Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City.
Rite of Committal: Calvary Cemetery in Miles City.
Bertha Olive McIntosh Kowis, age 94, of Miles City passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2011 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Bertha was born on March 18, 1916 near Table Rock, Nebraska, the daughter of John William and Georgia (Fickle) McIntosh. Along with her family, she arrived by Immigrant Train to Hathaway, Montana at the age of one. She attended school in Hathaway and Rosebud, Montana. She married Valley Kowis on February 1, 1934 in Rosebud, Montana. They operated a gas station in Rosebud. They later moved to their ranch south of Rosebud in the Sweeney Creek area. In 1946 they sold the ranch. They worked on ranches on Moon Creek, the Mizpah and Powder River until they purchased the Preller Ranch. They sold the ranch and moved to Miles City in 1981, spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona. After Valley died in 1995, she continued to winter in Yuma for five years. She then moved into the Olive Hotel where she lived year around until April of 2010 when she moved to the Eagles Manor. On October 3rd, she broke her right leg and was taken to Holy Rosary Hospital where she resided till the time of her death.
Bertha was a member of the Range Riders Museum Reps, Elks Drove of Does, Fiddlers, Drop Inn Center and the Cattlewomen. She also volunteered in the gift shop at Holy Rosary Hospital.
Bertha is survived by her daughters: Dorothy Leatherberry of Laurel, MT and Alice (Bob) Williamson of Miles City, MT; her devoted grandson Bob Williamson who visited her everyday of her hospital stay; granddaughters: Donna (Mark) Darkenwald of Billings, MT; Ede (Kim) Bauwens of Fromberg, MT; Jo Walker of Scotts Bluff, NE; Jewell Williamson of Great Falls, MT; grandsons: Jim Leatherberry of Arizona; Guy, Tom and Chet Leatherberry; Mike Williamson of Arizona; many great grandchildren and also great great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Hazel (Bill) Bland of Englewood, CO and Neva (Rudy) Crawford of Forsyth, MT.
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Range Riders Museum.
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James Penner says
Bertha was may father’s aunt, sister to Mamie McIntosh. There was many times as a child where we spent summer vacations in Rosebud, and often recall visits. Last visit was able to see Bertha at the 2007 Rosebud school reunion. Sharp as a tack, new me off the bat. Wonderful memories that will always be there.