Obituaries

Mar 12, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Theo Albert Pentecost, who was born on Feb. 6, 2023, and left this world on March 12, 2023. Theo’s time with us was brief, but his impact on our lives will be everlasting. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Theo...

Mar 8, 2023

Lyle G. Newell went to his heavenly home peacefully on March 8, 2023, surrounded by family.

Lyle was born on Aug. 30, 1948, along with his twin brother Lester. Lyle always swore that he was the older of the two. They spent their years as best of friends, causing trouble, playing baseball and running around Colville, Washington,...

Mar 6, 2023

Durene Ardell Green went to ride in God’s arena on Monday, March 6, 2023.  Durene was born on Oct. 20, 1959, in Miles City, Montana, and she was a sassy spitfire from the start.  Durene learned to gallop her rocking horse before she learned to walk — and riding horses continued to be the mode of transportation she preferred...

Mar 6, 2023

James Gary Koch, of Billings, peacefully passed away on March 6, 2023.

Born in Billings in 1949, Jim attended Huntley Project School until a move took his family to California. He graduated from Montclair High School in 1967. He went on to study at college a bit before enlisting in the Army to serve in Vietnam.

Mar 4, 2023

Margery Mae McCracken Hudson, 89, of Billings, died March 4, 2023, at Avantara Billings Nursing Home in Billings.

She was the seventh child of Fred and Hazel (McCarty) McCracken of Billings. Marge spent her childhood in Billings, attending Garfield Elementary and Lincoln Junior High, and graduating from Billings Senior High, class of 1951.

Marge worked...

Mar 2, 2023

Ruth Elaine McAtee, 93, passed away March 2, 2023, with family by her side. She was born “1-8-30” in Terry, Montana, to Lillian and William T. Reardon, the youngest of six children. She grew up in Terry, was a Terrier cheerleader and graduated in 1948. After graduation, she went to work for a short time in Seattle before marrying...

Mar 1, 2023

A dear baby girl was born in Missoula, Montana, on Oct. 24, 1940. She would grow up to be a kind and giving person who volunteered her time and organizational skills to countless organizations.

She was a prayer warrior and faithfully prayed for people throughout the world. She was an animal lover and had adopted an elephant...

Feb 28, 2023

Terry Dee Sather passed away on Feb. 28, 2023, in Billings, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his adoring wife of 51 years (in fact, on March 21, it would have been their 52nd anniversary), Kathleen Faye Sather, and their devoted children and grandchildren: April Sather (Harper and Beckett), Amber Sather and Matt Banbury (August and...

Feb 27, 2023

“A Life Truly Well Lived!!!”

The world lost a truly great man today: a great son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Vic was a man of many passions: his family and friends, hunting, fishing, golf, camping, reading and country music, among others. A man who never forgot a joke (but maybe the punchline), or how to...

Feb 27, 2023

Celebration of Life for Larry James Kirby, aka Lawrence James, LJ, Kirby, Kirb

July 1, 1972 — February 27, 2023

As everyone who knew Larry, he was known as LJ.

LJ Kirby took his last ride on Monday evening, Feb. 27, 2023, after a brief illness, at...

Feb 27, 2023

Thomas Don Rimmer, 85, of Billings, loving husband, father and papa, passed away peacefully on Feb. 27, 2023, at RiverStone Health Hospice Home, after many years of battling dementia.

Don was born on Nov. 2, 1937, in Hanna, Wyoming, to Thomas and Annie Rimmer. He grew up in Hanna along with his younger brother, Michael. Don graduated...

Feb 24, 2023

Steven “Hoppy” Proctor Hopkins

On Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, Steven “Hoppy” Proctor Hopkins, our beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, brother, brother-in-law and uncle, passed away after an incredibly brave battle with cancer, six days after his 72nd birthday. Steven was a true sportsman who embraced the outdoor life and lived by a code of respect,...

Feb 24, 2023

Norlene Inez Morgan, 82, passed away suddenly but peacefully on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. She was born in Ireton, Iowa, on Aug. 29, 1940, at the family farm, with her aunt Francis in attendance. Her parents were Henry and Beatrice Ramhorst. She grew up on the farm with one older brother, Darrel, and two younger sisters, Gail and Lu...

Feb 24, 2023

Jerry Hart Jones died on Feb. 24, 2023, with his family by his side. He was born on Jan. 6, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Earl William Jones and Margaret Catherine Hart.

After graduating high school, he worked as an apprentice and then journeyman printer for area newspapers and print shops.

While in...

Feb 21, 2023

Don Kraske passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2023, with Marty, wife of 61 years, at his side.

He was born in Billings on April 20, 1940, graduated from Central High, and was active in the grocery store business, first with IGA in Billings and then to Bridger, and finally to Thermopolis, Wyoming. He and Marty retired...

Feb 16, 2023

Rosaline “Rosie” Rice, 77, of Billings, beloved mother and devoted grandmother, passed away peacefully the morning of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, at RiverStone Health Hospice Home, after a courageous year and a half battle with cancer.

She was born on Sept. 22, 1945, in Reseburg Township of Wisconsin to the late Frank and Veronica Bielecki. She grew...

Feb 15, 2023

Elizabeth “Lisha” Koch, 88, peacefully passed away after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. The strength and grace she sustained in fighting this painful cancer for 35 years is both a testament to her faith in God’s healing power as well as to the character of her spirit.

Lisha was born in Hardin to Leo...

Feb 15, 2023

Sarah Jane Repka, of Billings, passed away on Feb. 15, 2023, at the age of 99. She was born to Witt and Catharine Bash Norman on April 21, 1923, in Eldora, Iowa. They were later joined by two sisters, Shirley and Delphia, who have previously passed.

After spending the early part of her life in Iowa, she...

Feb 13, 2023

Lance Alan Ennis, 56, passed away in Billings, on Feb. 13, 2023.

Lance was born to Alan and Linda Ennis on May 20, 1966, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He grew up in Billings, making many lifelong friends throughout the years. In his younger years he enjoyed motorsports, baseball, football and softball. He graduated from Billings West High...

Feb 12, 2023

Mary Jeanne Haumesser The second of five delightful and omnifarious children, Mary Jeanne was born at St. Vincent Hospital on June 25, 1945, to L.R. and Angela Rector. In her early life, she was a student at Fratt Elementary and Billings Central High School. She was a talented organist for celebrations at St. Patrick's Church and an energetic majorette and...