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Gertrude Williams
Gertrude Williams, age 88, of Jordan passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at the Garfield Count Health Center in Jordan.
Gertrude was born in Brusett, Montana on August 10, 1917, the daughter of Willem and Neeltie (VanVeen) Wille. She attended country school in Brusett and she remained on the family farm until moving to Jordan. She married
Duncan Chisholm in 1944 at Helena. They made there home in Jordan where they raised sheep and owned and operated Floyds Bar. In December of 1960, Duncan passed away and in 1962, she and Joe Williams in were married
in Seattle in 1963. They made their home in Jordan following their marriage.
Gertrude loved crocheting, beadwork and her cats.
Gertrude is survived by three daughters: Lilly Johnston of Jordan, MT; Barbara Jean Chisholm of Texas City, TX; and Mary Ann Graham of Yelm, WA; a brother, Gerrit Wille of Jordan, MT; a sister, Dina Houg of Wolf Point, MT and eleven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and two brothers: Bill and John Wille.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of ones choice.
Avis Mitchell
Avis J. Mitchell passed away peacefully from cancer at her home in Miles City with her family by her side on January 17, 2006.
Avis Jean Baldwin was born on October 10, 1928 at Ismay, Montana to A.E. Baldwin and Esther Louise Baker Baldwin. She was raised on the family ranch with her sisters and brother. There, she learned the self-reliance and work ethic she carried with her for the rest of her life. She attended Coal Creek School, a rural one-room school located 16 miles west of Ismay, where she was the only student in her class for eight years. She attended high school in Ismay, living at the local hotel with her sister, Doris, and returning home to the ranch on weekends. She graduated as valedictorian in 1946. Later, she took classes in art, language, and business at Miles Community College.
Following high school graduation she moved to Miles City. Her first employment was with the Miles City Bank, and then with the Miles City Star Printing Company.
On June 10, 1951, Avis married
W.A. Mitchell, Jr., at the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Avis and Bill had two children, Laura Ann and William Ashford.
Bill and Avis raised their family in Miles City where Bill was the president of the W.A. Mitchell Agency, an insurance and real estate business. Independent Insurance Agents Association meetings gave Avis the opportunity to travel with Bill.
Avis created a home for her family that reflected her interest in architecture, the arts, and gardening. Friends and family enjoyed the style in which she celebrated special occasions and entertained.
After her children left home, Avis spent a great deal of time supporting the arts in Miles City. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Custer County Art and Heritage Center. Preceding the creation of the Art Center, she was an active member of the Miles City Branch of the Montana Institute of the Arts, serving as president from 1970 to 1972. She believed that the Miles City area, including rural schools like the one she had attended, would benefit from a permanent art center where children and adults could participate in art classes and view original art. The old Miles City waterworks was secured for conversion to art galleries, offices, and workrooms. Many volunteer hours were spent scraping sedimentation from the walls of the former settling tanks before they were converted into gallery space. Because of her own commitment, Avis was willing to ask others for financial support for the Center. She served as the first president of the board of directors of the Center. She was elected president for a total of eight years. She served continuously on the Center's Board of Directors from 1976 to the present. To provide for the long-term operation of the Art Center, Avis helped to establish the Custer County Art Center Foundation in 1986. She served as president of the Foundation from 1986 to the time of her death. In 2003, Avis accepted, on behalf of the Art Center, the Governor's Arts Award. At that time, the Center was described as, 'one of the state's premiere exhibition spaces for visual artists.' In addition to her work with the arts in Miles City, Avis was appointed to the Montana Arts Council Advisory Board from 1976 - 1980, the Montana Art Advocates Steering Committee from 1978 - 1980, and the University of Montana School of Fine Arts Advisory Council in 2004.
As a competitor in the best sense of the word, Avis enjoyed playing golf. She was a student of the game, constantly working to improve. She was the Town & Country Club women's champion six times. She had three holes-in-one on the Miles City course, one on hole number 3 and two on hole number 8. She played in numerous Montana Women's State Amateur Tournaments, winning or placing in her flight several times. She was proud of her son's choice of the golf business as his career.
Avis and Bill believed travel is a wonderful way to learn about the world. They traveled often and appreciated the chance to experience many different cultures first-hand. They had traveled to South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe as well as through much of the United States. A 50-day trip to Asia and the Middle East, taken in early 2001 to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary, was especially memorable. They also took each of their granddaughters on her first trip to New York City, a city they particularly enjoyed.
As involved members of the Miles City community, Avis and Bill frequently attended Custer County District High School football and basketball games, Miles Community College basketball and baseball games, American Legion Baseball games, as well as community and high school concerts and foreign films. Avis was an active member of the Miles City First Presbyterian Church for nearly sixty years.
Avis and Bill established scholarships to the University of Montana for students from eastern Montana in the School of Business and for students in the School of Fine Arts in both music and visual arts. They also provided scholarships to students at Custer County District High School and Miles Community College.
Avis will be remembered as an elegant woman with true grace. She was generous and supportive of her family in all they endeavored.
Her parents, A.E. and Esther Baldwin, as well as her sister, Doris Baldwin Ciampa, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband, W.A. (Bill) Mitchell, Jr., of Miles City, MT, her daughter, Laura Mitchell Ross and her husband John Walker Ross, and their children, Hillary and Elizabeth Ross, and her son, William (Bill) Mitchell, and his children, Heather and Lindsey Mitchell, all of Billings, MT.
She is also survived by her sister, Lela Baldwin Torgrimson, and her husband, Bob, of Miles City, her sister, Sally Baldwin O'Neal, and her husband, Bill, of Odessa, TX, and her brother, John Baldwin, and his wife, Therese, of the family ranch near Ismay. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Richard G. Mitchell, and his wife, Margaret. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Interment will be held in the family lot of the Custer County cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Custer County Art Center Foundation, P.O. Box 1284, Miles City, MT 59301, the First Presbyterian Church, 1401 Main, Miles City, MT 59301, or the Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson, Miles City, MT 59301.
Nora Jeanette Lotvedt
Nora J. Lotvedt, age 84, passed away February 16, 2004 in Billings, MT of a stroke. Nora was born in Poplar, MT to Frank Lemieux and Maria DuBois on March 8, 1919. Nora attended school thru her sophomore year in Circle, MT.
She married
Selmer Lotvedt on March 31, 1938. Nora was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for 64 years. She was active in the church choir, Altar Society and the social events of the church. She was an active volunteer in the community including RSVP music group. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, playing guitar, baking and spending time with her family and friends. Nora worked as a custodian for the Legion Club in Poplar and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for over 20 years.
Her husband, Selmer, preceded Nora in death.
Nora is survived by her son, Charles Lotvedt of Williston, ND; her daughters, Diane Wiggins of Ames, IA and Julie Darnell of Poplar; and three sisters Agnes Reese of Havre, MT, Edna Reese of Gildford, MT and Lauriena Curtiss of Basin, WY. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 19 from 6-8:30 pm at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Poplar, MT with the prayer service beginning at 7 pm. Funeral service will be on Friday, February 20 at 10 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point, MT. Burial will be in the Poplar City cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.
Mabel Varner
Mabel Amelia Varner, age 94, of Terry passed away on Monday, January 23, 2006 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City surrounded by her family.
Mabel was born on January 24, 1911 in a log cabin on the ranch in Melville, MT, about 22 miles north of Big Timber, the daughter of Hagerup 'H.A.' and Jorgine (Peterson) Hanson. She moved to the Cartwright, ND, area as an infant and attended rural grade school as a young girl. When she was eleven years old, she traveled to Norway where she attended school for one year. Upon returning to the states, she boarded in Sidney, MT where she continued her education, graduating from Sidney High School. She went on to earn a teaching certificate at Dickinson Teacher's College.
Mabel taught for 17 years in North Dakota and Terry, MT. She and Lester Varner were married
in Sidney, MT in 1937. After years of teaching, Mabel turned in her lesson plan book to have a family. Their daughter Leora was born in 1943 and Marvin in 1947. Mabel enjoyed both school and kids so she soon found herself back at work, this time as the school secretary and with the migrant school program. She took care of the lunch program, unlocked the school building for all the school activities and also maintained the books at the family shop, Varner and Dockstader for over 50 years.
Throughout the years, Mabel was active in the Terry Community Presbyterian Church, having taught Sunday School and Bible School and serving as an Elder of the Church since 1985. She was involved in 4-H, serving as leader and helping with all of the various 4-H activities in addition to other youth groups. She was involved in Ama de Casa Homemakers and Hospital Guild, having held many offices in the organizations over her years of membership. Mabel was recognized as the 1996 Beta Mu's First Lady of Prairie County for her dedication to not only Terry and its many organizations and activities, but also her devotion to her family.
Mabel is survived by her son Marvin (Carol) Varner of Terry, MT, five grandchildren; Jacie Varner of Great Falls, MT, Drew Lorenz, Jillann Lorenz, Tonya Varner and Laini Varner all of Billings, MT; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lester, a daughter; Leora Jorgene Lorenz and son-in-law, Leo Lorenz Jr., her brother, Leif Hanson and her sister, Alyce Abbott.
Visitation will be held begin on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. A Prayer Service will follow on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Prairie County cemetery in Terry. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Prairie County 4-H Council or to the Community Presbyterian Church of Terry.
Sylvia Rose Lilienthal
Sylvia Rose (Pluhar) Lilienthal, age 90, of Jordan, MT., passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, at the Garfield County Health Center.
Sylvia was born on July 31, 1920 on the family farm near Cohagen, MT, the daughter of William (Bill) and Mary (Uherka) Pluhar. She attended grade school at the Pluhar School and graduated from Cohagen High School.
On August 15, 1942 she married
Floyd Lilienthal in Miles City, MT. To this union 7 children were born. During their marriage they spent time in Miles City and Roundup before settling on a farm near Cohagen. Due to drought conditions Floyd took a job with the Garfield County road crew and moved his family to Cohagen where they lived until 1960 when they moved to Jordan.
Sylvia was a very compassionate person when it came to other people. She was always assisting others by providing child care, ironing, cleaning, painting, and any other thing that somebody needed her to do. She worked at the Garfield County Health Center for 19 years after she "retired" from many of the other jobs.
She always said she never met a person she didn't like. She loved to dance. She and Floyd took all their kids to every Cohagen dance from the time they were born. That's where we all learned to love to dance. "Cards" should have been her middle name as she would rather play cards than eat. The Welcome Mat was always out for everybody. You were always welcome at her house whether to play cards, enjoy a bite to eat or just sit and visit.
Sylvia was a master of correspondence. She would promptly reply to every letter she received.
She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the VFW Women's Auxiliary.
Sylvia is survived by her children Clarence (Donna) Lilienthal of Eden Prairie, MN; Adonna (Jim) Toshoff of Harlowton, MT; Lyle (Idella) Lilienthal of Malta, MT; Janice (David) Nelson of Gladstone, ND; Keith (Roxie) Lilienthal of Toston, MT; Wayne Lilienthal of Billings, MT and Irene Trogden of Miles City and Wibaux, MT. She is survived by one brother Art (Inez) Pluhar of Rock Springs, MT and two sisters, Elsie Herndon of Miles City, MT and Mayme (John) Bye of Moorhead, MN. She has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and 3 brothers, Ed, Willie and Leonard Pluhar.
Visitation will begin on Friday, October 15, 2010 at 1:oo p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Jordan with family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the VFW Hall in Jordan. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Pioneer cemetery in Jordan. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Jordan is in charge of the arrangements.
Donald Steven Finneman
Donald Steven Finneman, died on November 30, 2003 at the Holy Rosary Health Hospital.
Donald was born December 28, 1919 to Thomas and Susanna (Zenner) Finneman .in Vim, North Dakota. His mother died when he was 5 years old and was raised by his older sister, Leona. He attended grade school at Bullion View Country School and graduated from Rhame High School. He was active in sports, especially boxing, football and track. He was a sports legend, in his own mind. He enlisted in the Coast Guard and served 6 years before returning home to run the family farm after his Dads death. He met Dorothy Barthel and was dating her when he was bucked off his horse and he broke his leg. Dorothy was his nurse and cared for him then and for the next 55 years. They were married
on June 15, 1948 at Wibaux. They bought a farm east of Fallon where they raised the first 5 boys. Don played for dances with his two oldest sons Tom and Tony, just to "keep the wolf away from the door." Music was his passion. He will be remembered for his whistling and saxophone playing. After selling the farm, they moved to Fallon and bought a grocery store and raised the next 5 children. After selling the store, Don took a job with the Farmers Union in Fallon and worked there for 17 years until his retirement. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports and attributed his bad heart to too many close basketball games and bad officiating. He will always be remembered for his quick wit, silly sayings and devotion to his family. If a negative word was said about his family he'd be quick to comment, "I'll kick a lung out of you!" He enjoyed family gatherings, especially the last Thanksgiving he spent with his family, 3 days prior to his passing. He was a very affectionate, gentle man with a true love for his wife and for his family. May he rest in peace.
Don is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Miles City, ten children: Tom (Barb) Finneman of Miles City, Tony (Sharon) Finneman of Bismarck, ND; Jim (Sherry) Finneman of Miles City, Bruce (Pam) Finneman of Havre, Terry (Carol) Finneman of Waterford, CA, Cathy Liles of Terry, Mary (Mike) Johnson of Terry, Jean (Brett) Tally of Miles City, Barry (Laura) Finneman of Waterford, CA; and Jeff (Patti) Finneman of Los Angeles, CA; twenty eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and a son-in-law, Mike Liles.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 4, 2003 in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. A Vigil service will be held Thursday, December 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 5, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Terry. Rite of Committal will follow in the veteran section of the Prairie County cemetery in Terry with full military honors.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the family to be decided on at a later date.
Laura Roberts
Laura M. Roberts, age 96, of Broadus, MT passed away on Monday, January 30, 2006 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.
Laura, a true pioneer, was born in Minneola, Iowa, to Gustav and Clara (Kay) Deitchler. Since the Deitchlers only spoke German, when Laura started first grade, she could not understand a word of English. She quickly learned English and continued her education in Iowa until her family moved to Hemingford, NE in 1920. After completing the eighth grade, she stayed at home to help raise her younger siblings. In 1981, Laura earned her high school diploma by passing the GED on her first attempt without studying.
On November 30, 1927, Laura married
Russell Roberts and they had eight children, starting with Leonard in 1928 and ending with Greg in 1954. Between the two boys, six girls were born: Lucille, Margaret, Darlene, Janice, Linda and Debbie. They farmed near Hemingford, primarily raising potatoes and managed to scrape by in the 1930's by selling cream. In 1946, Russell and Laura moved to Powder River County and purchased the Jim Catti ranch near Boyes. Except for a few years living near Ismay, MT in the 1970's, she has lived in Powder River County since 1946.
As matriarch of a large family, Laura kept busy over the years attending sporting events, social functions and family celebrations. Very few sporting events occurred at Powder River County High School without Laura as a spectator. She also delighted in engaging in any type of competitive card or board game. Very few family members have accepted the challenge of attempting to upset the undisputed Scrabble champion. Years of working crossword puzzles had given her the added edge. She had often said, 'I don't care if I win or not, but I sure don't play to lose!' Laura volunteered at the historical museum and nursing home, and was a member of the 500 card club and was active in the Senior Citizens. Over the years Laura has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., taking in 49 states and absorbed as much historical information as she could. Laura was famous for her cooking. Family get-togethers usually meant a batch of hot cinnamon rolls for all to share!
Laura is survived by her daughter-in-law Honey Roberts of Broadus, MT, son-in-law Don Haas of Hemingford, NE, daughter Margaret (Willis) Tipton of Billings, Jan (Lowell) Davis of Rapid City, SD; Linda (George) Morella of Broadus, MT, Deb (Gordon) Archer of Olive, MT, Greg (Mary Jo) Roberts of Terry, MT; sisters; Dolly Huff of Marysville, WA; Alta Wismiller of Alliance, NE, 24 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Russell Roberts, son Leonard Roberts, her daughters, Lucille Haas and Darlene Yarger; granddaughter Sandy Sinkie, brothers; Leo, Don, Floyd, Baldy, Ken and Buster.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 3, 2006 at 2:00 pm at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Valley View cemetery in Broadus.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Naomi Ervine
Naomi Ervine, age 91, of Phoenix, AZ formerly of Billings, MT passed away at the Sunrise Group Home in Surprise, AZ.
Naomi was born on May 3, 1916, one out of 14 children born to Jacob and Karoline (Hummel) Kerner in Medina, ND. The daughter of a farmer, Naomi was raised out in the fields as a young girl. She attended country schools around Medina and Jamestown. She moved with the family to Sidney, MT and eventually settled in Shepard, MT with them.
Naomi and William Ervine were married
in Billings, MT, where they had met, on October 15, 1937. To this union, three children were born; Harold, Jim and Karen. She adored her children and enjoyed being able to be such a big part of their lives growing up and as adults. She was a homemaker throughout her life, always taking care of her family. When her children were growing up, she was a park matron at the Terry Park in Billings for over 10 years. Her love for children, her own and others was evident in everything that she did.
Her husband Bill passed away in December of 1971, after being married
for almost 35 years. She remained in Billings, living at her home there for over 50 years, as her health allowed. In her later years, Naomi enjoyed traveling between Texas, Montana and Arizona where she split her time living with her children, Harold and Karen. In 2005, Naomi moved to Sunrise Group Home in Surprise, AZ where she was blessed with wonderful caregivers who treated her like a queen. We would especially like to thank her caregivers, Chris and Alice, who were like family to us.
Naomi enjoyed crocheting, making afghans, putting puzzles together and reading. She loved working outside in her garden and yard. She loved being around people and enjoyed visiting with her friends over a good cup of coffee. She would stay up late at night drinking coffee reading and/or playing cards, especially Canasta. Naomi was lovingly called 'Auntie M', 'White Grandma' and 'Canasta Queen' by all her knew her.
Naomi is survived by her daughter Karen (Jim) Elliot of Surprise, AZ, daughter-in-law; Lumduon Ervine of San Antonio, TX, Brother; Jacob 'Chuck' Kerner of Idaho, Sister, Thelma (Doc) Gunkel of Amarillo, TX, eight grandchildren; Udom Stamegna of Hawaii, Dang (Brenda) Ervine of Texas, Dewi (Jay) Johnson of Texas, Billy (Kim) Ervine of Texas, Vikki (Leland) Bohlman of Helena, MT, Amy (John) Frazey of Tigard, OR, Heather Elliot of Idaho and Kris Holmlund of Oregon. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and special friend Norden Young of AZ. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, her sons; Jim and Harold, her grandson Kevin Holmlund, her special friend Lela Johnson, five sisters and six brothers.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 1:00 pm at the Mount View cemetery in Billings, MT.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Sunrise Assisted Group Home, Serenity Hospice, 7227 North 16th Street, Suite 235, Phoenix, AZ, 82020 or to the Hospice Organization of your choice.
Reuben N. Berg
Reuben N. Berg, 86, of Fort Peck, MT passed away Sunday, December 28, 2003 at Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow, MT. Reuben was born July 15, 1917 at the family home in Meeker County, MN to Paul and Ida Berg. He was one of 13 children. Reuben was baptized September 16, 1917 at Ness Lutheran Church, Litchfield, MN.
He attended country school and worked at various jobs in the area. He married
Ruth Ann Bachman on April 19, 1941. In 1949, he moved from Minnesota to Poplar where he worked hard to acquire his farm in 1961. A son, Craig Allen was born July 18, 1955. He took great pride in his farm and garden, providing potatoes for many friends and neighbors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and hand crafted many ice fishing spears still used in this area. He belonged to St. John's Lutheran Church in Poplar, Northern Unlimited and District 5 Fiddlers Association.
Reuben married
Helen Martin on December 8, 1988. They lived at the Poplar farm until 1996 when they moved to Fort Peck.
Reuben's first wife Ruth died in 1982 and his son Craig, in 1981. He is survived by his wife Helen, three grandchildren, Brian (Rochelle) Berg and Keri (Paul) Furthmyre of Poplar, Courtney Berg of Hardin, and 2 great grandchildren, Harlee Ryan Berg and Baylee Raye Furthmyre. One brother, Neil Berg of Wolf Point and one sister, Nellie Martin of Grove City, MN, sister-in-law Phurney Berg of Litchfield, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.
His extended family included Helen's sons Larry and Sara Martin and daughter Inga of Hood River, OR and Kevin and Doreen Martin of Culbertson and sons, Kile, Chase and Dylan. He enjoyed being a part of their lives.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at 10 a.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point with Pastor Martin Mock of Glasgow officiating. A reception will be held at the Sherman Motor Inn immediately following the service with interment following at the Poplar City cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
