MICHAEL BURKHARTSMEYER obituary

HINGHAM - Michael J. Burkhartsmeyer, 89, died Sunday, July 6, 2003, at a Great Falls hospital of natural causes.

A prayer vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday. A funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday. Both will be at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Diekhans officiating. A fellowship will follow the service at the church. Burial will be held after the fellowship luncheon at the Highland Cemetery.

Michael was born Sept. 6, 1913, to Josephine and Gottlieb Burkhartsmeyer at home on the homestead between Goldstone and Fairchild north of Hingham. He attended a country school between Inverness and Rudyard until the eighth grade. He then went to work doing various jobs.

As a young man he had many adventures. Once he hopped a train and rode in a boxcar to California and back. He later came back to the Hi-Line, where he started to farm and ranch in the Hingham and Gildford area.

In 1962 he married Doris (Esplin) Horinek. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks and the Eagles. His passion was hunting and fishing with his nephews and on Saturday nights he could be seen out dancing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Doris.

He is survived by a daughter, Linda (Craig) Patrick, and son, Ralph Burkhartsmeyer, all of Hingham; brother, A.F. Burkhartsmeyer of Chinook; sisters, Katy Yeager of Havre and Christine Hanses of Hingham; and grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.