Sister Bernice Simon

Sister Bernice Simon, OSB, 72, died Monday, Aug. 28, 2006, at St. Martin Monastery, Rapid City, S.D., after battling leukemia for several years. The sixth child in a family of seven, Bernice Margaret Simon was born March 9, 1934 at New Prague, Minn., to James and May (Kubes) Simon.

She attended parochial grade school at Veseli Catholic. Following graduation from New Prague High School in 1951, she attended St. Cloud State College for a year. She entered St. Martin's Convent, Sturgis, S.D., on August, 28, 1954. She received the Benedictine habit on July 12, 1955, and made monastic profession on July 16, 1956, followed by perpetual monastic profession three years later.

Being a nurses' aide during high school convinced her of her calling to that profession. She began nurses' training in the fall of 1959 at St. John's McNamara School of Nursing, Rapid City, and later worked on the medical and surgical floors and as night supervisor at St. Johns's Hospital. She obtained certification as an registered nurse, received a bachelor's in biological science from Mercy College, Detroit, a master's in guidance and counseling from SDSU, and a master's in nursing from University of Mary with emphasis on care of the terminally ill.

Never a person to concentrate only on one ministry, Sister Bernice also was a class room teacher. She taught at St. Martin's Grade School, Sturgis, and at St. Catherine's School, Laguna Beach, Calif. From 1964-1972 she taught at St. Martin's Academy, Rapid City, where she was also school nurse, dormitory supervisor, and coordinator of athletic activities. At a critical time at the Academy in 1984, she was principal for several months.

From 1975-1984, Sister Bernice directed St. Martin's Community Center. She served as liaison between River Park Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center and the Benedictine community. Her experience in spending a month at a Christian ashram in India in 1976 under the guidance of the late Father Bede Griffith, OSB and her association with Retreats International spurred her interest in helping others through retreats and spiritual direction.

In 1984, Sister Bernice started ministry as a pastoral assistant at St. Richard's Church, Columbia Falls. Sister Gemma Schatz, OCB and Sister Larane Coffin, OSB joined her in establishing Epiphany Monastery there in 1990. Sister Bernice began working part-time at the Montana State Veterans Home, Columbia Falls, and eventually spent more than 20 years there, most of them as assistant director of nurses. She was appointed superior of Epiphany Monastery in 2000 and also directed the Benedictine Oblates connected with the monastery.

Due to illness, Sister Bernice resigned from the Veterans Home staff in the spring of 2006. She returned to St. Martin Monastery in July where she celebrated her 50th jubilee of monastic profession on July 22.

Sister Bernice is survived by two brothers, Theodore, New Prague, Minn. and Bernard, her twin, Anchorage, Alaska; two sisters, Marion Tuma, Le Center, Minn., and Alice Schanus, Lonsdale, Minn. and many nieces and nephews and by her Benedictine Sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

Funeral services at St. Martin Monastery for Sister Bernice included a Vigil Service on Friday, Sept. 1, and Mass of Christian Burial on Sept. 2, with Most Rev. Blase Cupich, Rapid City, presiding. Burial will be in the monastery cemetery.

A memorial has been established.

Osheim-Catron Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements.

Harry A. Riley

Harry A. Riley, 84, of Columbia Falls, passed from this life on Aug. 31, 2006, to be with his Savior.

Harry was born in Casselton, N. D. on July 20, 1922 to Millard and Alma Riley.

He met his soul mate of 54 years, Lola Mae Winegar in Bemidji, Minnesota where they were married.

He served his country in the U.S. Army for two years toward the end of World War II. Harry farmed and cut pulp before moving to Columbia Falls. He was employed at Plum Creek Lumber Company for 35 years before retirement. Harry enjoyed woodworking, gardening, fishing, and hunting with family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lola M. Riley.

Harry is survived by his daughter, Beverly Benson and her husband Mickiel; his son, Bruce Riley and his wife Marilyn; a grandson, Justin Riley, all of Columbia Falls; brother, Herb Riley of Bemidji, Minn.; sisters, Dorthy Hirt and Lila Cronemiller, both of Bemidji, Minn., brothers, Paul Riley of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Ken, Wally, Don, and Jim Riley, all of Columbia Falls.

He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Visitation was Sept. 5 at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Charles Leigh Thompson

Charles Leigh Thompson, 94, Columbia Falls, formerly of Cut Bank, passed away Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born January 30, 1912 in Monticello, Minn. to Ray and Julia Thompson.

Charles graduated from the same high school as his father attended and also graduated from the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1932, he came to Montana with his parents where both he and his father worked in the oil fields. In 1934, Charles moved to Cut Bank where he went to work for Carter Oil Company. That became part of Exxon Oil and he eventually retired with them on Jan. 1, 1976 after 42 years.

He was married to Deloris M. Hartford on September 3, 1936.

Charles was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Cut Bank and the Loyal Order of Moose. He was an avid sports fan. He loved watching baseball and even kept score of games with his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves.

He is survived by his wife, Deloris; his four sons, Teddy and Arla Thompson, Robert Thompson, Richard Thompson, and Ronald and Judy Thompson; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. Rev. David Merkel officiated. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

Raymond A. Ronseth

Raymond A. Ronseth, 82, passed away Monday evening, Aug. 28, 2006, at his home near Columbia Falls.

He was born Dec. 6, 1923 in Littlefork, Minn., to Rogneld and Annie Ronseth.

The family moved to Canada in the 1930's and then to the Columbia Falls area.

He worked with his father in the woods as a timber faller. He then worked for the railroad for many years and retired in 1982.

He liked to hunt.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Jessie Ronseth of Columbia Falls.

No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.