Obituaries

Mark Ramon Widdis, 87, a Rudyard farmer, died Nov. 22, at Northern Montana Hospital, in Havre from pneumonia. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Calvary Church in Rudyard with burial in Rudyard Cemetery. There will be a viewing at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester on Monday and Tuesday. Memorials may be given to the Care & Comfort Home in Havre or donor's choice. Mark was born July 30, 1923, at Woodpecker, B.C., Canada. He was the one of three children born to Robert and Elizabeth (Bair) Widdis. He grew up and r...

Lynn A. Walker, 69, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, a Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service honoring Lynn's life will be held at a later time. A full obituary will follow Lynn A. Walker, 69, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, a Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service honoring Lynn's life will be held at a later time. A full obituary will follow...

Robert "Bob" Toner, 93, and June (Wilson) Toner, 80, husband and wife of 61 years who farmed in the Rudyard community throughout their married life, passed away this fall within two weeks of each other. A joint memorial aervice will be 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rudyard. Burial of ashes will follow in Rudyard Cemetery. A memorial dinner and dance will be held that same evening at the Inverness Supper Club. Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. The couple is survived by three...

Our generous, caring, fun-loving and loved husband, father and grandpa, Victor J. Bjornberg, passed on to his next place on Oct. 30, 2010, at the age of 82. Vic was born in spring 1928, May 7, in Omaha, Neb., to Nanna (Nylander) Bjornberg, a Swedish immigrant restaurant owner, and Swedish-American Victor Alex Bjornberg, a machinist at the Omaha Amour Meats Packing Plant. His work ethic, precision and pursuit of quality was inspired and instilled by his parents' example and that of his older sister, Virginia. His fun-loving sp...

Bruce E. Bernardi, 51, was released from the pain of this life on Nov. 21, 2010, with his sister Gina at his side. He was born Aug. 23, 1959, in Butte, Mont., to Peggy (Grimm) Bernardi. He lived all over Montana, attending school throughout, attending his last high school in Havre. At age 19, after moving to Bakersfield, Calif., Bruce was injured in a automobile accident, which left him a quadriplegic up until the time of his death. Bruce had a very charismatic personality, sometimes providing his own entertainment. He was a...

Peter James Cole, 55, died at his home of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and his memorial Mass will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Joe Diekhans officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Center immediately after the services at graveside. Memorial contributions in Peter's honor may be made to the St. Jude Thaddeus School or St. Jude Thaddeus Church. Peter was born June 19, 1955, in...

Jim Bishop, 82, formerly of Havre, Mont., died Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, in Yuma, Ariz.. Services will be held at a later time. Jim Bishop, 82, formerly of Havre, Mont., died Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, in Yuma, Ariz.. Services will be held at a later time....

Rose Christensen, 87, died at her home in Ronan, Mont., on Nov. 14, 2010. She was born to Wilbur LaFrance and Marie (Ledeau) LaFrance on Oct. 22, 1923, in Thorne, N.D. Rose graduated from high school in Marysville, N.D., in 1939. She married James W. Christensen on March 18, 1962 in Fort Benton. In her younger years, she was a waitress. When the family moved to Kalispell, she was a bookkeeper for the B&B for many years, but the career she was most proud of was homemaker. She treasured every moment she spent with her...

Misao Kume Harada Misao Kume Harada, 87, passed away at Kalispell Regional Hospital in Kalispell, Mont., on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. Misao was born June 19, 1923, in Wolf Point, Mont., to Magoshiro Kume and Hatsuye Nakagawa. She attended schools in Williston, N.D. and graduated from Escondido High School in California in 1941. In 1942, during World War II, Misao and her sister, Yoshina (Flossie), were placed in a Japanese internment camp in Poston Ariz., and were there for three years. She was allowed to leave the camp early...

Vera Mae Leens of Mesa, Ariz., passed away on Nov. 11, 2010, at the age of 90, as a result of congestive heart failure. Vera had lived the majority of her life in Havre, Mont., and since 1975 had made her residence in Mesa. Born on July 4, 1920, Vera was one of seven children. Of her siblings, she is only survived by one sister, Mary Powell of Salt Lake City, Utah. Her husband, Emil Leens, passed away in 1976. She is survived by her three children, Larry Leens of Mantua, N.J., and Allan Leens and Linda Strong, both of Havre,...

Linda Marie (Damschen) Savage Linda Marie (Damschen) Savage, 63, passed away at her home in Redcliff, Alberta, Canada, on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010. Linda was born April 14, 1947, in Havre, Mont., to Roy and Irene Damschen. She attended schools in Havre and graduated from Havre High School in 1965. She moved to Rapid City, S.D., making it her home for many years until she met and married John Savage on Aug 5, 1985. They then moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and lived in the area until her death. Linda loved animals. She...

John Shennum Jr., 83 went to be with the Lord on Oct. 11, 2010, at his home with his children at his side. Memorial services were held on Oct. 16, 2010, at the Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Charlie Moody officiating. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook. John was born on Aug. 24, 1927, in Scobey to John and Adella (Judkins) Shennum. He was the sixth of seven children. He attended the Shennum Rural School for his first two years and continued his education in Scobey Public Schools. He was raised on the...

Merlin Leslie Cantin Merlin Leslie Cantin, 88, died Oct. 29, 2010, at a nursing home in Lewistown, Mont., of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and his memorial service will be 3 p. m. Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Cleve McSwain officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church for family and friends immediatley after the service. Memorials in Merlin's honor may be made to...

Darryn Daniel "Bubba" Brandt Darryn Daniel "Bubba" Brandt passed away from complications of diabetes on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre. Memorial services will be 11 a. m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Havre. Burial of ashes will be at 2 p. m. at the Rudyard Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. Darryn was born on July 16, 1963, in Chester, Mont., to Robert and Katherine (Langel) Brandt. He was baptized and confirmed at Hingham...

Barron "Scott" Martin Barron "Scott" Martin, 38, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, in Fresno, Calif. Scott was born Nov. 16, 1971, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was the son of Mavis and J. R. Alex of Hingham. Survivors, in addition to his parents, are his daughter, Destiny Martin of Havre, and his sister, Dawn Martin of Las Vegas, Nev. Scott has completed his assignment on earth and will be missed by all who loved him. Until we meet again. Scott's death was suicide. Barron "Scott" Martin, 38, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, in...

Gladys Ruth Peters beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear child of God, passed away peacefully at Liberty Heights skilled nursing facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 26, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Taylor Peters, who passed away Jan. 14, 2007. She is survived by her sisters, Mabel (Hamon) Prim and Lois (Hamon) Richardson; her brothers, Alva Hamon and Harold Hamon; her children, Gordon Denis (Marilyn), Donald D. (Jamie), Rebecca Peters Weatherwax (Gary Albertson),...

Elizabeth "Liz" Simko Wold, 94, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at the Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and her memorial service will be 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel, with burial at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the graveside services at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Center. Memorials in Liz's honor may be made to a charity of one's choice. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine...

Clara Belle Armstrong Lowen, 88, died Saturday morning, Nov. 6, 2010,at Northern Montana Care Center. Her service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Fifth Avenue Christian Church with Pastor Rowlie Hutton presiding. A fellowship gathering will be conducted immediately following the memorial service. Clara was born Dec. 23, 1921, in Comanche, Mont., to Francis W. Armstrong and Gladys F. (Zimmerman) Armstrong. She started first grade at the Comanche School in 1927, and later attended school north of Havre, where she...

A good man has left us. Patrick John Conroy, our dear husband, brother, father, grandfather and uncle passed peacefully surrounded by his loving wife Helen and six children. Patrick John Conroy was born in Harlowton, Mont. on Jan. 11, 1931 to Clem and Edna Conroy. He graduated from Judith Gap High School, excelling in academics, music and sports. He attended college at both Rocky Mountain College as well as Carroll College, where he received a degree in education. He later obtained a Masters Degree in Administration from the...

Sheila M. Pickett, 58, of Scotia, N.Y., succumbed to her courageous battle with cancer and passed away on Wednesday at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Sheila was born in Havre, Mont., on Sept. 11, 1952, the daughter of Phillip and Carol Collishaw Larsen. She graduated from Rudyard High School, Class of 1970. She attended college in Rapid City, S.D., where she met the love of her life, Ron Pickett. They were married June 30, 1973, in Rudyard, Mont. The couple then returned to Ron's...

Elizabeth "Liz" Simko Wold, 94, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at the Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and her memorial service will be 1 p.m., Saturday. Nov. 20, 2010, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel, with burial at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the graveside services at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Center. Memorials in Liz's honor may be made to a charity of one's choice. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine...

Wanita Rae Vavages-Mill, 50, proud member of the Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, went to be with her Creator on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at the Benefis Hospital emergency from complications with dialysis. Her wake and rosary service will begin today, with her funeral 10 a.m., Thursday, at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church. Burial will be held at the Denny Family Cemetery in Rocky Boy. Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Wanita was born to Leonard Vavages and Minnie Finebow-Northwind on...

Lestina "Tiny" Schmautz Lestina "Tiny" Schmautz, 93, died Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, at the Marias Nursing Home in Shelby, Mont., of natural causes. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later time. Memorials in Lestina's honor may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the donor's choice. Lestina was born Jan. 7, 1917, in Three Forks, Mont. She was raised and educated in Three Forks. She married Herbert Schmautz on March 23, 1940. The couple had three children, Patricia, Lyla and Alan. Lestina...

Katheryn 'Kay' Syth Katheryn M. (Waymire) Syth, 87, a longtime resident of Great Falls, died of advanced Alzheimer's disease on Oct. 18, 2010, at her daughter's home in Havre. A private family graveside service was held at Highland Cemetery in Great Falls. Kay, the youngest of eight children born to Albert and Kitty Waymire, was born on March 10, 1923. She was raised on the homestead southwest of Geyser and was educated in Geyser. She married Walter Culbertson on Nov. 30, 1940. They had two children. They later divorced....

Marvin Johnson, 66, West Fargo , N.D., formerly Williston, N.D. and Havre, Mont., died on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center , Fargo, N.D . Funeral services will be Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. at 2 p.m., at the West Funeral Home Chapel, West Fargo, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010. at 2 p.m., at Hillside Memorial Gardens, Williston with military honors. Marvin Johnson, 66, West Fargo , N.D., formerly Williston, N.D. and Havre, Mont., died on Tuesday, Oct....