STEVEN M. BOTTEN and LINDA R. BOTTEN
Steven McKay and Linda Renee Botten died tragically Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, near their home in Ventura County, Calif. Together they shared a beautiful life full of happiness and adventure. They will truly be missed on this Earth, but never forgotten.

Steve and his twin sister were born Dec. 4, 1953, in Albert Lea, Minn., to Harvey and Barbara Botten. Linda was born the second of six children on May 6, 1956, in Freeport, N.Y., to Charles and Gloria Mehrmann.
Steve attended The University of Montana in Missoula, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business. Linda attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she earned a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. During an internship in Missoula, Steve and Linda were introduced by mutual friends, and Steve managed to sweep her off her feet. A short time later, they began their eternal journey when they married on Nov. 25, 1978, in Freeport, Long Island, N.Y.

They made their first home in Spokane, Wash., where their two daughters were born. In the winter of 1982 they moved to Bozeman, where Linda began to build what would become a highly regarded occupational therapy practice, eventually specializing in hand care. At the same time, Steve began a computer programming and accounting practice. In 1986, their son was born and Steve finally got his "little buck."

Steve and Linda decided to settle in Bozeman where they raised their three beautiful children. The family took full advantage of the many recreational activities available in the mountains such as skiing, hunting, boating and fishing in the pristine lakes and rivers near their home.

In early 2000, Steve and Linda were offered an opportunity to open a hand therapy practice in Santa Barbara, Calif., and they moved to Carpinteria and later, Oxnard. Together they built the practice and at the time of their deaths, it had grown to five offices throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The family continued to enjoy an active lifestyle that now involved their grandchildren who fondly referred to them as "gramma and papa." When they weren't spending time with their children and taking care of their "babies," they enjoyed traveling to their favorite places in Montana, Jamaica and Manzanillo, Mexico. Steve and Linda gave their children a life rich with opportunity and encouragement. Most importantly, they believed in the value of friendship within family.
Steve and Linda are survived by their beloved children, Stephanie Renee and husband, Joe Merino of Oxnard, Calif., Melissa Joy Botten of Los Angeles, Calif., and Christopher Michael McKay Botten of Oxnard, Calif.; and their cherished grandchildren, Anthony, Joseph, Jackson Steven and Jossilyn Renee Merino.

Steve was predeceased by his adored father, Harvey Botten; and is survived by his beloved mother, Barbara Botten of Albert Lea, Minn. He leaves to mourn his two loving sisters, Anne Botten of Albert Lea, and his twin, Susan Kracum of Eden Prairie, Minn., and her two children.

Linda was predeceased by her beloved parents, Charles and Gloria Mehrmann of Freeport, N.Y. She leaves to mourn loving sisters, Nancy Ardizone (Richie) of Clermont, Fla., Kelly LaTorre of Shirley, N.Y., and Sharlene Gianfortune (Sal) of Viera, Fla.; brothers, Charles (Sandra) Mehrmann of Clermont, Fla., and Thomas (Judy) Mehrmann of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and many adored nieces and nephews.

In addition, Steve and Linda are survived by a wealth of very dear extended family and friends, all of whom are grieved by their passing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Linda Botten Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Contributions may also be made to Trout Unlimited and Pheasants Forever, preservation organizations that Steve was involved in.

Arrangements are being handled by the Santa Clara Mortuary in Oxnard, Calif.

A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, March 1, at 2 p.m. at the San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura, Calif., with a reception to follow. A memorial service in Bozeman is planned for a later date.

THELMA M. MARSIGLIA
Thelma Mae Marsiglia, 89, of Bozeman passed away Feb. 22, 2007. She was born May 25, 1917, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to Harley F. and Bessie Olivia (Laubscher) Craig.

Survivors include her sister, Ruth Kelly of Bozeman; nephew, Robert Rang and family of Missoula; nephew, David (Debra) Rang and children, Janel and Charlie of Bozeman; nephew, Darol (Donna) Rang of Clinton; and nephew, Craig (Sharon) Rang and family of Gillette, Wyo.
Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, Calif.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service; www.dokkennelson@imt.net.

WILLIAM J. PETERS
William Joseph Peters, 89, passed away on Monday, Feb., 19, 2007, in Bozeman. Bill moved from his home in Barnesville, Pa., almost four years ago to live with his son, William J. Peters M.D. and his daughter-in-law, Patti.

Bill, as you may remember him, "the tall, accordion player," was born on Jan. 24, 1918, in South Philadelphia and lived all of his working years in Philadelphia, Pa.
He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. When he was discharged from his armed service, he was honored with four medals: the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

He married Anne Slepitis on Oct. 11, 1941, and they raised two children, William Joseph and Donna Marie.

Bill enjoyed playing and listening to music and was a long-time member of the Quaker City String Band in Philadelphia. He marched proudly in many Mummer Parades, playing his accordion with the string band.

When he retired from Rohm and Haas in Philadelphia, he and his beloved wife, Anne, moved to Barnesville, Pa., and bought the house Anne grew up in as a child. Bill enjoyed his retirement years, living with Anne in quiet Barnesville, taking pride in maintaining his home and yard, shopping at the local farmer's market every Wednesday, and continued to play his accordion with dear friends and members of the local Keystone String Band.
His wife, Anne, preceded Bill in death, after 46 years of marriage, on Jan. 22, 1988. Bill will join his wife in peace at the Sky-View Memorial Park in Hometown,Pa.
He will be missed by his son, William J. (Patti) Peters M.D., and his two granddaughters, Rebecca and Melissa Peters; and his daughter, Donna (Brent) Heleker and two grandchildren, Austin and Whitney Anne Heleker.
 

He will always be remembered as a loving father and grandfather, and the fond Uncle Bill of many nieces and nephews growing up.
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NANCY ROBINSON
Nancy Rose Robinson, 68, passed away at her home in Three Forks on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007. She was born on May 29, 1938, in Geneva, Ill., to Henry and Florence Streadwick. She grew up between North Carolina and Illinois.
She married her high school sweetheart, Tom Lynch, and together they had two children, Patricia Ann and Timothy James Lynch. Not so long after, she married Kenneth Kittle, and together they had three children, Belinda Lee, Kenneth Lee Jr. and Deanna Rose Kittle.
In 1972, they moved to Montana where she worked and raised her family. She was a hard worker and she loved people. She made her home in Three Forks and that is where she finally met the love of her life, Charles E. Robinson. Together they raised the family, and two families became one with Charlie's children, Pat, Rich, Ron and Rob Robinson.

Nancy lead a very fulfilled life, she was outgoing, loving and in love with talking and being with people.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, husband Charlie, and her sisters.

She is survived by her children: Patricia (Garry) Hansen, Timothy (Debbie) Kittle, Belinda Kittle, all of Belgrade, Deanna (Todd) Randall of Three Forks and Kenneth Kittle of Las Vegas, Nev. She had several grandchildren: Heather (Dondi) Soucy, Stephanie (Pete) Young, Tiffany (Brandon) Sullivan, Timothy Jr. (Monica) Kittle, Hollie (Mike) Kittle, Julie, Katelyn, Kristopher, Ashleigh, Kenneth and two great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren who live in Minnesota.
Mom was our guardian angel. She was the reason we lived; she is the reason we loved. She is going to be missed dearly by everyone around her that loved and adored her. Mom you are finally at peace now, and you can go and join your love, Charlie, at the pearly gates. He is waiting for you. We love you and we will miss you dearly. A loving mother holds her children's hands for awhile, their hearts forever.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at Three Forks Christian Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Gallatin Hospice, 915 Highland Blvd., Suite 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715.

MARVIN D. SMITH
Marvin D. Smith, born July 31, 1925, in Holgate, Ohio, youngest son of Joseph and Julia Shively Smith, brother to Vivian, Jeanie, Don, Lou Ella, and Helen, passed away in his home surrounded by family and friends on Feb. 21, 2007.
He entered the U.S. Marines in October 1943 and served with the 6th Division in the South Pacific. He was a sniper and saved his squad on one occasion by singlehandedly killing 13 enemy fighters. He was awarded various medals for bravery, including a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for wounds received on the assault of Sugar Loaf Hill on Okinawa. After numerous surgeries, he was able to walk again but endured pain for the rest of his life.
Marvin married Dorothy Croft and they lived in Lima, Ohio, where he worked as a brakeman on the DT&I Railroad and as a fireman/security guard for the M1 Tank Plant. He patiently taught his children and many children of friends how to waterski. An avid sportsman, he raised dogs and competed in coon dog field trial competitions and sled dog races in the Midwest.
He moved to Big Sky in 1981 to enjoy the beauty and wildness of Montana. Farming with draft horses as a boy, Marvin naturally gravitated to training and caring for injured horses, gaining the title of "Horse Whisperer" among his community. He went out of his way to care for people and animals and

help others where possible and remained actively working on the ranch until his final stages of pancreatic cancer.

Marvin is survived by his sister, Helen; sons, Dennis and William; and daughter, Sharman. He was very fond and proud of his granddaughters, Sharra and Shayna, and dearly loved his nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to his friends for their loving support and to the gentle care from Bozeman Deaconess Hospice staff.
Cremation has taken place, and a Wake was held Feb. 23. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to any U.S veteran's association or hospice.
(friend of GT)
 

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