After a year long battle with cancer, Jona was called home by her Heavenly Father on Friday, July 20, 2018, surrounded by friends and family. She was born on June 6, 1967 to Harold LaBree and Linda (Hanley-LaBree) Newman in Ekalaka, MT. On December 28, 1968, her father, Harold passed away.
In December, 1971, Linda married Dean Newman of Ingomar, MT and Jona gained a stepfather. Jona (4 ½) stood watch over the blessed event…she can be observed smiling from ear to ear, front and center, in their wedding pictures. Dean remembers her youth as, “into everything, all the time”. He also, fondly, recalls her as being, “one of the best hands on horseback, working cattle, that he has been around!”
In 1973, her first half-sister, Tara Jo, was born; then came Mauri (Mo) and Jami (Jim) soon after. So, basically, she became a “second Mom” to all of them. Linda recalls going to events with all of them and Dean would have one, Linda would have one, and Jona would have one!! From then on, Jona was usually accompanied by one of them most of the time as they idolized her! Her “uncle/brother” Justin Hanley came to live with the family during Jona’s High School years and they had a lot of memorable “cowboying” experiences together!
Jona attended elementary school in Melstone, MT., where she participated in 4-H (taking sewing, cooking, and horse projects), youth rodeos and became the tiniest member (mascot) for the Melstone Broncs High School Cheerleaders. During this time, she also became an NRA Rodeo sensation by riding one of Eddie Grebe’s (Go Rodeo Co.) best saddle bronc horses, Good Eye, around the arena after bucking off most of his riders. The pickup men would jerk the flank and lead him over to Dean and he would put a bridle on him and give Jona a “leg up” and she would trot him around the arena!
All 4 years of High School were spent at Winnett High School, in Winnett, MT, where Jona graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1985. All through her high school years, she participated in High School Rodeo, Basketball, Track, Pep-Band, Choir, Drill Team and Football Cheerleading. Also, during this time, she competed in the Miss Montana Teen Pageant in Helena.
Jona spent much of her teen summers helping on the ranch, breaking horses, and traveling to High School Rodeos. She won numerous belt buckles and many other awards and trophies including an “all around” saddle. She also earned the distinction of District High School Rodeo Queen, much to the delight of all her little sisters…which led them all to run around the arena horseback, flicking their fingers, learning how to achieve the “queen wave”!
After high school, Jona attended Miles Community College in Miles City on rodeo, basketball, and academic scholarships. For the 2 years she was there, she was a member of the College Rodeo Team and Girls Basketball Team. Jona earned her Accounting Degree from Eastern Montana College in Billings, MT while rounding out her cheerleading career for the EMC Men’s Basketball Team.
During the summer breaks during her college years, she worked for the BLM Fire Fighting Crew as a dispatcher and in the field. Those experiences took her to many places in Montana as well as far away as Alaska.
Jona moved to Las Vegas, NV after graduating from College with a former friend and MCC Basketball team member, Nancy Kalafat, to pursue her accounting career. During this time, she met and married Ted Walkowski (who was stationed in the Air Force there) in Billings, MT in 1993. In 1995, their first son, Wyatt, arrived and then 4 years later, Dru arrived. Shortly before Dru’s arrival, the family moved to Bryan, OH to pursue a family business opportunity in plastics manufacturing. While there, she managed the office and accounting processes and also became a very integral part of that community through school and church activities.
Ted and Jona divorced in 2005 and she relocated to Canyon, TX. She met and later married Lige Murray in 2007. Jona gained 3 step-children through that union…Kylie, Reed, and Hannah. Lige and Jona also hosted a foreign exchange student, Jaime Rodriguez, and have stayed in close touch with him since. They also were able to visit his home in Spain and meet his family a few years ago, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Jona was blessed over the years to have numerous opportunities to travel with friends and family. In addition to Spain, she accompanied the Murray family to Holland, went with friends to Indonesia and traveled to various other locations in the United States.
The remaining months, weeks, and days of Jona’s life was spent surrounded by many that loved her. In the later stages, they became lovingly referred to, by the nurses, as the “party crowd’ outside her hospice facility. On many nights, Jona would join them for as long as she could endure it!
She is preceded in death by her father, Harold LaBree, Paternal Grandparents, John and Frances LaBree; Maternal Grandparents, Jack and Roxye Hanley and Step-Grandmother, Doris Hanley.
Survivors include her parents: Dean and Linda Newman; sons: Wyatt Walkowski (fiance, Victoria Jade Walker) and Dru Walkowski; husband, Lige Murray; step-children: Kylie (Tony) Thompson, Reed (Jade) Murray, and Hanna Murray; 4 step-grandchildren: Eli, Kota, Monte Bo, and Kinzlee. Sisters: Tara (Neil) Bradley and Nikia; Mauri (Kelvin) Elness and Jorden DeHaven and Laynee; Jami (Curt) DeHaven and Logan, Jaxen and Treylen.
A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire memorials can be made to the Dougherty Hospice House, 4509 S Prince of Peace Pl, Sioux Falls SD 57103.
Jana Hance says
Lige and family, I never had a chance to meet your beautiful bride/mother/grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kelly Thibault says
Lige and family,
You have no reason to remember me, but when I was so ill I could not attend school, your Mother was my tutor (1975-1978). I’m sorry for your lose and empathize with all your grief.
Jonette Balsam Doeden says
Gosh. What a shock. I have many fond memories of Jona and High School rodeos. May the Lord extend His hand and give you all strength to get through this time.
Leloy Albright says
Dear family, I counted Jona as a friend. We went to church together here in Amarillo. I am sorry I won’t be at her memorial, but please know that you will all be in my prayers as you say goodbye for now. Love from Jona’s church family.
Kaaren Rizor says
Jona worked with my husband, Ray Rizor FMO, as dispatcher at Fort Howes in Ashland during her BLM years. He appreciated her hard work and everyone enjoyed working with her. So sorry to hear this sad news. Mike, Lisa, and I send our prayers in your time of loss.
Lisa Aslesen says
Dear Ones,
Jona worked as a BLM fire dispatcher at Fort Howes for my late father, Ray Rizor, in the late 80’s to early 90’s. She was outstanding at her job and a friend to us all. My heart goes out to her family. May she rest easy. In college, at BHSU, I later met and became good friends with Jona’s cousin, Dixie, who remains one of my best friends all these years later. It was from Dixie I learned this sad news and write these words with a heavy heart.
Candy Thornton says
I worked with Jona at Amarillo College and have kept in touch with here since then. Jona was such a wonderful happy person. I am blessed to have known her. I remember watching her and her sisters sing “We are family” together, very entertaining! I am so sorry for your loss…
Kam Ryan Murnion says
I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with all your family
Paul and Sue McKenna says
Remember her attending high school here in Winnett and the rest of the family. Take strength in your family and beliefs. We are thinking of you here in Winnett.
Kim Pepple says
I met Jona after attending the Great Banquet in Bryan, OH. We both ended up forming an Reunion Group (bible study) which met weekly for many years. She was such a special friend and a wonderful sister in Christ. Not only did we study the Bible but we went on some fun adventures together with Susie and Michelle. I know where you are and I plan on joining you someday. Sending my love ♥️ until we unite in Heaven. ?
Candy Loehding says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Jona’s family! Special hugs for Linda! I cannot imagine how difficult. Jon’s lived a full and active life. Amazing young woman! ?
Suzanne Donais says
Lige and All the family,, I’m so very sorry to know about Jona’s passing I’m very sad every since I heard the news of her recurrence of her Ca. I’ll always remember her voice— her laugh and her contagious smile. She had a gentle spirit
RIP peace Jona. You are another Rose in our Lirds Garden
Linda Armstrong says
We send are heart felt love to the family of a beautiful Lady inside an out. Spread your wings lovely lady an fly so high. Enjoy your freedom from your pain an tears. We on earth will miss you but are hearts will smile knowing you are totally free. RIP my wonderful friend.
Susie Beals says
Jona was a wonderful “sister in Christ”. As Great Banquet members we shared a Reunion Group (Bible Study) named “Women of Wonder” (W.O.W. ). Jona often shared her knowledge of God’s Word and led the rest of us in the right direction. I remember her love for Christian music, fun at every opportunity and many giggles. Her smile was contagious. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful moments I will cherish for ever. Jona truly served her Lord. Jesus welcomed a special woman, Daughter, Wife, Mother, sister and friend. And blessed us all with wonderful memories.
Sheila Stuckey says
My condolences to Jonas family. She was a hoot to be around with her upbeat personality and engaging giggle. She was always reading self help books and sharing everything she had learned with our reunion group. We shared a lot of laughs and trials during that time and I will treasure the opportunities I had sharing our faith walk together. Take comfort that she is no longer suffering, but know that she is beaming ear to ear knowing that she has beat the rest of us home to bask in God’s glory. She was always such a giver and doer and only wanted was best for her boys. I think about her every time I see the barbed wire Christmas tree she crafted, she is missed but never forgotten ❤️.
Marilyn May & Jim May says
Our sincere love & sympathy Linda, Dean, Lige and all of Jona’s family…. so sorry
Margie Smith says
Linda, when I briefly saw U at the MATE, someone asked U about your daughter, and I did not get the chance to inquire about her…. Very sorry. I just remember her as a very nice young gal when I lived at Sumatra…. Sounds as though she lived a good full life, but sorry wasn’t much longer…
Pam Wall says
I am so Sorry for your loss. You All are in my Thoughts and Prayers.
Debbie Runcie says
Jona brought laughter, fun, and joy to our workplace and lunches. Have missed her so. My heart goes out to Wyatt and Dru and the family.
John and Tami Davies says
Dean, Linda, Wyatt, Dru, Tara, Mauri and Jami and Families,
Thinking of you at this sad time. Jona’s laughter and free spirit was contagious. We are Thankful for Jona being a part of our lives. Sending much love and hugs of comfort to you all during this difficult time.
Love John and Tami
Tricia Montano says
Jona I will always remember the memory of our love for the movie Tombstone. Thank you for being such a great co worker. You always had such a great heart, beautiful smile and a wonderful positive spirit. You will be missed.
Bobbi Laurich says
The person in her life that talked so much, I find it hard to put into words how Jona touched my life and the many ways she helped me be a better person. She had such a fearless attitude. I think she could do just about anything she set her mind to do. I worked with Jona for 3 years, but be had a friendship that lasted more than 12 years. She was an amazing friend and I will never forget her. To the whole Newman Family
Thank you for making me feel so welcome in Jona’s last days. I am very grateful for all the kindness you showed me. Your family is so very strong I am so sorry for your loss.
Tori muehlfeld says
Condolences to the family. I have fond memories of Aunt Jona, her ranching stories and her infectious laugh. We will see each other when it’s my time to go, maybe she can show me around up there ❤
Maary Sue Clark-Lynn says
Yes I too will miss Jona’s wonderful smile and love for adventure. I met Jona through The Great Banquet and my daughter-in-law, Michelle. She joined Michelle and I for an Ohio State Football game. The joys were many that day, and made so much better because of Jona’s presence. I am ao glad her suffering is over and that she is singing with the angel choir in Heaven. My heart goes out to her whole family.
Sabra Mack Stone Murnion says
I’m so deeply sorry to all of Jonas’ family and loved ones. Her memory will live on through all of us as the beautiful person she was….
R.I.P. Jona?
Tammie Rowton Starkjohann says
I’m so very sorry. Just breaks my heart. Sending prayers for comfort and healing to all Jona’s family. Hugs <3
De De (Treible) Jones says
We are so sorry for your loss. Just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Love The Treible Family