Herman Liese

Herman Liese, 100, of the Turner/Harlem area, passed away Aug. 25, 2014, in Havre. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, at Fifth Avenue Christian Church, with Pastor Frank Donato officiating. 

The family has requested that memorials be made in Herman's name to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or to the charity of the donor's choice. 

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Herman's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Herman William Liese was born Sept. 22, 1913, in Harlem, Montana, to Otto and Libbie (Haas) Liese. He attended the Country Club and Harlem schools graduating from Harlem High in 1932.

Having a zest for music, he played clarinet and saxophone in a local dance band in his early years. His career path followed that of his father by pursuing a life of farming and ranching in the Turner/Harlem area.

In April 1940, he married Dorothy Dalton and to that union they had one daughter, Nancy. They later divorced.

In November 1945, while driving near Whitefish, Montana, Herman and his passenger were struck by a bullet that pierced their vehicle. He received an extensive leg injury. Physical therapy was required, and that is where he met MaryBelle Hay, a former Navy nurse. He always stated that, "she pulled his leg" and they were married on March 11, 1947.

They raised their family in the Turner area. In 2004, Herman and MaryBelle moved from the ranch to the Little Rockies Retirement Center in Harlem. After MaryBelle's death in May 2011, Herman finally came to reside at the Care and Comfort Home in Havre.

Herman served on the school board for the Turner Public Schools. He was a member of the Masonic Order for nearly 70 years. He was active in the Turner card club, where he played every week for many years. He enjoyed hunting coyotes and trapping.

He was preceded in death by his wife, MaryBelle; his daughter, Florienne Rae; sister, Louise Wallinder; and son-in-law, Rod Phillips.

He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Phillips of Phoenix, Arizona, Lorraine (Tom) Dupree of Whitefish, Montana, and Myrna (Dusty) Haugen of Turner, Montana; his sons, Dan (Connie) Liese of Turner, John Liese of Havre, Fred Liese of Turner and Gerald Liese of Havre; 15 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He will be remembered by his special saying, "May the good Lord take a liking to you."