MORE FROM MONTANA...

My sister Brittany and her little Ella Bug

My fun sisters Alyssa and Natalie

My cousin Sarita and I hanging out on the floor

Little Ella all dressed up and ready for Halloween

My sister Alyssa and our neice Ella after the funeral

My cousin Sarita's little girl Averie and my nephew Porter. It was so fun to watch them play together. These little guys are just one day apart

Grammie Mangus

Grammie Mangus...what a beautiful woman. This is a rare picture of Grammie and all her grandchildren at Grandpa's funeral.

GRANDPA MANGUS

My sweet Granpa Mangus passed away last Saturday morning. He was a man who dedicated his life to loving and serving those around him. Grandpa will be missed for his uplifting and unconditional love toward all people. He lived a great life and is now resting from the long battle of this past year. The funeral was beautiful and in many ways a sweet celebration of his life. I know my grandfather would have wanted nothing more than for his family to all be together. What an incredible legacy he has left for us grandchildren.

Bert Mangus, 78, of Billings, passed away at the Valley Health Care Center early Saturday morning, Oct. 25, 2008.

Bert came into this world on April 8, 1930, in Lovell, Wyo. He was the second child of four born to Charles Choncie and Violet Berthelson Mangus. He is preceded in death by his older sister, Peggy Jean, and his youngest brother, Charles Wayne. Bert's brother Jay Mangus survives and resides in Worland, Wyo. He attended public school in Byron, Wyo., where he was selected as an All-State athlete for his State Champion junior- and senior-year football and basketball teams. Bert later attended Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyo., on a basketball scholarship prior to transferring to Billings Business College in 1949. While attending BBC, he met Evelyn Frickle of Hardin, and they were married in the home of Evelyn's parents on Oct. 27, 1950. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

To this eternal union were born three sons, Marlon Dean (Susan) of Noblesville, Ind., Bryan Kirk (Colleen) of Warner Robbins, Ga., and Shon Clark (Honey) of Billings.

In addition, Bert has been able to enjoy the lives of eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Bert worked as a bank teller in Laurel prior to accepting a position with Marathon Oil Company's, Byron field office in 1951. He later accepted a transfer in 1952 to Marathon's Regional Offices in Casper, Wyo., where he worked for 35 years until retirement as a Human Resource Representative. He enjoyed his early Casper years by participating in the community church basketball and softball programs. In addition, Bert served his community as Marathon's United Fund liaison as well as Treasurer for the Casper Community Recreation Program. He was a meticulous record keeper. In 1997, Bert and Evelyn moved to Billings, where they have been able to be closer to their siblings and relatives.

Bert was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in a variety of capacities such as early morning seminary teacher, gospel doctrine teacher, ward and stake clerk, counselor to the Bishop, and Temple worker.

Bert's greatest joy was being a father and attending all of his son's activities. He rarely missed a game, graduation or church ceremony where they were involved. He was a great teacher of sports and spent countless hours practicing with them. Above all, Bert was a kind man. He will be remembered by his peers for his service to others and making sure that their temporal needs were met, and that they felt welcome and comfortable regardless of the circumstances. He loved his grandchildren and they loved him. They have all traveled from the far corners to attend and pay tribute to his passing.

The Mangus family wishes to thank the healthcare professionals at the Billings Clinic, Valley Health Care and RiverStone Health Hospice for their dedication and support as well as family and friends who made periodic visits to Bert's home and bedside.