Central Montana Obituaries

In memory of those we've lived with,

loved with,

and learned with.

Our finest regards.

Kenneth D. Bowser 68 of Lewistown died early Sunday morning, June 9th, 2019 in the Central Montana Medical Center of natural causes.  He was born March 14, 1951 in Lewistown the son of James and Lavinnie Bowser.  He received his schooling in Lewistown graduating from Fergus High School in 1970.  He was united in marriage to Leslie Tindall in Lewistown in the summer of 1970 and in October he entered the U.S. Army serving in Germany.  Following his honorable discharge in 1973 he returned to Lewistown. They made their home in Lewistown and began working as a truck driver for Francis Tindall Construction.  Ken and Leslie later divorced. Francis Tindall Construction became Konitz Construction in 1980 when Ken became the crusher superintendent, he held this job until his retirement in 2005.  In his retirement he worked part-time as a driver for Courtesy Motors in Lewistown.

Ken enjoyed hunting when he was younger, family trips to the Boulder River south of Big Timber and his coffee club.  He was a member of the Eagle Lodge of Lewistown.

He is survived by his daughter Nicole (Tom) Williamson of Crestwood, KY; three brothers Larry and Richard both of Lewistown, MT and Jerry of Richland, WA; one sister Rhea Hughes of Grass Range, MT; 2 grandchildren Zachary and Joshua and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services for Kenneth Bowser will be Friday, July 19th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in Mount Calvary Cemetery with a Celebration of Life and luncheon to follow at Frank Day (City) Park.  Cremation has taken place with committal to be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends are asked to make memorials to the Veterans Memorial Park in Lewistown or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home.  Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.
 

 

Our dear brother, Herbert M. Greer, Jr. (Chip), age 56 of Denton, MT formerly of Lewistown, went to be with his parents and brother-in-law on June 9, 2019.  He was born October 18, 1962 in Midwest City, OK, the son of Herbert M. Greer and June (Ayers) Greer, formerly of Lewistown, MT.

Chip enjoyed cooking, hunting, attending gun shows with his Dad, going on long rides in the mountains, and writing beautiful poetry. He was a master inventor and fix-it man and could repair almost anything. He owned Chip's Vacuum Repair in Lewistown and later established Our Light Works with his friend, David Newton. Chip was very creative, and built many custom lamps from everything imaginable.

At a young age, Chip was diagnosed with a very rare type of brain tumor which resulted in many surgeries and radiation therapies as well as other medical conditions throughout his short life. These procedures affected his speech, growth and appearance. As a result, he was bullied. In spite of that, he remained a kind-hearted and a loving person and never lost his faith in Jesus Christ. Quoting from one of Chip's many poems: "The struggles of life with no prediction, no equal measures or fairness given. 

We all have the power to love, give and accept one another for who we are."

His wish was for all people to treat one another with kindness, despite their differences. In his honor, family and friends are asked to perform a random act of kindness for someone in need and to pay it forward. 

He is survived by his siblings Carrie (Porter) Strausburg of Hanover, IN; Sherry Martin (Kenneth, deceased) of Lewistown (Billings); MT, Gale (Keith) Kramlick of Helena, MT; Collette (Peter) Ziolkowski of Billings, MT; and Byrne (Christine) Greer of Florence, MT; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his best friend of many years, David R. Newton of Great Falls, MT.

Chip was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and June Greer and his brother-in-law, Kenneth W. Martin of Lewistown, MT.

Celebration of Life for Herbert M. (Chip) Greer will be held on Saturday July 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church with Committal to follow in the Central Montana Memorial Gardens, cremation has taken place. Cloyd Funeral Home of Lewistown, MT is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are asked to make memorials in our brother's name to Riverstone Health Hospice House, Billings, MT. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com. A special thank you to all the compassionate and loving staff at Central Montana Hospice in Lewistown, MT and Riverstone Health Hospice House in Billings, MT.

Kathryn Lynn Schweitzer, 75, died in her Lewistown home July 11th, 2019. Kathy was born February 25th, 1944 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Acie and Myrtle Black. She joined older siblings Carl, Winfred, and Floy and a multitude of cousins. She attended elementary school through high school in Pine Bluff before moving on to and graduating from Beauty School.

At the age of 20, Kathy met the love of her life, Larry Schweitzer. They married in Arkansas and then spent the next several years traveling to various locations including Texas, Washington, Arkansas, and Montana for Larry’s crop dusting business. Kathy enjoyed accompanying Larry on his guided hunts in Alaska and excursions to Africa. They finally settled into Denton, Montana in the early 1970’s to continue the spray business.

Kathy became a mother in 1972, first to Dan and then again in 1974 to Don. While being a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker, Kathy also continued her Beautician career, worked part time at Denton Foods, and tried her hand at baking and decorating cakes for special occasions. She was extra fond of her Schnauzers and the family’s herd of Hound dogs.

She was well known for her morning trips to the local café to visit friends and enjoy a cup of coffee and also for following in her husband’s footsteps by taking up rifle and bow hunting. In 1993, Kathy moved into her dream home in Bozeman for a short time before Larry found their ‘Heaven on Earth’ at their Warm Springs Ranch near Denton.

After Larry’s sudden passing in 2001, Kathy moved into Lewistown in 2004 and found herself enjoying work at the local Roger’s Jewelry store.

Kathy was promoted to Grandma in 2015 and again in 2017, and always had frosted sugar cookies on hand for her girls.

Kathy is survived by Don (Becca) Schweitzer of Lewistown and granddaughters, Piper & Marli as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her oldest son, Dan; her parents and her siblings.

An informal gathering to celebrate Kathy’s life is planned for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 24th, 2019 at the Don Schweitzer residence, 952 Rifle Range Rd., Lewistown, MT. All are invited to attend. Although not expected, donations can be made to the Denton Endowment or to the Central Montana Foundation.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Kathy’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com

As much as we would love to personally name and thank all of the individuals who have helped us through this difficult time, there are too many of you to do so. However, our family would like to show our deepest gratitude to Mary Ellen Anderson for her years of friendship, service, and compassion to Kathy; not just during the final years, but for always.