Arthur “Art” Christensen
1919 - 2011
Arthur (Art) Christensen, 92, of Dillon, passed away on Oct. 25.
He died peacefully, surrounded by family and the medical staff he dearly loved at Barrett Memorial Hospital.
Art was born in the old house on Carter Creek, the heart of the family homestead, on April 11, 1919. This was the same home to which he later brought his bride, Margie, and with her raised their family.
He was the first of three children born to Maren (Jensen) and Nels Christensen, immigrants from Denmark who came to America in search of a better life.
Times were tough when Art was young, and tough times produce tough people. He began his lifelong career as a sheepherder at the age of three. A second and much briefer stint as an apprentice with the family moonshine operation followed.
He was eight years old when he began his formal education in Dillon. It didn’t make sense to send a single child such a great distance to school, so his folks waited until his sisters Anna (Ann) and Helen were ready, and they all went together.
None of the three was proficient in English, and Ann walked with a limp as a result of polio, setting her up as the target of bullies. Art was Ann’s protector, and he never walked away from a fight.
The three little “round headed kids” set up housekeeping in a little cabin on the north end of town, returning to the ranch to work on weekends.
Art worked hard at school and distinguished himself there. He excelled at public speaking - a talent he was certain his kids must possess - and he went on to represent the state of Montana at the national FFA competition in 1938.
His college education at Montana State College, later MSU, in Bozeman, was interrupted by the United States’ entrance into World War II. Along with the rest of the 163rd Infantry, Art set out to serve his country. This adventure found him in a variety of places including Ft. Benning, Ga., Ft. Lewis, Wash., Australia and New Guinea.
At the war’s end, Art returned home to run the family farm and ranch. In the fall of 1949 he was introduced to Margaret (Margie) Wiedman in Dillon, and three months later they were married.
He took her up to the Sweetwater to share his home, a modest abode without running water or electricity. Babies followed.
Their first, Arthur Dale, was born the following November, but lived only three days. He was followed by a sister, Marian, two brothers, Alan and Calvin, and a baby sister, Donna, all within five years.
Art would rather work than eat his dinner, and somehow he figured everyone else felt the same. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children and grandchildren, something that took them years to appreciate. He was a tough taskmaster. People took pride in stating that they had worked for Art Christensen.
Art loved to tell stories and he loved to dance. Until the past six months, if there was the right kind of music and a level floor for dancing, he was certain to be out there kicking up his heels. Somehow a dance just wasn’t a dance without Art Christensen.
Art was a life long member of the local Lutheran Church. He served as chairman of the Beaverhead Soil Conservation District for over 60 years. He was a member of many organizations including the Danish Brotherhood, American Legion and Kiwanis to name a few.
In 2001 Art and Margie moved into town. Having spent his entire life on the ranch, his family was concerned with how well he would adapt. He surprised everyone as he took to it like a fish to water.
This put him closer to his senior companions and many others he would serve.
Everyone recognized Art and his boys in the little blue Prius as he chauffeured them around the county. He lived to serve and in this he was a model for us all.
Art is survived by his daughter Marian (Don) Olsen and children Elizabeth (Brian) Campbell, Maren, Jennifer (Aaron) Brown and Jonathan; son, Alan (Cheryl) and children Tony, Michael (Caitlin), Anna (Tim)Warburton and Catey; son, Calvin (Jodi) and children Ryan and Cali; and daughter, Donna (Pat) Robert and children Pamela (Terry) Ehlert, Casey (Kristie), David (Stacey) and Robert.
He was blessed with 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Helen, numerous nieces and nephews, an untold number of friends, and a grateful community.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ann; wife, Margie; and son, Arthur Dale.
Visitation was Monday evening at Brundage Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Nov. 1.
Memorials may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Barrett Memorial Hospital, the Dillon YMCA, or the charity of one’s choice.
Robert “Bob” Mountain
1936 - 2011
Robert "Bob" Mountain, 75, Jamestown, N.D., died Oct. 27, at Sanford Health in Fargo, N.D.
Bob was born March 27, 1936, in Calvin, N.D., the son of Carl and Marjorie (McLean) Mountain.
He graduated from Calvin High School in 1954, and North Dakota State University in 1958.
On Jan. 18, 1963, Bob married the love of his life, Charlotte Fischer.
After graduation he worked in Jamestown as assistant county agent before taking a job as an ag representative at James River National Bank.
In 1976 they moved to Dillon where he was president of Norwest Bank. They returned to Jamestown in 1986, and Bob co-founded Midland Investment with Dan Schorsch, where he worked with land management and ag consulting. He later worked with the Village Family Services in Fargo as a financial counselor.
Bob was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Buffalo Museum. He was an active Shriner, member of the Jamestown Shrine Mystics unit and the Jesters.
Bob enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, and spending winters in Yuma, Ariz.
Bob is survived by his wife, Charlotte, Jamestown; three children, Robert Mountain, Fargo, N.D., Audra (Mike) Ferris, Dillon, and James Mountain, Fargo, N.D.; two grandchildren, Bailey and Jordan Ferris, Dillon; two sisters-in-law, DeLight (ElRay) Fercho, Streeter, N.D., and Sheila (Milt) Rea, Forest Lake, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Adeline Dahl.
A memorial service was held Oct. 31 at the United Presbyterian Church, Jamestown, with Pastor Terry Anderson officiating.
Arrangements were made by Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, N.D.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Jamestown Hospital Foundation or the Shriners Children's Hospital.
An online guest book is available at www.eddyfuneralhome.com
Brenda Lee Weber
1970 - 2011
Brenda Lee Weber, 41, died Oct. 27 in London, United Kingdom, of sudden complications of a congenital brain cyst.
She was born July 15, 1970 in Dillon, the daughter of James and Louise Marchesseault.
A graduate of Gonzanga University in Spokane, Wash., Brenda worked as an advertising and public relations account executive, and later as a freelance writer.
Brenda was as much at home on the Marchesseault Ranch as she was leading her husband of 14 years, Joe Weber, and daughters Claire and Ava on adventures through India and Europe.
Along with travel, her many interestes included reading and writing, art, history, theater, humor, and food - especially cheese, wine and chocolate.
Brenda was a fitness enthusiast, and completed a marathon and numerous 10K runs.
She had friends all over the world, and focused above all on family. Her gifts to others include being an organ donor.
In addition to her parents, husband, and daughters, Brenda is survived by her sister, Jennifer; brothers, David (Barbara) and Romeo (Cheryl); many loving in-laws; and 26 nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Nov. 20 at Grace United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow at the church. For more information, call 406-683-4594.
A funeral mass was held Oct. 30 at St. Thomas More Church, Maresfield Gardens, London.
To honor Brenda’s passions of literacy and fitness, donations may be made to the lower school library at the American School in London, 1 Waverly Place, London, NW8 ONP, or to the YMCA in Dillon, 75 Swenson Way, Dillon, MT 59725.
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