JOSEPH CECH obituary

Joseph John Cech, 93, died Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, at a his home in Havre of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place. A prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. today and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev.

Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately following the graveside services.

Joe was born on April 12, 1910, in Browerville, Minn., to August and Annie (Stanafka) Cech. He came to Havre to work for the Great Northern Railway.

He married Leona L. Mapes on Dec. 22, 1930, at Havre and they made their home in Havre.

Joe was called for active duty the day World War II ended. He worked as a car foreman for the railroad.

Joe enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid walker. His greatest loves were his wife and family.

He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, Railroad Retirees and the Knights of Columbus.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Leona on Sept. 30, 1990; brothers, John, Ed and Albert Cech; sister, Lucy Gerstenberger; granddaughters, Cheryl Reich and Caryle Nielsen Sligar.

Survivors include his daughters, Marcia (Tony) Malsam of Havre; Barbara (George) Nielsen of Spokane, Wash., Karen (Dick) Reich of Carson City, Nev., and Kathy (Mike) Belcourt of Big Sandy; sister, Adeline Shank of St. Cloud, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude School Trust Fund, 634 Fourth St., Havre, MT 59501.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.