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Elliott D. Swanson
Funeral services for Elliott D. Swanson, 61, of Detroit Lakes, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000, at West-Kjos Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes. The Rev. William F. William presided. Burial took place at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
West-Kjos Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elliott died Monday, Sept. 18, at MeritCare Medical Center in Fargo, N.D.
He was born Sept. 30, 1938, in Sidney to Francis and Malline (Rudd) Swanson. He grew up and attended school in various town in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. He graduated from high school in Makoti, N.D. He attended the University of North Dakota. He married Fredricka Steffan in 1961. He worked a s Banker in Fairview, Absarokee and Richey.
He married Anne Mollberg in 1976 in Glendive. He retired in 1989, and the couple moved to Detroit Lakes that same year.
Survivors include his wife, Anne; one son, Paul (Krista) Swanson of Mt. Pleassant, Iowa; three daughters
, Valarie (Vince) Hillman of Bozeman, Stephanie (Nick) Amsk of Livingston and Lisa (Todd) Bradfield of Fairfield, Iowa; nine grandchildren; and three brothers, Larry (Ann) Swanson of Beach, N.D., Bruce (Susan) Swanson of Plains and Lee (Noreen) Swanson of Boulder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife, Fredricka in 1993.
Edgar Prichard
Edgar Prichard, 80, Fairfax City, Virginia, formerly of Brockton, who helped guide the explosive growth of northern Virginia in the past half-century, died of cancer, Aug. 15, 2000 at his Fairfax home.
Prichard was born in Brockton and raised in Tulsa. He attended the University of Tulsa, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Virginia law school. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, of Fairfax City; three children, Dr. Nancy M. Foster of Richmond, Va., the Rev. Robert W. Prichard of Alexandria, Va., and the the Rev. Thomas M. Prichard of Ambridge, Pa.; a brother; and six grandchildren.
Larry Kuntz
Larry J. Kuntz, a lifetime resident of Great Falls, died on Nov. 3, 2002, at Benefis Hospital.
Larry was born to Martin and Virginia Kuntz on March 16, 1951, in Great Falls. He attended St. Thomas Elementary School, Central High School and Shattuck Military Academy, graduating in 1969.
In June, 1971, he married Theresa M. (Terry) Ruffatto at St. Matthew's Church in Sidney. Their family grew to include four children; Kelli: Marie (Kalispell), Steven James (Big Sky), Alison Ann (Missoula), and Kimberly Sue (Bozeman) and granddaughter, Emma Marie, the love of Larry's life.
Other survivors include his father, Martin, and his brother Bob, sister-in-law Debbie (Great Falls) and nieces Kira, Lara and Trina. Larry is also survived by the entire Ruffatto family and many friends who mourn his loss. His mother, Virginia Kuntz, preceded him in death.
Larry attended Montana State University and graduated with a degree in accounting from the College of Great Falls in 1974. Shortly after graduation, Larry, his brother Bob and their parents formed Show Corporation of Montana where he served as vice president until his death.
Larry was involved in activities at St. Joseph Church including Cursillo and group reunion, marriage preparation program, marriage encounter, adult education facilitator, cencle and various Bible studies over the years. He also served on the St. Joseph School Board and the parish council and was a participant on Promise Keepers. Larry was known for his generous heart, stabilizing influence and solid faith in Jesus Christ. He poured his energy and love into his church, his work and his family.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to their favorite charity. Larry's favorites included Poor Clares of Montana, Focus on the Family and Boy Scouts of America.
A vigil service was held Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and a funeral liturgy was Nov. 7, 2002, at 10 a.m. also at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Karl Langwald
Mass of the Christian Burial was held for Karl Langwald, 84, of Fairview, at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001 at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Fairview. Father Greg Staudinger and Father Ned Shinnick officiated. Musical selections were by Stormy and Kathy Vickers, accompanied by Janet Duda. Casketbearers were: Doug Schneider, Robert Schneider, Willie Schneider, Michael Schneider, Tim Langwald and Nathan Langwald. Honorary casketbearers were all of Karl's many friends and loved ones. Ushers were Lloyd Lester and Mike Weber. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
Karl Langwald was born April 23, 1917 to parents Karl Langwald and Martha Zysk Langwald in Gladbeck, Germany. Karl came to the United States with his parents on Feb. 14, 1925. The family settled in Fairview until 1929, when they moved to Dore, where they farmed. Karl attended school in Dore. He remained on the farm until he entered the United States Army in 1942. Karl earned his Asiatic Pacific Service Medal during WWII. He was discharged in March of 1946 and returned to Dore. Karl made his home on the farm. On Nov. 28, 1962, he was united in marriage to Maria Engeler in Fairview. They made their home on the farm. Karl retired from farming in 1982. His wife Maria died in 1991. On Aug. 5, 1995 he was united in marriage to Rose Gerhardt Nagle. They made their home on the farm until October of 2000, when they moved to East Fairview.
Karl enjoyed playing cards with his friends, fishing and singing. Karl also enjoyed his coin collection, but especially enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal and the Stock Market.
Karl died Wednesday evening, Dec. 19, 2001, at his home near Fairview.
Survivors include his wife, Rose Langwald of Fairview; a step-daughter, Carol Schneider of Miles City; three step-grandchildren, Douglas (Lisa) Schneider of Fairview, Robert Schneider and Jenny Schneider, both of Miles City; four great-grandchildren, Danielle, Brittany and Colton of Fairview and Casey of Miles City; brother, Bernhard Langwald of Fairview and sister, Elizabeth Weber of Fairview.
Karl was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Martha; first wife, Maria and sister, Martha Ludington.
John "Leonard" Quinnell
Funeral service for John "Leonard" Quinnell, 87, of Sidney were Tuesday, June 4, 2002 at the Faith Alliance Church in Sidney with Pastor Paul Turek officiating. Musical selections were provided by Deniece Schwab and Becky Schwartz. Casketbearers were Chuck Quinnell, Glenn Quinnell, Kenny McWhorter, Paul Larson, John Fullwider and Steve Quinnell. Honarary casketbearers were all of Leonard's many friends and neighbors. Ushers were Wallace Hall and Ray Blomquist. Interment with Military Honors was provided by the VFW Post #4099 of Sidney in Richland Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
John Leonard Quinnell was born on March 28, 1915 at Arnegard to Martin and Marie (Wilson) Quinnell. Leonard grew up on the family farm and attended school in Arnegard. In April 1942, Leonard enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He served with the 34th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in the European Theatre until November 1945. Leonard was united in marriage to Olive Kruger on June 2, 1948 in Williston. They made their home on Leonard's ranch at Squaw Gap. They continued to ranch in the Squaw Gap area until April 2001, when they moved to their current home in Sidney.
Leonard was a special deputy sheriff of McKenzie County for over 30 years. He was a member of the Faith Alliance Church in Sidney, McKenzie County Grazing Association, 50 years in the Saddle Club, lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7756 and a long time 4-H leader.
Leonard loved his family and enjoyed visiting with his many friends. He also loved the outdoors, ranching and especially a good horse ride.
John died Thursday, May 30, 2002 at the Sidney Health Center.
Surviving Leonard are his wife, Olive of Sidney; two sons, Pete (Bonnie) of Gillette, Wyo., Jack (Shalisha) of Sidney; five grandchildren, John, Tyrel and Tammie of Gillette, and Leah and Lane of Sheridan, Wyo.; sister, Verna (Jack) Bazer of Williston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.
Donald R. Propp
Donald R. Propp, 70, a retired test lab mechanic, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002, at the Azle hospital.
Donald R. Propp was born Jan. 19, 1932, in Worden, to Eva and Rudy Propp. He had been an Azle resident since 1975 and was a test lab mechanic for General Dynamics for more than 30 years before his retirement in 1997. He also owned Propp Productions, a gas and oil business.
He was a charter member of Hope Lutheran church and helped in the construction of the church facility. He was a veteran of the Korean War and was the recipient of a Purple Heart for his service.
Donald is survived by his wife, Shirley Ward Propp, Azle; children, Bill Propp and wife, Karen, Azle, Sandy Estes and husband, Doug, Saginaw, Lori Bearfield and husband Keith, of Weatherford and Stephanie Mata and husband Roger, Abeline; brother, Clarence Propp and wife, Mary, Billings, MT; grandchildren, Misty Bearfield, Andrea Estes, Megan Bearfield, Justin Propp, Becky Propp, Nathan Propp, Josh Mata and Jon Mata; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 11 am Tuesday at Hope Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Jaybird Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday at Biggers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hope Lutheran Church Building Fund, 4795 E. Highway 199, Springtown, TX 76082 or to the American Cancer Society, 3301 W. Freeway, Ft Worth, TX 76107
George W. Scherger
A Vigil service for George W. Scherger, 79, Glendive, was held Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Joseph Ponessa officiating. Rite of Committal with military honors was in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive was entrusted with arrangements.
George W. Scherger passed from this earth to a more peaceful place on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, surrounded by his family at his home in Glendive.
George was born on June 9, 1923, in Dickinson, N.D., the son of George and Antonia Georgina (Marchand) Scherger. He moved with his family to Livingston, Laurel, Billings and Glendive.
George graduated from Dawson County High School in Glendive with the class of 1941. He attended Dawson Community College in Glendive. George entered the U.S. Navy in December of 1942 and served during World War II. Following his discharge in 1946, George returned to Glendive where he married his high school sweetheart, Betty K. Macpherson, on June 8, 1946. George operated the "Beer Jug" for 44 years until he retired in 1991.
George was a member of the Glendive Elks Lodge #1324, Glendive Moose Lodge #949, Knights of Columbus, Cottonwood Country Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. George was one of the original organizers of Little League Baseball in Glendive.
George had a great love of the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, fishing and golfing. He treasured the time he spent with his family, friends and especially his grandchildren.
Survivors included his wife, Betty, Glendive; five sons, George Scherger and his wife Joanne, Missoula; Jon Scherger and his wife, Annie, Guernsey, Wyo., and their children Cristy Miller, Jon Paul Scherger, Billy and Katie Scherger; Dan Scherger and his wife, Suzanne, Albuquerque, N.M.; Tom Scherger and his wife, Maureen, Seattle, Wash., and their children, Patrick and Quentin Scherger; and Scott Scherger and his wife, Shelly, Phoenix, Ariz.; one daughter, Jill Moran and her husband, Doug, Bremerton, Wash., and their children, Nicholas and Tucker Moran; his sister, Clara Jane Heidinger and her husband Evert, Green Valley, Ariz.; and three great-grandchildren, Trevon, Kaylie and Alyssa.
Dad we love you and miss you, but we will see you again.
William Stefanishen
William Stefanishen was buried in a private ceremony at the Riverside Cemetery in Savage on Saturday, April 19, 2003. He was 82 years old when he died on Feb.13, 2002 in Seattle, Wash., from cancer.
Bill was born on Jan. 16, 1920, in Gorham, N.D., to Steve and Anna Stefanishen. The Stefanishen family moved to Savage in the 1930s. Bill completed his schooling in Savage.
During World War II, he moved to Seattle, Wash., where he worked for the Department of the Navy, as a machinist in the shipyards. After the war, he decided to stay in Seattle, where he worked as an accountant for Pacific Fruit and Vegetable.
In the early 1970s, he purchased and operated his own taxi cab, which he continued to operate until he retired in the mid 1980s.
He enjoyed working in his garden and taking care of the yard of the house that he lived in and owned since the 1960s. He also enjoyed collecting coins, driving and maintaining his cars and CB radios. He was known to his friends in Seattle as "Mr. Bill."
Bill was the last surviving member of the Stefanishen family who lived in Savage. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, three sisters, and one nephew.
Survivors include seven nephews and nieces, 11 great-nephews and nieces, 23 great- great-nephews and nieces and brother in-law Toby Reiner (formerly of Savage).
Ivan Russell Abell 'Coyote'
RED LODGE - Ivan Russell Abell "Coyote", 57, of Red Lodge, formerly of Hardin, died peacefully at home on Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, surrounded by his family. He had fought a long and difficult battle with cancer.
Ivan was born on Feb. 5, 1942 in Hardin, a son of Fred and Abbie Abell.
He was raised and educated in Hardin and graduated from Hardin High School in 1960.
On March 25, 1962, he married Phylis Flack. Ivan worked for his father at Abell's Plumbing & Heating in Hardin from 1961 until the early 1970's, when he purchased the business. In 1990 Ivan moved to Red Lodge, where he owned and operated Beartooth Plumbing until the past year when illness forced his retirement.
Ivan was a member of Beartooth Elks Lodge #534 of Red Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and creating things with his hands.
Survivors include two sons, Randy Abell of Red Lodge, and Roger (Rhonda) Abell of Belfry; one daughter, Julie (Bob) Lee of Red Lodge; eight grandchildren: Matt and Tycona Lee; Steven, Stephanie and Brandon Abell; and Alicia, Jake and Samantha Abell; his parents of Billings; two sisters, Verna (Leroy) Uffelman of Hardin, and Vera (Gary) Schaff of Billings; one brother, Dale (Sandi) Abell of Billings; special friend, Kathleen Nording of Red Lodge; and his dog and best friend, Buddy.
A memorial gathering will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Ivan's home, 333 E. Sixth St. in Red Lodge. Cremation has taken place, with the Olcott Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be given to the family for distribution to Cancer Treatment Center of America.
Colleen Conroy
HARDIN - On Sept. 23, 1999, after a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer, our Beloved was released from the bonds of this Earth. LuCille Colleen Conroy was born Sept. 17, 1934, to Bernard H. and Ethel Shively Barnes in Crow Agency. She was educated in St. Xavier, Crow Agency and graduated from Lodge Grass High School in 1952. There she was active as a cheerleader and majorette. Her talents were recognized when she won the Sheridan, Wyo., rodeo queen and also when she led the Billings Western Days Parade twirling her baton. She married Thomas R. Conroy in 1952 and the couple made their first home in Helena, then moved to Washington State and Billings, before settling in Judith Gap. There she settled into helping with the farm and raising her family, which soon grew to six children.
In 1966, Tom and Colleen bought her mother's ranch in the Pryor Mountains and Colleen spent many years packing groceries and kids back and forth from town. When her husband was elected to the State Legislature in 1974, she took on another role, that of being a supportive political wife. In Helena, she was an active member of the Legislative Wives. She soon assumed greater roles in the political arena by first becoming chairwoman of the Big Horn County Central Republican Committee and then becoming a statewide District Representative. She was active in the Hardin Area Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Economic Development Committee.
In 1994, Colleen was appointed by Gov. Marc Racicot to the Montana University System's Board of Regents. She was the first Native American to serve in this capacity and felt honored by this distinction. During her tenure on the board, the Regents successfully reorganized the structure and mission of higher education in the state.
Following her resignation due to illness, she was recognized by the Regents for her immense contribution to the Montana University System.
Above all, Colleen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She touched all who knew her with her ready wit, her hospitality and her genuine deep awareness. Colleen, by her example, taught the attributes of duty, responsibility and accountability. She was known as a very gracious woman who dearly loved and was loved by her many friends and family members.
Colleen was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hardin and a lifelong member of the A.R.E. She was also a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan of the Mountain Crows. She is survived by her husband, Tom; three brothers, Harlan (Betty Jo) Barnes of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Leroy (Betty) Barnes of Billings and Dean (Ruthie) Barnes of Hardin. She is also survived by her children: Harlan (Angie) Conroy of Hardin, Denise Spencer of Boulder, Colo., Tyke (Kelle) Conroy of Gillette, Wyo., Shelly (Willie) Ralston of Hardin, Lyndon (Sandi) Conroy of Colstrip and Molly (Jack) Joyce of Hardin; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a very large and loving extended family.
A Catholic Rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Sunday evening, Sept. 26, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, in the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Private interment will be held.
Colleen loved hats and often wore them to special occasions. Ladies, we invite you to wear yours, if you plan to attend.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Colleen Conroy Scholarship Fund in care of Scholarship Committee, Montana State University-Billings, 1500 N. 30th St., Billings, MT 59101-0298.
Elizabeth Besel
YAKIMA, Wash. - Elizabeth Besel, 89, of Yakima, died Tuesday at her home Sept 7, 1999.
Mrs. Besel was formerly of Hardin, Mont.
Survivors include seven sons, Leo Besel Jr. and Robert Besel, both of Billings, Bill Besel of Wapato, Conrad Besel of Toppenish, Jerry Besel, Henry Besel and Dennis Besel, all of Yakima; five daughters, Alice Hagerman of Zillah, Elizabeth Koch of Billings, Eleanor Clark of Toppenish, Betty Southards of Yakima and Marilyn Freeburg of Medford, Ore.; three brothers, Jake Yerger of Hardin, Conrad Yerger of Bozeman, Mont., and Victor Yerger of Forsyth, Mont.; and a sister, Emily Besel of Billings.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Chapel in Yakima. Concluding service and burial will be in the Zillah Cemetery in Zillah. Colonial Funeral Home, Toppenish, is in charge of arrangements.
