Monday, February 7, 2005; Catherine Madplume, Howard Orr, Carol A. Parker, Hyland R. Fleming, Randy Berta, Irene Song, Enid Corrine Steele, Echo A. Moon

Catherine Madplume

She was born on Jan. 11, 1985, to Wilbur and Carolyn (Malatare) Madplume at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Catherine loved to play basketball, hang out with her cousins and friends and family. She loved going to powwows and playing stick games, and in her spare time she enjoyed beading, sewing, listening to music and writing poetry.

She was a wonderful auntie and older sister to her younger siblings and nephew, whom she loved very much. She always kept in touch with them, and missed them dearly when they weren't around. When her family would discuss the rights from wrongs, she would listen and never talk back.

She attended schools in Browning, Heart Butte and Ronan. Her greatest dream was to graduate - she would have graduated this year in May, with the class of 2005 from Two Eagle River School. Throughout her school years she was an honor roll student.

She was preceded in death by her father Wilbur Madplume; brothers Albert and Edward Madplume; grandparents Fred Madplume, Catherine Old Rock and Tom and Louise (Andrew) Malatare; an auntie, Violet Madplume; and her uncle, Thomas Malatare.

She is survived by her mother Carolyn (Malatare) Madplume; stepfather Harold Calf Robe (Spotted Eagle); brothers Brian, Dean and Fredrick Madplume and Harold Calf Robe Jr.; sisters Violet Madplume and Shelly and Starla Calf Robe; aunties Wilma Aimsback, Rose Villa, Diane Andrew and Harriet Malatare; uncles Pierre, Paul, Douglas and Louie Malatare and Barney Finley; grandparents Susan (Lefthand) Dowdall, Mary (Pooyah) Lefthand, Frank Andrew, Fred and Beatrice Marceau and Melvin and Robert Madplume; great-grandmother Louise Finley; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and all of her friends.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her!

A wake began Saturday at the family home in Ronan and continued Sunday at the Marvin Camel Building (the center across from the Dairy Queen) in Ronan.

Wake closing will begin at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at the center followed by celebration of the Mass at 3 p.m. Monday at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Burial will be at Jocko Cemetery.

Howard Orr

He was born Feb. 7, 1942, to Ed and Charlotte Orr in Libby.

Survivors include his wife Raquel of Libby; children Coreena Taylor of Kalispell, Brent Orr of Libby and Angela Mikkelson of Hawley, Minn.; his mother, Charlotte Orr of Libby; seven brothers and sisters; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death his father Ed and sister Susan Orr Mavity.

Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Lutheran Church followed by burial at the City of Libby Cemetery.

Carol A. Parker

She was born March 1, 1943, in Anaconda, a daughter of Clarence and Angela Keiser. Carol graduated from Anaconda High School and attended Girls State in 1960.

She left Anaconda because she had never been east of Bozeman, and went to work for Congressman Arnold Olson in Washington, D.C., for six years. She enjoyed this position since it kept her close to Montana.

In 1963 she married FBI special agent Charles O. Parker from Town Creek, Ala. They then transferred to Boston; New Haven, Conn.; Washington, D.C.; and the San Francisco Bay area. In 1999 Carol was ill and decided to return to Montana.

She is survived by one son, Steven and wife Mei of Hope Mills, N.C.; daughter Cheryl Self and husband Kevin of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; grandchildren Nicholas Parker, Dakota Rutherford and Danny Self; brother Tom Keiser of Seattle; and sister Connie Capps of Anaconda.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Christ the King Catholic Church with the Rev. Jim Hogan as celebrant. Burial of the urn will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Anaconda.

Memorials have been suggested to the Newman Center, 1400 Gerald Ave., Missoula, MT 59801; the Living Arts, 2925 N. Reserve St., Missoula, MT 59801; or the Anaconda Catholic Community.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.

Hyland R. Fleming

He was born March 24, 1920, in Dexter, Mo., the son of H.R. and Elaine Fleming. Hyland graduated from Taft High School in California. He then served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a staff sergeant.

He married Rose Fleming in 1971. Hyland was a business owner for many years until his retirement in 1976.

He enjoyed horseback riding, bowling, gun collecting and fishing. Hyland was happiest at his ranch in Montana. He was greatly loved by his family and will be dearly missed.

Hyland was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

He is survived by his wife Rose Marie Fleming; nephew Jerry Mullford; stepchildren Mike Clark, Debra Horta and Rebecca Perdue; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five grandnephews; four great-grandnephews; and four great-grandnieces.

Private family urn placement will take place. Friends and family are welcome to a reception at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the family residence (4676 Store Lane, Stevensville).

The family suggests that memorials be made in Hyland's name to the Marcus Daly Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, MT 59840; or the St. Patrick Hospital Cancer Center, 200 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802.

Randy Berta

He was preceded in death by his father Joseph "Benny" Berta. Randy called him "Pop." Randy was 57 years old at the time of his death.

He was born on Aug. 9, 1947, in Crockett, Calif., to Elsie Marie Stuckman Berta and Joe "Benny" Berta.

Randy was captain of his football team at John Sweet Union High School. He then went on to play football for Contra Costa Community College.

Randy got his start in the gaming industry as a change person at Harrah's Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nev., where he met and soon after married his "sweetie," Elaine Powell Gray Berta. They were married for 29 years.

He also worked at Sahara in Las Vegas, where he was reunited with his buddy Kenny from Tahoe. He took a break from the gaming industry for several years to travel extensively with his wife before eventually residing in New York City.

He returned to Las Vegas to manage the Free Throw Sports Lounge for one of his dearest friends, Bill Roullier, now of St. Ignatius.

When gaming became legal on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he moved to Biloxi where his wife Elaine was a native of the St. Martin community. His first job on the coast was as a dealer at the President Casino. He then worked as a dealer for the Copa Casino before going to the Biloxi Grand Casino as a table games supervisor, where he once again reunited with his buddy Ken.

His current position at the Grand was as a table games shift manager on swing shift. His employment at the Grand Casino spanned 11 years.

Survivors include wife and best friend Elaine; his most precious mother Elsie Marie Stuckman Berta of Crockett, Calif.; his two sisters, Renee Lunsford and husband Curt of San Pablos, Calif., and Sandra Madding and husband Lee of Hayward, Calif.; his three sons from his first marriage to Linda Mirata, Randy, Joe and Matt, all of Oregon; nephews Tim and Michael Decarlo and Bryan and Stephen Braga; grandnephews Michael D. Rob, Bryan Jr., Kevin, Michael and Allen; and grandnieces Kassi, Nicole and Kalyn, all of whom loved him greatly and will miss him tremendously. His family was very important to him. He was a loving son, brother, and husband.

Also surviving are his stepson Michael Gray and wife Erin and grandchild Savannah; in-laws Joe and wife Patsy Powell, and Yvonne and husband Elvin Battaya; numerous nieces and nephews; close and very dear friends Walter Bruner of Mississippi, lifelong friends Merle Snopel of Pacheco, Calif., Earl Ross of Lake Tahoe, Ken Meddors of Bay St. Louis, Miss., Billy Roullier of St. Ignatius, and Billy Desjardins of Gautier, Miss., who was also his partner and mentor at the Grand Casino.

They will all feel a great loss and miss him being a part of their lives.

Randy's cremains will be transported to a favorite place and very special part of his and Elaine's lives, Lake Tahoe.

Sign and view an online register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.

Irene Song

She was born Oct. 20, 1922, in Joliet to Ed and Ella Russell. Missoula was Irene's home for the last 25 years.

Irene was married and lived in Worland, Wyo., where she worked for the school district and dedicated herself to raising her three beautiful children. She enjoyed playing bridge and was involved in many of the small-town activities. After raising their family, Irene and her husband moved to Billings where they enjoyed semi-retirement and traveling.

In 1978 Irene started a new phase of her life when she moved to Missoula to be near family and grandchildren. She worked at Community Medical Center for almost 20 years and loved her job. Irene was hardworking and conscientious and touched many lives. Upon retiring in 1992, she moved to Arizona briefly but missed her home and the beauty of Missoula.

Irene resided at Burlington Square, where she made many friends and spent a lot of time visiting and playing Yahtzee. Having family in Montana, Wisconsin, Utah and Arizona, Irene was kept very busy traveling from one visit to the next. She was so loved and adored by her family that at times it seemed there wasn't enough of Irene to go around.

Irene leaves behind her children, Sonja Petersen of Waupaca, Wis., Doug Song of Roundup and Judi Kindel of Phoenix. We love and will miss our wonderful mother so much. She loved and doted on her grandchildren Kirk, Tracy, Stephanie, Kim, Derek and Heather; and nine great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Enid Corrine Steele

She was born Oct. 25, 1914, in Bartlett, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Effie Steele. Enid graduated from Thurman High School in 1932. She loved to participate in arts and crafts with her sister Mary Agee. Enid took care of her parents well into their 90s.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Roland, Frank, Burt, Code and Rex Steele; and sisters Violet Farrall and Mary Agee.

Enid is survived by nieces Linda Farrall of Hoquiam, Wash., Betty Luera of Stanwood, Wash., and Julie Prince of Ventura, Calif.; and nephews Marty Steele of Fort Collins, Colo., Frank Steele of Apple Valley, Calif., Rodger Steele of Long Beach, Calif., Lynn Farrall of San Jose, Calif., and Jim Agee of Victor.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Riverview Cemetery with Pastor David Gerig officiating.

Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel.

Echo A. Moon

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Cremation or Funeral Gallery in Billings with inurnment of her cremains following at Reed Point Cemetery. A celebration of her life will begin about 4 p.m. at the Waterhole Saloon in Reed Point.

Echo was born July 16, 1922, in Bryant, S.D., the only child of Ethel and Raymon Smith. She lived most of her childhood in Custer, moving to the family ranch northwest of Reed Point in 1939. Echo graduated from Big Timber High School. For a short time during the war, she worked for Western Union in San Francisco.

She returned home and married a neighbor, John Young. They had one son, Gary. They were later divorced.

In 1955 she married R.L. "Bob" Moon. They had two children, Forrest and Dawn. Bob died in 1984. After Bob's death an old friend, Carl Kissler, came back into her life. Carl died in 1996.

Echo enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing and working in her yard or flower gardens. She also enjoyed sewing for friends and family. She worked for Al's Tailor Shop for 18 years.

Echo is survived by her children, Gary (Penny) of Helena, Forrest of Missoula and Dawn Sterna (Duke) of the Reed Point area; two grandsons; one granddaughter; two step-granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; and numerous, very dear friends.

Copyright © 2009 Missoulian