Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Obituaries 02-03-2010

Larry Joe Salmonsen
Larry Joe Salmonsen, 66, Pocatello, ID., passed away Sunday, Jan. 31. Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 6th at 10 a.m. with a visitation prior to services. A full obituary will follow next week.
Brundage Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Obituaries 01-27-2010

Elizabeth Ann Orr

1937 - 2010

Elizabeth Ann Orr was born on November 3, 1937 to Irving E. and Margaret R. Orr in Dillon. She graduated from Beaverhead County High School and Western Montana College with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Math. Elizabeth continued her education at the University of Illinois and received a Masters in Education from Pepperdine University in California.

Elizabeth taught high school math in the Denver CO. School District for two years, then taught for four years on Navy Air Bases in Sicily, Libya, and England. She returned to the United States and accepted an Advanced Math teaching position in the Orange CA. Unified School District. During her teaching career, Elizabeth received many honors and awards from the National Education Association, California Teachers Association, and the National Council of Teachers.

In 1993, she retired and continued to live in Anaheim, CA. where she enjoyed playing golf and traveling the world.

Elizabeth is survived by her brother Lee and sister-in-law Carol of Irvine, CA., her niece Leanne C. Orr of Irvine, CA., and her nephew Lee W. Orr of Lake Forest, CA.

Elizabeth passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 20.

At Elizabeth’s request, her cremated remains will be buried at a private graveside memorial service at Mountain View Cemetery in Dillon at a future date.



Janey Albertine Bryan

1913-2010

Janey Albertine Bryan ,96, of Glen, a lifelong area resident, died of natural causes Saturday, Jan. 23, at Barrett Hospital in Dillon, with family by her side.

A private grave side service was held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Dillon. A larger family gathering in remembrance of Janey will be held next summer.

Janey was born Dec. 21, 1913 to Frank and Margaret (Coiner) Bryan, at the Coiner place on Birch Creek, the second of three siblings: an older sister Irene and a younger brother William. Janey was descended from an early Montana pioneer family. Her grandfather, William Bryan, began working in Bannack as a blacksmith in 1863, later starting an early day ranch with his wife Elizabeth, on the Big Hole River, below what would later become Glen.

Janey lived with her family at Apex during her early years, beginning her schooling at the Apex School. The family later moved to a homestead on the Big Hole River, below Glen, where she finished her elementary education at the Buhrer School. During the time the children were attending the Buhrer School, Janey's father Frank, was killed in an accident. He was thrown from his horse while hurrying to get home to the ranch.

After graduating from Beaverhead County High School, Janey attended college at what was then called Normal School in Dillon. She left college after a year to go home and help out on the ranch, saying her heart was in the country.

Janey lived in the Glen area all of her active life on the Big Hole River, and later on Willow Creek. Due to health problems, Janey's last years were spent at Parkview Acres in Dillon.

Janey enjoyed travel, especially car trips to Canada to visit friends. She loved country music, and gardening and was a fountain of knowledge about family and area history.

Janey was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Maggie, sister Irene, brother Bill and great nephew Brett Cope of Oregon.

She is survived by her sister -in-law Catherine Bryan; nephew Frank (Carol) Bryan, Glen, MT.; Bill (Bambi) Roberts, Helena, MT.; nieces Iris (Bill) Price, Great Falls, Mt., and Marion Lea Roberts, Corvallis, OR.; great nephews Brian (Patricia) Scott of Glen, MT.; Brad and Brian Cope, OR.; great nieces Suzette (Les) Sherrard, Erin (Troy) Voeller, Billi (Lance) Broadbent, and Samantha Price all of Great Falls, MT.; Mimi (Sean) Vali, Los Angeles, Ca.; Susie (Marty) Farmer, Portland OR.; and Bryn Cope, OR.; great-great nephews and nieces Erin, Katy, Cassie, Nikki, Morgan, Reese, Christopher, and numerous others.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Barrett Hospital or Parkview Acres.




Ford Wesley Knight

1929 - 2010

Ford went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday January 16, 2010, in Kalispell, Montana. Ford was born September 18, 1929 in Butte, Montana to Jack and Blanche (Dickson) Knight. He was followed by brother Rutherford and sister Geraldine. He went to grade school in Bannack, Montana and Graduated from Beaverhead High School where he played in the East-West Shrine Football game. During the summer he spent time in the “Big Hole” haying on the Jardine ranch. He received his BS and MS degrees in Metallurgical Engineering and Graduate Fellowship from the Montana School of Mines while working in several of the Butte mines. Over his extensive international career, Ford performed duties as Manager and Project Engineer for the Anaconda Copper Mining Co in Anaconda, MT ; E.I. Dupont, Savannah River Plane, Aiken, S.C.; Los Alamos Scientific lab, K Division, Los Alamos, NM; Atomic Power Development Association (Detroit Edison) and FERMI lab, Detroit, MI; United Kingdom Atomic Energy authority, Dounreay Fast Reactor facility, Thurso, Scotland, Westinghouse Electric, France; General Electric in Richland, WA; San Jose and Vallecitos CA, and Tokyo, Japan, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel Division, Pittsburgh, PA, Westinghouse Electric, Advanced Energy Systems/Waste Management/Environmental Remediation Divisions, Pittsburgh, PA, and Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA. Ford’s professional affiliations included: Westinghouse Electric’s representative on and charter member of the committee on Nuclear Quality Assurance, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and an early and catalyzing member of the ASQC working group on ASQC E-4, Environmental Quality Assurance. Ford was published many times in major publications between 1960 and 1991.

While in Pittsburgh, PA, Ford met and married his wife Nancy Fried Knight. They together raised sons John and Matthew on a farm in Saxonburg, PA. Ford was a well respected farmer raising corn and soybeans along with hogs and black angus cattle. Ford and his family returned to his beloved Montana in 1991.

Ford is survived by his loving wife Nancy, his sons John and Matthew, daughters-in-law Carrie Griffin Knight and Heather Broeder Knight; daughter Leslie Smail and husband Eric Hunley; grandchildren Tia, Tiffany and Cody; nephew and niece Jarrod and Atari Faust, and countless friends.

Throughout his entire life Knight credited and honored our Heavenly Father. This was his most cherished legacy.

The celebration of Ford’s life will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday January 30, 2010 at Cornerstone Community Church, 1970 Hwy 93 N, Kalispell.

Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family.




Agnes Mugaas

1911 - 2010

Agnes Mugaas, 98, passed away Friday, Jan. 22, at Barrett Hospital and Healthcare in Dillon.

Born November 8, 1911, in Dillon, she was the sixth of seven children born to the late John (Ivan) and Kate (Katarina) Laknar.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Magnus “Mac” Mugaas, her sister, Mary Naysich, and her brothers Frank, Joe, John, Jr., Mike and George.

Survivors include: sons, Harold of Salem, OR, and John and wife Lynn of Lewisburg, WV; grandchildren, Terri Pendras , Dee Dee Williams and husband Ted, all of Port Orchard, WA; Marina Martin and husband Alan of South Charleston, WV; J. Peter Mugaas of Lewisburg, WV; and Aaron T. Mugaas and wife Julie of Bozeman, MT; great grandchildren, brothers Wylie and Hayes Mugaas of Bozeman, MT.
Agnes was a life-long resident of Dillon, MT, and member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She was active for many years in the St. Rose Women’s Guild. She attended schools in Dillon and completed a course of study at a beauty school in Great Falls, MT.

On October 24, 1937, she married Magnus Mugaas. In addition to being a homemaker, she worked as a clerk, and a bookkeeper (County Treasurer’s Office). Her hobbies included baking, embroidering, crocheting, knitting, clothing construction, and pottery. She served for many years as an election poll worker, and helped with various exhibits at the County Fair.

Visitation will be held at 5:00 p.m., vigil at 7:00 p.m., and rosary at 8:00 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Thursday, Jan. 28. A funeral Mass will be held Friday, Jan. 29 at 12:10 p.m. at St. Rose, with Father Herbert Pins officiating. Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

Immediately after graveside committal a funeral luncheon will be held at the St. Rose Pastoral Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Barrett Hospital Foundation, Parkview Acres Care and Rehabilitation Center, or the charity of your choice.

A guest book is available on line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.




Robert Neal Miller

1925 - 2010

Robert Neal Miller died Jan. 24 in Dillon, MT., at age 84 from cancer. His loving family was with him.

He was born on May 1, 1925 in Edison, NE., to George Walter and Fern Adele Draper Miller. His early years were lived in Fremont and Lincoln, NE., and Denver, CO. At the height of the Great Depression he came to Dillon, MT., with his father following the death of his mother when he was 7 years old. Dillon was his home for the rest of his life.

Robert was a decorated World War II veteran. He served in the United States Army 11th Armored Division from Sept. 24, 1943, to Nov. 1, 1945. He was decorated with the Silver Star and Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster, and received a Presidential citation. He was wounded in Belgium and Germany, and was in the Battle of the Bulge under General George Patton.

On Aug. 11, 1945, Robert married Norma Jean Nelson in Butte, MT. They were married for 59 years until Norma’s death. Together they had four children: Cherie, George, Kathie and Terry.

Although he preferred being called Robert, he was known by most as Bob or “Pa.” He was renowned for his work ethic, honesty, patriotism, generosity, and kindness.

Robert worked in the construction and building trades for most of his life along with his father George, brothers Marvin and Gordon, and his son, George. He owned his own businesses including Miller and Sons Construction, Miller Ready Mix Concrete, S&M Construction, and the Robo Car Wash.

He played as hard as he worked and loved his motorcycles, old cars, buggies, and horses. He restored numerous vintage automobiles and buggies and took many trips on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

He served as County Commissioner for Beaverhead County for 8 years and was able to achieve substantial improvements for the county’s citizens such as the flood plain, county dump, implementation of the WIC program and family planning, and improvements to roads and bridges. Bob was a member of the Democratic Party and served on the Central Committee for many years.

He was a past chairman of the Beaverhead County Planning Board, and was a member of the Montana State Aeronautical Board.

On July 4, 2005 Bob married Betty Nelson in Dillon. They experienced five wonderful years together. They loved taking care of their yard and Arabian horses.

Robert was pre-deceased by an infant daughter, Roberta; first wife Norma Jean; sisters Joan Schiable, Jean Huboch, Jane Gates, and brother Jack Miller.

Robert is survived by his wife Betty, children Cherie (Wayne) Stevens, George (Bonnie) Miller, Kathie (David) Drew, and Terry Miller. His grandchildren are Robert (Heidi) Stevens, John (Lynne) Stevens, Christopher Stevens, Jordan Miller, Melinda (Randy) Newman, Shawn Miller, Marcus (Rachel) Drew, Chelsey Drew, and Sarah Rose Irwin. He is also survived by twelve great grandchildren; and by his siblings, Marion (Jack) Smith, Marvin (Pat) Miller, Gordon (Irene) Miller, and Jim Miller, and many beloved nieces and nephews including three who became stepson and grandchildren, Joe (Helen) Nelson, Jacob (Christina) Nelson, and Shelly (Trent) Sullivan..

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with military rites to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Memorials in Bob’s honor can be made to the Beaverhead Community Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1356, Dillon.



Margaret E. Whelan

1915 - 2010

Margaret passed from this earth on Jan. 23, at the Delta Memorial Hospital, Delta, CO.

She was born in Bayfield, WI., Sept. 7, 1915.

Margaret is survived locally by one brother, Charles J. (Joan) Phillips; one niece, Linda (Darell) Sunderlin; grandniece and grandnephew, Shanna Sunderlin and Justin Sunderlin; Carol (Keith) Thompson, Snowville, UT; and other nieces and nephews.

Cremation is taking place in Cedaredge, CO. A memorial will be at the Sheridan Cemetery this spring.



Bernice Irene Frank

1921 - 2010

Bernie, surrounded by her family, was taken home to be with the Lord at the age of 88, Jan. 25.

Bernie was born to Carl and Bernice Rogers in Columbus, MT., in 1921.
She was raised in Columbus and was very active growing up. She was on the women’s basketball team in high school and helped bring the first State championship to Columbus. Bernie was active in Eastern Star as an adult.

She married Rynold Frank in Billings, MT., on June 27, 1940.
The first years of their marriage were spent in Laurel where they purchased Frank’sGrocery. They later moved to California where they owned a
7-11store. In 1969, Rynold and Bernie moved their family to Dillon, where they were long-time business owners, including ownership of the Snappy Service.

Preceding her in death was husband, Rynold, daughter Bonnie Jackson, her parents, a brother, and 3 sisters.

Bernie is survived by her sister Carlyne White, daughter Claudia Gettle, sons, Harvey Frank (Linda), Doug Frank (Sue), son in law, Bob Jackson, grandchildren Shannon (Steve) Frizzell, Donna Gettle (Cory), and great grandson Ronun Frizzell.

Any donation may be made to Mizpah #13 Order of the Eastern Star in Dillon.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brundage Funeral Home with funeral services Saturday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

A guest book is available at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.



Ruth J. Harrison

1920 - 2010

Ruth J. Harrison passed away Jan. 24, at Parkview Acres Care Center, as a result of, in Ruth’s words, “Too many birthdays”

Ruth was born Dec. 1, 1920, at the Jackson ranch near Jackson, MT, to John and Margaret Jackson.

Ruth attended school in Jackson and Dillon, participating in band and orchestra. On July 29, 1938, Ruth married J. Dwight Harrison in Dillon. They lived in Jackson for three years before moving to the Harrison Ranch in the Grasshopper Valley.

In addition to the everyday activities of a ranch wife, she enjoyed keeping her hands busy knitting and crocheting for family and friends. Her projects included bedspreads, sweaters, towels, doilies and special warmers.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight in 1998, infant daughter, Francis Kay, and son-in-law, Steve Johnson; brothers Johnny and Bob (Elna) Jackson; sisters Mae (Harold) Nelson, Eda (Jack) Shepherd, and Catherine (Johnny) Cheek.

Survivors include sister Irma Harrison, daughter Sue Johnson, Missoula, MT; sons Wayne (Kay), Simms, MT, Dan (Kathy), Pinehurst, ID; Ted (Joyce) and John (Danna) at the family ranch in the Grasshopper Valley. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren and twenty one great grandchildren.

Friends can visit with the family at Brundage Funeral Home, Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Rosary to follow.

Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Jan. 28, at 12:10 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Herbert Pins officiating. Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

Immediately after graveside services, a funeral luncheon will be held at the St. Rose Pastoral Center.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to a charity of your choice.

A guest book is available on line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.