Myrtle Steva Skorupa

Myrtle Steva Sams Skorupa was born on her parents homestead near Rothiemay, north of Ryegate, Montana, in Golden Valley County, January 19, 1924. Her father, Stephen Sams, was a farmer and mother, Anna Johnson Sams, was a schoolteacher and had her own homestead northwest of Steve's. An older sister, Loraine, was born August 9, 1922. They moved to a farm east of Joliet, Montana before sister, Ruth was born March 31, 1925. Three weeks after Ruth was born mother Anna hemorrhaged and died in the Red Lodge Hospital April 1925. Steve married June Holman Rabun in Casper, Wyoming, November 16, 1927. June raised her own daughter, Iris, who had lost her father to a natural gas explosion, along with Steve's three daughters. Myrtle went to Wilsey and Elbow rural schools, Fromberg and Joliet High Schools, graduating from Joliet May 21, 1942. That October she went to Seattle and became a "Rosie the Riveter" at Boeing Aircraft Manufacturing Company. Her first job was as a "bucker" at 62 1/2 cents per hour and was soon promoted to riveter with a 20 cent per hour raise. She worked mostly on B17 and B29 dorsal fins. When her youngest sister, Ruth, came to Seattle, Myrtle was making $1.08/hour. The next year, 1943, Myrtle went to Los Angeles, CA, with her sister, Loraine. Myrtle worked for Weber showcase and Fixture Company, who had a contract with Lockheed Aircraft, where she riveted P38 wings. Myrtle worked two weeks after the war ended and then came back to the Joliet area. She then moved to Billings, Montana to take flying lessons at Gillis Flying Service and worked part time at Billings Deaconess Hospital. Myrtle flew solo cross country to Custer, Montana and back but didn't do solo spins. She worked for dentist, H.A. Pressman, as his dental assistant for almost five years. Myrtle was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority while living in Billings. Myrtle and her sisters all joined the Order of Eastern Star when they turned 18 and were lifelong members. Myrtle was Worthy Matron of Aloha Chapter #41, Order of Eastern Star, in Joliet in 1951 and Worthy Matron of Cornelius Hedges Chapter #43 1997-1998. Myrtle married Walter J. Skorupa June 15, 1952 at her parents' home east of Joliet in a lovely lawn wedding. Myrtle's sister, Iris Riotte was Matron of Honor and Walter's friend, Alex Labor, was Best Man. After a honeymoon to Yellowstone Park, they lived in the Chase apartments in Bridger a month, then moved to a two room house on the Charlie Parker place along Rushwater Creek. Ruth Ann was born March 26, 1953 weighing 8 lbs. 2 A½ oz. In October 1955 they moved to the Charlie Mahr place that they had bought. Ruth Ann was so excited that they were buying the Mahr Ranch and wanted to know if it included all the fence posts too. She didn't know how many rocks were included and the family would spend years picking them off the field. Sandra Kay was born December 24, 1956; Stephen Walter was born August 2, 1962; Shirley May was born April 27, 1966. All children were born at Billings Deaconess Hospital and attended Bridger schools. Ruth Ann wished there was a tunnel to walk in to the school bus to be out of the wind, rain, and blowing snow. The other children agreed but never got their tunnel. Farm life included years of hard work hoeing beets and beans in the fields, fixing fence, feeding sheep and cattle, feeding bum lambs, chickens and gardening. Canning and freezing garden produce, butchering chickens helping kids with homework, always baking afterschool snacks and reading a bed night story were regular duties. Myrtle enjoyed being outdoors and being with her children and grandchildren more than anything. When Myrtle's health required surgery in 1986 and the demands of the farm work would likely have killed her she lived with her mother June in Fromberg. Her mother took care of Myrtle, and then Myrtle took care of her mother June until June passed away in January, 1987. In Fromberg Myrtle continued to be active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Ayuda Woman's Club, Fromberg Woman's Club, Clark's Fork Valley Museum, Valley Senior Citizens, and Fromberg City Council. She enjoyed traveling with her niece, Linda, her children, and her sisters after she moved to Fromberg. Every Christmas her children made sure she got almond rocha, one of her favorite candies. After a fall in her home Myrtle was taken to Billings Clinic Hospital, March 10, 2016. She was transferred to RiverStone Health Hospice House in Billings where she passed away March 20, 2016, the first day of spring. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren while in hospice care. Myrtle is survived by her sister Loraine Reaves of Coleman Falls, VA; daughter Ruth Ann (George II) Pamenter of Opportunity; daughter Sandra Skorupa of Stevensville; son Stephen (Dena) of Bridger; daughter Shirley (Paul) Siegfried of Billings; grandsons George III and Stephen Pamenter of Opportunity; granddaughter Stephanie Skorupa of Bridger and numerous nieces and nephews. Myrtle was preceded in death by parents Stephen Sams, Anna Sams; stepmother June Sams; stepsister Iris Riotte; sister Ruth Finney; husband Walter Skorupa. Services will be Wednesday, March 30 at Fromberg Methodist Church followed by internment at Rockvale Cemetery.

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