Obituaries

Nov 24, 2024

Leo Joseph O’Brien, 27, was born on September 19, 1997, in Henderson, Nevada, and passed on November 24, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leo moved to Billings, Montana with his mother and soon-to-be adopting father June of 2003, at age 5. He attended Broadwater Elementary school. When his father asked him why all the girls say hi to him...

Nov 24, 2024

It is with sadness and joy that we announce that Bobbi Ann Schenderline, Hebrew name, Sarah Jafit, Apsáalooke name Akbaleiliiwaapaakuleésh (Keeper of the Sacred Word), of Billings Montana fell asleep in the loving arms of Jesus after a many month's struggle with cancer. She was 58 years old.

Bobbi was born during the summer of 1966 in...

Nov 23, 2024

Melanie Watts Degner, age 62 of Billings.

September 9, 1962 to November 23, 2024

Melanie (Mel) Watts was born in Miles City, MT on September 9, 1962, to Harvey and Frankie Watts. Mel was the youngest of five children. She attended school in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1980.

...

Nov 22, 2024

Dr. Gene V. Holden joined the eternal presence of his Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, on Nov. 22, 2024.

On May 29, 1944, Gene was born to Vearl C. and Anette (Anderson) Holden in Billings. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1962 and attended Eastern Montana College before being admitted to the University of North...

Nov 22, 2024

John Barrett Deeney, age 92, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on November 22, 2024, at his residence at St. John’s United in Billings, Montana.

Born in Billings on October 25, 1932, John was the second son of George (Judd) and Eva Mae Deeney. He spent his early years on the family ranch,...

Nov 17, 2024

Beverly Lynn Ferkovich, age 78, of Billings, Montana, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024. She was born on April 10, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, to proud parents who raised her in the vibrant city before moving to Colstrip, Montana. Later, Beverly moved to Billings, where she became a beloved member of the community.

Beverly was an...

Nov 15, 2024

Jay Kirk was born Suzuki Hideo on May 18th,1949 in Yokosuka Japan. He passed away after a short illness in Billings, MT on November 15, 2024. He was raised by his mother, Taki Suzuki, until he was about three and a half years of age. At that time, she made the decision to place him at the Elizabeth Saunders...

Nov 14, 2024

Mark Freitag

Mark Cletus Freitag was born in Rock Island, Illinois on April 9, 1950. Adopted as an infant by Cletus “Clip” Freitag and Dolores (Wellman) Freitag, he grew up in West Point, Iowa graduating from Marquette, High School. Mark showed horses as a teenager, winning several events including The National Champion Pleasure Class in Albuquerque, NM....

Nov 14, 2024

Alvin “Al” Charles Farmer passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024, in Billings, Montana, just shy of his 92nd birthday. He was born on November 16, 1932, in Great Falls, Montana to Alma Faye Powell (Farmer-Grant) and Frederick W. Farmer.

Al’s life is best summed up in his own words:

“I had a great life...

Nov 13, 2024

JoAnn Carol Zabrocki passed away from complications related to Alzheimer’s on November 13, 2024 at TenderNest Assisted Living.

JoAnn was born on August 23, 1933, in Glendive, Montana, the second child to Ernest (Pete) and Ruby (Nentwig) Layman. She graduated from Dawson County High School in 1951, and enjoyed singing and tap dancing for many school assemblies....

Nov 10, 2024

Marilyn Lavonne Pearson was gifted by God to her parents Edwin and Evelyn Reberk on August 17, 1930 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She had a change of address to heaven the morning of November 10, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

Marilyn grew up in St. Paul and married Paul Peason on September 17, 1949. In 1955,...

Nov 9, 2024

David Jeston Taylor, 79, passed away peacefully on Nov. 9, 2024. He was born in Caraway, Arkansas, on Jan. 31, 1945, to parents Harrison and Fannie Taylor. He was the fifth of seven children.

He met Glenda Dalke on Mother’s Day 1964 when he was appointed as the new pastor of her church, The Church of God...

Oct 31, 2024

Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, John was a Billings resident for over 30 years. He is survived by his brothers, Bruce (Margaret) and James (Sandra); and niece Julia.

The oldest of three boys, John was born in Cooperstown, New York, on Oct. 16, 1946, to Donald and Mildred Bates, both Minnesota natives. In 1951, the family moved...

Oct 31, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ronnie “Ron” Hagel, a beloved outdoorsman, father and friend who left us too early.

Ron Hagel was born on Sept. 23, 1951, in Billings. Ron left this world peacefully in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, 2024, at the age of 73, at St. Vincent’s...

Oct 30, 2024

Wanda Betty (Schuler) Hofferber, aged 91, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, in Billings, MT. She was born on December 16, 1933, in Linton, ND. Mother of four children, grandmother to 13 great-grandmother to 24, and great-great-grandmother to one.

Wanda was married on January 6, 1951, to Charles Hofferber, in Billings. They raised their children in...

Oct 24, 2024

It is with immense sadness that the family of Les “Ace” Allan Bayers, 66, is announcing his passing on Oct. 24, 2024, surrounded by his children and loved ones.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his children: Taryn Kokkeler, Chelsey DeWitt, Randee (Jesse) Wells, Christopher (Miranda) Brown, Jenna (Shane) Bayers; grandchildren: Bayley, Devin, Roxy, Zaidyn,...

Oct 22, 2024

After a courageous battle with cancer, Barry Dean Brekhus, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, mentor and friend, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2024, with his loving wife, Bobbie, by his side.

We would like to extend a special thank you to all the doctors and nurses and caregivers at Billings Clinic who guided us...

Oct 22, 2024

Raymond Wallace Kunkel peacefully passed away on Oct. 22, 2024, at St. Vincent Healthcare.

Ray was born on Sept. 1, 1940, in Billings, to Rudolph and Evelyn Kunkel.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kunkel, whom he was married to for 62 years; his sons, Perry and Cal (Mandy); daughter Heather Graf (Kevin);...

Oct 21, 2024

June Kratochvil, 93, passed peacefully on Oct. 21, 2024, while surrounded by family, at her home in Billings. She was a longtime resident of Pompeys Pillar before moving to Billings in 1992. June was born on June 23, 1931, in Pompeys Pillar, the fifth child to Remi and Etta Mae Strobbe.

On Nov. 16, 1950, June married...

Oct 18, 2024

Cynthia “Cindy” Lynne Van Maren passed away on October 18, 2024, succumbing to injuries from a fall two weeks earlier. Cindy was born in Casper, Wyoming, on January 26, 1953, the middle of seven children born to N.P. Van Maren, Jr. and Juanita Beamish Van Maren. The day Cindy was born, two other baby girls were as well. For...