William H. Salmonsen
1938 - 2011
William H. Salmonsen passed away on June 30 after a 36-year battle with heart disease, and a short fight with cancer.
He was born on Oct. 9, 1938, in Dillon, to Elmer and Mary (Kenison) Salmonsen.
Bill attended several schools as a youth as his father followed construction. He stated that he received an education after school being the new kid on the block.
Bill, in his youth, lived in Butte, Anaconda, Great Falls and Billings. He graduated from Billings Senior High School, and moved onto college and received a bachelor’s degree in education from WMC in Dillon.
Bill joined the United States Air Force in 1957, and was stationed in French Morocco and Malmstrom AFB, Montana. His occupation was a clerical typist for the base commanders, and he was chosen Airman of the Year in 1960.
Upon an honorable discharge from the military, he met and married his lifelong love, Lou M. Kuntz of Billings. Bill and Lou enjoyed a fabulous relationship for 49 years. His life revolved around his wife and two sons, Glenn and Dennis. They did everything together and traveled as a family.
Bill and his family loved the outdoors, especially camping, hunting and fishing in the Blacktail area.
Bill worked for Harrah’s Club in Reno, Nev., as a personnel representative, and was editor of the monthly House Organ magazine, and the Harrahscope for 10 years.
He worked for American Films for seven years before returning to Dillon. He contracted with film companies until they closed.
Bill is survived by his wife Lou; son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Hillary, Pittsburgh, Penn.; granddaughter, Jade, San Antonio, Texas; and son, Dennis, and fiancée Jessica Limper, Rifle Colo.; and lifelong friends, Ed Kenison and Mary Doner, of Dillon.
Graveside services were held July 6, at 11 a.m., at Mountain View Cemetery in Dillon. A potluck luncheon followed immediately afterward at the Lutheran Church in Dillon.
A guestbook is available online at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
Charles Gundry
1937 - 2011
On June 30 Charles “Charlie” Gundry passed away following a brief illness, with his family by his side.
He was born March 8, 1937, in Butte, to Thomas Jr. and Pauline (Gundry) McNally. He was raised and went to school in Butte, graduating from the eighth grade at the Madison School.
When his niece, Sue, was just beginning to talk she couldn’t say Charles or Charlie so she nicknamed him “Bub” which stayed with him all his life; to this day his car license plates say “BUBSKAR.”
Before his graduation his parents divorced, and a few years later his mother married James P. McNally. Jim was more than a stepfather to Bub, he also was a friend, mentor, and co-worker.
The family moved to Dillon in the later 50s or early 60s, where Charlie, with the help of his family, drove to Twin Bridges every day to pick up the Great Falls Tribune, and delivered it to the residences between Twin and Dillon, including the town of Dillon, for a number of years.
He started working for Paul Puyear at Paul’s Chevrolet in 1969, and continued working at the same dealership for 30 plus years.
After retirement he could be seen walking or riding his bike around town, visiting some of his favorite places, or visiting with friends; he especially enjoyed the DQ, and didn’t miss many days going there for a cheeseburger, one of his favorite foods.
After being in a coma for a week in 2007, through hard work on his part, and his determination to remain as independent as he could, he sold his home in Dillon and started the next chapter of his life at Marquis Vintage Suites Assisted Living.
The minute he walked through the door, May 2008, he was welcomed. For the next three years he made his home at Apt. 113 on his “street”, which he shared with his wonderful and caring “neighbors.” Between the caring and wonderful staff and his niece and her husband, Sue and Andy Neff, he was able to maintain his independence.
He is survived by his sister, Ethel Henry; nieces and their husbands, Sue and Andy Neff, Sharon and Barry Farve, Denise and Buck Johnson; and nephew, Jim (JT) Henry. Also by several great-nieces and -nephews and cousins.
As he bgins this journey, he was met by family and special friends that have proceed him in death, James and Pauline McNally, Thomas Gundry, Jr., James W. Henry, Mark Henry, Penny Spolar and Shirley Paxson. He also was preceded by all his uncles and aunts. As he entered into Heaven the family knows he was greeted by a “Hi how are ya?” with which he repeated, “I’m fine, thank you.”
Services were held July 8, at 11 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Dillon. Interment was at Mountain View Cemetery following the service.
A reception followed at the church in the fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
A guestbook is available on-line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
Sharon Crabtree Oberg
1939 - 2011
Sharon Crabtree Oberg passed from this life, peacefully, May 27 in Folly Beach, S.C., after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.
She was born Nov. 19, 1939, in Twin Bridges, to Virginia and Claude Crabtree. From this humble beginning came great things.
She was proud to have received her BA from St. Catharine University, and her PhD in anatomy from the University of Wisconsin.
During her time on earth she loved to travel, and her eyes saw such wonders as the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Cyprus trees of Lebanon, and all 50 of the United States.
She made many lasting friendships on these travels, and loved to go through photographs and relive her exploits as an adventurer.
She also loved to teach and taught thousands of medical students Gross Anatomy with a sense of humor and a wonderful lecturing style.
She was also the original editor of Netters Atlas of Human Anatomy, a contribution that will continue her teaching far into the future.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Oberg; her sister, Virginia Jacobsen; her two sons, Anthony Colacino and Nicholas Colacino; and her granddaughter, Chloe Colacino.
She will be terribly missed by all of them, especially her sons, whom she sheltered, fed, dressed, encouraged, protected, took to far-flung parts of the world and let them skin their own knees when it was in their best interest. On her shoulders they stand today.
There will be no service, as she did not desire one. Her ashes will be scattered to the wind on a cloudless, beautiful day in Montana.
In lieu of flowers, she would want you to live life to its fullest, and to remember her simple admonishment to the world, “Be kind.”
Robert Earl Rebish
1938 - 2011
Robert Earl (Pick) Rebish, 72, of Dillon, died peacefully on July 9 surrounded by several of his friends, Ken and Terri Downing, Bruce Denny, Bob and Babe Fugate, his brother Duck and sister-in-law Susie.
He was born in Dillon to John J Rebish and Myrtle T (Snodgrass) Rebish on Aug. 31, 1938. He attended Mary Innes, Bagley and Beaverhead County High School.
In December 1955, Pick joined the U.S. Navy. He served with the Seabees in Adak, Alaska and Virginia Beach, Va., discharged in September 1959.
This was the beginning of his life-long love of driving.
During his life, Pick was a long-haul truck driver for Otto Christensen, worked in the pit for Anaconda Company, in casinos in Lake Tahoe and road construction around Montana. In his travels he made many friends to add to his list of lifelong friends from Dillon and Butte.
Pick was married May 3, 1975 in Butte,they later divorced. Tragically, his only daughter, Michaelann, was killed in an auto accident in November 2000, at the age of 23.
Pick was a very giving person, and gave sight to others through tissue donation.
He was also preceded in death by his father, mother; grandmother, Rose Kline; uncle, Earl (Bud) Snodgrass; as well as many loved aunts, uncles and cousins on the Rebish side.
He is survived by his brother, Fred (Duck), and wife Susie; nephew, Tracey Rebish, and fiancé Kendra; niece, Kathey Hupp and husband Bob; grandchildren Gabe and Michael Hupp; fishing buddy and cousin, Carl Meine; as well as many other cousins and good friends.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at the Brundage Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Barrett Home Health or the Humane Society.
A guestbook is available on-line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
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