By HDN Staff
ROCKY BOY William "Tiny" L. Russette, 63, died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001, at a Havre care center of a brain disease.
Wake began Wednesday evening at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Our Saviour's
Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy, with burial to follow at the Russette Cemetery.
Tiny was born Dec. 21, 1937, to Mike and Helen (Champagne) Russette at Rocky Boy.
In 1959, he married Madeliva "Matsy" Mann at Havre. To this marriage, three children were born. Matsy later died.
In 1966, Tiny married Joyce Courchane at Great Falls. To this marriage, two children were born. The couple later divorced.
His work history included professional printing for The Big Sandy Mountaineer, laborer at the smelter in Great Falls, supervisor for Kraft Foods in Garland, Texas, and store manager in Dallas, Texas. Upon his return to Rocky Boy, he served for a short time as manager of the Chippewa Cree Detoxification Center. His illness caused his early retirement.
Tiny's hobbies included being an accomplished guitar player and singer and being a mechanic. He enjoyed fishing and visiting with his many friends and relatives. Tiny taught many people how to play the guitar and work on vehicles. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed being with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Helen Russette; wife, Madeliva "Matsy" Russette; children, an infant daughter of Crow Agency, William "Bill" Russette Jr. and Lena Ann Russette Alexander; brothers, Walter "Chibboy," "Biddy Boy," Michael Charles and Raymond; sisters, Leota Caplette, Helen Marie and Thelma Ann.
Survivors include his ex-wife, Joyce Russette of Great Falls; daughters, Madeliva and Loretta Russette, both of Rocky Boy; sons, Louis "Duce" Russette of Rocky Boy and Mike Long Knife of Arizona; brothers, James, Gene, Lester and Calvin, all of Rocky Boy; sisters, Wanda Martin of Spokane, Wash., Erma Racine of Browning and Pauline Russette of Rocky Boy; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.
