billings Clinic in Billings, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Carr was born on July 21, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minn., the son of George A.J. and Gretchen Murphy Carr. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Custer County High School in 1942. He then attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., to study law.
He later enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a B17 ball turret gunner with the distinguished 100th Bomb Group, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Carr was stationed at Thorpe Abbotts, England, where he bravely completed 35 missions over Nazi occupied Europe including dropping provisions to the Polish Underground Resistance and the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland.
On Sept. 3, 1947, he married
his high school sweetheart, Margaret T. Leonard at Sacred Heart Church in Miles City. They made their home in Spokane, while Mr. Carr completed his law degree at Gonzaga University Law School. After his graduation in 1949, they moved to Butte and then Sidney before returning to Miles City where Mr. Carr practiced law with his wife’s father, P.F. Leonard, and brother-in-law, Dan Kelly. He was later joined by his nephew, Patrick Kelly, and later Kenneth Wilson, Dennis Corbin and Gary Bunke.
Mr. Carr was fortunate to practice law with his son, Jim, for the last 17 years. The best years of his life were spent enjoying time with his family. He was especially devoted to his wife, Margaret, as he cared for her during her extended illness. He remained active and young at heart through dancing with his beloved wife, socializing with his friends, playing golf and tennis with his children, and following the multitude of sporting and other events of his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Carr was known for countless random acts of kindness that he quietly and generously shared with numerous people throughout his life. He was known for his integrity, compassion, and his unending ability to forgive. This is the legacy Mr. Carr left to his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Carr was tremendously civic minded. He dutifully served the community with terms as County Attorney and City Attorney, and was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as a federal magistrate for Eastern Montana. He also served on the Sacred Heart School Board, Sacred Heart Parish Board, the Holy Rosary Hospital Board, the Eastern Montana Cancer Foundation Board, and was a fourth degree member in the Knights of Columbus. As he practiced law, he sought to resolve differences with a quiet voice and a boundless heart. He counseled many people with rare wisdom and civility.
His survivors include his five children: Mary Margaret (David) Friend, Cathy Tooke, Mike Carr and Jim Carr of Miles City, and Jackie Carr of Seattle, Wash.; as well his nine grandchildren: Michelle Friend, Dan (Nicole) Friend, Katie (Scott) Donnelly, and Jennifer (John) Goff, John Michael (Amy), Robert and Kevin Tooke, Lisa (Chris) Dantic and Ryan Minch; five great-grandchildren: Madison, McKenna, and McCormick Friend, Greta Tooke and Ellie Goff; a brother: Jim Carr of Miles City; a sister: Mary (Carr) Pusich of Douglas, Alaska; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Margaret; his daughter: Patty Jo (Jerry) Minch; his grandson: John David Friend; and his brother: George Carr.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 6, 2008, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City from 3 to 5 p.m. A Vigil Service will be Friday, June 6, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Calvary cemetery in Miles City with full military rites provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1579.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School, the Holy Rosary Healthcare Foundation, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Shirley May Beck
Shirley May Beck, 86, of American Falls, ID. passed away quietly in her sleep at her son’s Pocatello residence on Monday, June 2, 2008, following a lengthy illness.
She was born May 18, 1922 to Herbert and Ruth Spencer in Bucyrus, ND. She grew up on the family farm with her two brothers and two sisters.
She was known as a “miracle baby” when a 1922 cyclone destroyed the family home and infant Shirley was blown from her crib and carried 1/2 mile away where she was later found by searchers still wrapped in her blanket, sleeping.
After graduating from Bucyrus High School, she graduated from the North Dakota State Teacher’s College in Cooperstown, ND and taught for several years in Grenora, MT where she met a young, handsome Army private. She married
Sam Beck and began raising their three children in Miles City, MT where she was an active business partner with her entrepreneur husband in several businesses.
In 1966 her husband took a job with Peter Kiewit and Sons Construction Company and she moved from Miles City, MT to Gunnison, CO then to Libby, MT, finally settling in American Fall, ID. She retired from her position at the American Falls Library in 1987.
Throughout her life she was an active member of the Lutheran Church and served on numerous church and community committees at a time. She was an active member of Lutheran Church Choir and served as Treasure for the Power County Senior Citizens for several years.
Shirley loved being involved with her children and grandchildren and is famous for numerous treks across the country for ski races, dance recitals, baseball and football games, graduations, weddings, and anything else she was “required to go to.” She is a legion in her family for her Sweetish meatball and Christmas cookies and her incredible dedication to her family.
Shirley was a very talented softball and basketball player in her younger years. She enjoyed traveling to anywhere there was a family activity and in later years enjoyed picnics with her son in Yellowstone Park. “Shirls” or “Gramsey-Bamsey.” as her grandkids called her, loved going to senior citizens, playing bridge with her buddies, and the coffee social hour after church. She parted us being a die-hard Denver Bronco fan with a picture of John Elway by her side.
Shirley is preceded in death by her mother and father, husband Sam Beck, sister Lois Bovee and daughter Sydney Williams.
She is survived by a daughter, Sandra Kelley from Grand Junction, CO, a son Scott Beck from Pocatello, ID, three granddaughters Debbie McEntee, Sebrina Kelley and Danette Witzel, two grandsons Robbie Williams and Brad Williams all from CO. She is also survived by 7 rambunctious great-grandchildren, two brothers, Wallace Spencer and James Spencer, sister Jean Tollesfson, and her son-in-law, Bob Williams.
Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday June 6, 2008 at Davis-Rose Mortuary in American Falls. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday June 7, with a viewing one-hour prior to service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in American Falls. The Graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday June 10, 2008 at the Gunnison County cemetery under the direction of LeChot Funeral Home in Gunnison, Colorado.
The family would like to thank Creekside Home Health, specifically Magee Jeblonski, Tracy Merrill, and Rachel May for their wonderful and dedicated care of Shirley throughout the difficult several months. The family would also like to thank pastor Richard Sansgaard from St. John’s Lutheran Church for the comfort he provided Shirley with his weekly visits.
Sadell “Sauce” Epstein Levi
Sadell “Sauce” Epstein Levi died Sunday morning, Feb. 15, 2009, at the age of 92.
She was born in Miles City on Sept. 16, 1916, in her parent’s home. Her parents were Rose Katz Epstein and Harry Epstein who owned and operated Epstein’s a women’s clothing store on Main Street for many decades.
“Sauce, ” as her friends knew her, was a graduate of Custer County High School, attended Highland Manor Women’s College in Terrytown, New York, and Francis Shimer College in Mount Carol, Ill.
She was married
to Kurt D. Levi in Illinois, where they lived and raised their two children for more than 30 years. She returned to live in Miles City for more than 35 years, residing in her family’s home and more recently at the Friendship Villa.
Active with the Sage Riders, she was also a volunteer at the Custer County Art and Heritage Center. In addition she was an avid bridge player.
She was always happy and content, living in Miles City, and proud of her beloved hometown and state.
Her sister, Fay Epstein Kirchheimer, survives her. She resides with her family in Skokie, Ill. Her two children as well as their families also survive her. They are, her son, Paul David Levi, wife Sue E. Levi of Deerfield, Ill., and daughter Kathi Levi Bergen, husband Robert Bergen of Prescott, Ariz. Grandma Saucy is what her four grandchildren and their families lovingly called her. They are, Rachel Levi Davidson, husband Sean Davidson, Michael David Levi, wife Danielle Abramo Oliveira Levi, Matthew Aron Levi and Jared Daniel Levi. In addition she has four great-grandchildren, Derek Daniel Davidson, Brittany Rose Davidson, Brandon Lee Davidson as well as Gabriella Abramo Levi.
Internment will take place at B’NAI Israel cemetery in Butte.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, will be appreciated to the Miles City Public Library or the Custer County Art and Heritage Center.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Wilbur Thor “Bill” Bergerson
Wilbur Thor “Bill” Bergerson, 74, longtime Miles City businessman died Saturday evening, Feb. 14, 2009, at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City with his family at his side.
Mr. Bergerson was born Aug. 22, 1934, on the family homestead at Biddle, the son of Bror G. and Carrie Westman Bergerson. His first year of schooling he attended Bergerson country school at Biddle and moving to Helena with his family for a year. Then moving to Miles City where he graduated from Custer County High School in 1953.
He married
Marjorie Waite and to this union, three children were born. They later divorced.
Mr. Bergerson and Bonnie Yarger were married
on April 28, 1962, and to this union one child was born.
He started in construction with his father and brother. Together, they constructed Highland Park Congregational Church, which is now United Christian Church. n 1956, Mr. Bergerson started Bill’s Boat Shop, which later became Bill’s Marine and Cycle, which he and Bonnie owned and operated until 1994. During the years of operating Bill’s Marine and Cycle, Mr. Bergerson developed Bergerson Ranchettes, north of Miles City, which has now been subdivided into 46 homes, and Sunday Creek Airpark, a project of which he was very proud.
Despite Mr. Bergerson’s physically ailing health, nothing stopped him from accomplishing his passion for flying and mentored many young pilots. To this day he still owns two planes.
Mr. Bergerson enjoyed boating and this made him instrumental in developing Spotted Eagle Recreation Area. Not only did he enjoy boating, but also stock car racing and motorcycle riding. Mr. Bergerson was a very simple and humble man who took pride in helping others.
He was an active member of the United Christian Church, Montana Pilots Association, A.O.P.A., and was a member of league bowling for years. He helped the local sheriff’s office do search and rescue until the M.C. Search and Rescue was formed.
His survivors include his wife of 46 years, Bonnie, of Miles City; a son, Robert (Kay) Bergerson of Billings; three daughters: Cindy (Joe) Scott of Great Falls, Kathleen (Chris) Avouris of Spring Hill, Fla., and Rhonda (Mike) Webber of Miles City; sister, Geraldine (Keith) Wilson of Clatskanie, Ore.; a very special nephew, Gary (Dotti) Bartholomew of Des Plains, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Alma Bergerson of Billings; brothers-in-law, Chuck Scofield of Billings and Clifford Williams of Las Cruses, N.M.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bruce Bergerson; two sisters, Lorraine Scofield and Carolyn Williams; and a grandson, Todd Bergerson.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery in Miles City.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the United Christian Church or to the charity of one’s choice.
James G. Niles
James George Ewald “Mr. Jim” Niles, 82, of Miles City died Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at his home in Miles City.
Mr. Niles was born in Kimberly, Minn., on Dec. 24, 1926, the son of Charles A. and Esther Wesner Niles. He attended Trail Creek Country School and graduated from Custer County High School.
Following his schooling, he entered the United States Army in which he served until he was honorably discharged in 1956. Following his discharge, he returned to Miles City and worked for Miles City Electric until 1966, when he went to work as a Journeyman electrician in Lansing, Mich.
He later moved to Indiana, Pa., where he worked at nuclear power plants. In 1974, he returned to Miles City working at Miles City Electric and Anderson Electric and he later became the State Electrical Inspector. He was the state inspector until 1987, when he semi retired but continued working for A & A Electric.
Mr. Niles enjoyed tinkering. He could recite poetry and loved to talk about it. He wrote poetry throughout the years.
His survivors include his wife, Pansy Niles of Miles City; three sons: Mike (Yvonne) Niles of Billings, Sam Niles of Miles City and David (Michelle) Willson of Miles City; a daughter, Lorna Niles of Miles City; a brother, Chuck Niles of Wyoming; two sisters: Louise Donnelly and Phyllis Kempf, both of Miles City; 13 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty; and a son, Jimmy.
Graveside services will be Friday, Feb., 20, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Eastern Montana State Veterans 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 charity of one’s choice.
Parsha Kathleen Metzenberg
Parsha Kathleen Metzenberg, 43, a lifelong Vicksburg, Ms., resident, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg.
She was a member of the Bowmar Baptist Church.
Her survivors include her husband, Robert T. Metzenberg of Missoula, formerly of Miles City; one son, Robert Blakely Metzenberg of Vicksburg; two daughters, Jamie Nicole Metzenberg and Amanda Jean Metzenberg, both of Missoula; her mother, Mary Helen Henley of Vicksburg; and a sister, Ina Marie Kessler of Vicksburg.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joe B. Henley Jr.; and a brother, Joe Blakely Henley III.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg. Burial will be at a later date.
Sharine R. Bovee
Funeral services for Sharine R. Bovee, 66, of Miles City, were Monday afternoon, Feb. 16, 2009, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Interment followed in the Custer County cemetery.
She died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Miles City on Nov. 14, 1942, she was the daughter of Truman and Mary Williams Bovee Jr. She attended schools in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High School in 1961. She worked at F.W. Woolworth, the Eagle’s Manor, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks, the Hole-in-the-Wall, the 600 Cafe and Cottonwood Care Home.
She was a past president of the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed being with her family, watching the Denver Broncos play and attending Custer County High School football games. She was able to attend a Denver Broncos game with her family this past year. She was also an avid book reader and devoted John Wayne fan.
Her survivors include her mother, Mary Bovee of Miles City; her brothers, Richard (Marilene) Bovee of Spring Creek, Nev., Truman (Judy) Bovee of Columbus and William Bovee of Helena; her sisters, Mary Rose Bovee and Pam Bovee of Miles City; her uncle, Robert (Dorothy) Bovee of East Helena; her aunts, Ruby Annalora of Miles City, Joann Lelli of Washington and Sharon (Gary) LaVelle of Washington; her nephews, Josh (Erin) Bovee of Lees Summit, Mo., and Christopher Bovee of Helena; her nieces, Alisha (Ray) Belmontez of Shepherd and Elizabeth Bovee of Forsyth; her grandniece and grandnephews, Emily, Evan and Ryan Belmontez of Shepherd and Blake Wilson of Forsyth; and several cousins including four special ones, Terry (Myra) Annalora, Vicki Annalora and Lindy Annalora, all of Miles City, and Ginger (Joe) Weiss of Great Falls.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Truman and Rose Bovee and Richard and Nettie Williams; her father, Truman Bovee Jr.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sharine’s name to Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home.
Margaret Mary Schwab
Margaret Mary Schwab, 59, of Scottsbluff, Ariz., and formerly of Miles City, died Monday, February 9, 2009 at Regional West Medical Center.
Mrs. Schwab was born December 4, 1949 in Sheridan, Wyo., to Walter and Mary E. (Harrison) Brewer. She was raised on the family ranch in Powderville, Mont., where she attended a country school. She graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City, and then attended Miles Community College and the Agloma Community College. She and Michael Annalora were united in marriage June 12, 1967, and to this union they had a son, Matthew. She then married
Larry Schwab on February 19, 1982 in Scottsbluff, Ariz.
Mrs. Schwab worked in retail sales for a number of years. Realizing her life-long dream, she purchased The Bunny Shop in downtown Scottsbluff, operating it for a number of years. She enjoyed flying her own plane as a licensed pilot. She was an accomplished entertainer and hostess for family and friends. She also enjoyed making stained glass and other works of art for all the family to enjoy.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Schwab of Scottsbluff; her mother, Maribeth (Harrison) Rose of Sheridan, Wyo.; son Matthew (Karen) Annalora of Denver, Colo.; step-children Bradley (Melissa) Schwab of Springfield, Ill., Renee Schwab of Scottsbluff and Pamela Charron of Denver, Colo.; sisters Lynda Buchholz of Bozeman, Mont., and Miriam Brewer of Sheridan, Wyo.; brothers Thomas (Verna) Brewer of Broadus, Mont., and Walter Brewer of Miles City, Mont., and a sister-in-law Karen (Gary) Lisec of North Carolina; as well as nine grandchildren.
Mrs. Schwab was preceded in death by her father, Walter Brewer, Jr., and two brothers.
At her request, there will be no visitation or services, as cremation has taken place at the Jolliffe Funeral Home Crematory.
Angel Marie Frederick-Grazen
Angel Marie Frederick-Grazen passed peacefully in the arms of family on February 9, 2009 at Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, Mont. She came into the world and met the eyes of Jesus the same day.
Angel Marie was the daughter of Vanessa Frederick and Lee Grazen of Miles City. She is survived by a sister, Barbara Rose, of the family home, also, her maternal grandparents, Dale and Jill Frederick of Miles City, and maternal great-grandparents Orville and Kate Ronning.
Angel Marie was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Richard and Barbara Grazen.
A private family service will be held on Friday, February 13, 2009 at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, with burial to follow in Babyland at Custer County cemetery.
