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Edna I. Weast Stewart
RED LODGE - Edna Ione Weast Stewart was born Oct. 29, 1909, to William and Ina Maude Pike Weast of Red Lodge Creek. After graduating from Absarokee High School, she attended Eastern Montana College and became an elementary teacher in rural schools on the West Coast.
In 1945, Edna married
Robert H. Stewart of Pittsburgh, Pa., and in November of 1946, her only daughter, Betty, was born.
Edna was an avid reader; James A. Michener was one of many authors she enjoyed. She loved to travel to the many places about which she read. Tending her garden was a source of pride and joy. Edna's paintings were just one of her many art expressions.
Edna is survived by her sister, Billie Likens of Seattle; her daughter, Betty and husband Joe Castagne of Red Lodge; their three daughters and husbands, Andrea and Aaron Stieg of Bozeman, Tiffany Castagne of Red Lodge, and Laura and Jerry Malcomson and her great-granddaughter, Angelina of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial is 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 1998, at St. Olaf Church, Red Lodge Creek, and reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beartooth Hospital and Health Center, Box 590, Red Lodge, Mont., 59068 or Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation, Inc., 300 N. Willson, #3002, Bozeman, Mont. 59715. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Olive Edith Stromme
Olive Edith Stromme, 94 of Billings died Sunday, Sept. 20, 1998, at Valley Health Care Center.
The daughter of Albert and Clara Ewen, Olive was born Jan. 5, 1904 in New Lenox, Ill. The family moved to Broadview, Mont., in 1914 where her parents homesteaded. She graduated from Broadview High School in 1924. Following graduation she was employed as a telephone operator in Broadview. Olive married
Ralph A. Stromme in Billings, May 5, 1926. Following their marriage they lived in Broadview until moving to Billings in 1933 where she worked as a telephone operator at the Northern Hotel, then as a receptionist for Dr. Drew from 1935 until 1965. Olive began a long association with the foster grandparents program in 1974. She was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Eileen Stout, July 23, 1973, her husband, Ralph, Jan. 22, 1974, two brothers and a sister.
She is survived by two grandchildren, Bill Stout and his wife Sandi of Billings and Sheryl Stout of Custer, a great granddaughter Erin Stout, two sisters, Ruth Gahagan of Worden and Frances Martisak and her husband Bill of Ballantine, and her son-in-law Greg Stout and his wife Ramona of Manhattan, Mont.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist, Alderson Chapel with interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Leonard J. Wiench
Leonard J. Wiench, 65 of Billings, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 1998, at St. Vincent Hospital.
The son of Leonard P. and LaPearl Wiench, Lennie was born March 19, 1933, in Chinook, Mont. Lennie graduated from high school in Chinook. A Navy veteran, Lennie served on submarines during the Korean Conflict. He married
Nancy Bloch in Chinook, Sept. 16, 1962.
Lennie was past president of the Eagles and was a member of the Scottish Rite, the Lavina Masonic Temple and the Al-Bedoo Shrine. He worked for Diagnostic Medical Systems in Billings.
An outgoing person with a wonderful sense of humor, he enjoyed visiting with his neighbors, fly fishing, boating, and hunting. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Nancy of Billings, two sons, Cory of Oklahoma, his wife Lynn and their children, Amanda, Cassandra and Sean, and Bob, his wife Patty and their son John of Great Falls, his mother LaPearl Wiench of Chinook, two brothers, Ben of Corvallis, and Lonnie of Chinook, and two sisters, Lois Thorstad of Lloyd, Mont., and Gloria Stimpson of Palm Springs, Calif.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist, Heights Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the Al-Bedoo Shrine Hospital Transportation Trust Fund.
Concepcion Bengochea
GLASGOW - Concepcion Bengochea, 91, died Friday, Sept. 18, 1998, at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital of natural causes.
Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Bell Chapel in Glasgow. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in St. Raphael's Catholic Church. with burial to follow in Highland cemetery.
Harry Heber Berry Jr.
CODY, Wyo. - Harry Heber Berry Jr., 78, of Cody, formerly of Greybull, passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 1998, at his home in Cody.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, in the Hillside cemetery in Greybull. Visitations will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Atwood Family Chapel in Greybull.
Tonnie B. Crosby
BALLANTINE - Tonnie B. Crosby, 87, of Ballantine, died Friday, Sept. 18, 1998, after a lengthy illness at Eagle Cliff Manor. Cremation has taken place at Cremation or Funeral Gallery; at her request, no service is planned. She was born in Elsmere, Neb., to Frank and Cora J. Clow Sharpe. She was educated in Lodge Grass and married
Ned Crosby there on Oct. 19, 1932. Later they moved to the Busby area where they farmed before moving to Billings. They made their home in Pompeys Pillar 20 years before moving to Ballantine.
Survivors include her husband, Ned of Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings; her daughter, Iris Jean (John) Chatham of Huntley; six granddaughters, Debra (Mark) Gentry of Sheridan, Wyo., Kathie (Ken) Clinton, of Billings, Johnette (Jerry) Cook and Nedine Lackey of Rapid City, S.D., Valerie (Chuck) Swanson of Huntley, and Victoria (Mark) Bush of Denton, Texas; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Cora Keasling of Billings, Doris Pavy and Phyllis Collins of Clyde Park. She was preceded in death by two sisters and great-grandson, Robby Dust. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.
D. Steve Dotson
GREAT FALLS - D. Steve Dotson, 79, of Great Falls, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1998, in a Great Falls hospital of cancer.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at the O'Connor Memorial Chapel in Great Falls. Cremation has taken place.
Alice Obee Hamilton
Alice Obee Hamilton, of 3940 Rimrock Road, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 1998. She was born Feb. 26, 1906, in Whitehouse, Ohio, the seventh child of Electa Rose Miller and Christopher Obee, a circuit riding Methodist minister. In 1919, the family settled in Fergus County, Mont., and Alice's love affair with Montana began. A sister, Esther Biggerstaff of Missoula, Mont., survives her.
For 57 years, Alice was married
to Montana-born Robert L. Hamilton, Billings educator and community leader. Together they enjoyed nature photography and taught First Aid in Billings and flower designing and horticulture in flower show schools over the western part of the United States. Alice and Bob traveled in every state, over much of North and South America and around the world. In 1957, Alice became the first Montana judge to become a Flower Show Schools instructor for the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. Her arrangements were featured in national flower and garden calendars. She and husband Bob were awarded the National Council TV-Radio Award in 1958 for airing a weekly gardening program, "Sincerely Billie," for nine years on KOOK-TV.
After Robert's death in 1983, Alice learned how to use a computer and compiled her 28 years of Billings Gazette garden columns into the book, Gardening in the Northern High Plains. Don Peter did the illustrations for the book. Alice and Don were married
July 13, 1985, the week the book was printed. Peter survives her.
Alice was a 50 year plus member of First Presbyterian Church, Polyrock Extension Club and the Billings Garden Club. She was past state president of the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs and editor of "Montana Gardens" in 1954-1956. In 1955, she began writing garden articles for The Billings Gazette. In 1993, Alice received the prestigious National Council of State Garden Clubs national award for All Around Excellence. In 1997, she received an award from The Billings Gazette in recognition of her 42 years as a weekly garden columnist. Alice was also active in Audubon, 4-H, Historical Society, Yellowstone Valley Retired Teachers, Gray Ladies, RSVP, and ZooMontana. In 1985, the American Association of University Women, Billings Chapter, awarded her a named gift in the Education Foundation Program because of the value of her writings to the public. She received a Woman of Distinction award in 1994 from the Soroptimist International of the Americas, Billings' chapter, for her work aiding the environment. In 1997, she received a Bright 'n' Beautiful Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to beautification. Last year she had a bench in the garden at ZooMontana to honor her for her many years of support of the zoo as "Author, Gardener, and Friend."
Alice graduated from Eastern Montana College and taught in elementary and high schools in Billings. Alice was proud to have been a first grade teacher in Billings, and thought it the most important grade in any child's life.
Alice Obee Hamilton, who was preceded in death by her son Robert Lail Hamilton Jr., is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Romelda and Jack Mueller of 250 Hau'oli Street, Ma'alaea, Maui, Hawaii and her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Richard and Donna Hamilton of Park City, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, as well as a large extended family.
A memorial service is pending at the First Presbyterian Church of Billings. In lieu of cut flowers, the family requests plants suitable for transplant at ZooMontana or St. Johns Lutheran Home. Memorials in the name of Alice Hamilton may be sent to the Robert L. Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund at Rocky Mountain College, 1511 Poly Drive, Billings, Mont. 59102-1796. Michelotti-Sawyers & Nordquist has charge of arrangements.
Frederick Burton Liquin
Frederick Burton Liquin was born April 1, 1912, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Charles Kenneth and Lydia Hemingway Liquin. In 1914, he came with his parents to Wilsall, Mont.
His schooling was at Wilsall where he was valedictorian. College was difficult financially for everyone in the early '30s but miscellaneous small jobs made graduation with honors in electrical engineering possible in 1934. While at the university he was elected to the honorary engineering, music and scholastic societies as well as chairman of the Institute of Electric Engineers.
He was with Montana Power Co., for six years, Rural Electrification Administration for two years, and Army Signal Corps in Whitehorse, Y.T., on the Alcan Telephone System for two years. After two years as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve, he was assigned to MIT research in radar, and he took aboard ship the first operational system to become the AWACS. Upon retirement from service in the spring of 1946, he returned to Montana and joined the new engineering firm, Morrison-Maierle Inc.
In 1948, he started his own firm, Associated Engineers, in Bismarck, N.D., then moved to Billings in 1953. The company limited its activities to electric distribution, transmission systems, and communication systems in 15 Western states and Alaska. He accumulated 6,000 hours of flying time prior to selling the company in 1966.
Mr. Liquin had been a member of Ashlar Masonic Lodge, Al Bedoo Shrine & Jesters; a director of Yellowstone Country Club, president of County Fair Board, director and treasurer of Billings Chamber of Commerce, director of Montana Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Yellowstone County Hospital Board, chairman of YMCA Expansion Campaign & Endowment Committee. He was national president of Association of Communication Engineers, state president and national director of Consulting Engineers Council, chairman of Montana Board of Registration for Engineers, Chairman for Board of Directors First Citizens Bank, Advisory Council MSU-Bozeman, and director of Centura Petroleum Co.
Mr. Liquin passed away Sept. 18, 1998, from pancreatic cancer. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned. He is survived by two sisters in Bozeman, Mrs. Mary Taylor and Mrs. Jane Ahrendes, as well as his wonderful wife of 58 years, Dorothy, of Billings.
Memorials may be sent to YMCA Endowment Fund, Al-Bedoo Shrine Hospital Transpor-tation Fund, Big Sky Hospice, or the charity of one's choice.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist, Alderson Chapel has charge of arrangements.
Versia Lavetta Ranger
Versia Lavetta Ranger was born Oct. 11, 1909 to Ivan and Jenny Kinyon Purnell in Johnson, Wash. In 1959, she moved to Billings and married
Donald Ranger on Dec. 11, 1959 in Billings. Versia worked and retired from S.S. Kresge Store in Billings. She loved music, her piano, and played for many years in a dance group in the Pullman, Wash., area. She enjoyed crocheting and making afghans. She was a 50 year member of the Eagles and American Auto Association.
Versia is survived by her husband, Donald; her sister, Naomia Weber of Pullman, Wash.; her son Kenneth E. Purnell of Elk River, Idaho; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Thelma Strohm; brother, Willie Purnell; and grandson Eddy Purnell.
Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice or American Cancer Society. Private burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Ray Spanier
CODY, Wyo. - Ray Spanier was born on Aug. 21, 1906, and went to be at home with God on Thursday morning, Sept. 17, 1998.
Ray was a 53-year resident of Billings. In May 1997, he moved to Cody, Wyo., and resided in the home of Dan and Marion Bieske. Marion's home is an elder-care home, B's Country Comfort, located in a mountain-surrounded valley 12 miles from town, and "just over the hill" from his daughter, Donna Klindt. Ray died at home, his "care family" and Donna with him.
He was the firstborn child of Edward and Lillian Hawkins Spanier. He had two sisters, Ethel and Lillian and a "kid" brother, Edward Spanier, who presently lives in Boise, Idaho. His sisters and parents are gone. The family moved to Helena, Mont., in 1913, where his dad owned and operated a sheet metal business. The family was strapped for finances, so Ray quit school at 15 and went to work as a messenger in the Conrad Bank of Helena. He worked in the banking industry 50 years, retiring as first vice-president of the Security Bank of Billings at 65 years of age.
It was in Helena that he met and married
Florence Stickney. They dated for three years before marrying so Ray could have $150 saved up in the bank. They lived in Helena until after the birth of their daughter, then in Bozeman and finally Billings. Florence and Ray were married
69 years. She died April 1, 1997.
They both loved to fish. Vacations were fishing trips, cabin trips or camp trips. Just before retiring they bought their cabin up the Gallatin which they were to own for 18 years. They spent summers there. They also drove in every state in this country and Canada.
Ray was involved in Masonic activities beginning in DeMolay. He was in Rimrock Lodge, Scottish Rite, Al Bedoo Shrine and Jesters. He actively worked with Lions, Kiwanis, Score and the local woodcarver's association.
He is survived by his daughter, Donna Klindt, of Cody. There are three grandchildren, Kristin Downer, Karen Hatfield and Tom Klindt. There are 15 great-grandchildren. Most of them will be together at Big Sky as we place Dad's ashes with Mom's. They may be gone from this earth but will live on in the hearts of all who knew them.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. at Parkhill Assembly of God Church in Billings. A reception will follow at the church.
Edna I. Weast Stewart
RED LODGE - Edna Ione Weast Stewart was born Oct. 29, 1909, to William and Ina Maude Pike Weast of Red Lodge Creek. After graduating from Absarokee High School, she attended Eastern Montana College and became an elementary teacher in rural schools on the West Coast.
In 1945, Edna married
Robert H. Stewart of Pittsburgh, Pa., and in November of 1946, her only daughter, Betty, was born.
Edna was an avid reader; James A. Michener was one of many authors she enjoyed. She loved to travel to the many places about which she read. Tending her garden was a source of pride and joy. Edna's paintings were just one of her many art expressions.
Edna is survived by her sister, Billie Likens of Seattle; her daughter, Betty and husband Joe Castagne of Red Lodge; their three daughters and husbands, Andrea and Aaron Stieg of Bozeman, Tiffany Castagne of Red Lodge, and Laura and Jerry Malcomson and her great-granddaughter, Angelina of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial is 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 1998, at St. Olaf Church, Red Lodge Creek, and reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beartooth Hospital and Health Center, Box 590, Red Lodge, Mont., 59068 or Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation, Inc., 300 N. Willson, #3002, Bozeman, Mont. 59715. Arrangements were made by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
James 'Buzz' Strong
FORSYTH - James O. "Buzz" Strong Jr., 77, of Forsyth, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, at the Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, in the Forsyth Wesleyan Church with interment to follow in the Forsyth cemetery. Beals Mortuary of Forsyth is in charge of arrangements.
Lloyd C. Albrecht
ROUNDUP - Lloyd C. Albrecht, 70, of Roundup, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, at Aspen Meadows Retirement Community in Billings.
Cremation has taken place. No services are planned. Wier Funeral Home is in charge.
Dennis A. Burgess
Dennis A. Burgess, 59, of Billings, died Sept. 15, 1998, in Seattle following complications from surgery.
He was born Dec. 11, 1938, in Lawton, Okla., a son of Edgar Monetathchi Sr. and Leona Burgess. He was raised by his stepfather, Dudley Stephenson and his grandparents, Alan and Ada Motah Burgess. He grew up in the Apache, Okla., area, graduating from Riverside Indian School in Anardako, Okla. He later attended the Haskell Institute Junior College in Lawrence, Kan., and graduated from the University of Albuquerque in New Mexico with a degree in business administration.
Dennis enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1957 and received his Honorable Discharge in 1960. Following his discharge he worked for the Chemawa Indian School in Oregon and the Southwestern Indian Polytech Institute of Santa Fe, N.M., before beginning work at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Billings. He retired as a contract specialist after 28 years of service.
He married
Gloria Medicine Horse on June 12, 1972, in Sheridan, Wyo., and the couple made their home in Billings. He was adopted by Alan and Susie Old Horn and was mentored by Hank Old Horn, teaching him in the traditional ways of the Crow, particularly the Native American Church and the Sun Dance. He was a member of the Billings St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whistling Water Clan and was a child of the Greasy Mouth Clan.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother, one sister and two brothers.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria of Billings; four daughters, Yvette and Garnet Burgess, Jewell Knows the Ground and Kimmy Walks; one son, Barney Old Horn; two adopted sons, Acorn Lonnie and Frank Skinner III; his father, Edgar Monetathchi Sr.; four sisters, Marilyn Gail Old Horn, Debra Franklin, Georgetta Ramirez and Sandra Kay Gallegos; two adopted sisters, Lynna Smith and Jessica Costa; four brothers, Timmy Kent Kingfisher, Elton Yellowfish, James and Michael Burgess; two God sons, Winston Caufield and Fred Deputee Jr.; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 1 p.m. Saturday in the Crow Agency Catholic Church. Interment will be in Apache. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Aleen V. Clouse
MALTA - Aleen V. Clouse, 76, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, at Deaconess Hospital in Billings of natural causes.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Malta Lutheran Church. Adams Funeral Home is in charge.
