Orien D. Vick

Orien D. Vick, age 73 of Madison, formerly of Wood Lake and Granite Falls, died Saturday, August 19, 2006 in the Madison Hospital. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Orien DeWayne Vick was born Oct. 31, 1932, in Wood Lake to Reginald and Ida (Scheer) Vick. He had three older brothers Melvin, Ordean and Leonard, and a twin sister Vivian.  His family moved to Boyd in 1936 where he attended elementary school. In 1948 he enrolled in Concordia Academy in St. Paul and graduated in 1950. He joined the army during the Korean conflict. He wed Carol Schuler on December 23, 1950. Their children are Vicki Vick-Hauck, Marcus Vick, Rebecca Vick and Kari (Vick) DeMars. Orien later attended Lutheran Theological Seminary gradating in 1967. He conducted stewardship programs for the American Lutheran Church across the United States while living in Texas and later in Madison. He and his family moved to Granite Falls in 1973.  He served as a Chemical Dependency Counselor for Yellow Medicine County Social Services for many years and later the Upper Sioux Community. Orien returned to Madison in 2004 to be nearer his family.

Orien D. Vick is survived by his extended family: Vicki, Gary, Anthony, Sean and Dana Hauck; Marcus, Cyd, Ingrid and Greta Vick; Rebecca Vick, Scott and Alexander Simmons; Kari, Gary, Gus and Ava DeMars; Carol Vick-Storlien, and John Shelly. Surviving siblings are Leonard Vick and Vivian Lanes. 

Orien is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Ordean and Melvin.

A memorial in celebration of Orien’s life will be held at a later date.

Laila Rose Vlaminck

Laila Rose Vlaminck, infant daughter of Christopher and Shannon (Kass) Vlaminck, Herman, was called home to heaven on Sept. 7, 2006.

She was born the same day at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 11, at St. Charles Catholic Church, Herman, with Father Leroy Schik, celebrant and Father Tony Hesse, concelebrant. Burial was in the Lakeside Cemetery in Herman.

Laila Rose is survived by her parents, maternal grandparents Sandra and Jerry Coca, Las Vegas, N.M., Ted Kass and Ann Weathers, Itasca, Ill.; paternal grandparents Patrick and Phyllis Vlaminck, Porter. Aunts and Uncles Sean and Liz Kass, Scott and Anne Vlaminck, Curtis and Jennifer Vlaminck, Steven Vlaminck, Lenny and Claudia Coca, Chris and Marquita Montaño, Scott and Trish Weidig, and Bob Weathers.

Laila Rose was preceded in death by her uncle Stacey Kass, her cousins Bruce Laleman and Shea O’Neil.

Lowell Wahlstrom

Lowell "Buddy" Wahlstrom, age 93, of Hendricks, passed away on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 at the Custer Regional Senior Care Center in Custer, S.D.

Funeral services were Thursday, Oct. 4, at Christ Lutheran Church in Hendricks with Rev. Duane Baun officiating. Interment was in the Hendricks City Cemetery.

Lowell (Buddy) Wahlstrom was born on Dec. 29, 1915, in Canby to parents Oscar and Tillie Wahlstrom. In 1916 the family moved to Hendricks where Oscar was a barber. He was baptized in Canby and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Hendricks. In school, he played guard on the basketball team and played trumpet in the band. He graduated from Hendricks High School in 1934 and worked as a barber in Hendricks. Buddy and May were married on Sept. 25, 1938. After WWII began, the family moved to Minneapolis where he worked as a machinist in a defense plant. He entered the Navy and served on ships in the Pacific and was part of the occupation in Japan. He returned to Hendricks where he operated the Wahlstrom Barber Shop.

For many years, he was Treasurer for the City of Hendricks and treasurer for the First Lutheran congregation. He was active in American Legion and Kiwanis Club and enjoyed singing bass in the church choir. He was not only an avid golfer, but a very good golfer, and was one of the founders of the Hendricks golf course. He took pleasure in going to dances with May, traveling, spending winters in Arizona, introducing his grandchildren to cribbage and golf, delivering Meals on Wheels, and playing cards at the Senior Center. May preceded Buddy in death by eight years. Despite Alzheimers, he lived by himself in the home he loved for almost eight years before moving to the nursing home in Custer.

He is survived by his two children Jim (Eileen) Wahlstrom, Hermosa, South Dakota, and Candace Stenseth, Seattle, Washington; three grandchildren, Justin (Misty) Wahlstrom, Jennifer Stenseth, and Erik Stenseth; four great grandchildren, Soren, Clayton, Ben, and Josie Wahlstrom; and nieces Becky Daugherty, Ilona Efaw, Lyn Stromberg, and Lee Ann Carlin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife May, his sister Viola Stromberg, his granddaughter Eva Wahlstrom, and his son-in-law John Stenseth.

Jacob Waltz

Jacob “Jake” Waltz, age 99, of Canby, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2007 at Senior Haven in Canby.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, July 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby. Visitation will be on Monday from 4-7 p.m. at Birk Funeral Home with a parish scripture service at 7 p.m. and a Rosary to follow. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at the funeral home from 9-10 a.m. before procession to the church for mass. Father Tony Hesse will be the Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery of rural Canby. Online registry is available at www.birkfuneralhome.com.

Jacob Peter Waltz was born in Hammer Township on Jan. 15, 1908, the son of Lemuel J. and Mary (Michels) Waltz. He received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby. He attended the rural country schools as a boy. He was born and raised on a farm and farming became his way of life.

On Oct. 8, 1935, he married Leona Cecelia Gessert in Portsmouth, Iowa. This union was to last 67 years, ending when Leona passed away in December 2002. Jake farmed north of Canby for 36 years until retiring in 1971. Upon retirement, he moved to a home north on the old KT road in what is known as Johnsonville. In 1985, he and Leona moved into Canby where they resided until Jacob entered the Senior Haven Nursing Home in January 2002.

Jake enjoyed farming and raising his family there. He liked to fish, play cards, shoot pool, and to take Leona to dances.

He is survived by his children: Bernadette (Dallas) Larson of Shakopee, Vernon (Susan) Waltz of Canby, Janice Blood of Crosby, Patricia (Robert) McKeen of Canby, and Robert Waltz of Marshall; 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lemuel & Mary; son, Charles; brothers, Andrew, John, Leo, and Nick Waltz; sisters, Cecelia Reize, Agnes Papineau, Angie Cannen and Gertie Hoffman.

Joe Waltz

Joseph “Joe” Waltz, age 73, of Canby, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, at his home in Canby. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 21 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby.  Father Tony Hesse will be the Celebrant.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 20, at Birk Funeral Home in Canby with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and rosary to follow.  Visitation will resume on Saturday at the funeral home from 9 – 10 a.m. before procession to the church for mass. 

Casketbearers will be Matthew Planting, Donald Waltz, Derrick Waltz, Andrew Waltz, Ralph Waltz, and Robert Waltz.  Burial will be in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Canby.  Online registry is available at www.birkfuneralhome.com.

Joseph John Waltz was born April 30, 1934, to John and Regina (Gessert) Waltz in Hammer Township. He received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby. He attended rural country school. 

On June 30, 1954, Joe married Elaine Vermeire and to this union six children were born.  He worked in all aspects of construction.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, all kinds of woodworking, especially building birdhouses, and was a NASCAR fan.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine of Canby; children, Douglas Waltz of Canby; Dwayne (Liz) Waltz of Jordan; Darrell (Julie) Waltz of Prior Lake; David Waltz of Burnsville; Dawn (Michael) Kennedy of La Porte, Texas; Diane (Mark) Bates of Panama City, Fla.; mother, Regina Waltz of Canby; sister, Jeanette (Richard) Miller of Austin, Texas; 18 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, John, and granddaughter, Monica.

Dorothy Weber

Dorothy Weber, age 78, of Canby, passed away Sunday, August 19, 2007 at the Sanford Canby Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby. Father Tony Hesse was the Celebrant. Burial was in St. Peter’s Catholic C

Dorothy Marie Grengs was born to Math and Catherine (Braun) Grengs in Sisseton, S.D., on July 17, 1929. From there the family moved to a farm south of St. Leo where she helped raise her siblings after the passing of her mother at a young age. She received her sacraments at St. Leo Catholic Church, St. Leo. She attended school in St. Leo until she graduated from the eighth grade. On May 2, 1950, she married Marvin Weber and together they lived on the Henry Weber family farm until their retirement in 1988. Her greatest joy was serving others. She was an active volunteer in the community and at St. Peter’s School and Church. In May, 2000 she was awarded the Bishop’s Medal of Service in appreciation for her “giftedness to St. Peter’s Parish and School in so many ways, including volunteering as the school librarian for nearly a decade, and the hidden work done with mop and broom in the church and school”. . . for her “commitment to the Council of Catholic Women, especially at the time of a funeral, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and as faithful housekeeper to the pastor . . . believing through action that ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness’.”

She went about all her work while humming a song. She was a professional organizer and could tackle any drawer or closet with tireless enthusiasm. As a mother, some of the things we will remember most about her include her love of the Lord, her devotional books and prayer books, and the prayers she said daily for her family. She passed along to us a love of nature. She could feel the awesome presence of the Lord in the rising and setting sun and ever-changing sky. Her family was her pride and joy and her greatest accomplishment.

She is survived by her children: Larry (Kathy) Weber of Canby; Ronald (Mary) Weber of Reno, Nev.; Catherine (John) Rhymer of Canby; Roger (Jana) Weber of Rock Springs, Wyo.; Marilyn (Sandy) Wixon of Andover; Daniel Weber of Rock Springs, Wyo.; Jane (Kent) Goplen of Canby; Judy Berckes of Canby; Jill (Todd) Buys of Canby; 20 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; Two sisters: Sue (Lyle) Gustafson of Waconia; Fritzie (Chip) Cieplechowicz of Sanger, Calif. Two brothers: Virgil Grengs and Math (Lona) Grengs Jr., both of St Leo.; four sisters-in-law: Sharon (Gerald) Shultz, Doris Myers, Lucille (Norbert) Hoffman, and Darlene Westre.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Marvin Weber; her parents Math and Catherine Grengs; her step-mother Ludmilla Grengs; two brothers: James Grengs and Donald Grengs; and two nephews: Greg Gustafson and Gerald Grengs.

Marvin Mathias Weber

Marvin Mathias Weber, age 78, of Canby, passed away Oct. 9, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 3-7 p.m. at Birk Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and a Catholic Aid Rosary to follow the prayer service. Visitation will continue on Friday morning at Birk Funeral Home from 9:30-10 a.m. Father Tony Hesse will be the celebrant.

Burial will be at the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Canby.

Marvin Mathias Weber was born on Dec. 15, 1927, in Canby to Henry and Lena (Kockelman) Weber. He was baptized, received his first Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, St. Leo. He attended school in St. Leo until he graduated from the eighth grade. On May 2, 1950, he married Dorothy Grengs and together they lived on the Henry Weber family farm until their retirement in 1988. As a farmer, Weber took great pride in keeping up all his equipment and the building site. Together with his wife, he enjoyed square dancing and attending polka festivals. He was a self-taught musician who could play any request on his harmonica. Old-time music was his favorite and his own recordings could be heard played on the Madison Radio Station. He liked to play cards with his family at Hank’s place; he was most appreciative of the love and support he received from his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children: Larry (Kathy) Weber of Canby; Ron (Mary) Weber of Reno, Nev.; Cathy (John) Rhymer of Canby; Roger (Jana) Weber of Rock Springs, Wyo.; Marilyn Oelke of Otsego; Daniel Weber of Rock Springs, Wyo.; Jane (Kent) Goplen of Canby; Judy Berckes of Canby; Jill (Todd) Buys of Canby; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lena Weber; two godsons: Eugene Hoffman and Michael Westre.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Peter’s Catholic School.

Gladys Westphal

Gladys Westphal, age 90, of Canby, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at the Sanford Hospital in Canby. Funeral service will be Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby, with Pastor Katherine Rood officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Canby. Visitation will be prior to services at the church. She is survived by her family of friends at the REM Southwest Home. Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.

Gladys L. Westphal was born on Feb. 18, 1917, to Mr. and Mrs. Ferndale Westphal in Rock County. She spent time in Faribault and St. Peter before arriving on a bus in Canby on April 15, 1974. At the time she was one of the very first residents of REM and has called Canby her home ever since. Gladys worked at the Canby DAC until her retirement March 26, 2003.

Gladys enjoyed being with her friends, going to Sunday school and watching country music videos. In her younger years, she participated in Special Olympics and took pride in the awards she won.

Gladys is survived by her friends, her peers and all of those who have lovingly cared for her during the past years.

Gladys is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ferndale Westphal. She had a brother, Ferndale Westphal, Jr. and a sister, Ima (Clyde) Schultz.

Marvin Wicks

Funeral services will be held on Jan. 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Madison for Marvin Wicks. Rev. Kirk Meseck will officiate at this service.

Special music will be provided by organist, Linda Anderson and soloist, Jule Hill. Active pallbearers include Sid Haugen, Doug Nelson, Clint Koster, Stanley Olson, Joel Wicks and Karl Wicks. Honorary pallbearers; V.F.W. Post 1656, American Legion Post 158, Minnesota Army National Guard and survivors, special Honor Guard consisting of members of the Battery B, 206th A.A.A. [A.W.] BN., United States Army; Louis Stubbs, Wallace Fingar, Albert Ash, Jim Gulli, Joe Myrick, Tony Paris, Herman Smith, Oscar Kadle, Robert Arceo, Rudy Regaldo, Phillip Ruiz and Pastor Grady Chaney. Concluding services will be held at Faith Lutheran Cemetery.

Marvin Richard Wicks was born on May 27, 1921, to parents Oscar and Irene [Arns] Wicks in Willmar. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian Faith. Marv attended school in Canby, graduating from Canby High School in 1939. He furthered his education at a Welding School in Sioux City, Iowa. After school Marv was employed by Northern Pump Welding, a military manufacturer. He entered the United States Army on Aug. 26, 1943, serving his Country during WWII as unit Commander of a Anti-Aircraft Weapons Battery.

Marv was awarded the Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with 1 bronze star, American Theater Medal and Army Commendation Medal. He is credited for being the last man of the last battalion to leave the island of Iwo Jima. He was Honorably Discharged on June 24, 1946. Upon discharge from the Army, Marv along with his parents moved to Madison, where he began his long career as a blacksmith. He was united in marriage on Nov. 16, 1952, to Lorna June Fudge at the Congregational Church of Madison. To this union two sons were born.

After 42 years as a blacksmith, Marv sold his business, but continued to work there for another 10 years.

Death came to Marv, Jan. 13, 2008, at the Madison Lutheran Home.

In life Marv enjoyed his work, traveling, dancing, yard-work, spectator sports and being a proud grand-parent. Marv is survived by his wife, Lorna of Madison, two sons; Neil and wife Cleo Wicks of Lakefield, and Kevin and wife Jean Wicks of Minnetonka, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, also a sister, Marjorie Conner of Gerritsville, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Irene.

Robert Wiederich

Robert Wiederich, age 71, of Milbank, S.D., formerly of Gary, S.D., passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2007, at St. Williams Care Center in Milbank.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 13, from 4-7 p.m., at Birk Funeral Home in Canby. A graveside service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Grandview Cemetery in Gary.

Robert “Bob” Eugene Wiederich was born on Sept. 14, 1935, in Hendricks to Herman and Iva Wiederich. He was baptized in the First Methodist Church in Clear Lake, South Dakota.

On July 7, 1956, he was married to Harmena Walter in Gary.  The couple lived on a farm north of Gary for 40 years, where they raised their children, Terry and Sheryl.  He started his junk business in the late 1970’s.  He enjoyed hunting and his hobby was buying and selling junk.

He is survived by his children, Terry (Sue) Wiederich of Gary; Sheryl (Donald) Boeson of Howard Lake; four grandchildren, Billie-Jo Shepard; Kayla Boeson; Danielle Wiederich; Anthony Wiederich; three brothers, Vernon Wiederich; Henry Wiederich; Donald Wiederich and one sister, Shirley Baker.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Harmena; parents, Herman and Iva; and six siblings, Herman Jr.; Kenneth; Helen; Howard; Earl; and John.

Myrtle Wigen

Myrtle Wigen, age 86, of Hendricks, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at the Hendricks Nursing Home. Funeral services were held Monday, April 16, at Christ Lutheran Church in Hendricks. Rev. Duane Baun will officiated. Burial was in the Hansonville Cemetery, rural Hendricks.

Myrtle Caroline was born on Dec. 15, 1920, to Peder and Clara (Wesley) Furnace. She attended country school in rural Brandt, S.D. She was baptized and confirmed in Highland Lutheran Church in Brandt. She worked in Canby as a housekeeper and then was hired by Otto Christenson as a housekeeper. She married Orwill Wigen, Sr. on Oct.r 7, 1939, in Arco. To this union four children were born. The couple farmed in Hansonville Township. Along with raising her children, she held numerous jobs over the years as well, she worked for Harold Bahr’s Creamery where she candled eggs, was a dealer for Stanley home products, worked at Marshall Foods and processed eggs, from 1963-1972 she owned the Hi-way Café in Hendricks, and was a dispatcher in Ivanhoe for the Sheriff’s Department for ten years.

She was a member of the Hansonville Lutheran Church which was located west of the farm, where she was a Sunday School teacher and was active in Ladies aid. When the Hansonville Church was disbanded she was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Hendricks, then she was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Hendricks, a leader of Hansonville 4-H; active in Senior Center, volunteered in the community, she was known as the “lefse lady”, and she received the Lincoln County Senior Citizen Award. She enjoyed dancing with her husband, spending time with her family, bowling, quilting – which she made a quilt for each of her grandchildren, knitting, sewing, playing cards (pinochle) in which she played up until one week before she passed away.

She is survived by four children, Mary Bonde; Orwill Jr. (Lorraine) Wigen; Clara (Doug) Groenhoff; Marty (Viney) Wigen; twenty-three grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; nine great-great-great-grandchildren; five sisters; two brothers; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orwill Sr. in 1995; her parents; one grandson; one granddaughter; two great-grandchildren; two brothers; and two sisters.

Ronald Douglas Winter

Ronald Douglas Winter, Sr., 59, of Canby, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2007, at the Sanford Health Canby Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby with Rev. Katherine Rood officiating.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Birk Funeral Home in Canby with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will be in the Canby City Cemetery. Online registry is available at www.birkfuneralhome.com.

Ronald Douglas Winter, Sr. was born on May 15, 1947, to Roy and Ruth (Knutson) Winter in Canby. He was baptized in the St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church on June 22, 1947. He was confirmed in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on March 18, 1962. He graduated from Canby High School in 1965 and then attended two years of vo-tech school. He was also a member of the National Guard. On August 20, 1973, he was united in marriage to Wanda Haas. He worked at Tri County Feeds and later went to work for Clem Regnier for 21 years. In 1998, Winter went to work at Universal Forest Products where he was employed at the time of his death.

Winter’s enjoyments in life were working at Universal Forest Products, farming, watching Gopher basketball, tractor pulling, tinkering around the house and garage, and most of all spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda of Canby; his children, Melissa (Keith) Helgeson of Granite Falls; Ronald, Jr. (Angela) Winter of Granite Falls; Jody (Shaun) Vernlund of Canby; Doug (Julie) Winter of Sioux Falls; Jennifer (Jesse) Engesmoe of Canby; Tammy Winter of Granite Falls; Kelly Winter (special friend, Steven Gagnon) of Canby; Joy Yates of Tracy; Ronda (Shawn) Dolezal of Redwood Falls; two brothers, Russell (Elonne) Winter of Slayton; Rick Winter of Canby; 14 grandchildren, Shauna, Blake, Chantz, Courtney, Gwyneth, Emma, Evan, Andrew, Ian, Trent, Taylor, Nathan, Crystal, Ashley; mother-in-law, Marvel Haas of Canby; brother-in-laws, Terry (Karol) Haas of Gary, S.D., and Sheldon Lokken of Canby.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters-in-law, Sheila Lokken, Deb Winter; and his father-in-law.

James Wood

James Robert (Jim) Wood Sr., 83, of Corvallis, passed away June 21, 2006, peacefully at his home with his wife Leila (Lee) and family close by his side.

Wood was born Feb. 28 1923, in International Falls City to the late George Hiram and Katherine Alice (Christy) Wood. As a young man, he lived in Madison until he graduated from high school in the spring of 1941. Less than a month after graduating, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp at Ft. Snelling.

During WWII, heserved as a radio operator on numerous aircraft in the European Theater and as an Air Traffic Controller in Newfoundland, the Azores and Bangor, Maine. He received various combat medals for his service.

After his discharge from the military, he worked at the East Glacier Lodge in Montana. He worked as a radio announcer in Florida, South Dakota, and in Montevideo, where he helped to establish a new local radio station in which he was employed as chief engineer and program director until 1965. He enjoyed scheduling big bands, including Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong, for local ballroom entertainment.

In 1953, he met the love of his life while judging a talent contest at the Montevideo Theatre. He married Leila Marie Yackley of Canby, on Sept. 12, 1953. They had three children: James Jr., Laurie and John. He was a Scout Master for Troop 262 and 557. He was the President of the Rod and Gun Club and an active member of the Jaycee’s.

He worked as a mail carrier at the Montevideo Post Office until 1984 when he retired. He and his wife Leila moved to Corvallis, Mont., in 1995. He was an active Legion member of 55 years, a long-time VFW member, and an avid amateur radio operator for over 60 years, receiving numerous awards for his efforts. Hes was a member of Corvallis American Legion Post 91 and the Bitterroot valley Amateur Radio club where he had many close and dear friends.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Leila, of Corvallis; son and daughter-in-law, James Jr. and Jamie Wood of Hamilton; daughter, Laurie of Phoenix, Ariz.; son and daughter-in-law, John and Paula Wood of Corvallis; Grandchildren; Jessica, Augustina, Joshua, Lindsy, Jake, Garrison, Michaela, and Evan, and Great-grandchildren; Gage and Abriana.

Services were held at 11:00 am, Friday, June 23, at the St. Frances Catholic Church in Hamilton. A Military Funeral Honors Ceremony performed by Corvallis American Legion Post 91 at the Corvallis Cemetery was followed by a reception at St. Frances Parish Center.

In keeping with his wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Corvallis Community Events Center, c/o Russ Hendrickson, 638 Bourne Lane, Victor, MT, 59875.