All Obituaries

Leslie I. Kercher “Les” May 11, 1929 — Jan. 23, 2022   A very proud and determined man, and true gentleman, Les Kercher, by God’s grace, and through his faith in Jesus his Savior, has left this earth for his Heavenly home. Les was born May 11, 1929, to George and Anne Kercher. He was the middle child of five, having three brothers and one sister: Georgie, Conrad, Dan and Carol. Growing up in the Bridger and Roberts areas, he met and married Renae Hill on...

Eugene Jurovich   Eugene Jurovich was born to Angie and Velisha Jurovich in a small community of immigrant coal miners in Washoe, Montana, on Sept. 11, 1929. Known as “Gene” throughout his life, he was the second oldest amongst three siblings. Gene went to work at a very early age, picking beans and tending chickens to help provide for his family and the miners of Washoe. After saving money and borrowing some, his mother Angie moved the family to Bridger, where she opened...

Ann L. Frette, age 99, passed away on Jan. 22, 2022. She was born on the homestead ranch on Sept. 24, 1922, to Nick and Mary Ban, who migrated from Austria. She graduated from Terry High School in 1940. After graduating from a Billings Beauty College, she was employed in Sidney. Later, at the age of 19, she purchased a beauty shop in Terry. Ann met the love of her life, Harold, at a New Year’s Eve dance. She waited for three years for him to return from WWII in Europe, where he served...

Robert Gould Bishop III, born to Robert and Dorothy Bishop in New Haven, Connecticut, on June 22, 1946, passed peacefully at home on Jan. 19, 2022. Bob had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Lt. Col. after receiving numerous medals and awards. Bob was a quiet man, kind, gentle and generous. He had been actively involved in the Senior Alliance, delivering Meals on Wheels and Pantry Pals. He is survived by his wife, Tana; brother Edward (Fran) Bishop; son...

Tamra Michelle Crumb   Tamra Michelle Crumb was born in and grew up in Spokane. She made Billings her home for more than the past decade, until her passing on January 7, 2022 at the age of 40. Tamra was an outgoing spirit. She was a kidney donor with a black belt in taekwondo and a degree in communication. She was a graphic designer, talented artist and photographer. She was a compassionate, intelligent, sharp-witted, funny person who loved … and was loved … by so many....

Larry F. Balestra   Larry Balestra passed peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 7, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he and his wife, Martha, spent their retirement years. Larry would have turned 101 this May. Larry was born in Camden, New Jersey, on May 25, 1921, to Nunzio (Lancy) and Adeline (Lena) Balestra. He was the oldest of three children followed by his brother Felice and sister Rose. Larry attended grade school and high school in Camden, graduating with honors, and continued...

Earl J. Halverson   Earl J. Halverson passed away on Jan. 5, 2022, at the age of 94. He was born on July 5, 1927, in Billings, to Earl Oscar Halverson and Goldie (Gullickson) Halverson. He was the middle child of the family with two older siblings, Victor and Dorothy, and two younger siblings, Shirley and Robert. His infant sister Alice Marie died before he was born. Earl attended school at Broadwater Elementary, Hawthorne School, Lincoln Junior High and Billings Senior High School....

Penelope Jean Olson   Penelope Jean Olson passed away in her home on Jan. 3, 2022. Penny was born on Feb. 15, 1951, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings. Penny was baptized at St. Patrick. Penny was one of eight born to Sheldon and Pauline Olson.  At 10 months old, Penny was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Penny began to live in the care of Residential Support Services in 1973 up to her passing. In 2008, Penny shattered her hip, confining her to a wheelchair for...

Linda D. Walters   Linda D. Walters, 73, of Billings, passed away on Jan. 3, 2022, in Billings. Linda was born on Sept. 23, 1948, in Billings. A graduate of Billings West High, she went on to get her art and teaching degree from Eastern Montana College. She taught in Scobey for a short time, later returning to Billings to work at American Photo Lab, where she met Bernie Stefanski. After working together and becoming friends with Bernie and his wife, Linda and Bernie established their...

  John Fredlund was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was born on Jan. 16, 1953, in Williston, North Dakota, to Josephine and Vernon Fredlund. The youngest of three, he had two older sisters. He spent his early years playing with a wonderful gaggle of neighborhood boys, all of whom were life-long friends. He loved and played baseball (a catcher), as well as other sports throughout his school days. From Williston, John moved with his family to Tyler,...