George Morella

Visitation: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus.

Funeral services: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Broadus.

Interment: Valley View Cemetery.

George Morella, age 78, passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at Valley Health Care Center in Billings, MT.

George Morella was born on May 28, 1932 on the family homestead north of Boyes to Batista and Apollonia (Pistono) Morella shortly after Batista had returned from Italy where he married Apollonia in Fiorano, Italy. He grew up on the family ranch speaking only Italian and then attended grade school at Hay Creek. He graduated from Broadus high school in 1950. In addition to working on the family ranch, George began working for neighbors at the young age of 12. He started working for Carl Schaffer as a teenager for several years, doing such things as building the theatres in Ashland and Broadus and farming. During this time he developed his love for good horses. He loved being able to ride and rope on Schaffers horses, especially a famous cutting horse named Double Cinch. He also night lambed for Chester Bruce, range lambed for others and stacked thousands of bales for many people.

He was a charter member of the East Fork Roping Club. In 1956 he won the calf roping at the East Fork rodeo with a fast time of 13.5 seconds. He wore the winning belt buckle throughout his life. His love of calf roping led his family to take him to numerous rodeos including Calgary, Cheyenne and the National Finals in Las Vegas. He thoroughly enjoyed roping calves at brandings into his 70's. In 1962 George married Linda Roberts in Broadus, MT and they made their home on the Little Powder where he lived until his death. In 1966 Mike was born and Lauri followed in 1974. They began leasing the Sampson Ranch in 1984 where George made numerous improvements including one of the first solar-generated water pipeline systems. George and Linda worked side by side for 47 years raising cattle and sheep with their family. George loved riding and working cattle and moving the cows to greener pastures.

Even though his family liked sheep, George was never fond of them and one of the happiest days of his life was when they sold the sheep in 2002. George was very particular and proud of his work. His family often joked that he liked working along the highway so he could wave to all his friends and display his hard work. After being diagnosed with cancer four years ago, he continued to work on the ranch including all the baling for the next three summers while undergoing chemo treatments. In addition to ranching, from 1970 until 1989 he sprayed noxious weeds throughout Powder River County during the summers. He also found the time to haul coal, corn, cows and anything else in his 1977 brown truck, which he drove over 375,000 miles. For many years he was also a committee member for the ASCS and SCS and served on the Fair board. After working hard every day, he rested on Saturday nights by going to country dances where he danced every dance. George and Linda are well-known for their jitterbugging. No song was ever too fast for George. He also enjoyed bowling, playing pool, and attending his kids and grandkids sporting events but he truly enjoyed spending time, sharing stories and laughing with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Linda, his son, Mike (Joni Ann) Morella of Denver, CO,his daughter, Lauri (Mike) Feralio of Billings, MT and his four grandsons, MichaelFeralio and Jon, Austin and Anthony Morella.

He is also survived by numerous relatives including three first cousins in Ivrea, Italy. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Silvano Morella.

His family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Christianson, Dr. Hagan and Dr. Maier along with the nurses and staff of the Hematology and Oncology department for providing special care for the past four years. They would also like to thank the staff of Sapphire Suites at Valley Health Care Center for their help and kindness during his last days.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Valley View Cemetery in Broadus. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Should friends and family desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River County Endowment Fund, PO Box 421, Broadus, MT 59317 or to the Cancer Fund in care of Pat Gardner, Box 629, Broadus, MT 59317. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus has been entrusted with the arrangements.