Ethel Busma was born to John Hans Busma and Erna Toni Siegfried Busma on Sept. 26, 1921, on their homestead in Pease Bottom. She was the fourth of six children. She died on November 14, 2017.
She attended the Edwards Creek School and the Rancher School, and graduated from Hysham High School in 1939. It was there that she met Thomas L. Ward. They were married in 1941 in Great Falls.
They lived on the Ward family farm near Sanders, with the exception of approximately three years when they lived in Everett, Washington, while Tom worked in the Todd-Pacific shipyards during World War II.
Karen was born in Washington, and Sheryl and Linda were born after they moved back to Montana.
At various times in her life she worked for Dave Manning Construction, in the Treasure County Assessor's office, at the REA, and at the Hysham Echo.
She enjoyed her yard and her large garden, square-dancing, crossword puzzles, and camping on the Boulder. She participated in the Montana Women's Run for 19 years, and often received a medal for her efforts. She was a voracious reader.
She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Linda Catherine Ward Williams; her husband, Tom; her brothers, Richard and Lloyd; and her sisters, Evelyn and Helen.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen Leichner and Sheryl Swanson, both of Billings; her grandchildren, Ryan Swanson of Oregon, Jason Leichner of Iowa, Carolyn Swanson of Helena, and Jana Lausch of Billings; and son-in-law, Burton Williams of Fishtail. She leaves two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Ehren Lausch. She is also survived by her older brother, John H. Busma, of California.
We would like to thank the staff and residents at Highgate, Autumn Springs, and Tendernest for making these last years easier and more enjoyable for her. A big thank you also goes to the wonderful, caring people from Compassus Hospice and the Billings Clinic Hospital.
At her request, there will be no service. Inurnment of her ashes will take place at a later date.
Ethel wanted any memorials to be sent to the DAV in Montana, at P.O. Box 189, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636
Condolences may be sent to Sheryl at 5 Meadow Glen, Billings, 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
She attended the Edwards Creek School and the Rancher School, and graduated from Hysham High School in 1939. It was there that she met Thomas L. Ward. They were married in 1941 in Great Falls.
They lived on the Ward family farm near Sanders, with the exception of approximately three years when they lived in Everett, Washington, while Tom worked in the Todd-Pacific shipyards during World War II.
Karen was born in Washington, and Sheryl and Linda were born after they moved back to Montana.
At various times in her life she worked for Dave Manning Construction, in the Treasure County Assessor's office, at the REA, and at the Hysham Echo.
She enjoyed her yard and her large garden, square-dancing, crossword puzzles, and camping on the Boulder. She participated in the Montana Women's Run for 19 years, and often received a medal for her efforts. She was a voracious reader.
She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Linda Catherine Ward Williams; her husband, Tom; her brothers, Richard and Lloyd; and her sisters, Evelyn and Helen.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen Leichner and Sheryl Swanson, both of Billings; her grandchildren, Ryan Swanson of Oregon, Jason Leichner of Iowa, Carolyn Swanson of Helena, and Jana Lausch of Billings; and son-in-law, Burton Williams of Fishtail. She leaves two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Ehren Lausch. She is also survived by her older brother, John H. Busma, of California.
We would like to thank the staff and residents at Highgate, Autumn Springs, and Tendernest for making these last years easier and more enjoyable for her. A big thank you also goes to the wonderful, caring people from Compassus Hospice and the Billings Clinic Hospital.
At her request, there will be no service. Inurnment of her ashes will take place at a later date.
Ethel wanted any memorials to be sent to the DAV in Montana, at P.O. Box 189, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636
Condolences may be sent to Sheryl at 5 Meadow Glen, Billings, 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
Ethel Busma was born to John Hans Busma and Erna Toni Siegfried Busma on Sept. 26, 1921, on their homestead in Pease Bottom. She was the fourth of six children. She died on November 14, 2017.
She attended the Edwards Creek School and the Rancher School, and graduated from Hysham High School in 1939. It was there that she met Thomas L. Ward. They were married in 1941 in Great Falls.
They lived on the Ward family farm near Sanders, with the exception of approximately three years when they lived in Everett, Washington, while Tom worked in the Todd-Pacific shipyards during World War II.
Karen was born in Washington, and Sheryl and Linda were born after they moved back to Montana.
At various times in her life she worked for Dave Manning Construction, in the Treasure County Assessor's office, at the REA, and at the Hysham Echo.
She enjoyed her yard and her large garden, square-dancing, crossword puzzles, and camping on the Boulder. She participated in the Montana Women's Run for 19 years, and often received a medal for her efforts. She was a voracious reader.
She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Linda Catherine Ward Williams; her husband, Tom; her brothers, Richard and Lloyd; and her sisters, Evelyn and Helen.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen Leichner and Sheryl Swanson, both of Billings; her grandchildren, Ryan Swanson of Oregon, Jason Leichner of Iowa, Carolyn Swanson of Helena, and Jana Lausch of Billings; and son-in-law, Burton Williams of Fishtail. She leaves two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Ehren Lausch. She is also survived by her older brother, John H. Busma, of California.
We would like to thank the staff and residents at Highgate, Autumn Springs, and Tendernest for making these last years easier and more enjoyable for her. A big thank you also goes to the wonderful, caring people from Compassus Hospice and the Billings Clinic Hospital.
At her request, there will be no service. Inurnment of her ashes will take place at a later date.
Ethel wanted any memorials to be sent to the DAV in Montana, at P.O. Box 189, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636
Condolences may be sent to Sheryl at 5 Meadow Glen, Billings, 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
She attended the Edwards Creek School and the Rancher School, and graduated from Hysham High School in 1939. It was there that she met Thomas L. Ward. They were married in 1941 in Great Falls.
They lived on the Ward family farm near Sanders, with the exception of approximately three years when they lived in Everett, Washington, while Tom worked in the Todd-Pacific shipyards during World War II.
Karen was born in Washington, and Sheryl and Linda were born after they moved back to Montana.
At various times in her life she worked for Dave Manning Construction, in the Treasure County Assessor's office, at the REA, and at the Hysham Echo.
She enjoyed her yard and her large garden, square-dancing, crossword puzzles, and camping on the Boulder. She participated in the Montana Women's Run for 19 years, and often received a medal for her efforts. She was a voracious reader.
She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Linda Catherine Ward Williams; her husband, Tom; her brothers, Richard and Lloyd; and her sisters, Evelyn and Helen.
She is survived by her daughters, Karen Leichner and Sheryl Swanson, both of Billings; her grandchildren, Ryan Swanson of Oregon, Jason Leichner of Iowa, Carolyn Swanson of Helena, and Jana Lausch of Billings; and son-in-law, Burton Williams of Fishtail. She leaves two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Ehren Lausch. She is also survived by her older brother, John H. Busma, of California.
We would like to thank the staff and residents at Highgate, Autumn Springs, and Tendernest for making these last years easier and more enjoyable for her. A big thank you also goes to the wonderful, caring people from Compassus Hospice and the Billings Clinic Hospital.
At her request, there will be no service. Inurnment of her ashes will take place at a later date.
Ethel wanted any memorials to be sent to the DAV in Montana, at P.O. Box 189, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636
Condolences may be sent to Sheryl at 5 Meadow Glen, Billings, 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
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