CHESTER Lillian M.
(Rockman) Wright, 89, of
Chester died peacefully at the
Chester rest home early
Wednesday morning, May 31,
2006.
A funeral
service will
be held at 11
a.m.
Wednesday
at Chester
United
Methodist
Church.
Pastor Peter
Erickson
will officiate.
Following
burial at the
Chester Cemetery, a luncheon
will be held at the church.
Lillian was born May 15, 1917,
at Lothair to Christ “C.I.” and
Helga (Johnson) Rockman.
Lillian’s father came to Montana
in 1908 and purchased the Grand
Hotel in Chester. In 1912, the
Rockmans filed on a homestead
15 miles north of Lothair near
Eagle Creek. They were living on
this farm at the time of Lillian’s
birth.
The Rockmans returned to
Chester in 1922 to operate the
Grand Hotel on a full-time basis.
They lived on the premises and
the entire family contributed to
the daily operation of the business.
Lillian received her education
in Chester and graduated from
C.H.S. in 1935. She continued her
schooling at Billings Business
College, where she completed
clerical courses.
Lillian married Lynn G.
“Skinny” Wright on July 4, 1937.
They lived and raised their two
daughters in the Chester community.
They had been married 26
years at the time of Lynn’s death
in 1963.
Lillian initially started working
for Liberty Bank of Chester
in 1949. At that time the bank
was located in the old historic
brick building at the corner of
U.S. Highway 2 and First Street
East. In 1960, they moved to a
brand new building, which is the
current location of the Wells
Fargo Bank of Chester. Lillian
loved her job as a bank teller and
she always greeted her customers
with a smile. After 33
years as a faithful employee, she
retired from the bank in 1982.
In 1973, Lillian and local farm
widower George Braun became
good friends. They enjoyed their
daily visits over coffee and cookies
and became familiar companions
around town. Every Sunday
after church, the two traveled to
their favorite restaurants in
Great Falls, Shelby, Havre or
Inverness for a nice Sunday dinner
together. They maintained a
loyal relationship for 25 years.
She was crushed when George
died in 1998.
Lillian was a very independent,
quiet, unassuming lady who
lived in a simple little house in
Chester for 65 years of her life.
In 2002, at age 85, she finally
admitted that she could no longer
live alone, so she agreed to move
to the Sweetgrass Lodge. She
was there for a year when she
developed some health maintenance
issues, so she transferred
to the Liberty County Nursing
Home.
Lillian was very content at
the nursing home. She seldom
missed any activities, especially
church services, musical events,
bingo and cards. She maintained
a good attitude and her mind
stayed very sharp until the end.
Lillian had a strong Christian
faith. She had been a longtime
member of Chester United
Methodist Church and was active
in United Methodist Women. For
many years she personally baked
the communion bread used in the
communion services. Lillian was
also very proud of a special
Advent wreath that she donated
to the church in memory of her
daughter, Sharon Malaney, who
died of a stroke in 1978.
Lillian took several memorable
trips during her life. One
was to England, Norway and
Germany with daughter Sharon
and another was to Hawaii with
daughter Vi and her family.
She was a past member of the
Chester Royal Neighbors of
America and the Joplin Eastern
Star.
In her quiet time at home,
Lillian enjoyed reading, crocheting
or watching television. She
loved cookies and other baked
goods.
To her family, other than her
children and grandchildren, she
was affectionately known as
“Aunt Lil.” She could best be
described as a woman with a
warm heart, a gentle spirit and a
caring soul who always had a
welcoming home and a pleasant
demeanor. She never spoke evil
of anyone, always wished the
best for everyone, and was
appreciative of every kind deed
given her.
Lillian was preceded in death
by her parents; husband; daughter;
brothers, Lloyd, Gunnar,
Willard, Sid, Harry and Ed
Rockman; and sisters, Ruth Ish
and Helen Carr.
Survivors include her daughter,
Vi (Jack Topper) Budden-
Topper of Yakima, Wash.; grandson,
Todd Budden of Seattle,
Wash.; granddaughter, Tracy
(Tom) Koerick of Seattle, Wash.;
brother, George Rockman of
Port Orchard, Wash.; special
friend and sister-in-law, Cletus
Johnson of Chester; sons-in-law,
Larry Budden and Joe Malaney;
and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Arrangements are by
Rockman Funeral Chapel of
Chester.
