Obituaries

FORT BELKNAP Phillip F. “Cricket” Bitternose Jr., 44, a construction worker, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, at the Veteran Hospital in Denver of pneumonia. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Two Kill Catholic Church in Lodge Pole. Burial with military honors will be in the Lodge Pole Cemetery. Phillip was born Dec. 30, 1962, to Phillip Floyd Bitternose Sr. And Joyce Mae Brisbo. He was raised in Zurich by his foster parents, Lawrence and Delilah Mord, after his mother died in an accident in 1965. After he com...

Chester Marion Rochowicz, 75, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home of natural causes. A memorial Mass will be held in Chester's honor on Saturday at 5 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. A fellowship will be held at the North Central Senior Citizens Center, 2 Second St. W., Havre, immediatley after the service. Chester was born Feb. 3, 1931, in Adena, Ohio, to Zegmout and Mary (Sgymanski) Rochowicz. He graduated from high school and then entered into the U.S. Air...

BRADENTON, FlA. Diane Allen Phelps, 73, of Bradenton, Fla., and a former Box Elder resident, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, in Bradenton. A memorial service was held Jan. 20 in Bradenton. Diane was born Feb. 18, 1933, in Minneapolis, Minn. She was raised in both Minnesota and Box Elder. She graduated from Box Elder High School in 1951. She served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Diane married Leonard Ashley Phelps on Feb. 14, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas. Survivors include her husband, Ashley Phelps of Bradenton;...

Edgar A. Dobrenz, 80, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, at the Veteran's Hospital in Helena of natural causes. Cremation will take place and his memorial service will be 1 p. m. Tuesday January 30, 2007 at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home with Pastor Brad Ulgenes officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship will follow the graveside service at the Eagles Club. Edgar was born May 24, 1926, in Sheboygan, Wis., to August and Frances (Le Barron) Dobrenz. He was raised and educated in...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Melvin E. Wilson, 85, of Tallahassee, Fla., and formerly of Havre, died of a heart attack at his home Sept. 3, 2006. No services are planned and cremation took place. Melvin was born Jan. 27, 1921, Eyremore, Alberta, to Ernest E. and Mary Elizabeth Wilson. The family later moved north of Havre and his father worked for Jim Kirk. From there, they moved to their grandfather's farm south of Lohman. Several years later they moved to Lohman and eventually to Chinook, where Mel's father worked for the Blaine Count...

Kenneth E. Christopherson Jr., 74, left his family and friends on January 19, 2007 at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27 St. with the Rev. Don Dillavou will be officiating. Cremation has taken place. Interment will be held at a later date in Havre. Kenny was born the oldest of five to Mabel and Kenneth Christopherson Sr. On March 9, 1932, in Havre. He was raised in Havre and graduated from Havre High School in 1950. He began his long career with...

SANTA MONICA, Calif. Marian Schaller, 87, of Santa Monica, Calif., and formerly of Havre, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, in Santa Monica of natural causes. Cremation has taken place. Her memorial Mass will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the service. Marian was born April 12, 1919, at Goldstone to Andrew and Elizabeth (Heck) Schaller. She graduated from Havre High School in 1942...

MALTA Mike J. Hofer, 54, a local farmer and immaculate carpenter, died of cancer peacefully at his home with his family by his side. His funeral service was scheduled for 11 a.m. today, at the East Malta Colony with burial in the Colony Cemetery. Mike J. Hofer was born July 12, 1952, in Grass Range to John and Susie (Hofer) Hofer. He was raised in Grass Range and moved to Turner in 1961. He attended Turner Public Schools for eight years. In 1979, he moved to East Malta where he resided until his death. Mike had a great sense...

BOX ELDER Thomas Mitchell Koop Jr., 48, died Jan. 12, 2007, in Bakersville, Calif. His cause of death has not yet been determined. Thomas' wake service will be 4 p. m. Friday with his funeral service 10 a.m. Saturday, all at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Thomas was born March 20, 1958, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Thomas and Josephine (LaMere) Koop Sr. He was raised and educated in Dinuba, Calif. He entered into the United States Navy and was...

CHINOOK Skyler James Randles, the infant son of Amber Fitzpatrick and Anthony Randles of Chinook, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, due to complication from birth. His funeral service will be held at 10 a. m. Saturday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the service. Skyler James was born Jan. 12, 2007, at the Northern Montana Hospital. He was a beautiful baby boy, who left imprints on his family's hearts. Skyler was...

MALTA Anne C. Dippy, 101, a retired school teacher, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at a Malta nursing home of natural causes. Her funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church with interment in the Malta Cemetery. Anne was born June 20, 1905, in Ellensburg, Wash., to Jesse C. and Cora C. (Grim) Poland. She was raised and educated in Ellensburg. After high school, she attended Washington Central Teacher College for two years. She moved to Montana in 1929 and taught at the Tolleffeson School north of...

Lydia Verploegen 92, of Havre died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at Northern Montana Hospital after a short illness. A viewing will be held from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Her prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p. m. Friday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with her funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow north of Havre at the Cottonwood Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center i...

Lydia Verploegen 92, of Havre died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at Northern Montana Hospital after a short illness. A viewing will be held from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Friday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Her prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p. m. Friday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with her funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow north of Havre at the Cottonwood Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center...

BIG SANDY Grace Georges Petronilla (Diacon) Sanford, 71, long-time resident of the Missouri River Breaks on the Sanford Farm, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, in Great Falls due to natural causes. Her funeral Mass service will be held at 10 a. m. Saturday in Saint Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Big Sandy with burial following at 2 p.m. in the Alice Nash Memorial Cemetery on the Lone Tree Bench. Rosary and vigil services will begin today at 7 p.m. in St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church. Grace was born Aug. 10, 1935, north of...

Lydia Verploegen 92, of Havre died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at Northern Montana Hospital after a short illness. A viewing will be held from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Her prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p. m. Friday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with her funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow north of Havre at the Cottonwood Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center i...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. Howard M. Mellblom, 83, of Cheyenne, Wyo., died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, in Cheyenne. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Howard was born Feb. 2, 1923, in Havre to Victor and Thora (Kittelsrud) Mellblom. He attended Northern Montana College in Havre and in 1942 enlisted in the Naval Air Cadet program earning his wings in 1944. He was assigned to fighter training and flew as a member of the Hellcat Squadron VF 151. After World War II, Howard returned to Havre and volunteered for active duty during...

Marie Gibson, 78, of Havre died Wednesday Jan. 10, 2007, at the Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes. Cremation has taken place and her memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immeidatley after the service. Interment will be held at the Hillcrest Mausoleum at a later time. Marie was born Feb. 21, 1928, in Havre to Jim and Babe (Stamey) Cowan. She had very fond memories of her childho...

MALTA Raymond Joseph Demarais, 69, of Malta died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007. He was an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in Belcourt, N.D. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta. Visitation will be Monday at 6 p. m. at the Adams Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Malta Cemetery. Raymond was born in Malta on Feb. 11, 1936, to Joseph and Philomene (McGillis) Demarais. Raymond went to school in Malta, then attended Indian boarding schools in Wahpeton, N....

Joan M. Britt, 81, of Havre died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at a Havre care center of natural causes. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Northern Montana Care Center with Ila McClenahan officiating. Interment of the cremated remains will be held at the Fort Harrison Veterans Cemetery in Helena on March 20. Joan was born June 7, 1925, at Helena to Frank Joseph and Agnes (Lorance) Lang. She was raised and educated in Helena, attending St. Helena School and the Ursuline Sisters...

BOX ELDER Edward G. Berger, 76, of Box Elder died Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, at Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes. A viewing will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. today at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel. Cremation will follow. At Ed's request, no services will be held. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Ed was born July 31, 1930, at Cleveland to Edward R. and Elizabeth (Sandanie) Berger. The family lived in Havre, where Ed attended St. Jude Catholic School. Ed married Darlene...

MALTA Raymond Joseph Demarais, 69, of Malta died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007. He was an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in Belcourt, N.D. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta. Visitation will be Monday at 6 p. m. at the Adams Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Malta Cemetery. Raymond was born in Malta on Feb. 11, 1936, to Joseph and Philomene (McGillis) Demarais. Raymond went to school in Malta, then attended Indian boarding schools in Wahpeton, N....

Joan M. Britt, 81, of Havre died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at a Havre care center of natural causes. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Northern Montana Care Center with Ila McClenahan officiating. Interment of the cremated remains will be held at the Fort Harrison Veterans Cemetery in Helena on March 20. Joan was born June 7, 1925, at Helena to Frank Joseph and Agnes (Lorance) Lang. She was raised and educated in Helena, attending St. Helena School and the Ursuline Sisters...

MALTA Raymond Joseph Demarais, 69, of Malta died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007. He was an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in Belcourt, N.D. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta. Visitation will be Monday at 6 p. m. at the Adams Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Malta Cemetery. Raymond was born in Malta on Feb. 11, 1936, to Joseph and Philomene (McGillis) Demarais. Raymond went to school in Malta, then attended Indian boarding schools in Wahpeton, N....

Rhoda R. Albertson, 74, of Havre died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at Park Place Nursing Home in Great Falls of natural causes. Cremation has taken place and her memorial service will be held at 2 p. m. Monday at Fifth Avenue Christian Church with Pastor Rowlie Hutton officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately after the graveside services. Rhoda was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Noonan, N.D., to Knute and Edna Reite. After her father's death, Rhoda and her mother...

ROCKY BOY Frank Henry Sr., 85, of Rocky Boy died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at the Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. His rosary service will began at 7 p. m. Wednesday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home with his funeral service scheduled for 11 a.m. today at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial will follow at the Calvary section of Hill County Cemetery in Havre. Frank was born Sept. 6, 1921, at Box Elder to Charles and Angela Henry. Frank was raised and educated in Box Elder. He...