Central Montana Obituaries

In memory of those we've lived with,

loved with,

and learned with.

Our finest regards.

Preston Glynn Gollihugh, 76

Preston Glynn Gollihugh, 76, passed away Sunday, September 3, 2017 at Valle Vista Healthcare in Lewistown.  Glynn was born on September 29, 1940 in Los Angeles, CA to Cyrus and Anna (Bailey) Gollihugh.

Glynn graduated from San Fernando, CA high school in 1958.  He married Catherine Biggs on June 30, 1962; they later divorced.  On February 3, 1967 Glynn received a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering degree.  On June 27, 1996 Glynn received a diploma from Educorp Career College as an electrician.

For 28 years Glynn worked for several electronics firms in California.  In 1995 when the firm he was working for closed their offices, he took an early retirement and came to Montana.

On June 26, 2004, Glynn married Arlene Miller in Lewistown.  Glynn and Arlene attend Celebration Community Fellowship.  As a younger man in California, Glynn enjoyed bowling, softball, swimming in his pool, fishing, was a karate student taking lessons from Chuck Norris and water skiing in the lakes of the High Sierra Mountains.  He loved water skiing and gave skiing lessons.  He once jokingly said, “I was willing to make a water skier out of anyone who stood still long enough for me to strap a pair of skis on them.”

Glynn is survived by his wife, Arlene Gollihugh of Lewistown; daughter Lori (Jim) Tallman of Simi Valley, CA; son, David (Jenifer) Gollihugh of Granada Hills, CA; daughter, Denise Gollihugh of San Fernando Valley, CA; stepson, Mark (Jodi) Miller of Eau Clair, WI; and stepdaughter, Rochelle (Bill) Earl of Sandstone, MN; grandson, Jason Verity of Lancaster, CA; granddaughter, Ashlyn Gollihugh; and grandson, Taylor Gollihugh of Granada Hills, CA; step-grandchildren, Kayla and Brandon Miller and Shelby, Harley, and Johnny Cathcart; brother, Dennis (Ellie) Gollihugh of Eugene, OR; and nephews, John Gollihugh and Mark Gollihugh.  He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A Memorial Service for Glynn will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Celebration Community Fellowship.  A private committal will be held later.  Donations in Glynn’s honor can be made to Celebration Community Fellowship.

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

 Ella Mae “Dolly” Poser, 88

Ella Mae “Dolly” Poser, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at the Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown, MT.

Dolly was born on December 6, 1928, to parents Rodney and Florence Benton.  She attended school in Lewistown, Montana.  At a dance in Hoosac, she met her future husband Otto Poser.  Otto had the privilege of driving Dolly home, but she did not have a phone, so no number could be exchanged.  Later in the daylight, Otto couldn’t seem to find her house again.  It was another year before they met up… at another dance.

Dolly and Otto married on January 19, 1946.  They raised five sons on a ranch north of Denton.  Dolly loved feeding her boys, baking and gardening.  She and Otto continued attending dances and taking long drives in the country.  A clear, resounding “yoo-hoo” heard across the yard and in the shop let everyone know that she had cookies and cool ice tea ready. As the years passed, Dolly enjoyed visiting on the phone with her sons and grandchildren, and having a cup of coffee in the morning with her boys.

Dolly is survived by her five sons, Norm (Sharon), Gary (Carmen), Brad (Terry), Kevin (Susan), and Kirk; eighteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Otto Poser; her five brothers and one sister; and her parents.

A private family memorial service has been held at Creel Funeral Home.

Dolly’s family would like to extend our gratitude to all of the staff at the Central Montana Medical Center, Caslen Living Center, and the Denton Ambulance Service.  Memorials in Dolly’s name may be made to the Denton Ambulance Fund, c/o Farmers State Bank of Denton, Denton, MT  59430.

Robert Barrett Morrison70 of Roy departed on his final tour Thursday, August 31st, 2017, at the Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown of natural causes. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, September 23rd, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cloyd Chapel in Lewistown. Cremation has taken place and he will be scattered at sea. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.

Betty Jo (Pankake) Haker, 91

Betty Jo (Pankake) Haker, 91, passed away at Valle Vista Nursing Care in Lewistown, Montana on September 14, 2017. A family graveside service will be held at a later date at the Stanford, Montana Cemetery.

Born in Great Falls, Montana on June 22, 1926, she was the daughter of Emil E. and Ethel Mary (McQuade) Pankake. Betty attended public school in Stanford, Montana.

Betty & Myron were married on February 9, 1945 in San Luis Obispo, CA before Myron left to serve in the Army overseas. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on February 9, 2015. They lived in Stanford, MT until Myron retired in 1979, then moved to their farm west of Hobson, MT.

Betty was known for her wonderful homemade candies. She loved working outdoors with her yard and trees. She packed many picnics lunches to take on rides with Myron to the mountains and to Ackley Lake to watch the fishermen and boaters.

Betty is survived by her three children: Ronald Jack (Diana) Haker of Stevensville, MT, Sheila Jo (Mark) Machler and Vicki Joy (Rod) Johnson of Lewistown, MT; her grandchildren: Tara Jean Weatherman of Missoula, MT, Jason (Jessica) Hendrickson of New Hope, MN, Jack (Cassandra) Hendrickson of Bismarck, ND, Dustin (Natalie) Ferdinand of Beulah, ND, and Shenay Four-nier of Missoula, MT; great-grandchildren: Brodie Weatherman, Bryn Weatherman of Missoula, MT and Kayden Ferdinand of Beulah, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Myron; her parents; sisters, Berma, Mildred and Dorothy; and her brother, Jack.

Memorials in Betty’s honor are suggested to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Betty’s family and friends can share a condolence or memories at www.creelfuneralhome.com

Trevis Milton Butcher passed away in his sleep of natural causes Sept. 14, 2017 at his home in Winifred.  Trevis was born Jan. 23, 1967 in Missoula, Mont. to Edward and Pamela (Ward) Butcher during their final year of college.  

Trevis is survived by his wife of 29 years Karla Ann; sons Joshua (Nicole), T.J., and Noah; daughters Katelynn (Garrett) Wenetta, Jenae, and Victoria; his brother Ross (Karla), their children:  Andrew, Taylor, McKensie, Jace; sister Becky (Buster); parents Ed and Pam Butcher; as well as many loving family members.

During his first four years, the family lived in Hardin, Mont. where his father taught American Government and in Valley City, N. D. where his father was a history and political science professor.  In 1971 the family returned to Winifred when they purchased the family ranch from his grandfather Milton Butcher.  Young Trevis soon became involved in ranch activities.

Trevis was always a very independent and inquisitive person following his dad “helping” with ranch operations since he was more interested in working than playing!  This included long days riding bareback in the “Breaks” (first his pony Jigger and then “Old Vic”).  At age 6, he “fired” a hired man who had not properly saddled a horse and by the time he was 9 and 10 years old, Trevis was operating most of the machinery and was working in the shop including welding and helping to tear-down and rebuild motors and transmissions.  

Trevis attended Lewis and Clark grade school in Lewistown from 1st through 4th grade.  His parents transferred him and his brother to Winifred for his 5th grade where he attended until his sophomore year when he made the decision to transfer to Fergus High School where he played football and became immersed in the Future Farmers of America.  He became the only member to be elected twice as the FFA Chapter President, won the District Farm Mechanics contest for three years, as well as winning the Chapter Public Speaking contest for three years.  The high-light of his FFA involvement was being awarded the FFA State Farmer Degree.  However, one of his greatest thrills was being elected to the State FFA Officer Team.  He devoted his first year at Montana State University traveling as a State Officer to FFA chapter functions throughout Montana promoting youth agriculture.

Trevis was a gifted speaker and his senior year in high school was high-lighted when his class voted to have him give a “student address” at the class graduation in addition to the normal Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches.  Trevis’ inspirational address to his classmates contained all the “theater and drama” which was his trademark!

While at MSU, Trevis met his future bride Karla Finlayson who was a College of Great Falls basketball player visiting Bozeman.  He finished his formal education at MSU, married Karla, and they moved to the ranch at Winifred where he had been operating a 1,500-colony honey bee operation.   He began the honey operation during high school in conjunction with the ranch operation.  He partnered for five years with Bernie Podeska from California, until Trevis sold his interest.   

Upon his return to the ranch, Trevis partnered with his father (Ed) on the cattle and grain operation as ranch manager.  In 2008 he and Karla took complete control of Butchers Rolling Hills Ranch.   Trevis had converted the ranch from grain to a total cow-calf operation, with dry-land hay which Trevis began producing for the national dairy-hay market.

Trevis became active in local and state politics upon his return to the ranch—leaving the Democrat Party (he had organized Young Democrats in high school) and became an ardent conservative in the Republican Party.  He was soon elected Chairman of the Fergus County Republican Committee and was also selected to serve on the State Republican Board.

Trevis successfully managed several state-wide constitutional initiative campaigns including:  limiting State budget increases, protecting property rights from eminent domain actions, and allowing voter recall of elected judges (which brought out opposition of the legal community in full force led by then Attorney General—current Governor—Bullock in conjunction with the public employee unions, who were able to maneuver a sympathetic Court to order the initiatives removed from the ballot even though polls showed voter support over 60 percent.

Trevis was a sought after advisor for political campaigns and had numerous offers for national positions.  Involvement in the political process resulted in his frustration with the “lack of transparency” (or misrepresentations of officials’ voting records) by partisan groups using selective legislative votes.  As a consequence, Trevis designed his famous “Legistats” website which reviews ALL votes made by legislators instead of using selective votes to rate and promote favorited elected officials.

He was also a strong supporter of term limits for elected officials and successfully managed the opposition to legislators’ efforts to gut or eliminate Montana’s limits on Legislative terms.  

He dedicated extensive time to local community and youth needs—especially the Winifred Volunteer Rural Fire Department, procuring equipment and serving in numerous positions with a primary focus as the department training officer.  

He worked extensively with the home school movement in Fergus County and throughout the State with an emphasis on promoting speech and debate, resulting in a number of the students qualifying for regional and national competition.  

However, this man of many talents was centrally focused on involvement in his Church.  In addition, he devoted several years to the Gideon Bible distributions as a camp officer and church speaker on behalf of the Gideons.

He was a fourth generation Winifred rancher, who expanded and modified much of the ranch operation with innovative concepts for range management and livestock management, which had become the primary focus at the time of his death.

He will be remembered for his “high energy” love of God and his family, and strong patriotic love for America and its traditional values which he often used his speech and debate skills to defend.  Most of all--this warm and gentle man loved people and always had time to visit and help someone in need.  Trevis was an organ donor.  He left this world the same way he lived—helping others!

Viewing and visitation will be Thursday, Sept 21 from 5 to 8 pm at the Creel Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be held at the Fergus High School auditorium on Friday, Sept. 22 at 10 am with lunch following at Central Baptist Church in Lewistown.  After lunch, interment will be in the Winifred Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Winifred Rural Fire Department, the Gideons, or Your Network of Praise.