Obituaries

Sep 30, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Randall Carthrae Rasmussen, a cherished father, grandfather and husband, who left us peacefully on Sept. 30, 2024. A dedicated chiropractor and a passionate artist, Randy touched the lives of many with his compassionate care and creative spirit.

An avid golfer, Randy found joy in the game...

Sep 30, 2024

BUTTE — Mrs. Ruth A. Matson passed away on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, shortly after celebrating her 88th birthday.

A lifelong resident of Butte, Ruth was born to Ruth N. and James T. Holland, on Sept. 27, 1936. She was baptized at Gold Hill Lutheran Church, attended local schools, and graduated from Butte High School in 1954....

Sep 30, 2024

Sharon Hinton Brand, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, Grammy, and great-grandmother, peacefully returned to the arms of the Lord, surrounded by her family who trust she is now embraced in His eternal grace and light.

Sharon was born on Dec. 13, 1950, in Whitehall, to Lois and Gene Hinton. She was joined by her brother Gary Hinton...

Sep 28, 2024

Our sweet girl Sydnee Rae Valentine left this earth on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the age of 23.

Born to Jerry and Randi Valentine on May 9, 2001, Sydnee was the third of four siblings. Throughout her childhood, we knew she was something special. She had a talent for playing the violin. Over the course of...

Sep 27, 2024

Jeanne Arlene Zupan, 91, of Billings, passed away at home on Sept. 27, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Jeanne was born in Ely, Minnesota, to Francis and John Marinsek, on Sept. 6, 1933. Her time in Ely was filled with enjoyment of family and friends and the foundation of her Slovene heritage.

When asked what...

Sep 21, 2024

Dylan Christopher Forquer, 22, was born on Oct. 5, 2001, in Billings, and passed away on Sept. 21, 2024, in his hometown of Billings.

Dylan graduated with honors from Billings Senior High in 2020 and received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies magna cum laude in 2024 from Montana State University. During college, he worked tirelessly...

Sep 20, 2024

The family of Jeanne Augusta Burgoyne is sad to announce that she passed away in Billings, Montana, on Sept. 20, 2024, after a long journey with congestive heart failure.

Jeanne left behind three children, Michelle Burgoyne Afroso, Jeanine Burgoyne, Andre (Heather Dillon) Burgoyne; and two grandchildren, Okailey Afroso and Finnegan Burgoyne. She was preceded in death by...

Sep 20, 2024

Paul G. Odegaard, 94, of Billings, died on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at St. Vincent’s Hospital, surrounded by family.

Paul was born on Aug. 6, 1930, in Hankinson, North Dakota, the son of E. Julius and Minnie (Milbrandt) Brummond. Upon his parents’ divorce, he lived with his mother and her new husband, Herman Berg. Paul was adopted...

Sep 19, 2024

Catherine “Cathy” Conaway “faced the final curtain” on Sept. 19, 2024.

Cathy was born on April 30, 1947, in Billings, to Russell and Betty Hanstrom, née Anderson. Cathy married Michael Conaway on July 3, 1976.

Cathy had a thirst for learning. She was an avid reader, and visitors to her house could count on hearing...

Sep 19, 2024

Gayle Arlene (French) Wash passed away at home, on her 83rd birthday, in the care of her loving husband, Gordon, of 64 years. Gayle struggled with dementia in recent years and Gordon never left her side.

Gayle was born on Sept. 19, 1941, in Butte. She was the fourth child born to Glen and Inez French, joining...

Sep 19, 2024

Thomas Alan Lutke

February 23, 1951 – September 19, 2024

Only when a tree has fallen can you take the measure of it. It is the same with a man.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A quote fitting for Tom who spent his life among trees: Logging them, then planting them, then casting...

Sep 18, 2024

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, surrounded by his family, Roger Joseph O’Brien died from complications of lung cancer in Billings, at the age of 70.

Roger Joseph, who used his middle and patron saint name most of his life, was born to Joseph Albert O’Brien and Betty Jane Rogers in Los Angeles,...

Sep 16, 2024

Linda (Lynda) Diane Patterson Forcella, 76, of Billings, formerly of Sidney, died Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Elko, Nevada. She was born on Aug. 28, 1948, in Los Angeles.

She worked as a cashier/receptionist at Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric. Lynda attended Highland Senior High in Pocatello, Idaho, but graduated from Butte High School in Butte. She also...

Sep 10, 2024

Carl Wolf passed away on Sept. 10, 2024, with his daughters by his side, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Carl was born on Nov. 17, 1931, in Glenridge, New Jersey. He graduated from the University of Delaware with an engineering degree and from the Wharton School of Business with a master’s degree in finance.

Sep 9, 2024

Kay Joanne Odegaard, 85, of Billings, died on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Tender Nest Assisted Living, surrounded by family.

Kay was born on Nov. 12, 1938, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the daughter of Melvin and Gertrude (McGrath) Anderson. She grew up in Emerado, North Dakota, and graduated from Emerado High School. Upon graduating, she started...

Sep 8, 2024

James E. Crouch, 91, died at his home in Billings, on Sept. 8, 2024, son of Arnold and Ida (Rash) Crouch. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Crouch. He was born on Jan. 10, 1933, in Indiana.

He retired from the Government General Services Administration (GSA) in April 1988. He began his career with GSA in...

Sep 5, 2024

May you fish the streams of Heaven and embrace the joy of peace!

Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather Rodney Paul Davidson passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Sept. 5, 2024, at the age of 83. Dad battled major medical issues for the past few years, but did so with a smile and...

Sep 5, 2024

Elden Kristiansen, 93, of Billings, passed away peacefully on Sept. 5, 2024.

Elden was born on Sept. 1, 1931, in Watford City, North Dakota, to Even and Agnes (née Levang) Kristiansen. Elden grew up in Scobey, where he grew up helping in his father’s hardware store. Later in his high school years, the family relocated to Billings,...

Sep 2, 2024

“Sacred Hawk,” as named in the Crow tradition by Mary Hogan-Wallace, was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on the morning of Oct. 23, 1995. He made his journey to the other side of camp on the morning of Sept. 2, 2024.

LaCroix was the youngest of three children born to Lorena Delrae Plainfeather and Grant Scalpcane, Sr. He...

Sep 1, 2024

A limb has fallen from our family tree. Our beloved son Elijah journeyed on to the other side on Sept. 1, 2024, from a tragic ATV accident.

Elijah Rae’kwon Flores was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on April 13, 2004, to Hilaria Evans and had the honor of having two fathers: Ricardo Palmer/Christian Evans.

Elijah...