D. Jack Downs, age 84, passed away on Monday, June 27, 2016 at his home South of Lindsay.  

Visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Greg Lucido officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Daniel Jack was born on March 5, 1932 in Glendive, a son of Daniel Edward and Hattie Hilda (Redlacyk) Downs. He was raised and educated in the Glendive area, attending rural elementary schools before receiving his high school education from Dawson County High School where he graduated with the class of 1950. Following his schooling, Jack lived on the family farm where he worked until being drafted into the United States Army in the beginning of 1953. Before his basic training began, Jack married the love of his life, Betty Highland, on June 20, 1953.  Shortly after, they moved to Fort Ord in Seaside, Calif. for training, and later he was stationed at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas where he worked as a mechanic. Jack received his honorable discharge from military service in 1955, however, he remained in the Army Reserves until 1961.  After his discharge from active duty in 1955, Jack and Betty returned to the farm, where he had worked until his passing.

Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting agates and woodworking. He also liked running errands in town so that he could socialize with the community. He was a jack-of-all-trades and loved fixing things, especially mechanic work and carpentry, but farming was his passion.

Above all else, however, Jack was a family man. He loved his family dearly, and loved spending his time with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Hattie Downs; one sister, Shirley Schwarz; and one great-grandchild, Grace Rose Sell.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Betty of Lindsay; four children, Mary (Paul) McDowell of Ranchester, Wyo., Bruce (Joanne) Downs of Lindsay, Andy (Dalice) Downs of Lindsay and Jackie (Geoff) Sell of Pinedale, Wyo.; one sister, Georgia Norderud of Glendive; ten grandchildren, Ian (Alexandra) Ogilvie, Jessie (Erik) Dufner, Amber (Tim) Blazina, Chad Downs, Gerald (Kristin) Sell, Shelby (Alicia) George, Chase Downs, Bobbi (Derrik) Caballero, Brooke (Seth) Hallows and Aaron (Heather) McIntyre; eleven great-grandchildren, Josie Blazina, Kamryn Sell, Jerek Dufner, Kinley Sell, Ty Caballero, Kylie Caballero, Callen Sell, Audrey George, Alex Eaton, Hayden McIntyre, and Jett McIntyre; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jack’s name are suggested to the Child Care Ministry, 322 North River Avenue, Glendive, Montana 59330.

Betty Holzemer, age 85, formerly of Dickinson, N.D. passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Center Extended Care in Glendive.  

A memorial service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Church in Dickinson. Burial will follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery east of Amidon, N.D. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Betty Lou (Alexander) Holzemer was born on July 25, 1930 in Bowman County, Bowman, N.D.  Proud parents were Gordon Alexander and Wilma (Davis) Alexander.  She was their first child and was joined by a brother Russell and four sisters: Ruth, Marie, JoAnne (who passed away at the age of four) and Judy.

She attended school in Idaho and N.D. and graduated from Bowman High School in May of 1949. Upon graduation she worked for the Slope County Agent and the Selective Service Clerk Office in Amidon. In 1951 she went to work at the First National Bank in Bowman.  Sisters Marie and Judy lived with her and attended school in Bowman.

On June 12, 1952 she married Stanley Holzemer in Amidon at Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Her three sisters and brother were in the wedding party. After her marriage to Stan, they lived east of Amidon. Stan farmed and milked cows. Betty began working as the Selective Service Clerk for Slope County, a position she held for eighteen years.  In May of 1963, they adopted Gordon, a special needs child, and in 1965, they adopted Patricia. In 1965, the family moved to Dickinson where Stan went to work for Cenex.  Betty and Stan became very active in the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC), Special Olympics and Meals on Wheels.

She was a wonderful cook and baker and the coffee pot was always on.

In 2000, Betty suffered a stroke. With rehab, she was able to live at home for some time until becoming a resident at St. Benedicts in Dickinson and later she moved to the Glendive Medical Center Extended Care in 2012 after Stan’s death.

She leaves behind to morn, son Gordon of Glendive; son-in-law, Donald; grandchildren, Michael and Rachael; great-granddaughter, Lakyn Patricia Houck; and sisters, Ruth, Marie and Judy.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Stan; her parents; daughter, Patty Houck; brother, Russell; and sister, JoAnne.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Daniel Lee Glass, 56 of McGregor, Minn. passed away July 9, 2016 in McGregor.  

He was born March 5, 1960 to Donald Glass and Nita Atwood Reinholz in Glendive. He attended Savage High School, then went to Trapper Creek job corps where he finished his education. He then travelled a bit before meeting and marrying Joyce Carlson. Dan & Joyce spent many years loving and fostering children, they even adopted a few of them, not able to let them go. Together they have 11 children. 

They bought a farm in McGregor, Minn. where they finished raising their children and a multitude of various animals. McGregor is where Danny made his home until his move to heaven. 

Dan had a few hobbies in life His latest was dabbling in woodworking, but his true passion was having fun with his family & friends and helping others. Always touching the hearts of those he met. The one thing all will remember about him is his love for life. 

He was proceeded in death by his dad, Donald Glass; mom, Nita Atwood Reinholz; stepdad, Ed Reinholz; and both maternal and paternal grandparents. 

Danny left behind his 11 children: Tami (John), Teri, Angelia (Gus), Carlos, Faith, Larry, Amelia, Tia, Samirra, Sophia and Michael. He is also survived by two brothers, Jim and Tony (Wendy); four sisters, Tina, Kim (Gordy), Shannon (Brad) & Lisa; 22 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous friends & loved ones he met on his journey. He will be greatly missed.

William “Bill” G. Bishop, age 83, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive.  

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2016 at the Glendive Assembly of God Church with Pastor Brad Kelly officiating. Interment will follow in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive.  Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Bill was born on February 28, 1933 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, a son of Earl and Blanche (Mitchell) Bishop.  He received his early education in Iowa before the family moved to Glendive where he was raised and finished the rest of his schooling. At the age of sixteen, Bill began working for Northern Pacific Railroad as a carman apprentice. He later advanced to a carman and worked until his retirement from Burlington Northern Railroad in 1987. During this time he met and later married Martha Baranski on September 16, 1950 in Belfield, N.D. and during this marriage seven children were born. Following his retirement from the railroad, Bill began a new business venture when he purchased “Bishop Health & Resale,“ which was a health food and second hand store. He owned and operated the business twenty years before his second retirement. Throughout his second retirement Bill enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.

Faith was always important to Bill, and he held tight to his Christian values.  He was a member of the Glendive Assembly of God Church and was very active in the church along with the Men of Promise.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jim Bishop; parents, Earl and Blanche; five brothers; and one sister.

Bill is survived by his son, Gary (Sandy) Bishop of Townsend, Mont.; son, Ron (Sandy) Bishop of Glendive; son, Dwight (June) Bishop of Glendive; daughter, Deb Bishop of Orange City, Iowa; daughter, Brenda (Don) Olmsted of Kalispell,; son, Kevin (Manuela) Bishop of Merrimack, N.H.; daughter-in-law, Gloria Bishop Aimonetti of Glendive; twenty grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Aspenlieder of Glendive; sister, Dorothy Schock of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name are suggested to Chi Alpha Assemblies of God, C/O Brian and Angie Bishop, West 2485 Greiner Road, Freedom, Wis. 54913 or Tyler and Kimmi Boyce, 819 3rd Street, Havre, Mont. 59501.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Hope Lindecker, age 66, of Glendive passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at her home. 

Services are pending and will be announced when completed. A full obituary will follow. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Jerry, age 65, passed away peacefully at his home in Eureka, Mont. on July 26, 2016 just a few short months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. 

Per Jerry’s request, no funeral services will be held. The Rite of Committal of his ashes will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, August 15 at the Dawson Memorial Cemetary with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. A mass will also be said for Jerry at 8:00 a.m. on Monday the 15th at the Sacred Heart Church in Glendive.

Condolences may be sent to his children at P.O. Box 376, Eureka, MT 59917 or to his sister at 407 E. Hughes, Glendive, MT 59330.

Patricia “Pat” Wickens Switzer, age 96, of Richey passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Sweetwater Retirement Community in Billings with her family at her side.

Pat was born in Denton, Mont. on March 17, 1920, the daughter of Martin and Alice (Kilgannon) Wickens. She grew up and attended schools in Denton and graduated from Denton High School in 1937. She attended college at Great Falls where she received her teaching certificate. During World War II, she went to California where she worked for airplane manufacturing for a brief time, returning to Montana where she taught school in Winifred and later worked in social services in Havre. She met Dean Switzer while he was ranching in the Missouri breaks north of Winifred. They were married on September 5, 1949 at Denton and moved to the ranch Dean and his brother had purchased northeast of Circle. She remained on the ranch until October 2013 when she chose to move to Billings  where she remained until the time of her death.

Pat was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where she was very active and later, a member of St. Pius Parish in Billings.  She was a member of the Republican Women and was a 4-H Leader. She was a long time member of Round Town Cowbelles and Duck Creek Homemakers. She enjoyed coming to town and meeting ‘the girls’ for coffee and helping out at the McCone Nursing Home fixing hair for the ladies. She loved quilting, gardening and most of all spending time with her family.  Blessed with a sharp wit and a brilliant mind, she enjoyed discussing politics and current events right up to the end. Our sainted Irish mother was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed sharing her St Patrick’s Day birthday with grandson Tate.  Watching her grandchildren grow and lead successful lives was one of her great pleasures.

Pat is survived by her son,  Larry (Charlene) Switzer of Richey; a daughter, Deanna (Ed) Brost of Brockway; son-in-law, Steve Solberg of Billings; a brother, Francis Wickens of Denton; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dean; an infant son, Martin Wayne Switzer; and a daughter, Eileen Solberg.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 12, 2016 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A vigil service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle.  Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Circle is in charge of the arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Home On The Range or to the charity of one’s choice.

Shirley Mae Westlund, age 82, of Glendive passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Center.  

Visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A vigil service was held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in Dawson County Cemetery.  Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Shirley Westlund was born into the Curtis family from Manhattan, Mont. at the Florence Crittenden home in Helena on April 16, 1934 and was adopted by Frank James and Mary Nina (Brownell) Westlund in February of 1935.  She was raised in West Glendive and spent her summers roaming Dry Creek hunting agates, chewing grass and watching white fluffy clouds floating by in a blue sunny sky as well as throwing rocks by the hour. A cat, a dog, an occasional pig and cackling chickens chasing grasshoppers and laying eggs to be gathered and sometimes setting a nest provided entertainment for a little girl. All this outdoor activity turned Shirley into an animal lover, hunter and very amateur photographer. Always athletic, she participated in all sports although at the time she attended school the only sport girls were allowed to play on an interscholastic level was tennis.

Shirley moved to Glendive with her parents when she was eleven years old. She had many odd jobs both at home and outside the home during her school years.  She loved movies and read many books. Thanks to taking shorthand and typing in high school she was able to pass the required test at the Northern Pacific Railway Company Superintendent’s office and became a member of the Class A clerk’s roster which enabled her to work in the various division offices in Glendive. She attended college and graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman in 1956. She taught one year and confirmed her suspicions that education was not to be a field of endeavor for her to pursue as a career. She began working in the Exchange State Bank in Glendive in 1959 and that led to many years of employment in various phases of real estate lending including nine years in the savings and loan industry in Minn. Her final full time employment was as an enforcement officer at the Wibaux scale. After her retirement in 1999 she spent five summers working in the national parks, one in Glacier and four in the Tetons. From these jobs she made acquaintances and friends who also were in the parks for summer work.

She bowled for many years and attended eighteen national tournaments all over the United States. She was at one time a member and officer of the Does, and a longtime member of the local genealogy club. Loving to travel she spent one year driving an 18-wheel moving van for North American Van Lines and made her way through 47 states. She sold her home in Glendive in 2013.

One of Shirley’s most important projects was her family history. She spent many hours in museums, libraries, courthouses and cemeteries. Along the way, she also helped many others with their family histories.  She was one of several individuals who were instrumental in putting together the Dawson history book,Our Times, Our Lives.

Shirley never married and had no children. She had a few cousins in her adoptive family and recently had become acquainted with the families of her biological half-brother, who preceded her in death, and a biological half-sister.

Memorials in Shirley’s name may be made to the Glendive Public Library, the Frontier Gateway Museum, the Catholic Daughters or to the Genealogical Society of one’s choice.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

James “Jim” Edward Waddell, age 79, of Glendive, Montana passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at his home in Glendive.  

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Will Johnson officiating. Interment will be held Friday afternoon at the family ranch near Miles City. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Jim was born on August 16, 1936 in Indiahoma, Okla., the oldest child of George and Ella Fay. In the spring of 1937, the family moved to Glendive,  in 1938 a second son, Kelly was born there.  Then in 1940, George bought a barber shop in Columbus, Mont., and they lived there for three years until George was drafted into the Navy.  The next three years were spent in Idaho.  After the war, the family moved to Miles City where George bought a ranch east of town. Jim graduated from Custer County High School in 1954. Jim worked for a seismograph crew during the summer between his sophomore and junior year in school to earn money to go to barber school the next summer, he went to barber college in Yakima, Wash. He then worked after school and on Saturdays during his senior year to serve his apprenticeship, and became the youngest Master Barber in Montana history at the age of 18.

On July 2, 1956 Jim was married to Arlene Davidson at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Three children and fourteen years later she left for what she considered greener pastures. Jim was broken hearted for a while, but time heals all wounds.  Six years later, Jim found the lady who would be his soul mate for life. He and Dianna (Hobill) McBride were married on May 22, 1976, also at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Jim considered it to be Heaven on earth. He not only got a wonderful woman, but two more children. God and family are the most important things a person can have. Love is the most important word in the dictionary.

Jim joined the National Guard in April of 1954 and put in twelve years. In 1966 he transferred to the Navy Reserve and put in another ten years, then retired in 1976 as a Chief Petty Officer.  Jim was also elected Justice of the Peace, and served for eight years, from 1964 thru 1972. Jim cut hair for eighteen years, then in 1971 he switched careers and went to work in train service for the Milwaukee Railroad, but when the handwriting was on the wall, along with six more of his fellow trainman, on August 18, 1978 he went to Glendive and hired out on the Burlington Northern.  Jim retired from the railroad after 25 years in 1996.

It is well known that Jim was a sports fanatic. He started going to Major League Baseball games when he was fourteen years old, and chased them right up to the end. He was the first fan to see every team play every team both at home and on the road. A total of 1,243 Major League games, including five trips to the World Series, 1965, 1987, 1991, 2007 and 2008. Jim was also into most other professional sports, a season ticket holder for twenty-two years of the Denver Broncos, he saw 101 pro football games, that included three Super Bowls, 1986, 1991 and 1993, however the only sport Jim excelled at was bowling, and is a member of Miles City’s Bowling Hall of Fame.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

He leaves his beloved wife, Dianna of the family home in Glendive; five children, Scott of Seattle, Wash., Kimberly and her husband Eddie Castillo of Kenai, Alaska, Corey and his wife Kitty of Hubert, N.C., Ron McBride of Athens, Ala. and Terri and her husband Dennis Schock of Billings; seven grandchildren, Mandi Castillo, Christopher Castillo, Matthew Waddell, Shelby Waddell, Shantel Broadhead, Jonelle Schock and Kaitlyn McBride; also four great-grandchildren, MacCoy, Abbie, Jaycie and Riel; and three childhood buddies, Gary Marks of Lewistown, Duane Strohmayer of Miles City and Jay Hendry of Huntley.

Jim always greeted people with “How’s it going Kid?,” no matter their age, thirty years younger or thirty years older.  Some would reply with “Not bad, Dad,” and for those who questioned his choice of greetings, Jim would reply, “We are all God’s Children.”

I leave this earth gladly and willingly to be with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My body is of no consequence, it’s my soul that counts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Jim’s name to the Sagebrush Alley Senior Center in Glendive or a Youth Baseball program in Glendive (ABC Baseball, Glendive Babe Ruth or Glendive American Legion.)

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at:  www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Mary Irene Treftz, age 87, of Glendive passed away on Friday, August 5, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Center Extended Care.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive. Interment will follow in the Dawson County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Dona Mae Venn was a survivor of breast cancer for over 26 years. On August 9, 2016, at age 78, she passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her husband of 59 years, Robert D. Venn (“Bob”), and the latest addition to the family, a rescue dog named CC, were by her side.  

Dona Mae was born on December 23, 1937 in Glendive as the first born child to Donald and Minnie Hubbard. Donald and Minnie had five other children: Donald, Timothy, Gary, Deborah and Sandra. Donald, Minnie, Timothy, Gary and Deborah have preceded Dona Mae in death.

Dona Mae went to catholic and public schools in Glendive and graduated from Dawson County Senior High in 1956 where she met her future husband, Bob. On May 4, 1957 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive, Dona Mae and Bob exchanged vows.  Dona Mae and Bob had five children: Randall, Deborah, Ronald, Rodney and Donette. They raised their family in Glendive, Butte, and Missoula from 1957 until 1989. After living in Missoula, Dona Mae and Bob also lived in Nashville, Tenn.; Maple Valley, Wash.; and recently Sandpoint, Idaho. Dona Mae and Bob were active, tireless and proud supporters of all their family’s activities, sporting events, education and religious lives. Over the years Dona Mae had been involved in scouting, PTA and has attended countless sporting events. Not only did she attend and robustly cheer, Dona Mae was also a scorekeeper for many years in baseball while Bob coached. 

In addition to being a homemaker, Dona Mae and Bob owned and operated the All American Burger Bar in Missoula. Later, Dona Mae was a receptionist for the Rocky Mountain Eye Clinic of Missoula, the Endocrinologist Diabetes Clinic and the Lipscomb Orthopedic Clinic of Nashville.

In all of the communities she lived in Dona Mae was an active member in her Catholic Church as well as church groups and many bible studies. Dona Mae has always kept herself busy with her ambitious knitting, quilting and sewing projects. She has shared many of her homemade keepsakes with her children, grandchildren and friends. Dona Mae’s talents spilled over into the kitchen as well. She loved canning, cooking and baking a wide variety of foods and desserts. The smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven often came from her kitchen. 

Dona Mae had several travel highlights during her lifetime. She enjoyed her 25th wedding anniversary with Bob in Maui, Hawaii, her 50th wedding anniversary in Las Vegas and her trip with family to the Vatican City in Rome, Italy. She continued to love sporting events after her children were grown. Her favorite was college football. Many Saturdays she cheered for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Montana Grizzlies.

A service will be held at a later date. If you wish, instead of flowers or gifts, please make a donation to a cancer or heart fund or Hospice of Sandpoint.

This loving servant of God will be missed by many people… but many people can also say they are better for having known her.

Bessie Elaine Nelson, 86, of Port St. Lucie, Fla. passed in the presence of family on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 in Tallahassee, Fla. due to complications from a stroke.

Born in Glendive on July 14, 1930, Bessie graduated from Dawson County High School in 1948. Growing up she lived in Lindsay, Lambert and Glendive. Once married, Bessie moved to Helena where her three children were raised. Bessie began working with ATT Mountain Bell Telephone Company in 1948 until 1981 when she retired as Supervising Operator after 25 years of service. In 1981 she moved to Tallahassee, Fla. and eventually to Port St. Lucie, Fla. in 1985.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Clara (Ebelt) Herbst; father, Anton Ebelt; step-father, Roland Herbst; and her two brothers, Keith and Gerald Ebelt.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Donald, who she planned for early retirement with at the young ages of 48 and 50 so that they might travel together and visit family. She and Don enjoyed their U.S. and overseas travel and especially their extended visits to Bangkok and Chang Mai, Tahiland over a period of several years.

Bessie’s hobbies included, in addition to traveling, crocheting, embroidery, crafts, compiling family history and a family cookbook, photographing family and watching Florida State Seminoles and Oregon Ducks football. When in Port St. Lucie, she enjoyed her time as Secretary in the Beautiful Waters Craft Club where she participated in making craft projects to benefit those who were hospitalized.

Bessie is also survived by her children, James D. Nelson of Kalispell, Mont., Karla E. White of Vancouver, Wash. and Anna N. Smith of Tallahassee, Fla. She is survived by 2 sisters, Lillian (Kenny) Nemitz of Glendive and Ida Mae (Morris) Buyse of Billings, as well as other extended family. Bessie was the proud grandmother of 7 grandchildren, Sarah, Aaron, Chris, Justin, Elisia, Anakarin and Alan; and also 7 great-grandchildren, Chloe, Caelin, Grace, Emma, Kadence, Lennyn and Westley. She dearly loved attending the Jensen-Hansen Family Reunions.

Bessie will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul who did so much more for others than she ever did for herself. We love you to the moon and back.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Bessie’s caregivers from Visiting Angels, NHC Home Care, Miles of Yellow Cab service, Dr. Bavikati, Dr. Camille Blake and their office staff for their kind care over the past several months, Jeff Cook of OldFields Construction, and Bessie’s Tallahassee friends who regularily visited her, as well as long distance family and friends who often wished her well.

A graveside service will be held at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Hoime, Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Fla.

Mary Irene Treftz, age 87, of Glendive passed away August 5, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive with her son by her side.

Mary Irene Sellirickson was born on August 30, 1928 in Terry the daughter of William and Emilia (Ulrich) Sellickson. Mary grew up and attended school in Marsh until the eighth grade. Eventually Mary began working at the Beanery in Glendive where she met her future husband Gust Treftz. The two were married in 1948 in Marsh and to this union they had two children, Thomas & Robert. The family moved to Glendive where Gust worked as a custom cabinet maker and Mary raised Robert at home. Mary resided in Glendive until the time of her passing.

Mary loved cooking and baking and loved making meals and treats for family gatherings. In her earlier years she loved fishing, dancing with Gust, picking agates and making jelly. Most of all, she enjoyed being able to spend time with her family and friends.

Mary is survived by her son, Robert (Joy) Treftz, of Glendive; cousins, Pat Hawk, Charlie Moore, Alan Moore, Kurt Ulrich and Donald Ulrich; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Thomas Treftz; five brothers, Leonard, Monroe Sellickson, Rudy, Albert and Ben Zimback; and one sister, Hilda Moore.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive. Visitation was held one hour prior to the funeral service at Zion Lutheran Church. Interment will be held at the Dawson County Cemetery. 

Should friends desire condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.

Lawrence Eugene “Gene” Pedersen, age 93, of Glendive passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive. 

A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A memorial mass with military honors will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating.

Gene was born on March 10, 1923 in Glendive, the son of Lawrence and Blanche (Gagne) Pedersen. At a young age, Gene moved with his family to Mandan, N.D. where he graduated from high school. Gene’s life had always been a busy one. He started riding saddle broncs during high school, but later found his niche in roping and bull dogging. He was drafted during WWII and the U.S. Army sent him to horse shoeing school in Kan., followed by an assignment in the Philippines where he was wounded in combat and received two purple hearts and two bronze stars. While recuperating from the injuries that he sustained in the South Pacific, Gene obtained a degree in Ag Industry at Montana State College in 1949. While on campus, he founded the college’s first rodeo in 1947 and tied for all-around cowboy at that rodeo.  It was also during his time at college that he met Colleen Reynolds. They were later married on September 14, 1948 in Glendive, and to this union five children were born.

Gene won the North Dakota calf roping championship at Dickinson in 1952 while he was employed at Home on the Range. He won many calf-roping and steer-wrestling events throughout N.D. and Mont. during the 1950s.  During the 1970s and 80s, Gene added team roping and cow cutting to his rodeo repertoire. He organized the horse show division of the Glendive Spring Exposition and taught “On-the-Farm Training” for Army veterans for two years.

Gene worked as a cattle and ranch inspector for Oppenheimer Industries for several years and was a private cattle buyer, all the while raising his own cattle and breeding Quarter horses. For twenty-three years he was an approved AQHA judge and for an even longer stretch of twenty-eight years, a NCHA judge. From 1949-1987, he participated in rodeos all over N.D. and Mont.  In 2005, Gene was honored at the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum in Amarillo, Texas during its “Celebrating 50 Years of Breeding American Quarter Horses” event. 

Gene and his wife, Colleen, resided on their ranch near Glendive, where they raised their five children, until he moved to the Eastern Montana Veterans Home shortly before his passing.  They enjoyed staying busy attending all the rodeos that featured their children and grandchildren as participants. Gene also enjoyed pheasant hunting with his Brittany spaniel dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Blanche; and one brother-in-law, David Ayre.

Gene is survived by his wife, Colleen Pedersen of Glendive; his children, Nancy (Sean) Gallogly of Billings, Terry (Nancy) Pedersen of Glendive, Dale (Susan) Pedersen of Vernonia, Ore, Robert Pedersen of Glendive and Mary (Tim) Burman of Glendive; eight grandchildren, Kevin Gallogly, Erin Gallogly, Sean Gallogly, Jr., Katie Nave, Mackenzie Gallogly, Breann Cullinan, Brett Burman and Sheyanne Pedersen; fourteen great-grandchildren with one on the way; one sister, Betty Ayre of Glendive; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

On the morning of August 13, 2016, our husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend, Ty John Milne, left this natural world at the age of 52. Ty died at his home in Glendive, surrounded by his family. Ty’s fight against colon cancer for the last 18 months was finally over. But defeated he was not. His hope for a better tomorrow, his faith in God and what was to come, his patience, humility, kindness and courage was and will continue to be an example to live by to all who knew him. 

Ty was born on February 25, 1964, to Curtis John and Iris (England) Milne. His birth was parallel with the Class A divisional basketball tournament being held in Glendive. Therefore, Ty was destined to love the game of hoops. Ty, the youngest of five siblings, was beloved. His oldest sister Brenda loved his wit and humor. His sister Lorna shared his passion for wildlife and the outdoors. His sister Darcy was his confidant and advisor. And his big brother Kyle was his #1 idol -- as a boy Ty always wanted to dress like Kyle. Ty’s dad Curtis instilled in him a strong work ethic and the philosophy, “A business is only as good as the people working for you.” Milne Implement is a testament to this philosophy. Ty’s mom Iris gave him unconditional love and support. Ty recently shared with his son that a parent’s love is a divine love that you’ll never experience anywhere else.

Ty married his high school sweetheart, Tammy Maher, in Glendive on May 11, 1985. They were soul mates. Ty’s future mother-in-law, Etta Maher, was the nurse who signed his birth certificate, tying this tight knot from the beginning. In May of this year, they celebrated 31 short years of marriage. To this union three children were born: Brittany Lann, Brooke Marie and Alex John.

Ty graduated from Dawson County High School in 1982, attended Dawson Community College and played for the DCC Buccaneers, then transferred to the University of Montana, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration with Finance in the spring of 1986. Ty and Tammy returned home to Glendive where Ty began his career at Milne Implement, working alongside his father and brother. Ty’s grandfather, John Milne, started the dealership in 1941, which celebrated 75 years of service this year.

Ty’s life was separated by seasons: basketball season intermixed with hunting seasons. Ty’s love for basketball radiated through generations -- from playing pickup basketball in the driveway of his childhood friend Fred, to winning back-to-back Class A state championships (1981 and 1982), as well as being a coach to his children and nieces, always telling them to keep their elbow in and put their hand in the cookie jar.

When bow-hunting season rolled around Ty lit up. His passion for wildlife and the great outdoors cannot be attested for by the trophy antelope, whitetail deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion and bighorn sheep that he killed, rather by the creatures he let walk by the foot of his tree stands. Ty practiced the ethic that hunting was not about the kill -- it was about spending time in the tranquil wilderness among God’s creations.

Over the years, Ty has participated in the Makoshika Bowmen, Glendive Girls Softball Association, Greater Glendive Community Foundation and taught bow-hunters safety. Ty, however, was adamant his three greatest achievements are his children.

Ty is survived by his wife, Tammy; daughters, Brittany of Phoenix, Ariz. and Brooke of Billings; son, Alex (Shelby) of Seattle, Wash.; parents, Curtis and Iris Milne of Glendive; parents-in-law, Jerome and Etta Maher of Glendive; siblings, Brenda Milne of Fromberg, Lorna (Jon) Milne-Motl of Helena, Darcy (Daryl) Clingingsmith of Glendive and Kyle (Eileen) Milne of Glendive; sisters-in-law Deb (Doug) Frenzel of Dickinson, Darla (Dave) Patterson of Wheatland, Wyo. and Tana (Scott) LaFond of Dickinson; and brothers-in-law, Greg (Jennifer) Maher of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Chad (Penny) Maher of Glendive. Ty is also survived by twenty-three nieces and nephews as well as eleven great-nieces and nephews. 

Ty is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Doris England and his paternal grandparents, Jack and Ella Milne.

Visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 pm. on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A vigil service with a time to share memories was held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Francis Schreiber and Reverend Ruth McKenzie officiating. Rite of Committal will be in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to Makoshika Bowmen (Archery Range), Greater Glendive Community Foundation, the Glendive Boys and Girls Club or any foundation of your choice.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at:  www.silhafuneralhome.com.

Margaret Louise Malmend, 87, of Glendive passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Center’s Extended Care. 

At Marge’s request no services are planned at this time. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive have been entrusted with the arrangements.

Marge was born on January 16, 1929 to Archie and Francis (Hoffman) Brunelle. Marge was one of seven children born, raised and educated in Mandan, N.D. After graduating from high school, Marge moved to Glendive and married Lloyd Malmend. To this union six daughters were born. In the early years Marge enjoyed spending time at Fort Peck Lake in Montana as well as playing bridge with her friends & neighbors.

Marge worked as the head housekeeper at the Best Western Jordan Inn for over twenty years. She shared her work ethic with many young people over the years. After “retiring” Marge spent her days babysitting four of her great-grandchildren. In her later years she enjoyed listening to music as well as doing the word jumble from the newspaper. During the fall of 2010 Marge moved into the Wibaux County Nursing Home where she spent the next five and half years. On August 1, 2016 Marge moved to Glendive Medical Center Extended Care where she resided until her death.

Marge is preceded in death by her infant daughter; her parents; 3 sisters; two brothers; and one son-in-law.

Marge is survived by her children, Susan (Jim) Buelow, Eileen (Gene) Bauer, Nancy (Dale) Nyberg, Joan Angelos and Jeanne (Brian) Loberg; ten grandchildren, Terresa, Lisa, Melissa, Tracy, Brian, Eric, Tanya, Derek, Leah and Heather; nineteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons and one on the way; one sister, Mickey Tokach; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Boyd Louser, age 69, of Glendive passed away on Friday, August 19, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Cetner. Upon his request no service will be held.

Boyd was born April 20, 1947 in Minot, North Dakota. He was the son of James Louser, Jeannette (Gertz) and later in life Roy Kerzman. He was raised and educated in and around the Cole Habor, North Dakota area. Propmptly after High School he enlisted. After his service he was he was a ranch hand in Eastern Montana, where he met and married Janice Whiteman. He had one daughter and two sons with Janice. After losing Janice he met Susan Bauer who helped him greatly in his last years.

He is survied by his daughter Heather (Jeremy) Morast of Billings, Chad (Kallia) of glendeive and Cory (Katilla) of Bismarck. boyd loved every one of his grand kids dearly. Megan, Jacob, Blake Morast. Claytin, Kailie, Caise Louser, and Avalyn, Hudson, Maxwell Louser. He wil be missed greatly by all.

Leon A. Porter, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Leon was born in Glendive to Lloyd and Etta (Burman) Porter on September 20, 1945. He was raised and educated in Glendive, and graduated from Dawson County High School. After high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served for two years during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge. Leon then returned to Glendive where he worked various jobs until he started his career at Eastmont, where he worked for eighteen years until he retired in 2004. Leon married Myrna Mittlieder on April 18, 1974 in Glendive, and to this union two sons were born, Michael and Kelly.

Leon enjoyed working in his yard, talking to his neighbors, feeding birds, puzzle books and playing games on his tablet. He was a member of VFW #1125 and the American Legion #28.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Etta; his two sisters, Clara Murray and Shirley Williams; and his two brothers, Stephen Porter and Francis Porter. 

Leon is survived by his wife, Myrna Porter of Glendive; his sons, Michael (Janell) Porter of Gillette, Wyo. and Kelly Porter of Glendive; his two grandchildren, Chloe and Landon Porter; his brother, Chuck (Teresa) Porter of Billings; his sister, Emma (Jim) Rockne of Riverton, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Vivian Rathbun Degel, age 84, of Twin Bridges passed away Monday, August 22, 2016 at her home.

She was born April 7, 1932 to John and Mary Rathbun at home in Westerheim, N.D.

She married Tony Degel on February 6, 1951 in Rapid City, S.D.

They had nine children:  sons John, Mike, Joe and Paul and daughters Kathi, Nikki, Irene, Mari and Pati.  She has 27 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She didn’t count any as stepchildren because from day one they were grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tony & her daughter Irene.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 27, at 2:00 p.m. at the K&L Mortuary Chapel at Twin Bridges with Larry Melhoff officiating.   Interment was in the Twin Bridges Cemetery.

George Paul Hoffman, age 97, passed away August 22, 2016 at Billings Clinic following a short illness. 

George was born May 11, 1919 in Glendive, the eldest son of Paul, Jr. and Thea Hoffman. Following George’s birth they moved to Forsyth, and then Miles City, to work for Gregory Greenhouses. The Hoffman’s are well remembered for their lifelong devotion to the Greenhouse business.

After the death of his father, Thea moved the family to Sandpoint, Idaho, where George attended grade school and high school. On June 18, 1939 he started to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Sandpoint, as a section hand. He worked in the Tacoma/Seattle area until 1971 at which time he was promoted to track engineer and transferred to Billings.

After 43½ years, and several mergers by the railroad, George retired in 1981 from the Burlington Northern RR.

In 1937 George and Vera Pomerinke were married. To this marriage five children were born – Robert (Myrtle), Pauline (Frank) Seekins, Evelyn Griffin, Larry (Genie) and Danny (Linda). Vera is now deceased, the victim of a vehicle accident.

After George’s retirement from the railroad he had more time to spend with his lifelong hobby of woodworking, spending as much time in his shop as he had formerly spent in his railroad career. Family members and friends have many beautiful pieces of his artwork which are deeply cherished.

On a tour of track inspection in Gillette, Wyo. George met Evalyce (Peg) Shatzer, and they were married on November 12, 1977 in Gillette, making their home in Billings. Peg worked for the CB&Q and Burlington Northern for 32 ½ years. Between the two of them they worked over seventy five years for the railroad, so they had a lot in common, and many good years together. They spent several years square dancing where they met many wonderful, lifelong friends, as well as the great friendships with the wood turners and their wives. When you came to the Hoffman’s you could always expect some good coffee and cookies from Peg, and a joke or story from “Old George,” (as he was fondly referred to), although the “good” joke is something that might be debatable!

He had many good friends, who always enjoyed his jokes and sense of humor, and will be missed so much by them. 

George is survived by his wife, Peg; his children and their families; as well as his step grandchildren, Cyndi Shatzer, Curt (Shanda) Shatzer, Paula Shatzer and their families.

Cremation has taken place and services were held at 2:00 p.m.  on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Cremation & Funeral Gallery. Memorials may be made in George’s name to the charity of your choice.

Condolences for the family can be made through www.cfgbillings.com through “Our Families.”