Obituaries

Nov 14, 2024

Mark Freitag

Mark Cletus Freitag was born in Rock Island, Illinois on April 9, 1950. Adopted as an infant by Cletus “Clip” Freitag and Dolores (Wellman) Freitag, he grew up in West Point, Iowa graduating from Marquette, High School. Mark showed horses as a teenager, winning several events including The National Champion Pleasure Class in Albuquerque, NM....

Nov 14, 2024

Alvin “Al” Charles Farmer passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024, in Billings, Montana, just shy of his 92nd birthday. He was born on November 16, 1932, in Great Falls, Montana to Alma Faye Powell (Farmer-Grant) and Frederick W. Farmer.

Al’s life is best summed up in his own words:

“I had a great life...

Nov 13, 2024

JoAnn Carol Zabrocki passed away from complications related to Alzheimer’s on November 13, 2024 at TenderNest Assisted Living.

JoAnn was born on August 23, 1933, in Glendive, Montana, the second child to Ernest (Pete) and Ruby (Nentwig) Layman. She graduated from Dawson County High School in 1951, and enjoyed singing and tap dancing for many school assemblies....

Nov 10, 2024

Marilyn Lavonne Pearson was gifted by God to her parents Edwin and Evelyn Reberk on August 17, 1930 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She had a change of address to heaven the morning of November 10, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

Marilyn grew up in St. Paul and married Paul Peason on September 17, 1949. In 1955,...

Nov 9, 2024

David Jeston Taylor, 79, passed away peacefully on Nov. 9, 2024. He was born in Caraway, Arkansas, on Jan. 31, 1945, to parents Harrison and Fannie Taylor. He was the fifth of seven children.

He met Glenda Dalke on Mother’s Day 1964 when he was appointed as the new pastor of her church, The Church of God...

Oct 31, 2024

Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, John was a Billings resident for over 30 years. He is survived by his brothers, Bruce (Margaret) and James (Sandra); and niece Julia.

The oldest of three boys, John was born in Cooperstown, New York, on Oct. 16, 1946, to Donald and Mildred Bates, both Minnesota natives. In 1951, the family moved...

Oct 31, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ronnie “Ron” Hagel, a beloved outdoorsman, father and friend who left us too early.

Ron Hagel was born on Sept. 23, 1951, in Billings. Ron left this world peacefully in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, 2024, at the age of 73, at St. Vincent’s...

Oct 30, 2024

Wanda Betty (Schuler) Hofferber, aged 91, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, in Billings, MT. She was born on December 16, 1933, in Linton, ND. Mother of four children, grandmother to 13 great-grandmother to 24, and great-great-grandmother to one.

Wanda was married on January 6, 1951, to Charles Hofferber, in Billings. They raised their children in...

Oct 24, 2024

It is with immense sadness that the family of Les “Ace” Allan Bayers, 66, is announcing his passing on Oct. 24, 2024, surrounded by his children and loved ones.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his children: Taryn Kokkeler, Chelsey DeWitt, Randee (Jesse) Wells, Christopher (Miranda) Brown, Jenna (Shane) Bayers; grandchildren: Bayley, Devin, Roxy, Zaidyn,...

Oct 22, 2024

After a courageous battle with cancer, Barry Dean Brekhus, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, mentor and friend, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2024, with his loving wife, Bobbie, by his side.

We would like to extend a special thank you to all the doctors and nurses and caregivers at Billings Clinic who guided us...

Oct 22, 2024

Raymond Wallace Kunkel peacefully passed away on Oct. 22, 2024, at St. Vincent Healthcare.

Ray was born on Sept. 1, 1940, in Billings, to Rudolph and Evelyn Kunkel.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kunkel, whom he was married to for 62 years; his sons, Perry and Cal (Mandy); daughter Heather Graf (Kevin);...

Oct 21, 2024

June Kratochvil, 93, passed peacefully on Oct. 21, 2024, while surrounded by family, at her home in Billings. She was a longtime resident of Pompeys Pillar before moving to Billings in 1992. June was born on June 23, 1931, in Pompeys Pillar, the fifth child to Remi and Etta Mae Strobbe.

On Nov. 16, 1950, June married...

Oct 18, 2024

Cynthia “Cindy” Lynne Van Maren passed away on October 18, 2024, succumbing to injuries from a fall two weeks earlier. Cindy was born in Casper, Wyoming, on January 26, 1953, the middle of seven children born to N.P. Van Maren, Jr. and Juanita Beamish Van Maren. The day Cindy was born, two other baby girls were as well. For...

Oct 13, 2024

Joyce Bird, 81, of Billings, passed away Sunday morning, Oct. 13, 2024, at her home, with her family present.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Bird; her sisters, Martha Bowman, Lorraine Anderson, Betty Mullenberg and Donna Lane; and brother Chuck Overturf.

She is survived by her sons, Larry (Wanda) Bird and Darin...

Oct 10, 2024

Earlene Davis, age 83, passed away at St. Vincent Hospital on Oct. 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Earlene was a truly good and forgiving person with a wonderful sense of humor. She lived a life of enthusiasm for her family, golf and an ever-increasing number of new interests as she aged. Raising her daughters and being a...

Oct 10, 2024

Our mother, Alice Lorraine (Kern) Lambrecht passed away on Oct.10, 2024, much the same way she lived: peacefully and surrounded by family.

Mom was born in Mott, North Dakota, on April 11, 1931, to Russell and Albertina (Beehler) Kern. The family moved when Mom was a child to Miles City. After a few years, the family settled...

Oct 6, 2024

In Loving Memory of Caryle Janice Rio

April 17, 1939 – October 6, 2024

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Caryle Janice Rio, who left us peacefully on October 6, 2024, following complications from a heart valve replacement. Caryle was a beacon of warmth, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family, friends, and community....

Oct 5, 2024

Dale Laveen Weishaar, born to Richard and Esther Weishaar on July 30, 1948, passed away on Oct. 5. 2024, at St. Vincent Healthcare. He grew up in Laurel on his family’s farm. He married the love of his life, Janice Thompson, who preceded him in death by two years. They had one daughter, Gina Masella (husband Mike “Lucky” Masella),...

Oct 4, 2024

It is with heavy hearts the family of Joelle Lynn Keough, 44, announces her passing on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Billings.

Joelle was born on May 12, 1980, to Mary Ellen (Toocheck) and Gary Edward Keough in Thornton, Colorado. Joelle was raised in Colorado with her older sister, Elizabeth Ann, and younger brother, Matthew Edward, until...

Oct 4, 2024

Anton “Tony” L. Schmidt, 96, passed away on Oct. 4, 2024, in Billings.

Tony was born on Sept. 12, 1928, in Mandan, North Dakota, to John and Julia Schmidt. He was the youngest of five and only boy to his four older sisters. He moved to Montana with his family in 1935. He moonlighted as both a...