Frankie Yerger

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Frankie Yerger, 80, of Billings. Surrounded by her loving family, Frankie died peacefully at her home on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, and joined her beloved husband, Mel, who passed away only two months ago. After 54 years of marriage, it was just too difficult to be apart. Frankie was born on Dec. 17, to Clifford and Jessie (Biscamp) Anthony in San Antonio, Texas. Her family spent time living in various states as her father moved to different construction jobs. Frankie met the love of her life, Mel, and together they blended their families with their daughters Kathy, Karen, Kerri and Debi. Four short years later, they had Kim and their family was complete.

Frankie was a wonderful mother and spent her life taking care of her children and grandchildren. She was always creating a variety of crafts, including beaded Christmas trees and snowmen. Frankie enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles and framed them to decorate her home and to give as gifts to her children and many friends. However, her favorite pastime was fishing in Cooke City. Many wonderful days were spent catching trout from Kersey Lake. She always joked that she spent more time baiting the hooks for her daughters and removing the fish from their hooks than actually fishing herself! She continued the tradition when she and Mel took their grandchildren fishing on the Clark's Fork River. Frankie also loved the many dogs she had over the years and the girls often joked about how the dogs were more spoiled than any of them ever were! Frankie was known for always speaking her mind and her sarcastic wit. The phrase, "No one is happy unless Mom is happy" was definitely written for Frankie!

Frankie is preceded in death by her parents, Cliff and Jessie Anthony; her husband of 54 years, Mel; and her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Ed Moerbe. She is survived by her brother Cliff Anthony of Overgaard, Arizona, and Debbie Brenne of Harwood, Maryland; her daughters, Kathy, Karen, Kerri (Gary) Morris, Debi (Wade) Orelup, and Kim (Stewart) Anthony; her grandchildren, Mike (Adrian) Charles, Kristen (Tyler) Niemeir, Gairrett Orelup, Brian Morris, Keith Morris, Amber (Collin) Johnson, Ashley Anthony, Brittany Charles, Maddox Charles; and her great-grandchildren Brynlee, Antonio and Stella.

Viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Michelotti Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at American Lutheran Church, 5 Lewis Ave. Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens and a reception will follow the burial back at American Lutheran Church.