Obituaries

Nov 4, 2020

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, Erle C. Gross, longtime resident and community leader of Big Horn County, died at Mission Ridge Rehabilitation Facility, from complications following the contraction of coronavirus at the age of 89.

Erle was born in Hardin on Sept. 14, 1931, and spent his early years in and around Lodge Grass and Wyola. Erle...

Nov 2, 2020

Walter Eugene McGrail, 84, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully at home with family on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020.

The son of Walter and Estella McGrail, he was born on June 13, 1936, in Billings. Gene served in the Navy from 1954 to 1957 and, later in life, went on to serve...

Nov 1, 2020

Gale M. Birge, 77, of Billings, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at his home. Gale was born on Nov. 14, 1942, in Pasco, Washington.

He worked for the Cenex Pipeline, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served in the U.S. Navy. He married Marcia (Kipp) Birge.

Gale was predeceased by...

Nov 1, 2020

Dorothy Lee (Oliver) Limpp, lovingly known to her family and friends as Lee, was born on Jan. 24, 1930, to Henry and Blanche Oliver in Savannah, Missouri. She was the seventh of nine children. Lee passed peacefully the morning of Nov. 1, 2020, in Billings.

She loved her dogs, bowling and going on road trips (especially to...

Nov 1, 2020

James Kirth Erickson was born on February 19th, 1971. He joined his forever family in September of that year. Jim was the happiest of babies despite his medical problems. He struggled with these issues all of his life. Despite his valiant struggle his body could not cope any longer and he passed away on April 2nd.

Jim...

Oct 31, 2020

Lillian "Jane" Stark, 76, of Billings, passed away on Oct. 31, 2020.

She was born on Oct. 21, 1944, to Alma E. (Harju) and Charles A. Peterson, in Park Rapids, Minnesota. She was raised in Butte, where she attended school and beauty school, working as a beautician. She lived in Butte, Billings, Lewistown and Miles City, where...

Oct 31, 2020

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Joan "Jo" Hakes Sciaini - sister, aunt and life partner - on Oct. 31, 2020.

Jo was born on July 14, 1942, in Sheridan, Montana, to Julia Jarrett Hakes and Harvey R. Hakes. Her earliest years were spent with her family in Sheridan and Alaska. When the...

Oct 28, 2020

On June 3, 1929, Sylvia Frances Fields was born to William and Sylvia Fields at 938 Terry Ave. in Billings. She attended school in Billings and, upon graduation from Senior High, she worked for Continental Oil for several years. Frances and Lee Burt married in November of 1951 at First Christian Church. They had three children, Sheri, Steve and...

Oct 28, 2020

Ray Dean Schneckloth, 73, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 28, 2020, at 2:28 p.m., due to complications from COVID-19, at Saint Vincent Hospital.

Ray was born in April of 1947, to Edwin A. and Gladys E. Schneckloth, in Billings. He married Mary Schneckloth on Oct. 27, 1980, in Chula Vista, California. Before he married...

Oct 27, 2020

Michael Thomas Fargo, 84, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Billings.

Born on Dec. 15, 1935, in Billings to R.C. and Helen Fargo, he was the fourth of their five children. He attended MSU Bozeman, where he studied engineering. He married Murnell Mikkelson on Feb. 27, 1960, and late that same year they moved...

Oct 26, 2020

John William Foote passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2020.

John was born in Sacramento, California, on Sept. 9, 1942, to Milton and Altha Foote. He graduated in 1960 from Norte Del Rio High School in Sacramento, served six years in the U.S. Navy and then continued his career as a land surveyor.

John grew...

Oct 26, 2020

With heavy hearts, family and friends want to share the sad news of the untimely passing of Shelly Delano on Oct. 26, 2020.

She was born on Sept. 18, 1960, in Billings, Montana, to June and James Delano. She grew up, graduated from Billings West High School, and remained living and working in Billings throughout most of...

Oct 25, 2020

Russell Lee Hein, age 86, of Billings, passed away on Oct. 25, 2020.

Russ was born on June 24, 1934, to Alex and Mary Hein in Billings. He was one of eight children and was raised on the south side of Billings throughout his youth. His father passed away when Russ was in high school, but he...

Oct 24, 2020

Gilbert “Gil” Ficek, 81, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2020, at St. Vincent Healthcare. Gil was born April 19, 1939, on a farm near New Hradic, ND. The family moved to Dickinson, ND, where he grew up on a farm. He enlisted in the US Navy under the Buddy Program with Clem Decker. In the Navy he served aboard...

Oct 21, 2020

Thomas Carranco passed away on Oct. 21, 2020, at the age of 84.

Born to Lupe and Loretta Carranco on Oct. 14, 1936, he was the third child of 10. He and his older brothers were best friends. He had a keen interest in basketball, and played for his home team at Rosebud High School. He worked...

Oct 17, 2020

Dwain Sidney Salveson, 76, of Billings, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, Oct. 17, 2020. He was born on June 22, 1944, in Martinez, California, to his parents Gus and Alice Bell (Newman) Salveson.

Dwain started his education in Crow Agency and graduated from Hardin High School. During these years, he made lifelong friends. He...

Oct 16, 2020

On the wings of angels, our brave and beautiful loving mother and best friend arrived at her heavenly forever home on Friday October 16, 2020, surrounded by loving family and medical caretakers. Breathless and heartbroken, we share her story to honor her life.

Barbara Joann Estal was born in Oskaloosa Iowa on February 10, 1943, where she...

Oct 14, 2020

Eleanor Bachmeier is walking with heaven's angels. While she called Billings home for most of her adult life, she was born December 14, 1931, to Dominick and Emma Staudinger, in Dickinson, ND, and lived there throughout her youth.

After graduating high school, she began work at a phone company and as a waitress to save for her...

Oct 14, 2020

John Glen Rookhuizen passed away on Oct. 14, 2020, at Banner University Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. John was born in Billings on Sept. 7, 1962, baby of the family, to Jane (McNealey) and William Rookhuizen.

John attended schools in Billings, graduating from West High in 1979. Out of high school, he learned carpentry and mechanic's skills from...

Oct 14, 2020

Early on October 14, 2020, Georgianna "Gigi" Sherrill Nance won her battle with Alzheimer's and went home to heaven, to join her parents and other family members and friends who have passed before her. We, her family, have tried so sum up such an incredible life in the following paragraphs. We pray it gives you a glimpse into what...