John H. Anderson, Jr.
1916-2009
John H. Anderson, Jr., 93, a lifelong resident, rancher and statesman of Beaverhead and Madison counties, passed away Aug. 24, at the Tobacco Root Care Center in Sheridan.
John H. Anderson, Jr. was born in Dillon on July 9, 1916. His parents, John and Egidia, both immigrants from Denmark, homesteaded in Beaverhead County and later bought additional property in Madison County. They relocated to Alder in 1920. John was the oldest of four children. He attended grade school at Alder and graduated from Virginia City High School in 1934. John attended two years at Montana State College in Bozeman before becoming associated with his father on the family ranch. In 1943 he started operating for himself by leasing the ranch and livestock from his father.
John married Estella Hansen on Feb. 1, 1948. They built their home on the lower Larabie Ranch in Alder, which became the primary headquarters for their family ranching operation. John played an important role in Montana’s government. He served two terms in the House of Representatives representing Madison County and two terms in the Senate representing Beaverhead, Madison, and part of Gallatin counties. John served on the Natural Resource, Taxation, Fish and Game, Township and Counties, and Livestock and Range committees. However, he frequently said that his greatest privilege was to be elected, along with Carl Davis, to represent Madison and Beaverhead County at the Constitutional Convention of 1972.
The Environmental Article, a product of John’s service on the Natural Resources Committee, has become a model for other states, as well as the federal government. John and his colleague Carl Davis sponsored the Constitution’s Water Article, and John and Erv Geysler served as a sub-committee and wrote the Agriculture Article. John had memberships in many organizations and committees: He was a lifetime member and past exalted ruler of the B.P.O.E. Lodge No 390, Virginia City; a member of the Masonic bodies of Virginia City and Bagdad Temple of the Shrine, Butte; and a member of the Danish Brotherhood Lodge No. 273, Dillon. He served 18 years on the Alder School Board and seven years on the Sheridan High School Board. He was active in the Montana Woolgrowers and Montana Stockgrowers Associations. He was also a member of the National Cattleman’s Association, a charter member and director of the Montana Public Lands Council and served as a director and past-president of the Southwestern Montana Stockmen’s Association. Additionally, he served as director and past chairman of the Advisory Board for Grazing on BLM lands in the Butte District. He served on the Committee of Montana Citizens for Court Improvement, was a member since 1963 of the Board of Directors for the First Northwestern National Bank of Dillon, and served as Board President of the Federal Land Bank Association of Bozeman and Dillon, during his 17 years as a board member.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Edna and beloved wife Estella. He is survived by his children, sons John (Karen) and Jim (Addie) of Alder; daughters Jean Bluett of Alder and Joan (Tom) Eliel of Townsend; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Marie Battle and Clara Cragholm, brother-in-law Karl Sauerbier, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 31 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dillon. BPOE Elks Lodge #390 conducted a Lodge of Sorrows at the K&L Mortuary Chapel in Sheridan on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Memorials may be made to the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #390 Scholarship fund; The First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dillon, MT; the Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center, Sheridan, MT, or charity of choice.
Sandra Rae Benbow
1946-2009
Sandra Rae Benbow, 63, of Blackfoot, Idaho, passed away peacefully Friday, Aug. 28, at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born July 4, 1946, in Malad, Idaho, to Leland and Virginia Pauline Dixon Madsen. She lived in Malad for one year, when her family bought a ranch in Patterson. She attended school in Patterson and graduated from High School in Challis. Sandra has also lived in Lewistown for six years, Long Beach, Calif. for a short time, Salmon, Idaho, four years, and in Dillon for 24 years. She moved to Blackfoot in 2006.
On July 1, 1971, she married George Benbow in Elko, NV.
Sandra worked for Parkview Convalescent Center in Dillon.
She enjoyed fishing, camping, and dancing.
Sandra is survived by her husband, George; three sons, Mike (Kimberly) Benbow, George (Cheryl) Benbow, all of Blackfoot, Geoff (Christy) Benbow, of Bozeman; one daughter, Wendy (Sean) Smith, of Cedar City, Utah; two brothers, Keith Madsen and Gary Madsen, both of May, Idaho; one sister, Kaye Simmons, of Salmon, Idaho; grandchildren: Sydney Smith of Cedar City, Utah, Kolton Dalton of Blackfoot, Wendy Alverez of Crestline, Calif., Ashley Valenvuela of Dillon; and great-grandchildren: Triston Alverez, Jace Alverez, Lillie Valenvuela, Carlos Valenvuela, Jr., and Ariana Valenvuela.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Kenny.
In accordance with her wishes no public services will be held. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to: Kenny Madsen Memorial Fund, c/o Eastern Idaho Credit Union, P. O. Box 262, Challis, Idaho 83226-0262.
Orban C. "Calvin" Jackson
1988-2009
Orban C. "Calvin" Jackson, 21 of Lima, moved on to ride for the Lord in Helena on Aug. 28, 2009.
He was born in Dillon on April 30, 1988, to Orban and Ruth Jackson. He graduated valedictorian of his high school class and enlisted in the Montana Army National Guard in 2006. He attended Helena Vo-Tech in 2007 and 2008, and studied welding and metal fabrication.
He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, riding 4 wheelers, and anything to do with horses. He also loved his big pickup trucks. He was an artist and loved to draw.
He is preceded in death by his great-grandparents and Godfather Harry Shaffer.
He is survived by his parents; his sister, Farin (Josh) Hales; and niece, Macaila of Dillon; grandparents, George and Grace Jackson of Big Timber; and Dan and Mary Hill of Dillon; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; brothers, Casey Smith and Dean Goettle; very special friend, Angela McKeever; Godmother Linda Shaffer and her children Harry and Raylene; and friends too numerous to mention all of them.
There was a visitation at Brundage Funeral Home on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and the family requested participants to bring any photos or written memories to share.
A celebration of his life will be on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. at Brundage Chapel with graveside services at Mountain View Cemetery. Following services there will be a reception at the Fire Hall in Lima.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Childrens Hospital, Lima Fire Department, White Hat Coalition/Care Packages, Patriot Riders, or a charity of your choice.
A guest book is available at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
Milton Julius Radloff
1925-2009
Milton Julius Radloff of Dillon passed away at Barrett Hospital and HealthCare on Aug. 25.
Milton was born in Merrill, Wisconsin, on Aug. 15, 1925, and has been a Parkview Care and Rehabilitation Center for the past 6+ years.
He served our country in the Navy during WWII.
There will be graveside services for Milton on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery in Dillon.
Brundage Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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