Obituaries

Jan 10, 2018

Ann Nelson Hafer, 86, of Billings, passed away on Jan. 8, 2018. She was born in Billings on May 14, 1931, to Maude and Cedric Nelson. Ann graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1949 and went on to attend Carleton College and, later, the University of Minnesota, where she received her degree in dental hygiene.

While...

Jan 10, 2018

Doris Mae Schraer, 93, peacefully left this world to be with Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. She was born in Lambert on Feb. 25, 1924. Doris was a loving wife, mother and grandma and great-grandma.

Doris was a woman before her time. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and, among other successful ventures, she opened the Nearly...

Jan 9, 2018

Sharon Lea Trusler Miller passed away Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, surrounded by family. She bravely fought a long, hard battle against cancer. She never gave up, all in the name of gaining more precious time with her family.

She was born Aug. 1, 1946, to Calvit and Betty Trusler in Port Angeles, Washington. Her childhood years were...

Jan 9, 2018

Bob Saunders, 88, of Billings, passed away Dec. 27, 2017, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Oct. 11, 1929, in Hardin, to Bob and Mattie (Bundy) Saunders and spent his childhood fly fishing in Black Canyon, camping in the Big Horn Mountains, and playing golf on cheatgrass and sand greens at the old Fort Custer...

Jan 8, 2018

Gary Drake, age 64, passed away on Jan. 7, 2018, in Billings, after a nine-month battle with cancer.

He was born on May 20, 1953, in Butte, and was adopted by his loving parents, David and Cecil (Joyce) Drake. On Aug. 7, 1976, he married the love of his life, Sharon Thomas. His love and family grew...

Jan 7, 2018

Carol Ann (Fuher) Henson, devoted wife, mother and follower of Jesus Christ, passed away into his loving arms on Jan. 5, 2018. Mom was born on Jan. 2, 1934, in Rockingham, North Carolina, to William and Bernice Fuher. As Mom liked to say, born 1-2-3-4. When Mom was a little girl, her family moved to Livingston, and she ​grew...

Jan 7, 2018

June Austin-Butler, 93, passed away at her home January 7, 2018. She was born August 17, 1924 in Chicago Illinois and spent her school age years in Western Springs and LaGrange Illinois studying classical ballet and learning golf from her father. She attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and, by taking classes every summer, graduated at the age...

Jan 5, 2018

Marian Margaret Heinz was a first-generation American born to immigrant parents, Gustav Lindquist (Sweden) and Marie Kreuder (Germany), on July 3, 1926, in Chicago. After World War II, a friend arranged a blind date for her with Martin Heinz, Jr., who had recently served as a navigator in the Air Force. They married on May 10, 1947. In 1951,...

Jan 3, 2018

Dallas Elliot Olson was born on Aug. 19,1955. He received his wings on Dec. 26, 2017, after a battle with cancer.

He was born here in Billings to Lyle and Echo Olson, along with his brothers, Sage Olson (Pat) and Roy Olson (Marcy); his sisters, Robin Olson Faith Bollman and Ione Ament (Mike).

He graduated...

Jan 2, 2018

Richard Alan Procter passed away on Dec. 29, 2017, after a prolonged battle with dementia. He was 80 years old. On May 1, 1937, Dick was born in Fargo, North Dakota. He spent his childhood in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where he developed into an avid outdoorsman.

Dick attended college at the University of Arizona, obtaining a bachelor...

Dec 30, 2017

Jocelynn Joy Galland, 24-day-old daughter of Kashmire Kieling and Matthew Galland, passed away on Dec. 30, 2017, at the Colorado Children's Hospital.

Jocelynn was born on Dec. 6, 2017, in Billings, joining her parents and brother Jasper. Jocelynn was born a healthy, vibrant baby, but shortly after, she became ill and her body was too weak to...

Dec 30, 2017

Jo Lou Knoll passed peacefully in her sleep the morning of Dec. 24, 2017. She was born April 24, 1933, in Billings, to George and Ella Hammer. She and her husband, Jim Knoll, had a very happy 41-year marriage - admired by many for the deep love and respect they had for one another. He preceded her in death...

Dec 30, 2017

James Miller, 71, of Billings, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017. James was born on Aug. 7, 1946, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Art and June Miller.

Jim grew up and graduated high school in Columbus, North Dakota. He was an avid athlete, competing in track, baseball, football and basketball.

Jim was drafted...

Dec 23, 2017

Our amazing mother, grandmother, great- and great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Dec. 23, 2017.

Vivian Marie Thorson was born on Dec. 11, 1926, in Rothsay, Minnesota, to Otto and Mabel Vicha. She was raised on her parents' farm near Corinth, North Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, attended Liberty School and graduated from...

Dec 21, 2017

Stan Steen was born on Aug. 17, 1940, to Mary and Orville Steen in Miles City. On Aug. 27, 1960, Stan married his true love, Doreen O'Conner from Poplar. Stan and Doreen started married life working on their ranch and rodeoing together whenever the opportunity afforded itself. Soon thereafter a family started growing, to eventually include four wonderful children...

Dec 19, 2017

Colleen Patricia Studer, 55, of Billings, passed away early Dec. 18, 2017, surrounded by her family.

Colleen was born March 16, 1962, the third child to Dean and Constance Studer. She grew up breaking her leg skiing, balancing basketball and cheerleading, and creating memories that would last a lifetime with her family.

Colleen was a...

Dec 18, 2017

Steven Scott Peil, beloved son of JoAnn and Lyle Peil, passed away in the presence of friends on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. Steve died from natural causes brought on by long-term health issues.

Steve grew up in Billings, and was a graduate of West High School class of 1984. He enjoyed family gatherings, fishing, shooting, riding three...

Dec 14, 2017

Lynette DeAnn (Gudmunson) Siroky, 59, of Billings, entered into a better place on Dec. 11, 2017, following an ongoing battle with cancer. First diagnosed in 2011, she fought the fight with strength and grace.

Lyn was born on April 28, 1958, in Watford City, North Dakota, to Wagner and Helen (Kirkman) Gudmunson. When she was a young...

Dec 11, 2017

Nicholas Frank "Nick" Tillinger, 82, passed away peacefully on Saint Nicholas‘ Day, Dec. 6, 2017. He was surrounded by family at his home in Billings, after a long battle with cancer.

Nick was born in Etchka, Yugoslavia, on Aug. 19, 1935, to Mathias and Magdalena Tillinger. In October 1944, the family escaped the communist genocide of other...

Dec 7, 2017

Sarah Louise H. Holte was born to Ted and Freddie Hopgood on Aug. 7, 1940, in Chester, Illinois. Surrounded by her loving family, she died peacefully at RiverStone Health Hospice House in Billings, on Dec. 1, 2017.

Spending her first years in Illinois, Sarah quickly earned the nickname of "Sass," which she cheerfully bore for the rest...