Lorena Mae Eldridge Ballard
1945 - 2011
Lorena Mae Eldridge Ballard passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 25, with her family by her side.
She was born on Oct. 28, 1945, to Hank and Margaret Eldridge in Billings. She grew up in Billings and the Muscle Shell area.
In 1974 she moved to Dillon, where she raised her kids and worked various jobs.
She met many people and made a lot of friends during her time in Dillon. She enjoyed taking long drives, and spending time with her family and friends drinking coffee and sharing old stories. She had a special relationship with her longtime companion of 20 years, Gabriel Riojas, and her five kids, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her companion, Gabriel Riojas; sons, Myron Eldridge, Jeff Jacobs and Harley Long; a daughter, Julie Velasco. She is also survived by sisters, Lavern Riojas, Rita Burwell; and a brother, Harvey Eldridge.
There are also many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; sisters, Lorraine and Claudia; a son, Danny Jacobs; and great-granddaughter, Emma Eldridge.
Services are pending until further notice.
She was a very special woman who was loved by many and will be missed by all the people she touched throughout her life.
William Morris Stathem
1921 - 2011
William Morris Stathem(Bill) went peacefully to sleep Friday, Nov. 25.
Bill was born on the family farm, June 27, 1921, near Fresno, Calif.
In high school he was in FFA, where he came in contact and became lifelong friends with Slim Pickins.
In July 1942 Bill met Ethel Leap, whom he married in December 1943. Together they had five children, Micki, Dennis, Sherry, Verlen and Faron.
Bill worked for Dan Ibey, building homes in Ibeyville. Later he worked for Lee Sturm. Then he started building and remodeling on his own.
Bill was preceded in death by his four brothers, Lester, Vereau, Glen and Chuck; a sister, Zedda Brown; three children, Dennis, Sherry and Verlen.
Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ethel; his daughter, Micki; his son, Faron; and his sister, Fay Doty; six grandchildren, Jeffrey Stansberry, Melissa Escobar, Curtis Bunse, Kara Curries, Dennis and Michael Stathem; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Dec. 3 at Brundage Funeral Home.
Jerold S. Norby
1933 - 2011
Jerold S. Norby, formerly of Dillon, passed away peacefully Nov. 9, in Columbia Falls.
Jerry was born April 3,1933, in Hettinger, N.D., to Sven and Serina (Skogen) Norby. He was the twelfth of 13 children.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean was as a dragline operator until he was honorably discharged in 1954.
After serving in the Air Force, he married Rose Degenstein in 1954. They welcomed three children, Cindy, Jerry and Tim, and one step-child, Alan. It ended in divorce.
Jerry then married Marilyn Jensen in California in 1970. They had one child together, Sandy, and one step-child, Debbie.
Jerry was an over-the-road truck driver, and thru out his travels he fell in love with Montana, and decided to move his family to Dillon in 1970.
Jerry lived in Dillon until 1993, and then resided in Columbia Falls until his death.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his six brothers, and three sisters.
He is survived by his daughters, Sandy (Todd) Okken and Cindy (Bobby) Slifert; step-daughter, Debbie Bellis; his sons, Jerry and Tim; and step-son, Alan; two brothers, Carl and Kenny; six grandchildren, Vance, Trevor, Nicole, Nick, Nyles and Brian.
Cremation took place in Kalispell. A private family service will take place in Hettinger, N.D., in the spring of 2012.
Lorelyn Marshall Walker
1940- 2011
Lorelyn Marshall Walker was born Nov. 24, 1940, to Loren and Leolyn (Howard) Marshall.
She passed away Dec. 1 at the Madison Valley Hospital in Ennis after a brief illness.
Lorelyn attended Bozeman schools graduating from Bozeman Senior High School in 1959.
She married Jim Walker in 1958 and moved with him to Arlington, Va., where they made their first home.
In 1960 they returned to Bozeman where they lived until 1977 when they moved to Ennis.
Lorelyn’s working career included positions at MSU and State Farm Insurance in Bozeman; First Madison Valley Bank and Madison Valley Hospital in Ennis.
After her retirement in 1998, she and Jim spent much of their time camping, fishing and spending time attending their grandchildren’s activities across Montana, Idaho and Oregon.
The past 10 winters were spent at their home in Yuma, Ariz., where she and Jim enjoyed the sunshine and frequent visits to Mexico.
Lorelyn's many childhood memories stemmed from downtown Bozeman. Her grandfather, Earl Marshall, founded Marshall Furniture, and was on the executive committee for the planning and building of The Baxter Hotel in 1929.
Her father, Loren, owned Marshall Furniture throughout the 1950s.
As the granddaughter of the late Lou Howard (Bobcat band director 1908-1946, Howard Hall, MSU), she was surrounded by music her entire life. Lorelyn had a beautiful singing voice. She enjoyed singing with the Ennis Community Choir and the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church choir for many years.
She was a member of the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, and served several years as a church elder, committee member and an organist.
Other activities she loved were playing mahjong and volunteer work. She had many friends, and always welcomed visitors with her warm smile and wonderful hospitality.
Though she was active in many things during her life, her most important mission was caring for her family and loved ones, which she continued until the moment of her passing. We will miss her so.
Lorelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, in August of this year; parents, Loren and Leolyn Marshall; in-laws, Harry and Alma Walker; nephews, Mark Walker and Mike Walker; and niece, Kathy Ludwig.
Lorelyn is survived by a son, Tom, Bozeman; daughters, Tammi (Lenny) Dour, Roseburg, Ore., and Sherry (Curt) Pendleton, Dillon; grandchildren, Kristen (Jack) Thomas, Boise, Idaho, Matthew (Danielle) Dooley, Roseburg, Or., Marshall Walker, Pony/Bozeman, Pierce and Josee Pendleton, Dillon; and a great-grandson, Walker Jackson Thomas, who was born Nov. 29 in Boise.
Surviving brothers-in-law are Harry (Jeanette) Walker, Mesa, Ariz., Charles (Charlotte) Walker, Craig, and Dan (Helen) Walker, Billings, and their families.
Also surviving are Uncle Donald Bodley, and cousins Marshall Bennett, Butch Bodley, Steve Bodley and Brenda Anderson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, with the Rev. Jean Johnson officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Madison Valley Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 993, Ennis, MT 59729; Madison Valley Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 125, Ennis, MT 59729; the Gallatin Valley Historical Society, 317 W. Main St., Bozeman, MT 59715; or to the charity of choice.
K&L Mortuaries of Ennis is assisting with arrangements.
Jesse Franklin Barnes
1925 - 2011
Jesse Franklin Barnes, Sun City West, Ariz., and long time resident of Dillon, died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 27.
He was originally from New Mexico, and joined the Army after he graduated from high school. He served his country as a combat infantryman until the end of WWII.
After his return from Europe he went to college in New Mexico. After graduation he met his wife of 55 years, Betty Jean Anderson (Barnes), who preceded him to heaven.
Frank moved to Dillon from Malta as a transfer with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). He made his home in Dillon with his family in the mid 1960s, and retired from the BLM in 1981 after working in the Washington, D.C. area. He and his wife returned to Dillon before moving to Arizona.
He enjoyed the outdoors, and spent his free time with his kids exploring Dillon and the surrounding areas.
He was interested in genealogy and after he retired from the BLM he traced relatives, documented family history, and shared stories with loved ones. He was also active in community dinner theater along with Betty, and shared the stage with her.
Frank is survived by his sons, Willam (Melanie), San Diego, Calif., and Harold (Patti), Bermuda Dunes, Calif.; a daughter, Carol (Brian) Miller, Chandler, Ariz.; and his beloved grandchildren, Zach and Jen, Tyler, Ashley, Kellie, Jese, Hunter and Halle Grace.
A private family memorial is pending.
Posts
