September 10th, 2014

Rita Olga Bennett
Rita Olga Bennett, age 88, of Helena passed away at her home on August 30, 2014.  Rita was born on February 5, 1926 to Frank deLeva and Mary Sophia Torello deLeva in New Haven, Conn.  
Rita graduated from St. Rose Catholic School as valedictorian.  She then earned a bachelor’s degree in languages from the University of Connecticut; she was fluent in Italian and German.  She worked as the Dining Room manager at Howard Johnson for many years.   Rita excelled in all that she did.
Rita married Charles C. Bennett at Bolling Air Force Base, in Washington D.C., on August 2, 1952.  They traveled all over the world where they enjoyed meeting new people and making lasting friendships wherever they lived. She collected many things from their travels.
Rita had a zest for life; she was kind, caring, and loving to her family and friends.  She will be missed by all who knew her. 
Rita is survived by her husband of 62 years, Charles Bennett and her sister, Anna Marie Kontonis of Arizona. 
She is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Sophia deLeva.
A funeral service was scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., with a burial following the service at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Rita’s name are suggested to the Alzheimers Association for research at alz.org. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Rita.

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Ada Ruby Reed Holt
Ada Ruby Reed Holt died peacefully at the venerable age of 102 on August 31, 2014, at the Deer Lodge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Deer Lodge, with hymns playing in the background and daughter-in-law, Suzy Holt, at her side.
She was born February 7, 1912, at Balfour, N.D., to Ahimas H. and Frances B. Reed, graduating as valedictorian of her 1930 class at Drake High School in North Dakota.
She married Clifford M. Holt on July 5, 1931, in Drake. After being widowed in 1957, she went on to earn a Masters of Art degree in education with high honors from Western Montana College in Dillon.
She found her purpose and bliss in teaching for nearly 20 years in the Deer Lodge school system.
Ada was an avid learner, born teacher, dedicated to her family and community, passionate historian, adventurous spirit, strong-willed woman who faced every adversity, loss and challenge with integrity and even a chuckle. She took life as it came and relished every moment, every student and every friend. She was especially active in the Presbyterian Church, Order of Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation.
Ada was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford M. Holt, and her children, Eileen A. (Larson), Burton R. and Byron R., Martin W., and Clifford A.; foster grandson, Ray McMillan; grandson, Ashley Warn; and great-grandson, Rylee Holt.
She is survived by her sister, Dorothy E. Richardson of Clarksville, Ky.; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and the children of her four sisters and three brothers.
Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 4, at the Jewell Funeral Home, 601 Missouri Ave., Deer Lodge. Interment followed on Friday, September 5, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge with a brief Eastern Star graveside ceremony and committal service by Pastor Teresa of the Presbyterian Church.
Due to a distant and unexpected other death in the family, the church memorial service for Ada is postponed until later in the fall and will be announced when the date is set.
The family wishes to express deep appreciation to the staff of SonHeaven in Helena, Beyond Home, Deer Lodge Care and Rehabilitation Center, Rocky Mountain Hospice, and local area friends for the loving attention and good care given to Ada in her last years.
Memorial tributes may be made to the Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Hospice, or to a charity of your choice.

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