Estella Goldine Graham

Estella Goldine Graham, loving mother, wife, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at the Ponderosa Pines Nursing Home.

She was born Oct. 26, 1922, in Glendive to Michael and Laura Vernes. At the age of 13 Stella and her family moved to Billings. She graduated from Billings Senior High School and on Nov. 22, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Graham, and they have been married 67 years.

Robert was an engineer for the Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for 41 years. That took them to Livingston where they lived for 11 years; they spent the next 11 years in Billings before moving to Whitefish, where Bob finally retired after 12 more years with the railroad. They then returned to Billings as this was always Stella's favorite place.

Stella's home and family were her passion. She was a marvelous cook and decorator and she was extremely talented in painting and poetry.

Stella and Bob raised two children, Judy and Nancy. They loved to golf, dance and travel to visit their children.

Survivors include her husband, Robert; her daughters, Judy Ricketts of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Nancy Graham of Billings; her sister, Kay Jones of Mesa, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Rawnda Tanner, John Burke and Jeffrey Richards, and one great-grandchild, Taylor Smith.

Stella was preceded in death by her brother, Arnold "Bud" Vernes of Billings.

Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary and the family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at American Lutheran Church. Refreshments will follow the services in the church fellowship hall.

Memorials may be made to the Shrine Transportation Fund or to a charity of your choice.

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary has charge of arrangements. Remembrances may be shared with the family by visiting www.michelottisawyers.com.