Big Horn County Mt. Obits Submitted by: Maria Minear USGENWEB Montana Archives Ivan Russell Abell 'Coyote' RED LODGE - Ivan Russell Abell "Coyote", 57, of Red Lodge, formerly of Hardin, died peacefully at home on Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, surrounded by his family. He had fought a long and difficult battle with cancer. Ivan was born on Feb. 5, 1942 in Hardin, a son of Fred and Abbie Abell. He was raised and educated in Hardin and graduated from Hardin High School in 1960. On March 25, 1962, he married Phylis Flack. Ivan worked for his father at Abell's Plumbing & Heating in Hardin from 1961 until the early 1970's, when he purchased the business. In 1990 Ivan moved to Red Lodge, where he owned and operated Beartooth Plumbing until the past year when illness forced his retirement. Ivan was a member of Beartooth Elks Lodge #534 of Red Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and creating things with his hands. Survivors include two sons, Randy Abell of Red Lodge, and Roger (Rhonda) Abell of Belfry; one daughter, Julie (Bob) Lee of Red Lodge; eight grandchildren: Matt and Tycona Lee; Steven, Stephanie and Brandon Abell; and Alicia, Jake and Samantha Abell; his parents of Billings; two sisters, Verna (Leroy) Uffelman of Hardin, and Vera (Gary) Schaff of Billings; one brother, Dale (Sandi) Abell of Billings; special friend, Kathleen Nording of Red Lodge; and his dog and best friend, Buddy. A memorial gathering will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Ivan's home, 333 E. Sixth St. in Red Lodge. Cremation has taken place, with the Olcott Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the family for distribution to Cancer Treatment Center of America. ******************************************************************************* Colleen Conroy HARDIN - On Sept. 23, 1999, after a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer, our Beloved was released from the bonds of this Earth. LuCille Colleen Conroy was born Sept. 17, 1934, to Bernard H. and Ethel Shively Barnes in Crow Agency. She was educated in St. Xavier, Crow Agency and graduated from Lodge Grass High School in 1952. There she was active as a cheerleader and majorette. Her talents were recognized when she won the Sheridan, Wyo., rodeo queen and also when she led the Billings Western Days Parade twirling her baton. She married Thomas R. Conroy in 1952 and the couple made their first home in Helena, then moved to Washington State and Billings, before settling in Judith Gap. There she settled into helping with the farm and raising her family, which soon grew to six children. In 1966, Tom and Colleen bought her mother's ranch in the Pryor Mountains and Colleen spent many years packing groceries and kids back and forth from town. When her husband was elected to the State Legislature in 1974, she took on another role, that of being a supportive political wife. In Helena, she was an active member of the Legislative Wives. She soon assumed greater roles in the political arena by first becoming chairwoman of the Big Horn County Central Republican Committee and then becoming a statewide District Representative. She was active in the Hardin Area Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Economic Development Committee. In 1994, Colleen was appointed by Gov. Marc Racicot to the Montana University System's Board of Regents. She was the first Native American to serve in this capacity and felt honored by this distinction. During her tenure on the board, the Regents successfully reorganized the structure and mission of higher education in the state. Following her resignation due to illness, she was recognized by the Regents for her immense contribution to the Montana University System. Above all, Colleen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She touched all who knew her with her ready wit, her hospitality and her genuine deep awareness. Colleen, by her example, taught the attributes of duty, responsibility and accountability. She was known as a very gracious woman who dearly loved and was loved by her many friends and family members. Colleen was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hardin and a lifelong member of the A.R.E. She was also a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan of the Mountain Crows. She is survived by her husband, Tom; three brothers, Harlan (Betty Jo) Barnes of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Leroy (Betty) Barnes of Billings and Dean (Ruthie) Barnes of Hardin. She is also survived by her children: Harlan (Angie) Conroy of Hardin, Denise Spencer of Boulder, Colo., Tyke (Kelle) Conroy of Gillette, Wyo., Shelly (Willie) Ralston of Hardin, Lyndon (Sandi) Conroy of Colstrip and Molly (Jack) Joyce of Hardin; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. She also is survived by a very large and loving extended family. A Catholic Rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Sunday evening, Sept. 26, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, in the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Private interment will be held. Colleen loved hats and often wore them to special occasions. Ladies, we invite you to wear yours, if you plan to attend. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Colleen Conroy Scholarship Fund in care of Scholarship Committee, Montana State University-Billings, 1500 N. 30th St., Billings, MT 59101-0298. ****************************************************************************** Elizabeth Besel YAKIMA, Wash. - Elizabeth Besel, 89, of Yakima, died Tuesday at her home Sept 7, 1999. Mrs. Besel was formerly of Hardin, Mont. Survivors include seven sons, Leo Besel Jr. and Robert Besel, both of Billings, Bill Besel of Wapato, Conrad Besel of Toppenish, Jerry Besel, Henry Besel and Dennis Besel, all of Yakima; five daughters, Alice Hagerman of Zillah, Elizabeth Koch of Billings, Eleanor Clark of Toppenish, Betty Southards of Yakima and Marilyn Freeburg of Medford, Ore.; three brothers, Jake Yerger of Hardin, Conrad Yerger of Bozeman, Mont., and Victor Yerger of Forsyth, Mont.; and a sister, Emily Besel of Billings. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Chapel in Yakima. Concluding service and burial will be in the Zillah Cemetery in Zillah. Colonial Funeral Home, Toppenish, is in charge of arrangements. ******************************************************************************* George Spencer Sanders RONAN - George Spencer Sanders, 88, formerly of Hardin and Billings, died Sept. 11, 1999, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility of natural causes. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at the United Methodist Church. Shrider's Mortuary is in charge. ****************************************************************************** Roger C. Fisher HARDIN - Roger C. Fisher, 74, longtime Big Horn County resident and Pine Ridge area rancher, passed away Monday, Sept. 20, 1999, in the Big Horn County Memorial Nursing Home. He was born Jan. 27, 1925, in Lodge Grass, a son of Richard and Agnes Stevens Fisher. He grew up in the Wolf Mountains area and attended the Owl Creek country school. In 1939 his family purchased a ranch in the Pine Ridge area. He worked on area ranches including the Antler, Little OW and the Juell Ottun Ranch from 1939 until 1945. Roger married Bette Swift on Dec. 31, 1945, in Hardin and the couple made their home on the family ranch on Pine Ridge. He enjoyed spending time working with horses on the ranch. His dedication to his wife, Bette, their son, Bill, and his grandchildren were his greatest joy. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bette; one son, Bill and his wife, Gail of Hardin; his mother, Agnes Fisher of Hardin; a brother, Richard Fisher of Ballantine; and six grandchildren, Heather, Andrea, Chase, Ty, Kari and Michelle. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bill Tibbs, officiating. Cremation will follow the services with private interment of the ashes at a later date. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Big Horn County Historical Museum Foundation, Hardin, MT 59034.