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C. John 'Putte' Kuno
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. -- C. John "Putte" Kuno, 90, a Montana native and former Great Falls resident, died of natural causes Sunday at his home in Sierra Vista, Ariz.
A memorial service will be held in Montana this summer.
Survivors include his wife, Jan, of Sierra Vista; a son, Jered John "Butch" Kuno of Great Falls; daughters Karen Kay Swensson, Penelope Dell "Pennee" Albrecht and MaRhae Dee "Rhaedee" McDonald, all of Great Falls, and Chandee Jo Cooper of Roy, Utah; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families in Washington. His grandchildren are Jed Demeule and Scot Swan of Seattle, Leif Keno and Thor Swensson of Great Falls, Erik Swensson of Amarillo, Texas, Dustin Cooper of Salt Lake City, Christie Swan of Moscow, Idaho, Kari Olds of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Nomee Landis of Fayetteville, N.C.; and his great-grandchildren are Gerik, Olin and Zoe Landis, all of Fayetteville, Remington Swensson of Amarillo and Sabine Olds of Dubai.
"Putte" Kuno loved the simple things, the simple life -- a cup of percolated coffee, a friendly conversation, a good Louis L'Amour book, an unfamiliar road stretched out in front of him.
Putte was born Clarence John Kuno on May 27, 1912, in Becket, Mont. He was the youngest child of Swedish immigrants Sven John and Hulda Matilda Kuno.
Putte grew up and lived much of his life in Montana, but he was a wanderer at heart. During the Great Depression, he wandered the country. but returned home to Montana several years later.
He married
Julia Marie Forder, and together they raised five children in Great Falls.
Later, Putte married
Jan Turner in Pocatello, Idaho. They traveled extensively and moved to Sierra Vista last year.
Through the years, Putte worked as a roofer, a Teamster and a bookmobile librarian.
He was a joker. He was a stubborn Swede. He was a grandpa who could wiggle his ears. He was a man who often woke his children and grandchildren with these words, delivered in a singsong voice, "Rise and shine. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. God's in His heaven and all is right with the world." And it usually was.
We all miss you, Putte. We are glad we had your smile, your good company for so many wonderful years.
Putte was preceded in death by a brother, Harrington Kuno; two sisters, Hulda Murray and Elsa Chester; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Demeule.
Dated Sunday, March 9, 2003
Maxine D. Kidwell
KALISPELL -- Former Great Falls resident Maxine D. (Bargy) Kidwell, 70, of Kalispell, died Wednesday at Brendan House of natural causes.
Visitation is Monday from noon until the service time which is 2 p.m. at Johnson Mortuary and Crematory in Kalispell. Burial will be in Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell.
Survivors include a son, Terry L. Millen of Ridge Manor, Fla.; a daughter, Deborah J. Wisler of Lutz, Fla.; a brother, Richard Bargy of California; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Kidwell.
Dated Sunday, March 9, 2003
Edith H. 'Edie' Strending
Edith H. "Edie" (Rossman) Strending, 67, of 729 46th St. S., a retired budget analyst, died Friday at a local hospital of pulmonary failure.
Her funeral is 1 p.m. Tuesday at New Apostolic Church. Cremation will take place under the direction of Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
Survivors include her husband, Albert Strending of Great Falls; sons Ross Strending and his wife, Dianna, of Great Falls, and Todd Strending and his wife, Monica, of Great Falls; a brother, Otto Rossman of Miami; and five grandchildren. The grandchildren are Kristopher, Jessica, Karissa, Shaun and Kayla Strending, all of Great Falls.
Edie was born May 3, 1935, in Chicago, where she was raised and educated. She married
Albert Strending on Aug. 7, 1959, in Chicago.
Edie worked for many years as a legal secretary and for 25 years as a budget analyst for the U.S. Probation Department, retiring in 2000.
She was active in the New Apostolic Church as an organist, choir member and Sunday school teacher. She loved her church and her grandchildren.
She will be sorely missed by her family and loved ones.
Dated Sunday, March 9, 2003
William M. Moore
HAVRE -- Korean War Army veteran William M. Moore, 70, of Havre, a retired Burlington Northern electrician, died Friday at a Great Falls hospital after a long battle with cancer.
His memorial service is 1 p.m. Tuesday at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel in Havre. Cremation has taken place. A fellowship reception will follow service at the Eagles Club.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Moore of Havre; daughters Kathy Bahr and Joan Daulton; sons Bill Moore, Brian Moore and James Vaskey; brothers Herb Moore and Rex Moore; 13 grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.
Dated Sunday, March 9, 2003
Barbara Ann 'Bobbi' Terry
HELENA -- Barbara "Bobbi" Ann Terry, 72, died Thursday at the Rocky Mountain Care Center after a two-year battle with cancer.
Per Bobbi's wishes, there will be no formal services. The family will hold an open house at her home at 1520 Walnut on Sunday, March 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. Please come and help us say goodbye. Any memorials may be sent to the Melodee House in care of Westmont, 2525 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT 59601.
Survivors include her daughters Dawn Betts and husband John, Lori Kaye (Korrie) Polk and husband Dan, son Bill Terry and wife Chris. There are five grandchildren, Jamie Dawn (maiden name Heen) from Wyoming, Nathan Hill from Great Falls, Travis Terry from East Helena, Jackie (Betts) Schultz and Steven Betts from Helena and Lacie Terry from East Helena. There are five great-grandchildren.
Bobbi was born on Jan. 16, 1931, in Altoona, Pa., the only child of William and Anna (Dingeldein) Vetter. After attending schools in Pennsylvania, she worked for the Butterick Pattern Co. She worked with many of her own patterns throughout the years and was an accomplished seamstress. Family and friends reaped the rewards of her sewing skills, from beautifully crafted personal wear to simple but much needed repairs.
In 1952 Bobbi married
Donald R. Gerkin, an airline mechanic, also from Altoona, Pa. After their divorce, she married
Stuart K. Terry Jr., a banker in Columbus, Ohio. They were married
for 18 years, moving from Ohio to Great Falls, Mont., in 1969 and then to Helena in 1977.
While raising a young family in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, she had her own neighborhood laundry and baby-sitting service. She was a member of Good Shepherd and Messiah Lutheran Church. For many years she was active in the League of Women Voters and Republican women's organizations.
Bobbi has always been well-known for her love of gardening. Wherever she lived she spent many hours planting, transplanting and nurturing her flower gardens. At one time she was part of the Reynoldsburg Garden Club, where she had lots of friends with the same enthusiasm for gardening.
Stu and Bobbi moved to 32nd Street South in Great Falls, Mont., at the edge of Gibson Flats. There she found new interests such as owning and caring for Appaloosa horses and having a brief partnership in a bar/dance club called the Tip It in Black Eagle, Mont. During this time she and her husband became interested in sailing, took classes, bought a sailboat and joined the Canyon Ferry Sailing Association. On one occasion they took their boat to Washington to sail in Puget Sound.
After moving to Helena, Bobbi opened a small hot-pretzel shop on Neil Avenue close to where the American Federal Bank drive through is now. In 1981 she went to work as a file clerk for the Justice Department. She retired in 1996.
Bobbi's next-door neighbor, Howard Ottesen, became a dear friend, then a longtime partner. They enjoyed traveling together with other Summit Club members, especially enjoying the Reno and Jackpot trips. The two of them loved to dance and spent many late evenings wearing down the local dance floors.
Over the years Bobbi loved to work jigsaw puzzles. During her illness she spent many hours pouring over dozens of puzzles. The hobby helped to keep her occupied and entertained while being homebound. Her beloved pets -- dog Sandy and cat Tinker -- were her constant and ever-faithful companions.
Bobbi was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, Randa Louise, and her dear partner Howard Ottesen.
Dated Sunday, March 9, 2003
Margaret A. Arps
BELT -- Margaret A. (Stephens) Arps, 86, of Belt, a longtime homemaker and active community member, died of natural causes Tuesday at her daughter's home.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is 2 p.m. Saturday at Belt Community Church. A private family service will be held at a later date. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Surviving her are a daughter and son-in-law; Rhea Ann (Arps) and James A. Snider of Belt; grandchildren Robert Snider and his wife Carey of Fort Shaw, Kristina Snider of Belt, Ann-Margaret (Snider) Periman and husband Bill of Great Falls, Bonnie (Snider) Elgaen and husband Larry of Marysville, Wash., Lindy (Snider) Reynolds of Groveton, Texas, Jim Snider, Jr. and wife Sharon of Westlock, Alberta, Canada, Russell Snider and wife DeeDee of Westlock, Alberta, Canada, and Cheryl (Snider) Haynes and husband Jim of Conrad, 19 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; five children; and three brothers.
Margaret A. "Maggie" Arps was born in Choteau, Mont., on July 5, 1916, daughter of pioneer dentist Dr. and Mrs. C.J.B. Stevens. She grew up with three brothers, Clarence, Richeld, and Harold Stephens. She had a special fondness for her father and even in her later years missed her father very much. She graduated from Teton County High School on May 19, 1933. She was employed as a law and insurance secretary, and then became contact manager of the County National Re-employment Service until 1936.
Margaret met Robert H. Arps at a dance in Augusta. They courted for a short time and were married
in a double ceremony with Robert's twin sister, Laura, and her husband Harry Calabaugh, on May 29, 1936.
Robert and Margaret's first home was a tent house at Avalanche Creek, Glacier National Park, during construction of the "Going to the Sun Highway," where her husband worked as an operating engineer. In the spring of 1937, they moved near Glasgow, then Augusta and Fairfield until May 1940, when they relocated to Anchorage, Alaska, to participate in the construction of Fort Richardson Army Base.
She was secretary to the U.S. Attorney until she resigned to raise their family. They were the first civilians to reside in base housing there. Margaret was the only civilian wife who was not evacuated when war in Japan broke out. Daughter Rhea Ann Arps was born Nov. 7, 1941. Margaret kept a special diary of her pregnancy and afterward to record this wonderful moment in their lives.
In 1951, they moved back to Montana, where she and her husband operated a small cattle ranch near Belt. Both were civil service employees at Malmstrom AFB. Robert and Margaret were inseparable and loved each other very much. He passed away in 1975.
Margaret continued working at the Air Force base. She advanced rapidly from a clerk position to a command secretarial position for SATAF (Strategic Air Minuteman Missiles), receiving many outstanding awards from the Department of Defense. In 1975, she became chief publication officer of the Base Publication Branch. Margaret served three years on the Governor's Advisory Board on Aging, eight years on the Cascade County Council on Aging, six years of it as the chairman.
She was the publisher-editor of the Golden Agers Newspaper for 13 years, as well as the Belt representative in the Senior Care Program, presently known as Benefis Senior Care Advisory Board. Margaret served as a county election judge and was a second vice president and membership chairman of the Belt Golden Agers. She was chairman of Red Cross Staff Aides at Malmstrom AFB for two years, past president of the Belt Democratic Women's Club and the Farmer's Union Local.
Margaret was Past Matron and lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star, Past Chief of Mt. Pythian Sisters and Past Most Excellent Chief of the Belt Pythian Sisters, Past Noble Grand of Belt Rebekahs and Past Secretary of District Rebekahs. She was a member of the Belt Flower Growers, charter member and secretary of the American Federation of Government Employees at Malmstrom AFB, and a member of the Retired Women of Malmstrom.
Margaret enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, sewing, playing the piano, beadwork, visiting with friends, playing cards, ceramics and anything that involved her family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and developed personal friendships with many. She was lovingly called GiGi by her great-grandchildren. She loved the Lord and all that life had to give, as well as country living.
Memorials suggested to the Arthritis Foundation, Attn: Web Donation Department, P.O. Box 4284, Pittsfield, MA 01202-4284, or the Belt Golden Agers Senior Citizens Center, in Belt.
Dated Friday, April 11, 2003
Gary Gene Chesnut
STOCKETT -- Army veteran Gary Gene Chesnut, 58, a Forest Service and construction worker, died of cancer Wednesday at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.
At his request, no services are planned. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory.
Survivors include his wife, Pamela Chesnut of Stockett; sons Josh Chesnut of Missoula and Jed Chesnut of Minneapolis; and a brother, Terry Chesnut of Belt.
Dated Friday, April 11, 2003
Marjorie 'Betty' Stevens
Marjorie "Betty" (Whitney) Stevens, 88, of 3711 3rd Ave. N., a homemaker, died of natural causes Tuesday at Peace Hospice.
At her request, no services are planned. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Stevens (Lt. Col. USAF Ret.) of Great Falls; a daughter, Sherrie Horie of Glendale, Calif.; a son, Michael Stevens of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and three grandchildren, Janet Lynn Haney Stark of Bonney Lake, Wash., and Stacey Dawn Stevens and Michelle Lynn Stevens of Denver.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Betty's memory to Peace Hospice of Montana.
Dated Friday, April 11, 2003
Phyllis A. Young
Phyllis A. (Sanborn) Young, 74, of 4029 4th Ave. N., a homemaker, died of cancer Wednesday at Peace Hospice.
A memorial service is 3 p.m. Saturday at Highland Baptist Church. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.
Survivors include her husband, T.J. Young of Great Falls; daughters Sandra Gayle Cook of Baton Rouge, La., and Teri J. Skards of Sapphire Village; sons Ronald Lee Cook of Franklin, Ky., and Michael J. Young of Great Falls; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Dated Friday, April 11, 2003
