This page is in Loving Memory of:
Greg Barta
Greg and his good friend Keith VanLuchene were both tragically killed in an automobile accident near Broadview. Greg was a student at Eastern Montana College and also worked for Ryan’s Wholesale as well as Bob’s Central Avenue IGA. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral and the Billings Rod and Gun Club. He had a love for all sports, especially hunting, fishing and bowling. Greg was a young man of integrity and he is remembered as fun loving, kind and always a gentleman.
August 15, 1962 - October 30, 1984
Ruth Berntsen
Ruth was a member of our class but unfortunately she died in an automobile accident the summer before our senior year. Ruth loved school and travel. She had just returned that July 29th from five weeks of traveling in Spain, Africa, France, and England with her Spanish class. Ruth enjoyed anything outdoors, from relaxing in the sun and playing water sports, to the competitiveness of track and field events which included running with the relay teams. She especially loved skiing at Red Lodge Mountain. Children drew to Ruth with great affection; she was gifted in this area and truly had a way with the little ones.
May 30, 1962 - August 21, 1979
Robert Blevens
Bob died of a self-inflicted gunshot in Clallam County, WA. At the time of his death he was employed by Sterling Hardwood Floors of Seattle as the lead installer and job foreman. Bob’s dad shared that his son had also completed an Airframe and Power plant training at Helena Vo-tech and was FAA certified as an airplane mechanic. Besides hanging out with friends, listening to music, playing softball and pool, Bob also enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing and mountain hiking. Before he died Bob had been working to restore a 1962 VW Bug, which was a mess but he had it mechanically perfect and had begun the bodywork. He had a brief passion with hang gliding and plans of building a glider and an ultra-light aircraft. Bob will be remembered by his father and many as a teasing, caring, humorous, bright and sensitive young man.
March 6, 1962 - April 27, 1987
Susan Buffone (Belle)
After several years of struggling with an unknown health condition, Susie was diagnosed at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ in July of 1992, as having Huntington’s Disease. After a long and very courageous battle, Susie died at a Personal Care Home in Billings on January 14, 1998, two weeks before her 36th birthday. Susie’s mom shares that her daughter enjoyed reading and music, being with friends and family, animals, carnival rides, popcorn and Pepsi and her Dodge pickup. Susie never married but took her family’s name of Belle in 1997. She had a happy smile, even in her illness and a contagious laugh. Her mother feels that Susie would have been excited to see her friends and share those qualities with us at the 20th Class Reunion.
January 27, 1962 - January 14, 1998
Paul Clark
Paul’s parents gave us much insight into Paul’s life. He enjoyed the finer things in life including volumes of eclectic music, a fascinating collection of stamps, and many books, both fiction and nonfiction. He read extensively, had an excellent memory and would debate and discuss politics with any that cared to discuss current world, national and local issues. He also liked to ride his bike and often rode to Molt enjoying the peace and solitude of the quiet Montana countryside. Paul died of complications from AIDS but before his death he was able to use his speaking skills and knowledge to clarify for state leaders as well as local politicians the issues surrounding the treatment and prevention of HIV and AIDS. He was awarded a plaque by the Governor, posthumously, recognizing his influence in helping develop a state plan of intervention for these diseases.
October 27, 1961 - September 22, 1991
Kelly Costello
Kelly truly had a zest for life, a real go-getter, who was always eager to try new things and never afraid of failing. She loved children and enjoyed all sports. She participated in basketball, track, and summer softball programs, which, her mom says, was Kelly’s favorite sport, a game she thoroughly enjoyed. She loved the outdoors and was both a motorcyclist and an avid “fisherwoman”. In 1985 Kelly was employed as a school bus driver for KAL Lines and was also very active in Young Life. Although, Kelly had been diagnosed in 1981 with melanoma cancer, she maintained that life was truly worth living and with the aid of an experimental treatment, she lived an additional 6 years before dying of cancer in her home.
May 5, 1962 - January 2, 1987
Paula Doran Anderson
Paula attended the University of Montana following high school. She was married briefly to a man she met while in college. Later she returned to Billings, where she graduated from Eastern Montana College with a degree in Education. Paula died of carbon monoxide poisoning in her home. At the time of her death, Paula was a teacher at Rosebud School in Rosebud, MT. She was devoted to both her profession and the students she taught. Her greatest passion though, was music. She especially loved choral singing and playing the piano.
May 10, 1962 - January 31, 1988
Brett Ellis
Brett is fondly remembered as a person who accepted everyone for who they were. He did not have much need for material things; he invested more time into people and friendships. Brett struggled with the difficulties of addiction but sadly lost his battle with alcoholism. He had served in the U.S. Marine Corps, attended Sullivan College in Kentucky and had received his degree in computer programming. Brett had a love for sports, especially hunting and fishing with his dad and grandma and grandpa Ellis, leaving them with many treasured memories.
July 1, 1962 - June 3, 1997
Gregory Geise
Who can forget the brassy headed young man and his swimming abilities? Greg was an outstanding athlete all through his high school years. He graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Fine Arts and also had a degree as an Architectural Draftsman. Greg’s mom tells of his creativity and a love for “building”. Greg enjoyed taking his boys to different parks each week and drawing lessons were an every day event. He leaves behind his three sons, who were the light of his life, Joshua and Taylor, (the twins) and Logan.
October 14, 1961 - June 25, 1997
Kevin Greskoviak
Kevin died in his home of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He served in the Marine Corps and was discharged in 1985. The following year he enlisted in the Army Airborne Division, and was discharged from that service in 1990, when he returned to his home in Billings. Kevin enjoyed all the benefits that Montana has to offer. He loved being outdoors and his favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting and backpacking.
September 23, 1961 - December 6, 1990
Rodney Haman
At the time of his death Rod was a truck driver and mechanic for Yellowstone Feeders. Rod died from injuries received in a motorcycle accident. He had a passion for motorcycles and cars, whether working on them or enjoying the freedom of taking one for a “cruise”. When speaking with Rod’s mom, she was reminded of the black Chevy he owned in high school and was always “working” on. Rod took great pride in his skill as a mechanic, and could fix most anything. He enjoyed being outdoors, where his favorite pastimes included fishing and hunting. Spending time with family members, good friends and his son Trevor, brought him great pleasure.
July 18, 1961 - October 15, 1984
Nancy Kerner Fresonke
Nancy’s life ended suddenly at the age of 33 from a cerebral hemorrhage, which was a result of an undetected heart infection called endocarditis – a silent killer that occurs when common bacteria grow in a heart with mild murmur. Nancy was 8 months pregnant with her third child and quick acting doctors saved her baby Maxwell. Nancy graduated from MSU with a degree in accounting and married 1979 graduate, Dean Fresonke. They made their home in Florida where Nancy began as a CPA and later became Vice President of an entertainment complex called Water Mania. Nancy’s first love was her family and friends. Max never knew his mom but she lives on in the stories shared by his older siblings, Alexander and Roxanne.
November 24, 1961 - October 9, 1994
Gordon Mobley
Gordon attended Eastern Montana College right out of high school, and then in 1985 moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he attended the University of MN. In 1987 he returned to Billings and EMC and also worked as a waiter. Gordon found great pleasure in reading, listening to music and watching animated films. He had a spiritual desire that lead him to Harlem, New York, where he served as a missionary for a summer. Working with children was a great privilege and Gordon touched the lives of all who knew him.
February 2, 1962 - December 17, 1991
Daniel Small
Dan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home. He was a man of many interests, which included aviation, drawing, sketching and reading. He also was fascinated with computers and enjoyed working with them. One of his favorite outdoor sports was hiking in the mountains, especially with his family. Dan attended Eastern Montana College where he majored in science and in his freshman year received the CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award. Dan was an intelligent young man whose manner was kind and gentle. He is described by his mother as having a good sense of humor and someone who enjoyed making people laugh.
December 8, 1960 - December 13,1987
Bruce Stang
Bruce is remembered by his family and friends as a man of great humor, who loved to laugh and make people smile. His “clowning” can be seen in most family photos, in which Bruce loved to make a face or a gesture to whoever held the camera. Bruce died in Billings at Deaconess Hospital of cystic fibrosis. The last couple years of his life, Bruce had to be on oxygen, but that did not stop him from enjoying life. At the time of his death, he was working for Lystads, a company he had been with for several years. Bruce was happiest in the outdoors and loved fishing, big game hunting and golf.
May 11, 1962 - April 8, 1990
Trey Stocking
At the time of his death, Trey had a career as a retail store manager. He enjoyed people and was well suited for this position. He was very much an athlete whose favorite sports were basketball, tennis and golf. Trey attended both Rocky Mountain College, as well as Weber State College, and in 1984, he married Debbie Harrison. Unfortunately, they later divorced. Trey was a member of the LDS Church. After a long and courageous battle, he died in Salt Lake City, UT of complications from diabetes. Trey will be remembered by friends and family for his passion for life and his great sense of humor.
March 26, 1962 - October 12, 1992
Keith Van Luchene
Keith was a tall blonde athlete who lived life to the fullest. He jumped in with both feet and was eager to try it all. His mother tells of his passion for all sports. Among his favorites, were water-skiing, fishing and hunting. His life was sadly cut short when he, his girlfriend, Susan and good buddy Greg Barta were killed in an automobile accident just outside of Broadview. At the time of his death, Keith was attending Eastern Montana College and worked as a bartender at Gramma's.
October 11, 1962 - October 30, 1984
Robert Williams
While still living in Montana, Bob attended the University of Montana and Eastern Montana College. In 1989 he and his family moved to Spokane, Washington, where he worked on the grounds crew for Mukogawa Fort Right Institute. Bob’s body was found in the Spokane River, a victim of a crime that is still under investigation by the Spokane authorities. He belonged to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spokane and was a member of Theta Chi. His family shares the memory of one of Bob’s greatest achievements, becoming a proud member of Mensa. To qualify for this organization a person must have an IQ in the top 2% of the population. Truly, Bob was a gifted young man.
January 8, 1962 - June 2, 1991
Please contact us if there is any incorrect or missing information!
To update information on this page, or to give ideas or comments, email Maureen
Maureen Biorn
Copyright © 1999 BWHS Class of 1980 Reunion Committee. All rights reserved.
Revised: July 13, 2000