Nettemae Binnie was a success, and she lived her life honorably. She was my aunt. She was my friend.
She was born in Artesian SD on July 29, 1919. Her mother, Gladys Hesler and father, Glen Hesler, were homesteading outside White Sulphur Springs when her father took ill and passed away with the flu during the great flu epidemic of that time. Gladys was pregnant with Nettemae at the time.
Gladys took Curtis, Nette’s brother, and moved to live with Nette’s grandmother in South Dakota. There Nette was born and raised until the age of four. Gladys then took the two kids and moved back to White Sulphur Springs. Nette and Curtis attended school in White Sulphur Springs through high school. Nette went on to study journalism at the U of M in Missoula.
Nette met her husband, Don, in White Sulphur Springs when he came to town to run Woodward’s Dry Goods. They were married on September 26, 1940 in White Sulphur Springs. She and Don were both in the U.S. Army during World War II; and at times, they even managed to be stationed together. How they managed that is another story.
Don and Nette opened Binnie’s Dry Goods in 1950. After Don’s death in 1975, Nette continued to operate the store until she retired.
Her life joys included the outdoors, gardening, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. She loved to travel, was a voracious reader, and was an expert on local history.
Don preceded Nette in death, as did her mother and brother. She is survived by her nephew Curtis (Barb) and grandnephews Brian Hesler and Gregory Hesler (Anne). She is also survived by a grandniece Carrie Woodward (no relation to the store mentioned above). There are also three great grandnephews – Jack Woodward and Andre and James Hesler.
A graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m. at the Mayn Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Meagher County Library or charity of your choice, in care of Stevenson Wilke, would be greatly appreciated.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 24, 2016
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 24, 2016
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
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Marlene Feldpausch says
Nettemae enriched my life during the 22 years I lived in White Sulphur Springs. We hiked and camped together, had picnics, many Christmas dinners, and lots of fun. She taught me local history, to identify birds and wild flowers. And all this adventure when she was in her 70″s & 80’s! She was a marvel and great friend to me. By Marlene Feldpausch
Demi Blair says
My husband and I purchased the Binnie household in 2016 after Nettiemae’s passing. We often sit in our backyard and admire the work she did establishing the oasis of trees, hedges, and other plants. We hope we care on a legacy of being caring and generous community members.