Virginia Vukonich

Loving mother and grandmother, Virginia Ruth Vukonich, 90, of Joliet, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2012 in Billings, Montana surrounded by her family. Ruth was the daughter of Guy and Ada Hull, born near Silesia, Montana on the family ranch on Cottonwood Creek on February 26, 1921. She was the fifth of seven children. The family moved to a ranch just north of Joliet, Montana where Ruth attended Monahan Country School and graduated from Joliet High School. She married John Vukonich in 1943. Ruth cherished time spent with her family. She was a great seamstress and enjoyed making quilts as well as bird watching, tending her flowers and gardening. She was a member of the Happy Handful Club and the Joliet Garden Club. Ruth is survived by sons Jim (Marilyn) Vukonich and Larry (Merrylee) Vukonich, all of Joliet; daughter Sally (Cliff) Frank of Billings; seven grandchildren, Cody Frank, Casey (Barbara) Frank, Jimi (Mark) Brastrup, Mandi (Alex) Hernandez, J.D. Vukonich, Jennifer (Mike) Anderson, Andy Vukonich; thirteen great-grandchildren.; a very special niece, Peggy Hobbs; and two sisters-in-law, Arlene and Carolyn. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, of 65 years; and siblings, Belle, Carl, Marvin, Bill, Vivian and Eddy. A special thank you to the wonderful staff and her many friends at Sweetwater Retirement Community for making her last years so enjoyable. Service: Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at Dahl Funeral Chapel Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Joliet Christian Church. Interment will be in Joliet Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.