WILLIAM J. STIELER obituary

William J. Stieler, 87, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at the Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place, and his graveside memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Calvary Section of the Highland Cemetery with full military honors. Father Dale Yurkovic will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montana Chapter Alzheimer's Association, 3010 11th Ave. N., Billings, Mont. 59101. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. William was born March 11, 1922, in Opheim, Mont., to William T. and Ellen E. (Ellsmore) Stieler. He was raised in the Opheim area and graduated from Glasgow High School. He went to work for the railroad and then enlisted into the United States Army, served during World War II and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in December 1945. William moved to the Havre area where his parents had moved and returned to work for the railroad as a brakeman/ conductor. It was in Havre that he met Harriette Lumsden. The couple married Nov. 11, 1946, in Havre at the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Together they made their home in Havre and raised their four children. William was a family man. His family was very important to him. He always kept up with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities. He took pride in his yard and his garden. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friend, Jim Mapes, and enjoyed a good game of golf. He and Harriette enjoyed traveling together and spent the winters in Las Vegas, Nev., and Bullhead City, Ariz. He was a 65-year member of the Elks Club. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brian in 1973; a brother, Bob Stieler in 1999; and son-in-law, Philip Kagan in 2003. William is survived by his wife of 62 years, Harriette Stieler of Havre, Mont.; his children, JoAnn Kagan of Havre, Mont., Patricia (Mike) Gregerson of Minneapolis, Minn., and Robert J. Stieler of Yakima, Wash.; seven grandchildren, William O. (Suzie) Currey, Kevin J. (Jennifer) Currey, Aaron Gregerson, David Gregerson, Jane Gregerson, Tagan Stieler and Rhani Stieler; and six greatgrandchildren