Obituary — 15 September 1963, Billings Gazette

+++++“Former Billings Lawyer Dies in Los Angeles

+++++“Mrs. Norma Stotesbury, 51, former Billings lawyer, died Friday in Los Angeles following heart surgery. She left Billings a year ago because of ill health and had been living with a sister in Del Mar, Calif.
+++++She was born April 17, 1912, in Minnewaukau, N.D., a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Skarsten. She came to Montana in 1930 and was married to James Statesbury [sic] in Bozeman June 12, 1942. They lived in San Francisco until Mr. Stotesbury’s death in 1944 when she returned to Bozeman.
+++++In 1947 Mrs. Stotesbury came to Billings and joined the Coleman, Jameson and Lamey law firm. She was later a partner in the firm of Berger, Stotesbury and Moe.  She was a member of the Yellowstone, Montana and American Bar Associations, [and] the American Judicature Society. She was president of the Billings Zonta Club in 1956.
+++++Surviving are four brothers, Odin Skarsten, Milwaukee; Alber Skarsten, Grand Forks, N.D.; Norman Skarsten, Oakland, Calif.; and Paul Skarsten, Great Falls. Three sisters who survive are Mrs. Robert Hartung, 1410 Ave. E; Mrs. Clayton Bartsch, Kalispell; and Mrs. Robert Gross, Ann Arbor, Mich.”

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+++++For a brief description of Ms. Stotesbury’s time as “Billings First Woman Lawyer,” see page 10 of the Crowley Centennial Brochure: “Crowley, Haughey, Hanson, Toole & Dietrich, Attorneys at Law: Our 100th Year, 1895-1995.” http://www.crowleyfleck.com/docs/Crowley_Centennial_Brochure.pdf

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Birth:

+++++17 April 1912, in Minnewaukan, N.C.

Parents:

+++++Andrew Skarsten and Ragna

Law Study:

+++++Mr. Stotesbury’s office in Bozeman

Admitted to Practice:

+++++Montana 1941

Primary area of Practice:

+++++Probate law

Professional Organizations:

• Yellowstone County Bar Association
• Montana Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• National Association of Women Lawyers
• American Judicature Society
• Zonta Club, Billings

Marriage:

+++++James May Stotesbury on 12 June 1942
+++++Mr. Stotesbury died in 1944.

Death:

+++++13 September 1963, in Los Angeles, California