KENNETH ROBERTSON obituary

BIG SANDY - Kenneth Glennon Robertson, 80, died Monday, Aug. 23, 2004, at the Horizon Hospice Home in Billings.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 in Big Sandy at the

Historical Museum. A reception will immediately follow at the Senior Citizens Center with interment at the Hill County Cemetery at 3 p.m.

Kenneth was born on Nov. 19, 1923, in Big Sandy. He grew up on the family farm west of Big Sandy and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1940.

In the spring of 1942, while working at Carson's Store in Big Sandy, he met Esther Rueb of Laredo. They were married on June 17, 1946. Esther died in December of 1999.

Kenneth enlisted in the Army in April of 1943. He attended Pasadena Junior College and Stanford University before leaving to serve in World War II. Kenneth served in the European Campaign, where he fought for and experienced the liberation of Paris. He was in northern Germany at the end of the war. For the next several months, he was stationed in Bolbec, France, at a former POW camp guarding German soldiers. Kenneth re-enlisted in the Army, and after a short furlough home to marry Esther, he was sent to Naples, Italy, for six months. He was stationed in several different states until his discharge in July of 1947.

After his discharge, Kenneth and Esther returned to Big Sandy, where he worked at the Mint Bar, Vets Club, and Northern Implement. In April of 1952, they began farming the Matthew's place west of Big Sandy. After retiring from farming in 1981, they lived in Zurich, Havre and Billings.

Kenneth was active in the VFW for many years following World War II. He was instrumental in starting the Vets Club in Big Sandy. Kenneth was past post president of the Big Sandy Post as well as an officer in the Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Blanche; wife, Esther; daughter, Vonnie Spicher; brother, Ralph; and sisters, Fern Schlack and Glenda Simon.

Survivors include his daughters, Connie (Stan) Myers of Ryder, N.D., and Kate (Roy) Toyama of Liberty Lake, Wash.; sons, Randy of Billings and Clyde Wall of Great Falls; brothers, Walter and Alan of Big Sandy; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Horizon Hospice Home, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cremation or Funeral Gallery of Billings.