Obituaries

Jul 22, 2019

Gordon C. Brandes passed away peacefully on June 10, 2019, at the age of 93. Gordie was preceded in death by his 1st wife Loni (nee Ronko Kaizumi/Shizuko), and 2nd wife Sharlene (nee Ahrens), sister Esther (Henry) Borchert, nephew William Borchert and cousin Doris Model. And his Air Force buddy for life Jack Verburgt. Lovingly survived by nephew James...

Jul 20, 2019

Adam Thomas Pelatt, age 41, passed away on July 20, 2019, in Billings. Adam was born on Dec. 30, 1977, in Billings - the beginning of an amazing life full of empathy, love, godliness, thoughtfulness, laughter and generosity that touched many people across the globe through his friendships both old and new, his work and his numerous generous anonymous...

Jul 19, 2019

Judith "Judy" Katherine Hirsch Thelen, born on May 19, 1948, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away on July 10, 2019, in Aurora, Colorado, after an extended rare illness.

A celebration service of Judy's life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., in Billings. A reception will be held in the...

Jul 13, 2019

Frank Buzzetti passed away on July 10, 2019, at St. Vincent Hospital. He was born on July 6, 1952, to John and Helene Buzzetti in Miles City. Frank graduated from Billing Senior High School. He attended college at Northern and Eastern Montana College, where he met his future wife, Renee.

He married Renee and had one daughter,...

Jul 5, 2019

Nicholas “Nick” Sassano passed away peacefully on July 5, 2019, at RiverStone Hospice, after suffering a series of strokes. Nick lived independently and on his own terms for more than 90 years until his recent hospitalization and transfer to RiverStone. Nick was born in Billing son Aug. 30, 1928. He was one of seven children born to Louis and...

Jul 3, 2019

Leonard Leo Koziol, 86, passed away on June 29, 2019 at St. Vincent Hospital. He was born in Greeley, Nebraska on January 11, 1933 to Francis and Victoria Koziol. He served in the Korean Conflict, and thereafter attended Wichita State College in Kansas. Upon graduation, Leonard worked in Denver, Colorado, where he met Denise Verbiest. He and Denise were...

Jul 2, 2019

Sam J. Ohanesian, 80, of Roundup, crossed the great divide on June 29, 2019.

Sam was born on Sept. 20, 1938, to Emma and Sam Ohanesian in Opheim. Sam graduated from Opheim High School in 1956. He attended Northern Montana College for two years, transferring to Montana State University, receiving a bachelor's degree in education. He completed...

Jul 2, 2019

Jeff, father, son, brother, uncle and friend, found rest and peace, and is in the presence of his earthly and heavenly fathers.

Jeff loved Montana and loved the people of Montana. You could not travel anywhere across the state that he wouldn't know, stop and talk with someone. He was a good friend and golf, hunting and...

Jun 27, 2019

Mary J. Carter, 79, of Billings, passed peacefully at St Vincent's Hospital on June 25, 2019.

Mary was born to Florian and Celestina Erhardt on Feb. 10, 1940, in Grant County, North Dakota. She spent her early days working on the family farm. It was these early days where Mary established her lifelong hard work ethic that...

Jun 27, 2019

John Joseph Gusick ,75, of Billings, passed away peacefully at his cabin on the Stillwater, on June 25, 2019.

John was born on Nov. 26, 1943, in Seattle, to Jack and Josephine Gusick. The family moved to Billings soon after, where John made his home for 75 years. John graduated from Billings Central High School in 1962,...

Jun 26, 2019

Charlie left us on the first day of summer, June 21, 2019, to join his parents Henry and Agnes Allen. Born Jan. 9, 1937, he was an only child. After graduating from Billings Senior High, Charlie entered the Navy for two years, stationed in California.

On Jan. 18, 1960, at the age of 23, Charlie joined the...

Jun 26, 2019

Charlie left us on the first day of summer, June 21, 2019, to join his parents Henry and Agnes Allen. Born Jan. 9, 1937, he was an only child. After graduating from Billings Senior High, Charlie entered the Navy for two years, stationed in California.

On Jan. 18, 1960, at the age of 23, Charlie joined the...

Jun 24, 2019

Iris Mae (Zody) Dobson, 90, of Billings, formerly of Glendive, died peacefully at Avantara Billings on Monday morning, June 24, 2019.

Iris was born on Dec. 3, 1928, to Cecil and Ruth (Moore) Zody in Glendive. She grew up on the family farm near Bloomfield, Montana. She graduated from high school at Dawson County High School in...

Jun 24, 2019

Elaine was born on June 8, 1936, to Hortense and Raymond Korb in Starkweather, ND. The Korb family moved to Malta, MT, the year Elaine began first grade. Family has been the center of our lives due to the example set by Elaine and the love and closeness of her relationships with her siblings. When Elaine (with four brothers...

Jun 24, 2019

Elaine was born on June 8, 1936, to Hortense and Raymond Korb in Starkweather, ND. The Korb family moved to Malta, MT, the year Elaine began first grade. Family has been the center of our lives due to the example set by Elaine and the love and closeness of her relationships with her siblings. When Elaine (with four brothers...

Jun 22, 2019

CALDWELL, Idaho - Dawn Coral (Diede) Ripley, 63, of Caldwell, Idaho, passed away in her home on Saturday, June 22, 2019, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dawn was born in Billings on Sept. 28, 1955, the daughter of Tom and Marie Diede. She graduated high school in Billings. She moved to Boise, Idaho and worked...

Jun 22, 2019

Katharine "Kathy" Lloyd McKibbin, of Billings, died peacefully at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, surrounded by her family, on June 13, 2019.

Kathy was born in Billings on Aug. 30, 1961. he graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1979 and from Eastern Montana College in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in...

Jun 22, 2019

Katharine "Kathy" Lloyd McKibbin, of Billings, died peacefully at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, surrounded by her family, on June 13, 2019.

Kathy was born in Billings on Aug. 30, 1961. he graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1979 and from Eastern Montana College in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in...

Jun 21, 2019

Eloise Anna Hippensteel nee Shideler, age 101, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at Mission Ridge in Billings. She was born on Nov. 10, 1917, in Joliet, Illinois.

She is survived by her children: daughter Roberta Yoder of Billings; sons David Hippensteel (Rosemary) of Drummonds, Tennessee, and Allan (Donna) Hippensteel of Chicago. She is the grandmother...

Jun 17, 2019

Emma Sue Rowan, age 14, thrived beautifully and wonderfully in her hometown, Billings. Already our angel on Earth, she received her wings on June 12, 2019, in Henderson, Nevada.

Emma Sue was born on May 11, 2005, to her two loving parents Matthew and Stephanie Sheldon Rowan. Receiving her Momma's middle name, she grew to follow her...