B4 Wednesday, June 11, 2014 State and area deaths Lucille Adele Halverson Lucille Adele Halverson BILLINGS: passed away June 9, 2014, Dawn Feller, 39 after suffering a stroke. Lucille Halverson, 94 Lucille was born in LaDorothy “Dottie” Hertz, kota, N.D., on Nov. 18, 1919, 86 Geraldine “Jerry” Viator, to David and Lulu Moore. She was raised and educated 76 Robert Eugene “Butch” in Warwick, N.D., where she met her husband, William Wombolt, 80 Ha lverson. They were AREA DEATHS: Buffalo, Wyo.: Virginia married in Devils Lake, M. “Ginny” Knebel, 88 Crow Agency: Patrick N.D., on July 16, 1940. C. Doyle Sr., 52 Glasgow: Sandrea E. They made Grandchamp Lonebear, 69 their home Devils Jordan: Ronald Robert- in LUCILLE Lake, where HALVERSON son, 64 Sheridan, Wyo.: Wil- Lucille was a homemaker liam “Bill” Laya, 83 Terry: Helen Mathiason, until they moved to Billings in 1967. Lucille worked as a 92 Thermopolis, Wyo.: baker at West High School for 10 years, meeting new Ruth Irene Nickelson, 100 and lasting friends. After retiring, she enjoyed many FORMERLY OF: Dodge, N.D.: Steve trips with friends. Lucille was a member Voltz, 93, Columbus of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, volunteerCREMATION & ing with altar guild and FUNERAL newsletter. She also volunGALLERY teered with RSVP and the Billings Schools HOSTS Cremation & Burial Society of Montana 29 8 St. W. • Billings • 254-2414 program. www.cfgbillings.com Lucille was famous for Absaroka Beartooth Columbarium her homemade dinner rolls, Exclusive Provider which she often made for Cremation with Confidence Guarantee family and friends. Her grandchildren especially enjoyed them, and named them “Gramma Buns.” Preceding her in death was her husband; her son and daughter-in-law Dwight “Whitey” and and Crematory Cheryll Halverson; two sisServing Billings Area for 110 Years ters and a brother. Complete Funeral, Crematory Survivors include Marand Cemetery Pre-Arrangements with Cremation Niches, Lawn Crypts lene (Kyhl) Thomson of and Mausoleum. Billings and Kory (RhonReception Facilities Available da) Thomson, Kurt (Kelli) TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN BILLINGS Thomson, Sandi (John) www.smithfuneralchapels.com Thompson of Minot, N.D., SMITH WEST CHAPEL Alecia (Jeremy) Berg, Jason Adjacent to Thompson, Kim Broden, Terrace Gardens Cemetery 304 34TH ST. W 245-6427 Shannon (Brent) Witcher; as 4 Blocks N. of Central on 34th St. W. well as 11 great-grandchilTATE — Glenn E., 69, dren. Also surviving are one Billings. Graveside sersister, Marlys Barbone, and vice 1 p.m. Friday, June 13, many nieces and nephews. at Mountview Cemetery. Lucille spent the last 15 (6/13). months of her life at Aspen Meadows Nursing Home. SMITH DOWNTOWN CHAPEL We would like to thank the 925 S. 27th 245-6427 staff for her wonderful care ALDRICH — Alice and the support and kindM., Billings. The famness shown to the family. ily of Alice Aldrich, who Memorials may be sent passed away on Feb. 23, to Lutheran Church of the 2014, at age 90, will hold Good Shepherd building a celebration of her life on fund or the Billings Food Thursday, June 12, at 12 Bank. p.m. in the Alberta Bair Memorial services will Conference Room, St. be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June John’s Lutheran Home, 12, at Michelotti-Sawyers 3940 Rimrock Rd.(6/12) Mortuary, 1001 Alderson WEISS — Armen H., Ave. Interment will be in the 84, of Billings. Cremation Devils Lake Cemetery. is planned. A memoCondolences may be rial service will be 11 a.m. made online at www.miThursday, June 12th at chelottisawyers.com. Trinity Lutheran Church, 537 Grand Ave.(6/12) th How to submit SMITH FUNERAL CHAPEL LAUREL 315 E. 3rd. 628-6858 SMITH OLCOTT CHAPEL RED LODGE 201 N. Broadway 446-1121 SMITH FUNERALCHAPEL COLUMBUS 35 N. Diamond St. 628-6858 Mortuary and Crematory Serving All Faiths With Dignity since 1956 Here for you Before, During and After Services 1001 Alderson Ave. 406-252-3417 HALVERSON — Lucille Adele, 94, of Billings. Memorial service 10 a.m. Thursday, MichelottiSawyers Mortuary.(6/12) FELLER — Dawn, 39, of Billings. Visitation, 2-4 p.m., Fri. at MichelottiSawyers. Cremation to follow.(6/13) HERTZ — Dorothy “Dottie” Althoff Tanner, 86, of Billings. Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday, St. Pius X. Burial to follow at Mountview Cemetery. Donations: Angela’s Piazza, Women’s Drop-in Center, 420 Grand Ave., Billings, MT 59101.(6/13) www.michelottisawyers.com For obituary information, call 406-657-1241 or 800-543-2505. The deadline is 3 p.m. for next day publication. Obituaries can be e-mailed to obits@billingsgazette.com, mailed to Obituary Dept., Billings Gazette, PO Box 36300, Billings, MT 59107, faxed to 406-657-1208 or brought to the Billings Gazette, 401 N. Broadway, after 1 p.m. weekdays. All obituaries require verification from a funeral home, so please include the funeral home name and phone number. The cost for obituaries is $23.50 per column inch daily and Saturday, $25.50 on Sundays. Payment is required before publication. Free obituaries are also available; please inquire as to guidelines. All obituaries are edited to conform to AP Style. Obituaries and photo s are edited to a standard format. If you have a special request for the obituary or photo, please inform The Gazette in advance. Billings Monument Co. Proudly serving Billings for 115 years! HOURS: 8:30-5:00 MON.-FRI. 406-245-3391 • 1-800-498-3319 10 Yellowstone Ave. — 406-248-8807 MINDER — George Spencer, 58, of Hardin, Mont. Memorial Service at First American Lutheran Church in Hardin 1 p.m. Thursday, June 12. 11 HUMPHREY — Traci, 47, of Billings. Vigil on Wednesday June 11 at 7 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel, Memorial Service at Holy Rosary Church Thursday, June 12, at 1 p.m. 11 RIEDL — Shirley A., 85, of Billings. Memorial Service at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Wednesday, June 11, at 11 a.m. 11 1 OBITUARIES Traci Michele Humphrey Traci Michele Humphrey, 47, of Billings, died Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at Eagle Cliff Manor. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. DOTTIE HERTZ Wednesday, June 11, at Dahl Funeral Home. MemoDorothy ‘Dottie’ rial service will be at 11 a.m. (Althoff Tanner) Hertz Thursday, June 12, at Holy Rosary, with interment after Dottie Hertz, a guiding luncheon. mother and loving wife, died June 8, 2014. Robert Eugene ‘Butch’ It was a beautiful sumWombolt mer day and, after having Robert Eugene “Butch” gotten ready for Sunday Mass, Dottie passed on Wombolt, 80, of Billings, quietly while sitting in her died Friday, June 6, 2014, in favorite chair. She was 86. Great Falls. Cremation has taken She was born in Rosebud, Mont., on Sept. 26, place at O’Connor Funeral 1927, to Lawrence and The- Home in Great Falls. Graveresa Althoff. Dottie grew up side service will be at 10 a.m. in a large, loving extended Saturday, July 12, at Laurel Cemetery. farming family. Her work ethic was notable, derived from her earRuth Irene Nickelson ly years on the farm. THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. Dottie moved to the “Big City” with her best friend — Ruth Irene Nickelson, and one-year-younger sis- 100, of Thermopolis, died ter, Birdie, both to attend Sunday, June 8, 2014, at Hot Billings Senior High for Springs County Memorial their graduating year. Go Hospital. Graveside services will Broncs! What fun memories the “Althoff Girls” be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, shared of their one-room, June 11, at Monument Hill walk-up apartment on Cemetery. Mortimore Funeral Home is assisting with Clark Avenue! Dottie met W. Paul Tan- arrangements. ner while attending Eastern Montana College. They Virginia M. “Ginny” soon wed. After two wars, a Knebel move to University of MonBUFFALO, Wyo. — Virtana in Missoula and Wyoming with Carter Oil, the ginia M. “Ginny” Knebel, couple returned to Billings 88, of Buffalo, died Monday, with their family of three June 9, 2104, at Amie Holt children: Steve, Karen and Care Center, Visitation will be from Jeff. Paul died in 1974. Mom 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, was left a young widow. Our mom was so blessed June 13, at Harness Funeral and we were so fortunate Home. Vigil service, rosary to have Glen Hertz in our and time of sharing will be lives. Dottie and Glen wed at 6 p.m. Friday, June 13, at on July 22, 1978, in Cody, St. John the Baptist CathoWyo. What a wonderful lic Church. Mass of Chrismarriage they shared. They tian burial will be at 10 a.m. were dedicated, loving and Saturday, June 14, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. so caring of each other. Dottie also graduated Graveside services and infrom Billings Business terment will follow at WilCollege and enjoyed many low Grove Cemetery. years in the work world. She especially enjoyed working at Saunders Lumber. She met Glen there! Dottie retired from Yellowstone County Purchasing Dept. in 1992. She often spoke of how much she enjoyed her work. PAUL LOVE Mom was a beautiful seamstress and baker. She took great pride in her Paul Love skills. And we more than May 26, 1925-May 14, 2014 appreciated the cookies and HAYDEN LAKE, Idaho pies! We all waited for her famous chocolate cake on — Paul Love was born in Silverton, Ore., to Thomas our birthdays. It was wonderful to have and Caroline (Tarro) Love. someone in our lives who He passed away peacegave time so generously, fully of age-related causes helped us willingly and at Well Springs Meadow lived lovingly. It was won- Care Center in Hayden derful to have Dottie in our Lake at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by lives. Dottie is survived by his parents; three brothers, her loving husband and Thomas, Charles and Josoul mate, Glen; sons Steve seph Love; son-in-law Ed; Tanner (Linda), Jeff Tan- grandson Eddie and grandner (Martha); daughter daughter Alisa. Paul’s parents (originally Karen Tanner (Joe Stribley) and stepson Mark Hertz from Red Lodge) returned (Elaine, Joshua and Chris- to Billings when Paul was topher); grandchildren young. He attended school Theresa, Whitney, Tanner in Billings and joined the and Stephen; great-grand- Marine Corps at age 17. He children Zilya and Nolan. served his country proudly She is also survived by in the South Pacific fighther best friend and sister, ing in Guam and Iwo Jima. Birdie Walshe. They shared He was decorated for his an unbreakable bond and distinguished service injourneyed through life to- cluding the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal with two gether. You’re in our hearts, Bronze Stars and two LetMom. Butterfl ies will al- ters of Commendation, one from a commodore and one ways remind us of you. Funeral Mass will be from a general. He fought in at 11 a.m. Friday, June 13, Golden Gloves, played bagat St. Pius X, with burial pipes and was an avid outimmediately following at doorsman. In 1946, Paul married Mountview Cemetery. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary Helen Bennett of Billings. is assisting with arrange- They had three children: ments. Condolences may Tana Love Davis of Billings; be made online at www. Gregory (Pam) Love of Post Falls, Idaho; and Timomichelottisawyers.com. Donations may be made thy (Donna) Love of Seeley to Angela’s Piazza, Wom- Lake. Paul was employed en’s Drop-in Center, 420 with the Montana DepartGrand Ave., Billings, MT ment of Highways (DOT) for 30 years working in 59101. both Billings and Missoula. In 1975, he married Nancy Sandrea E. and had son DaGrandchamp Lonebear Williams vid of San Luis Obispo, CaGLASGOW — Sandrea lif. During this time Paul E. Grandchamp Lonebear, served as supervisor of the 69, of Glasgow, died Sun- Ephrata, Wash., airport. day, June 8, 2014, at Frances Paul then helped his oldest Mahon Deaconess Hospital. son with his construction Service will be at 1 p.m. business in Palm Springs, Saturday, June 14, at Bell Calif., and retired to BillMortuary. Private family ings in 1995. burial is planned. Paul is survived by brothers, Carl (Donna) Love Dawn Marie Feller of Billings and James (Margaret) Love of Swan Lake; Dawn Marie Feller, 39, sisters, Jewell (Robert) Forof Billings, died Saturday, shee of Billings, Sharon June 7, 2014. Love of Billings and Carol Family will receive (Hank) Rice of Corbett, friends for visitation from 2 Ore.; and his four children, to 4 p.m. Friday, June 13, at nine grandchildren and Michelotti-Sawyers Mor- eight great-grandchildren. tuary. Cremation will folCremation has taken low. Scattering of cremated place. Graveside services remains is planned for a will be at Yellowstone Nalater date at Long Island tional Cemetery on MonSound in Connecticut. day, June 23, at 1 p.m. William J. Laya SHERIDAN, Wyo. — William J. Laya passed away at the Sheridan VA Medical Center, in the presence of his family, on June 9, 2014. “Bill” was born in Kleenburn, Wyo., on Sept. 1, 1930, the son of Joseph T. and Mary (Michalek) Laya. He was a proud lifelong resident of Sheridan County. As a boy, Bill spent many happy days around BILL LAYA the Monarch and Acme area where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brother Jerry. Bill played ice hockey on the Tongue River in the winters and swam with his sisters in the summer. Bill was nicknamed “Angel” as a child because of his close brushes with death, including a rattlesnake bite and falling from Tongue River bridge into the river after touching a power line. Bill graduated from Sheridan High School in 1949 having served as Class President and Student Body President. He joined the Wyoming National Guard and was called to serve in the Medical Corps during the Korean War as a member of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. On June 9, 1951, he saved the lives of four men near Sanghok, Korea, while moving through flying shell fragments. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device. On the 63rd anniversary of Bill’s courageous rescue, he passed away. The years in between have truly been a gift from God. When he returned, he earned a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Wyoming. On July 23, 1955, he married Joyce J. Linse at Holy Name Church, and together, they raised six children. Bill was a successful business man operating several pharmacies in Sheridan, Rawlins and Douglas, Wyo., and Texas. His compassionate spirit carried over into his work, where he would take trade items and extend credit to customers without the ability to pay for their medicines, knowing full well he may never be paid. After over 50 years of service to the community, he retired in 2006. He served as a Sheridan County Commissioner for 12 years, from 1972 to 1983, with 10 of those years as Chairman of the Board. He was instrumental in expanding the Sheridan County Airport, The County Court House Addition, the building of the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library and the Senior Citizens Center. County employees received health insurance and retirement benefits for the first time during his tenure in office. He was involved in many other organizations but was most pleased to be a lifelong member of Holy Name Parish and was able to serve as a Trustee. From humble beginnings, Bill was always a champion of the underdog and disadvantaged. His kind and generous spirit was always willing to help others in need. Bill loved reading and vegetable gardening, especially growing tomatoes, and spending time on his ranch. A meal for him was not complete without mashed potatoes. He loved traveling and visited Jamaica, Brazil, England, Italy and Poland. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joan Simmons, brother Jerry Laya , grandson Gus Spanos, and brothers-in-law Richard Pilch and Gordon Simmons. He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Joyce (Linse) Laya; his sister Beverly Peckham (Joel) of Sheridan; children, Dr. Mary Laya, (John Adams) of Seattle, Wash., Dr. Joe Laya, (Debbie) of Redding, Calif., Dr. Tom Laya, of Sheridan, Valerie Spanos (Jim) of Buffalo, Wyo., Karen Turner (Curtis) of Sandy, Utah, Kathleen Laya (Joaquim Ferrari) of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; grandchildren Katie, Nick and Olivia Spanos, Shelley and Lauren Laya, Jacob, David and Andrew Turner, and Maria Chiara Laya-Ferrari; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A visitation will be at 6 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at Kane Funeral Home. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 13, at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Ron Stolcis officiating. Interment will be in the Elks Memorial Cemetery. A reception will follow at the parish hall. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph’s Society Clergy Retirement Fund at P.O. Box 1468, Cheyenne, WY 82001. Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Geraldine ‘Jerry’ Viator On June 9, 2014, Jerry Viator’s sweet and gentle soul was called to be with the Lord. Her glowing presence and kindhearted nature will be missed by many. Jerry’s life was fi lled with family and love. She enjoyed the simple things in life and brought a sense of innocence wherever she went. Her time was spent doing the things she loved most — gardening, painting, sewing, cooking, crafting and appreciating all that life had to give. Even the simplest of joys were had during short rides around her hometown of New Iberia, La., and in Billings. “Fox News” was her program of choice, as she enjoyed a good argument with her television from time to time. She was known by many names: Sister, Mom, Granny, Rose from the “Golden Girls.” All names were full of love and affection. A large collection of dusty kitchen gadgets brought joy into her life; as shortly after they were purchased, she’d forget where they were and how to use them. Jerry spent her younger years providing for her three girls, working as hard as any mother could. A beautician who went on to become a beauty school director, she hated doing hair, but she did what she was good at and what would provide the best life for her girls. Born May 7, 1938, and raised in New Iberia, La., she recently came to live with her three girls and their families in Billings, where she found many mo- ments of true happiness. A quick trip to Ross in her little blue Volkswagen Bug always put a smile on her face. Her wish for her family was happiness. She was most JERRY VIATOR proud of her three sonsin-law, who treated her like the queen she was. Jerry had a wonderful sense of humor and could laugh at all the silly things, even if she was the one doing them. She is survived by her daughters, Marla and husband Michael Long, Phyllis and husband Roger Ditto, and Ashley and husband Shane Robichaux; grandchildren Heather and husband Tim Ware, Ryan Landry, Morgan Ditto and life-mate Derek Kirkwood, Gunnar Robichaux and Caemin Robichaux; greatgrandchildren Mckenzie and Fallan Ware, Rhyan and Tai Landry, Brenner Kirkwood and Koston Robichaux; sister Brenda and husband Gill Primeaux; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mable Myers; sister Peggy Broussard; and nephew, Dax Broussard. Services will be held Wednesday, June 11, at Dahl Funeral Chapel at 12:30 p.m. A celebration in Louisiana for family and friends will be scheduled to follow. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www. dahlfuneralchapel.com. Brendon Taylor Laird GREYBULL, Wyo., — Brendon Taylor Laird, 18, of Greybull, died Friday, June 6, 2014, at St. Vincent Hospital, following a motor vehicle accident. Celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Greybull High School gymnasium. Atwood Family Funeral Directors Inc. is assisting with arrangements.
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