Stella O'Brien Luther
Stella O'Brien Luther, 88 of Billings,
passed away, Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Stella was born October 25,
1921 and raised in St. Xavier, MT. She was one of ten children and
attended schools in the St Xavier area. She attended the College of
Great Falls where she obtained a degree in teaching. In 1941 Stella
received a teaching position in the Sarpy area when she met her
future husband John Luther. John and Stella were married August 16,
1943 and ranched on his parents homestead on Sarpy Creek. They had
five children. In 1959 they moved to Billings, MT, but remained
active with the ranch. John and Stella enjoyed traveling to many
foreign countries gardening, camping and just being with one
another.
Stella was a member of the Billings Boat
Club, Catholic Daughters, St. Michaels Circle and Blenders and St
Theresa's Circle.
Her loving husband John, parents, two
brothers and three sisters preceded Stella in death.
Survivors include two sons, Edward (Joanne)
of Anchorage, AK; John of Sarpy Creek; three daughters, Helen Ibach
of Maple Valley, W A; Linda (John) Owens of Billings, MT; Donna
(Bruce) Madson of Red Lodge, MT; one brother, James O'Brien of
Basin, WY; three sisters, Margaret Reile of Hardin, MT; Mary Hurley
of Boise, ID and Lila Fossen of Hinkley, MN; 12 grandchildren and 19
great-grandchildren.
Visitation will begin 1:00pm Sunday at
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Vigil services will be held at St. Pius
X Church, 717 18th St West at 7:00pm on Sunday, June 13. Funeral
mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 14 at 11:00 am with Rite of
Committal to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to
Catholic Daughters in Billings, MT or to the Big Horn County
Historical Museum in Hardin, MT.
Our family gives special thanks to West Park
Village, St. Vincent Hospital and Riverstone Hospice.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I have
fond memories of Stella at Luther family get togethers, so many years
ago. Our sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Ron C. Kuehn
I have so many good memories of Stella, John and the Luther
family growing up in Hardin. Spent many days at their Sarpy
ranch, sometimes getting in a little bit of trouble with John
Jr. Stella and John are gone and they leave me with
alot for good times and memories with them and the Luther
children. Our prayers and thoughts to all of you.
Tim Hurley Jr. and family
Some of my best childhood memories are of the fun times we spent with Uncle Johnny and aunt Stella out on the ranch. I will always remember, when I stayed at the ranch, little Johnny always teasing me and Donna. One morning ,little Johnny came in the bedroom to tease us, I said Johnny come closer and when he got just close enough, I punched him, I was shocked when my hand actually connected with his nose, and he started bleeding. I jumped out of bed and went to hide, Johnny was bleeding and I was scared... I heard aunt Stella coming in the room, and saying , good for you Johnny, that's what you get for always teasing those girls, and I didn't get in trouble.
We always had so much fun with our Montana cousins..Luthers, Hurleys, and all the others.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, we just want all of you to know how much we loved our very special aunt Stella .
Love Deb (Fossed) Christianson
Helen and Family: Please accept our
condolences, we are thinking of you. Don and Patt Leikam
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Know that we are thinking
about you. Roy and Betty Scheafer
I will sure miss Aunt Stella; she was a class
act. She always made me feel welcome in her home. I am so sorry for
your loss.
Connie Haerr Ticknor