Wednesday, February 29, 2012

02-29-12 Obituaries

Charlotte Ann Kistler
1922 - 2012

Charlotte Ann Kistler, 89, of Dillon, passed away at the Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center Feb. 25.
She was born Charlotte Ann Scott on March 17, 1922, in Crow Agency to John George Scott and Myrtle Eaton. Her Crow Indian name is Eekah-Lee-Ax-Kay (Morning Star).
Her mother died of childbirth complications in the Indian Health Service hospital; and, as a ward of the government, was placed in the state orphanage in Twin Bridges for adoption.
In 1923 she was adopted by a loving Norwegian couple, John Andrew and Berthina Mattson, who were railroad employees. She was renamed Eleanor Marie Mattson, and grew up on Montana’s railroads as a supervisors daughter.
She graduated from Broadwater County High School in Townsend in 1939.
In 1940 she married Harry Francis Bybee, a Nebraska-born railroad man, and gave birth to three sons in Townsend; Ronald Edward in 1941, John Alvin in 1942, and Harry Eugene in 1943.
Eleanor (Charlotte) and Harry divorced after WWII, and she and a partner, Clara, managed a successful ice cream parlor in Helena.
She remarried Harlan Smith in 1952, and as a civil servant wife with the FAA, raised her boys in Helena, Great Falls, Yakima, Wash., Pocatello, Idaho, Reseda, Calif.; Albuquerque, N.M., and finally in Livingston, where Harlan passed away in 1966.
In 1967 she married the true love of her life, Fred Kistler, and moved to the Rife Street home in Dillon.
Charlotte and Fred lived a very active life, flying in Fred’s private plane to square dance festivals throughout the country, and fishing trips to Washington and Alaska.
Fred formed a partnership with a retired Mexican airline pilot and, together, they formed and organized private plane tours throughout Mexico and Central America.
Charlotte also helped Fred in his retirement occupations as a Radio Shack manager, and his own Dillon Radio and Electronics endeavor.
Charlotte was an active organizer, and member of many organizations and clubs; and as a result, was recognized with the Outstanding Woman of the Year award.
She was active in the Daughters of the Nile, Order of the Eastern Star, Sons of Norway, and the American Legion Auxillary, where she achieved local fame with her Memorial Day poppy sales efforts.
After Fred’s passing in 1993 she remained at the Rife Street homestead, and remained active in community affairs until 2008, when health matters placed her in Parkview Acres. She was later moved by the family to the Tobacco Root Mountains Care Center in Sheridan.
Charlotte was preceded in passing by her three husbands, and her natural and adoptive parents.
She is survived by her three sons, Ronald, Tacoma, Wash., John, Spokane Valley, Wash., and Harry “Skip”, Dillon; a stepdaughter, Dian, Idaho Falls, Idaho; a stepson, Bobby, East Helena; also grandchildren, Leilani Mace-Michelle, Marina, Calif., Sandy, Spokane Valley, Wash., Brenda, Mead, Wash., and Danny, Columbus, Ohio; great-grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer and David.
There is a visitation scheduled for Sunday, March 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with and Eastern Star Service at 4 p.m.
A funeral Service will be held Monday, March 5, at 1 p.m., at Brundage Funeral Home, with a committal service following at Mountain View Cemetery.
There is a guestbook available online at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.



Joan (Wright) Hawkins
1932 - 2012

Joan (Wright) Hawkins, of Dillon, died quietly on Saturday, Feb. 25, after a long battle with cancer. She was 79.
Joan was born in Sheridan on May 10, 1932, the fifth of Lloyd and Anne (Dullea) Wright’s seven children.
Her early life was spent in Madison County, where she attended schools in Twin Bridges and Sheridan.
In June 1953, she married Jerry Hawkins of Butte, and after his return from the Korean War (U.S. Navy) in 1954, they started a family.
They lived briefly in Butte, Roundup and Polson, while Jerry worked for various newspapers, and in 1960 the family settled in Dillon.
Joan was Jerry’s business partner and office manager in their long-time Dillon business, Beaverhead Printing & Office Supply.
In the mid-1970s they began publication of the Trade Wind, a free local paper.
Even as a working mother, Joan faithfully attended every dance recital, band concert, and sporting event in which her children participated; and later, was an enthusiastic supporter of her grandchildren’s activities as well.
Her favorite hobbies were growing flowers in her garden and reading her vast collection of books. In her later years, she became a fan of NBA basketball, and especially enjoyed watching Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.
She is survived by Jerry, her husband of 59 years; two sisters, Donna Darby, Sheridan, and Mary Snodgrass, Billings; daughters, Dee Ann Stewart, Portland, Ore., Dana Blakeslee, Silverdale, Wash., and Darla Fitzpatrick, Helena; a son, Daniel (Tyke) Hawkins, Dillon; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate Joan’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 2, at Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon.
A luncheon will follow at the St. Rose Family Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Barrett Hospice and Home Health Program.
A guest book and video tribute are available online at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.



Robert Steve Piper
1951 - 2012

Robert Steven Piper, 60, left this earth for his final journey on Feb. 18.
Self-labeled, “A man of simple means and dreams or so it seems,” he was known by friends as Bob or Piper, and in his youth, Bobby.
Bob was born Dec. 5, 1951, in Stockton, Calif., to Ron and Aurora Piper. He grew up in Greenbrae, Calif., where he made many of his life-long friends, playing little league baseball, basketball, Pop Warner youth football and high school football.
He graduated from Redwood High School in 1970, and then attended the College of Idaho. Between high school and college he worked as a counselor at a football camp for mentally challenged youth. He often spoke of the camp as the most uplifting work of his life.
Bob loved nature, fishing and backpacking. He made long, solitary trips into the Sierras in order to attain the peace that comes from nature. He loved running, jumping, playing baseball, and especially football. And he loved the Oakland Raiders.
In 1987, he bought a home in Dillon to be in the wide-open spaces and mountains he so adored, even though he traveled frequently to California to work in the family business.
He was a philosopher–poet who loved numbers. He wrote, "The longer you stay trapped, The more acceptable the cage becomes, and you end up living a life of necessity rather than desire.”
Robert lived a life of desire, especially after meeting Virginia Cook. From the moment they met, they were thrilled to be alive together. His friends say he was the happiest he’d ever been when he was with Virginia.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Aurora Santiago Piper; and his brother-in-law, George Percy.
He is survived by the love of his life, Virginia Cook; her sons, Devon Compton and Aidan Compton; his father, Ron Piper; his sister, Nancy Percy; nephews, Ryan Percy (Keely) and Stephen Percy.
“In life we worry about and hate the thought of death. Who knows, in death we may worry about and hate the thought of life.” -- Bob Piper



Mary Ann Lots
1924 - 2012

Mary Ann Lots, 88, passed away Feb. 23, at Davis Hospital in Layton, Utah.
Mary Ann had resided at Apple Village Assisted Living since August 2009.
She was a Montana native, born in Townsend on Jan. 30, 1924.
She and her husband, George, were well-known in the Townsend area, and always considered it home.
In 1968 Mary Ann and George moved to Dillon, where George accepted a position at, then, Western Montana College. They were active members of the WMC community, even after George retired in 1986.
Mary Ann and George welcomed many WMC students into their home over the years; not only for social occasions, but when students simply needed a place to stay, short-term or for longer periods.
Mary Ann always spoke fondly of all the students who passed through her life while she lived in Dillon.
Today these same folks recall the wonderful times they shared with Mary Ann and George in their Dillon home. Former students always speak of the warmth and understanding they found at the Lots’ home.
Always a sports fan, and avid supporter of the Townsend and Western Montana Bulldogs, Mary Ann loved watching the Utah Jazz because of her and George’s acquaintance with Jazz coaches Johnson and Sloan. She never hesitated to offer her opinion on Jazz wins or losses.
Mary Ann is survived by a daughter, Marcia Thompson, and her husband, Bob, and their children, Jason and Jami, all of Missoula; a son, Jim, lives with his wife, the former Judy Crum, in Layton, and their children, Phillip, Jeff and Jessica, also of Layton.
There are seven great-grandchildren, Hunter, Makenzie, Bella, Sophie, Frankie, McKade and Kian.
Mary Ann requested to be cremated. Her remains will be buried with George’s at a later date in Dillon.

02-29-12 Classifieds

NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS


THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE/Community Support Center offers a 24/7 helpline for use by the public. Confidential information and help is available concerning domestic violence, elder abuse, and concerns that can be facilitated by a trained advocate. Call 1(800) 253-9811 or (406)683-3621 anytime for assistance. 20/tf/nc



WORK WANTED


FENCE BUILDING AND REPAIR, also available for calving. 406-654-4900. 9/3/c


BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES


CHICK'S RESTAURANT for lease in Alder, MT. Please call 596-9366. 8/2/c


ITEMS FOR SALE


FOR SALE: 6' long khaki tan sofa, excellent shape, always covered. Asking $425. Call Mark 683-4371, leave message. 9/1/pd



SERVICES


AMERICA’S HOST. The professional way to dry clean carpets yourself. Rent the Host Machine, The Dilmart, 31 S. Idaho, Dillon, MT, 683-4321. 13-tf-c-tt



STORAGE AVAILABLE


NICE REASONABLE 8'X8' storage unit available. Call 683-5398 or 660-0250. 7/tf/c


AGRICULTURE


SNOWLINE GRAZING ASSN. 116 Shares for sale: established, managed cattle grazing association in Lima/Dell area. Members must operate in Beaverhead or Madison Counties. Contact Frank Colwell, Broker, Prudential Montana Real Estate, for additional information; frank.colwell@prumt.com; cell 406-596-1076. 8/5/c



RENTALS


FOR RENT IN SHERIDAN 1 bdrm newer apt. with all appliances plus washer & dryer. Great location $375/month. 842-5319. 45/tf/c


SMALL 2 BDRM trailer, n/s, n/p, storage shed. 683-4956. 2/tf/c


BRAND NEW 1 bdrm apt. One person only. Completely furnished. Includes satellite TV, Wifi, heat, water, & garbage. No smoking, no pets. $695/mo 683-6704. 9/tf/c


5 BDRM 3 1/2 bath log home near Twin Bridges. 2 fireplaces, 4 car garage, 140 acres with riding arena, N/S. $1,100 plus security. 816-698-2405. 9/3/pd



COMMERCIAL RENTALS


PROFESSIONAL OFFICE space for rent. 500 sq ft $350 per month, utilities included. 312 S. Pacific. Call Kevin 683-4254 or 596-4254. 51/tf/c