William Brence

Mass of Christian Burial for William ?Bill? Brence, 88, of Ekalaka, MT will be at 10:00 a. m. Monday, May 5, 2008 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka, MT with the Rev. Father Thomas Tobin celebrating. Rite of Committal will follow in the family lot in Beaver Lodge Cemetery at Ekalaka. Military Rites will be provided by the Ekalaka VFW Post #7885 and America Legion Post #60. Visitation will be 12 noon to 9:00 p. m. Sunday, May 4th at Stevenson Funeral Home, with a Rosary & Vigil Service at 7:00 p. m. Bill passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Dahl Memorial Healthcare Nursing Home in Ekalaka, MT. William M. ?Bill? Brence was born March 12, 1920 to John and Mary (Malesic) Brence on the family ranch near Mill Iron. He grew up and attended grade school at the Brence School. Bill was drafted out of the eighth grade to help out on the family ranch for several years. Later in 1942 he was drafted into the US Army and served as an engineer in the Southern Pacific Theatre. While serving on Palau Island, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. After being injured he was honorable discharged in 1945. After being discharged from the army, Bill returned home. It was during this time that he met Madlon Peabody and the two were married in Baker on October 10, 1946. The young couple farmed in Fallon County for a few years before they moved back to the Brence Ranch at Mill Iron. It was here where they made their home and raised their family of nine children. Bill and Madlon lived on the ranch until retiring to Ekalaka in 2005. Bill loved his family dearly, he made sure to never get too far away from home so he couldn?t get home for dinner. He enjoyed going fishing with his grandchildren. His ranch brought him much joy, and loved every minute he spent on it, whether it be work or play. He was handy and could fix anything. Bill was a member of the school board for 27 years, St. Joan of Arc Parish, a founding member of the Dahl Memorial Hospital and served on board for 12 years, also a member of the Mill Iron Community Club, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, the Credit Union and a 4-H leader. He is survived by his wife, Madlon of Ekalaka, MT; his nine children, David (Vicki) Brence, St. Onge, SD; Linda (Dean) Massa, Hamilton, MT; Kathy Keneally, Billings, MT; Jeri (Roger) Thieme, Colorado Springs, CO; Charles (Gail) Brence, Mill Iron, MT; Paul (Nancy) Brence, Ekalaka, MT; Terri (Charlie) Sullivan, Corning, CA; Lori (Randy) Turnbough, Broadus, MT; Larry (Shannon) Brence, Miles City, MT. Also, 29 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, a brother, Harry Brence, Bozeman, MT and a sister, Francis Lewis, Salina, CA. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, grandsons Mark and James Michael, a granddaughter Ashley, his brothers John, Joe, Edwin and Raymond and three sisters, Florence, Lily and Sylvia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Dahl Memorial Nursing Home. Arrangements are under the care of Stevenson Funeral Home of Ekalaka, MT.


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Burial Date: May 5, 2008
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral Mass: Monday, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Ekalaka, MT