Obituaries

May 27, 2020

Ron Zitur, born July 29, 1950, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Jerry and Eilene Zitur, passed away unexpectedly on May 22, 2020.

The family ended up making their home in Billings in 1960. Ron attended Billings Central High School, where he made lifelong friends. Ron married Kathleen Lahn and had three children: Chad, Conrad and Danielle. Kathy...

May 26, 2020

During the evening of May 24, 2020, Patricia Anne (Zitur) Burch quietly passed away, knowing the four most important men in her life had come together because of their love for her.

Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Jan. 11, 1949, as the first child to Jerry and Eileen Zitur, Patsy, as her Minnesota extended family called...

May 20, 2020

Marie "Doris" Kveseth was born on June 6, 1928, in the Florence Crittenton Home in Helena, to Dorothy Dedic. Dorothy named her Leatrice. She was adopted by Christ and Elise Paulsen and raised in Dane Valley, north of Culbertson, with her older brother, Richard. She would wait until her parents passed and then search for her birth mother. She...

May 20, 2020

On Monday, May 11, 2020, James Kermit Russell Sr., 84, passed away at his home.

Jim was born on Nov. 1, 1935, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to Warren S. and Berea Russell. He grew up in Torrington, Wyoming, and graduated high school there in 1953. He attended college in Torrington and the University of Wyoming in Laramie. He...

May 19, 2020

Lee Roy Zundel, age 85, died on May 14, 2020, at Canyon Creek Memory Care, after declining health.

Lee Roy was a Veteran of the Korean War and, despite a limited, elementary education, he excelled as a Superintendent of the United Prestress Inc. & Elk River Inc. concrete companies that built many of the largest and most...

May 18, 2020

The world became a better place on April 10, 1950, with the birth of Rodney T. Hartman to Harold and Ramona "Mona" Hartman. Rod excelled in sports, from Little League baseball to wrestling and football at Billings West High School. He later played softball and then on to his passion: golf, getting a hole in one in 2009 at...

May 14, 2020

Ralph Eugene Hanson, 89, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2020, with his loving wife of 66 years by his side. Ralph was born on Feb. 8, 1931, in Havre, Montana, to Charles and Verna Hanson. Growing up in Havre, he was a bit of a rascal who grew to become an intelligent, kind and hardworking man.

...

May 13, 2020

Paul Leroy Mallow, 92, passed away May 5, 2020, with family by his side.

He was born on June 3, 1927, in Chariton, Iowa, and was the only child of Fred and Anzo Mallow. The family moved to Longmont, Colorado, when he was 10 years old so his father could pursue work in the mines. Paul's first...

May 12, 2020

Our little girl, Amy "Bobber" Bennett thought it was time for a career change. She has now become an angel! With the biggest heart anyone could have, God knew He needed her help.

Our Amy passed away on May 7, 2020, with the love of her life, Brian Aberle, by her side.

Amy was born...

May 12, 2020

Andrew Otto Salava, 44, of Billings, died peacefully on May 8, 2020, at RiverStone Health Hospice House. Heaven gained another faithful servant; Andy is safe in the arms of Jesus.

Andy was born on March 17, 1976, in Crystal Lake, Illinois, to Glenn and April Salava. Andy was raised there with his younger brother Matt. Andy's love...

May 12, 2020

Our loving mother and grandmother, Josephine R. Bartels, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 2, 2020.

"Gramma Jo," or "Little Jo," as others knew her, was born on Nov. 1, 1924, to Bert and Myra Reese of Akron, Colorado. She had one older brother, Jimmy. Jo was married to Charles Kenneth "Ken" McShane in...

May 12, 2020

Our beloved mother, grandmother and best friend, Myrle Jean Cook Theimer became one of the brightest stars shining in the heavens when she passed Friday, May 8, 2020, at home, surrounded in love by her four children.

Myrle was born on Sept. 18, 1933, in Boulder, Colorado, to Ruth Amanda and Alvin Chester Cook. Her uncle gave...

May 11, 2020

Phyllis M. Bergeron was faithfully welcomed into the arms of her Lord on May 9, 2020, following a brief battle with cancer.

Phyllis was born on Jan. 18, 1936, in Manchester, New Hampshire, to Starr and Esther (Morrison) Verge. She grew up in Derry, New Hampshire, and graduated from Pinkerton Academy High School in 1953. For a...

May 11, 2020

Douglas Nelson Miller, 81, passed peacefully on May 10, 2020, at his home in Billings, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on Jan. 10, 1939, in Missoula, to Lewis and Myrtle Miller, Doug and his two younger brothers, Roger and Don, were raised on the family ranch in the Upper Burnt Fork area of the Bitterroot...

May 7, 2020

Surrounded by the love of his family, and supported in spirit by so many close friends, John Timothy Jones passed away from complications of an autoimmune disease on May 7, 2020. Born on Dec. 2, 1956, to James and Mary Ann Jones, John's earliest years were spent playing baseball and picking crab apples near their family home on Pryor...

May 5, 2020

Jonathan Christian Biegel came into this world fighting for his life. Declared Code Blue moments after his birth on March 24, 1992, in Portland, Oregon, Jon's first six weeks would reflect his next 28 years: Jon, the fighter. Despite battling health issues all of his life and cheating death on numerous occasions, Jon went to be with the Lord...

May 3, 2020

William "Bill" passed away to be with his Lord on April 27, 2020, in the ICU of Billings Clinic, with the loving care of the unit and his wife, Charlotte, by his side.

Bill was born on Jan. 29, 1931, in Phoebus-Hampton, Virginia, to Milton Speede and Marie Gammel Shackelford. He was the youngest of six children,...

May 1, 2020

James George French was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the evening of June 9, 2013, to Kris and Lindsey French. James was a very happy baby and a joy to his family, especially to his big sister, Klaire, who loved and cared for him as only a sister can. At age 3, James became a big brother...

May 1, 2020

Kathy Jo Cochran was born on July 24, 1963 to Robert and Erma Cochran in the state of Missouri and grew up in Montana. Kathy's life was richly filled with family, friends and purpose. She passed suddenly on April 25, 2020.

She is survived by her mother, Erma Cochran; sister Kelly Wilburn; her son, Robert (Thamara) Jaramillo;...

May 1, 2020

Brett was born in Billings and passed away tragically on Monday, April 27, 2020, at the age of 24, while being surrounded by his loving family.

Brett was known for having a very kind heart and dropping whatever he was doing to go help others. He touched an overwhelming amount of lives with his kind and caring...