Eunice M. Ebert

Eunice M. Ebert, age 94, of Livingston, died Thursday, July, 11, 2013 at Livingston Health and Rehab. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held at American Lutheran Church (at the intersection of F an elevator is available) on Friday, July 19, at 1:30 P.M. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to American Lutheran Church or donor's choice of charity. Eunice Montana Ebert was born on September 17, 1918, in Wilsall, MT. She was the daughter of Charles Pinkerton and Pheobe "Gail" (Boone) Hargis. Eunice attended the first grade at Sedan. The family then moved to "The Poores Homestead" on the Shields River. Eunice continued her schooling in Wilsall and later at Cottonwood School when the family moved to the Cottonwood Bench. She and her brother and sister rode horseback to school. During blizzards they just gave the horse the reins and it would take them home sometimes walking over the fences because the snow was so deep. Eunice finished two years of high school in Wilsall. She and her sister cleaned house, did ironing and cooked meals for two spinster school teachers for their room and board. The children all worked hard on the farm, but they also had lots of play time. Eunice loved flying kites every spring that her father had constructed. However she feared water the rest of her life after nearly drowning during playtime in their creek and being rescued by her father. Eunice loved the holidays; but she remembered many Christmases where the only gift was an orange or apple and sometimes a pair of stockings their mother knitted. A candy cane was a very special and rare treat. Eunice met Frank Ebert at a community dance and love blossomed. They were married May 2, 1935. Eunice was only 16 years old. A minister in Livingston performed the ceremony. The newlyweds went to Chico for a night but the room would have cost $4.00. They returned to Livingston to the Albamarlo Hotel and paid only $1.50. Eunice and Frank started a life in Livingston by building what was to be a garage. After many additions over the years, it remained their home for 77 years. Eunice remained in that home until 2 years ago. She was a homemaker all her life. She took great pride in being a wife, a mother and a member of the American Lutheran Church. She belonged to the Ladies Aid and Luther Circle. She was a Girl Scout leader with her sister-in-law, Nettie Hargrove. Later in life she cooked at the Park Hospital part-time. She worked several years for Dr. Wm. and Orris Harris, cleaning, ironing, and cooking 3 days a week. Eunice was known for her cooking ability and made everything from scratch. Her family loved her homemade ravioli which she made in batches of 400-500. She was also a talented seamstress and made many dresses, especially for her older daughter. Eunice and Frank enjoyed square dancing for many years. She loved all dancing, which was not always to Frank's liking. The treasures of Eunice's life were her two daughters, her sons-in-law, 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. Eunice is survived by her daughters, Deanna Egeland of Livingston and formerly of Big Timber (Deanna's husband Ted was the former owner of Fashion Cleaners in Big Timber) and Kendra (Andy) McDonnell of Big Timber and formerly of Livingston. Grandchildren, Deanna's Children: Tim (Elaine) Egeland, their children, Brian (Heather) Egeland and their children, Brynn and Emma all of Forsyth, MT. Steven (Lauren) Egeland and their daughter, Laila Grace of Atlanta, GA. Cindy Forsman (Tom Griffen) of Laurel, MT and their children, Eric (Jeanna) Frosman of Billings, MT. Elaine Forsman and her children, Allee, Anthony, Cezar and Ayanna of Helena, MT. Toby (Jackie) Egeland of Livingston, MT. Teddi Lynea (Jeff) Benson of Billings, MT and their children, Joshua (Heather) Benson and their daughter Brooklyn of Idaho Falls, ID and Brittany and Jennee and her daughter, Addison Benson of Billings, MT. Kendra's Children: Aaron (Kay) McDonnell and their children, Cason and Callan of Big Timber, MT. Aden (Nicole) McDonnell and their daughter, Sophie of Bozeman, MT; Andralecia McDonnell of Livingston, MT. Step-Great-Grandchildren, Jessica (Ben) Johnston and their daughter, Elianna and Jake (Jillian) Johnston all of Laural, MT; and Jodie Johnston of Billings, MT. Nephews, Calvin (Mary) Sarver of Wilsall, MT and their daughter, Jeanna and her son, Cooper of Park City, MT; Bernie (Barbara) Ebert and their children David Ebert and Kendra Goodpaster of Kalispell, MT; David (Jolene) Ebert and their children, Melissa and Jonathan of Aurora, CO. Sister-in-law Wanda Hargis and her children, Jeff Hargis both of Santa Maria, CA and Jerry Hargis of Chandler, AZ. Eunice is preceded in death by her Husband of 64 years, Frank Ebert; Parents Charles and Gail Hargis; Brothers Mark, Don, Kenneth and Dan; Sister Pauline Sarver (Curry); Son-in-law Ted Egeland, as well as many In-laws. Arrangements by the Franzen-Davis Funeral Chapel in Livingston.