2010-2019 MT, Compiled by James W. Blankenship jkblank1(at)sbcglobal.net
Carbon
2010, Joliet, Carbon Co., MT, Obituary
The Billings Gazette, (MT) - September 6, 2011
Clifton Glee Hensley went home to Jesus with family holding him and
being by his side on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011. Clifton was born to Joseph and Ara Hensley in Gillette, Wyo., July 10, 1918.
He moved to Oklahoma later in his childhood. In his youth he played
high school football when leather helmets were still worn. He also enjoyed
wrestling and boxing. He enjoyed the out-of-doors, hunting and fishing. He
married "his jewel," Oleta Blankenship,
on Feb. 11, 1941. He always teased, saying he married her for her long legs and
Southern pecan pie. They were married for 63 years when Oleta passed away. Clifton was a pilot in WWII
and was a flight instructor during the war. After the birth of their first
child, Clifton's dream was to take his family back to the West, where he was
born. Clifton, wife and son, Lee moved to Cody, Wyo., where he worked for Husky
Oil Refinery. Clifton worked in the oil industry all his life. He was driving
an oil tanker by the time he was 12 to help support his family. He ended his
career in Billings, retiring from Conoco Oil Refinery as an operator. He was
proud to be one of the original 49ers. After his retirement, Clifton and Oleta bought a little cabin in Red Lodge and shared many
wonderful memories with their children and grandchildren. They, also, loved to
go camping. Their favorite camping spot was Island Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. Clifton was an active Christian,
faithfully attending the Billings Church of Christ where he served as an elder
for some time. He was never afraid to share his faith with anyone and no one
was ever a stranger to him. Papa, we love you! Thanks for being the most loving
Grandfather. We will never forget your piggy back rides, or our walks and
adventures at the cabin. Rest with Chief Keeokuk ...
soar like the eagles and enjoy your new wings.
Clifton is survived by his son, Lee Hensley of Casper, Wyo., his
daughter, Colleen Fishbaugh (George) of Thermopolis,
Wyo., his grandson Shawn Fishbaugh, his grandson Lanny Hensley (Tracy), his granddaughter Colette Webber
(Robert), his granddaughter Amber Nichols(WiII), his granddaughter Trista
Limo and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Oleta, his
mother and father, his brother and two sisters.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
Hensley, Oleta, 83, 24 Apr 1920 - 05 Oct 2003, Billings,
Yellowstone, MT, MT-516-40-1441
Broadwater
2011, Townsend, Broadwater Co., MT, Obituary
Independent Record (Helena, MT) - October 4, 2011
Wilma Mae Houston Poirier passed away Oct. 1, 2011, at the
Broadwater Health Center in Townsend. Wilma Poirier was born in Townsend on
Dec. 10, 1920, to Harry Houston and Vada Brisbin Houston.
She grew up with her sisters, Arlene Modeen,
Beryl Price and Minnie Francis; and her brother, Lewis Houston. Wilma married
Charles (Pete) Poirier on Dec. 2, 1944. They made their homes in Helena,
Townsend, White Sulphur Springs, Chinook, Malta and
retired in Townsend. She played a big part in her church and home. She sang in
the church choir.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Vada Houston; her husband, Charles Poirier; her brother,
Lewis Houston; and sisters, Arlene Modeen and Minnie
Francis.
She is survived by her daughter, Lois (Frank) Madsen of Helena; and
son, James Poirier of Townsend; her sister, Beryle
Price of Spokane, Wash.; granddaughter,
Tammi (David) Blankenship of Helena; grandsons, Theodore Madsen of Helena, JayDee Poirier and Louie Poirier both of Twin Bridges;
seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces
and nephews.
The funeral will be Wednesday, Oct. 5, in Townsend at the Methodist
Church. Graveside committal will follow at Deep Creek Cemetery. A reception
will follow graveside committal at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make
a donation to the Methodist Church or the Broadwater Medical Center in Townsend
or to a charity of choice. Connors Funeral Home assisted the family with the
services.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
Dawson
2010, Glendive, Dawson
Co., MT, Obituary
The Billings
Gazette, (MT) -
January 2, 2010,
Francine Guelff, age 85, of Glendive,
passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Glendive Medical Center Extended
Care in Glendive. Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on
Friday, January 1, 2010 at the Silvernale-Silha
Funeral Home in Glendive. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday,
January 1, 2010 in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha
Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M.
on Saturday, January 2, 2010 in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive
with Father Joseph Ponessa officiating. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been
entrusted with the arrangements.
Francine was born on October 24, 1924 in rural Dawson County the
daughter of Ammon and Anna (Dietz) Chupp. She was
raised in Bloomfield graduating from Dawson County High School in Glendive. In
1942, Francine received her teaching certificate from Montana State
University-Billings in Billings, Montana. She taught for a time in various
country schools. Francine married Bob Guelff on
August 23, 1943 in Wibaux, Montana. The couple lived for a time in Kentucky and
Tennessee, while Bob was in training prior to deployment overseas. Upon Bob's
deployment to the European Theater, Francine returned to Glendive. After his
return from the war Bob and his Dad established the Guelff
& Son Lumber Yard, where Francine was a bookkeeper. Francine and Bob also
had a ranch where they raised Hereford cattle. The couple worked side by side
haying and operating the ranch. After their semi retirement
they enjoyed traveling in their motor home to Arizona and Florida. Francine
sang in the Sacred Heart Choir for many years. She was active in a bridge club
and walked everyday with a group of ladies. Francine
also enjoyed her Avon route.
Francine was preceded in death by her husband, Bob in 2006; her
parents; her sister Audrey and her grandson, Reid in 1996.
Survivors include her daughters, Connie Ripley and her husband Ty,
Bev Hellman and her husband Bob, all of Glendive, Marilyn Adams and her husband
Vince of Coon Rapids, Minnesota and Dawn Nagle and her husband Butch of Circle,
Montana; ten grandchildren, Stacey (Roger) Derks,
Penny (Chad) Maher, Blayne (Shanon)
Hellman, Jamie Blankenship , Faye Adams, Kristie (Mike) Jorgenson,
Lindsey (Chris) Kubal, Clay Nagle, Troy Nagle and Shelbey Nagle; ten great grandchildren, Chloe Derks, Carter Derks, Paityn Maher, Demyrie Maher,
Bergen Maher, Kade Hellman, Kaylyn
Hellman, Hayes Blankenship , Boone Blankenship and Sierra Nagle; one brother, Gene Chupp of Imnaha, Oregon; two
sisters, Ella Mae Pisk of Kalispell, Montana and Melva Lee Mika of Rainier, Washington.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
Flathead
+2011, Bigfork, Flathead Co., MT, Obituary
Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell, MT) - December 24, 2011
Harley B. Blankenship, 74, a 10-year resident of Bigfork, passed away after a courageous
battle with complications due to leukemia on Dec. 13, 2011. Harley was born in
Yakima, Wash., on Dec. 8, 1937, to Harold and Catherine Blankenship.
He graduated from Tulelake High School in
1955 and proceeded to Oregon State University, where
he not only earned a bachelor's degree in science, but met his wife of 49
years, Diana. Shortly after college, Harley earned the rank of captain in the
United States Army. He subsequently went on to serve as a highway patrolman for
the state of Oregon. He started his career in 1965 at the Segal Company in Los
Angeles as an actuarial consultant. He moved on to the Screen Actors Guild in
1983, serving as their pension and health plan administrator. In 1989, Harley
took his expertise to the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans
where he served as executive administrative director. He ultimately retired in
2009, serving as special administrative consultant to the Motion Picture Industry
Pension and Health Plans. To that end, Harley was involved for many years with
the Motion Picture and Television Fund as director of their annual Heartbeat of
Hollywood Golf Tournament, which helps provide health care for those associated
with the entertainment industry. Harley, however, was happiest riding his
Harley Davidson about Montana with his wife, Diana, and playing with his
grandchildren. Harley was not only often described as a gentleman, but the
gentlest of men.
Harley is survived by his wife, Diana, daughters, Cynthia Lightfoot and Christine Bajari, sons-in-law, Steve Lightfoot and
Mark Bajari, and grandchildren, Stephen, Owen,
Audrey, Emma and Forrest.
Services are pending and will be held early summer 2012.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
2011, Whitefish, Flathead Co., MT, Obituary
Independent Record (Helena, MT) - May 10, 2011
Beverly Joyce Blankenship, 87, passed away on May 9, 2011, at The Springs at Whitefish, in Whitefish.
Beverly is survived by her children, Ellen Wesolovski, of West Glacier, John Blankenship of Berkley, Calif., Tom Blankenship of
Helena, and her brother, Bruce Getter of Whitefish.
Private family services are pending at this time. Arrangements
entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
Flathead Co., SSDI, http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi
,
Blankenship, Beverly Joyce 87, 30Oct1923 - 09May2011, West Glacier, Flathead, MT, MT-516-24-1981
Lewis and
Clark
2010, Helena, Lewis and
Clark Co., MT Obituary
Independent
Record (Helena, MT) -
February 8, 2010,
Paul M. Kirkland, 62, of Helena died peacefully Monday afternoon
surrounded by family and friends. Our beloved Paul battled a long and
increasingly difficult illness, and we rejoice that he is now well and happy in
God's love. We know his dad and "Grandma Peggy" were
waiting for him with open arms. Paul was born in Helena on Nov. 25, 1947, to
Robert A. and Barbara Holter Kirkland. Paul grew up
in Helena as did his mother and grandfather before him, graduating from Helena
High School. Paul's large, extended family and wide circle of friends were
especially dear to him, and he loved picnics in the mountains with all of them.
If you needed help, friend or stranger, he'd be there to do whatever he
possibly could. He was a Red Cross CPR instructor and also worked Red Cross
Disasters in his younger years. He drove the Helena Foster Grandparents' bus
and Helena City Bus. He went on to become a professional over-the-road driver
with over 2 million accident-free miles, earning him recognition from
"GEARS" Magazine. Paul's interests were Montana history, photography,
black powder guns and shooting, archery, and long drives in the mountains with
his dog, Jack, who misses him very much.
Paul was endlessly delighted and proud of his children and
grandchildren: Bill, and grandson, Zyik, of Fort
Collins, Colo.; Dawna (Don) Pace; and Becky Kirkland
of Helena; stepson, Trevor (Kerry) Walters; and grandsons, Garrett, Bobby and
Sam of Twin Bridges. There were always stories, discoveries, and adventures to
be shared with his nieces and nephews: Trever (Angie)
Kirkland and son, Derrick, Travis Kirkland, Stephanie (Nick) Van Dyke, Maren Kirkland, Chanda Kirkland,
Conner Kirkland, all of Helena, and Cy Keener of Phoenix.
His dad, Bob Kirkland, preceded Paul in death.
He is survived by his mother, Bar; sister, Maren
Keener; and brothers, Chris (Linda), Stu (Linda), Aub
(Janet) and Rob (Cook), all of Helena. His cousins and extended family are many
and were important to him. He is survived, too, by close friends
,Tom Blankenship , Les
Cope, Jack Gehring and Chuck Jezick.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
2011, Helena, Lewis and Clark Co., MT, Obituary
Independent Record (Helena, MT) - July 17, 2011
Donna Stevens Doney, in the presence of
her loved ones, slipped away quietly at St. Peter's Hospital on July 14, 2011,
following a courageous, three-year battle with lung cancer. Donna was born in
Little Falls, Minn., on June 4, 1951, to Arlene and Ken Hanig.
She was raised and educated in Kalispell and later in Deer Lodge
where she graduated from Powell County High School in 1970. She then attended
Eastern Montana College in Billings and eventually settled in Helena. Early in
her career she worked for the Helena branch of the Federal Reserve Bank and
also for USF&G Insurance. She then worked for the city of Helena Parking
Division, and the state of Montana Department of Agriculture. At the time of
her death she was employed as an investigator for the state of Montana Consumer
Protection Services.
In 1972 she met her first husband, Dennis (Chuck) Stevens who was a
sergeant in the Army at the time. They were married at St. Mary's Catholic
Community in Helena and were then stationed for the next four years in Fort
Hood, Texas, where their two sons were born. Following his discharge they
returned to Helena where they remained together until Chuck's death in 1991.
She later met Tom Doney, and they were married in
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in September 2000. He has remained her partner in life
until her passing this week. Donna was a social person who enjoyed her work,
her family and having fun including movies, music, dancing, gaming and
"Mama Mia." She will be greatly missed by so many people, including all
her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Tom Doney;
her sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Mandy Stevens and Brian and Lorie
Stevens; stepchildren, Johnell (Dave) Sedlock and April (Nikia) Greene,
all of Helena and Jennifer Doney of Missoula. Grandchildren
include Riley, Dylan, Hunter and Hannah Stevens, Mason and Taylor Green, Alex
and Brooke Sedlock and Alexis Clark. She is also
survived by her sisters and
brothers-in-law, Diane
(Keith) Blankenship, Doreen Ellis, Patty King (Tom McNeal), Paula Hanig (Joe Schendel) and Susan Gendreau (Jack) Wolcott; as well as numerous nieces,
nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Chuck Stevens; both
of her parents, Arlene and Ken Hanig; and
brother-in-law, Craig King.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, at Anderson,
Stevenson, Wilke Funeral Home, with burial to follow
at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
Park
2011, Livingston, Park Co., MT, Obituary
Published in Bozeman Daily Chronicle on
November 9, 2011
Cathy Lee Blankenship, 45, of Livingston, passed away on Oct. 27, 2011. She was born
Jan. 26, 1966, in Tucson, Ariz., to Bill and Jan (Skeens)
Homea.
She loved being a mother to her two children, Teresa and Sarah,
always providing a clean home. She also enjoyed being a grandmother. On Jan. 4,
2011, Cathy married her longtime boyfriend, Jeff Blankenship,
in Sara Vista, Ariz.
She is survived by her husband,
Jeff; daughters, Teresa and Sarah; and
grandchildren, Aiden, Brenden, and Karlii.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Dokken-Nelson Sunset Chapel.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
Yellowstone
2010, Billings, Yellowstone
Co., MT, Obituary
The Billings
Gazette, (MT) - April
23, 2010,
Yvonne "Bonnie" Fisk Porter, age 93, passed away
Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Billings Clinic. Bonnie was born Jan. 5, 1917,
in Wray, Colo., the eldest daughter of Clinton B. and Ethel Fisk. She grew up
in Greybull, Wyo., the daughter of a jeweler. As a seamstress, hat designer and
milliner, her mother gave Bonnie her artistic and creative side. In spite of
the Great Depression, due to Bonnie's hard work, she was privileged to attain a
college degree in education. It was at the University of Wyoming in Laramie
where she met a handsome, debonair guy she swore she'd never date again, Grant
Chapin Porter, of Lovell, Wyo. They were married in 1938. Bonnie taught in Shell,
Wyo., at the "Little Stone School," while Grant finished his degree.
After his graduation, she joined him in farming and ranching enterprises in
Kane, the Pryor Mountains and Washoe, near Red lodge.
In their first year together in Kane, Grant contracted typhoid
fever, and was incoherent and delirious for months. Bonnie helped love him back
to health. It was on those ranches that the city girl learned to ride horses,
deal with animal husbandry, and learn to "cowboy up." She canned
meat, fish and vegetables, chased chickens for slaughter, planted gardens, and
learned to love the peace and solace of country living. Making a house a home
in creative ways, she bloomed where planted, never complaining about moving or
circumstances.
They had three children: Lanning, Clinton and Janet, who grew up in
those secure surroundings. Bonnie and Grant began building a summer home near
Red Lodge in 1947. They hand-hewn the logs, gathered foundation and fireplace
rocks, and worked together to create a beautiful peaceful gathering place for
family and friends. Bonnie made sure that the light switches were low enough
for their small kids to reach, and insisted that windows were large and went to
the floor for them to view the forest, its animals and nature.
The cabin remains a monument to great work ethics and love of
family and friends; a place for laughter, fun and rest. The Porters moved to
Billings from Washoe in 1950, and again, worked together to build their own
beautiful home, where Bonnie lived until her passing. She had confidence that
she could accomplish anything she truly desired — and she did! Bonnie operated
a private kindergarten, bringing quality early education to several hundreds of
children during the next 33 years. She had great pleasure in seeing the wonderful
successes and adventures of her "graduates." When she encountered
them later in life and heard, "Mrs. Porter, you haven't changed a
bit," she said to herself, "Oh no, I hope I didn't look like this
when I was in my 30s and 40s!"
Bonnie owned antique shops in Billings, Red Lodge and Laurel. She
acquired personal collections of wonderful antiques, quilts, art and
collectibles. She was a pioneer in the antique business and sought out artist
friends wherever she went. She exposed her children to cultural events, fine
music, art shows, and concerts. Bonnie was 5-foot-2, eyes of blue, feisty, and
full of vim. She had never met a stranger; she was full of advice, and
quick-witted. Her sense of humor moved her through many trials and
tribulations. She never complained about circumstances and overcame illness and
injuries with true grit and determination. She was honest and true, altruistic
to a fault, giving, gracious and loving. She endured gracefully to the end.
She was a sports enthusiast and self-appointed cheerleader for the
UT Jazz. She could talk sports, players and coaches with the best of 'em. She proudly told stories about her being the high
school pep squad leader, being thrown to the top of the pyramid and other
cheerleading feats. She was a great dancer and comedian. She loved to travel
and was fortunate to travel to many foreign countries. She was a good sport as
she traveled, never complaining, always awestruck, and loved all cultures.
Being an active member of her community was also important to Bonnie and she
helped save many of Billings' landmarks and buildings. She was a member of the
Chapter AS, PEO. From 1986 to '87, she served a mission in Arcadia, Calif., for
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Grant passed away in 1979. Bonnie was also preceded in death by her
two younger sisters, Doreen (Korell) of Billings and Leora (Grimes) of Citrus Heights, Calif.
She is survived by her sons, Lanning M. Porter (Gail) of Sandy,
Utah, Clinton C. Porter of Red Lodge, and her daughter Janet E. Blankenship (Tom) of Billings;
15 grandchildren and a whole bunch of great-grandchildren; many nieces and
nephews and their children; "adopted daughter," Janet Olson (Dick);
co-cheerleader for the UT Jazz, Georgia Blank; and friends too numerous to mention.
Bonnie walked into heaven Saturday, a good and faithful servant of her Lord.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 23, at the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3595 Monad Road. Interment services will be
held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 24, in the Lovell Cemetery.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com
2010, Laurel, Yellowstone
Co., MT, Obituary
The Billings
Gazette, (MT) - April
13, 2010,
Samuel "Sam" Jansma, 70, died
April 11, 2010, at St. Vincent Hospital. He was born March 11, 1940, in
Billings, to William and Katherine
( Blankenship ) Jansma. He grew up in Billings on the
family dairy farm and graduated from Senior High in 1958. He then met his
sweetheart and future wife of 48 years, Frankie Nielsen; to this union, three
children were born. He farmed for many years, recently retiring from Western
Sugar. Sam had an amazing love for his six grandchildren; they were all close
to him and adored him dearly. He was an avid bowler and was to be inducted into
the Bowling Hall of Fame in May of this year. If you couldn't find him at the
bowling alley, you would fine him in the garden,
where he spent a lot of his time. He will be truly missed, but forever loved
and always in our hearts.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother
Dwayne.
He is survived by his wife, Frankie; children Kathy (Mike) Jennings
of Knoxville, Tenn., Steve (Shelly) Jansma of Laurel,
Jana (Brad) Graff of Baltic, S.D.; grandchildren Kristin Voss, Elizabeth
Jennings, Tyler Jansma, Sara Jansma,
Niklas Graff, Bryson Graff and brother Dave (Ella) Jansma; six nieces and nephews, many other relatives and
friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 15, at the
United Methodist Church Laurel.
From: Diane Renfrow
dhrenfrow(at)yahoo.com