Montana Standard
February 28, 1959Dillon - James F, Paddock, 78, widely known long time rancher of the Big Hole Basin, died Thursday after an illness of three weeks.
He was of the late Mr. and Mrs. John C. Paddock, and was born at Austin, Nev. on Nov. 2, 1880. His parents took up raching in the Big Hole Basin in 1884. His mother died in 1909 and the family moved to the Fish Trap area in 1912 to make their home. The father died in 1916.
Mr. and Mrs. Paddock moved into Dillon last June after he sold his ranching interests in October 1957 to Ray Bacon.Mrs. Paddock is the former Margery Jardine. They were married at Wisdom, Feb. 14, 1907 and celebrated their 50th anniversary two years ago. He was a long time member of the Masonic lodge at Wisdom.
In addition to Mrs. Paddock, the surviving relatives include sons in law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde W. Thompson; Wise River; Mr. and Mrs William Ritschel, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Murphy, Anaconda; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Radford and Mrs. John Berthold, Los Angeles, Calif.; sons and daughters in law, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Paddock, Pablo; Mr. and Mrs. James M. Paddock, Wise River; Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Paddock, Anaconda; brother in law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. James O'Connell, Opportunity, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment will be in the family plot in the Wisdom cemetery.
Montana Standard
January 2, 1973Funeral services for Laura P. Thompson of Wise River will be held from the Parson Funeral Chapel Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock. The Rev. Marion Horton of the Church of the Big Hole will officiate with interment in the Wisdom cemetery.
Montana Standard
November 3, 1976Services will be Saturday at 11 in the Butte Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints for Clyde W. Thompson, 72, of Fish Trap, near Wise River. Bishop Clifford Larsen will officiate. The body will lie in state in the church from 10 to 11. Burial will be in Wisdom.
Mr. Thompson, a rancher at Fish Trap for nearly 50 years, died Monday in a Butte hospital. Born Sept. 24, 1904, in Clarkston, Utah, he attended schools in Malad City, Idaho and came to Montana in 1927.
His first wife, Laura, preceded him in death, as did an infant daughter. Survivors include his wife, Edith; a son and daughter in law, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Thompson of Wise River; sons in law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Jack (Laura Lu) Boyer and Mr. and Mrs. Charles (Suzanne) Ohman, all of Anaconda, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Kay) Schmidt of Pasco Wash; sisters, Idella Ricks and Lucy Riggs of Logan, Utah, and Alverta Rogers of Garland, Utah, half sisters, Mary Cotton of Draper, Utah and Edith Arlington of Salt Lake City, a half brother, Nugent Doyle of Marsing, Idaho; 18 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren
Capt John Berthold died in the South Pacific during WWIIUSAAF B-17C-BO (Model 299H) Flying Fortress #40-2072, "Miss Every Morni
ng Fix'n" (or "Miss E.M.F"), of the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron of the 317th Troop Carrier Group, based in Mackay crashed at Bakers Creek near Mackay on 14 June 1943. It crashed on what is now the site of the Thomas Borthwick's Abattoir, killing 40 of the 41 service personnel on board.
CASUALTIES OF THE USAAF B-17C FLYING FORTRESS S/No. 40-2072 CRASH
AT BAKERS CREEK, NEAR MACKAY, QUEENSLAND, ON 14 JUNE 1943.
NAME RANK UNIT BURIAL SITE
BERTHOLD, John O. Capt 49th Fighter Grp, 8th Fighter Sqn NEW YORK , Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira
The Montana StandardFlorence Paddock Ritschel died March 6, 2007, in Granite County Medical Center in Philipsburg.
She was born June 17, 1912, in a log house on a ranch in Fish Trap. She was the daughter of James and Margery (Jardine) Paddock. Florence went to schools in Wisdom and Fish Trap through the eighth grade. She also attended schools in Dillon and Butte.
Florence married William Ritschel on April 30, 1936, in Butte. They ranched in the Big Hole Valley until 1949 when they moved to Anaconda and later ranched east of Anaconda. Florence joined First Presbyterian Church in 1950 and was very active in United Presbyterian Women. She also was active in Hospice and the Thrift Center in Anaconda.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William, in 1968; four sisters; and one brother.
Florence is survived by one brother; two daughters and their husbands, Mary and Don Nelson of Florence, and Janet and Jim Christensen of Philipsburg; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Montana Standard Post
December 18, 1964Thomas F. Murphy, 604 Walnut, was buried Friday in the perpetual care section of Mount Olivet cemetery.
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Earl A Radford
Birth Year: 1920
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: British North America or Canada or Labrad
or or Newfoundland
State: California
County or City: Los Angeles
Enlistment Date: 8 Jan 1942
Enlistment State: California
Enlistment City: Los Angeles
Branch: Air Corps
Branch Code: Air Corps
Grade: Aviation Cadet
Grade Code: Aviation Cadet
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of
Source: Civil Life
Education: 3 years of college
Civil Occupation: Gunsmith* (Armorer), Diesel Mechanic (Automobile mechanic, Diesel engine), Camera Repairman (still camera), Instrument Repairman, Nonelectrical (Instrument maker), Utility Repairman (Mechanic, general), Equipment Maintenance Man, Motion Picture equipment
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 70
Weight: 150
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: James M Paddock
Birth Year: 1921
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Montana
State: Montana
County or City: Beaverhead
Enlistment Date: 7 Jan 1942
Enlistment State: Montana
Enlistment City: Missoula
Branch: Air Corps
Grade: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of
Source: Civil Life
Education: 1 year of high school
Civil Occupation: Monotype Operator
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 71
Weight: 152
_____
Find-a-GraveMr. James M. Paddock of Anaconda passed away Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2012, at Community Hospital of Anaconda.
Jim was born in Fish Trap, on Sept. 10, 1921, to James F. and Marjorie (Jardine) Paddock. His early youth taught him the lessons of working hard and a love of the outdoors, horses and riding.
He served his country honorably during World War II with the Air Force being stationed in the Pacific Theater as an airplane mechanic.
On April 10, 1948, he married the former Shirley Anderson in Deer Lodge. They were married for over 64 years.
As a member of "The Greatest Generation," one of his defining characteristics was his dedication to working hard and supporting his family. He held a variety of different jobs from woodsman and rancher to correctional officer at Montana State Prison.
He enjoyed dancing, but most of his enjoyment and pleasure came from being around his large family. They were all truly his greatest joy.
Mr. Paddock is survived by wife, Shirley Paddock of Anaconda; son, Mike Paddock of Wisdom; son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Marilee Paddock of Oak Harbor, Wash.; grandchildren, Erin and Nigel Brown, Blaine and Kelli Paddock, Stephanie and Billy Swinney and Sheena Paddock. He is also survived by his beloved great-grand-children, Isaac Paddock, Emily Paddock, Haylee Brown, Waylon Brown, Gwynevere Brown and Mason Swinney, and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Candice Paddock; brother, John Paddock; and his sisters, Laura Thompson, Mary Berthold, Florence Ritschel, Marjorie Murphy and Nina Radford.
Find-a-GraveShirley Irene Paddock, 85, of Anaconda passed away Friday evening, March 28, 2014, at her family home.
Shirley was born March 21, 1929, to Jack and Jewell (Clapp) Anderson in Dillon. She attended grade school at Fishtrap and graduated from Anaconda High School in 1947.
On April 10, 1948, Shirley married James M. Paddock in Deer Lodge. They were married for over 64 years. They made their home and worked in the Fishtrap area until moving to Opportunity in 1959. Shirley believed that hard work and dedication to family was important. She worked at the Cake Box Bakery, Park Café, Buttrey's Bakery and Schwartz's Department Store in Anaconda. She later joined the office team at Jerry's Mobile Home in Butte until her retirement. She sold and delivered their farm fresh eggs to the Opportunity area while visiting with those she came in contact with.
She enjoyed music of all kinds and shared her years of piano playing by teaching the young how to play the piano. She gave lessons to children in both the Big Hole and Opportunity.
However, her greatest enjoyment was her family and close friends. She enjoyed dancing the polka, delighted in watching her grandchildren and great-grand children growing up, attended the community concerts, helped with Art in the Park and enjoyed playing Bunco.
Mrs. Paddock is survived by son, Mike Paddock of Wisdom; son and daughter-in-law, Andy (AJ) and Marilee Paddock of Oak Harbor, Wash.; and grandchildren, Erin and Nigel Brown, Blaine and Kelly Paddock, Stephanie and Billy Swinney, and Sheena and Kory Johnson. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Haylee, Waylon and Gwynevere Brown; Issac and Emily Paddock, and Mason Swinney, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband; daughter, Candice Paddock; and sister, Jewel Deane McDowell.
Anchorage Daily News (AK)
September 13, 2001Longtime Anchorage Resident BESS J. RISCH, 85, died Sept. 4, 2001, at Sweet Lorraine's Assisted Living in Anchorage.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Anchorage Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dan Bollerud of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church and the Rev. Bill Warren of Anchorage Lutheran Church officiating.
Mrs. Risch was born New Year's Day, 1916, in Ogden, Utah. She grew up in Montana, the oldest of four children. Being a rancher's daughter, she often cooked for local ranchers as she was growing up. In 1940 Mrs. Risch met and married Norman Risch and they moved to Alaska. Mr. Risch worked for the Alaska Railroad, and she was a housewife.
Her family will remember her for her strength, warmth, smile and her incredibly rosy cheeks. The holidays were her favorite time of year, ones shared in joy with her family. Mrs. Risch enjoyed gardening and cooking. She was a generous supporter of many local charities and was a member of Anchorage Lutheran Church since 1940.
Mrs. Risch was preceded in death by her husband, Norman E. Risch, and daughter and son-in-law, Pauline and Joe S. Morrison.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Ken Asplund, of Anchorage; son, Robert J. Risch of Anchorage; grandchildren, Peter Asplund, Kent Asplund and Joe Morrison; great-granddaughters, Evelyn Pritchard and Sydney Asplund; sisters, Helen L. Smith and Alma Stangland; and brother, Steve Paddock, all of Montana.
53585. Herbert Stephen Paddock
Find-a-GraveHerbert Stephen Paddock
Steve was born June 17, 1926, in Fishtrap, Montana, to John and Mattie Paddock. He, along with his three sisters, attended Fishtrap School and Anaconda High School and earned his general equivalency diploma in 1976.
On November 4, 1950, Steve married Gloria Lundin. The couple began their family while they lived and worked on the family ranch in the Big Hole Valley until 1959. They also lived in White Sulphur Springs, Opportunity and Deer Lodge. They had four sons and two daughters. Steve worked for the Forest Service until his retirement in 1982. He was a charter member of the Deer Lodge Lions Club, a member of the Avon Grange and the Masonic Acacia Lodge No. 33. Herbert Stephen Paddock, known also to his friends and family as Steve or Cowboy, died Wednesday, November 24, 2010, at Powell County Memorial Hospital.
Survived byhis sons, Chris (Marilyn) Paddock, of Sioux Falls, SD; Todd Paddock, of Deer Lodge; his daughters: Mattie Paddock, of Visalia, CA; Gloria Paddock, of Helena, MT; sisters: Alma Stangland and Louise Smith, both of Helena; brother-in-law, Pat (Bobbie) Baker, of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren: Cristy (Jeff) Burch, of Rigby, ID; Joe Paddock, of Sparks, NV; and Thomas Paddock-Erronis, of Minneapolis, MN; great-granddaughter, Allie Burch, of Rigby. Steve will also be missed by his niece, Norma (Ken) Asplund, of Anchorage, AK; nephews: John (Linda) Stangland, of Helena; David (Robin) Stangland, of Snohomish, WA; along with several cousins.
Preceded In death by his wife, Gloria; sons, Thomas Stephen and Hal William; parents, John and Mattie; and sister, Bessie Risch.
Montana Standard
July 21, 2006.Gloria L. Paddock, 76, died July 19, 2006, of a lingering illness in Missoula. She went to be with her Lord and her sons, Thomas and Hal, in heaven. She was born to Otto and Irene Lundin, Aug. 9, 1929, in Cut Bank. Gloria graduated as valedictorian from Grass Range High School in 1947. She attended Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls, graduating in 1950. Gloria worked as a registered nurse in St. James Hospital in Butte, Colonial Manor in Deer Lodge and Montana State Hospital. She retired in 1994. Gloria married H. Stephen Paddock on Nov. 4, 1950.
She is survived by her husband, Steve; sons, Chris (Marilyn) Paddock, Oregon, Wis., Todd Paddock, Deer Lodge; daughters, Mattie Paddock, Anchorage, Alaska, Gloria Paddock, Helena; aunt, Delores "Larry" Sauby, Oilmont; brothers, Patrick (Bobbie) Baker, Las Vegas, James (Sheila) Baker, Libby, Terrance Lundin; sister, Bonita Lundin, Mesa, Ariz.; granddaughter, Cristy Paddock, Rigby Idaho; grandsons, Joseph Paddock, Thomas (Tabitha) Paddock, Minneapolis; sisters-in-law, Helen "Louise" Smith, Helena, Alma (Dell) Stangland, Missoula; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Irene; brothers, Clayton and Charles Lundin; sister, Joyce Keough.
Gloria was a member of Avon Grange, Eastern Star and Deer Lodge Lions Club. She loved helping people. Gloria enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, cross-stitching, and her cats.
Graveside services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Wisdom Memorial Cemetery in Wisdom.
Montana Standard
March 13, 1977Paul C. Paddock, 88, of W. Fifth, Anaconda, a native of the Big Hole Basin and an Anaconda resident for 36 years, died Saturday in an Anaconda hospital. He was born April 15, 1888, in Wisdom, to Mr. and Mrs. John Paddock, pioneer ranchers in the Big Hole Basin. He attended school at Wisdom and Dillon and college at Logan, Utah.
He married Rebecca Jardine in 1910 at Cherry Creek, Idaho. They homesteaded and ranched in the Big Hole until moving to Anaconda in 1940. Mr. Paddock worked as a carpenter at the Anaconda Reduction Works until his retirement in 1966.
Survivors include his wife; son and daughter in law, Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Paddock of Oregon; sons in law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence (Amy) McKenna of Anaconda, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace (Ann) Christiansen and Mr. and Mrs. Charles (Alice) Ralston all of Wise River, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill (Norma) Ballard of Portland; sister, Mrs. Alice O'Connell, Anaconda, 21 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren.
Burial will be in Wisdom cemetery.
The Montana Standard
April 27, 2006Prayer service for Ann Christiansen, 91, will be conducted from the Anaconda Chapel of KT Riddle Funeral Homes, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. John Murray officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Christiansen ranch in the Big Hole, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Wallace.
She died peacefully Friday evening, April 21, 2006, at her Anaconda residence of natural causes.
Anna Rebecca was born July 11, 1914, in Wisdom, to Paul and Rebecca (Jardine) Paddock. She graduated from Victor High School in 1931. On Aug. 15, 1936, she married Wallace Christiansen in Butte.
Ann lived the majority of her life in the Big Hole Valley, and being a ranch wife was a big part of her life. She was an integral part of the Christiansen Cattle Co. as the business manager and helping with whatever else came her way. Ann moved to Anaconda in 2000. At 91, Ann still lived alone and enjoyed many activities with her Anaconda family and friends including going to the Metcalf Senior Citizens Center for the lunch program. She was a member of the KBO club of Opportunity, the Order of Eastern Star, and Quilting Club of the Big Hole. Ann was an avid quilter and seamstress. She was a wonderful cook and in her younger years, she enjoyed reading.
Survivors include her children and 10 grand-children: son, Larry and wife Darlene Christiansen of Wisdom, their children, Ken and Dan Christiansen, Linda Miller, and Lisa Johnson; son, Ted and wife Margery Christiansen of Fairmont, their children, Matt and Cale Christiansen; son, Paul Christiansen of Calgary, Alberta, and his children, Kim Christiansen and Corlie Nelson; daughter, Judy Christiansen of Ottawa, Ill., her children Debbie Masiak and Diane Degenkolb; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Amy McKenna of Opportunity; and numerous nieces and nephews including the McKenna and Ralston families locally.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace, who died in April 2000; brother, Ned "Paul" Paddock; and sisters, Alice Ralston and Norma Ballard.
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Charles S Ralston
Birth Year: 1916
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Montana
State: Montana
County or City: Beaverhead
Enlistment Date: 20 Jan 1942
Enlistment State: Montana
Enlistment City: Missoula
Branch: Air Corps
Grade: Aviation Cadet
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of
Source: Civil Life
Education: 4 years of college
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 73
Weight: 167
30898. William Wallace Francis
Montana Standard
August 18, 1960Wisdom - Graveside rites were held in the Wisdom cemetery Wednsday for Wallace Francis, who died in Spokane. A longtime resident of the Big Hole Basin, he was the son of C. W. Francis. Mr. Francis at one time lived at what is now the Fred Rutledge home ranch. He was a brother of Mrs. Clark Huntley of Wisdom.
Montana Standard
April 24, 1974WISDOM - Services for Lela Rutledge, 84, who died Monday following a short illness will be Thursday at 2 in the Church of the Big Hole, The Rev. Keith Lokensgard will officiate with burial in the Wisdom cemetery.
Mrs. Rutledge was born March 28, 1890, in Virginia. She came to Beaverhead County in 1908 from Blackfoot, Idaho. She was a member of Wisdom Chapter 67, OES.
She married Harry Rutledge May 4, 1910, in Butte. He died in 1954. Survivors include two soms, Fred Rutledge, Wisdom, and Bob Rutledge, Dalles, Ore.; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
53598. Kenneth Charles Rutledge
Montana Standard
October 23, 1929Kenneth Charles Rutledge, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rutledge, old time residents of the Big Hole basin, passed away Monday evening at the family home after an illness of but eight hours. The death of the youth came as a shock to the community around Wisdom, where he was well known.
The youth had been employed in the mines in Butte and was spending the weekend with his parents at their ranch home where he had gone to enjoy a hunting trip. He returned home feeling fine Sunday evening but on awakening Monday was very ill and passed away before the doctor could reach the Rutledge home.
The young man is survived by his parents and one brother, Fred, living in the Big Hole basin.
Butte's Montana Standard
May 31, 2005Mildred B. "Millie" Rutledge died of lung disease Sunday at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.
She was born July 2, 1929, at Vinton, Iowa. She married Doug Rutledge in Des Moines in 1946, and lived mostly in the Des Moines area until moving to Logan upon retirement in 1966.She was preceded in death by her husband, infant daughter Barbara and her sisters and brothers.
She is survived by her adopted son Donald and Joyce Chamberlain of Pleasantville, Iowa; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
She was a member of the Eastern Star in Manhattan.
Montana Standard
June 20, 1974DILLON - Funeral services will be Friday at 2 in the Church of the Big Hole, Wisdom, for Mamie J. Anderson, 83, who died early Wednesday at the ParkvieNursing Home in Dillon after a long illness.
Burial will be in Wisdom cemetery. Rev. Keith Lokensgard will officiate.
Mrs. Anderson was born March 3, 1891, in Butte and made her home in the Big Hole Basin all her life except for five years spent in Idaho. Her husband Claude died in 1871. She was a member of Wisdom Chapter 27, Order of Eastern Star, and the Wisdom Women's Club.
Survivors include a son, Raymond Johnson of Widson, and a sister, Idella Willson of Los Angeles
Find-a-GraveEarly Life: Edith was born September 26, 1911, in Wisdom, Montana, to Chris Innis and Petrina Marie "Mary" Pedersen Rasmussen. She attended grade school in Wisdom and graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1930.
Life's Work/Service/Interests: On August 31, 1934, Edith and Raymond Johnson were married; they lived in the Big Hole until 1989 when they moved to Dillon. They spent their early-married years working for the Ralph and Clark Huntley ranches. They later purchased a trucking business and retired from that in 1968. Edith was employed by Capehart's Hardware Store for 19 years and retired from the Wisdom Post Office. Edith was an avid fan of bookkeeping and was clerk of the Wisdom School District 16 for 26 years. She also was the treasurer for the Wisdom Community Center and Wisdom Fire Department. Edith loved to play bridge and belonged to more that one club. She was a member of the Eastern Star and Church of the Big Hole, later transferring membership to Dillon's First Presbyterian Church. Edith was a one of a kind. She never talked about people, kept her appearance neat and tidy at all times and never complained about anything. She had the reputation in Wisdom of being the only woman who could come to a fire at 5 a.m. and look nice. After Edith and Raymond moved to Dillon, she kept busy attending all the Beaverhead County High School sports, tending to her flowers and reading. She belonged to the Shakespeare Club, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Edith was quickly taken in by her daughter's friends and their birthday club, where she was treated like a queen. When she was 90, she and her daughter and son-in-law traveled to Denmark to visit her parents' homeland. She always said, "Maybe we'll go again." At the age of 99, she found it hard to believe that she was that old because she didn't feel like it, but was not sure how one was to feel at 99. Edith K. Johnson died November 29, 2010, after complications from a fall at her home while sweeping her sidewalk. She was 99 years old.
Survived By: Her daughter and son-in-law, John & Maryellen Wilkerson; granddaughter, Kirsten Love and husband, Jeff and grandson, Kevin and wife, Heather; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Parker Love, Tristan, Trevor, Ty and Alyssa Wilkerson; nephew, David Stephens and wife, Diann; special nieces and nephews, Edith Marie and Robert Kasun and daughter, Karli, Post Falls, Idaho, Chris Rasmussen and family, Danny and Jenny, Kalispell, Stan and Tootie Rassmussen and family, Will, Linda, Pete and Flint, Choteau, Joe and Barbara Clemans, Wisdom, Joelene and Jim Linscott, Dillon, Susan Hottell and Phil Thompson, Washington; extended families, Roger and Verna Cleverley and John and Patti Warren; and the "Birthday Girls."
Preceded In Death By: Her husband, Raymond; her parents; in-laws, Claude & Mamie Anderson; sister, Ellen Stephens; brothers and wives: Pete & Bessie Rassmussen, Hans & Betty Rasmussen and William Rasmussen; nephew, Raymond Stephens; and infant great-granddaughter, Kinsey Jade Love.
Montana Standard
October 6, 1971DILLON - Claude H. Anderson, 81, a long time resident of Wisdom, died Monday in a Dillon rest home. Born October 8, 1889 in Butte, he was a resident of the Big Hole Valley for over 70 years. He was married to Feb. 18, 1924 in Dillon to Mamie J. Johnson.
He is survived by his wife and a step-son, Raymond Johnson, both of Wisdom; sisters, Mrs. Fred Featherby, Helena and Mrs. Sophie Rambaugh, Everett, Wash.; brother, John Anderson, Los Angeles; and nieces and nephews.
The Times-News (Twin Falls, ID)
April 23, 2000Theodor Zorn Miller, cowboy, Marine officer, hay dealer and dairyman, died at his home in Jerome on April 19, 2000. Ted was born at Wisdom, in the Big Hole Valley of Montana in 1919, and spent his early years in a log cabin outside of town.
His mother, Gladys, died when he was not yet five-years-old. Admonished to "be a man and take care of your little sister," he was sent with her by train, unaccompanied, to Los Angeles, to live with their maternal aunt, Idella Zorn. There they spent most school years with her in L.A., and most summers with their paternal grandfather, Charles E. Miller, in Montana.
Many of Ted's fondest memories were of his experiences as a cowboy in the Big Hole, haying, breaking horses, hunting and riding herd on the cattle on over 30,000 acres of his grandfather's ranches. He graduated with honors from Manual Arts High School in L.A. After attending college at UCLA and the University of Montana, and working summers on road survey crews in eastern Montana,
Ted married his high school sweetheart, Felice Cain. With war imminent, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, and attended Colgate University and UC Davis while in the military. After OCS, Ted was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and later rose to Captain. He saw combat in the Pacific, and was among the first occupation troops to arrive in Nagasaki, Japan, only 10 days after it was struck by the second of two atomic bombs that ended WW II.
Since his grandfather's ranches in the Big Hole had been sold while he was overseas, Ted settled his family in Bellflower, Calif., after the war. Here he worked as a bookkeeper for - and then owned - companies which supplied alfalfa hay to the region's growing dairy industry, eventually running 18 of his own trucks. In spite of a grueling work schedule, Ted found time to take his family on frequent outings camping, surfing and sailing in the summer, and beach-combing and skiing in the winter. After moving his hay company to Chino, Calif., in the early 1970's, as population growth pushed the dairies farther out, Ted entered the dairy business himself in the mid-1970's.
By the early 1980's, he expanded his business activities by partnering with two of his daughters and their husbands in new dairies in Jerome. In the late 1980's, he retired from the hay business, sold his interests in his daughters' dairies to them, and moved his own dairy to Jerome, where he has since resided.
Known for his integrity, generosity and strong community spirit, Ted served on church and hospital governing boards during his California years. In Jerome, he is remembered for his support of the Tijuana Orphanage Project of St. Jerome's Catholic Church, and for annual college scholarships for Jerome High School graduates. Ted was also a mentor who provided both advice and financial backing to a number of budding dairymen and women. Ted was true gentleman; a man of wisdom, kindness and wit, who was a wonderful father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend until the end of his days. His family is especially appreciative of the kind efforts of hospice caregivers, which enabled him to pass his last days at home amongst his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys Z. and Edward Miller; his aunt, Idella Z. Wilson; his sister, Shirley Thomas; and his wife, Felice C. Miller.
He is survived by his dearly beloved life partner of many years, Zippora Stahl; his four daughters, Karen Johnny Lopez, and Janey Greg Ledbetter, both of Jerome, Mary Goodman of Nevada City, Calif., and Barbara Jim Truitt, of Redway, Calif. Also surviving are his 11 grandchildren, Maggie Mihlfried, Carrie, Katie and Teddy Lopez, Nico and Francesca Cantone, and Will Ledbetter, all of Idaho, Zachary Stone, Malik Goodman, and Benjamin Goodman, all of California, and Ariadne Goodman of New York. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren, and Zippora's children and grandchildren.
Los Angeles Times
April 15, 1980Willson, Idella Z., widow of Joseph H. Willson; beloved mother of Suzanne Evans and Larry Willson. Aunt of Shirley Thomas and Ted Miller. Grandmother to 13 children and great grandmother to 17 children.
Los Angeles Times
March 8, 1954
Funeral services for Joseph H. Willson, 52, heating firm executive and phi
lanthropic worker, will be conducted at 3 p.m. tomorrow in the Church of the Recessional, Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Mr. Willson died Saturday in Queen of Angels Hospital.
He was a native of Bozeman, Mont., but came here 30 years ago. He was a graduate of the University of Southern California, a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, a past president of the Beverly Hills Kiwanis Club and a member of the boards of directors of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, Beverly Hills YMCA and Pacific Lodge Boys Home. Mr. Willson was treasurer of the E. L. Payne Heating Co.
He leaves a widow Idella, 1242 Victoria Ave., a son Larry and a daughter, Suzanne Willson.
Rocky Mountain News (CO)
February 8, 1994Margaret or Peggy Simonds, 72 of Denver died Jan. 15 at home.
Mrs. Simonds was born July 25, 1921, in Estes Park. She was retired. She was a member of several organizations, including the McClellan Players and Eastern Star.
She is survived by two daughters, LuJuanna McCoy of Evergreen and Georgia Simonds of Denver; two sons, Chad Griffin of Georgetown and Joe Simonds of Fort Collins; and three grandchildren.
WWI, WWII, and Korean War Casualty Listings
Name: Edward Rolland Francis
Birth Date: 27 Aug 1924
Birth City: Denver
State Registered: Colorado
Death Date: 27 Jan 1953
Death Country: Korea
Death Description: Non-hostile Air Crash
WAR: Korean War
Title: First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force
Rank: First Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Air Force
Service ID: AO-2072436
Notes: First Lieutenant Francis was a veteran of World War II. In Kore
a, he was the navigator of a B-29 Superfortress Bomber with the 370th Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Wing based at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. On January 27, 1953 the aircraft was on a combat mission when it crashed 3 miles north of Suwon Airfield (K-13), South Korea, killing him and two other airmen. First Lieutenant Francis was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Data Source: Korean War Veterans Honor Roll