Obituaries

Oct 6, 2016

David "Dave" Dean Keller was born in Minot, N.D., on Oct. 27, 1951, and passed away at the age of 64 in Billings, on Sept. 30, 2016.

Dave was the eldest of nine children born to Raymond and Ella Mae (Klain) Keller. On Sept. 28, 1979, Dave married the love of his life, Tina Marie Leenknecht, and...

Oct 5, 2016

Anna Rekdal, 88, of Billings, passed peacefully at Ponderosa Pines Healthcare, on Oct. 5, 2016.

Anna was born on June 14, 1928, to Felix and Mathelda (Michel) Ott in Fromberg. She married James Rekdal on July 1, 1946, in Billings, where they made their home and raised their family. Anna and James were blessed with three children....

Sep 30, 2016

Orville "Big O" Burger, loved by many, passed away on Sept. 28, 2016, at the age of 77.

Born on March 30, 1939, he spent his childhood in Powell, Wyo., and, after high school, entered the U.S. Navy, where he spent four years. Big O was always very proud of his military service.

Orville married...

Sep 30, 2016

Steve Mineo French, stillborn son of Stephanie Abrahams and Steve A. French, came into this world quiet on Sept. 30, 2016. Although he wasn't able to spend life on this earth, he touched many during his seven months of gestation. Family and friends were looking forward to a baby boy to brighten their lives.

Baby Steve will...

Sep 27, 2016

Diane (Bergeson) Noennig passed away on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at the Billings Clinic.

Diane was born on March 14, 1942, in Great Falls, to Jules "Bergie" and Gunhild (Goodie) Bergeson. Shortly after, the family moved to McCook, Neb., where her adored baby brother Bob was born. The next move was to Billings in 1952. Diane graduated...

Sep 20, 2016

Scott Lyle Bilges, 50, of Billings, formerly of Illinois, passed away at Billings Clinic on Sept. 18, 2016. Scott was born in Minneapolis on Dec. 23, 1965, to Terrance and Paulette Bilges.

The family moved to Baker, where he graduated from high school in 1985. His passions for sports included basketball and football. Scott enlisted in the...

Sep 17, 2016

Dr. Crellin passed away on Sept. 14, 2016, at the age of 91.

He was born in Omaha, Neb., and was adopted by Arthur and Edith Crellin of Lyons, Neb., where he grew up. He did very well in school despite having learning difficulties which were not clinically understood at the time.

Paul was awarded...

Sep 17, 2016

Betty Jean (O'Rourke) Babb, of Billings, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. She was born in Billings on Oct. 1, 1924, the daughter of Alice Johanna (Diener) O'Rourke and David Henry O'Rourke Jr. She attended Fratt Memorial School and graduated from Billings High School.

She enlisted as a WAVE in the U.S. Navy on her...

Sep 13, 2016

Kathy Frisby met life with a strength that inspired others. It was in that strength that she found the courage to end her remarkable 5-year-long medical battle with glioblastoma brain cancer and embrace the promise of her faith. Kathy was born in Forsyth, Montana, the eldest of three children born to Louise (Lekse) and Lloyd Eide. From the time...

Sep 12, 2016

The ravages of Multiple Sclerosis for 45 years and later dementia have finally won and Marian Janke passed away September 11, 2016 peacefully at her home with family. Marian was born to Irl and Marie Watson in Havre, MT. March 14, 1927 and has lived in Billings since 1955. Marian was an excellent homemaker for her family. She and...

Sep 9, 2016

Steven "Steve" Robert Shinners passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness at the age of 65 on Sept. 6, 2016, in Billings.

Steve was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on June 15, 1951. He was a 1969 graduate of Brookfield East High School, Brookfield, Wis., and went on to attend Mankato College in Mankato, Minn., where he obtained...

Sep 4, 2016

Helen Ernestine "Erny" Teachout was born on Nov. 1, 1921, in Powell, Wyoming, to William S. and Sophia Lehman. She left this world on Aug. 31, 2016, to be with her husband and her Lord and Savior. Mom was the third of five children.

Mom was raised in the Lockwood/Billings area. She attended Pine Hills School, which...

Aug 31, 2016

Carol Ann Heald, 87, died after complications from a long-fought struggle with dementia. Carol was born on Aug. 17, 1929, to Elmer M. and Ferne M. Wheelock in Big Spring, Texas. Carol graduated from Centennial High School in Pueblo, Colorado, in 1945. In the fall, Carol attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she met Tom Heald. They were...

Aug 31, 2016

Marci M. Krohn, 49, of Billings, passed away on Aug. 29, 2016, after a short, courageous battle with cancer. Marci was born on July 30, 1967, in Glendive, the first daughter of Marvin and Martha Ulrich. She was raised and educated in Glendive and, following high school, she continued her education at Dawson Community College, Dickinson State University (BA...

Aug 26, 2016

Richard G. Blotkamp, 59, of Billings, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, one day shy of his 60th birthday. He peacefully passed with loved ones surrounding him at the Billings Clinic Hospital. Rich was the son of Richard and Elaine Blotkamp. Rich was born on Aug. 22, 1956, in Billings.

Rich graduated...

Aug 24, 2016

Arlene Hawkins, 80, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Aug. 18, 2016. Arlene was born in Huntley, Montana to Reuben and Mollie Seibel. During her teenage years, Arlene enjoyed tap dance and teaching tumbling in the city recreational program and attended high school at Billings Senior High. Arlene met Cecil Hawkins and they were married in Hardin, Montana...

Aug 23, 2016

Alma (Walter) Bresnahan of Billings, went to meet the Lord on August 17th, 2016. She is preceeded in death by her husband, Robert; and daughters Lynne and Jan. Alma leaves behind her granddaughter, Crystal (Roy); great-granddaughter, Marina; great-great-grandchildren, Chris and Charlie; brother, Bill (Mona) Walters; and sister, Joan Walters. A private family service was held in Alma's honor.

Aug 20, 2016

Hazel Elnora Strobel passed away on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in Billings. She was born on Nov. 13, 1923, to Bertha Nerenz Shear and Earnest Ellsworth Shear in Mildred, Montana. She spent her early years in the small community of Calypso along the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana and later moved with the family to McIntosh, South Dakota. She...

Aug 19, 2016

Elizabeth "Betty" Wright Nelson, 98, passed away at her home on Aug. 10, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born in Billings on April 29, 1918, one of seven children born to Florence and Ralph Wright, who were homesteaders on Duck Creek. She married Stanley "Scoop" Nelson in 1936. They were married 55 years and,...

Aug 14, 2016

Heaven gained an angel on Sunday morning, Aug. 14, 2016, when James passed away.

He is survived by his mother, Christine Resch; brother Richard (Heather); his sister, Janie; and his niece, Angela.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., followed by cremation. The family will...