Albert "Al" Schafer
Albert "Al" Schafer, age 78, of Miles City died Friday, June 13, 2003 at the Deaconess Medical Center in Billings. Mr. Schafer was born in New Leipzig, N.D., on June 24, 1924, the son of Karl and Philippina (Bacher) Schafer. He attended country school in New Leipzig, and following his schooling he worked road construction and then worked for the railroad, which brought him to Miles City. While in Miles City he worked at many different jobs, including selling Mason Shoes, Watkins, and Fuller Brush Cleaning Supplies. He married Loretta Fay Opp on April 10, 1960 in Miles City. He also worked for Ford Motor Company as a detailer, was a janitor at the school, and had a paper route for over 20 years delivering the Miles City Star, retiring in November of 2002. Mr. Schafer was a very active member of the First Baptist Church for 45 years. He enjoyed being an usher at the church and he volunteered at the VA Chapel every week. He enjoyed gardening, working in his yard, and visiting art museums. He is survived by his wife, Loretta Schafer of Miles City, Mont.; a son, Rodney Schafer and his wife Andrea of Glendive, Mont.; a daughter, Veronica VanDerWerff and her husband Kevin of Miller, S.D.; two brothers: Ernest Schafer of New Leipzig, N.D.; and Elmer Schafer of Missoula, Mont.; two sisters: Clara Schafer of New Leipzig, N.D.; and Lillian Imhoff of Billings, Mont.; and four grandchildren: April and Brian VanDerWerff and Caterra and Dannae Schafer.Ê He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, and two sisters and an infant daughter, Rosalie. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2003 in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.

Elsie Schlinker
Elsie Schlinker, age 89, of Miles City died Friday, June 13, 2003 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Center in Miles City. Mrs. Schlinker was born on December 4, 1913 in Marsh, Mont., the daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Schock) Kelle. She attended country schools in the Marsh area. On June 22, 1947, she married Emil Schlinker in Fallon, Mont. She continued to farm for several years until 1970, when she retired and moved near Terry. They moved to Miles City in 1994. In 1998 she moved to the Holy Rosary Health Center Extended Care Unit. Mrs. Schlinker was a homemaker at heart. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidery work. She is survived by her son, Dennis Schlinker of Miles City; her daughter, Shirley Thomas and her husband Paul of Tuscon, Ariz.; and her sister, Bertha Opp of Helena. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and an infant brother. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.Ê Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at 3 p.m. in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Friends and family will meet at the funeral home to proceed to the cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit www.stevensonandsons.com to send condolences to the family. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Peggy Klamm
Peggy Klamm, 78, of Miles City died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in the Holy Rosary Healthcare. Born in Helena on Dec. 30, 1924, she was the daughter of Herman and Eva Mary Janssen Hedrick. She attended school in Billings and graduated from Senior High School in 1942. She enlisted in the United States Navy where she served during World War II. On Dec. 14, 1945, she and John F. Klamm Jr. were married in San Pedro, Calif. Following Mrs. Klamm's discharge, the couple returned to Miles City where she had lived since. She worked at the Holy Rosary Hospital, Montgomery Ward, Red Rock and then for the Veterans Affairs Medial Center. She retired from the VA in 1990. Mrs. Klamm was very active in the First Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and spending time with her family. She also loved making Christmas cookies and canning. Her survivors include a son, Jacob "Jake" Klamm, and his special friend, Linda Wiedeman of Miles City; four daughters, Mary Geering and Anna Brandt and her husband, Rick, all of Miles City, Linda Klamm of Sun City, Calif., and Leslie "Barney" Scanlan and her husband, Karl, of Menifee, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Klamm Jr. in 1999; a son, John L. "Tuffy" Klamm in 1971; and a brother, Les Hedrick Jr. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2003, in the First Baptist Church in Miles City. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

David Ross
David Ross, 87, of Terry died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at the Prairie County Nursing Home in Terry. Mr. Ross was born in Terry on April 6, 1916, the son of George A. and Clara Jacobus Ross. He attended Broadview Country School until the eighth grade and then went to Terry High School where he graduated. He worked on the construction of Fort Peck Dam and he also worked as a clerk in the grocery store during the winters. He moved to California where he worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corp during World War II. On March 1, 1941, he and Mildred Beason were married in Alhambra, Calif. After the war, he returned to Terry to take over the family farm. In 1983, he retired from farming and the couple moved into Terry where they had lived since. Mr. Ross was an avid sportsman and especially enjoyed football. He liked to go bowling and watch sports, especially his children. He loved music. Mr. Ross was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church board for more than 50 years, the Tongue River Electric board for more than 20 years, Farmers Union Oil Board of Directors and the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Board. Survivors include his wife, Milly Ross of Terry; three daughters, Donna Marshall, and her husband, Dick, of Hooksett, N.H., Della Howell of Laurel and Dixie Iverson, and her husband, Daniel, of Winnett; a sister, Helen Dersham of Miles City; eight grandchildren, Davey, Danny, Drew and Delight Iverson, Connie Howell Burchett, Dean Howell, Susan Brisson and Joanna Williams; and five great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Savanna Burchett, Alexander, Benjamin and Isaac Brisson. He was preceded in death by a sister, Florence Falkenstern. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 14, 2003, at 4 p.m. in the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements. Please send condolences to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Parish Scholarship Fund at the Community Presbyterian Church or to the charity of one's choice.

C. Lucille Cloud
C. Lucille Cloud, 81, of Richland, Wash., former Miles City resident, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, surrounded by her husband and two youngest children. Mrs. Cloud was born Catherine Lucille Storms on May 20, 1922, in Miles City to Willis Porter and Bessie Cora Pack Storms. She was raised in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1940. On Oct. 28, 1945, she and Jack Roy Cloud were married. She and her husband raised six children in Miles City. Mrs. Cloud was a stay-at-home mom until the couple's youngest daughter started school. She then worked at Aloha's Boutique and then later for the Miles City school district in the administration office. In November 1972, Mr. and Mrs. Cloud moved to Richland. There she was employed with J. A. Jones Construction Co. as a clerk in the automotive department until her retirement in 1987. One of Mrs. Cloud's greatest joys in life, besides being a loving wife and mother, was becoming a grandmother to her seven grandchildren. While living in Miles City, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and upon moving to Richland, became a member of Central United Protestant Church. She and her husband were members of the Rambling Rovers and enjoyed many wonderful trips and times traveling together with that group. Mrs. Cloud's happiest moments ever were always when her children and grandchildren were around. Her survivors include her husband of 58 years, Jack; her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Carol of Las Vegas, Nev., her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas "Tom" and Debbie of Arvada, Colo., her son, William "Bill" of Helena, her daughter and son-in-law, Catherine "Cathy" and Geoff of Aberdeen, S.D., son Richard "Dick" of Kennewick, Wash., and daughter Caroline of Richland; and her seven grandchildren, Melissa, Jennifer, Justin and Michael Cloud of Arvada, Lucy and Katy Durst of Aberdeen, and Taylor Cloud of Las Vegas. Survivors also include a sister-in-law and her husband, Kay and Ben Thompson of Gig Harbor, Wash., and by her husband's aunt and uncle, Opal and Frank DeVine of Richland. Mrs. Cloud was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Bessie and William S. Cole; her baby sister, Norma Cole; her brothers, Cecil, Hershel, Loren "Todd," Donald "Donny," Gerald "Judd," Orval Storms and Patrick Cole. Christian burial will be Monday, June 16, 2003, at 10 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, followed by memorial services at Central United Protestant Church in Richland at 11 a.m. Einan's Funeral Home in Richland is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 277, Richland, WA 99352 or the International Myeloma Foundation in honor of Mrs. Cloud's son, Tom, at 12650 Riverside Dr., Suite 206 North Hollywood, CA 91607-3421 or the charity of one's choice.

June Wilson
June Wilson, 83, of Gillette, Wyo., former died on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at the Pioneer Manor in Gillette of natural causes. Veva June Wilson was born June 19, 1919, in Gillette, the daughter of Everet and Ruth Jackson Pownall. She grew up on the Pownall Ranch at Adon and attended country schools in the Adon community and high school in Gillette and Las Vegas, Nev. In 1938, she and Doyle Christy Jr. were married and they had one daughter, Sandra. They were divorced in 1939 and she worked in the Gillette and Sheridan, Wyo., areas. On Sept. 13, 1947, she and leslie Wilson were married. They moved to the Powderville Ranch near Broadus.ÊMr. and Mrs. Wilson had three children: Kathleen, Blaine and Leslie. Mrs. Wilson lived and worked at the Powderville Ranch and in Broadus until she sold the ranch in 1993.ÊShe lived in Broadus until her admittance to Pioneer Manor in Gillette in 1997, where she remained until the time of her death. She loved horses and ranch life and was an active community leader at Powderville and Broadus. Mrs. Wilson was quick-witted, hardworking, dedicated to family and neighbors. She loved life and it's challenges. In later years, she was employed at a variety of businesses and the courthouse in Broadus. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, which was an outlet for her delight of serving people. She loved to cook and was a warm and gracious host for her children, neighbors, community members, and all who passed through her life. Her survivors include her children, Sandra Griffin of Hemet, Calif., Kathleen Notaro, and her husband, Jim, of Frenchtown, Blaine Wilson and his wife, Susie, of Gillette, and Leslie Speirs and her husband, Bob, of Spearfish, S.D.; and two brothers, Douglas Pownall of Gillette and Stanley Pownall of Arizona. Survivors also include 17 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her parents, Everet and Ruth Jackson Pownall; her husband, Les; one brother, Jack Pownall; and two grandchildren. A memorial has been established to the Powder River County Museum in Broadus and donations may be sent to the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 West 5th St., Gillette, Wyo. 82716. Please visit www.stevensonandsons.com to send condolences to the family.

Eva Rose Shy
Eva Rose Shy, 65, of Belle Fourche, S.D., formerly of Miles City, died Saturday, June 7, 2003, at her home near Belle Fourche. Born in Miles City in 1938, she was the daughter of Alvin Cato Howard and Eva Gold Howard. She grew up near Stacy where she attended grade school and graduated from Custer County High School School in Miles City. She attended college in Denver, Colo., at Colorado Women's College and returned home after a year to marry George Shy. They were married on Jan. 26, 1957. They lived and raised their four children on the family ranch near Ashland. In 1999, The couple moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota outside of Belle Fourche where they enjoyed semi-retirement spending winter months in Mesa, Ariz. Mrs. Shy had many wonderful gifts and talents. She loved the outdoors, growing flowers and vegetables, riding horses and helping her husband with the many demands of ranch life. She was an extraordinary crafter, seamstress, and cook. Mrs. Shy enjoyed golfing, playing cards, dancing and spending time with and helping her family and friends. Above all, she was a devoted wife and mother. Mrs. Shy provided a lifetime of nurture, support and encouragement to her children and grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, George Shy of Belle Fourche; her children, Shannon Lund, and her husband, Tom, of Great Falls, Dudley Shy and his wife, Dana, of Billings, Stewart Shy of Shepherd, and Jayme Wilder, and her husband, Trae, of Billings; and her grandchildren. Whitney and Ashley Lund and Logan Shy. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Alvin and Eva Hoard. A Vigil service will be held Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Church. Rite of Committal will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Please visit www.stevensonandsons.com to send condolences to the family. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Northern Hills, 1440 North Main, Spearfish, SD 57783.

Luke Clayton Blackwell
Luke Clayton Blackwell, 11, died Sunday, June 8, 2003, in an auto accident north of Zurich. He was born Nov. 17, 1991, to Michael and Loreena (Reena Gilje) Blackwell in Port Angeles, Wash. He lived with his family in the coastal Pacific Northwest and Forsyth. Later he attended his first school years in Mandan, N.D., and Havre. Luke lived to fish, hunt and play football with his best friend, his dad. He charmed everyone he met with his wit and endearing personality. His survivors include his parents; a brother, Beau, and a sister, MacKena, both of Havre; his great-grandmothers, Alice Phillips of Forsyth and Maggie Blackwell of Humboldt, Tenn.; his grandparents, Dave and Helen Blackwell of Humboldt, Keith and Vicki Gilje of Forsyth, and Tony and Roxane Hepker of Maple Valley, Wash.; his uncles, Clay, Wade and Michael; his aunts, Sherri, Misty, Jodi and Jolynn; and 16 cousins. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 10 a.m. in the Fifth Avenue Christian Church in Havre. Burial will follow at 5 p.m. in the Forsyth Cemetery in Forsyth. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook and Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth. Memorials in honor of Luke may be made to the Fifth Avenue Christian Church or to the Havre Hunter Safety Program.

Lionel John Sweetser
Lionel John Sweetser, 60, of Miles City died at his home on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born May 18, 1943, in Denver, Colo., the son of Samuel and Eleanor Katherine Specht Sweetser. He grew up and went to school in the Denver area. In 1961, he entered the Army and served in Korea. He was discharged in March 1965. Mr. Sweetser returned to Colorado and worked as a welder at Silver Engineering. Later he had his own business repairing tractors in Hudson, Colo. On Nov. 2, 1963, he and Shirley Ann Howard were married. They lived in Brighton until moving to Miles City in 1995. He enjoyed working in the yard, collecting tools, welding, fixing engines and playing with his dig, Emmitt. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Shirley of Miles City; his children, Joseph Alan Sweetser, and his wife, Kristi, of Weldona, Colo., Samuel David, and his wife, Laurie, of Fort Sill, Okla., Deborah Ann Rau, and her husband, Martin, of Lochbuie, Colo., and Denise Susan Bosckis, and her husband, Byron, of Miles City; his brother, Lynne Sweetser, and his wife, Pat, of Georgia; two sisters, Shirley Modonia of Arvada, Colo., and Sheila Wright, and her husband, Dennis, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and three grandchildren, Maegan, Danielle and Brooks. He was preceded in death by his parents, S. Earl and Eleanor Sweetser; and his grandson, Hunter John. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 14, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Burial will follow in the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery in Miles City. Memorials may be made to the Eastern Montana Cancer Foundation. Please visit www.stevensonandsons.com to send condolences to the family.

Jim Shackelford
James "Jim" Edward Shackelford, 77, of Palmer, Alaska, former Miles City resident, died Monday, June 2, 2003, at Providence Extended Care Center. He courageously battled multiple complications from heart surgery since September 2002.Ê Mr. Shackelford was born Sept. 8, 1925, in Hyannis, Neb., to Joseph and Ione Lewis Shackelford, the oldest of five children.ÊHe attended school through the eighth grade in Ismay and completed his GED in the military. He and Anna May Pease were married on July 4, 1952, in Miles City. Mr. Shackelford served in the United States Navy and Air Force for 22 years. He came to Elmendorf Air Force Base in the 1960s. After his retirement in 1970, he returned with his family to reside in Palmer. He continued employment with Civil Service at Ft. Richardson, the City of Palmer, and Matanuska Telephone Association. Mr. Shackelford retired from MTA as warehouse supervisor in 1985. Mr. Shackelford also learned to upholster furniture in the 1950s. He owned an upholstery business throughout his lifetime. His handiwork can be found across the United States and many homes in the Valley. Mr. Shackelford joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1984. He participated in many USCG Auxiliary activities throughout the state. He became Commodore and traveled nationwide, representing Alaska for the USCG. Mr. Shackelford also was a member of the Elks and Moose lodges. His survivors include Anna, his wife of 51 years; his daughter and granddaughter, Cynthia and Christina Shackelford; his son and daughter-in-law, Duncan and Wendi Shackelford; and grandson Braden. Other survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Bud and Velma Shackelford of Idaho; his sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Gordon Knuths of Montana; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. Ê A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2003, at St. Michael's Parish in Palmer. Mr. Shackelford also will receive military honors at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2003, at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery. His favorite place was on his boat in the Prince William Sound and at his request, his ashes will be scattered in the Prince William Sound out of Valdez at a later date, with the U.S. Coast Guard. The family will present memorial donations to the World War II National Memorial in Washington, D.C. Arrangements are with the Witzleben Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Anchorage, Alaska.Ê

Bonnie Boe Venable
Bonnie Boe Venable, 81, of Billings, former Miles City resident, died Monday, June 9, 2003, of respiratory failure. Born Dec. 3, 1922, in Newell, S.D., she was the daughter of Les and Ethel Farber Boe. She grew up in the South Dakota area, graduating as class valedictorian at the age of 16 years from Whitewood High School. She immediately started her life-long career in the stockyard industry at the Belle Fourche Stockyards in South Dakota. In 1945, she moved to Miles City with her parents and sister. On Dec. 26, 1947, she and the love of her life, N. Don Venable, were married. They spent the rest of their lives working as a team. In 1953, they moved to Glendive where they owned and operated the Glendive Sale Yard. Mr. and Mrs. Venable returned to Miles City in 1962 and in 1970, the call came from Public Auction Yards in Billings where they spent the rest of their working years. Mrs. Venable even worked on Monday, June 2. During her many years of service to the agricultural community, she was recognized for the dedication and knowledge that she so quickly offered. She was pleased to be featured as one of the Cattle Business Pioneers in a recent article in the "Western Livestock Reporter." She was known throughout the area as one of the quickest pencils around. She could figure an "average" faster than a computer. Her survivors include her children, Betty Lou and Johnny Ley of Worden, Tom Venable and Charity of Miles City, Suzi and Roger Steffanich of Billings, Kay and Bob McDermott of Federal Way, Wash., Rita Venable and Ron of Lakeside and Terri and Al French of Billings; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include her sister, LaVerne Pauley of Miles City; and five nephews, one niece and their extended families. Mrs. Venable also considered her livestock friends an important part of her family as well. She was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Linda Lee; her brothers and sister-in-law, Bob Pauley and John and Selma Blankenship; and her nephews, Bobby and Bill Pauley. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2003, in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Burial will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. The family will gather with friends at the Park Place following the services. In lieu of flowers, the Ronald McDonald House was Mrs. Venable's favorite charity and donations in her name would please her.

David E. Wing
David E. Wing, 49, of Miles City died Sunday, June 8, 2003, in the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City. Born June 25, 1953, in Glendive, he was a son of George and Okal Hogg Wing Sr. He grew up and received his education in the Glendive area. Mr. Wing worked as a sanitation engineer for Kurtz Sanitation in Glendive for 16 years. On Nov. 17, 1992, he and Sharon Patrick were married in Glendive. The couple made their home in Miles City. Mr. Wing has cared for his ill wife for the past several years. His survivors include his wife of Miles City; two sons, Johnny and Derrick; his sister, Kathy Schmidt, and her husband, Rodney, of Glendive; two brothers, George Jr., and his wife, Anita, and Floyd Schmidt Sr., and his wife, Linda, of Glendive; two half-brothers, Leroy, and his wife, Pat, and Ervin Smith, and his wife, Sherri, of Glendive; a half-sister, Lorraine Baese, and her husband, Allen, of Bigfork; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dana; and one sister, Louise. Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2003, in the Bullis-Grave Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the memorial chapel. Private disposition will follow at a later date. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Custer County Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

George S. Whitney
George S. Whitney, 80, of Miles City, formerly of Illinois, died Monday, June 23, 2003 at the Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth. Mr. Whitney was born in Illinois on Dec. 18, 1922, the son of Clarence and Mary Wisowaty Whitney. He was raised in Illinois and attended junior college in Indiana where he received an associate of arts degree. He then attended the University of Illinois where he received his police science degree. He was a special agent for the Illinois Central Railroad until his retirement in 1982. During his years as a special agent, he was promoted to the title of lieutenant. He won many sharp shooting trophies and medals and traveled over the country on the Illinois Central R.R. Sharp Shooting Team. He lectured for the F.B.I. on police tactics and various subjects and received many letters of commendation from the agency. As a young man, he loved the outdoors - hunting and hiking, but his biggest love was horses. During his World War II years he was in the United States Army as a part of the last unit of Horse Calvary - Troop A, 129th Calvary Squadron, Fort Riley, Kan. His love for horses, hunting and the outdoors never died. He was a cowboy at heart and fell in love with Montana's wide-open spaces and mountains and made Miles City his home coming back to his Illinois home over the holidays only, then hurrying back to his wide-open spaces and his friends in Miles City. Then it was spending the winter with family in Tucson, Ariz., and the majority of the year in Miles City. Here he worked many times as a deputy sheriff and rode with many local residents. His survivors include his sister, Rosemary Whitney Stevenson, and her husband, George, of Tucson; four nephews, Dennis of Holts Summit, Mo., Brent of Park Forest, Ill., Greg of Tucson and Jeff of South Chicago Heights, Ill.; and five great-nephews and great-nieces, Robert, Jennifer, Jason, Kristi and Margo. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 28, 2003, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.

Elizabeth "Liz" Margaret Garr Lockwood
Elizabeth "Liz" Margaret Garr Lockwood, 97, of Volborg died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, in the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City. Born in Broadus on Aug. 1, 1905, she was the daughter of Eugene H. and Tillie Helen App Garr. She attended school at Broadus, graduating in 1924. She was approached by the county superintendent and asked if she would consider going to summer school in Miles City and then return to teach at the Session School near Ridge for five months and she accepted. She then went to Dillon to attend the Normal School and returned to Miles City for summer school. In the fall she taught the Gaskill School near Loesch. She stayed there for two years, then following her marriage she taught at the Loesch School and the Divide School. On March 14, 1928, she and Lyle Lockwood were married in Miles City. They had three children, Jean, Joyce and Sonny. The family made their home near Coalwood. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood spent the bulk of their lives ranching, raising children, cows and horses. Mrs. Lockwood worked alongside her husband and was called on to rake and buck hay, run the Farmhand and still have a decent meal on the table by noon. Winters were spent hauling hay, feeding cattle and calving. Mr. Lockwood died March 6, 1992, and Mrs. Lockwood continued living on the ranch until the last few months when her health failed her. She was proud to be able to continue living on the ranch and appreciated the kindness shown to her by friends and relatives. Mrs. Lockwood enjoyed planting and preserving her garden and was noted for having the first seeds in the ground more than once in the same year. She made sure her two horses and cats were fed and watered every day. Her survivors include her son, Edwin "Sonny" Lockwood of Volborg; two daughters, Jean Hafla, and her husband, John, of Miles City and Joyce Riley, and her husband, LeRoy, of Volborg; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and Willis Bartholomay, his wife, Ardi, of Terry and their family, whom she considered her children. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, "Little Buddy" and an infant daughter; two brothers, Earl Garr and Gene Garr; two sisters, LeMoyne Sandall and Juanita Cowan; and a daughter-in-law, MaryLynne Lockwood. Funeral services will be Friday, June 27, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson St., Miles City, MT 59301.

Caroline Sue Wetmore
Caroline Sue Wetmore, 42, of Lockwood, former Miles City resident, died due to drowning in the Yellowstone River east of Billings. Born Feb. 13, 1961, in Miles City, she was the daughter of Richard and Mary Hay. She attended Miles City schools and participated in many of the musical programs including band and playing the piano for the chorus and Choraleers. In 1979, she and Keith Wetmore were married. They later divorced. She attended Miles Community College and also Eastern Montana College in Billings. The family moved to Lockwood in 1988 where she had lived since. She worked at several printing firms as a typesetter and at several nursing homes before starting her own house cleaning business. Her survivors include one daughter, Jessica Wagner of The Dalles, Ore.; two sons, Keith S. "Sonny" of The Dalles and Jacque of Billings; two brothers, Rick Hay and family of Grand Rapids, MI., and Rodney Hay of Omaha, Neb.; and her parents of Miles City. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 28, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the old Calvary Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Anna Maria Leidholt
Anna Maria Leidholt, 79, of Miles City died Monday, June 23, 2003, in the Holy Rosary Healthcare at Miles City. Mrs. Leidholt was born Dec. 7, 1923, on the family homestead, the daughter of Johann and Eva Schneider Helm. She was one of a family of 12. Mrs. Leidholt was raised on her parents' homestead in the Purewater community north of Miles City. She was baptized and confirmed in a small Lutheran country church at Purewater. While at the ranch with her parents and five brothers, the milking of cows to sell cream was important for the financial survival of the family and Mrs. Leidholt could milk eight cows by hand in a short time while her brothers were working with the farming in the busy seasons of spring and summer. Mrs. Leidholt liked to dance in her younger years. On June 25, 1950, she and Julius Leidholt were married. She was given six cows and a house in Miles City for a wedding gift. The cows were sold and the couple settled in Miles City. Mrs. Leidholt helped her husband build numerous houses. They built them and then sold them while their health permitted. Together they raised their daughter, Julia, who survives them. Mrs. Leidholt also is survived by John H. Helm, William A. Helm and his wife, Dorothy, and Gerhard Helm and his wife, Pat, all of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, four brothers and her husband, Julius. Mrs. Leidholt enjoyed dancing, gardening, flowers and playing bingo and other activities at Friendship Villa. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2003, in the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Burial will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Winnie Oakland
Funeral services for Winnie Oakland, 89, of Cartwright, N.D., mother of Paul Oakland of Miles City, were held Wednesday morning, June 25, 2003, in the Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview. The Rev. Larry Quanbeck officiated. Music was by JoAnn Oakland, Muriel Leach and Ellen Croy. Casketbearers were Paul Oakland Jr., Keith Oakland, Neil Oakland, Oscar Oakland, Jason Hirsch, Cole Hirsch and Eric Stremcha. Ushers were Lyle Sponheim and Don Croy. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery, under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney. Mrs. Oakland died Saturday afternoon, June 21, 2003, in the Sidney Health Center at Sidney. Born Sept. 8, 1913, in Brinkman, Okla., she was the youngest daughter of Marion and Lulu Stovall Williams. She was raised in the Brinkman area and received her primary and secondary education there. She attended college at West Texas State Teachers College in Canyon, Texas, and Southwestern Technological College in Weatherford, Okla., as well as New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M., and in later years Eastern Montana College in Billings. She taught schools for five years in New Mexico and Oklahoma. On Nov. 1, 1942, she and Raymond Oakland were united in marriage at Clinton, Okla. While he was serving overseas, she spent four years working as a timekeeper at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. After the war was over, in 1945, they made their home in Cartwright where they raised their family. She taught schools in Richland County, East Fairview School and Sidney Elementary School for 15 years. After retiring, the couple spent several winters in California where she did some substitute teaching. Mrs. Oakland was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview, participating in women's organizations and teaching confirmation as well as taking part in many Bible studies. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a 40-year member of Sunshine Homemakers and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her hobbies included traveling, crossword puzzles, quilting, reading, playing cards and entertaining friends in her home. In addition to her son and his wife, Paul and Judy Oakland of Miles City, survivors include two more children, daughter, Jane of Dallas, Ore., and son, Dean Oakland, and his wife, Jan, of Cartwright; her grandchildren, Paul Oakland, Jr., and his wife, Marie, Shelley Stremcha, and her husband, Eric, Jennifer Hirsch, and her husband, Jason, Neil Oakland, and his wife, Marla, and Shauna Clark, and her husband, Matt; her great-grandchildren, Cole and Kaitlyn Hirsch and Kyra Oakland; and many nieces and nephews in Texas and Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray.

James Price Calk
James Price Calk, 83, known as "Spike" to his family and friends, died from natural causes on Sunday, June 22, 2003, at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive. The first born child of James Crooks and Emma Lee Hoff Calk, he was born Jan. 5, 1920, on his father's ranch west of Jordan. Several years later, when his uncle Bill Hoff came to the ranch to help build a log house for the family, the little boy picked up long iron spikes and presented them to his uncle. Laughing, his uncle took the boy on his knee and proclaimed, "I now christen thee Spike." As a young man, Mr. Calk liked anything that had to do with astronomy, an interest that shaped the rest of his life. Though he worked as a ranch hand during the day, his real love lay in the stars at night. When most people were sleeping, he was studying, observing and wondering about the stars. His work led to the publication of three books on astronomy, "Geometry of the Stars," "Perspective Universe" and "The Sun and the Solar System," the last being printed at the time of his death. After graduating from Garfield County High School at Jordan in 1939, he joined the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. The explosions of the big shells on deck left him with a hearing loss, which made it difficult for him to communicate. He returned to Montana and worked on ranches in the Bozeman and Forsyth areas. A tall, craggy man, Mr. Calk moved and talked slowly, but he always had a shelf filled with cookies for the children in his bunkhouse and enjoyed visits with his nieces and nephews. His survivors include his sister, Marilee Whitmer, who resides in the Garfield County Nursing Home; a sister-in-law, Sandy Calk of Dodson; his nieces, Betsy Jueschke of Elko, Nev., Patsy Hollingberry of Wapato, Wash., Mary Ann Parks of Grass Range, Rita Whitmer of Las Cruces, N.M., Wanda Rosseland of Circle, Barbara Whitmer of Ontario, Canada, Jolene Crum of Livingston; his nephews, Clinton Whitmer of Frazer, Boone Whitmer of Wolf Point, Rex Whitmer of Portland, Ore., and James Calk of Wichita, Kan.; and Jack Bailey, and his wife, Carol, his friends on the Rosebud. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Rebecca Jones; and his brother, Joe John. Funeral services will be Friday, June 27, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Edith May Coffman
Memorial services for Edith May Coffman, 91, of Washington, former Miles City resident, were held Saturday, June 14, 2003, in Seattle. Mrs. Coffman died peacefully on the morning of Friday, May 30, 2003. The daughter of Donald Alonzo and Hannah Voet Cotton, she was born in a log cabin on Main Street in Miles City where the Masonic Temple now stands on Jan. 23, 1912. She was the first child of a family of four boys and four girls. In 1924, when she was 12 years of age, she met Harry Coffman, her future husband. He was 17 years of age. They met at a Lutheran Church Walther League group where both attended the youth activities. Mr. Coffman was a journeyman mechanic on the railroad when he was 18. When he was 22 years of age, he received a call to a job at the Bremerton, Wash., shipyards. Mrs. Coffman, who was then 16, eloped (with her father's permission on condition she finish high school). The couple married on Sept. 24, 1928, in Forsyth and traveled by train to Orting, Wash., where she graduated from high school with the class of 1932. In 1933, the Coffmans moved to the town of Kittitas in eastern Washington where Mr. Coffman built an auto garage, service station and cafe with living quarters in the rear. In 1936, their first child, Fay Louise, was born and in 1941, their first son, Donald Martin, was born. The family moved to Seattle in late 1941. In 1944, their second son, Melvin Raymond, was born. After World War II, Mr. Coffman started Real Service and Repair, doing auto rebuild and mechanical work. Mrs. Coffman raised the family, helped with the book work, painted and wallpapered the walls of their large home. She painted and repainted and repainted the kitchen floor. Mrs. Coffman was always busy, doing something, fixing something around the house. For years she suffered with a back injury from jumping from a Model-T with failed brakes as it was rolling backward down a hill. On her 25th wedding anniversary, she agreed to be one of the first patients for a new experimental procedure in surgery - a laminectomy - fusion of the vertebrae. It was a success for her and she was called back to the University of Washington many times as an example of the success of this new surgery. Mr. and Mrs. Coffman and their family became active in Masonic orders and she served as a Royal Matron for Amaranth and Worthy Matron for the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and was a guardian of a Jobs Daughters Bethel. In 1978, Mr. and Mrs. Coffman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a renewal of their vows and a traditional church wedding, reception, dance and party they never had 50 years earlier. They were married for 64-plus years and were looking forward to their 65th anniversary when Mr. Coffman died in December 1992. Her survivors include her daughter, Fay, and son-in-law, Ed Bartels of Edmonds, Wash.; her son, Donald, and Linda of Bothell, Wash., and her son, Melvin, and Lynn of Wenatchee, Wash.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Verna Benasky of Miles City and Hannah Jean Champlin of Spokane, Wash.; two brothers, Jack Cotton of Alamosa, Colo., and Gary Cotton of Monte Vista, Colo.; many nieces and nephews; and a large extended family. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson, David Bartels; and her great-grandson, Jason Satko. Memorials may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.

Alvin Stickel
Alvin Stickel, 73, of Fallon died Wednesday, June 18, 2003, in the Prairie County Hospital at Terry. Born in Terry on Jan. 22, 1930, he was the son of Jacob and Katherine Sackman Stickel. He attended country school on the Fallon Flats and in Fallon. Mr. Stickel graduated from high school in Terry. He stayed in Fallon and worked on the family farm until February 1952 when he entered the United States Marines in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Mr. Stickel served in Hawaii and Japan until he was honorably discharged in February 1954. Following his discharge, he returned to the family farm where he farmed and ranched until the time of his death. On Sept. 30, 1955, he and Herta Kron were married in Fallon. Mr. Stickel was a member of the Evangelical Church of North America in Fallon. His survivors include his wife of Fallon; three sons, Karl D. Stickel of Ridgecrest, Calif., Vernon Stickel, and his wife, Lisa, of Glendive and Willard Stickel, and his wife, Lorna, of Torrington, Wyo.; a sister, Annette Pike of Phoenix, Ariz.; and five grandchildren, Kara, Calvin, Kaitlyn, Quinn and Kylie. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edwin and Reuban. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2003, in the Evangelical Church of North America at Fallon. Interment will follow in the Fallon Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Prairie County Nursing Home in Terry.

Harry Edward Folz
Harry Edward Folz, 77, of Billings and formerly of Glendive, died Monday, June 16, 2003, at the Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings. Mr. Folz was born Jan. 20, 1926, in Glendive, the son of Anton and Margaret Meckler Folz. He was raised and educated in Glendive, graduating from Dawson County High School with the class of 1943. He entered the United States Navy and served during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Kinman Business School in Spokane, Wash. Mr. Folz worked in Spokane as a bookkeeper for two years until returning to Glendive where he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad as a brakeman. Following his retirement from the railroad in 1982, he moved to Billings where he made his home until the time of his death. Survivors include one brother, Frank Folz of Silverton, Idaho; four sisters, Mary Pomeroy of Mesa, Ariz., Rose Hansen and Pauline Coleman, both of Glendive and Helen Hathaway of Rancho Murieta, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. Private family services with committal will be held at a later date at the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Eagle Cliff Manor, care of Stillwater/Alzheimer's Unit, 1415 Yellowstone River Road, Billings, MT 59105. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.

LeLand Jones
LeLand Jones, 85, of Miles City, formerly of Broadus, died at Friendship Villa Care Center in Miles City on Wednesday, June 18, 2003. Mr. Jones was born Feb. 1, 1918, in Ridge, the son of John P. and Mabel Lynam Jones. He attended Belle Creek rural school through the eighth grade and then went to work on area ranches. On Nov. 19, 1946, he and Doris P. Pettibone were united in marriage in Broadus. He then went to work at Fallon, Boyes and Broadus area ranches until moving into Miles City in the fall of 1951. Soon after, he went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad until he became self-employed as an independent carpenter for the next 30 years leading to his retirement. After he retired, he and his wife moved one last time, making Miles City their home. Mr. Jones' survivors include his wife of 56 years, Doris Jones of Miles City; his brother, Johnny Jones, and his wife, Anna, of Broadus; his sister, Mabel Waldusky of Whitefish; his sisters-in-law, Aurise Jones and Betsy Mahan, both of Broadus and Mary Gregg of Melstone; his brother-in-law, Vaughn Mahan of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Colleen Clements, Gertrude Mahan and Juanita Jones; and two brothers, Denver Jones and Marvin Jones. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 21, 2003, at 2 p.m. in Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home at Broadus. Interment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery at Broadus. To send condolences and remembrances to the family visit www.stevensonandsons.com.

Alvin Otto Wick
Alvin Otto Wick, 87, of Hysham, died of natural causes Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at the St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings. Born Feb. 21, 1916, at Becker County, Minnesota, he was the son of Adolph and Teresa Pasler Wick. He was educated and spent most of his younger years farming and working construction jobs in Minnesota and North Dakota. On June 25, 1938, he and Katherine Stevens were married at Spicer, Minn. Together, they made their home in Minnesota until moving to Terry where he was employed with Tongue River Electric. With their family, Mr. and Mrs. Wick transferred to Ashland where he continued to work for Tongue River Electric until his retirement from the company in 1981. They later moved to Hysham to be closer to family and Mr. Wick resided there until the time of his death. He enjoyed spending his time hunting and fishing as well as with his wife and family. His survivors include his wife of 65 years, Katherine; one son, Charles Wick, and his wife, Connie, of Hamilton; one daughter, Kathleen Hurr, and her husband, Richard, of Hysham; two daughters-in-law, Elsie Wick of Ashland and Mary Wick of Plains; one sister, Alice Adams, and her husband, LeRoy, of Frazee, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, Donald and Daniel; one daughter, Suzanne Reinholz; and four brothers, Herman, Emil, Clarence and Marvin. A graveside service will be held in the Ashland Cemetery at a later date. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of arrangements. If friends with to send their condolences or remembrances to the Wick family, log on to www.stevensonandsons.com.

Mary Ann Schieffert
Mary Ann Schieffert, infant daughter of Mandy and Jason Schieffert of Miles City, was born and died on Friday, June 13, 2003, in the Holy Rosary Healthcare at Miles City. Mary's survivors include her parents, Jason R. and Mandy Lynn Roldan Schieffert, her half-sister, Morgan Lovec and her sister, Cassidy Schieffert, all of Miles City; and her grandparents, Cherryl Roldan, Rich Schieffert, Renee Strand and Keith and Phyllis Johnson, all of Miles City, Herman Rodan of Miami, Fla., and Terri and Leo Grasky of Sheridan, Wyo. Private funeral services for Mary have been planned for the family. To send condolences, visit: www.stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City has been entrusted with the arrangements. If desired, memorials may be made to the family for a monument for Mary and may be sent in care of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, 1717 Main St., Miles City, MT 59301.

Leroy Brush
Leroy Brush, 63, of Miles City, formerly of Kalispell, died at his home on Monday, June 16, 2003. Born Aug. 26, 1939, in Miles City, he was the son of Melvin Clay and Hazel Woodruff Brush Sr. He grew up in Miles City. On Nov. 14, 1959, he and Carol Madler were married. Together they raised four children, Rick, Leslie, LeRoy Jr. and Kimberly. In 1961, Mr. Brush began working construction until 1969 when the family moved to Kalispell. He owned and operated LeRoy's and Sons Autobody from 1969 until 1990 when he began to sell fruit in Miles City and the surrounding areas, including Forsyth, Baker and Lemmon, S.D. Mr. Brush was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He looked forward to going to Arizona for the winters with his wife and most of all he loved his family and spending time with them. His survivors include his wife of 43 years, Carol Brush of Miles City; his children, son LeRoy Jr., his wife, Teresa, and their children, Crystal, Justin and Timothy Brush of Kalispell; son Leslie, his wife, Monica, of Parkesburg, W.V., and their children, Eric, his wife, CeCe and their children, Preston, Williams and Mickey of Parkesburg, and Mandy Casto and her daughter, Kaley; and daughter, Kimberly, her husband, Don, and their children, Samantha and the twins, Daniel and Danniell Enger of Kalispell. Survivors also include three brothers, Melvin "Shorty" Brush, and his wife, Judy, and Joe Brush, and his wife, Jane, all of Miles City and Ervin Brush, and his wife, Gail, of Las Vegas, Nev.; two sisters, Louise Baugate, and her husband, John, of Miles City and Joan Myth, and her husband, Dan, of Elensburg, Wash.; his eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Rick in 1978; two sisters, Carol Ann Mooke and Joyce Brackel; and his brother, George Brush. Funeral services will be Friday, June 20, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at noon Monday, June 23, 2003, in the Glacier Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. If desired, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. To send condolences or remembrances to the family, visit www.stevensonandsons.com.