Obituaries

Nov 9, 2023

Debbie M Pachek, 68, Passed away peacefully on November 9, 2023, in Great Falls, Montana. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Grave site service will follow at Mount Olivet...

Nov 9, 2023

It is with a broken heart that I share the passing of my wonderful mother, Patricia “Patty” DeMuth Getts.

Born on October 27, 1950, she came into the world as a fighter. She was a twin to Patrick, who unfortunately succumbed to the influenza breakout in the nursery.

Even though she did not get to...

Nov 7, 2023

Retired Air Force Captain Daniel James Dunn was born on December 11, 1944, in Dixon, Illinois to James and Charlotte (Ankeny) Dunn.  He passed away on November 7, 2023, after an unexpected illness while on a trip to Minneapolis, MN. He was 78.

A celebration of life is being held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 2:00...

Nov 5, 2023

Mary "Francine" (Hupke) Gretch, a retired registered nurse, died of natural causes Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Peace Hospice. She was 92.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home in Great Falls. A memorial service will be held at a later date, with burial of ashes at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

She...

Nov 3, 2023

Gudrun Karoline Linden, aged 81, passed away peacefully at Benefis Peace Hospice on Friday, November 3, 2023, with her daughter, Lisa, by her side after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.

On June 2, 1942, Gudrun was born in Giessen, Germany to Josef and Irmgard Geitz.  After her schooling, she worked in the private sector...

Nov 2, 2023

Abraham Villerreal Salcido passed away in Great Falls, MT on November 2, 2023, at the age of 75. He was born on June 20, 1948, to Julia Villerreal Salcido and Miguel Garcia Salcido in Sinton, TX.

Abraham attended college for automotive mechanics and body work. He worked in the autobody industry, as well as carpentry and construction....

Nov 2, 2023

JoAnn Mary (Martinez) Kelleher of Great Falls, Montana, passed away on November 2, 2023, at the age of 90. The funeral will be held at St. Ann’s Cathedral (715 3rd Ave. North, Great Falls, MT), on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at noon. The burial will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

JoAnn was born on October 17,...

Oct 31, 2023

Alice went home to be with Jesus on October 31, 2023, after a long illness. She was born to Randall and Julia Birchfield at Columbus Hospital in Great Falls on November 1, 1951. She was the second of six children born to Julia.

The family moved around a lot when she was young, so she attended many...

Oct 31, 2023

Shirley A. Merkel of Great Falls, Montana passed away at the age of 87 on October 31, 2023. Shirley was born January 22, 1936, in Moorehead, Minnesota to Clarence and Annie Rinke. In 1953, she married Bennie Braaten. They moved to Great Falls and were blessed with 4 children. They later divorced. Shirley worked for Social Services for several...

Oct 31, 2023

James Herbert “Jim” McCune of Great Falls passed away on October 31, 2023, at the age of 90. A private graveside service will be held.

James was born June 22, 1933, to Rose and James McCune in Boston, MA. He had two brothers and one sister.

James entered the Air Force in 1951 and served...

Oct 31, 2023

Phyllis Joyce (Shikany) Johnson, 86, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Montana.

Phyllis was born February 24, 1937, to Philip and Victoria (Forzley) Shikany in Great Falls, Montana. She attended local grade schools and Great Falls High. She loved tap dancing, sports, and hanging around with her cousins. She was...

Oct 30, 2023

Suzanne Kristine Schumacher passed away from natural causes on Monday, October 30, 2023.

Suzanne was born on December 23, 1952, in Seattle, WA to Richard and Joanne (Tripplet) Kuro. She was the eldest of three children and graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1971. She married Christopher Schumacher in October of 1971 and had two sons, Aarron...

Oct 27, 2023

Alden Ellsworth Armstrong, 87, of Great Falls, Montana passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023, at Peace Hospice.  Alden was born on January 22, 1936, in East Helena on the family dairy ranch to Roy William Joseph and Vara Lytle Armstrong.  He often stated he was born during an earthquake which in his words “shook him out on his...

Oct 27, 2023

Ardis “Faye” Mitchell Moss was born July 10, 1925, on a ranch near Landusky, Montana, to Vivian and Essie Mitchell. She peacefully passed away on October 27, 2023, at the age of 98.

Faye attended school in Landusky and Malta, where she graduated from Malta High School in 1943. In 1944, Faye and her sister, Kathryn moved...

Oct 27, 2023

Ronald “Ron” Herman Kicker passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023, at the age of 78 at a local care facility.

Ron was born on April 5, 1945, in Wadena, Minnesota to Herman and Evelyn Kicker. At the age of 11, his father passed away, and his mother moved him, his twin brother (Raymond) and their older...

Oct 27, 2023

Harley Reinhold Wuest passed away on October 27, 2023, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Montana at the age of 83 years old. He was born on May 4, 1940, to Reinhold Jacob Wuest and Alvena Lorenz. He grew up in Savage, Montana. Harley graduated from Savage High School, where he was an all-around athlete. He helped around the...

Oct 26, 2023

Eliane D. Tome passed away on October 26, 2023. She was born on October 16, 1954, and adopted by Robert and Denise Warner in Sacramento, California. Eliane worked as a waitress and enjoyed bowling, sewing, and camping.

Eliane is survived by her husband; Jay Tome; daughter; Lynnette Spicer; Son, Jon DeRego. She is preceded in death by...

Oct 23, 2023

Katherine JoAn Maeder, 95, of Great Falls, Montana passed away peacefully on October 23, 2023, at Benefis.

JoAn was born December 10, 1927, to John and Etta DeKoning in Malta, Montana. She attended schools in Malta and later at the College of Great Falls. She was a loving mother, dedicated to her family, providing care and was...

Oct 23, 2023

Rev. Walter J. Kirkegaard of Great Falls, MT passed away on October 23, 2023, at the age of 94.

Walt was born on August 31, 1929, in Littleton, CO to Anton and Helen Kirkegaard. He graduated high school in Aurora, CO in 1947. After high school, he moved to Northern California for work in a logging mill...

Oct 22, 2023

Richard “Dick” M. Azure of Great Falls passed away on October 22, 2023, at the age of 97. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.

Richard was born on May 27, 1926, to Alec and Mary Jane Azure. Richard grew up in Harlem, Montana and...