Obituaries

Aug 9, 2024

Dirk Shulund, age 46, passed peacefully on Aug. 9, 2024, and took a seat with our Lord in heaven after a hard-fought and courageous battle with glioblastoma.

Dirk was born on Aug. 11, 1977, in Havre, the second son to Richard and Sheila Shulund. Dirk rounded out the family of four with his older brother Eric. He...

Aug 6, 2024

Louis C. Dubs, III, of Billings, Montana, passed away on Aug. 6, 2024, surrounded by his beloved wife and daughters, after a sudden battle against endocarditis.

Louis was born on Jan. 16, 1954, in Genoa, Nebraska, to Louis “Louie” Dubs, II, and Gertrude “Trudi” Baumgartner Dubs. Like many immigrant midwestern families, Louie and Trudi raised their children...

Jul 31, 2024

James “Jim” Michael Schuman, 74, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024 after a short, courageous battle with liver cancer. Jim was born in Salinas, California on January 20, 1950. The family moved often, from California to Montana to Illinois and finally back to Billings, Montana, where Jim graduated from Senior High before joining the United States Air Force. In...

Jul 30, 2024

Doris McCaffree Wertman got her wings and joined her husband Bill Wertman (known to the family as GDB sometimes) and her beloved son Bill, “Billy,” in heaven on July 30, 2024. She passed away at St. John’s Liggett Cottage after residing at St John’s Vista for over five years.

She was born near Musselshell, Montana, on Jan....

Jul 28, 2024

James Allen Wood, 55, of Billings, died on Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Billings.

Allen was born on Jan. 28, 1969, in Livingston. He grew up playing hockey. Allen followed in his father’s footsteps and began trucking at age 14. He hauled cars, cattle and drove for Bertolino. He bought his first truck in 1999, where he...

Jul 28, 2024

Chase Pryor Ausen passed away on July 28, 2024, after a long battle with addiction. Though his death was unexpected, Chase’s struggle with addiction made those who love him fear that it would eventually take his life. Chase was so much more than his addiction. He was a loving son and brother, caring friend, devoted boyfriend, lover of a...

Jul 27, 2024

Oakley Daugherty, the infant son of Derik and Paige Daugherty, was born sleeping on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

He was preceded in death by great-grandma Doris James and a great-uncle, Travis Wickum. He is survived by his parents.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave....

Jul 25, 2024

Lorraine Kokkeler

Sister, Mother, Grandmother and Friend

July 18, 1957 — July 25, 2024

Lorraine was called by the Lord Almighty to join him in heaven on July 25, while fishing with her sister Teri and daughter Robin in Red Lodge. She loved to fish and camp...

Jul 15, 2024

Richard Carl Lund “Dick” passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2024, in Billings, Montana, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Dick was born on a warm Sunday morning in early July 1939 in Billings, to Mildred T. H. Henriksen and Ole B. “OB” Lund. His family moved to Havre in early 1943 to stay with...

Jul 13, 2024

Shay J. Vernes went to her heavenly home on July 13, 2024, at St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana, surrounded by her loved ones, after courageously battling colon cancer for three years. She was 53. Born on Sept. 15, 1970, in Wolf Point, Montana, to Larry E. Grimsrud and Sharon L. (Sugden) Grimsrud, Shay was the youngest of...

Jul 12, 2024

Kayne James Cossitt unexpectedly became an angel on the early morning of July 12, 2024. He was 6 weeks old.

Kayne was born on May 31, 2024, in Billings, to Austin and Jordynn Cossitt. He was five weeks early and weighed 5.3 pounds. Within hours, he was alert and hiccupping, taking it all in. He was welcomed...

Jul 11, 2024

The family of Jacque Eaton is deeply saddened to announce her passing on July 11, 2024. Jacque was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend who touched the lives of many with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Jacque, born on June 22, 1966, in Billings, Montana, was...

Jul 10, 2024

Beverly Ann Olson Peterson, of Billings, went to her heavenly home on July 10, 2024.  She was 93.

Beverly was born on June 21, 1931 in rural Grassland, North Dakota, to Arthur and Agnes (Nore) Olson. She was raised in Mohall, North Dakota.; Portland, Oregon; and Havre. Beverly graduated from Havre High School in 1949. She married...

Jul 8, 2024

Gerald “Gabe” Lee Gabel left us for greener pastures on July 8, 2024. Born in Poplar, Montana, on Feb. 10, 1936, Gabe was the 11th of 13 children born to Heinrich “Henry” Gabel and Maria “Mabel” Grosskopf, who wed on Feb. 8, 1920. His siblings and their spouses include Esther (Reinold) Buerkle, Harold (Dorothy) Gabel, Alvin (Marylou) Gabel, Dorothy...

Jul 6, 2024

Susan Ella (Lenington) Cecil, 77, of Billings, peacefully passed away on July 6, 2024, while under the compassionate care of St. Johns United Hospice, following a courageous 19-year battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on Feb. 5, 1947, in Enterprise, Oregon, Susan was the second of three daughters born to James and Pauline (Anderson) Lenington. She held...

Jul 5, 2024

Lane William Basso, 82, of Billings, passed away on July 5, 2024.

Lane was born on May 18, 1942, in Glendive, to Francis and Margie Basso. He was raised in Savage and graduated from the University of Montana, after which he forged a successful career as an administrator in healthcare, including 19 years with Deaconess-Billings Clinic. He...

Jul 5, 2024

Casey Edward Slough, 74, passed away on July 5, 2024.

He was born in Billings on March 23, 1950, to Ted and Harriet Slough. Casey was the oldest of four boys. Casey’s family moved several times during his early childhood, following his father’s job in construction. They finally settled in Billings, where Casey attended Lockwood School. It...

Jul 3, 2024

Susan W. Lyons was born in Townsend on Dec. 3, 1948, to J. Clifford and June Wallace. She was the youngest of four siblings and enjoyed an idyllic childhood on their family ranch. In sixth grade, she moved to Stevensville, where she lived until she graduated from Stevensville High School in 1967. She truly cherished both communities and growing...

Jun 26, 2024

William Ralph Cronoble, age 88, passed away on June 26, 2024. He was born on April 16, 1936, to parents Jacob Ralph Cronoble and Thelma Elizabeth Cronoble in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He joined an older brother, Robert Nelson, two years his senior and was to become the middle son with the arrival of James Marvin. During the growing-up years, three...

Jun 25, 2024

Michael John Kase, 78, of Billings, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 25, 2024. Mike was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on May 26, 1946, to Eugene and Dorothy (Kenna) Kase. Michael moved with his family at the age of 3 to Havre. He attended local parochial schools, graduating from Havre Central High School in...