Bess M. Kasman

Bess M. Kasman, 85 of Billings, passed away at Billings Clinic on October 25, 2006. Bess was born in Pueblo, CO on May 11, 1921 to Fred and Etta Barr.

The family lived in Ogden, UT and Dubuque, IA before moving to St. Louis, MO, where she completed high school, graduating from Normandy High School in 1938.

Bess attended Rubicon Business School in St. Louis. She worked in St. Louis for Otis Elevator Co.for a couple years before moving to Helena to work for Farmers Home Administration. In 1948, she transferred to Billings and began her position as a secretary to the Regional Director for the Bureau of Reclamation.

It was at the Bureau of Reclamation that she met her future husband, Gerald Kasman, while he was there reinstalling the office telephone system. They later decided marriage would be a good idea and were united into matrimony on June 18, 1955.

Gerry's job with the telephone company took them to several locations in Montana including Baker, Red Lodge, and Great Falls. Retirement brought them to Billings in 1996. Gerry and Bess celebrated their 51st Anniversary this last June!

Survivors include her husband Gerald Kasman of Billings; Gerry's sister-in-law, Ruby Lee Kasman of Helena; and nephews Craig and Douglas Kasman of Washington.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., on Thursday, November 2, at Central Christian Church, 1221 16th St. West, Billings.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 550 N. 31st St, Billings, MT 59101, or the charity of one's choice.