Obituaries

Jul 29, 2021

Jeffrey Gene Butcher

Jeffrey Gene Butcher, 69, passed away peacefully at his home in Billings on July 29, 2021. Jeff was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend to many.

Jeff was born in Helena on Sept. 27, 1951. He was adopted at the age of 2 to Grant and Elizabeth...

Jul 29, 2021

James R. Schoenbaum

James R. “Jim” Schoenbaum was called by the Lord to eternal peace on July 29, 2021, of natural causes. Jim was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Dec. 10, 1931, to Lempi M. (Timonen) and John Puffer. After his mother remarried, Jim was adopted by stepfather Carl. F. Schoenbaum in 1938. Jim was...

Jul 25, 2021

Barbara May Carr was born to Gladys and Samuel Carr on Oct. 29, 1924, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Barbara’s formative years were spent with the Greendale Avenue kids during the Depression. Oh, the stories! It was at the age of 9 that she met her future husband, Eric E. Thompson Jr. She excelled in academics and loved sports and outdoor...

Jul 24, 2021

Joseph Paul “Chick” Plumage was born on September 5, 1934 to Joseph and Frances (Horn) Plumage.

He was born and raised in Fort Belknap, MT. He graduated from Harlem High School in 1952. He was the last surviving member of the 1951 Harlem Wildcats State Championship Football team.

In 1952, he moved to Missoula, MT...

Jul 21, 2021

Peter Lombardozzi

Peter Lombardozzi passed away on July 21, 2021, at the age of 89. He was in the exceptional care of Riverstone Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family.

Peter was born on April 10, 1932, to Gennard and Maria Lombardozzi of Billings. He and his two sisters grew up in Billings’...

Jul 18, 2021

Roxy Lee

Roxy Lee passed suddenly on Sunday, July 18, 2021. She was survived by her two children, Andi and Michael Lee; her daughter-in-law Lynette Lee; and her granddaughter, Francessca. Roxy was also survived by her only brother, Donn Jensen.

Roxy had a passion for teaching. She spent 20 years teaching preschool at...

Jul 18, 2021

Joan (Morman) Geck

Joan (Morman) Geck, 88, of Billings, passed away the morning of July 18, 2021. Joan was born on Sept. 7, 1932, to John and Helen Morman in Glen Ullin, North Dakota, one of seven children. She graduated from Glen Ullin High School in 1950. Joan married Clemens (Bud) Geck on Nov. 13,...

Jul 15, 2021

Eunice LaVonne Burt Shishkowsky

On Thursday, July 15, 2021, Eunice LaVonne Burt Shishkowsky passed into the arms of Jesus. She was 92 years old.

Eunice (or Nunie, as her loved ones called her) was born on Feb. 12, 1929, in Worland, Wyoming, to Alta (Henderson) and Myron Burt. The family moved to Billings...

Jul 15, 2021

Elizabeth M. Marsh (Betty, Ma, Gramma G.) went home to be with the Lord on July 15th, 2021, surrounded by her family.

Born to Thomas and Margaret Pickett on October 22th, 1927, in Poplar, Montana. She was raised and educated in Poplar on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation along with her 6 siblings.

Elizabeth was...

Jul 14, 2021

Carl Joseph McCoun

Carl Joseph McCoun, age 74, died on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in Billings, Montana, from causes related to stroke. Carl was born in Great Falls, Montana, to Cecil Ray McCoun and Bernice Susan Wagner.

Carl served in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman and was honorably discharged in 1971....

Jul 14, 2021

Margery Booke

Margery Ann Booke passed away on July 14, 2021, at home, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on March 12, 1935, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to A.F. “Tony” Putschler and Ann Reiner Putschler. On Oct. 2, 1954, she married Gene Booke and, in 1956, they came to Billings. Gene passed away on...

Jul 13, 2021

Myron “Mike” Redenius

Myron “Mike” Redenius was born on March 26, 1936, on a farm outside Britt, Iowa, to Menno and Lora (Stohr), the oldest of five brothers.

He graduated from Britt in 1954 and went on to Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he earned a degree in chemistry and biology. He...

Jul 9, 2021

Mary Emanuella (Schieno) McKinney

Mary Emanuella McKinney, 83, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2021, in the company of loved ones, at St. Vincent Hospital.

Mary was born on March 23, 1938, in Billings, the 12th of 14 children, to Nazzario and Maria (Giacobbe) Schieno, who emigrated from San Marco in Lamis, Italy....

Jul 8, 2021

Robert ‘Bob’ J. Roberts

Robert “Bob” J. Roberts passed away unexpectedly on July 8, 2021. He was born on Feb. 5, 1943, to Berry and Alta Roberts in Billings. Bob married Donna Gauger on Sept. 1, 1962. They were blessed with four children: Berry Roberts, Carrie Roberts, and two infant sons who passed shortly after...

Jul 4, 2021

Ruth Bernice Hettich(k) Mittelstadt

Ruth Bernice Hettich(k) Mittelstadt, born Jan. 4, 1922, in Roscoe, South Dakota, passed away on July 4, 2021, in Missoula. After 99-1/2 years, her heart finally gave way. The following poem was found in her saved papers.

When I come to the end of the road and the sun...

Jul 2, 2021

Amelia “Amy” Mary (Klein) Schmalz

Amelia “Amy” Mary (Klein) Schmalz, 81, was a caring wife, mother, sister, and friend. She left this world, while surrounded by her family, to be in heaven on July 2, 2021.

She and her identical twin were born September 28, 1939, to Leo Sr. and Teresa (Schumacher) Klein...

Jun 30, 2021

Eilene A. Zitur, 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Minnesota, she married Jerome Zitur on June 2, 1948. Together, they raised five children.

She managed a state liquor store in downtown Billings for many years. She loved gardening, canning fruits and jellies, along with the best...

Jun 29, 2021

Dick Holmes passed peacefully at home on June 29, 2021. He was born on Jan. 14, 1934, in Billings, the son of Maurice and Gertrude Holmes. Dick attended Billings public schools then entered the trades as an electrician. He married Darlene Holmes in 1955 and together they raised five children. Dick lived for two years in Houston, Texas, where...

Jun 27, 2021

George Bronson

George Bronson, 80, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 27, 2021. Born and raised in Butte, he was a proud graduate of Butte High School in 1958, and the Montana School of Mines in 1963. George loved playing baseball and hockey, as well as hunting and fishing. With...

Jun 24, 2021

My grandmother Julia Riojas was unexpectedly given her angel wings on June 24, 2021.

Julia was born to Louisa and Antonio Riojas on July 4, 1953, in Laurel. She has a total of eight brothers and seven sisters whom she loved dearly.

Julia graduated from Laurel Senior High and went on to attend Trinity Bible...