Search Archived Marriage Records
Milton E. Edwards
Died: Fri., Jun. 12, 2015
Graveside Service: 11:30 AM Sat., Jun. 20, 2015 Location: Carlton cemetery
Memorial Service: 1:00 PM Sat., Jun. 20, 2015 Location: Bethel Baptist Church
Florence – Milton E. Edwards, 94, of Florence passed away Friday, June 12, 2015 of heart failure. Milt was born October 10, 1920 in Pipe Creek, TX, the son of John Elmer and Minnie Alice (Downum) Edwards. He was raised and graduated high school in Pipe Creek. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 2, 1942. He participated in 3 major battles in the South Pacific, and was awarded the Presidential Citation and other combat medals. After returning to the states in 1944, he met and married
Esther Mae Maier. They had 3 sons, Denny, Terry, and John. They lived in Texas where he farmed for 2 years before moving to Missoula in 1948. He was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad in the bridge and building department until 1957. During this time he also built and sold several homes in Missoula. He moved his family to a small ranch in Florence, MT in 1959 and began working at the Hoerner Waldorf Pulp Mill. He worked there as a Millwright until his retirement in 1982. After retiring, he and Esther spent the winters in Quartzsite, AZ where he enjoyed golfing and bowling. Milt loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He frequently fished and camped with his family at Rock Creek. He was a member of the I.O.O.F and had been an active member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Missoula since 1956. Milt is survived by his wife, Esther, of Florence; 3 sons: Denny and his wife, Shari, of Florence; Terry of Salinas, CA; John and his wife, Chrissy, of Missoula; 7 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lema Lynd. Burial will be at the Florence-Carlton cemetery, Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 11:30 A.M. followed by funeral services at Bethel Baptist Church at 1601 South 6th Street West in Missoula at 1:00 P.M. A luncheon will follow.
Robert Louis Brown
Died: Fri., May 15, 2015
Memorial Service: 6:00 PM Fri., May 29, 2015
Location: First Baptist Church
Raymond Maier
Died: Sat., May 16, 2015
Funeral Service: 3:00 PM Sat., May 23, 2015
Location: Florence-Carlton Community Church
Florence - After a short illness, Ray Maier passed away peacefully on May 16, 2015 surrounded by family. Born March 18, 1928, to John and Elizabeth Maier in Isabel, S.D. Dad was one of the youngest of 18 children. In 1935 the family moved to Missoula where Dad started school. When he was in 6th grade he met the love of his life Marna Head, but then his family moved to Washington to work in the orchards near Yakima. Dad returned to Missoula after serving in Guam and Japan as a member of the Army Air Corps. He resumed his courting of Mom and the two were married
February 11, 1950. Ray and Marna started their family in Missoula but yearned for a more rural life and in 1960 with their two daughters, moved to Sweeney Creek in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Complete with cows, pigs, chickens and an old horse; this would be home for the rest of Dad’s life. Later that year a son completed their family. A large garden, caring for all the animals and other outdoor activities kept him very busy, however, there was always time for hunting, fishing and camping. Dad’s “day job” was as a brakeman and yardmaster for the Northern Pacific and then the Burlington Northern, where he was a proud union man. After retiring from the railroad Dad and Mom explored Mexico where his Spanish consisted of cerveza fria por favor. They also enjoyed trips to San Diego, the Pacific coast and trips to wherever their kids were living. Dad’s formal education ended early but he was an avid learner and reader until the very end. He loved non-fiction especially history and natural history topics. He was reading a book about the exploration of the Artic when he died. He loved gardening and was always delighted when the supper table included corn, tomatoes, potatoes and fruit from his own ground. Dad passed down to his children his family tradition of respect for animals and the earth and growing and preserving one’s own food. We are all dedicated sauerkraut makers. He was wise beyond any formal education and with brothers and brothers in law, remodeled and built several houses. They were self-taught but could and would tackle almost any building, farming, or automotive challenge. He was a caring and compassionate father who always put providing for his family first. He had a place in his heart for anyone he considered less fortunate and was the first to volunteer for a friend or a church project. Ray’s faith was a cornerstone of his life. He and mom were founding members of a prayer group that has met continuously for over 30 years. He worshipped at the Lone Rock Bible Church. We lost Mom in 2012 and Dad has mourned her every day since. He is survived by daughters Betsy (Peter Bensen) and Kerry (Marty Rausch) and son Jim (Beth Knox) and grandchildren Dan Bensen (Pavlina Borisova), Katy Bensen, Tanner Rausch (Sara) and Mike Rausch (Melissa), Lucas and Jared Maier. Great-grandchildren Maggie Bensen and Kolton, Kadin, Gage and Andon Rausch ensure the future. Ray is also survived by sisters Esther (Milton) Edwards, Dolly Auch, Ruby Sample and Sue Ten Eyck; brothers John Maier and Larry Maier; and 46 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Bitterroot R C and D for the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, 4567 Wildfowl Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 where Ray was a long time volunteer. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23rd, at the Florence-Carlton Community Church, 20075 Old Highway 93, Florence. Interment with military honors will follow at the Carlton cemetery.
Frank Meyers
Died: Sat., Jul. 4, 2015
Visitation: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Fri., Jul. 10, 2015
Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Stevensville - Frank Meyers, 76, passed away at his son’s home in Missoula, Saturday, July 4, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. He lived most of his life in Detroit, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for Western Union. He later met and married
Diane Gerrard. They moved to Wyoming when he found a career in computer repair. They transferred to Montana where he lived the remainder of his life. He loved sports, especially hockey and bowling, camping and fishing. Some of his most treasured memories were ice-fishing with his sons. He is survived by his wife, five children, seventeen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Frank loved the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a devoted and caring person. Above all, he loved his family, he wanted to be with them even in his final hours. He left the arms of his loving family to be greeted by his family waiting on the other side. Visitation will begin at 9:30 A.M. on Friday, July 10, 2015 at the LDS Church in Stevensville located at 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road. The service will begin at 10:30 A.M. at the church. Interment with military honors will be held at 12:30 P.M. at the Western Montana State Veterans cemetery in Missoula located at 1911 Tower Street. A reception will follow the interment back at the church beginning at 1:30 P.M.
Linda Rae Seppel
Died: Tue., Jun. 30, 2015
Family to do services at later date
Stevensville - On June 30, 2015, in the early evening hours, Linda Rae Seppel, 57, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed peacefully from this world Linda was born Linda Rae Stith to her parents Raymond and Virginia Stith in Oregon City, Oregon on September 2, 1957. When she was 16 the family moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Here as a young woman of just 17, she met and married
Guy P Seppel, a marriage that would last until her death. She had two children before she was 20, son Keith and daughter Tonya. Linda was a mother as mothers were meant to be. She was fiercely protective of her children, always ready to do anything for them. Linda taught them the skills they would need to go out in the world, the greatest of these being love. Linda became a grandmother early, and loved every minute of it. She knew every detail of the lives of her six grandchildren. Linda was an amazing wife and dedicated friend. She enjoyed golfing, knitting, playing cards and scrabble, and taking walks with her sweet dog Aggie. Linda gave all she had to all the people in her life. Even at the end, with her passing eminent, she was only concerned with how every visitor was, and if she could get them anything, Linda lived her life the way she wanted to, with quiet dignity and passed from this world the same way. Linda is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Virginia Stith, her inlaws Jerry and Catherine Seppel, her sister in law Jodie Baciak, her brother in law Jim Seppel, and her nephew Jason Stith. Linda is survived by her husband of 40 years, Guy Seppel, her children Keith Seppel (Rachael) his two children Taylor Seppel and Evelynn Seppel, her daughter Tonya Gehlen (Nick) and her children Wyatt, Cheyenne, Mikala, and Katlyn. Her brothers Dennis and Bobby Stith and family. Her brothers and sister in laws and many nieces and nephews. Linda has requested that no service be held, but instead a celebration of life, which will be planned for August 9th, 2015, in Stevensville. The time and place will be announced later. There will also be a celebration of life in Wisconsin in September. Whitesitt Funeral home will be handling the cremation, and Linda has requested that her ashes be spread in the same place that her husband Guy wants, so that she may "pester him" forever.
Gisela Hagedorn Smith
Died: Mon., Jun. 8, 2015
Graveside Service: 2:00 PM Mon., Jun. 15, 2015
Location: Victor cemetery
MISSOULA – Gisela Hagedorn Smith passed away Monday, June 8, 2015, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane of natural causes. She was born in West Germany on Feb. 20, 1923, to Fredrick and Anna Hagedorn. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1947 and was working for the military at Fort Ord, where she met John “Chuck” Smith. They were married
Dec. 31, 1951. After his discharge, the couple moved to Missoula, his hometown. One of her proudest moments was when she received her citizenship March 12, 1953. Chuck died May 22, 1992. She sold their house in the Rattlesnake and moved into a condo in the Lindwood Estates, where she lived very happily until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chuck; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lucy and Lucien Croonenberghs, and Jim and Florence Smith; sister-in-law, Peggy Martin; and nephew, Lucien “Norm” Croonenberghs. She is survived her brother-in law, Bob Martin; nieces and nephews, Luci Ann C. and John Manz, Jeff Croonenberghs, Sharon Gillispie, Terry and Jerry Hinman, Bonnie and Jerry Worley, Randy and Paulette Smith, Larry and Shelia Smith, Debbie and Leonard Urick, Kelly and Dawn Smith, Tammie and Pete Scott, Bob and Mary Martin, Ron Martin; and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Gisela was blessed by good friends, Nancy and Mike Chandler, Dorothy Rahders, Gretchen Weiizel, Gail Kersher and Helen Garrick, and her Tuesday lunch girls. Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of the arrangements. At her request, there will be only graveside services at Victor cemetery on Monday, June 15, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow.
Ruth E. (Christofferson) Lotan
Died: Sat., May 16, 2015
Celebration of Life: 1:00 PM Tue., May 26, 2015
Location: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Stevensville - Ruth E. Christofferson Lotan, 84, of Stevensville passed away to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 16, 2015 with her son Eric and grandson Alex Lotan by her side. She was born in Auburn Heights, Michigan on April 18, 1931. On April 28, 1951 she married
James E. Lotan in Pontiac, Michigan. Ruth is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Stevensville and enjoyed her service with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. A memorial celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, May, 26, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Pine Hollow Road in Stevensville. Memorials may be made in her name to Eric Lotan, 1550 Middle Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville, MT 59870. Romans 11:36.
Jack E. Armstrong
Date of Death: Jun 26, 2013
Location of Service: Victor cemetery - Victor
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Jack E. Armstrong, 86, of Las Vegas, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at the Nathan Adelson Hospice Care Center of natural causes.
Visitation will be 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, at Victor cemetery.
Enid Friesz Hawkins McCafferty
Date of Death: Jul 15, 2013
Location of Service: Florence-Carlton Community Church - Florence
FLORENCE – Enid Friesz Hawkins McCafferty, 84, passed away Monday, July 15, 2013, at her home in Florence surrounded by family, of natural causes.
She was born on June 16, 1929, in Elgin, N.D., to Dan and Nettie Friesz. Enid attended school in Butte and worked as a candy striper at the Murray Clinic as a teenager.
Enid married
Bob Hawkins in 1947. They lived in Butte, Dillon and Whitehall. The couple had two children, Danette and Paul. After Bob’s death, she married
Ray McCafferty. They lived in Whitehall and owned The Cheese Shop.
Enid was actively involved with the national Muscular Dystrophy Association, traveling with her son Paul, the MDA poster child from 1963-1965. She loved her family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards, garage saling, traveling, sewing, camping and taking care of others.
Enid was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Nettie Friesz; her son, Paul Hawkins in 1974; husbands, Bob Hawkins in 1978 and Ray McCafferty in 1996; sister, Arlette Redfern; and brother, Jack Friesz. Survivors include her daughter, Danette Hawkins and her husband Phil Flukas of Florence; grandson, Bob Casagrande and his wife Julie and great-granddaughters Katie, Bailey and Shay, all of Missoula; grandson, Cory Casagrande and great-grandsons Mason and Boady of Great Falls; Bill and Hazel McCafferty of Georgia; Rae Ann McCafferty of Billings; Chris and Lance Ivanish of Miles City; Pastor Art and Connie McCafferty of Lincoln.
Enid will be honored at two services. A memorial service will be held at the Florence-Carlton Community Church in Florence on Saturday, July 27, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. A graveside service will be held at the Whitehall cemetery in Whitehall on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow.
The family suggests memorial donations may be made in Enid’s name to either the Florence-Carlton Community Church, Florence; Blackfoot Valley Bible Church, Lincoln; Muscular Dystrophy Association of Montana or the Cancer Center at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula.
