Obituaries

May 26, 2016

Robert Lucas "Zup" Zupan, 88, of Billings, passed away at home on May 24, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Bob was born in Roundup to Lucas and Anne Zupan on April 19, 1928. After graduating from Roundup High School in 1946, he went on to earn BA's and MA's of education. He attended MSU Billings, Northern Colorado...

May 26, 2016

Sally passed away at 89 on May 22, 2016, in Billings, where she was born and raised. Her birth on Oct. 10, 1926, was the first child of Virginia Rodes Snidow and Richard John O'Malley, and two siblings followed: Patricia Ann and Thomas Richard.

Sally's early years were spent in the home of her grandparents, the Snidows,...

May 24, 2016

Bettyjune Hendrickson (known as "Bj") was born on Aug. 28, 1919, at Delauga, Colo. She died in Billings on May 20, 2016.

Bj was raised and educated in Denver, where she graduated from East High, Colorado Women's College and Denver University. At the university, she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, after which she earned a...

May 22, 2016

James A. Van Ruth, of Park City, passed away with his daughters and grandson, Liam, by his side on Saturday, May 14, 2016.

Jim was born on April 11, 1950, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Wilfred and Wanda Van Ruth. Jim grew up in Cut Bank, where he attended school. After school, he went to work driving...

May 14, 2016

Don was born on Nov. 6, 1931, in Dickinson, N.D., to Adam and Eva Messer Kipp, and passed away on May 12, 2016.

Don, his mother and sister, Corrine Kipp (Ostermiller), moved to Billings in 1944. He attended Fratt School, Lincoln Junior High, and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1949. Don joined the U.S. Air...

May 12, 2016

Patricia Ricci, always choosing life, every day! On Thursday, May 12, 2016, Patty took the final spin in her beloved Caddy. She drove to meet friends for lunch. What a surprise when she opened the door to be met by her beloved Joe. "Time to hang up the keys, Patty," something only he could tell her. With her husband...

May 10, 2016

Jean Yvonne Rohrer, age 89, passed away May 3, 2016, surrounded by family and those that loved and cared for her at Highgate Senior Living. Jean was born on February 18, 1927, in Kenmare, N.D. to Otto and Gladys Engel.

On August 23, 1949 she married Charles, her adoring husband of 59 years. They met as students...

May 7, 2016

The rasp in his voice, the quick-witted twinkle in his eye, and the fighter spirit have all fallen silent with the passing of Rick Kipp.

Rick was born Nov. 21, 1950, to Eddie and Elsie (Steffan) Kipp of Bridger. He was the baby brother to older sisters Sharon and Marcia. He loved to remind Marcia that she...

May 5, 2016

Marcella Louise(Van-Elsen) Erdmann, 75, died peacefully on May 5, 2016, at home with her family by her side. Born to John and Monica Van-Elsen, the family traveled extensively until their father’s untimely passing in 1951. Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John, her son Steven, grandson William Robert and niece Hollie. Marcella is survived by...

May 5, 2016

Tanya Renee (Guffey) Mocko, 45 of Billings, was taken from us all too soon on May 4, 2016, at Billings Clinic, from complications of Influenza B and pneumonia.

Tanya was born on Jan. 2, 1971, in Sidney, to Troy and Joyce Guffey. Tanya was raised in Savage, where she enjoyed her childhood and graduated from high school...

May 4, 2016

1929 - 2016

Arnold "Rudy" Rudolph, 86, of Billings, passed away on April 28, 2016, in Goodyear, Ariz., following a brief battle with cancer. Arnold was born on Nov. 26, 1929, in Vananda, Mont., to Jacob and Alvina Rudolph.

Arnold started school in Vananda and moved to Florence. From Florence, he moved to...

May 4, 2016

Creath Athol Tooley, a Cold Warrior who worked for peace in his mature years, was born in Jordan, Montana on April 6, 1921 to Dr. Laurence Henderson Tooley and Oda Leah (Owen) Tooley. He passed away April 18, 2016.

In 1923, his family moved to Red Lodge and Creath grew up hiking, fishing, skiing and creating adventures...

May 2, 2016

John Guenthner was born on Jan. 7, 1940, in Hazen, N.D., to Reinhold and Elizabeth Guenthner. On April 28, 2016, John lost his courageous battle with cancer ,with family comforting him.

John met his spouse Nancy the same day he received his Army deployment papers back in the late 1950s. They corresponded using letters until they got...

Apr 29, 2016

Kirsten completed her earthly journey on April 26, 2016, as she passed into the loving arms of her Lord.

Kirsten was born on a warm Wednesday morning in early July 1964, in Minneapolis, to Richard C. Lund and Beverly A. Lund.

She was educated in the Bozeman and Billings school systems, and graduated from high...

Apr 26, 2016

Ray E. Baumann of Billings passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. He was 91 years young. Born April 12, 1924, in Bridger, to Orl and Freda Baumann, his family farmed and ranched east of Bridger.

Ray graduated from Bridger High School and was a decorated veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy...

Apr 26, 2016

Nov. 30, 1924 - April 22, 2016

On April 22, 2016, William "Dean" Knight passed away into the foothill memories of his adventures in his childhood Big Horn Mountains. With bow and arrow in hand, he can now shoot the moon.

Dean was born in Mont Ida, Kan., to Henry and Elnora Knight....

Apr 25, 2016

Lynette (Nelson) Romsos was born November 20, 1938 in Glendive, MT, and died peacefully in her sleep April 23. She grew up in Glendive before making her way to the big city of Billings. She married the love of her life, Pat Romsos, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her two children Wendy and Scott. She...

Apr 21, 2016

Barbara Tipton, of Billings, died April 18, 2016. She was 87.

She was born on May 23, 1928, in Livingston, to Albert F. and Clara Nickelson. She grew up in the Livingston area and in Three Forks, Anaconda and Columbus as her family moved while her dad was stationed with the Montana Highway Patrol. She graduated from...

Apr 20, 2016

Our precious Andrew Kyler Wyatt Wiltrout was born 3-11-16 to his mommy, Ashley, and big sissy, Rylee. On 4-14-16, we lost our sweet baby to the same malady that took his big brother, Logan Andrew, in 2014: SUIDS.

Andrew was named after two of Ashley's favorite people: his big brother, Logan Andrew Wiltrout, and his cousin, Kyler...

Apr 20, 2016

Bobbie Marjory Ostrum, age 87, died peacefully on April 13, 2016, at her home in West Park Village.

Bobbie is survived by her daughter, Robin Ostrum; and the joy of her life, her three granddaughters, Tana, Bailey and Danika. Bobbie is also survived by her sister, Billie Becotte. Preceding Bobbie in death were her parents, Bob and...