Obituaries

Jan 7, 2018

June Austin-Butler, 93, passed away at her home January 7, 2018. She was born August 17, 1924 in Chicago Illinois and spent her school age years in Western Springs and LaGrange Illinois studying classical ballet and learning golf from her father. She attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and, by taking classes every summer, graduated at the age...

Jan 5, 2018

Marian Margaret Heinz was a first-generation American born to immigrant parents, Gustav Lindquist (Sweden) and Marie Kreuder (Germany), on July 3, 1926, in Chicago. After World War II, a friend arranged a blind date for her with Martin Heinz, Jr., who had recently served as a navigator in the Air Force. They married on May 10, 1947. In 1951,...

Jan 3, 2018

Dallas Elliot Olson was born on Aug. 19,1955. He received his wings on Dec. 26, 2017, after a battle with cancer.

He was born here in Billings to Lyle and Echo Olson, along with his brothers, Sage Olson (Pat) and Roy Olson (Marcy); his sisters, Robin Olson Faith Bollman and Ione Ament (Mike).

He graduated...

Jan 2, 2018

Richard Alan Procter passed away on Dec. 29, 2017, after a prolonged battle with dementia. He was 80 years old. On May 1, 1937, Dick was born in Fargo, North Dakota. He spent his childhood in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where he developed into an avid outdoorsman.

Dick attended college at the University of Arizona, obtaining a bachelor...

Dec 30, 2017

Jocelynn Joy Galland, 24-day-old daughter of Kashmire Kieling and Matthew Galland, passed away on Dec. 30, 2017, at the Colorado Children's Hospital.

Jocelynn was born on Dec. 6, 2017, in Billings, joining her parents and brother Jasper. Jocelynn was born a healthy, vibrant baby, but shortly after, she became ill and her body was too weak to...

Dec 30, 2017

James Miller, 71, of Billings, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017. James was born on Aug. 7, 1946, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Art and June Miller.

Jim grew up and graduated high school in Columbus, North Dakota. He was an avid athlete, competing in track, baseball, football and basketball.

Jim was drafted...

Dec 30, 2017

Jo Lou Knoll passed peacefully in her sleep the morning of Dec. 24, 2017. She was born April 24, 1933, in Billings, to George and Ella Hammer. She and her husband, Jim Knoll, had a very happy 41-year marriage - admired by many for the deep love and respect they had for one another. He preceded her in death...

Dec 23, 2017

Our amazing mother, grandmother, great- and great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Dec. 23, 2017.

Vivian Marie Thorson was born on Dec. 11, 1926, in Rothsay, Minnesota, to Otto and Mabel Vicha. She was raised on her parents' farm near Corinth, North Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, attended Liberty School and graduated from...

Dec 21, 2017

Stan Steen was born on Aug. 17, 1940, to Mary and Orville Steen in Miles City. On Aug. 27, 1960, Stan married his true love, Doreen O'Conner from Poplar. Stan and Doreen started married life working on their ranch and rodeoing together whenever the opportunity afforded itself. Soon thereafter a family started growing, to eventually include four wonderful children...

Dec 19, 2017

Colleen Patricia Studer, 55, of Billings, passed away early Dec. 18, 2017, surrounded by her family.

Colleen was born March 16, 1962, the third child to Dean and Constance Studer. She grew up breaking her leg skiing, balancing basketball and cheerleading, and creating memories that would last a lifetime with her family.

Colleen was a...

Dec 18, 2017

Steven Scott Peil, beloved son of JoAnn and Lyle Peil, passed away in the presence of friends on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. Steve died from natural causes brought on by long-term health issues.

Steve grew up in Billings, and was a graduate of West High School class of 1984. He enjoyed family gatherings, fishing, shooting, riding three...

Dec 14, 2017

Lynette DeAnn (Gudmunson) Siroky, 59, of Billings, entered into a better place on Dec. 11, 2017, following an ongoing battle with cancer. First diagnosed in 2011, she fought the fight with strength and grace.

Lyn was born on April 28, 1958, in Watford City, North Dakota, to Wagner and Helen (Kirkman) Gudmunson. When she was a young...

Dec 11, 2017

Nicholas Frank "Nick" Tillinger, 82, passed away peacefully on Saint Nicholas‘ Day, Dec. 6, 2017. He was surrounded by family at his home in Billings, after a long battle with cancer.

Nick was born in Etchka, Yugoslavia, on Aug. 19, 1935, to Mathias and Magdalena Tillinger. In October 1944, the family escaped the communist genocide of other...

Dec 7, 2017

Sarah Louise H. Holte was born to Ted and Freddie Hopgood on Aug. 7, 1940, in Chester, Illinois. Surrounded by her loving family, she died peacefully at RiverStone Health Hospice House in Billings, on Dec. 1, 2017.

Spending her first years in Illinois, Sarah quickly earned the nickname of "Sass," which she cheerfully bore for the rest...

Dec 7, 2017

Longtime Billings resident Francis "Bill" Grove passed away among family on Tuesday.

Francis "Bill" Grove was born in Shepherd on Sept. 22, 1925, to Genevieve and Andrew Grove. Bill was the oldest brother to four siblings, Elizabeth, Gerald, Phyllis and Helen. He was married to Loraine Klos in 1946. Loraine Grove passed away in 2009.

...

Dec 6, 2017

A good doctor, a great and kind man, is gone. Dr. H. C. "Pete" Habein, Jr. died on Dec. 4, 2017. He was 94 years old.

Born on Aug. 18, 1923, in Minneapolis, and raised in Rochester, Minnesota, the son of Dr. H. C. Habein and Margaret Schmitt Habein, he wanted to be a doctor from his...

Dec 6, 2017

Loren Michael Zoanni, 51, passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2017, in Billings, surrounded by family.

Loren was the youngest of five children, born Dec. 30, 1965, in Sidney, to John "Jack" and Irma "Betty" Zoanni. He grew up on the family farm in Sioux Pass and attended Cherry Creek and Fairview Schools. He graduated from Fairview...

Dec 1, 2017

On the morning of Nov. 29, 2017, Clarice Irene Hert passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord, while at home.

Clarice was born in Hardin on Nov. 8, 1929, and led a life of example, with faith and family at the forefront of each day. Clarice married Floyd Hert on Nov. 7, 1948, and, for more...

Dec 1, 2017

"Who can find a virtuous woman?

For her price is far above rubies.

She is like the merchants' ships,

She brings food from afar.

Strength and honor are her clothing.

She opens her mouth with wisdom.

In her tongue is the law of kindness.

She...

Dec 1, 2017

Darlean was born on a cold, wintry night on Jan. 5, 1933, in Kimball, Nebraska.

Her birth completed a family of nine, which included five brothers - Bill, Dick, Don, Bob and Melvin "Buss" Wilson, Jr. - Grandpa Cronn, mother Alice Cronn Wilson, and father Melvin Wesley Wilson.

Darlean married Robert Tim Swain on Nov....