Eleanor Ruth (Kerr) Hafla, age 78, of Havre, MT, was given her angel wings by our Heavenly Father on March 16, 2022. Eleanor passed away peacefully at her second home in Billings, MT. She had been struggling with cardiovascular disease. Eleanor was born to Paul Hayden and Rilla Barker Hayden on September 14, 1943, in Billings, MT. Eleanor spent her childhood at the Kerr Ranch located on the Big Dry, Van Norman, MT. She grew up helping her step-dad raise sheep, riding her horse and driving an old Model T. Her early school years were at the Van Norman, MT school. She actually lived in a sheep wagon when she was young. Some of her fondest memories were the street dances in Cohagen, Angela, and Sand Springs, MT. She moved to Jordan, MT to attend high school and graduated from Garfield County High School in 1960. She attended beauty college in Miles City, MT. On July 29, 1961, she married Monte Plummer from Baker, MT. They were married at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City, MT. The couple moved to Glendive, MT and Eleanor worked at a local beauty shop and the Bears Truck Stop, while Monte started Plummer Trucking. To this union two children were born, Dwaine and Sheila whom they raised in Glendive, MT. Eleanor was a member of the Glendive Moose Lodge for over 20 years. She taught Sunday School at Sacred Heart in Glendive, MT. After Monte passed away in 1990, Eleanor moved to Miles City, MT. There, she enjoyed spending her spare time with her sister, Darlene, her mother, Rilla, and her many friends from Jordan, the Big Dry area and Miles City. In 1999 she married Marvin Hafla of Miles City, MT. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. They took trips to New Orleans and for a month traveled around Alaska in a motorhome. Marvin passed away in 2012. Eleanor then moved to a retirement home in Billings and soon learned that she wasn’t cut out for retirement life just yet. So, she moved to Havre, MT and moved into her daughter’s home and her favorite son-in-law. Having spent a very cold winter in Havre, and complaining that she had moved close to Antarctica, she bought a winter home in Billings, MT. She would then spend her summers in Havre and winters in Billings. Eleanor’s hobbies included going to church, fishing, horse racing, spoiling her grandchildren, playing pinochle, visiting family and friends, and spoiling her dog, Missy Sue. Eleanor loved to make people laugh and her laughter was contagious! She would help anyone in need and would make sure folks that had fallen on hard times were provided for. In her later years, she loved to gamble and vowed to give half of her winnings to the poor. Once, she was kicked off the property at the Soup Kitchen because of the crowds she drew. She heard people yelling from down the street, “hey, some crazy lady is handing out cash at the soup line, spread the word.” She had a true soft spot for those that had fallen on hard times and tried to help wherever she could, thus family is certain she has been given her angel wings! Eleanor was a devoted Catholic and she passed her love of our Heavenly Father & the Blessed Mary onto her children. Our beautiful daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, grandma great, and true friend is going to be missed by all that knew her.
Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents, Paul Hayden and Rilla Barker, her Stepfather’s, John Kerr and Elmer Malcholff. Her stepmother, Iola Hayden. Her husband’s Monte Plummer and Marvin Hafla. Her son, Dwaine Plummer, and her sister Darlene Stone. She is survived by her daughter in-law, Tammy (Bakken) Plummer of Woodburn, OR, daughter Sheila (Mike) Barthel of Havre, MT. Grandchildren, Jordon (Sara) Plummer of Glendive, MT, Karra Plummer of Woodburn, OR, Jaleesa Barthel (Landon) Vannatta, Janelle and Janae Barthel of Billings, MT. Great grandchildren, Benson & Tayson Vannatta and Elowen Plummer. And her special roommates Craig and Sheila Barthel of Billings, MT. Charities/Donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul of Miles City, or Billings, or a Catholic Church of your choice. May God Bless each of you and please pray that Eleanor’s soul is flying like an angel.
A Family Receive Friends will be held at the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home on Thursday, March 24, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm with a Rosary to follow. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Miles City, MT. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 24, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 24, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 25, 2022
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 North Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 24, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 24, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 25, 2022
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 North Montana Ave.
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Gwen (Follmer) jung lefor says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. She will be missed by all. Many fond memories of her as my neighbor growing up .
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Eleanor and I were neighbors on the Big Dry for many years. I always enjoyed getting to see her and having a good visit. Deepest sympathy to all the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
Bonita Follmer says
I will miss seeing her,she has been a wonderful friend to me and my family Saw her alot of Saturday’s at Aspen View Retirement home Billings Mt. Alot of friends here were friends with her. Everyone really liked her.You are in my prayers . Shelia please send me your Address I have something for youfrom the home. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.LOVE YOU. BONITA FOLLMER 3075 AVE C APT 211 BILLINGS MT.59102
Hirschs says
Our sympathy. Eleanor will be missed for her radiant smile and visits
Bonita Follmer says
I was Eleanor’s neighbor in Glendive for years,she was a beautician she some times did my hair twice a week, used to drink coffee with her and exchange receipes she was a good cook too. She had two beautiful children Dwyane, and Shelia. She was such a joyfully person to be around .She is really going to be miss.she is with her family w hich she loved dearly
,i know I have alot of memories of her too.love you alot Shelia and thanks for calling me. Bonita Follmer
Roxie Saylor says
Was saddened to hear of Eleanors passing.We roomed together in the dorm.We always enjoyed the visits and would meet to go to lunch.Will miss you my dear friend.
Sharon Lewis says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Eleanor was nice a wonderful neighbor and friend. She will be missed dearly. Was so nice to connect up with her here in Billings. My heart goes out to you Sheila and your family. God bless you all. Sharon Lewis
Josephine Meidinger says
My sympathy
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Reaching out with prayers to Eleanor’s family. May you have comfort through memories and from friends.
Agnes & Ken Drane says
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Eleanor. She was a dear friend from childhood on and will be deeply missed. We had a lot of good coffee dates!
Clay Cook says
Friends later in life, but, both enjoyed our shared LaBree ancestry. Country never left our blood and, thats proudly as it should be. DOMINUS VOBISCUM, Cousin!
Gaile Heimbuch says
Eleanor will be missed by so many! She is truly an angel. I remember our trip to Utah to see my Mom! I think we laughed every mile! My Mom loved her so much she was a great neighbor in Glendive! They drank a lot of coffee. Our deepest condolences to all of her family and all who loved her . I did!
Lena Anderson says
So sad to hear about Eleanor’s passing, we both lived close to the Big dry, we got to grow up together, did almost everything. She then lived on the big dry as a neighbor.
She was a wonderful friend and miss her 😢
Praying 🙏 for her family and all who knew her. What a great friend, will never forget!!
Nyla (Cook) Morris says
Sorry to hear of Eleanor’s passing. Although my Dad Clair Cook & her Mom Rilla were 1st cousins, we didn’t get to know them until later in life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. RIP Eleanor!
Shirley Buckley says
Eleanor and I were good friends in Glendive. We did each other’s hair and had several lunches together I remember us eating noodles and soy sauce and all kinds of crazy concoctions Thinking of you now Sheila.
Maureen O'Reilly says
II never knew Eleanor really well but did remember her as someone always helping anyone having problems. She will be missed by many of these and by all of her family.