Obituaries

Katherine "Kate" Wojtalik, 81, formerly of Big Sandy, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, at a Havre care center of natural causes. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Holland and Bonine Chapel with Marvin and Marilyn Gunnarson officiating. A fellowship will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately following the memorial service. A private family interment will be held at a later date. Katherine was born on March 8, 1922, at Havre to Adam and Katheryn (Hoff) Zinn. She was...

HARLEM - Florence Shirley Musgrove Plunkett Read, 92, died on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at her daughter's home in West Covina, Calif. Graveside services will be held in the Harlem Cemetery in Harlem at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Florence was born on the family farm in Savoy to Charles and Nettie Musgrove on Jan. 16, 1911. She lived with her family in Savoy, Harlem and Kalispell before settling in Chinook. Florence married Frank Plunkett in 1931. In 1934 they moved to Los Angeles where she was a homemaker until the outbreak of World...

Leonard Dale Champagne, 53, of Great Falls died of pneumonia Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at a Great Falls hospital. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum Chapel. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. Leonard was born on July 8, 1950, in Glasgow and raised in Havre, where he was educated. He married Karen Gilbert in 1991 in Spokane, Wash. She died in July 2000. He worked as a general laborer and handyman, and enjoyed walking, playing machines and spendin... Full story

HARLEM - Florence Shirley Musgrove Plunkett Read, 92, died on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at her daughter's home in West Covina, Calif. Graveside services will be held in the Harlem Cemetery in Harlem at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Florence was born on the family farm in Savoy to Charles and Nettie Musgrove on Jan. 16, 1911. She lived with her family in Savoy, Harlem and Kalispell before settling in Chinook. Florence married Frank Plunkett in 1931. In 1934 they moved to Los Angeles where she was a homemaker until the outbreak of World... Full story

Leonard Dale Champagne, 53, of Great Falls died of pneumonia Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at a Great Falls hospital. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum Chapel. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. Leonard was born on July 8, 1950, in Glasgow and raised in Havre, where he was educated. He married Karen Gilbert in 1991 in Spokane, Wash. She died in July 2000. He worked as a general laborer and handyman, and enjoyed walking, playing machines and spendin...

Heather Michelle "Speedy" Mowen, 25, died Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 2003, due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. today at the St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Rev. Alfred Ebel officiating. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the graveside services. Heather was born on Aug. 30, 1977, in Havre to Tom and Betty (McFadden) Mowen. She was raised and educated in Havre and graduated from Havre High... Full story

DENTON, Texas - Phoebe Voves Sokoloski, 87 of Denton, Texas, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003 at a Denton medical center. Family services will be held at a later date. She was born on Jan. 23, 1916 in, Tonasket, Wash., to Albert and Stella Bower Schendel. She married Emil Voves in July 1944 in Kalispell. He preceded her in death on Nov. 28, 1978. She married Joseph Sokoloski on Feb. 5, 1982, in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. He preceded her in death on July 30, 1998. She was a retired nurse from St. John Lutheran Hospital in Libby. She is... Full story

ABERDEEN, Wash. - Joe Leo, 93, of Aberdeen, died on Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at Aberdeen. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held in Havre at a later date. He was born on Nov. 19, 1909, at Zodar, Austria. He came to Wagner in 1928 to make his home with his father, James Leo, and stepmother, Cecil Leo. He served in the U.S. Army and was discharged in December 1945. He made his home in Aberdeen and worked as a logger in the timber business. He was preceded in death by his father; stepmother; and sister,...

THE DALLES, Ore. - Bradley "Dick" Thomas Corcoran, 67, a resident of The Dalles, died on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003. Mass of Christian burial was held Monday at St. Peter's Catholic Church with the Rev. Todd Unger officiating. Interment was at The Dalles Odd Fellows Cemetery on Cherry Heights. He was born on Oct. 21, 1935, in Harlem to Joseph and Delia (Corchane) Corcoran. He was raised in Box Elder and graduated from high school in Box Elder in 1952. He entered the U.S. Army after high school and was discharged in 1954. He...

Lillian Mae Nelson, 93, of Havre died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at a Havre care center of natural causes. Viewing will be Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Chapel with Ila McClenahan officiating. Interment of the cremated remains will follow at the Highland Cemetery. Lillian was born in Harlem to Roy and Tillie (Roswald) Gardner. She attended grade school in Chinook, high school in Havre and...

Lillian Mae Nelson, 93, of Havre died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at a Havre care center of natural causes. Viewing will be Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Chapel with Ila McClenahan officiating. Interment of the cremated remains will follow at the Highland Cemetery. Lillian was born in Harlem to Roy and Tillie (Roswald) Gardner. She attended grade school in Chinook, high school in Havre and...

HARLEM - Lucille Mildred Mayer, 94, died on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre care center of natural causes. A memorial service is pending. Cremation has taken place with entombment at the Portland Memorial Mausoleum in Portland, Ore. Lucille was born on June 10, 1909, in Harlem to Ole and Viola (Cecil) Nelson. She graduated from Harlem High School in 1927 and worked in the local the- ater, grocery store and Montana Power office. Lucille married Jack Mayer on Oct. 30, 1929 in Chinook. They celebrated over 50 years of... Full story

Richard Thomas LaSalle, 70, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre hospital from diabetic complications. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. today at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with the Rev. VaunDalee DeLong officiating. A reception will be held at the Eagles Club immediately after the funeral service. A private graveside service will take place at a later date. Richard was born in Havre to William "Bill" and Mabel (Wallace) LaSalle. He was raised in the Bears Paw Mountains and attended country school on Beaver C... Full story

HARLEM - James Joseph Epler, 63, died of an intestinal rupture at his home Thursday evening, Aug. 7, 2003. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Harlem High School gymnasium with burial following in the Harlem Cemetery. Cremation has taken place at his request. Jim was born on Oct. 17, 1939, in Glasgow to Keith and Cathleen (Ramey) Epler. He graduated from Harlem High School and attended Northern Montana College in Havre. Jim married Marcella Poore of Zurich on Sept. 9, 1961. He worked for Knute Kulbeck...

PHOENIX - Former Havre resident Charlotte "Lynn" Decker Stevens, 65, of Phoenix, died of cancer Friday in Phoenix. There will be no services. Lynn was born Feb. 13, 1938, in Havre, where she was raised and educated. She attended Havre High School and attended the University of Montana in Missoula. During her husband's career as a Navy dentist, Lynn lived in San Francisco, Japan, Houston, the Philippines and San Diego. She was able to pursue her passion for travel and visisted many of the countries of the world. In later years...

HARLEM - Lucille Mildred Mayer, 94, died on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre care center of natural causes. A memorial service is pending. Cremation has taken place with entombment at the Portland Memorial Mausoleum in Portland, Ore. Lucille was born on June 10, 1909, in Harlem to Ole and Viola (Cecil) Nelson. She graduated from Harlem High School in 1927 and worked in the local the- ater, grocery store and Montana Power office. Lucille married Jack Mayer on Oct. 30, 1929 in Chinook. They celebrated over 50 years of...

Richard Thomas LaSalle, 70, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre hospital from diabetic complications. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. today at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with the Rev. VaunDalee DeLong officiating. A reception will be held at the Eagles Club immediately after the funeral service. A private graveside service will take place at a later date. Richard was born in Havre to William "Bill" and Mabel (Wallace) LaSalle. He was raised in the Bears Paw Mountains and attended country school on Beaver C...

HARLEM - James Joseph Epler, 63, died of an intestinal rupture at his home Thursday evening, Aug. 7, 2003. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Harlem High School gymnasium with burial following in the Harlem Cemetery. Cremation has taken place at his request. Jim was born on Oct. 17, 1939, in Glasgow to Keith and Cathleen (Ramey) Epler. He graduated from Harlem High School and attended Northern Montana College in Havre. Jim married Marcella Poore of Zurich on Sept. 9, 1961. He worked for Knute Kulbeck... Full story

HARLEM - Lucille Mildred Mayer, 94, died on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre care center of natural causes. A memorial service is pending. Cremation has taken place with entombment at the Portland Memorial Mausoleum in Portland, Ore. Lucille was born on June 10, 1909, in Harlem to Ole and Viola (Cecil) Nelson. She graduated from Harlem High School in 1927 and worked in the local the- ater, grocery store and Montana Power office. Lucille married Jack Mayer on Oct. 30, 1929 in Chinook. They celebrated over 50 years of...

Richard Thomas LaSalle, 70, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre hospital from diabetic complications. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. today at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with the Rev. VaunDalee DeLong officiating. A reception will be held at the Eagles Club immediately after the funeral service. A private graveside service will take place at a later date. Richard was born in Havre to William "Bill" and Mabel (Wallace) LaSalle. He was raised in the Bears Paw Mountains and attended country school on Beaver C...

HARLEM - James Joseph Epler, 63, died of an intestinal rupture at his home Thursday evening, Aug. 7, 2003. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Harlem High School gymnasium with burial following in the Harlem Cemetery. Cremation has taken place at his request. Jim was born on Oct. 17, 1939, in Glasgow to Keith and Cathleen (Ramey) Epler. He graduated from Harlem High School and attended Northern Montana College in Havre. Jim married Marcella Poore of Zurich on Sept. 9, 1961. He worked for Knute Kulbeck... Full story

Ronald E. Purkett, 76, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at a Lewistown nursing home of natural causes. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Montana Mental health Nursing Care Center in Lewistown. Interment with military honors by VFW Post No. 497 will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Calvary Cemetery at Havre. Ronald was born on Sept. 2, 1926, at Troy to Sam and Bernice (Herrington) Purkett. He receive his education at Havre. Ronald served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a seiemograph operator on oil rigs....

Roy A. Leamer, 77, retired machinist from the Burlington Northern Railway, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre care facility of natural causes. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at Highland Cemetery with Ila McClenahan officiating. Roy was born Nov. 30, 1925, to Vernon and Minnie (Binger) Leamer in Spokane, Wash. He attended schools in the Spokane area and completed his education at Roger's High School. In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific. While in...

Richard Thomas LaSalle, 70, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at a Havre hospital from diabetic complications. Viewing will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with the Rev. VaunDalee DeLong officiating. A reception will be held at the Eagles Club immediately after the funeral service. A private graveside service will take place at a later date. Richard was born in Havre to William "Bill" and Mabel (Wallace)...

Alyce E. Beavens, 89, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at a Havre hospital of natural causes. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Eagles Manor with the Rev. Catherine Card officiating. A funeral service and burial will be held at the Miller- Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Bremerton, Wash. Alyce was born June 1, 1914, to Martin and Karen (Johannas) Jensen in Barr. She grew up north of Hinsdale and attended a country school. She married William Beavens on Oct. 1, 1948, in Tacoma, Wash. She moved to Havre in... Full story