Obituaries

Jul 27, 2024

Oakley Daugherty, the infant son of Derik and Paige Daugherty, was born sleeping on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

He was preceded in death by great-grandma Doris James and a great-uncle, Travis Wickum. He is survived by his parents.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave....

Jul 25, 2024

Lorraine Kokkeler

Sister, Mother, Grandmother and Friend

July 18, 1957 — July 25, 2024

Lorraine was called by the Lord Almighty to join him in heaven on July 25, while fishing with her sister Teri and daughter Robin in Red Lodge. She loved to fish and camp...

Jul 15, 2024

Richard Carl Lund “Dick” passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2024, in Billings, Montana, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Dick was born on a warm Sunday morning in early July 1939 in Billings, to Mildred T. H. Henriksen and Ole B. “OB” Lund. His family moved to Havre in early 1943 to stay with...

Jul 13, 2024

Shay J. Vernes went to her heavenly home on July 13, 2024, at St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana, surrounded by her loved ones, after courageously battling colon cancer for three years. She was 53. Born on Sept. 15, 1970, in Wolf Point, Montana, to Larry E. Grimsrud and Sharon L. (Sugden) Grimsrud, Shay was the youngest of...

Jul 12, 2024

Kayne James Cossitt unexpectedly became an angel on the early morning of July 12, 2024. He was 6 weeks old.

Kayne was born on May 31, 2024, in Billings, to Austin and Jordynn Cossitt. He was five weeks early and weighed 5.3 pounds. Within hours, he was alert and hiccupping, taking it all in. He was welcomed...

Jul 11, 2024

The family of Jacque Eaton is deeply saddened to announce her passing on July 11, 2024. Jacque was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend who touched the lives of many with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Jacque, born on June 22, 1966, in Billings, Montana, was...

Jul 10, 2024

Beverly Ann Olson Peterson, of Billings, went to her heavenly home on July 10, 2024.  She was 93.

Beverly was born on June 21, 1931 in rural Grassland, North Dakota, to Arthur and Agnes (Nore) Olson. She was raised in Mohall, North Dakota.; Portland, Oregon; and Havre. Beverly graduated from Havre High School in 1949. She married...

Jul 8, 2024

Gerald “Gabe” Lee Gabel left us for greener pastures on July 8, 2024. Born in Poplar, Montana, on Feb. 10, 1936, Gabe was the 11th of 13 children born to Heinrich “Henry” Gabel and Maria “Mabel” Grosskopf, who wed on Feb. 8, 1920. His siblings and their spouses include Esther (Reinold) Buerkle, Harold (Dorothy) Gabel, Alvin (Marylou) Gabel, Dorothy...

Jul 6, 2024

Susan Ella (Lenington) Cecil, 77, of Billings, peacefully passed away on July 6, 2024, while under the compassionate care of St. Johns United Hospice, following a courageous 19-year battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on Feb. 5, 1947, in Enterprise, Oregon, Susan was the second of three daughters born to James and Pauline (Anderson) Lenington. She held...

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...