Miscellaneous Custer County, Montana obits:
Marilyn Vogel
A memorial service for Marilyn Vogel, 69, of Ramsey Hill, Minn., former Miles City resident, was held Saturday morning, Feb. 26, 2005, at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, 60 Kent St. in Ramsey Hill.
Mrs. Vogel, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005, at after a short illness with cancer. Born Jan 15, 1936, in Cassville, Mo., she was the daughter of Vernus and Ruth Alberti Pyle, long-time residents of Miles City. Mrs. Vogel was an outstanding student who excelled in vocal music and mathematics. She graduated valedictorian of Custer County High in 1953 in Miles City.
Mrs. Vogel earned a bachelor of arts degree at Montana State University in Missoula in 1956 and a master of arts degree in statistics at the University of Illinois-Champagne. It was there that she met her husband, and they married Dec. 11, 1960.
They settled in Oakdale, Minn., to raise their children. In 1986 the couple moved to Ramsey Hill in St. Paul to restore and live happily in a historic home.
During her career, Mrs. Vogel worked as a research analyst for the state of Minnesota and a private health care foundation.
She was a keenly intelligent and involved person. Her community involvement in Oakdale included helping to establish a blood bank for Washington County, campaigning for politicians, helping her husband in his years on the Oakdale City Council and being an active part of the fledgling DFL Feminist Caucus.
While in Ramsey Hill, she created community through book clubs, church and discussion groups on many topics. She taught English as a Second Language to the local Hmong community. Mrs. Vogel had unflinching standards for herself and her loved ones, and was a force for justice, reason and equity. While she held strong opinions, she always kept her mind open.
Her survivors include her beloved husband, Herward "Herb;" her daughters, Sonja (Dan) Lyons and Sigrid (Dave) Nord; her son, Gerhard (Anne); her grandchildren, Ted, Mara and Kelly Lyons and Seth and Sam Nord; her sisters-in law and brother-in-law, Lieselotte, Hildegard, Margret, Gottfried and their families; and her dear dog, Polly.
She was preceded in death by parents, Vernus and Ruth (Alberti) Pyle. Memorial arrangements were under the direction of Willwersheid & Peters Mortuary, 1167 Grand Ave. in Ramsey Hill.
Memorials may be sent to Project Home Family Shelters, 1671 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105-1815.
Ethel Major
Ethel Major, 88, of Miles City, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, in the Miles City Holy Rosary Extended Care Center.
She was born Oct. 27, 1916, in Portland, Ore., a daughter of Herman and Ruth Ackerman Ketel. She grew up and received her education in Oregon.
On May 17, 1939, she and Cecil Major were married in Orlando Calif. The couple moved to Ekalaka in 1953 and settled in Miles City in 1958. Mr. Major died in 1973. Mrs. Major worked for the Woolworth Store for many years.
She was a member of the Methodist Church and enjoyed all types of crafts, especially knitting and crocheting.
Mrs. Major's survivors include her daughter, Lucille Ottesen of Sonnett; her son, Larry (Jena) Major of Idaho; her step-daughter, Diana Kirby of Jordan; two brothers, Ray Ketel of Washington and Harry Ketel of Oregon; a sister, Lillian McGaughlin of Oregon and four grandchildren.
A sister and two brothers preceded Mrs. Major in death.
Family and friends will gather at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in the Bullis-Graves Memorial Chapel and proceed to the Custer County Cemetery for a 2 p.m. graveside service.
Lelia Edythe Light Farnum
Lelia Edythe Light Farnum was born on a ranch near Lewistown, Montana, on June 9, 1909. Her parents were Lucy Mariah Pering and Edwin E. Light who settled in Montana shortly after the turn of the century.
Lelia went home of February 25, 2005, to join Bus, her husband of 62 years. They were married on October 6, 1930, in Miles City and moved to Billings in 1935.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Lucy and Ed; husband, C.A. "Bus" Farnum; son, Buster H.; daughter, Zada Babcock; two infant daughters; grandson, Clayton Babcock; and great-grandchildren, AJ and Caitlin Gasnick. Also preceding her were sisters and brothers Lorraine Wiseman, Hazel Green, Athalie Monte, Edna Goodman, Eddie P. Light, Jack Light and Lucille Bierman.
She is survived by daughter, Leila M. Farnum of Billings; foster daughter, Betty June Ott of Butte; sister-in-law, Hazel Dutton Light of Florida; 11 grandchildren: Martin Thomspon, Gerald Thompson and Lee Gasnick of California, Sarah Daniels and M. Christine Thompson of Florida, Kip Farnum of Billings, Greg Farnum of Japan, Reno Babcock and Shelly Hodgson of Billings, Cheyenne Babcock of North Carolina, and Codi Babcock of Washington. Also surviving are 26 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
As a young woman Lelia rode across ranch lands in Eastern Montana with her father and his crew doing a full day's work. She also often cooked for the cowboys making her wonderful homemade bread. She wrote about her life as the daughter of a ranching family in "Wherever the Grass is Greener." She loved horses, especially Pinky, her favorite, and worked as a ranch hand from the age of 14. She loved to attend country dances. As a young mother, she was PTA president and a 4-H Leader who encouraged her children, grandchildren and all others to do their best in any endeavor.
Lelia enjoyed many hours gardening in her yard. She was also a very creative seamstress often making clothes from drawings. She worked for the Singer Sewing Company and later opened her own business teaching sewing, selling sewing machines and fabric. With husband, Bus, she enjoyed dancing and entertaining. Their Christmas breakfasts and summer cookouts were appreciated by many friends and family members.
In later life, she and Bus were able to travel to Israel, Hawaii and Alaska, as well as much of the continental United States. During her later years she put together an extensive genealogy of both the Light and Farnum families.
Lelia has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Billings since 1935, and is a member of the Yellowstone Historical Society.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 2, at 10:30 with a luncheon to follow. Private interment will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice, First Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.
Smith's Downtown Chapel in Billings is in charge of arrangements.
Emery G. Uhas
Emery G. Uhas, 92, formerly of Miles City, died peacefully Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, at Valley Health Care Center in Billings of natural causes.
Mr. Uhas was born Sept. 25, 1912, in Miles City to John and Rena Uhas.
He was married to his lifelong companion, Gladys Uhas, on March 24, 1934, in Miles City. After living and working in Miles City during the first 10 years of their marriage, they moved to California since Mr. Uhas enlisted in the Navy during World War II.
After his discharge from the Navy, the couple lived in Los Altos, Calif., and worked in the San Francisco area until retirement.
The couple accepted Jesus as their personal Savior more than 50 years ago and the "love of their life" was their ministry activity at First Baptist Church of Los Altos where Mr. Uhas sang in the church choir for more than 40 years and also worked in the church print shop for several years during his retirement.
Mr. and Mrs. Uhas traveled extensively to Europe and the Middle East. Mr. Uhas loved music and regularly played his piano, organ and keyboard, sometimes playing two of the instruments at one time.
The couple made frequent trips to eastern Montana to visit friends and relatives during their many years in California.
In September 1999, they returned to Montana to be close to their nephews, Roger, Wayne and Gary Brownson, during their last years in this life.
Surviving Mr. Uhas are his brother, T.J. Yuhas of Great Falls, and his four children, Jack, Diana, Patsy and Kirk. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews including Roger, Wayne and Gary Brownson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 67 years on Jan. 10, 2002.
No memorial service will be held. Cremation has taken place and interment will be in the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman.
Memorials in Mr. Uhas' name are suggested to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 1270, Charlotte, NC 28201 or to Clydehurst Christian Ranch, 802 N. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101.
Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Chapels of Billings.
Loren "Cody" Eggum
Loren "Cody" Eggum, 45, of Forsyth, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, in the Rosebud County Health Center at Forsyth after a brave battle with cancer. He was surrounded by this family and close friends.
Mr. Eggum was born in Sidney to Sybil and Lloyd Eggum on May 12, 1959. He grew up in Richey with his three older siblings. The family moved to Forsyth in the summer of 1973 and he graduated from Forsyth High School in 1977.
In 1978 he went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad where he worked on the section and then in train service.
On Dec 26, 1980, He and Carla Fahrenbruck Hecker, also of Forsyth, were married. Together they had two daughters, Heather and Shaylin.
In 1990, Mr. Eggum met the love of his life, Teresa Haney of Bridger, and they were married Nov. 9, 1991. They have two sons, Marty and Isiah.
Mr. Eggum was a loving husband and father who spread laughter everywhere he went. He was always the life of the party, telling jokes and doing imitations. Mr. Eggum enjoyed attending his children's extracurricular activities and especially liked watching football and basketball. He also loved camping and spending time with his family and friends.
In addition to his wife, four children, and parents, Mr. Eggum is survived by his mother-in-law, Helen Corbin (Randy); his father-in-law, David Haney; his sister, Terry Hrubes (Arlan); his brothers, Paul Eggum (Vickie) and Calvin Eggum; his sister-in-law, Mandy Haney; 10 nieces and nephews; several aunts and cousins; and Warren Wasserburger, Mr. Eggum's best bud.
He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Martin Haney; and several grandparents.
Dress will be casual because Mr. Eggum wasn't a suit kind of guy. The reception afterward will be potluck style.
Condolences may be sent to the Eggum family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com Funeral Services will be Saturday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth. Burial will be in the Forsyth Cemetery.
Christopher Corbitt
Christopher "Chris" Gabriel Corbitt, 22, of Colstrip died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, at the Deaconess Billings Hospital following a brave battle with cancer.
Born June 5, 1982, in Helena, he was the son of William and Peggy Corbitt. With his family, he moved to Billings until March of 1991 and later to Colstrip where he attended school. In May 2001, Mr. Corbitt graduated from Colstrip High School.
He enjoyed skateboarding when he was young and anything with wheels as he got older. Mr. Corbitt enjoyed his music and being with his friends as well as the joy he got from a beautiful day. He didn't want to forget what it is to feel. He loved his family, but he especially loved and cherished his time with Stevie.
His strength during his battle was through the Lord and knowing the joy in heaven over one sinner that repented, is more than ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7.
He is survived by his parents, William and Peggy of Colstrip; his sister, Megan of the family home; his grandparents, Elmer and Patricia Berkram, M. Maureen and William Corbitt; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at 4:30 p.m. in the Colstrip High School Auditorium. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Corbitt to P.O. Box 2095, Colstrip, MT 59323.
Condolences may be sent to the Corbitt family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth is in charge of these arrangements.
