Jean E. Fleming, age 82, of Miles City passed away on Friday, August 30, 2013 in Miles City.
Jean was born on November 1, 1930 in Lewistown, Montana to Bernt and Ona Hanson, who lived east of Winifred, Montana on the Missouri River. They moved to the Bitterroot Valley for a short time in 1937 and then back to Winifred where she finished the third grade. They moved to Kinsey, Montana in 1940 when the irrigation project was just beginning where she finished grade school and graduated from Custer County High School in 1949. Jean worked at Montgomery Ward, and Schultz Electric until her mother became ill in 1950, when she went home to help her father and brother take care of her and the farm for two years. In 1952 Jean went to work for the telephone company and was married to Douglas Fleming on September 2, 1952 in Sheridan, Wyoming. She gave birth to a son, Flint in 1953. During her marriage to Doug, they lived in California, Arizona and back to Montana then onto Rapid City, South Dakota. Before going to Rapid City, they purchased their first ranch at Rosebud, Montana in 1958. Moving to Rapid City in 1959, Doug founded the Stockman National Life Insurance Company where she was a homemaker and assisted him in the company’s activities. During this time Jean and Doug along with their partner Albert Phelps purchased another ranch in Glendive, Montana. The ranch at Rosebud produced mainly bucking bulls and horses, while the ranch at Glendive was commercial cattle. Jean and Doug were partners with Albert in a variety of business adventures over the years.
In 1968, Jean and Doug moved back to Rosebud, Montana with Doug passing away in 1973. Jean operated the ranch until 1976 when she moved to Miles City. In 1978 she married Wayne Morford and they opened a western store, Morford’s Tog’s and Tack. Jean had purchased some land in the Pine Hills and together they built a very nice home there. In 1988 Jean went through some troubling financial times. She lost her interest in the Glendive ranch, the Pine Hills home and sold out Morford’s Tog’s and Tack. In 1990 she moved back into town, after that she worked at the desk at the Olive Hotel, Sandhills Sewing and was a secretary at many ropings and rodeos. Jean was a woman who could do almost anything. She was an excellent cook, loved to can and freeze foods, an expert seamstress, where she made everything from western shirts to centennial dresses along with crocheting, quilting and craft making of all kinds. She also played the piano and organ throughout her life. In 2003, Jean moved to Friendship Villa in Miles City, while there she continued her sewing and crafts and performed alterations for many people. She kept this up until her health deteriorated the last six months.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband Doug, parents Bernt and Ona Hanson. She is survived by her brother Rex Hanson of Hathaway, MT; son Flint Fleming of Miles City, MT; niece Ginger Nangle (Mike) of Tucson, AZ and their daughter Sara; nephew Wade Fleming of Miles City and his son Kyle, MT; cousins Tom Ford of Winifred, MT, Vicki Ford Elhert (Robert) and their children Abby, Carmen and Barry of Winifred, MT; Walt Tadsen (Linda) and their children Cody and Casey of Forsyth, MT; and two special friends Joan Berg of Livingston, MT and Nancy Hirsch of Miles City, MT.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Range Riders Museum Hall. Interment will be held at a later date in the Forsyth Cemetery. 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.
Myrna Mulkey Higgins says
Deepest sympathy to Flint and Rex. Many memories of good Kinsey friendships. May the Lord bless you and keep you all. Mike and Myrna
Rodney and Marilyn Askin says
Flint: Our Sympathy and Prayers are with you on the loss of your Mom..We have many, many good memories of her..
Nancy Pasha says
Flint,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. She was a great lady and will be missed. Prayers for you and your family.
Vi Zawada says
Sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. A very talented lady and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
McFarland says
Flint, your Mother was one great lady and so talented in so many things. Will always remember the times growing up at Kinsey, her cooking, beautiful nails and her positive attitude.
Joan Price Berg says
what a lady, My talented, knowledgeable, courageous friend ,may she rest in peace! my thoughts and prayers are with you Flint and Rex. I saw her the 29th. we visited, I am so grateful for that.
Nora Drew says
Flint, so sorry about your loss of Jean. She will always be a special lady to me and hold a very special place in my heart!
FriendshipVillaHealthcareCenter says
Jean Fleming was the strongest, most courageous woman we have ever had the chance to get to know. She has taught us so much over the years! She will be missed here at Friendship Villa! Our sympathy and prayers are with her family!
Love everyone at Friendship Villa
Roxanna Brush says
Will miss you Jean!!
Fern Carey Griggs says
Jean brings back such good Kinsey times, family and comunity get togethers! What good memories….my sympathy to Rex and Flint
Tracy and Stacy Bertrand and family says
Flint and family. Our deepest condolences, you are in our prayers.
Roxie Davis says
Flint I am so sorry to hear about your mom. We had so many good times on Sweeney Creek. Jean was a dear friend and I will miss visiting her when I go see Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Rex.
Noel Phillips says
Flint Im sorry about the passing of your mom
D'Ann Witcher says
Flint, I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I have so many wonderful memories of timing and secretarying so many ropings with Jean. She was a great lady and will be missed by many. I’m sorry I won’t be able to be at her funeral but I will be there in spirit. God bless and comfort you. D’Ann
Carlene and Clarence Rootc says
Rex, we are sorry to hear of the passing of your sister. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and this time. Carlene (Aastrom) and Clarence Root.
Loyd and Ashlee Ketchum says
Flint, very sorry to hear of Jean’s death. She was a very neat lady and will be missed greatly.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Jean Fleming – May you find comfort in your loving memories, beautiful pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mrs.Fleming. God did not purpose that mankind suffer and die and has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24) Our loving Creator has promised that soon pain and death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). The Paradise that was originally promised for the earth in the Garden of Eden will be restored. (Psalm 37:29) Please be comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).