Robert E. Brandbo
1938 - 2011
Bob died unexpectedly at his home in Dillon on March 24.
He was born in Minneapolis, Minn., to William and Verda Brando. He weighed only two pounds twelve ounces. Being a preemie then, you hardly stood a chance, but he was strong and a fighter, and proved that throughout his life.
The family later moved to the Bitterroot Valley. He went to school in Corvalis.
In 1958 he married Bernadine Waylett. In a short time they moved to California where Bob worked in construction, and became a superintendent on several large bridge projects in the bay area.
In 1963 their daughter was born Marcia Brandbo Thomas. After returning to Montana in 1965, Bob continued in construction. They lived in Missoula for many years where he continued building houses.
In 1974 he went to work for John Parker at the Western Auto store in Stevenville. Parker was impressed with his drive and work ethic, and soon offered him a chance to buy the business. Not only was it hardware, but a building center and fertilizer. After a few years, he switched to the Ace Hardware label. In a few years, he purchased another lumber yard and hardware store in Hamilton, what is now Massa Home Center.
In 1981, Bob and Bernadine divorced, and they sold the business in the Bitterroot. He bought Standard Lumber and Coal in Dillon, where he resided until his death.
Bob's passion and hobby was work. He loved NASCAR and Jeff Gordon's No. 24. He had attended several races over the past few years, and had just mentioned he would like to go to one more this year.
He liked to tinker on old cars, and loved to go to car shows any chance he got. The past few years he has tried, and was determined, to grow raspberry plants, and was unsuccessful. Various people would bring him nice big starts of plants, and he would work diligently to plant and maintain them. Nothing ever grew, but he kept trying every year.
He was a father and friend to many; he will truly be missed.
Bob was a Shriner, Mason and Elk member for many years.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Marcia Thomas, and husband Pat, Dillon; a sister, Dawn Flightner, Missoula, and her family; aunts, uncles and several cousins; and his two cats, Barney and Minnow, his constant companions.
Visitation will be this evening at Brundage Funeral Home, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m., at Brundage Funeral Home, with a reception following at the Elk's Lodge.
Burial will be in Hamilton, Friday, April 1, at 1 p.m., in Riverview Cemetery, with a reception in Hamilton to be announced.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Charles Dale Elser
1926 - 2011
Charles Dale Elser was the third of seven children born to Ray and Ella Braach Elser on Sept. 17, 1926, in Sheridan. Dale passed away March 22 in Dillon.
Dale attended school in Sheridan, graduating from Sheridan High School in May of 1945. He attended MSU in Bozeman for two years. While at MSU he played basketball for the Cats.
Marjorie Nunley swept him off his feet, and they married Oct. 12, 1947. Dale found employment working at the Nunley Mattress Factory in Butte during the winter, and enjoyed working outdoors with Nifty Costle training pack mules, and building trails and fences for the US Forest Service in the summers.
In 1948 Dale and Marjorie moved to the family ranch in Sheridan into the very home he was born in. Dale and Marjorie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends in October of 1997. Marjorie passed away in May of 2004.
Dale lived and worked on the ranch until he moved to town in December of last year.
Dale was a 50-year member of Eastern Star and the Masons, Demolay dad, a board member of the Sheridan School and Sheridan Cemetery. Marjorie and Dale enjoyed many years of square dancing, even competing at times.
For over 50 years Dale was master sourdough pancake maker for the annual Methodist mens' pancake supper, and his family of course.
Dale was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marjorie Nunley; his parents, Ray and Ella Elser; brothers, Lawrence, Harry and Wayne; and grandson, Kevin Dale Elser.
Survivors include son, Marc (Gail) Elser, Ennis, and children Jeff and Julie; daughters, Lori (Eddie) Waldemar, and son Erik, Dillon; Lissa (Kenneth) Stewart, and children Kassidy (Scott) Flanagan, Kendra (Lonnie) Horn, and Dale, Sheridan; Lynn (Reed) Rowberry, and children Cory, Ashley and Brandon, Sheridan; great-grandchildren, Tristen, Tucker and Titus Horn, and Bradyn Martin and Bella Rose Wright, Sheridan; brothers, Donald (Barbara) Elser and Douglas Elser; sister, Ella Rae (Andrew) Olsen; sisters-in-law, Joan Elser, Cleo Elser and Ellen Cron; brothers-in-law, Ronald and Russell Nunley; a special nephew, Mike (Edie) McPherson; nieces, nephews and cherished friends too numerous to mention.
Family asks donations be made to the Sheridan Cemetery or Sheridan Senior Citizens.
Memorial services will be held at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Sheridan at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 2, with Rev. Ben Nardi officiating.
Graveside services will follow at the Sheridan Cemetery with masonic rites. A time of sharing at Bethany Hall will follow the graveside.
K&L Mortuaries & Crematory of Sheridan assisted with arrangements.
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