April 7, 2008

Fred C. Meyer

Fred C. Meyer, a life-long rancher and horseman, died Monday, April 7th at a local care facility in Townsend.
There will be a Rosary Thursday, April 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the Catholic Church in Townsend. His funeral service will be Friday, 10:00 a.m. at the Catholic Church followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Joye; a daughter, Beth, of Great Falls, brother Marvin (Mary Lou) Meyer of Townsend; half brothers, Ken (Cheryl) Moody of Butte, Jay (Colleen) Meyer of Stevensville; half sisters Lynn (Nick) Nemsgren of Billings, Trudy (Barry) McLean of Whitehall and numerous nieces and nephews.
Fred was born September 23, 1928 in Helena, Montana, the son of Agnes and Henry A. Meyer. He attended schools in Winston and Townsend. He married his high school sweetheart Joye Lynch on November 5, 1949.
They spent their entire life together ranching in the Townsend area.
After his love for his family, his greatest joy was working with horses and collecting western memorabilia. He lived the life of a true cowboy and was recognized by winning the “Million Miles in the Saddle” award in June 2005.
Together Fred and Joye worked tirelessly in the restoration of St. Joseph Catholic Church and were instrumental in getting it placed on the National Historic Register. The old Church stands on a hill over looking the valley they called home for so long.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, daughters, Martha Jean and Margaret Ann and a sister Jean.
Connors Funeral Home assisted the family with services.

April 5th, 2008

Edwin Lee Kirk

Edwin Lee Kirk passed away April 5, 2008 in the Broadwater Nursing Home in Townsend. He came into this world weighing 2 lbs., 4 oz. born to Robert L. and Nina Kirk in Denver, Colo. He was born October 6, 1949. Ed was 58 years old when he died. His death was the result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident 22 years ago.
Ed grew up in Prospect Valley, an area of Wheat Ridge, Colo. He attended the local grade schools, junior high and graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in 1967. He worked for a short time and then enlisted in the Army. Ed went into the service with his brother Steve, life long friend, Cleve Hammond and another friend, Mike Burns.
Ed and Cleve were stationed in Vietnam together. After discharge from the service, Ed worked construction. He met and married Marge Giltner in 1977. They had 2 children, Staci and Shawna. They were divorced in 1983. It was after this that Ed moved to Montana from Denver in 1983. Ed’s girls were living with him at the time of his wreck.
Ed was a good-hearted person who loved his girls, liked his cars, was crazy about his dogs and probably the best fan the Denver Broncos ever had. He gave aid and support to his mother and Uncle Steve when they were also in Broadwater Nursing Home.
Ed was fortunate to have the best friends. Cleve Hammond, Bruce Holloway and cousin, Gary Doane visited twice a year for the 20+ years that Ed was in the nursing home. Not many people have friends that hang in there that long and are so loyal. Their visits were always looked forward to, not only by Ed but a lot of other people too. Everyone else had as much fun as they did.
Ed is survived by his two daughters, Staci Kirk and Shawna Kirk, by his grand children – Hunter, Keyanna and Vayla (Shawna’s children), also, by sister Robin Kirk of Deltona, Fla., brother Steve Kirk of Deltona, Fla. and sister Diane Duggan of Absarokee. He is also survived by two uncles, one aunt, many cousins, nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews.
Ed was predeceased by both sets of grandparents, Clarence and Evelyn Kirk, and Sybil and Edwin Doane, by parents, Robert L. and Nina Kirk, and by older brother Robert E. Kirk.
Ed liked and appreciated the staff at Broadwater Nursing Home. They were his extended family. Ed’s family always appreciated the care he received there. They will never forget that care, and will forever appreciate how Ed was treated there. A special thanks to Terri Goggins for her long devotion to Ed and for everything she ever did for him. Terri was by Ed’s side when he passed and this is appreciated by his family. Ed considered her to be a special friend.
Memorial services will be held at the Broadwater Nursing Home on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Helena Funeral Chapel is helping with arrangements along with the Reverend Wm. Jensen of the Methodist Church officiating.
Ed’s ashes will be spread with those of his parents. One half of each will be placed at grave sites in Highland Memorial Gardens in Denver, Colo. A memorial service will be held in August for family and friends unable to attend now. This will be at the home of his sister, Diana in Absarokee, and will be held Saturday, August 9, 2008.
Anyone needing details may contact Ed’s cousin Dawn Scoffield in Townsend.