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Pauline Schlepp Hofer Riggs
Pauline Schlepp Hofer Riggs, 90, of Miles City died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
She was born on Nov. 13, 1918, in Elgin, N.D., the daughter of John and Elizabeth Finkbeiner Leitholt. She moved to Montana in 1923 where she attended country school at Crow Rock.
Following school, she helped her parents on the family ranch until her marriage to Jake Schlepp on Aug. 22, 1936, in Jordan. To this union, three children were born, Florence, Gerald and Diana. They lived at Purewater, 38 miles east of Jordan, where they farmed and ranched until 1972 when they sold the farm and moved to Miles City where they retired.
Mr. Schlepp died July 18, 1983.
On Sept. 22, 1989, she and Emil Hofer where married
. Mr. Hofer died in May of 1990.
She later married
Leonard Riggs on April 10, 1992. Together they had 15 wonderful years. Mr. Riggs on July 3, 2007.
Mrs. Riggs was a faithful member of the First Lutheran Church and active in the Drop-in Center. She enjoyed dancing, quilting, gardening and most of all, spending time with her family.
Her survivors include a son: Gerald (Bobbi) Schlepp of Miles City; two daughters: Florence Lodwig and Diana Davis, both of Miles City; two step-sons: Gary (Kiko) Riggs of Kent, Wash., and Vic (Beth) Riggs of Miles City; a step-daughter, Gaye (J.D.) Vezey of Billings; a sister, Elsie Zawada of Missoula; 12 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her three husbands, four brothers, two sisters, a son-in-law and a great-granddaughter.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery in Miles City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church or to the charity of one’s choice.
Margo E. Viall
Margo E. Viall, 57, (Schmidt-Hines) has left us all and poorer we are for it. She has gone to visit those she knew awaited her arrival, and she now watches and waits for us. Never complaining, always bravely cheerful, truly loving.
Parent of Robbie, Kirk and Cassie Hines, mother of Keenan, Aria, Brandon Viall and any other child in need of understanding or a hug. Grandmother to all their lovely children, every one. Caring daughter of Ted and Diane Schmidt. Sister of Dawn and Brian. Friend to many. Care giver and friend to the aged. Lover, love, friend, partner and so much more to her husband Jim.
Her battle with cancer ended on a sunny afternoon abruptly and peacefully in her home attended by her very caring friend and sister-in-law Paula Wargo (Viall).
In Lieu of flowers she wanted people to donate to a children’s fund. Please do.
An open house will be held Saturday, afternoon Jan 31, at her 721 Garfield st., Mt Vernon home. Friends are welcome anytime of course. Please call first if other than Saturday. A memorial service will be held on Upper Sweeney creek, Florence, Mt., the weekend of Feb 7th. Details to be established.
Agnes "Betty" Dalakow
Agnes “Betty” Dalakow, 82, peacefully died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at her home in Miles City with her family at her side.
She was born on Dec. 21, 1926, in Broadus. She was the ninth of 11 children born to John and Helen Bultmeyer Rogge. She attended school in Broadus, graduating from high school in 1942.
After high school, she went to Seattle and worked as a secretary during World War II. She returned to Broadus and was united in marriage to Johnny George Dalakow on Nov. 17, 1946. They moved to Miles City where they raised their family. During this time she worked as a grocery checker and served cocktails at several Miles City night clubs.
In 1976, Mr. and Mrs. Dalakow opened their flooring business, Dalakow’s Carpets.
Mrs. Dalakow enjoyed dancing with her husband, bowling, gardening, playing cards and dropping an occasional nickel in a slot machine. She and her husband always loved a good joke, attending rodeos and spending time with their grandchildren.
Her survivors include three daughters and one son, Gloria (Butch) Grenz of Miles City, Darlene Lala of Bozeman, Patty (Donnie) Herzog of Helena and Craig (Lorrie Pearce) Dalakow of Miles City; five grandchildren: Jonas Grenz of Bozeman, Johna Grenz of Miles City, Kimberely Aita of Fairfield, Calif., Brad Herzog of Anchorage, Alaska, and Brooke (Kerry) Herzog-McClay of Boise, Idaho; two great-grandchildren: Hannah and Benjamin Aita of Fairfield, Calif.; one brother, Joy (Linda) Rogge of Broadus; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Johnny in 1997; three sisters, Meta Arnold and two infant sisters, Helen and Ruthie; and six brothers, Herman, Adolph John, Otto, Andy and Paul.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the United Christian Church, 1006 S. Strevell Ave. on the corner of Tompy and Strevell in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary.
Mary Lee Colvin Martell
Mary Lee Colvin Martell, 84, of Billings, formerly of Miles City, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, following her battle with C.O.P.D. and heart troubles, surrounded by all of her loved ones at her home.
She was born in Murdo, S.D., on March 24, 1924, to Harry and Gladys Colvin. Mrs. Martell was raised on the Rosebud Reservation as well as in Mission, S.D. When she was 11 years old, the family moved to Miles City where they made their home for several years. She attended school through the eighth grade when she then stayed home to care for her younger siblings.
When she was 16 years of age, she met the love of her life and together faced many obstacles and through it all their love endured and grew strong. At that time, Daniel Martell Sr. and Mary Colvin eloped to Sidney where, hand-in-hand, side-by-side they married
on Aug. 6, 1941. They moved to Fort Peck reservation where she lived until 1986 when she moved to Miles City. In 2006, she moved to Billings to be closer to her daughter and family.
During her lifetime, Mrs. Martell loved and cared for a great deal of things. Her passion was her children. She loved listening to country music, reading books, collecting dolls and ceramics, crocheting, knitting, puzzles and spending quality time with all of her loved ones. She also liked to cook and bake. She loved her children with her whole heart and life. She raised them the best she knew how. The role of “Mom” and “Mommy” was taken seriously and she loved and accepted her children unconditionally.
Mrs. Martell believed in the Catholic ways of life. She made many friends throughout her life. Her friendly and warm smile and beautiful, gentle soul will never be forgotten.
Her survivors include her 10 children, Margaret (Victor) Fasthorse, James (Cassandra) Martell and Connie (Cordell) Blackeagle, all in Billings, Sharon (Bill) Hawk, Patti Silk and Sandra (John) Dolajak, all in Miles City, Daniel Jr. (Sue) Martell in Genera, N.D., Donald Martell in Deer Lodge, Willie (Doreen) Martell in Poplar and Dennis (Joyce) Martell of Wolf Point.
Survivors also include 150+ grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a special niece, Pee Wee L. Martell of Blair. Her survivors also include sisters, Rose (Bill) Janes in Arkansas and Nancy Covin.
Mrs. Martell was preceded in death by Daniel Martell, S.R., daughters; Daniel Mary and Olga Martell, David Martell, her mother and father, three brothers, two sisters, mother-in-law and father-in-law, son-in-law; Frederick Silk S.R. also granddaughters and grandsons, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, in the Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A funeral service will be Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. A memorial service and interment next to her beloved Daniel will take place at a later date in Fort Kipp.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Mary Victoria Taggart
M. Victoria Taggart, 98, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009. A former resident of Miles City for 40 years, her life ended at Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids, Minn.
She was born to homesteaders, Jackson Gray and Anna Nourmale Hahmann Stuart in Marmarth, N.D., on July 24, 1910. She graduated from Marmarth High School and attended Spearfish Teachers College.
In 1930, she married
Alfred Brakke and continued to live in the Black Hills for 16 years. They had two children, Nelsa Ann and Grayson Lee. She worked in the family grocery store and in retail clothing sales.
In 1946 she accepted a position with Montgomery Wards in Miles City. She and Harry Herndon Taggart were married
in 1947. Two daughters, Mary Melita and Elna Miriam were born of this union.
Mr. and Mrs. Taggart had a blended family including his children, Roberta and Gene.
Mrs. Taggart’s career in retail sales continued at Vaughn Ragsdale where she managed the woman’s apparel and yard goods departments. A member of the Assembly of God Church, she was active in the Women’s Missionary Council and taught Sunday School. She welcomed neighborhood children into her home for weekly Child Evangelism Bible Clubs. Mrs. Taggart assisted in organizing a Bible Club summer camp held in the Pine Hills. Reaching out to people of other faiths, she and her husband were active in a charismatic Bible study and prayer group.
Mrs. Taggart cared for her mother for many years, being a role model for her daughters. She made many lifetime friends who enriched the fabric of her life.
After her husband’s death she moved to Eugene, Ore., to be near her daughter, Melita Green. Mrs. Taggart lived in Oregon for 20 years where she continued making friends and enjoying life. She joined the Sunshine Singers, a seniors choir that presented theme concerts in area care facilities. She faithfully attended the YaPoAh Terrace chapel. Mrs. Taggart enjoyed traveling to the Oregon Coast and Central Oregon.
In 2006, she moved to Minnesota to be near her daughter, Elna Tims. She enjoyed being included in family activities. Pets were joyous companions throughout her life.
Wherever Mrs. Taggart lived, her essence was family-oriented. She cherished her children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always expressed concern for individual family members and was an unceasing prayer warrior. She faithfully corresponded with family and friends far and near. Hospitality and generosity were character qualities, which drew people to her. Hot tea and good food were always ready. She always had a flair for style and color. Inner beauty was evident in her positive outlook and on her face. Gratefulness was a regular part of her daily rapport.
Her survivors include her son, Grayson (Carol) Brakke of Big Timber; daughters, Melita (Richard) Green of Eugene, Ore., Elna (Alan) Tims of St. Cloud, Minn.; step-daughter, Roberta (David) Barger of Denver, Colo.; step-son, Gene (Beverly) Taggart of Polson; 15 grandchildren, Pat (Steve) Arant, Karen (Steve) Gordon, Lee Brakke, Kyriaki and Philip Green, Rachel (Josh) Haake, Peter, Melody, and Andrea Tims, Larry (Mary Lou) Barger, Twila (Doug) Randolph, Sybil (Tim) Peterson, Mitch (Julia) Taggart, Tim (Jodi) Taggart, Deone Benninghoven; 22 great-grandchildren, Shelby, Sidney, and Danny Arant, Wesley Tims, Liam Haake, Simon, Shalom and Selah Barger, Shawn and Brett Randolph, Andy, Nick, and Tyler Peterson, Sheree (Shawn) Daniel, Brittany, Megan, Ben Taggart, Bridgette (Paul) Huber, Roman Benninghoven; five great-great-grandchildren, Abigail Peterson, Emmy Kate Peterson, Aundrea and Trinity Huber, Anna Barger.
She was preceded in death by her father, Gray; mother, Anna; husbands, Alfred and Harry; daughter, Nelsa; and daughter-in-law, Sally Taggart.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A funeral service will be Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home..Internment will follow in the Custer County cemetery.
A reception will follow the graveside ceremony at the Assembly of God Church in Miles City. Friends of the family are welcome.
Key Fechser
Key Fechser of Las Vegas, Nev., grandson of Benny Binion, former Jordan area resident, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, in Santa Fe, N.M.
Funeral arrangements are pending in Las Vegas, Nev.
Elizabeth Ottoy Feeley
On January 2, 2009 Elizabeth (Betty) Ottoy Feeley, beloved wife, mother, and “the best grandma ever” passed away peacefully at her home with family present.
Betty was born in 1920 in Howard, Custer County, eastern Montana where her parents had settled after immigrating from Belgium. Later the family moved to their farm outside of Miles City, Montana. She attended Kircher Elementary, a one room schoolhouse in Howard. While attending high school in Miles City, she met her future husband, Robert H. After acquiring her nursing degree, she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corp and proudly served her country as a 1st Lieutenant in the 104th Evacuation Hospital, 3rd Army, from April 1943 to January 1946 in France.
Robert H. and Betty were married
in 1947 and settled in San Diego where they raised three children. Swimming, surfing, sailing and picnicking were frequent family activities. She deeply loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed life and was happiest when her home was full of children.
She enjoyed watching sunset, birds in the backyard and the beauty of her plumeria and orchids. She loved to cook and bake, it was impossible to visit without eating her homemade cookies.
Proceeded in death by her husband Robert, family members; Rene, Suzanne, Gordon, Jane, Skee, Georgia, Ron.
She is survived by her brother Albert Ottoy of Miles City, children, Kate, Jeannie (Dan), Jim (Sue), grandchildren CK, Jay (Lynn), Matthew and great grandchildren Bradley, Mikayla and Justin.
A Memorial Mass was held in San Diego.
Joseph Anthony Jonutis Jr.
Joseph Anthony Jonutis Jr. died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
He was born in a log house, built by his father, near Knowlton to Joseph and Stella Jonutis on Oct., 22, 1919. He was the oldest of four children.
Mr. Jonutis graduated from Custer County High School in 1940. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in March 1942 and served as a World War II crew chief on B-25 bomber aircraft in North Africa and Italy until his Honorable Discharge in November 1945.
He attended Miles Community College and then enrolled at the University of Montana-Missoula, graduating with an accounting degree in 1949. He loved his Montana Grizzlys.
Mr. Jonutis and Betty Mae Dobson were married
in Miles City in 1962 and with this union he inherited three young daughters, Tereasa (Terry) Taylor, Carol (Thomas) Baer and Regina (Thomas) Zeilstra.
He was very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Miles City. Mr. Jonutis worked for Montgomery Wards for many years, then worked for the Custer County Road Department before retiring.
In 1989, due to illness, Mr. Jonutis and his wife moved to Billings to be closer to their daughters. Mr. Jonutis volunteered for 19 years at St. Vincent Healthcare where he was loved by many people.
Mrs. Jonutis was the love of his life; and when she died on June 8, 2005, he remained living at Prairie Towers with his beloved dog Daisey. Daisey died in the spring of 2008 and Joe missed her very much.
Mr. Jonutis loved the Billings Mustangs, and is honored with a brick with his name for eternity at the new Dehler Park. He loved his daughters very much and appreciated having them in his life.
His survivors include his siblings: Edward (Ann) Jonutis of Glendive and Charles J. Jonutis of Miles City; a sister: Lillian Jonutis of Miles City; daughters: Tereasa (Terry) Taylor of Colstrip, Carol (Thomas) Baer of Billings and Regina (Thomas) Zeilstra of Billings; grandchildren: Peggy (Mike) Barnes of Billings, Lyndsey (John) Dudley of Colstrip, Thomas (Georgi) Baer of Colstrip, Travis (Jen) Zeilstra of Billings and Jessica (Kurt) Kaufman of Arvada, Colo.; great-grandchildren: Sari, Ericka, Hannah, Owen and Echo Barnes, Ashely, Alexis and McKenna Dudley, JT and Abigail Baer, Elizabeth and Evan Zeilstra, and Claire and Kyla Kaufman; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; granddaughter, Darci Rae Zeilstra; and many aunts and uncles.
A Vigil Service will be Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery with full military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1579.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society.
Robert M. Beckman
Robert Morris Beckman passed away Saturday, January 10th, in Parker, AZ.
He was born the youngest of nine children on January 5th, 1935, in Baker, MT to Alick and Mabel Beckman. He moved to Kinsey, MT as a young child and graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City, MT in 1953.
He married
Wilma Pope (of Miles City) in June 1958 and had one child (Eric) together.
He spent his career in the Soil Conservation Service working in many Montana area offices before moving to Bozeman in 1986 and retiring in 1994.
Along the way he took two breaks to work with the US AID organization in Swaziland, Africa. While there he worked as a Civil Engineer helping to design and implement irrigation and community water systems.
Survivors include his wife Wilma, his son Eric, his sister Betty (Ben) Hansen of Miles City, his sister-in-law Emma Beckman of Miles City, his brother Wayne (Charlotte) Beckman of Tacoma, WA, his sister-in-law Maxine Beckman of Tacoma, his sister-in-law Barbara (Butch) Armstrong of Kalispell, MT, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial was held in Quartzsite, AZ where he spent his winters enjoying the weather, playing his accordion and relaxing with friends.
George Parsons
George Parsons, 77, of Miles City died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at his home in Miles City.
Mr. Parsons was born in Bozeman on June 1, 1931, the son of Henry and Minnie Adams Parsons. He attended grade school and high school in Bozeman. Following his schooling, he enlisted in the United States Army in which he served during the Korean Conflict.
Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Montana where he drove truck for several companies in Western Montana, finally moving to Miles City. He then went to work for Prince Inc. where he worked for 33 years.
He and Rosella Chandler were married
on Dec. 12, 1958, in Tacoma, Wash.
Mr. Parsons loved to drive his truck, bowl, hunt, watch football especially the Broncos, play horseshoes and most of all spend time with his family. He also enjoyed taking photos of everything and everyone and traveling around the country. He was a member of the Miles City Bowling Association, Veyerans of Foreign Wars and Eagles.
His survivors include his wife, Rosella Parsons of Miles City; five daughters: Ginger Bennett of Prescott, Ariz., and Shelly (Robert) Dyba, Vickie (Gary) Chamberlain, Robin (Tim) Neiffer and Lisa Jo Parsons, all of Miles City; three brothers: Dave (Barbara) Parsons of Belgrade, Dick Parsons of Kalispell and Johnny (Dixie) Parsons of Belgrade; a sister, Mae (Marvin) Donhue of Belgrade; 15 grandchildren: Otto (Melissa) Gierloff, Kelly (Holly) Parsons, Kellie Jones, Tabitha (BJ) Hager, Tiffany (Kyle) Pryor, Travis Chamberlin, Tristan (Derek) Hammermeister, Megan Dyba, Heather (Devon) Audis, Donny Bennett, Jeremy Bennett, Tabitha Bennett, Jessica Bennett, Chance Parsons and Michael Dyba; nine great-grandchildren: Hailey Gierloff, Kayla Jones, Brennan, Brodie, Brylee and Avi Hager, Brandi and Aurora Audis and McKayla Bennett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons: Danny and Bobby; a sister-in-law: Barbara Jean Slininger; three brothers: Clarence, Cliff and Paul; and a sister: Pauline.
The family will receive friends on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post 1579.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of one’s choice.
