Obituaries

Esther Margaret Erickson, 82, longtime Chester area farmwife, died early Monday morning, Dec. 18, 2006, at the Liberty County Hospital in Chester, where she had been a patient for four days. Her funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester. Burial will be at the Chester Cemetery. A luncheon by the Altar Society will follow at the church. Esther was born April 9, 1924, on the Flesch family farm at Browns Valley, Minn., the fourth of nine children born to Edward and Hazel (Jummer)...

FARMINGTON, N.M. Gale E. Butterfield, 75, of Farmington, N. M., died of a heart attack Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in Albuquerque N.M. A memorial service will be held in Farmington in early January 2007 to celebrate and honor the many joys and achievements of Gale's life. Gale was born on June 29, 1931, in Norfolk, Nebraska to Gordon and Mary Butterfield. Gale was raised in Norfolk, Neb. And Huron S.D. He received his bachelor's degree from the South Dakota School of Mines and his master's degree from the Missouri School of...

FORT BELKNAP Helen Agnes Shortman, 75, died at the Public Health Service Hospital in Fort Belknap Agency on Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, due to natural causes. A wake service will begin at 5p. m. today the Red Whip Center. Rosary services will at 7 p.m. on Monday evening. Her funeral Mass service will be held at 11a. m. Tuesday in the Red Whip Center with burial following at the Shortman Family Cemetery at Hays. Helen was born on Nov. 24, 1931, at Fort Belknap Agency to Phillip and Mary (Standing Bear) Shortman. She was raised in...

MALTA Harry D. Sawyer, 87, retired grocer and past owner of Harry's Confectionery in Malta, died of cancer Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at the Phillips County Hospital. His memorial service will be held at 11 a. m. Thursday at Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta. Cremation has taken place. Interment of his ashes will be in the Malta Cemetery. Harry was born Dec. 15, 1919, to Jim and Cora (Prentice) Sawyer of Malta. After graduating from Malta High School in 1938, he worked for Safeway. He married Gail Sandvig of Dodson in 1941. He...

Margaret R. Anderson, 86, of Havre died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes. Cremation has taken place and her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor Richard Rice officiating. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Eagles immediately after the services at the graveside. Margaret was born July 4, 1920, in Hopkins, Minn., to Carl and Rose (Weyh) Schmidt. As a young girl, she moved with...

GREAT FALLS John Millard Gilbert, 52, died at the Benefis East Medical Center in Great Falls from complications of a stroke on Wednesday evening, Dec. 13, 2006. A vigil prayer service will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. The funeral Mass will be held at noon Tuesday at St. Ann's Cathedral, 715 Third Ave. N. in Great Falls. A graveside service with military rites will be held at 2:30 p. m. Tuesday at the Stanford Cemetery. John was born in Havre on Feb. 27, 1954, to Kenneth and Betty...

CHINOOK Maurice Murray Harshman, 80, of Chinook died Dec. 12, 2006. His funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium at the Chinook High School with burial in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery with military honors. Maurice was born May 13, 1926, to Albert and Fern (Lowman) Harshman in Frankfort, Ind. At the age of 1, Maurice traveled with his family to Montana to homestead in the Chinook area. Maurice attended school in Chinook until the age of 17, when his desire to serve his country led him to...

Rose Mary Cech, 98, of Havre died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Her funeral Mass will be held at 2p. m. today at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery at Hill County Cemetery. A fellowship will be held at St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the services at the graveside. Rose was born Sept. 9, 1908, in Wimbelton, N.D., to Charles and Katherine (Mueller) Erbacher. As a young girl, she moved with her family to...

Rose Mary Cech, 98, of Havre died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Her funeral Mass will be held at 2p. m. today at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery at Hill County Cemetery. A fellowship will be held at St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the services at the graveside. Rose was born Sept. 9, 1908, in Wimbelton, N.D., to Charles and Katherine (Mueller) Erbacher. As a young girl, she moved with her family to...

Jack J. Oliver, 83, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Hospital of natural causes. His loving family was with him. Viewing for Jack will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church with Gail Wheatley as the celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Vets Club immediately after the services at the graveside. Jack was...

HAYS Mary M. Big Leggins, 66, whose Gros Ventre name was A-baa-too-si meaning “Guarder,” died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006, at Northern Montana Hospital due to natural causes. A rosary will be held today at 5 p. m. in St. Paul's Catholic Church with a wake following at the Big Leggins' residence in Hays. The wake and rosary will continue at the Recreation Center late Wednesday afternoon. Her funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Paul's Catholic Church with burial following in Mission Cemetery. Mary was born April 18,...

Jack J. Oliver, 83, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Hospital of natural causes. His loving family was with him. Viewing for Jack will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church with Gail Wheatley as the celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Vets Club immediately after the services at the graveside. Jack was... Full story

HAYS Mary M. Big Leggins, 66, whose Gros Ventre name was A-baa-too-si meaning “Guarder,” died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006, at Northern Montana Hospital due to natural causes. A rosary will be held today at 5 p. m. in St. Paul's Catholic Church with a wake following at the Big Leggins' residence in Hays. The wake and rosary will continue at the Recreation Center late Wednesday afternoon. Her funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Paul's Catholic Church with burial following in Mission Cemetery. Mary was born April 18,...

Kenneth Kimball Kuenzel, age 81, of Havre died Friday, Dec. 8, 2007, at Northern Montana Care Center. A memorial service will be held today at 2 p. m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Havre. Cremation will take with interment at Fort Harrison. Kenneth was born May 17, 1925, at Eagle Bend, Minn., to Henry and Laura Kuenzel. He married Wardeen in Havre in 1957. Kenneth was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Wardeen; daughters, Lois Eyrse of Gig Harbor, Wash., Donnie (Rick) Deady... Full story

FORT BELKNAP Floyd Marshall Jackson, 48, a firefighter for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at home of natural causes after a lengthy illness. A wake began at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Red Whip Community Center at Fort Belknap. His funeral service was scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Red Whip with burial in the Horn Family Cemetery. Floyd was born June 27, 1958, at Fort Belknap to Clinton and Pearl (Longknife) Jackson. He was raised and educated at Fort Belknap. Floyd worked many jobs in construction as...

FORT BELKNAP Lewis Ray Quincy Shortman, 59, known as “Poto” to family and friends, a firefighter, welder and longtime employee of BIA Forestry, died Friday after a valiant fight against cancer. A wake service will begin at 5 p. m. Tuesday in the Recreation Center at Hays with rosary at 7 p. m. His funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Recreation Center with burial following in the Shortman Family Cemetery at Hays. Lewis was born Dec. 6, 1947, at Fort Belknap Agency to Bill and Myrtle (Doney) Shortman. He was...

Kenneth Kimball Kuenzel, age 81, of Havre died Friday, Dec. 8, 2007, at Northern Montana Care Center. A memorial service will be held today at 2 p. m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Havre. Cremation will take with interment at Fort Harrison. Kenneth was born May 17, 1925, at Eagle Bend, Minn., to Henry and Laura Kuenzel. He married Wardeen in Havre in 1957. Kenneth was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Wardeen; daughters, Lois Eyrse of Gig Harbor, Wash., Donnie (Rick) Deady...

FORT BELKNAP Floyd Marshall Jackson, 48, a firefighter for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at home of natural causes after a lengthy illness. A wake began at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Red Whip Community Center at Fort Belknap. His funeral service was scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Red Whip with burial in the Horn Family Cemetery. Floyd was born June 27, 1958, at Fort Belknap to Clinton and Pearl (Longknife) Jackson. He was raised and educated at Fort Belknap. Floyd worked many jobs in construction as... Full story

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. Rose Torkelson, 85 of Sioux Falls and formerly of Havre, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at the Avera McKennan Hospital. Private services will be held at a later date. Rose was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Oscar; and son, Rodney. Survivors include her son, Terrance (Pam) Torkelson of Sioux Falls; granddaughter, Hollie; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Ariah; three siblings, Gordon Johnson of Grand Forks, N. D., Lloyd Johnson of Lakota, N. D., and Angie Halverson of Tolna, N.D.; and special family...

Amelia Catherine (Peters) Schaefer, 87, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 5, 2006 at Benefis East Medical Center in Great Falls. Amelia was born Jan. 8, 1919, at Conrad to Charles and Anna (Theis) Peters. Amelia grew up on the Peters' family farm in the Ledger community and received her early education at a nearby country school. She finished her formal education in Conrad, where she graduated from high school in 1937. She then attended beauty school for a short while. Amelia met her husband-tobe, Lawrence Schaefer, a Minnesota nati...

FORT BELKNAP AGENCY Ada Nina Buckman Blackbird, 84, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at the Northern Montana Care Center due to natural causes. Her funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the Red Whip Center with burial following in the Wild Horse Buckman Cemetery. Her wake service will begin today at 5 p.m. in the Red Whip Center. Ada was born Aug. 11, 1922, near Lodge Pole to Richard and Carrie (Lemon) Snell on the family ranch. She was raised in the Little Warm and Lodge Pole area on the Snell Family Ranch, where she...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. Rose Torkelson, 85 of Sioux Falls and formerly of Havre, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at the Avera McKennan Hospital. Private services will be held at a later date. Rose was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Oscar; and son, Rodney. Survivors include her son, Terrance (Pam) Torkelson of Sioux Falls; granddaughter, Hollie; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Ariah; three siblings, Gordon Johnson of Grand Forks, N. D., Lloyd Johnson of Lakota, N. D., and Angie Halverson of Tolna, N.D.; and special family...

Amelia Catherine (Peters) Schaefer, 87, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 5, 2006 at Benefis East Medical Center in Great Falls. Amelia was born Jan. 8, 1919, at Conrad to Charles and Anna (Theis) Peters. Amelia grew up on the Peters' family farm in the Ledger community and received her early education at a nearby country school. She finished her formal education in Conrad, where she graduated from high school in 1937. She then attended beauty school for a short while. Amelia met her husband-tobe, Lawrence Schaefer, a Minnesota nati...

FORT BELKNAP AGENCY Ada Nina Buckman Blackbird, 84, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, at the Northern Montana Care Center due to natural causes. Her funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the Red Whip Center with burial following in the Wild Horse Buckman Cemetery. Her wake service will begin today at 5 p.m. in the Red Whip Center. Ada was born Aug. 11, 1922, near Lodge Pole to Richard and Carrie (Lemon) Snell on the family ranch. She was raised in the Little Warm and Lodge Pole area on the Snell Family Ranch, where she... Full story

Willard Purkett, 78, of Havre died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, at his home surrounded by his family of natural causes. Memorial services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Fifth Avenue Christian Church. Cremation has taken place. Willard was born Oct. 15, 1928, in Glasgow to Paul and Catherine (Gabrelick) Purkett. He attended schools in Glasgow and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was honorably discharged Oct. 28, 1947. Willard married Evelyn Huestis on Dec. 1, 1948, in Great Falls. Willard retired from Burlington... Full story