Christina Harpster

Funeral Services for Christina Harpster, 96, of Ekalaka, MT will at 2:00 p. m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka with Pastor Bruce Kolasch officiating. Interment will follow in the Beaver Lodge Cemetery at Ekalaka. Visitation will be 6:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Monday, March 22nd, and continue on Tuesday, from 9:00 a. m. until the time of service at Stevenson Funeral Home in EkalakaChristina ?Tena? passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at Dahl Memorial HeathCare in Ekalaka. Christina was born on April 25, 1913, the 5th child of Fred and Anna (Kortum) Martens at home on the Big Hill on Beaver flat. She grew up there with her siblings, attending the Big Hill School through the 8th grade. On November 7th, 1934, she married Roscoe Harpster, a local boy, making their home on the Harpster homestead. She could always look out her kitchen window and see where she was born. To this union, 2 sons were born, Gary and Donnie. They were the typical hard working people of that era. They raised cows, sheep, pigs and chickens. They had alfalfa, barley, corn and oat fields. Tena always like to milk her cow and raise chickens, sharing milk and eggs with the neighbors. She always had a garden and strawberry patch, canning or freezing the produce. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery and crocheting. Her cooking was from scratch, the best! She made many holiday meals that were served at her home for big family gatherings. The door was always open; the coffee pot was on, served with pie, cake, rolls or cookies, often fresh out of the oven. Like a local coffee shop, anyone and everyone were welcome. There was always room at the table for an extra plate. She loved a good game of cards or dominos. She loved music and traveled with her ?dance band family? as often as she could. Dancing to a waltz was probably her favorite. Spring was the season she liked the best. She would walk the creek to look for new calves, dig in the dirt to plant the garden or raking the yard so the green grass would come through. She patently waited for the wild fruit, crocus, sweet peas and lilacs to blossom. Lest we forget, the house got a good cleaning, floor to ceiling, washing the curtains, windows and all the bedding. In the fall of 2002, she entered the Dahl memorial Nursing Home; graciously she accepted a new way of life and joined in on the activities provided there. She was especially fond of the kids that came to entertain, little animals that were brought to visit and the music of all kinds. She was a very strong lady of German decent, leading a full and productive life. She leaves a legacy of her own and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Christina was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Walter, Albert and Harvey; sisters Alma and Rose (infant); a son, Gary, husband Roscoe, niece, Florence Martens Lasater and nephews, Alfred, Gene and Randy Martens. She is survived by her son, Don (Linda) on the home place at Ekalaka, grandchildren, Cindy (Will) O?Brian of Elma, WA, Diana (Randy) Roby of Casper, WY, Christy (Matt) Zimmerman of Billings, MT and Charley (Lisa) Harpster of Prairie City, SD; great-grandchildren Gary Hapster, Marcus Cline; Devin, Lucas, Megan and Cassidy Zimmerman; Ethan and Eli Harpster; four step-great-grandchildren, Nik, Katie, Rikkie and Kasey Roby and her great-great grandchildren, Joshua and Samantha Harpster, Gabbie and Navaeh Cline and two step-great-grandchildren Ellee and Luke Roby.


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Burial Date: March 23, 2010
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral Service: Tuesday, Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT