Minnie Ellen Paugh

BOZEMAN - Minnie Ellen Paugh, 83, of Bozeman died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. She was recovering from back surgery at the time of her death. She lived in Bozeman since 1961, and was a resident of Hillcrest-Aspen Pointe since 1998.

Minnie Ellen was born in Virginia City on April 7, 1919, to George and June Buhite Paugh. They lived on the family ranch at Jack Creek. She graduated from Ennis High school in 1937. She attended Montana State College for two years, and Montana State University in Missoula, graduating with a BA in 1941. Her Master of Education Degree was awarded at University of Montana in 1952. In 1961 she received her MA in Library Science from the University of Denver.

She joined the MSU faculty in 1961 as reference librarian and instructor. Prior to her faculty appointment, Paugh taught high school history and English in Loring, Edgar, Laurel, Havre, Cut Bank, Glasgow and Whitefish over a period of 20 years.

During most of her years at MSU, she was the special collections librarian in the Renne Library. Under her guidance, the Special Collections Department was created to feature collections about Montana, Yellowstone National Park, agricultural history and Montana Indian history. For these and many other contributions to the university, state and nation, the Board of Regents conferred upon her the rank of Associate Professor Emeritus of Library Science.

The Blue and Gold Award was given to her during Homecoming in 1987. The award was given to Paugh for bringing national distinction to MSU and in recognition of her dedicated service to MSU and Montana.

She was also a long time member and friend of the Museum of the Rockies and a dedicated museum volunteer. In 1986, Minnie and other members of the Paugh family provided support necessary to develop the permanent history hall at the museum, which is today named The Paugh History Hall in the family's honor. Minnie was also a member of the Museum of the Rockies Heritage Society.

Minnie was a member of many professional and historical associations. She was a volunteer and former member of the board of directors of the Bozeman Senior Center. She gave many hours as a volunteer at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

Minnie was a faithful and active member of St. James Episcopal Church for many years.

She enjoyed traveling during her retirement, visiting China, Russia, Spain, Portugal, South America, Australia and Africa and many locations in the United States. She was truly a world traveler!

Survivors include cousins Robert (Barbara) Paugh, James (Marlys) Paugh, John (Donna) Paugh, Patricia Paugh of Bozeman, and George Paugh of Seattle. Other survivors include 15 second-cousins and their families and many friends. Although Minnie was small in stature, she was a great influence to her family, friends and community. She will be missed.

Her parents, four uncles, and an uncle Theodore, who lived with her after she moved to Bozeman, preceded her in death.

Cremation has taken place. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. A reception will follow the services at Aspen Pointe at Hillcrest.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bozeman Deaconess Foundation for Gifting, Heart Unit, 931 Highland Boulevard, Bozeman, Montana 59715, or to the charity of one's choice.

Interment of ashes will be in Madison County Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5.