Obituaries

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...

Jun 23, 2021

Mae L. Sartorie, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2021. She was 96 years old.

Mae was born on Jan. 24, 1925, in Billings, to Jacob and Katherine Eckhardt. Mae met the love of her life, Richard, at a dance. They were married in 1958 and have one son, Michael,...

Jun 17, 2021

Jeanne Clare Esp Lombardy

Another soul from “The Greatest Generation” entered into eternal life on June 17, 2021. Ours that we called Jeannie, Madje, Mother died of natural causes at the age of 97.

Jeanne Clare Esp Lombardy was born on Sept. 23, 1923, to Tilmer Esp and Clara Egeland Esp in Big...

Jun 16, 2021

Irene M. Kinsell, age 87, died on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Morningstar Senior Living community, from causes related to Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Irene was born in 1934 in Chicago, to Bernard and Marie Wardinski. Irene earned her bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 1959 from Illinois State University and her master of education from North...

Jun 14, 2021

Marjory Farver Legare passed away peacefully on June 14, 2021, at St. John's Nursing Home, Billings, Montana. She will be remembered for her smile, conversation, and years of unselfish service.

Marj was born on June 6, 1931, in Scobey, Montana, to Lavilla Bird Borah and Niels Martin Farver. Marj was the oldest of her four siblings: Doris...

Jun 14, 2021

Violet June Ehrlicher, 100, of Billings, passed away on June 14, 2021, at Billings Clinic. She was born on June 4, 1921, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to John and Ann (Simmons) Decker.

She married Alfred Ehrlicher in 1942. After marrying, Violet and Alfred (Vi & Bud, as they liked to be called) moved to Westfield, New Jersey,...

Jun 13, 2021

Ralph J. Stone passed away on June 13, 2021, in Billings. He was born on May 12, 1926, in Ogden, Utah, the fourth of five children born to M. Spencer Stone and Ivy W. Stone. After growing up in Utah, he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946 as an electronic Technician's Mate 2C. Uncle Sam...

Jun 7, 2021

On June 7, 2021, our mom Martha Riojas went to be with the lord. She faced every challenge with grace and the faith she had in Jesus. She was truly resilient.

Martha was born to Louisa and Antonio on Feb. 2, 1963. She was brought home to her family in Laurel, Montana, where she was raised. She...

Jun 2, 2021

Donna Ruth Dove Welch was born on a farm outside Missoula on May 9, 1934 to John and Mary Dove. She was the second of three children, with an older sister Inez and younger brother Jack. Her family was in straitened circumstances-she always said, "We were poor, but happy." The valley where they lived allowed her to swim in...

May 31, 2021

Scott Rowen passed away on May 31, 2021, after a long illness with Alzheimer's Disease.

Scott was born on Sept. 4, 1950, in Portland, Oregon, to Dr. Gerald and Mary Helen Rowen. He grew up in Miles City, Montana, and graduated from Custer County High School in 1968. Scott received an appointment to the Military Academy at...

May 31, 2021

Patricia Coe Clark McFadden passed away on Monday, May 31, 2021, at the age of 73. Patricia Lee Coe was born to Obia and Evelyn (Dietz) Coe on March 17, 1948, in Billings. She grew up and went to school in Laurel, and graduated from Laurel High School in 1966. She also attended Billings Business College.

Patty...