Obituaries 02-17-2010

Stanley Keith Abbott

1918 - 2010

Stanley Keith Abbott, 91, Dillon, passed away Feb. 13.

He was born Sept. 6, 1918, in Tremonton, UT., to Lewis E. and Edyth Wood Abbott, and attended schools in Tremonton, graduating from Bear River High School in 1936, where he participated in track.

He went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1941 as a telegrapher-clerk, and worked in various locations in Utah and Idaho.

He went into the U. S. Navy in April, 1944, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a radioman aboard the USS Appalachian. He was honorably discharged in April, 1946.

Stan returned to work with the Union Pacific Railroad in Ashton, ID., where he met and married Willa Atchley on Jan. 17, 1948. They had three children, and divorced in 1961.

He moved from Arco, ID., to Dillon, in 1973 where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping out with his children.

After 40 years of service, Stan retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in May, 1981.

While working as a Union Pacific Railroad agent in Dillon he met Marie Colbet. They were married on Oct. 10, 1981. Stan and Marie enjoyed summers in Dillon and winters in Lake Havasu City, AZ., playing golf, taking long walks and socializing with friends.

He was a member of the Dillon American Legion Post 20, Elks Lodge 1554, and Grace United Methodist Church.

Stan is survived by two sons, Scott Abbott and Steve (Lori) Abbott, Idaho Falls, ID.; a daughter, Michelle (Joe) Kennedy, Idaho Falls, ID.; four step-sons, Phillip (Jann) Colbert, Helena, MT., David Colbert, Anaconda, MT., Donald Colbert, Dillon, and Michael (Judy) Colbert, Townsend, MT.; a step-daughter, Leota (John) Fred, Missoula, MT.; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Helen Abbott, Logan, UT.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marie, who passed away Oct. 5, 2005; his brother, Zane Abbott, and sister, Dana Otte.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ron Loge and the many nurses and staff of the Barrett Hospital who cared for Stan during his last weeks. Also Pastor Karen Disney for her support and prayers. The family will forever be grateful for the compassion and kindness that they showed our father.

A memorial graveside service will be held in the spring, the day and time to be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Barrett Hospital Foundation, Inc., 90 Highway 91 South, Dillon, MT., 59725, or to Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1313, Dillon, MT., 59725.

Mary Ellen Peterson

1934-2010

Mary Ellen Peterson, 75, Newport, OR., passed away Feb. 12, at her home in Newport.

She was born April 11, 1934 in Lima, to Tom and Ellen (Kuhn) Voss.

She attended grade school and graduated from high school in Whitehall.

She moved from Montana to Oregon, living in various areas throughout Oregon, and worked as a bookkeeper for Harbor Village Mobile Home Park in Newport for 18 years.

She enjoyed cooking for her sons and grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Pete Peterson, Newport, OR.; sons, Lee (Romona) Peterson, Ten Mile, OR, and Lloyd (Lynn) Peterson, Chehalis, WA; former daughter-in-law, Judith Peterson; brother, Ken (Helen) Voss of Washington; five grandchildren, Rex (Nona) Peterson of Chehalis, WA., Julie Peterson, Eugene, OR., Renee and Myriah Peterson, Roseburg, OR., Jennifer Peterson, Newport, OR., ; and three great-grandchildren, Tyce, Max, and Kylie.

A celebration of her Life was held Feb. 15, Noon, at the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club, Newport, OR.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK., 73123-1718 or online at www.cancer.org.

Services entrusted into the care of Affordable Burial and Cremation.

Albert B. Ripley

1926 - 2010

Albert B. Ripley, 84, a 40-year resident of Albuquerque, NM, passed away Saturday, Feb. 6.

He was born in Chelsea, MA., to Wallace and Helen Ripley, and grew up in Maine.

He joined the Army in 1943, and served with Company G, 377th Infantry Regiment, 95th Division, European Theatre, World War II.

Albert graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Boston, and served with the U.S. Public Health Service, Staten Island, NY, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

He transferred to the Indian Health Service branch, and served in Anchorage, AK., Crow Agency, MT., Albuquerque, NM., Monrovia, Liberia, and returned to Albuquerque until his retirement.

From 1971 to 1993, he worked as a retail pharmacist for various drugs stores around Albuquerque, and as a volunteer pharmacist on Kirtland Air Force Base. He was also a volunteer member of the Albuquerque Police Department.

Albert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nell; daughter Anneliese (Robert) Thomas, and their two daughters, Dillon; son, Paul (Dorothy) and their two daughters, Albuquerque, NM.; son Brian (Chin) and son and daughter, Roseville, CA.; brother, Dana Ripley, Durham, NC.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William; two sons, Eric and David.

Albert will be buried with full military honors in March.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a favorite charity in Albert's name.

Arrangements were entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services, Rio Rancho, NM.

Genevieve Marion Walton

1933 - 2010

Genevieve Marion Walton passed away Feb. 6, at her home southwest of Unionville, MO.

Genevieve was born near Ann Arbor, MI, in Scio township, Washtenaw County on Dec. 8, 1909, to Edward Benjamin and Lorena May (Campbell) Zeeb. She attended the local schools and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1933.

Genevieve married Charles William Walton on Oct. 21, 1933, in Ann Arbor, MI. They lived in Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Montana, Texas, and they traveled extensively.

After her husband passed away in Dec. of 2007, she moved to Missouri to be near her daughter and son-in-law and their families.

Chuck and Genevieve were married for 73 years. She celebrated her 100th birthday last Dec. 8 with a three-day celebration with family and friends.She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

She is survived by her children, Barbara J. Bruce (William), Lucerne, MO., Alan H. Walton (Nancy), Saginaw, MI., and Douglas C. Walton (Diana), Hailey, ID.; a brother, Larry Zeeb, Lakewood, CO.; grandchildren, William Bruce, Jr. (Cindy), Lucerne, MO.; Jeanne Jarrett (Brooks), Hallsville, MO.; Robert Bruce (Kelly), Lucerne, MO., Melissa Walton, Saginaw, MI; and Pamela Moorhead (Robert), Gross Point Park, MI; 12 great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren; one niece, Serena Kolb (David) , Freeport, ME; and one nephew James Zeeb (Marcia), Evergreen, CO.

There will be a memorial service in Carlinville, IL, at a later date with burial in the Carlinville Cemetery.

Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan is in charge of arrangements.

Harlow G. Kneeland

1932 - 2010

Harlow G. Kneeland, 77, Sheridan, passed away Feb. 7, at the Ruby Valley Hospital, Sheridan.

Harlow was born Aug. 4, 1932 in Great Falls, to George and Eda Venetz Kneeland.

He attended Castner Falls and Orr Schools. He lived in Castner Falls, Smith River, Millegan and the Great Falls areas before moving to Madison County in 1964.

While living in Castner Falls his family owned and operated a wheat and hog farm until he entered the sixth grade, then they moved onto a cattle ranch on the Smith River and Hound Creek. He worked several ranches in that area.

He owned the Bunnell Ranch on Clark Creek near Millegan. After selling the ranch he moved to Great Falls where he worked at Croxford and Sons Mortuary for 10 years.

From there he moved to Virginia City where he and Joe Lukkason purchased the Raper Funeral Homes in 1964. In 1966 they built a mortuary in Harris.

Harlow moved to Sheridan in 1974 where he opened a mortuary. In 1980 he bought his partner out. In 1997 he purchased the Boulder and Whitehall mortuaries along with his son Keith, who has taken over the family business.

He has held several positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and at various times has been involved in Kiwanis, Elks, Rotary, school boards both in Great Falls and Virginia City, the Commercial Club in Ennis, and served on the board of directors for the Ruby Valley National Bank.

On Sept. 23, 1966 he married Faye Curry in Rexburg, Idaho. They were later married and sealed Dec. 10, 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kneeland is survived by his wife; four sons and daughters-in-law: Aaron(Brenda), Miles City, Keith (Kristen), Whitehall, Eric (Tracy), Oregon City, OR., and Bruce (Patty), Virginia City; eight grandsons, Raymond, Justin, Bradley, Robert, Joshua, Chase, Ethan, and Adam; one granddaughter Jenna, one great granddaughter.

Memorials are preferred to the Ruby Valley Ambulance Service, the Ruby Valley Hospital, the Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center, the Madison Valley Ambulance, the Madison Valley Hospital, or the Madison Valley Manor.

Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m., at the old Sheridan High School gym with Bishop George Breakall officiating.

Private entombment was held Friday at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial in Great Falls.

A reception followed immediately at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Obituaries 02-10-2010

Bobby Joe Turney

1959-2010

Bobby Joe Turney passed away February 6, 2010 in Alpine, Wyoming while snowmobiling. He was born October 18,1959 in Philipsburg, MT to parents, Jack and Yuvanne Turney.

He grew up in the Philipsburg area until age 2 when the family moved to the Big Hole Valley. At the age of 3, Bob had a close call with fate, nearly drowning while swimming at the Hot Springs in Jackson, MT. Then the Turney clan picked up and moved to the Ruby Valley. Bobby attended school in Twin Bridges until the end of the fifth grade, then his education went up the road to Sheridan, where he went to school from the sixth grade till the end of his sophomore year.

The Turney family decided to move to Horse Prairie and Bobby went to BCHS to complete his schooling. Throughout his learning years Bobby had another school he attended that was taught by his dad, Jack. Jack was truly Bob's mentor. Bobby learned at a young age that the schooling that Jack was teaching him would be life skills that would carry on in life ranging anywhere from trailing cows, breaking horses, team roping to becoming an exceptional mechanic and welder. (Which was the knowledge he needed to fix the various things that he broke before his dad got home.)

Bobby was also a motorcycle lover at a young age, which was sometimes good and sometimes bad. The motorcycle just happened to end Bobby's musical career of playing the saxophone, when a wreck with his sister knocked out his front teeth. Bobby seemed to have a knack for finding trouble.

While at BCHS, he met the love of his life Jennifer Tenney and this is where the next chapter of his life began. They were married on February 2,1979. Bobby went to work for Holland Ranch Co., Ed Blome, Ned and Dave Wellborn, Cross Ranch and Cleverly Trucking. Then Bobby decided that a life change was needed so he went back to Grant to work with his dad in the shop, known as Independent Welding and Store. While there he became a jack of all trades and a master of none, as Jack used to say.

While in Grant, Bobby worked closely with his dad on the Grant Fire Dept. He also spent time serving on the Grant School Board. Grant was the home of many memories and unlimited laughs with family and friends.

Bobby then partnered with Mike Maloney in the logging business named Brokenass Logging. Bobby eventually bought it from Mike and expanded out into Brokenass Trucking. He began hauling hay, livestock and anything else that was worth hauling. His father in-law Jim “Gramps” Tenney helped him grow the business into what it is today. Brokenass Trucking has been a business that brought the whole family and close friends into the current day business of Turney Towing and Repair.

Bobby's love for life included his children, grandchildren and everybody else's kids. He is survived by his wife Jennifer of 31 years, two sons Kelly (Cecelia) and Brandon (Toree) and his three daughters Shelley (Josh), Amanda (Coley), and Heidi (Tanner). Bobby also has six grandchildren Kaylinn, Braxtyn, Kennlie, Ella Mae, Ebbie and Jada. He is also survived by his mother Yuvanne, his father-in-law Jim “Gramps” Tenney, his brother Jay (Carole), sisters Cheri, Julie (Billy),Vickie (Matt), Jackie (Mark), sister-in-law Vicki and Gary Helm, brother-in-law Jason and Trish Tenney, grandmother Diane Rice of Philipsburg, Aunts Diane Bennett, Helen Cullinen, and Uncle Gary and Kathy Turney. Along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that brought great joy to his life. Bobby used to joke, once your part of the family you could never leave.

He is preceded in death by his dad Jack, mother-in-law Ella Mae, and nephew Chris and a favorite Uncle Glenny.

Bobby had many different hobbies, and snowmobiling was one of them. He cherished the memories he had with the many friends and family that shared this passion with him. The snowmobiling trips always came back with good stories and many laughs. The family would like to thank everyone who took part in making Bobby's life with us a truly great and memorable one, with stories that will never end.

A viewing will be held Friday evening from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Brundage Funeral Home, Dillon MT. Funeral services will be held at the B.W. Lodge Gymnasium, Saturday February 13, 2010 at 10 a.m. A luncheon will be held following services at the Lutheran Church. A guestbook is available on line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

Larry Joe Salmonsen

1943 - 2010

Larry Joe Salmonsen, age 66, died on Sunday, Jan. 31, at Ridgewind Assisted Living.

He was born Aug. 22, 1943, to Elmer and Mary (Kenison) Salmonsen in Dillon, MT., attended school around the state, but graduated from Bozeman High School.

He married Diane Householder in 1967 in Billings. They were married for 37 years and raised three children, Sharlene, James, and Kristin.

In 1969, work took him to Nevada. In 1973, he moved his family back to Hardin and lived there for the next 32 years. He loved to watch high school basketball games. He had a big heart and was generous to those around him, giving whatever he could whenever he could.

He is survived by his children Sharlene, James and Kristin (Cason) as well as a granddaughter Kamiah, all currently residing in Pocatello, ID., and his brothers Bill and Melvin, who both reside in Dillon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Kyle Salmonsen, and half-brother Glenn Salmonsen.

Services were at the Brundage Funeral Home, Dillon, at 10 a.m., with a viewing 1 hour prior to a short graveside service which followed Saturday, Feb. 6, at Mountain View Cemetery in Dillon.

J. Abel Rodriguez

1958 - 2010

Dillon - J. Abel Rodriguez died Thursday February 4, 2010 at the University Hospital in Salt Lake City as a result of a sudden stroke.

He was born in el Pescadito, Rio Verde, San Luis Potosi, Mexico on January 5,1958 to Maria Sebastiana and Marcelo Don Rodriguez. Abel grew up in Mexico but spent his adult life in the United States where he proudly attained citizenship in 1995. After a few years of travel and work at a variety of jobs, Abel came to Dillon where he worked for 30 years on area ranches. His extraordinary energy, hard work and endless cheerful kindness made an impression on everyone he met. In recent years, while helping his wife with their restaurant "Las Carmelitas", Abel began a new career as a carpenter. He loved the work and everyone he worked with loved him.

Abel met Rita Perez-Betancourt at the County Fair in Dillon in 1976. They fell in love, married, worked and raised their children in the Dillon Community. Abel always said, "babies love me". His own children, grandchildren and babies of his friends where all blessed to be held and entertained by him for hours.

He is survived by his wife Rita Rodriguez, his daughters Irma (Jeff) Winters and their daughter Isabel; Carmelita Rodriguez and her son Lorenzo; son Carlos Rodriguez and his daughter Zofia and Zofia’s mother Irma Vazquez. His parents Sebastiana and Marcelo Rodriguez, siblings; Noeh, Guadalupe, Maria Socorro, Marcelo and many beloved nieces and nephews also survive.

His grandparents precede him in death

At Abel’s request, cremation has taken place.

There will be a Memorial gathering for Abel Monday, February 8, 2010, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Lutheran Church, 715 E Bannack, Dillon.

Rose Anne Nelson

1950 - 2010

Rose Anne Nelson born Rose Anne Robinette, Feb. 13, 1950 passed away suddenly Feb. 4.

Rose is survived by her mother, Sylvia Kearns; daughters Tammy Gregory, Deanne Smith, Sabrina Saylor and Janice Rokusek; grandchildren Collin, Sharee, Zachery, Anthony, Tara, Logan, Jerri and Lilly; brothers Jerry and Michael Robinette; and nieces and nephews; Marisa, Joseph and Chantelle.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Kearns.

Rose was an LPN, dedicating her life to others. Her life was her family including her animals, especially her chocolate Labrador, Babe.

She loved spending her summers in her yard gardening, visiting her children and traveling with her mom.

A celebration of her life took place Monday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. at Brundage Funeral Home with a visitation prior to services from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A guest book and video tribute are available at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

Marv Amundson

Marv Amundson passed away Feb. 5.

Services will be at St. John's, Butte, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Graveside services will be Thursday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m., at Mountain View Cemetery.