Obituaries

Jul 5, 2024

Lane William Basso, 82, of Billings, passed away on July 5, 2024.

Lane was born on May 18, 1942, in Glendive, to Francis and Margie Basso. He was raised in Savage and graduated from the University of Montana, after which he forged a successful career as an administrator in healthcare, including 19 years with Deaconess-Billings Clinic. He...

Jul 5, 2024

Casey Edward Slough, 74, passed away on July 5, 2024.

He was born in Billings on March 23, 1950, to Ted and Harriet Slough. Casey was the oldest of four boys. Casey’s family moved several times during his early childhood, following his father’s job in construction. They finally settled in Billings, where Casey attended Lockwood School. It...

Jul 3, 2024

Susan W. Lyons was born in Townsend on Dec. 3, 1948, to J. Clifford and June Wallace. She was the youngest of four siblings and enjoyed an idyllic childhood on their family ranch. In sixth grade, she moved to Stevensville, where she lived until she graduated from Stevensville High School in 1967. She truly cherished both communities and growing...

Jun 26, 2024

William Ralph Cronoble, age 88, passed away on June 26, 2024. He was born on April 16, 1936, to parents Jacob Ralph Cronoble and Thelma Elizabeth Cronoble in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He joined an older brother, Robert Nelson, two years his senior and was to become the middle son with the arrival of James Marvin. During the growing-up years, three...

Jun 25, 2024

Michael John Kase, 78, of Billings, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 25, 2024. Mike was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on May 26, 1946, to Eugene and Dorothy (Kenna) Kase. Michael moved with his family at the age of 3 to Havre. He attended local parochial schools, graduating from Havre Central High School in...

Jun 25, 2024

Dennis A. Klakken died June 25, 2024, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, at the age of 90.

Dennis was born in Dooley, Montana, on Dec. 4, 1933, to Marvin and Nova (Beery) Klakken. From 1950 until 1955, Dennis served his country in the United States Navy. Following an honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Hansen Mechanical School...

Jun 24, 2024

Larry passed away on Monday evening, June 24, 2024, at Intermountain Health Hospital.

He was born in Powell, Wyoming, on Nov. 6, 1937, to Ben and Myrtle (Johnston) Hoban. When he was 3 years old, his family moved to Shepherd, where he graduated from high school in 1955.

He went to work for Mulvaney Motors...

Jun 23, 2024

Dennis Fabian Rolon Velazquez was born on Feb. 18, 1997, in New Jersey. At 2 years old, he had traveled to Paraguay, living the country life with his beloved grandma Otilia, aunts and cousins. At the age of 5 he traveled back to the States to start his educational career. He lived a different side of life in a...

Jun 16, 2024

In gratitude for one final Father’s Day together, Bob Ballantyne passed into eternal life on Sunday, June 16, amidst the love of his family.

Born in Westhope, ND, to Theodore and Velma, Bob grew up a farm kid alongside his six brothers and sisters. His family owned the local grain elevator in Kuroki, ND, where, as an...

Jun 15, 2024

Rebekah Kristeen Weber (45) resided in Billings, Montana, and passed away on June 15, 2024, in an ATV accident. Rebekah was born on September 13, 1978, to Valentina (Carlin) Schoessler in Hemet, CA. Rebekah graduated from Billings West High in 1996. She married her high school sweetheart Mark on March 29, 2002. Rebekah worked for Saint Vincent Hospital until...

Jun 14, 2024

Elvin left us to be with Betty on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 9:15 in the morning. He was surrounded by family.

Charles Elvin Schmelzer was born on July 3, 1930, in Boise, Idaho, to Lloyd Elvin Schmelzer and Lela Allebaugh Schmelzer. The only son of four children, Elvin grew up on a ranch on the bench...

Jun 13, 2024

Donna Louise Stalkup, age 69, passed away on June 13, 2024.

Donna was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming.  She was the youngest child, and only daughter of Max Wayne Stalkup and Donna Winnifred (“Winnie”) Stalkup.  Her early life was anchored around her family’s car dealership.  She snowmobiled and rode motorcycles with her dad and brothers (she...

Jun 12, 2024

Lila W. McKinney went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 12, 2024.

She was born on Sept. 2, 1926, to Leroy and Christina Green, in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Lila was the second of four girls. She grew up in various places in Montana, enjoying the rigors of farm life, with her favorite home...

Jun 11, 2024

Illa Jean Bodin, 85, passed away in the early morning of June 11, 2024, just 26 days after her husband Bob died. On June 27, they would be celebrating 66 years of marriage.

Illa was born in Reed Point, Montana, to George and Myrtle Nute. She was the youngest of four children. The family first moved to...

May 31, 2024

Garry Gene Leikam went to be with the Lord on May 31, 2024, passing of natural causes.

Garry was born on July 26, 1942, in Sidney, to Bill and Lydia Leikam. In 1955, he met the love of his life and married Dorothy Walters on Nov. 21, 1962.

Garry enlisted in the Army on July...

May 30, 2024

Rodney “Rod” F. Critelli passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his loving wife Doris, daughter Jill, and sisters Sonja, Jeannie and Colleen.

Rod was born on June 25, 1942, in Billings, to Frank and Lottie Critelli. He was the fourth child of nine. Rod was known most for his smile, love...

May 30, 2024

Lorna Lee Rivers, 67, went to be with the Lord to be her perfect self on May 30, 2024. Lorna was born on April 22, 1957, in Red Lodge, to Patricia and Bill Rivers.

In her early years, Lorna attended school at Children’s Village and Garfield Elementary. When Lorna reached adulthood, at her request, Lorna moved into...

May 23, 2024

Sherry Lee Wilson

“Shades, Momma, Nana”

Sherry Lee Wilson “Shades, Momma, Nana” was born on Oct. 20, 1956, in Billings, to Joyce Coles (Wilson) and Adrian Wilson. Sherry was the third daughter of five children; all but one has been called home to the range. Sherry had four children of her...

May 20, 2024

A beautiful and loving person left us on May 20, 2024. Paula Michael Mjelstad passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born on June 15, 1961, in Columbus, to William and Joan Michael. She grew up in Laurel and graduated from Laurel High School. Soon after, she made the big move to Billings and worked various...

May 18, 2024

James Morrison Corbett went to meet Jesus on May 18, 2024, in Billings, Montana.

He was born on Sept. 25, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to C.T. and Gladys Corbett. He grew up in Kankakee, Illinois and graduated from Bradley Bourbonnais High School in 1959. Jim attended Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and then, for 18 months,...