 Bernerd Roland Persons Bernerd Roland Persons, 59, entered into eternal peace, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Bernie was born April 15, 1956 in Kalispell and was a beloved son of Clyde and the late Alice (Young) Persons. While attending Powell County High School, he worked summers at Williams and Tavenner’s Ranch. Upon graduation in 1976, he entered the Army and served four years in the Infantry. Around 1980 he moved to Seattle, Wash. and worked at Isaacson Steel for a few years before moving back to Deer Lodge where he met and married Betty Whitney. The couple has a son, Jacob, and they later divorced. While in Deer Lodge, Bernie worked for Cominco American Mine until its closure in 1994. He then worked for Watkins Shepard as a truck driver for a couple years before moving to Elko, Nev. where he worked the remainder of his career at Newmont Gold Mine. Family was everything to Bernie. He was devoted to his son Jacob and was fighting hard to stay alive long enough to meet his first unborn granddaughter Natalie. Bernie also loved the outdoors, rock hounding and telling jokes. He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Alice (Young) Persons in July 1994. He leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his son Jacob (Brooc) Persons, unborn granddaughter Natalie, father Clyde (Phoebe) Persons, siblings Brenda (Ron) Dodge, Larry (Mary) Persons, Lonnie (Kathy) Persons, Clyde (Traci) Persons, Susan (Frank) Gliko, Terrie (Ed) Stefalo, Lambert Duval and numerous nieces, nephews. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Deer Lodge, Thursday, July 30, at 11 a.m. with a luncheon following. Everyone that knew Bernie knew that he exemplified Matthew 25:35-36 and know that the Lord met him with the words, ‘Come, Bernie, who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ In lieu of flowers and in light of how Bernie lived his life; the family requests that you honor his memory by donating to your local food bank, cleaning out your closet and donating the items to the Salvation Army or St. Vincent DePaul, or make a donation to your local Hospice.  Hazel E. (Betty) Kelley
HAZEL E. (BETTY) KELLEY, 91 “Gramma Betty” passed away on July 24, 2015. Betty was born in Butte on December 11, 1923 to Freida (Fritz) & Bemis McElhiney. She was an only child and grew up in Alberton and Deer Lodge. She was very proud of being raised in Deer Lodge. Her father worked for the railroad and her mother was a long time Powell County High School English teacher. While in high school she fell in love with a country kid, Jack Kelley. She spent some time in Tacoma, Wash. to attend Nurses Training before getting married. Betty and Jack were married on June 14, 1943 and had five children. Betty was the perfect country wife and mother. She sat on many tractor seats, rode both good and not so good horses, changed hand-line sprinkler pipes, and warmed many baby calves in the only bathtub in the house. The best part of Gramma Betty was her constant happiness. Even at the end of her life, she was appreciative of everything and everyone. Some of her favorite things came from nature. She loved to watch the clouds and stars move across the sky, collect beautiful rocks, watch the birds in her front window, and walk down to talk to the foxes in the meadow. She never wanted to leave her ranch and home, so her family tried their best to make that wish come true. Betty is survived by her five children: Bill of Tucson, Ariz.; Jack at large; Ron (Nancy) of Deer Lodge; Betty Tiddy of East Helena; and Dan (Debi) of Deer Lodge. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Per her wishes no services are planned and her ashes will be dispersed over the ranch as were her husband’s. Condolences can be sent to 2347 Bowman Rd, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 or [email protected]. Comments are closed.
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