APRIL 2003
Betty Lou Kindler ~ April 2, 2003
Ruth Edith Seybold ~ April 6, 2003
Michael Todd Nielsen ~ April 8, 2003
Rita Wilder Knutson ~ April 9, 2003
Edwin Arnold Lawler ~ April 9, 2003
Daniel E. Stenner ~ April 12, 2003
Thomas E. Nelson Sr. ~ April 13, 2003
Margaret B. Burns ~ April 15, 2003
Arthur G. Coughenour ~ April 16, 2003
Patricia Montoya Peterson ~ April 20, 2003
Solomon Wegner ~ April 23, 2003
Jack James Stockwell ~ April 24, 2003
Mable Cox ~ April 25, 2003
Ileana Miller ~ April 25, 2003
Orland (Skip) Johnson ~ April 26, 2003
Katherine Wegner ~ April 28, 2003
Jack Meyers ~ April 30, 2003
Betty Lou Kindler, formerly of Powell, died on April 2, 2003 in Portland, Ore.
Mrs. Kindler was born in Ballantyne, Mont., on Jan. 8, 1918, spent her childhood in Powell with her parents Elisabeth and Harry E. Attebery and graduated from Powell High School in 1935. After high school she went into nurse's training at the University of Minnesota in Ann Arbor.
She obtained her degree in medical technology from North West Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1937.
She married James Baird Kindler, son of Powell homesteaders Gorge and May Baird Kindler, in 1938.
They spent the early years of their marriage in Washington, D.C., and Alaska, where she worked as a lab and X-ray technician before they finally settled in Portland, Ore., to raise their five children.
In the mid 1970s, she retired, sold her home and returned to Powell to care for her ailing mother, Beth Attebery.
She is survived by her daughter Marilyn Goerrich, of Kuna, Idaho, with whom she lived for the past four years, sons Robert N. Kindler in Hawaii, and C. Steven Kindler in Hungary, six grandchildren and one great grandchild.
She is buried in Park Hill Cemetery in Vancouver, Wash., beside her husband and two sons James E. and George E. Kindler, who preceded her in death.
Ruth Edith Seybold of Issaquah, Wash., formerly of Powell, died Sunday, April 6 at Providence Marianwood in Issaquah. She was 94.
She was born Dec. 5, 1908, in Minidoka, Idaho, daughter of Phineas (Paul) Carary and Sarah (Sadie) Draper. She moved to California in 1915.
On June 24, 1928, she married Donald Wilbur Seybold in Chico, Calif. They lived in Oroville, Calif., until after her husband's death on Nov. 23, 1993.
She worked as a sales clerk for the City of Paris in Oroville. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the "Monday Club." She moved to Powell in 1994 where she became a resident of the Powell Nursing Home. In May of 2000, she moved to Issaquah to be near her family.
Survivors include her son, Donald A. Seybold of Sammamish; one brother, Paul Draper, of Stockton, Calif.; four grandchildren, Mitchel Seybold of Ramsey, Minn., Matt Seybold of Sammamish, Jason Childs of Reno, Nev., and Justin Seybold of Sacramento, Calif.; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Philip W. Seybold, in May of 1998.
A private graveside service will be held in Oroville, Calif.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and sign the family's on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Memorial services were conducted Saturday in Cheyenne for a former Powell resident, Michael Todd Nielsen, 34, who died Tuesday, April 8 at United Medical Center West in Cheyenne.
He was born Aug. 5, 1968, in Greybull and attended Powell schools. He had lived in Cheyenne, working in construction, since 1989.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in baseball, softball, fishing and woodworking.
Survivors include two sons, Tyler Nielsen of Cheyenne and Colton Connolly of Fort Collins, Colo.; his mother and stepfather, Patricia and Clinton Robinson; two brothers, John Nielsen Jr. of Cheyenne and Zachary Robinson of Las Vegas, Nev.; a step-brother, Jeffrey Robinson of Jackson; two step-sisters, Robin Damron and Stephanie Moller, both of Cody; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Robinson of Cody.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Nielsen Sr.
Cremation has taken place.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Baptist Church in Meeteetse for Edwin Arnold Lawler, 93, who died Wednesday, April 9 at his Meeteetse home.
Pastor Harvey Seidel of Thermopolis presided at the Monday funeral. A reception followed at Lucille's Cafe in Meeteetse, and then burial was in Thermopolis Monday afternoon with graveside services at Riverside Cemetery.
Mr. Lawler was born in Hebron, Nebr., on Jan. 29, 1910, son of John C. and Mabel Helfer Lawler. He came to the Meeteetse area in the 1930s to work on the Riley and Rice ranches on Wood River.
He married Valaria Cammock in Thermopolis July 21, 1938. The couple had eight children.
The family moved to Meeteetse in 1948 and leased, and later purchased, a gas station. In 1956, Mr. Lawler moved the Chuckwagon Cafe, on a flatbed truck, from Cody to Meeteetse, locating it next to his service station. The combined businesses were called Lawler's Service and Cafe.
From 1969 to 1973, he ranched in the Meeteetse and Sheridan areas. For many years, he was also a guide for Stewart Armstrong and Ed Larsen.
In retirement, the Lawlers moved to Thermopolis in 1985. His wife died in 1994, and he returned to Meeteetse in 1995.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Meeteetse and active in the senior citizen center. He enjoyed pinochle, the outdoors, wildlife, hunting and horses.
Survivors include six daughters, Reta Collins and husband Harvey of Cody, Joyce Neal and husband Doc of Wyola, Mont., Janet Keeler of Monroe, Ore., Sharon Desjarlais of Billings, Mont., Isabel Kershaw and husband Bill of McMinnville, Ore., and Susan Hixson and husband Leonard of Ranchester; two sons, John Lawler and wife Lela of Powell and Charles Lawler and wife Ann of Meeteetse; three sisters, Laurine Nunn and Deryce Reed of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Romona Horner of Crawford, Nebr.; a brother, Albert Lawler and wife Mary of Portland, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Isabell Young of Meeteetse; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two brothers, Eugene and John Lawler; and three sisters, Thelma, Dorothy and Grace.
Memorials may be made to Spirit Mountain Hospice, 707 Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY 82414, or a charity of choice.
Funeral services will be held April 16 at Hope Lutheran Church in Seattle, Wash., for a former Powell resident, Rita Wilder Knutson, 84, who died Wednesday, April 9 at Stevens Memorial Hospital, Edmonds, Wash.
She was born in Sifton, Wash., to Thomas A. and Maude M. Wilder on Nov. 13, 1918. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to the Powell valley where she spent her growing up years.
She graduated from Powell High School in 1936 and attended Billings Technical School in 1942 to receive training to become a mechanic. She proceeded immediately to employment with the Boeing Company in Seattle in 1942 as a wing mechanic and riveter.
It was there she met the love of her life, her husband-to-be, Kenneth Knutson. They were married March 10, 1946, and spent their married life in Seattle. They had two children, Kevin Lee in 1954 and Kimberly Sue in 1956.
She enjoyed and took pride in her role as a wife, mother and homemaker. In 1964, she tried her hand in cooking outside the home. She went to work for the Shoreline School District in the kitchen at Shorecrest High School. She always enjoyed the kitchen and the kids.
The Knutsons were charter members of Hope Lutheran Church. She dedicated over 50 years of her life, volunteering and helping to build the Christian community there. Two charities to which she was particularly devoted included Foss Home and Helpmates for the Norwegian Male Choir.
Family members make clear that she was small in stature only, remarking that "she lived every day to the fullest and was sure to make every minute count- a waster of time, she was not. She was full of energy and lots of fun to all who knew her. There was very little that she was unable to do. The word independent was part of her life long before the Women's Lib movement. She taught those around her very valuable lessons by the example that she set in her daily life in loving, giving and caring for others."
Survivors include her son, Kevin L. Knutson and his wife Robin and their children, Nicole, Michelle, Ileah, Kira and Kenneth; her daughter, Kimberly and her children, Rick, Joshua and Jacquelyn; two brothers, Richard R. Wilder of Cody and Howard Wilder of Powell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her grandson, Alex; her parents; and her sisters, Mary Hansen, Martha Wilder and Ruth Barber.
Services will be provided by Evergreen-Washelli.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery for Daniel E. Stenner, 84, who died Monday, April 7 at Valley Care Center in Billings, Mont.
In retirement, he moved to Powell in 1976.
He was born Oct. 3, 1921, in Chicago, Ill., to A.J. Stenner and Marie (Dziak) Stenner. His parents later became Powell residents.
He graduated from high school in Chicago and was asked to try out for the Chicago White Sox baseball team. In 1940, he moved to Dallas, Texas, and in 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During World War II, he was stationed in the Asiatic Pacific Theater where he did reconaissance photography.
Upon his discharge from military service, he returned to Chicago where he worked for Kodak Photography Studios as a repair technician until he retired.
He is survived by his brother, Dr. J.M. Stenner and wife Toni of Riverton; a niece, Toni Charm Lussier and husband Bryon of Casper; great-nephew Paul Lussier of Casper and great-niece Kendra Stenner of Cheyenne.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. A.J. Stenner (a former state senator from Niobrara County); his mother, Marie; and a nephew, Duane Stenner.
Visitation will be Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.
The mother of a Powell woman died Tuesday, April 15 at Washakie Medical Center in Worland.
Margaret B. Burns, 89, had lived in Worland since 1992. She was born Oct. 8, 1913, in Lomax, Ill., to Charles H. and Lorena M. (Johnson) Pences.
She received her education in Lomax and moved in 1940 to Patterson, Idaho, where she worked in a cookhouse for miners for one year. She then moved to Seattle, Wash., and worked in the Navy yards during the war. For several summers, she was employed in the salmon canneries as a cook in Kodiak, Alaska.
She married Buell Burns in 1947 in Idaho, and they made their home on a ranch near Ellis, Idaho. In 1957, she moved to Battleground, Wash., and lived there until moving to Worland in 1992.
Her hobbies included cooking and working crossword puzzles.
Survivors include her daughter, Maxine Kirkenslager and husband Dick of Powell; one sister, Bonnie Eaves of Worland; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services were held Monday in Worland. Memorial donations may be made to the Worland Senior Center in care of Bryant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.
Arthur G. Coughenour- April 16
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell for Arthur G. Coughenour, 95, who died Wednesday morning, April 16 at the Powell Nursing Home.
He was born in Connellsville, Pa., on July 25, 1907, to Harry E. and Lily Price Coughenour.
He married Edith Hagen in Syracuse, N.Y., on Sept. 21, 1935. In 1941, they moved to Uniontown, Pa., where he operated his business as a carpenter/contractor for 47 years.
For more than 20 years, he served as the recording secretary for Carpenter's Local Union 1091 and holds a lifetime membership with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He also worked 16 years as a director with the Boy Scouts of America program in Uniontown.
In 1988, Arthur and Edith retired to Powell. He was a member of Union Presbyterian Church in Powell. He retains his membership in Laurel Lodge 9651 F&AM of Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Consistory.
Survivors include his wife Edith of Powell; their children and families: Art and wife Bernadette of Powell, children Tim, Steve and wife Sheri, Kelly and wife Tiffany, Aimee and husband Brian; Glenn and wife Katherine of Bryn Mawr, Pa., children Corinne and husband Mike, and Evan; Carol Paquette of Arlington, Va., children Laura and husband Charles, Quentin and wife Mary, Guy, and Hugh and wife Khadija; and 10 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.
Cremation has taken place. A luncheon will follow the Saturday memorial service.
Thomas E. Nelson Sr.- April 13
Memorial services are tentatively scheduled Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at Beck Lake Park in Cody for Thomas E. Nelson, Sr., 55, who died at his Cody home Sunday, April 13.
He was born Aug. 17, 1947, in Traverse City, Mich., to Walter T. Nelson Jr. and Helen Marie (Bright) Nelson. He moved to Cody in 1980.
On June 12, 1988, he married Marie Guss in Sunlight Basin.
At the time of his death, he was assistant manager/gunsmith at Rocky Mountain Sports in Cody. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting and following NASCAR racing. He was a member of the Sage Creek Trap Club, the Cody Shooting Compex and the NRA.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Guss-Nelson of the family home; his parents of Traverse City, Mich.; sons Thomas E. Nelson, Jr. and James Gregory Nelson; stepson Erik M. Guss; stepdaughters Andrea L. Guss and Kirsten A. Guss; a brother, Rick Nelson; and a sister, Deb Steffes.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Patricia Montoya Peterson- April 20
Patricia Montoya Peterson, 51, died at her home in Irvine, Calif., on April 20. She had been in a coma following a severe head injury after a fall at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, Calif.
She was born Oct. 4, 1951 in Powell, the daughter of Emiliano and Celza (Sally) Montoya. She attended Powell schools and Northwest College. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in anthropology from the University of California at Riverside in 1978 and performed field work from 1979 through 1981 in Sri Lanka.
At the time of her death, she was working on her master's degree in archaeology. She was employed by the Chambers Group as senior archaeologist and laboratory director.
Patricia married Joe Singer in Powell in 1971. They later divorced and in July 1985 she married Mark Peterson of Irvine, Calif.
In December 2002, she was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. She was responding very well to chemotherapy at the time of her death.
Patricia will be remembered as a gifted archaeologist with great strengths and many talents. She was loved dearly by her family, archaeologist comrades and friends throughout California and Asia. She was a member of the Powell VFW Auxiliary.
She is survived by her husband Mark Peterson of Irvine, Calif.; mother Sally Montoya of Powell; sister Susan Cowles (Henry) of Ontario, Calif.; brother Michael Montoya (Sarah) of Bent, N.M.; uncles Manuel Olveda (Enriqueta), Dale Montoya (Delores), Albert Montoya (Ramona), all of Powell; Duff Olveda (Mary) of Marrero, Louisiana; Fermin Olveda (Linda) of Texas; Great Aunt Concha Guardado of Santa Ana, Calif.; favorite Aunt Eve Lee (Walt) of Santa Monica, Calif.; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father and maternal and paternal grandparents.
A family remembrance gathering was held April 27 in Irvine. A memorial service is planned for May 17 at Pacific View Memorial Park Chapel in Corona Del Mar, Calif.
Cremation has taken place.
A scholarship fund is being set up in her name by the Society of California Archeologists and University of California Regency Office. For more information about the fund call 754-4277, 1-949-933-8014 or 1-949-651-6051.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Belfry, Mont., for Solomon Wegner, 91, of Powell, who died Wednesday, April 23 at the Powell Valley Care Center.
St. John's Lutheran in Belfry was his church home for more than 50 years. Burial with military honors was in the Belfry Cemetery, with Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge in charge of arrangements.
He was born Oct. 4, 1911, at Susannenthal, Russia, the fifth child born to Edward and Wilhelmina Lehman Wegner. He was baptized in the Lutheran church his German immigrant grandparents helped build.
With the Bolsheviks gaining power, and fearing for the safety of their young family, Solomon's parents began their journey to America in August 1912. After a detour to Argentina where his dad and uncle worked on a wheat and cattle ranch, the Wegners continued their trip via Cuba and Mexico, arriving in Billings, Mont., on Dec. 13, 1913.
Solomon grew up on ranches in the Billings, Belfry and Absarokee areas. Following his father's death, the Absarokee ranch was sold, and he worked as a foreman on a sheep ranch in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. When World War II broke out, he moved back to Billings and enslisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the Pacific Theater.
While on furlough, he and Katherine Fink were married in Trinity Lutheran Church, Billings, on July 2, 1943. After his discharge, they began their life together in Lovell where he worked for the Ohio Oil Company (Marathon), drilling for oil and natural gas across Wyoming.
In 1948, they moved to their farm north of Belfry with their two young sons. They sold their farm in 1970 and moved into Belfry. He continued to work on area farms and ranches. In 1997, they moved to Powell to be near their son.
Survivors include his wife, Katherine Wegner of Powell; son Dennis Wegner and wife Barbara of Powell and son Stanley Wegner and wife Regina of Park City, Mont.; grandsons Lee Wegner and family of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Peter Wegner and family of Tigeras, N.M.; granddaughters Beth Wegner of San Francisco, Calif., Adrienne Wegner of Billings and Allison Wegner and family of Park City; two brothers, Earl Wegner of Bremerton, Wash., and Edward Wegner of Billings; a sister, Mary Knuettel in Wisconsin; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Dorthy Ottolino, Amelia Nauman, Theresa Ennis and Wilhelmina Chapman; and brother Carl Wegner.
Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center, St. Louis, MO 63141, or to the charity of one's choice.
Jack James Stockwell- April 24
Funeral Mass will be celebrated today (Tuesday) at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greybull for Jack James Stockwell, 80, who died Thursday, April 24 at his Greybull home.
He was born in Greybull on March 2, 1923, son of Elmer Luther and Margaret Mary (Althoff) Stockwell. He grew up in Greybull and graduated from high school there.
He married Phyllis Elaine Millross on Feb. 20, 1945. He served on the battleship Alabama during World War II.
He was involved in the family business, Stockwell Manufacturing and Machine Shop, for more than 50 years.
His pride and joy were his family, his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife Phyllis of Greybull; 10 children and their families, Ken Stockwell (Lesa) of Cody, Jerry Stockwell (Denise) of Greybull, Ben Stockwell and his partner, Steve Baugh of Willsall, Mont., Carmen Capron (Bill) of Powell, Fred Stockwell (Barbara) of Bozeman, Mont., Lori Davis (Mick) of Gallatin Gateway, Mont., Suzanne Prevedel (Brett) of Roosevelt, Utah, Jacqueline Conti (Robert) of Bozeman, Melody Brown (Mark) of Greybull, and Bill Stockwell (Carmen) of Wheatland; 26 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol, and three sons, Jim, Greg and Joe.
A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3 at Lovell LDS Stakehouse for Mable Cox, 85, who died early Friday, April 25 at the Powell Nursing Home.
She was born to Ernest Alfred Taylor and Laura Ann (Ballard) Taylor in Lovell on Oct. 17, 1917. Her mother died when she was 5 and her brother, Kenneth, was 3. She was raised by her grandparents in Salt Lake City, spending her summers with her aunts and uncles.
She received her education at West High School in Salt Lake City and went on to beauty school. She married Joseph Earl Gividen on June 1, 1936, in Mapleton, Utah. They were later divorced.
She supported her two daughters waiting tables in Lovell at the Rose Bowl Cafe. On June 2, 1945, she married Basil (Brig) Hugh Cox in Cody.
They lived in Lovell for the next nine years, spending the summers on the Big Horn Mountains at their sawmill camp with his brothers and families. Then for the next 20 years, they moved their family from one town to the next as he helped to build LDS chapels. Home was all over the Big Horn Basin, the Puget Sound and eastern Washington state.
From 1974 until her death, she made her home in the Big Horn Basin.
She loved to garden and cook. She used her culinary talents from sawmill crews, restaurants and school cafeterias to wedding cakes and Christmas chocolates.
She was an active member of the LDS Church and served as president of the Relief Society and Primary. Her family will recall she had a love and a smile for all she met, and she will be missed by the many lives she touched.
Survivors include her children, Laura (Ted) Bryant of Newport, Wash., Earlene (Don) Carey of Thermopolis, Seth (Tamra) Cox of Grantsville, Utah, Virginia (Brad) Nelson of Kirkland, Wash., Terry (Jared) Hepworth of Rexburg, Idaho, and Nancy (Jim) Brown of Powell; daughter-in-law Carolyn Cox of Byron; 31 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by sister-in-law Lucy Cox of Lovell, brother-in-law Alvord (Slim) Cox and wife LaVene of Clifton, Idaho, and sister-in-law Mildred Cox of Vancouver, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Basil Hugh Cox; brother Kenneth Taylor; son Kenneth Bruce Cox; and grandchildren Andrew, Dean, Mark, Jon Lee, Joseph, Natalie and Nathon; and great-granddaughter Jessica.
Graveside services for Ileana Mae (Baston) Miller, who died Friday, April 25 at the Powell Nursing Home, were held Monday at Crown Hill Cemetery. She was 76.
She was born Dec. 20, 1926, in Denver, the daughter of Jacob Morton Baston and Florence Jones Baston. She graduated from Cody High School in 1945.
She married Carl J. Miller in Billings, Mont., on May 25, 1946. They lived in Cody until he was transferred to Powell by Marathon Oil Company, and the family moved here.
She was active in the Union Presbyterian Church for 45 years as a choir member, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher, member of women's circle and Christian education committee and a member of the Session.
She worked at the Powell Hospital for many years and worked as the office receptionist for Drs. Allison and Christensen. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Master Chorale, Shoshone Rock Club and the Polecat Ramblers.
The Millers traveled many miles in their travel trailer during the winter months as Wyoming snowbirds. They participated in archeological digs around the Rockies and collected rare and unusual rocks and fossils on their treks around the region.
She enjoyed attending grandchildren's sporting events and programs across the state.
Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Carl J. Miller of Powell; their daughters: Janet (Tom) Rottman of Laramie, Julie (John) Skaggs of Powell and Jerri Iverson of Laramie; grandchildren: Jennifer (Tim) Koslowsky of Casper, Janelle Skaggs, Spearfish, S.D., Pvt. 2nd Class Dustin Iverson, deployed with the 82nd Airborne in the Middle East, and Jamie Rottman-Lewis, Kimberly Rottman, Heather Iverson, Daniel Iverson and Danny Lewis, all of Laramie. She is also survived by two great grandsons, Alex Lewis of Laramie and Kaleb Koslowsky of Casper; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She as preceded in death by her parents and a son, James Morton Miller.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial donations to Union Presbyterian Church. Services were under the direction of Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.
Orland (Skip) Johnson- April 26
Graveside services with military honors will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, May 2 in the Bearcreek, Mont., Cemetery for Orland (Skip) Johnson of Powell who died Saturday, April 26 at Deaconess Billings Clinic. He was 67.
He was born March 28, 1936, in Grand Junction, Colo., son of Orlande and Margaret Hughes Johnson. A veteran of four years service in the U.S. Navy, he served aboard an oil tanker during the Korean War.
On Jan. 9, 1962, he married Christine (Tienie) McDonald in Red Lodge, Mont. The couple lived and worked in Riverton for years, then moved to South Dakota where he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation for 10 years. In retirement, they settled in Powell.
He was artistic and an accomplished woodworker. He was an avid golfer, his favorite hobby. His family wish for him is: May the golf courses in heaven be green every day - with no water hazards.
Survivors include his wife, Christine Johnson of Powell; four daughters, Tammy (David) Shanks of Shepherd, Mont., Lori Johnson of Billings, Deanna (Duane) Johnson of Billings, and Linda (Ed) Johnson of Powell; two half-brothers, Jerry and Clyde Johnson of Riverton; his step-father, Stan Hamilton of Riverton; and eight grandchildren, Danielle, Brian, Heather, Justin, Misty, Tina, Savannah and Phillip; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Orlande and Margaret Johnson; and his step-mother, Dorothy Johnson.
Katherine (Katharina) Fink Wegner, 88, of Powell, and formerly of Belfry, Mont., died Monday, April 28 at the Powell Valley Care Center, only five days after the death of her husband, Solomon.
For the last days of her life, she was surrounded by her family, friends, Pastor Larry Veland and the Powell Valley Care Center staff.
She was born east of Powell on March 19, 1915, to her Volga German immigrant parents, Carl and Amelia Fink. She was baptized into the Christian faith in 1915 and was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church at Lovell in 1931.
After living on various farms in the Powell/Lovell areas, her parents settled on their own farm east of Lovell. She began school at Sunlight School and later attended parochial school until the eighth grade. She began high school at Kane and graduated from Lovell High School in 1935. Following graduation, she worked as a sales clerk, nanny and on area dude ranches.
On July 2, 1943, she married Solomon Wegner while he was on furlough from the U.S. Marine Corps. They were married in Billings, and following the wedding, she went back to Lovell, and Solomon went off to war. Always the frugal one, she took their savings and purchased their first home in Lovell. When her husband returned after his discharge, they began their 60-year journey together.
In 1948, the couple moved to their farm north of Belfry with their two young sons. They sold their farm in 1970 and moved into Belfry. She continued to cook for the Belfry schools until her retirement.
She loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family. She loved to cook and sew and took great pride in her yard and flower gardens.
Survivors include two sons, Dennis (Barbara) Wegner of Powell and Stanley (Regina) Wegner of Park City, Mont.; grandsons Lee Wegner and family of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Peter Wegner and family of Tigeras, N.M.; granddaughters Bety Wegner of San Francisco, Calif., Adrienne Wegner of Billings, and Allison Wegner and family of Park City; two brothers, Fred Fink of Chicago and Albert Fink of Lovell; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Solomon; her parents; a sister, Amelia Clem; and brothers Alex, William, Carl and infant Alfred Fink.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Belfry, her church home for over 50 years. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2 at the church. Burial will be in the Belfry Cemetery.
Memorial may be given to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center, St. Louis, MO 63141 or to a charity of choice.
Word has been received here of the April 30 death of Jack Meyers, former Garland area resident, in Juneau, Alaska, of an apparent heart attack. He was 71.
He was born June 5, 1931, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meyers of Garland. He attended schools in Powell and graduated from Powell High School in 1950.
He retired from the U.S. Navy and moved to Haines, Alaska. He worked for the highway department there for 10 years and then retired.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Haines,; a son, Randy, of Haines; a daughter, Kathy, of Seattle, Wash.; sisters Kathryn Brown and Mary Burns of Cody, Loretta Johannes and Clara Barber of Billings, Mont., and Ethel Heimer of Powell; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bud, of Powell.