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Norman C. White
October 10, 2014
Norman C. White, 87, passed away October 10, 2014, in Evans, CO.
Norman C. White was born in Great Falls, MT on September 26, 1927, to Norman “Pat” and Catherine White of Augusta. He attended school in Augusta. He joined the U.S. Army in 1945, serving in Germany and Washington State. While in the Army he studied on the farm training and mechanics. After the Army he worked at the Anaconda Co. in Great Falls. He was also employed by various farm equipment companies. After retiring, he worked at Walmart.
Norman loved hunting, fishing, small engine repair and telling his awesome stories.
In 1953-1962, he married
Rosetta Miller. He is survived by his daughters, Cathie (Tony) Barrientos of Severance, CO, Pattie White, of Plains, PA; and Norma (Pat) O’Connell of Chicago, IL; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers Harold (Bonita) White of Augusta and Ken White of Augusta. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He married
Shirley Gebhardt in 1963. Survivors are her children, Vicky (Mike) Trine of Great Falls; Rita McDonald of Wapato, WA; Larry Gebhardt of Great Falls and Shirley Gebhardt of Conrad. Norman had 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild who have survived him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Shirley; brothers Emery and Donald; and nephew Brent.
Services for Norman will be held at a later date.
Joseph E. Christiaens
October 12, 2014
Joseph E. Christiaens, 72, of Dupuyer passed away Sunday, October 12, 2014 in Great Falls.
Visitation will be held Thursday, 10/16, 2014 from 2 pm through Friday 10/17 at 3 pm at Inn Dupuyer Bed & Breakfast. Visitation, rosary and prayer vigil will be held on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 6:30 pm at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Conrad. Visitation will also be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014, beginning at 10 am until 10:45 am at St. Michael’s. Funeral Mass will follow beginning at 11 am at St. Michael’s, followed by a reception in the church basement. Procession to burial at Dupuyer cemetery will be followed by coffee and cookies at Dupuyer Community Hall. Arrangements have been entrusted to O’Connor Funeral Home.
Joe Christiaens was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Conrad on Sept. 9, 1942, the eighth child of Maurice and Jeanette (Monroe) Christiaens’s family of ten.
Joe grew up on the family farm at the top of the Belgian Hill, seven miles east of Valier, in the area referred to as the “Belgian Colony Settlement”.
After graduation from high school, Joe worked on the family farm and did seasonal work for Bob Asheim at Sunburst, for Robert Stoltz setting up a pig operation on the Two Medicine, and as a sexton at the Valier cemetery.
Joe and Rita Morris were married
on Oct. 21, 1961. They moved to Teton Canyon northwest of Choteau in the spring of 1962 to work at the Jim Crawford Ranch, and later moved to Conrad to work at the North Montana Machinery for Pat McElliot.
Joe went to work for Eddie and Pat Wyse at Wyse Funeral Home in 1963 and worked there after it was sold until the early 1980s. Also in 1963, Joe began working with Pondera County Ambulance, Pondera County Emergency Medical Services, and Pondera County Coroner.
Joe has had a lifetime love of horses and worked for Pat Wyse at the Wyse Arena in Conrad. He especially had a hankering for paint/pinto saddle horses (and white mules), and had the privilege of owning several for his own riding pleasure, moving cows for area ranchers, mountain pack trips and hunting excursions back into the Badger/Two Medicine area where he had hunted since 1959, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. More recently he gave up his saddle horses and put his energy into training and driving draft horse teams. He acquired several horse drawn carriages over the years, which he used in funeral processions, area parades, and hometown celebrations, the most novel being a Stage Coach.
During the early missile phase in this area Joe was the Civil Defense for Pondera County for a short time.
He received his initial First Aid training and CPR in Conrad, attended Emergency Medical Technician training in Spokane, Denver, and Seattle, and received his National Emergency Medical Technician Certification, becoming the 34th person in the nation to do so. Joe facilitated many First Aid, CPR and EMT classes over the years and through participation in continuing education and mandatory testing he maintained his EMT certification until March of 2003.
Joe received Coroners Certification from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, served four terms as President of the Montana Coroners Association, and organized and annually attended seminars and continuing education workshops throughout the state of Montana. He often testified at the Legislature on matters that would affect the duties of the Coroner’s Office and citizens of the State of Montana. National Coroner education and training took Joe to Saint Louis, MO; Detroit, MI; and Banff, Canada.
In 1993 Joe and Rita moved back to Dupuyer and refurbished the 100 year old hand hewn log homestead house that was home to several early day settlers in the Dupuyer area, and on April 1, 1994, opened Inn Dupuyer Bed & Breakfast.
Joe was elected Pondera County Commissioner in 2002, and thus retired from Pondera County EMS, and from being Pondera County Coroner, in January of 2003 after serving in each of these endeavors for 40 years. Joe was currently serving his second term as Pondera County Commissioner and was grateful to the voters of Pondera County for once again giving him the opportunity to serve them in this capacity.
Joe was a devout catholic and an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Conrad. He was active in the Cursillo Movement and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Ravished by a newly diagnosed and fast growing cancer in the lungs, liver, and spine on Oct. 7, Joe died on Oct. 12, 2014, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, surrounded by family and friends with an outpouring of love.
Joe is survived by his spouse, Rita; brothers Del (Pat) and Roger (Bonnie) of Valier; sisters Marjorie (Norman) Hause of Conrad and Agatha (Ray) Simurdak of Sheridan, WY.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Dorothy Rideout and Maureen Mamuzich; three brothers: Don, Ron, and Larry Christiaens; a sister-in-law, Patty Jo Morris Christiaens; and a brother-in-law, Don Rideout. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the Dupuyer Community Club or a charity of your choice.
Winnijean VanHeel
October 16, 2014
Winnijean VanHeel, 92, of Great Falls, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Park Place.
A private family celebration will take place. Cremation has taken place under the care of O’Connor Funeral Home.
Winnijean was born September 8, 1922 to William and Marie Gaines in Conrad where she grew up. She married
Harry VanHeel and to this union three children were born. They made their home in Conrad and later divorced.
Winnijean attended Kinman Business College in Washington State and afterwards made her home in Great Falls. She worked for the public library and later for World Wide Press. She retired in the 1990’s.
She had a wonderful sense of humor and will be fondly remembered as being ‘a character.’ She enjoyed trying her luck at the poker machines and also loved to cook and garden.
She is survived by her family that she so enjoyed spending time with—her son Bryan Cody (Kathleen) VanHeel and their children, Bryan VanHeel, Casey VanHeel, and Jalayna Hartman; son Roderick K. (Donna) VanHeel and their children Garrett VanHeel, Wylie VanHeel, Heather Rohlf, Hallie Schumaker, and Casey Doran; daughter Linda Winchell and her daughters Tami Winchell and Tasha Hoey; numerous great-grandchildren; and one beloved dog Zoey.
Winnijean was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Margie, Jerri, Bonnie; her infant sister; and her beloved dog Champagne.
Dale P. Cooper
December 4, 2014
Dale P. Cooper, 72, of Great Falls passed away Thursday, December 4, 2014.
At his request, no services are planned. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home.
Dale was born in Great Falls on August 2, 1942 to Charles and Louise Cooper.
Dale was a union bricklayer for 51 years. He enjoyed working on projects in his garage as he was skilled in many crafts. Dale spent many hours outdoors with his dog, Samantha. Fishing, hunting and backpacking were also favorite pastimes when he was younger. He rooted for the Green Bay Packers and the Boston Celtics whenever they were playing.
Dale is survived by his wife, Loretta; daughter Suzy (Scott) Shanahan; sons Greg (Vicky) Cooper and Tom (Emma) Cooper; step son Brett Carlson; granddaughters Brianna Cooper, Madison Cooper, Hailey Felice, Hanna Felice and Kassidy Shanahan; sisters Phyllis Garrett, Cyrilla Hixon, and Rosalinda Northington; and brothers Gerald (Billie Jo) Cooper and Bernard Cooper.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Charles A. Cooper and Louise Kuich Cooper.
Lillian Smith
December 9, 2014
Lillian Smith, 85, of Great Falls passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2014 of natural causes.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014 at O’Connor Memorial Chapel at 10:00 am. O’Connor Funeral Home has been entrusted with the services.
Lillian was born April 14, 1929 to Earl and Margaret Banks in Great Falls. She was a homemaker all of her life. She enjoyed her children, embroidering, and sewing doll clothing for the poor, and was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.
Lillian is survived by her son, Robert L (Jodi) Smith of Great Falls; and granddaughters Echo R Myers of Washington and Sage Smith of Great Falls.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Margaret Banks; brothers Robert, Herbert, Hubert, and Earl; and sister Garneil.
Keith Preddy
November 28, 2014
Keith “Kahuna” Preddy, 67, of Lethbridge passed away November 28, 2014, in Great Falls.
A rosary and time of sharing will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2014 at O’Connor Memorial Chapel with Deacon Bill Medved presiding. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home.
He is survived by his partner Amy Daniels, Great Falls, daughter Karen West, two brothers, Brian and Graham Preddy, a granddaughter Jessica Preddy and his best buddy Barney.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew Greg Preddy.
Clarence "Andy" Grande, Sr.
November 28, 2014
Clarence “Andy” Grande Sr., 89, of Great Falls passed away Friday, November 28, 2014 at Peace Hospice.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Montana State Veterans cemetery in Fort Harrison. O’Connor Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Andy was born to Gilbert and Emma Grande on October 9, 1925 in Dupuyer, MT where he was raised. He was married
to Mary Irene until her death in 2000. He later married
Eileen and she passed away in 2009. He was a carpenter by trade and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping.
Andy was in the US Army as a Light Machine Gunner with the 2nd Armored Division in World War II. He was in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart for his service.
He is survived by daughter Arlie Benson of Great Falls; sons Andy Grande Jr. of Kalispell, Clay Grande of Dallesport, WA, Tom Grande of Helena, and Nathan Grande of Benton City, WA; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Andy was preceded in death by his parents; both wives Mary and Eileen; one daughter; and one granddaughter.
Lila M. Byrne
April 24, 2015
Lila Mae (Bannen) Byrne, 85, of Great Falls passed away Friday, April 24, 2015 at Peace Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by loving family and friends throughout her final days.
A funeral vigil for Lila will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. A funeral liturgy will be held Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Chapel, 2800 Central Avenue. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet cemetery.
Lila was born April 2, 1930 in Milk River, Alberta, Canada. She was the third of four children born to Gordon and Ellen Bannen. When Lila was in the fifth grade, her family moved to Shelby and then Oilmont, MT, where she attended high school and graduated in 1948.
In grade school, Lila met Patrick Byrne, who in the eighth grade said he would marry her one day. They married
in Kevin, MT on November 22, 1948. While still living in Oilmont, Lila traveled each week to Great Falls and then Havre to attend college working toward a teaching degree, though she returned every weekend to be with her family. Lila and Pat eventually moved to Great Falls, where they raised their children, Judy, Pat and Rick.
Lila taught at Crowe School on the Fairfield Bench for two years, while waitressing at night at Eddie’s Supper Club. She transferred to Sunnyside School in Great Falls for the next 23 years. She retired from teaching in 1986. She spent the next 28 years as a hostess on bus tours with Bob and Bernice Laird of Laird Leisure Travel, which allowed her to travel all over the United States, Canada and Mexico. In her later years, she was an active volunteer, giving her time to the Great Falls Senior Center and ushering at the Mansfield Convention Center.
She danced for many years with Dudes and Dolls Square Dance Club and was a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She and Pat enjoyed wintering in their RV in St. George, Utah, until Pat passed away in 2000. Lila also enjoyed playing cards, such as cribbage and pinochle, as well as shuffleboard and Las Vegas rummy (though she always let her grandkids win).
Family was the most important part of Lila’s life. She was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, keeping up with their various school programs and sports events until her illness prevented it.
She was the best mother, grandmother and friend you could ask for. Throughout her life, she set an example of what it means to be kind, hardworking and helpful. She blessed every place she went with beauty, and has left a legacy of grace behind. She was always a classy lady.
Lila is survived by her daughter Judy Byrne of Great Falls; sons Patrick (Joyce) Byrne and Rick (Patty) Byrne of Great Falls; sister-in-law Sylvia (Brian) Henderson of Seattle, WA; grandchildren Trish Foss, Stacy (Errol) Rice, Amanda (Jason) Meeker and Tyler (Stacey) Byrne; great-grandchildren Keegan, Jori, Dylan, Valon, Isis, Lane, Danny and Cali Jo; step great-grandsons Zak and Luke; special friends Bob Laird and Larry Suek; her faithful dog Chelsea; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband Pat; brother Gordon “Sonny” Bannen; sister Eileen “Patsy” Parr; and her parents.
The Byrne family extends its gratitude to Dr. Grant Harrer and the staff at the Sletten Cancer Institute and Peace Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care they provided for Lila.
Kody R. LaValley
April 30, 2015
Kody Ray LaValley, 15, of Great Falls, went to be with his creator on April 30th.
The inhabitants of Heaven will see and hear him riding the trails on his snowmobiles and dirt bikes and rollin’ coal with his 7.3 Power Stroke. His bright shining face, large smile with amazing dimples and incredibly huge heart will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Kody leaves behind his brothers, Dylan and Beau; sister Aubrey; father Jay; mother Kim; stepfather Curtis; grandparents Jack and Lena, Keith and Charlotte, Gary and Donna, and Raymond and MJ; great-grandmothers Fran, Louella, and Beverly; and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins. His many friends and classmates are also going to miss his active and entertaining presence.
A service of remembrance will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 4:00 pm at the Bill Williamson Auditorium at CMR High School. O’Connor Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
