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Wanda Rice
Wanda Rice of Emmett, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2004, in Boise, Idaho, at age 82.
Wanda LaPree England Rice was born Aug. 10, 1921, in Winter Quarters, Utah. Wandas family moved to Burley, Idaho, in 1928. In September 1939 Wanda moved to Boise and entered St. Lukes Hospital Nursing Training School. She graduated in 1942 and worked at St. Lukes Hospital as a registered nurse for 29 years.
She met Elmer Rice in 1940 on a blind date. They were married
Oct. 16, 1942, by cablegram while Elmer was in the Army stationed in India. It was the first ceremony of its kind ever conducted in Idaho. After Elmer returned from India, they lived in Boise and raised a family of four boys. They moved to Donnelly, Idaho, in 1978 and then to Emmett in 1997.
Wanda loved to fish, knit, e-mail her family and friends, tend to her garden and home, bake bread and cookies to share with everyone. She loved her dog Goldie. She dearly loved and was very proud of her four sons, Jim, Dave, Royal and Ron. Caring for her family and friends was always Wandas highest priority. She never missed a chance to brighten someones day with her smile, warmth and love for life. Wanda will be dearly missed by her family and many close friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; brother, Junior; mother Martha and father Albert.
She is survived by her four sons and daughter-in-laws, James W. and Martha Rice of West Jordan, Utah; David E. and Teodora S. Rice of Boise; Royal D. and Sue Rice of Helena and Ronald D. and Toni Rice of Tacoma, Wash.; sister, Deanna Werner of Salt Lake City, Utah; sister-in-laws Edith Lopez of Meridian, Virginia Scarborough of Boise; and 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces and friends.
The family requests memorials be made to Lifes Doors Hospice.
Viewing will be held Friday, Feb. 20, 2004, from 4 until 8 p.m. at Cloverdale Funeral Home in Boise. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004, at 10 a.m. at Cloverdale Funeral Home.
The Lord watches over all who love him. Psalms 145:20
John C. 'Jack' Harrison
John C. "Jack" Harrison passed away at home in Helena the morning of Feb. 18, 2004, after a courageous and determined battle with cancer.
Jack was born to Arthur and Susan (Pankratz) Harrison on Oct. 12, 1927, in Spokane, Wash. He grew up in Missoula - during the "best of times" - attending Catholic schools and running with a group of buddies whose friendships lasted for the rest of his life. Jack graduated early from Missoula County High School in December 1944 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy serving in Guam for the duration of World War II. Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy, Jack attended University of Montana in Missoula and played football for the Grizzlies from 1947 until graduation in 1951.
Jack married
Betty Hanson in Superior on May 30, 1956, and they created a happy and successful 47-year union. After initially residing in Spokane, Wash., Jack and Betty moved to Great Falls in 1958. Their two children, Brian (1959) and Leslie (1963) were both born in Great Falls. Jack worked for Phillips Petroleum Company until 1964. In 1964, Jack resigned from Phillips rather than accept a transfer to Chicago, Ill. In 1964, they relocated to Helena where Jack purchased and ran the Conoco Bulk Plant until 1974. Jack retired from the Workers Compensation Division of the Montana Department of Labor in 1996.
Jack loved life and was always ready with a joke or tale to share. Jack and Betty both loved to meet people and bring them into their ever growing circle of friends. Jack loved travel and history, dancing at the Elks Club with Betty, and supporting both the U of M Grizzly football program as well as both local high school football programs. Jack always saw the good in everything, living life as it came along and never finding a thing to complain about.
Jack is survived by his children Brian (Mary) Harrison of Billings and Leslie (Mike) Stably of Billings; and grandchildren Brittanie and Hanna Harrison and Blaise, Trevin, and Victoria Stahly; a brother Larry (Donene) Harrison of San Jose, Calif., a sister-in-law Gloria (Gene) Hodge as well as eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty and his parents, Art and Sue. He also lost his brother, Jimmy - one of the firefighters who perished in the infamous 1949 Mann Gulch Fire.
Sincere thanks to those many special friends who helped look after Dad before and after Moms death, including the staff at Hospice of St. Peters and St. Peters Hospital and Cancer Treatment Center. You were all truly angels as you supported him during this last season of his journey.
A vigil service will be Sunday, 7 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23, at St. Marys Catholic Church. Military Graveside services will occur at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Montana State Veterans cemetery, Fort Harrison, with Lewis and Clark Veteran Council conducting. Friends may begin to pay their respects Saturday at 2 p.m. until Sunday at 5 p.m. at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home.
Family prefers memorials to Hospice of Saint Peters Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or to the Intermountain Childrens Home, 500 South Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601.
Ruth Sasser
Ruth Sasser, beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend, died unexpectedly at her home, 28 S. Benton Ave., on Feb. 13, 2004.
Ruth Irene Sasser was born Sept. 30, 1956, on a U.S. Army base in Germany. She spent her childhood attending public schools in Texas and Massachusetts. While still in her teens, Ruth demonstrated her characteristic freedom of spirit and independence of mind by setting off to the United Kingdom to work with underprivileged children in the English town of Port Sea.
After returning to the U.S., Ruth chose nursing as her life's work, graduating from the Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing in 1977. Ruth was extremely proud to be the third of four generations of women in her family to dedicate their lives to the caring of others through nursing. Her compassion, humor and gentle touch made a difference in the lives of hundreds of patients in and around Bangor, Maine, where she practiced from 1977 to 1989.
In 1989, Ruth and her daughter, Sarah, moved west to Helena, where she continued her career in nursing. As a hospice nurse for St. Peters Hospital, she was a fierce advocate for patient's rights and the care of the terminally ill, putting her patients' care ahead of her own career. As a member of the "Hospice Six, " Ruth challenged medical establishment to provide essential care to her patients. After a protracted legal battle, in which much of the community rallied to her support, Ruth remained dedicated to patient and senior care, most recently as a RN case manager with the Area IV Agency on Aging, Rocky Mountain Development Council.
Her dedication to improving the lives of others was not limited to her professional life. Ruth was also very active in Helena's civic affairs, running for the legislature in 1998 as well as serving as a member of the Helena Citizens' Commission. Ruth tirelessly gave of her time volunteering in a variety of community and social justice projects.
Besides her dedication to health care and the community, Ruth was also engaged in a variety of interests and hobbies. She loved fixing up her Victorian home, gardening, cooking, reading and caring for her pets. Ruth delighted in living in the "Bentonia" section of Helena and the sense of community she shared with her many friends and neighbors.
Above all else, Ruth took deep pride in her role as a mother and a member of her circle of family and loved ones. Though sometimes separated by many miles, Ruth always remained firmly connected to and drew strength from the family that she held so dear.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Alice Sasser, as well as her nephew, Justin Sasser. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Sasser of Vancouver, Wash.; her sister, Katie Sasser, and her husband, Roger Buck, of Portland, Maine; her brother, Berney Sasser, and his wife Lucy, of North Grosvenor Dale, Conn.; her devoted friend, Tom Kimmell of Helena; four nieces and nephews, and friends too numerous to list.
It is impossible for us to fully express the qualities and gifts of this unique and generous person. Ruth's boundless compassion and caring smile invited the confidence and trust of all who knew her. She was beautiful. She was kind. She was funny. She was wise. Ruth touched so many lives and we will never forget her.
Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Ruth's name to: The Lewis & Clark County Humane Society, Growing Friends of Helena, or The Montana Progressive Labor Caucus. A memorial celebration of Ruth's life and good works will be announced. Retz Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.
William O. 'Bill' Roullier
William O. "Bill" Roullier, 72, passed away peacefully at St. Peters Hospital on Feb. 20, 2004, of complications related to advanced cadiopulmonary disease. Bill was born May 29, 1931, in Frenchtown to William R. and Marie (Bouffard) Roullier. Bill worked 40 years for US West until his retirement in 1990.
In 1953, he married
JoAnn Hope Trent in Anaconda. They were fortunate to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Oct. 24, 2004. Throughout Bills career, he and JoAnn lived in Anaconda, Missoula, Superior and Hamilton before settling in Helena in 1994 to be close to their grandson, Jonathan. He will be truly missed by those lives he touched in his career and his retirement.
Bill loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting trips with relatives, especially his three brothers, hiking, camping, golfing, water skiing and snowmobiling. He spent countless hours in the middle of the night watering a skating rink in the backyard for his children when living in Superior. While in Helena, he became good friends with the people he knew through pulmonary rehabilitation and enjoyed this healthy and social experience.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, William R. Roullier, and his mother, Marie A. Roullier.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his daughter, Jill (Mike) Lotter; grandsons, Jonathan and Michael Olson, all of Helena; his son, William T. "Rusty" (Penny) Roullier; grandsons, Zachary and William "Quincy" and a granddaughter, Amanda, from Reno, Nev.; sister, Annette Lowman of California; brothers, Richard (Middly) Roullier and Robert (Tracy) Roullier of Missoula, and brother, Gene Roullier of Elmo. Also surviving Bill are is special sister-in-law, Lois Holter of Great Falls; brother-in-law, Bob Trent of Billings, and very dear friends Chris Olson and Mary Gail Carmony, both of Helena. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004, at 11 a.m. at St. Pauls United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center of St. Peters or Hospice of St. Peters, 2475 Broadway, Helena MT 59601.
Barbara Amelsberg
Barbara (Bailey) Amelsberg, 67, passed away Feb. 23, 2004, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls. Barbara was born June 28, 1938, in Helena. She attended schools in Helena. She has lived in Great Falls for many years.
Barbara loved craft projects and enjoyed making things for her family and friends. She could always find a great bargain and never passed a garage sale without stopping.
Survivors include her four children, Jean Gibson of Lewistown, John and wife Chris Amelsberg of Great Falls, Clancy Amelsberg of Phoenix, and Jeff Amelsberg of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren, Travis and Jason Service, Arin, Adam, Lathan, Hailey, Madison and Ben Amelsberg; and one great-grandchild, Brett Service. Additional survivors are her mother, Bernadine Bailey of Helena; sisters, Bonnie White of Seattle and Lynn Johnson of Belgrade; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In accordance with her wishes she has been cremated. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at Resurrection cemetery in Helena. A reception will follow at the Helena Eagles Lodge, 801 N. Fee, from 3 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Retz Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Everett (Kind) Short
Sept, 6, 1928 - Feb. 6, 2004
Jackie passed away peacefully Feb. 6, 2004, at her home with family after a courageous struggle. She touched many people with all the love in her heart.
She loved to travel with family and friends telling many tales from her trips to the Redwoods and with her son, Steve, to Italy. Football was her favorite sport to watch, and she was a Seattle Seahawks season ticket holder for many years. Jackie went to see the Seahawks in the new stadium with a win for both, them and her. Her heart was open to many pets which came into her life. Outdoor gardening and reading were some of her passions.
Born Jacqueline Joy Everett in Saginaw, Mich., on Sept. 6, 1928, to Francis and Ralph Everett. Jackie attended schools in Kalispell, Missoula, Zanesville, Ohio, and in her junior year (1944) at Zanesville High School, Jackie was a cheerleader and set the pace for womens attire when wearing comfy slacks. In 1946 Jackie graduated from Helena High in Helena. She also graduated from the Western Union School of Telegraph, Santa Cruz, Calif., and was employed by the Montana State Highway Commission.
In 1952 Jackie married
her first husband, Floyd Kenneth Kind, moving first to Coos Bay, Ore., and then settling in Pasco, Wash. A devoted mother, she raised her son Steven R. Kind, born June 25, 1955, in Pasco, and later on Olympia, Wash.
In 1966, Jackie was appointed page superviser for the State of Washington, House of Representatives by former Governor, Daniel J. Evans. After her work with the Legislature, Jackie began a career in banking where she was a pioneer in the use of computers in the banking industry which took here to Seattle in 1969.
In 1971, Jackie married
her second husband, Robert R. "Bob" Short, a detective with the Seattle Police Department. With her marriage to Bob, Jackies family was increased in size by the addition of Bobs four sons Randy, Greg, Kurtis and Jeff. Along with Steve, Jackie raised Kurtis and Jeff in a home in West Seattle.
One of Jackie's greatest joys was the birth of her only grandson, Stefan, born in 1980. With her boys grown and the retirement of Bob from the Police Department 1990, Jackie moved to Sequim, Wash., and a few years later to Port Angeles, Wash., to enjoy the fruits of her and Bobs hard work.
Jackie and Bob spent summers in Port Angeles and winters in the Palm Springs area with many old friends from Montana and Seattle. After the passing of her husband Bob in 1997, Jackie moved to Sumner, Wash., to be closer to her sons and grandson Stefan. In 2002 she moved to a house in Puyallup, Wash., with her son and his wife, Charlene, where she passed away.
Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 3 p.m. in the Mountain View Garden Chapel, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. Lakewood, WA.
Robert Ralph 'Bob' Holmes
Robert Ralph "Bob" Holmes, age 86, of Helena, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004.
Bob was born in eastern Montana near Ismay (now called Joe), March 27, 1917, to Claude Thomas and Nina Belle (Wright) Holmes. At the age of 4, Bob traveled with his family by wagon through Montana into Washington state, then back to Montana, where they eventually settled at Woodworth. He grew up in the Seeley-Swan and Ovando Valley areas with his three older brothers Darrell, Cecil and Hank (Henry), two older sisters Nessie and Mame (Marion), and younger sister Doris. Bob spent some time wrangling dudes into the Bob Marshall for the Kessler family out of the Gordon Ranch near Holland Lake.
Bob volunteered for the service in 1941 with the Montana Guard, and served in the Army's 25th Division, 161st Infantry. He was among the first troops to arrive at Pearl Harbor after the Japanese attack. Bob served valiantly, fighting for his country and Montana through the South Pacific Islands until he was seriously wounded in 1945. Bob won the Silver Star for bravery and gallantry in action, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
Upon returning to the states he trained and worked as an electrician. Bob became a master electrician and served as a foreman for Allen Electric for many years. He wired dozens of major projects, including ICBM missile sites, Carroll College, the University of Montana Library, and the Miles City Veterans Center. Well respected in the field, Bob trained many young men in the trade. Bob was a longtime member of the IBEW.
Bob was a loving husband and father, a hard worker, who provided well for his family. Bob was man of integrity, respected by all who knew him. He was an old cowboy, and an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing.
Bob was preceded in death by his first wife and love of his life, Anna Mae, in 1981, after over 30 years of marriage; and by his second wife, Norma, in 1994; and by all siblings except his loving sister Doris.
Bob is survived by his stepdaughter Donna West of Atlanta; daughter Sharon Wilson of Billings; his sons, Robert S. of Helena, and Scott and wife Sarah of Lincoln, Neb.; former daughter-in-law Roberta Holmes of Helena; and former son-in-law Earl Zuelke of Helena. Bob has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today at Retz Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will follow at Forestvale cemetery. Memorials in Robert's name are suggested to St. Peter's Hospice, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601
Ruth A. Parenti
Ruth A. Parenti, 97, passed away Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004.
Ruth started teaching in rural schools in eastern Montana at age 18. She and her husband, Julius, owned and operated a general mercantile in Cohagen, Mont. Later they ran a dairy farm near Polson. She retired after teaching first and second grade for 15 years in Charlo. After retirement, she tutored children in reading skills and volunteered endless hours at St. Luke Community Nursing Home in Ronan. She worked many years of her life helping veteran organizations, veterans, and family.
Her daughter Julia Parenti Crane, her sister Pearl Brown, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and those who loved her survive her. Those who preceded her welcome her. No flowers please. Donate time to a child or friend.
Services and fellowship held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Neighborhood Assembly of God, 2475 Stuart. Friends may begin to pay their respects at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home today after 1 p.m.
J. Leo Miller
J. Leo Miller, age 73, died peacefully Dec. 30, 2003. He was born Oct. 12, 1930, in Helena to John and Mary Alice Miller.
He attended schools in Helena, graduating in 1949. He was a carpenter, working for Jim Reardon, L.P. Barney Construction and then Carroll College. He retired from Carroll College in 1995.
He married
Eleanor "Ellie" Johnson in 1958. They later divorced.
Leo enjoyed fishing, gardening, faceting stones, working with honey bees and helping family and friends with their carpentry projects.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents and his son/fishing partner, David.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law Teresa and Harold Cole and their children, Tony, Sam and Janae; daughter Sandy Miller; and daughter and son-in-law Rita and Curt Witham and their children, Peyton and Austin, all of Helena. He is also survived by his brother, Frank (Donna) Miller; sisters Rosemary Herrin, Pat Graber (Don), Carolyn Longmire (LeRoy) and Margaret (John) Miller.
Vigil service will be Friday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m. from Saint Marys Catholic Church. Mass of the Christian burial will be Saturday at 10 a.m., from St. Marys Catholic Church with interment services following at Resurrection cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to the St. Marys Building Fund, 1700 Missoula Ave., Helena, MT. Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home was entrusted with local arrangements.
Catch the big one dad! Love ya, your daughters.
Constance J. 'Connie' Anderson
Constance J. "Connie" Anderson, age 58, died Feb. 14, 2004, at her home in Missoula.
She was born Dec. 8, 1945, in San Diego.
Connie was preceded in death by her son Ebon Levelle in January 2004.
Survivors include her mother, Lou Waterman of East Helena; father, Norm Waterman, and his wife, Connie, of Helena, and their daughters, Jeri and Cathy; son Rhys Anderson, his wife, Kylie, and their children, Damon, Levi and Dante, all of Missoula; brother Kelly Olson of East Missoula; brother Mick Waterman and his wife, Kathy Connors, of Helena and their children, Kelly and Kevin; sister Wendi Mackenzie and her husband, Matthew, of Helena; and sister Tuey and Dennis Scranton of Miles City; nieces and nephews Landon Scranton; Denise and Shayne Clark and their children Dylan and Shaynee, all of Miles City.
A memorial service will be held for Connie at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, in Missoula at the Top Hat, 134 W. Front St.
