Obituaries

Feb 10, 2022

“I want to die with dignity or survive with strength, and either way I win because God’s in charge.” That statement epitomizes Darell’s positive attitude.

Darell Lee Tunnicliff was born on Jan. 8, 1952, to Donald and Marian Tunnicliff in Billings. Darell attended Grand Avenue Elementary, Lewis and Clark Junior High and Billings Senior High, graduating in...

Feb 8, 2022

Raymond “Ray” Arthur Olson peacefully passed away with family at his bedside in Billings, on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at age 100. Ray was born January 17, 1922, the fifth of 10 children of Arthur and Elizabeth (Plunkett) Olson. He was born during a terrible blizzard on their homestead near Franklin, MT. As the family grew and the homestead...

Feb 4, 2022

Janine Susan Hudiburgh (Gillen), 68, passed away Feb. 4, 2022, following emergency surgery and a month-long hospital stay. Born and raised in Harlowton, Janine was excited to explore the bigger world and moved to Bozeman after high school to attend MSU. She was at a house party when she met Dale, the love of her life, and eventual husband...

Feb 2, 2022

Rebecca Ann Miller

Rebecca “Becky” Miller died at the age of 68 after a long and courageous battle with ALS. Becky passed away in her home on Feb. 2, 2022, with her husband and two sons at her side.

Becky was born on July 21, 1953, in Wadena, Minnesota,  to Jack and Alvida...

Feb 1, 2022

Geraldine L. Krauss of Billings, formerly of Oak Lawn, Illinois. 88 years old, passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 22, 1933, the daughter of Stanley and Anna (Balaisis) Markunas, who have preceded her in death. Her husband, John Krauss, her daughter, Diane Krauss, and her brother Fredrick Markunas have also...

Jan 31, 2022

In the early morning hours of January 31, 2022, Audrey Louise Hines peacefully passed away after a long, heart-breaking period of decline due to Alzheimer’s.

Audrey was born to Jerry and Alberta Johnson on May 21, 1933, on a farm near Britton, South Dakota. She was raised in Great Falls, Montana, and graduated from Great Falls High...

Jan 31, 2022

Ted Edward Amsbaugh was born June 2, 1930, in Bottineau, North Dakota, to Fay and Ruth Elayer Amsbaugh. He graduated from Bottineau High School in 1948 and attended the State School of Forestry in Bottineau. Ted cherished his upbringing in North Dakota, often reminiscing on painting fences for honey during the Great Depression, fishing and hunting with his father...

Jan 30, 2022

Virginia Ann Cox, 90, of Billings, peacefully passed away on January 30. Her time had come to join her Creator and family.

Virginia was born in Emmons County, North Dakota on March 15, 1931, to Frank and Mary Buechler. She was one of 10 children. Her family worked on farms in North Dakota and relocated to Fromberg,...

Jan 28, 2022

Andrew James Bjelland (aka Andy) passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Jan. 28, 2022, at The Billings Clinic. Andy was 60 years young, only five days shy from his birthday.

Andy was born to Richard and Janet (Colbrese) Bjelland in Billings, Montana, on Feb. 2, 1961. He was preceded in death by his father on...

Jan 25, 2022

Ed was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, on Sept. 25, 1933, the only son of Clyde and Ruth (Drinkwater). He had five sisters (two died before he was born). He was a gifted athlete and attended Auburn University on a football scholarship. He had a pitching tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals, but lost out due to his lackadaisical trot...

Jan 24, 2022

Pete Trask, 83, died on January 24, 2022 after many years with Parkinson’s. Pete was born in Billings, MT to Willard Trask and Margaret Johnston Trask. Pete married Linda Lee in 1966 and they spent a wonderful life together.

Pete attended Billings Senior High and the University of Montana where he was a proud Sigma Chi. He...

Jan 23, 2022

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...

Jan 23, 2022

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...

Jan 22, 2022

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...

Jan 21, 2022

Mary Virginia “Ginny” Johnson Helmer, 93, passed away on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.

Ginny was born on Oct. 15, 1928, to Alfred and Lou Mary Johnson in Kalispell. She was the youngest of two children. Ginny graduated from the University of Montana in Home Economics and received a master’s in retail from New York University. She worked...

Jan 19, 2022

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....

Jan 7, 2022

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....

Jan 7, 2022

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...

Jan 5, 2022

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...

Jan 3, 2022

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...