Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Delores Ann Roe

Delores Ann (Sonsteng) Roe, 69, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2014, surrounded by her family.

Services will be held Saturday, May 10, at 2:30 p.m. at the Cremation and Funeral Gallery, 29 8th St. W. in Billings, with a celebration of life to follow at the Shrine on Broadwater at 4 p.m., with food and drinks supplied.

She was born Nov. 28, 1944, in Glasgow, Mont., to the late Milo Sonteng and Ailie Kauppenin English. She had three siblings, Marvin, Melvin and LaVonne. She spent many happy days of her youth on the Sonsteng farm in Lustre.

The family moved to Helena in 1961, where her parents owned Rodney Cleaners. She graduated from high school in 1964. She purchased the local Greyhound bus depot in Helena in 1970 and welcomed her son, Michael, the following year. They were filming the Clint Eastwood film, "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," in 1973 in Helena. They asked her if she wanted to be on film, along with her bus depot. Anyone who knew her knows she refused, as she despised being on camera.

She married Jim Roe in 1975. They owned the Mint Bar in Townsend. Some of her favorite memories come from sponsoring a local softball team. In 1985 she moved to Billings and acquired another bar in 1986, Archers on Grand Avenue. The famous bar saying of "Where everybody knows your name," was changed to "Where everybody knows her name." She was a staple in the Montana bar scene in the 70s and 80s.

At age 50 she went to college to pursue a bachelors degree in psychology, and enjoyed learning as much as possible.

Her greatest passion came with animals. She loved dogs and dedicated her life to helping homeless animals. She had an unexplainable gift with them. In her later years, she enjoyed raising her granddaughter and babysitting her grandson, Shawn, as well as spending time with her niece, son, dogs and friends.

She was preceded in death by many loved ones.

Survivors include one son, Michael S. Sonsteng; one niece, Donita; and two grandchildren, Charene and Shawn.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to Cremation and Funeral Galleries at 29 8th St. West, Billings, MT 59101.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."

Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.

 

Reader Comments(0)