Obituaries

CHINOOK Terry C. Goodbar, 96, of Chinook died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home due to natural causes. His funeral service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Kuper Memorial Cemetery. Terry was born Dec. 1, 1910, in Indiana to Walter and Tesora (Terry) Goodbar. He attended school south of Chinook and worked on the family farm for a number of years. Terry moved to Chinook and worked in the Sanitation Department for the City of Chinook for 17 years. Terry...

HAYS George R. “Chinky” Doney, 78, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, at Fort Belknap Indian Health Center due to natural causes. His funeral Mass was scheduled for today at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church with burial following at Doney Owl Head Mountain Cemetery with military honors. His wake began Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Mission Recreation Center. His rosary was Monday at 7 p.m. at Mission Recreation Center. Chinky was born Sept. 22, 1928, to Dave and Ernestine (Fleury) Doney on Sage Brush Flats in Hays. Chinky attended St....

FORT BELKNAP Merrilyn (Black Tongue) Ricker, 36, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, at her residence in Havre from a drug overdose. Her funeral Mass will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Red Whip Center with burial following at the Crazy Boy Family Cemetery south of Snake Butte. There will be a feed at the Red Whip Center following the burial. Wake service will begin at 5 p.m. today at the Red Whip Center with rosary recited at 7 p.m. Merrilyn was born to Caroline (Mountain) Crazy Boy and Ervin Black Tongue on Nov. 17, 1970, in...

CHINOOK Terry C. Goodbar, 96, of Chinook died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home due to natural causes. His funeral service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Kuper Memorial Cemetery. Terry was born Dec. 1, 1910, in Indiana to Walter and Tesora (Terry) Goodbar. He attended school south of Chinook and worked on the family farm for a number of years. Terry moved to Chinook and worked in the Sanitation Department for the City of Chinook for 17 years. Terry...

HAYS George R. “Chinky” Doney, 78, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, at Fort Belknap Indian Health Center due to natural causes. His funeral Mass was scheduled for today at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church with burial following at Doney Owl Head Mountain Cemetery with military honors. His wake began Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Mission Recreation Center. His rosary was Monday at 7 p.m. at Mission Recreation Center. Chinky was born Sept. 22, 1928, to Dave and Ernestine (Fleury) Doney on Sage Brush Flats in Hays. Chinky attended St....

LIBBY Lester Lewis (Les) Skramstad, 70, a longtime resident of the Kootenai Valley, died Sunday morning, Jan. 21, 2007, at his home in Libby following a long battle with mesothelioma. Despite the devastating physical affects of his illness, Les remained a tireless and outspoken advocate for those affected by the disease. His funeral service will be Monday at 3:00 p.m. at the Libby Christian Church; a brief interment service will follow at the City of Libby Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home from 1... Full story

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, immediately after the service. Chester was born Feb. 3, 1931, in Adina, Ohio to Zigmunt and Mary (Szymanski) Rochowicz. He graduated from high school and Kent State University, and then...

Maynard L. Norenberg, 70, of Shelby died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, due to natural causes. A vigil service will be held at 7 p. m. Tuesday at the Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby. His funeral Mass will be held at 11 a. m., Wednesday at St. William Catholic Church in Shelby with burial to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Maynard was born on June 22, 1936 to Ray and Cecelia (Richter) Norenberg in Havre. In 1943, his family moved to Ferdig, where he attended school. In 1948, they moved to Oilmont, where he graduated from high schoo...

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...

Hugh DeWinter Jr., 60, of Havre died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, at his home of natural causes. Cremation has taken place and Hugh's memorial service will be held at 1 p. m. Friday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Pastor Michael O'Hearn officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the V. F.W. Club immediately after the services. Hugh was born Sept. 30, 1946, in Havre to Hugh and Gina (Henstra) DeWinter Sr. He was raised and educated in Big Sandy. In 1966, he entered into the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged...

SUNBURST Bonnie L. Dyrdahl, 73, a retired office manager from Sunburst, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at the Marias Medical Center due to cancer. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Sunburst Cemetery. Bonnie was born June 30, 1933, at Big Sandy to Augustus and Alice (Flatness) Hobbs. The family moved to Box Elder in 1943, where she graduated from high school in 1951. Bonnie then moved to Shelby and married James Dyrdahl on Sept. 24, 1955 at Choteau. They moved from the family farm near Devon to Sunburst...

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... Full story

Dona Rae Madden, 76, of Havre died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at her home of natural causes. Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Fifth Avenue Christian Church with Rowlie Hutton officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Eagles immediately after the service at the graveside. Dona was born Oct. 22, 1930, in Duluth, Minn., to Donald M. and Claire (Sutton) Tennant. She attended school in Minneapolis. When she was a freshman in high school, Dona moved to Havre with... Full story

CHESTER Ada O. Anderson, 86, of Chester died Saturday evening, Jan. 13, 2007, at the Liberty County Nursing Home. Cremation is planned with burial of ashes in the Chester Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11 a. m. Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chester, conducted by Pastor Peter Erickson. Ada was born April 23, 1920, at Fort Benton to Leslie and Floy (Maguren) Collar, homesteaders in the Kenilworth community. When she was very young, her family moved to Oregon. Ada received her formal education in...

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...

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... Full story

Lorraine Marie Daniel, 72, of Havre died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Her funeral service will be held at 11 a. m. Monday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home with Tim Maroney officiating. Burial will follow at the Calvary section of Hill County Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the graveside service at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Lorraine was born Nov. 5, 1934, in Havre to William and Julia (Baldwin) Daniel. She was raised and educated in Havre....

Laura Lee Frederick, 78, of Havre died of cancer Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at her home with her family. A formal viewing and visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p. m. Tuesday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Cremation will take place and her memorial service will be 2 p. m. Wednesday at Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael Dahle officiating. A fellowship will be held at the church immediately following the service. Laura Lee was born March 1, 1928, to George and Evelyn Habeger in Browning. She attended schools in... Full story

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....

Lorraine Marie Daniel, 72, of Havre died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Her funeral service will be held at 11 a. m. Monday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home with Tim Maroney officiating. Burial will follow at the Calvary section of Hill County Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the graveside service at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Lorraine was born Nov. 5, 1934, in Havre to William and Julia (Baldwin) Daniel. She was raised and educated in Havre....

CHESTER Earl Farley Thisselle, 95, of Chester died Thursday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2006, at the Liberty County Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Friday at the Chester United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Chester Cemetery. Earl was born April 10, 1911, at Kendrick, Idaho, to Arthur F. Thisselle and Iva Jane Vickers. In 1913, the Thisselle family came to a Montana homestead in the Russell community north of Carter, where they farmed and raised cattle. In 1921, they bought the Tex Florence ranch on... Full story

Kurtiss J. (Kurt) Kezar, 51, of Havre died Dec. 21, 2006, at his home of apparent congestive heart failure. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Kurtiss was born May 5, 1955, in Havre to Gerald (Bobo) and Marcia (Criner) Kezar. He grew up in Havre and Shelby. Kurtiss worked in the oil patch as a derrick hand for more than 20 years. He also worked for Baltrusch Construction in Havre as an asphalt raker. Kurt loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing whenever possible, and most of all, he...

Olive Marie “Dolly” VanValkenburg, 89, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Her funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Fifth Avenue Christian Church with burial following in the Turner Cemetery at 3 p.m. with military honors. Dolly was born in Alameda, Saskatchewan, Canada, on Dec. 8, 1917, to William Denny and Hazel (Pierson) Hutton. The family homesteaded north of Turner and in 1920 Olive became a naturalized United States citizen. She attended the Petrie School... Full story

Kimberly Elaine Duran Fuentez, 41, of Box Elder died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at the Northern Montana Hospital from injuries she received in a motor vehicle crash on Dec. 26. Her wake service began at 4 p. m. Thursday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Box Elder with her funeral service to be held at 11 a. m. Saturday, also at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Father Nyquist will officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Havre. Kim was born April 9, 1965, in Havre to Wilford (Leo) Duran and Glenda Salois. She was...