Green was the valley

On the warm, pleasant and sunshine filled weekend of the 4th of July, the Phillips and Valley County descendents of George and Ethel Green welcomed family from afar with open arms and some Montana mosquitoes.

Special guests included Mildred Boothe of Billings, MT and Robert and Bobbye Green of Kelseyville, CA. The man behind the dream for a family reunion, Roger Green and his wife, Myrna were also special guests.

As members arrived they placed their names and the names of family members unable to attend on a 12 foot by 8 foot high family tree. Great great granddaughter, Lauren Tuss had a hand in creating the tree. Each of the eight children of the Green’s had a branch, on each branch the grandchildren were then represented by leaves which were placed on the branches and their children were butterflies. The names of the great great grandchildren were placed on with lovebugs.The tree was symbolic of the life of the Green family – not all the surface was smooth – as has been some of our lives. It was outreaching, symbolic of the hugs the family enjoys sharing. The branches of George, Jr., Margaret, Donald, Carl, and Dale were grayed, indicating their passing, yet each branch showed the life and zest of the family. There was a debate as to where to place the nuts and squirrels of the family, so to spare all, they were held back.

Two crosses bearing the names of George and Ethel and dates of death stood erect below the tree ~ the branches were a reflection of their character and steadfastness. Carved in a heart on the tree were the initials of George and Ethel (Quackenbush). There were clouds on the display, however there was also a ray of sunshine for growth, hope and promise.

Friday evening was spent getting to know each other and visiting. Following dinner they enjoyed the fireworks display by the Malta Fire Department and donors.

Saturday morning breakfast was served and hosted by Don and Becky Green at the Green Farm that has been in the family for three generations. Trailers and four wheelers hit the paths and provided a summertime hayride to view tipi rings, eagle nests, sandstone carvings and other spots of historical and family interest via the guided tour.

Following lunch in Trafton Park, the families gathered in the family color coordinated t-shirts for pictures ~ an event similar to the herding of cats and an undertaking of its own. The afternoon was spent with some serious and not so serious horseshoe competition, games and socializing and getting to know “family”.

Twenty five deceased members of the family were recognized at a memorial service on the evening following the Saturday evening meal. Great great grandchildren were called forward by Ron Boothe, eldest of the grandchildren in attendance, and the children presented family members with a rose in memory of their loved one. Remembered were George and Ethel Green, George, Jr and Violet Green, Barbara Green Koss, Margaret and Jim Kesler, Arnold Bleken, Gary Boothe, Donna Benzinger Boothe, Bob Barnes, Donald and Bobbie Green, Melissa Green Lundstrom, Carl and Dixie Green, Carla Green Clements, Dale and Fern Green, Marjorie Mae Green, Loran Green, Jean Green, Sid Hould, Justin Lee and Wayde Green. Ken Bigby sang and played “Amazing Grace”.

During the weekend friends of the family and extended family stopped by to renew old acquaintances at the event and enjoy catching up with the Greens.

Those attending (the name of the sibling they are related descendants of is in BOLD): (George): Diana Martinez, Billings; Janet Kaufman, Corey and Laura Kaufman of Missoula; Amy (Kaufman) and Jason Lindstrom, Anaconda; Levi and Michelle Koss of Sidney; Stan, Lynnette and Matthew Green of Malta; Steven and Lindsay Green of Fremont, CA. (Margaret) Darrell and Linda Kesler of Lewistown; (Mildred) Ron and Marilyn Boothe of Tacoma, WA, Lyndi, Pat, Tyler and Rylie Reed of Lakewood, WA. Kathy Barnes of Billings, Mark and Darlene Boothe of Malta; (Donald) Donny and Becky Green, Wes Lundstrom of Malta; Josh, Jamie, Masen and Mya Green of Scobey; Arlene and Ken Bigby of Ronan, MT; Gena, Tony, Ashley and Talon Ferlan of Plains, MT; Patty, Randy, Samantha and Bobby Dolphay of Dodson; (Carl) Ruth Hawley, Nichole, Kieryn and Allie Hawley of Circle; (Dale) Susan and Caleigh Green of Malta, Kari Hould, Scott and Corrine Hould of Malta; Janine, Spike, Connor, Lauren and Denvyr Tuss of Roundup; Jeanie Green, Dallas, Ashley, Sommer and Rory Green, Whitewater; Dale, Tracy, Kayla, Malaya and Paycen Green of Prior Lake, MN; Sarina, Warren, Ashley, Jayden, Kyler and Baby Warren Venable of Miles City; Marisa, Zach, Madison, Teagan and Kyra Wahl of Glendive; Melanie, Mark and Mya Slade of Great Falls, Sherry and Dennis Young, Jennifer and Addison Young of Glasgow, Brian and Anita Green of Malta, Marcus and Kendra (Williams) and Kayden of Malta; (Roger) Karen Lyon of Mead, WA, Chani, Robert, Wyatt and Gabe Brooks of Spokane Valley, WA, and Lacey Hinson, Caleb and Tyler Sutton of Spokane, WA, Kim Green of Great Falls, Terrie Green Jones of Bothel, WA, Jeff, Christina, Josiah, Seth, Isaac, Gideon and Ellianna Green of Belgrade; (Robert) Susan Green Porter of NH, Alex Porter of Missoula, and Mike Green of Medford, OR. It is estimated that there were over 100 unable to attend. Since the reunion, Merril Kesler has passed away in Bozeman, MT.