BILLINGSS GAZETTE Wednesday, May 11, 2005

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Ella Grace Sargent

Ella Grace Sargent passed away peacefully in her home on Mother's Day, May 8, 2005, after a short illness with pancreatic cancer.

Ella was born at home on Dec. 2, 1921, in Kremlin, the fourth child of Gunder and Amelia Obie. The family moved to Chinook a few years later after their home was destroyed by a tornado. As in Kremlin, her father homesteaded land south of Chinook and Ella often talked about carrying water, picking up "pie chips" for fuel and walking three miles to school.

Ella graduated from Chinook High School in 1940 and on April 5, 1941, she was united in marriage to Floyd Sargent. Except for two years in Harlem, they lived in Chinook until 1965. For five years they lived on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota, but returned to Montana in the early '70s, making their home in Billings.

Ella was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, while always keeping her many friends and relatives close to her heart. Ella will be remembered for living a very disciplined, neat and orderly life, and for her ability to listen and share her faith and keeping the right attitude with her many friends, neighbors and relatives who loved her so very much. When she wanted to talk, she would raise her hand and often would put memos in the church newsletter that were marked "From the Sargent."

She loved and worked faithfully in her church, looked forward to playing cards with her friends and was always a true homemaker. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway and VFW. Ella worked for the Billings School District and Leonard's Clothing and Herda's Drug in Chinook.

Ella was preceded in death by her husband Floyd on March 22, 1996; and siblings Edgar Obie, Gladys Obie Sargent and Gerhard Obie, all of Chinook.

She is survived by her three children, Sharon (John) Wesbrook of Detroit Lakes, Minn., Greg (Marian) Sargent of Independence, Mo., and Steve (Lori) Sargent of Columbia, Ky.; grandchildren Todd (Linda) Wesbrook of Lafayette, Ind., Elana Sargent of Independence, Mo., Tim (Kerlis) Wesbrook of Detroit Lakes, Dean (Jen) Sargent of Denver, Jill (Michael) Helm of Las Vegas and Heather Sargent of Louisville; plus six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at Messiah Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be sent to Big Sky Hospice and Bereavement Center, 123 27th St. in Billings or Hospice of the Red River Valley, 516 Main St. E in Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 and Messiah Lutheran Church, 2939 Colton Blvd., Billings, MT 59102.

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