August 12, 1899 - April 30, 1991

Services for Anita Brannin Hoyem, 91, were held May 3 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. Officiating minister was the Reverend Jim Holmlund with special parts by family members. Jeremy Lape, a grandson, paid tribute in a poetic message. A scripture lesson was read by great granddaughter, Jo Anna Ulrickson. A solo medley as sung by granddaughter, Margaret Ward House. Mrs. Hoyem’s son, the Reverend Robert B. Ward, gave the eulogy.

Anita Hoyem died at the Pioneer Home on April 30. She was born August 12, 1899 at Silver City, Montana – the thirteenth child of Stanton and Guadalupe Brannin. Anita, known as "Babe", was named Delia Anita after two of her nieces. Just after the turn of the century, the family, which had previously migrated from New Mexico, moved to Sweet Grass Canyon in the Crazy Mountains. They were the pioneer settlers for the Brannin Ranch, now Bill and Shelly Carroccia’s Sweet Grass Ranch.

The older Brannin children had been raised in New Mexico when Geronimo and the Apache Indians were on the warpath. The younger children grew up on the upper Sweet Grass with horses furnishing transportation. They also furnished stock for rodeos at the Brannin Ranch. The younger children had to spend winters away from home to go to elementary school. Each became an accomplished rider and teamster. They spoke the language of western ranch life, sometimes to the surprise of the younger generation. When a hearing aid salesman asked her age, Miss Anita replied with a challenge, "look at my teeth."

Anita Brannin married Robert C. Ward in 1916. Five children were born to this union. Surviving her are a son, Robert B. Ward, and three daughters, Ellen Ward Bertoliatti, Barbara Ward Cosgriff and Mary Ward Andrews. A son, John C. Ward, preceded her in death in October, 1931.

Her husband, Robert C. "Bud" Ward, and his partner, Ernest Parker, operated the Ward and Parker Sawmill on the upper Sweet Grass from 1916 until Mr. Ward’s death in 1957. Mrs. Ward married John Hoyem in 1964. The two resided on Big Timber Creek before moving to Big Timber. Mr. Hoyem passed away in 1981.

Anita Hoyem lived in her own home until after her 91^st birthday. Last fall she became a resident of the Pioneer Home. She is a former member of the Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Besides four living children she is survived by 20 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and numerous "adoptive claimants" who named her "Gommy" and felt the influence of her quick wit and caring disposition.

Out of town family members included Jeremy and Lorinda Lape, and Bill and Jo Anna Ulrickson of Billings; Lavelle Brannin of Helena, Mr. And Mrs. Eric Knight of Bozeman, Ed Brannin of Missoula, Tom and Elvira George and Dusty Hahn of Joliet, Wells Andrews of Livingston, Jack, Barbara, Tammy and Jeffrey Hoyem of Bozeman, Linda French from Washington, Ellen Bertoliatti, Kitty Doore Wilson, Jennifer Wilson and Les Wilson, and Billy and Alice Briner of California, Ben Andrews from Illinois, Sarah Smith of Nebraska, Wells, Lynn, Amy and Amanda Andres of Indiana, John and Lynn Hunt from Texas, Robert and Jean Ward, Gary Ward and Margaret Ward House from Georgia.

Pallbearers were Robert P. Cosgriff, Gary Ward, George Cosgriff, John Cosgriff, Jeremy Lape, Wells Andrews and Ben Andrews, grandsons, and Robert J. Cosgriff, great grandson.

Internment was in the Mountain View Cemetery with Lowry Funeral Home in charge.

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picture:  Anita "Gommie" Brannin Ward