Obituaries

Dec 3, 2023

Joan Arzella Shipley was born into this world on Feb. 19, 1951, to Annie and James Rollins. Four years later, they welcomed Joan’s little sister Sue into the world. When Joan was 9 years old, she discovered her first love, playing the violin.

In 1975, while working at Sambos she met the love of her life, Daniel....

Nov 22, 2023

Patricia Ann “Trish” Matteson, 74, of Billings, passed away on Nov. 22, 2023. She was born on July 30, 1949, the daughter of John R. Lair and Karen Bengtson, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. She had two children: son Benjamin (Becky) and daughter Jennifer (Mark); and two siblings, Marcia (Dave) Heningman of Bridger and Steve (Diane) Lair of Colorado Springs,...

Nov 20, 2023

With deepest sorrow, we announce that Brandon James Witt, “B,” age 26, passed suddenly on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, while in the hospital, fighting a brief but courageous battle with leukemia, surrounded by his loved ones. Brandon was born on Feb. 7, 1997, in Billings.

Those who knew Brandon, even just a little, lost a shining light...

Nov 18, 2023

Dawn Ellen DeHart Lofthouse, 72, of Billings, passed peacefully at her home on Nov. 18, 2023, with her devoted and loving husband, Larry, at her side.

She was born on Feb. 22, 1951, in Waukegan, Illinois, to Ed and Adell DeHart. The eldest of five children, she grew up in Helena, Montana, attending Helena High School.

Nov 18, 2023

Victor Bachmeier passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov.18, 2023, when his weak heart failed him. We will miss him gracing the head of our Thanksgiving table this year, but we are very thankful for his full 96 years of life.

He was born to Ladislaus and Asteria (Wingenbach) Bachmeier, who immigrated from Krasna, Ukraine, in 1908. He was...

Nov 17, 2023

James Douglas Clark, Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at the age of 87, in Billings, Montana.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Senteney; his sons, Kenneth Clark (Patricia Clark), Douglas Clark (Monica Clark); his daughters, Andrea Fiscus (Kevin Fiscus) and Heather Mace (Tom Mace); and grandchildren, James L. Clark, Holly Hardie (Brandon...

Nov 16, 2023

Betty Ann Teigen, of Billings, died Nov. 16, 2023. She was born on Nov. 13, 1932, to Charles and Mary Zimmerman, the youngest of eight children. Raised on the family farm at 48th and Grand, Betty was proud of her grandfather’s role in helping to build Zimmerman Trail. She attended Billings schools from The Shiloh School through Senior High...

Nov 15, 2023

Daniel R. Kercher passed away on Nov. 15, 2023.

He was born in Bridger, Montana, on Jan. 31, 1941. After the family moved to a farm in Roberts, Montana, in 1946, Dan attended school at Roberts and graduated in 1959. He entered St. Olaf College in Minnesota with a focus on pre-med. He transferred to EMC (MSUB),...

Nov 14, 2023

Robert “Bob” Lee Rindal passed away on Nov. 14, 2023, in Billings, Montana.

Robert was born on Oct. 9, 1941, and was raised in the Missouri Breaks area near Roy, Montana. Robert’s adult life was in Billings.

Robert’s work career started with driving heavy equipment but quickly moved into a career as an independent trucker....

Nov 9, 2023

Vincenza Theresa (DeSimone) Vernese, 96, our loving mother, sister, grandmother, and aunt, died peacefully on November 9, 2023, in Billings, Montana, surrounded by family.

Terry was born in Queens, New York, to Frank and Filomena (DeSena) DeSimone. The second of five children, Terry grew up in a close-knit Italian family. She attended St. Mary’s Academy, a boarding...

Nov 8, 2023

Paul Lalone Read, 62, formerly of Henderson Harbor and Watertown, New York, passed away in the comfort of his Montana home, surrounded by his wife Dawnmarie and son Victor Michael on Nov. 8, 2023.

Paul Lalone Read is the oldest son of four children of the late Paul B. Read and the late Kay Lalone Read. Paul’s...

Nov 8, 2023

Allan Siess, 71, of Billings, passed away at home on the morning of Nov. 8, with his wife, son and two pups by his side. He left us much too soon, but we are thankful he is now at peace.

Al was born in Billings, and spent his formative years in Bozeman. His parents, Charles and Ruth...

Nov 7, 2023

Wanita Mae Benson, age 74, of Billings, Montana, passed away on November 7, 2023. She was born on April 1, 1949, in Scobey, Montana, to the late Frances and James Morris Paulson.

Wanita is survived by her loving husband, Smokey Benson; and children Patrick (Kyrie) Fouhy, Andrea (Jake) Spero, Kelly (Danna) Benson, Syd Benson, Emily (Rob) Jones,...

Nov 4, 2023

Logan James Shedd

March 8, 1925 – November 4, 2023

A life well-lived, cherished, admired, and loved

Logan James Shedd was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Nov. 4, 2023. Jim, as he was known, was born on March 8, 1925, to Clarence Shedd and Mabel...

Nov 2, 2023

Amanda Sue McCormick was born on a snowy day, Jan. 22, 1989, to Allen and Linda McCormick, in Billings. Amanda passed into eternal life on Nov. 2, 2023.

She attended Central Heights Elementary school and graduated with honors in 2007 from Billings West High, where she was very active in school programs. Amanda loved sports and was...

Oct 31, 2023

Edward LeRoy Ostlund

Edward LeRoy Ostlund died peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 31, 2023, in Billings, at the age of 95.

Ed was born on June 27, 1928, in Whitewater, Montana, the first of Levi and Marianne Ostlund’s three children. He often talked fondly of growing up in the Whitewater country among a large...

Oct 26, 2023

Nancy Ann Guenthner, age 86, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2023, surrounded by her surviving children and family members.

Nancy was born on April 10, 1937, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of John and Florence (Burns) Connors. She grew up in Stoughton, Massachusetts, and graduated from St. John’s High School in Canton, Massachusetts, in 1955.

Oct 25, 2023

Glenda Gay Taylor, 79, passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2023.

She was born in Billings on May 23, 1944, but her family moved to Powell, Wyoming, when she was just a few months old. Her parents were John and Emma Dalke. She grew up with her oldest brother Malven, and two older sisters, Estella and Betty....

Oct 22, 2023

Joan Renee “Dutch” Grabinski took her last breath on Oct. 22, 2023, with family surrounding her. She is now home with so many of her loved ones who have gone before her.

Joan was born to LeRoy and Dorothy Larson in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on March 24, 1939. She was the third child of eight and their first...

Oct 22, 2023

Richard Gregory Aldrich “Greg,” 76, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at the Billings Clinic.

Born Oct. 27, 1946, Greg joined the growing family of L.R. “Bill” and Maxine (Stockham) Aldrich.

Greg, a keen outdoorsman, husband, father and grandfather, is survived by his devoted wife Thora; son Richard (Guenever); daughter K.V. “Ginger” (Terry); grandsons...