RICHARD MAGDA, Obituary

CHINOOK Richard Steven Magda, 75, died Thursday, March 21, 2002, at the home of his daughter, Lori Shaver in Great Falls, of colon cancer.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Chinook Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow in the Alice Nash Memorial Cemetery on Lone Tree Bench.

Richard was born in a log cabin that still stands on Raglan Bench to Izidor and Elizabeth (Suca) Magda on Oct. 26, 1926. He was raised on Raglan Bench and attended school there through the eighth grade. He attended high school in Big Sandy and Chinook.

He returned to Raglan Bench to care for his parents while farming and ranching. He remained until his recent illness.

Richard married Marge Hockett on Dec. 13, 1969, in Chinook.

Richard enjoyed dancing, country music, hunting, children, storytelling, and his cows and horses. He was a deputy livestock inspector for the state of Montana for years. Family and friends were always welcome for a good visit and great hospitality. People could stop by day or night the coffee pot was always on.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank, Ed and Gerald Magda; seven siblings died in infancy in Roslyn, Wash.; and an infant son, Ricky Ray Magda in 1971.

Survivors include his wife, Marge Magda of Raglan Bench; sons, Jerry Magda of Raglan Bench and David Christopherson of Billings; daughters, Lori Shaver of Great Falls and Norma Monfils of Lewistown; sisters, Matilda Moe of Havre, Helen Bleha of Chinook and Frances McGillivray of Chinook; 10 grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons.

Memorials may be made to the Gift of Life Housing or to Benefis Peace Hospice of Great Falls.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.