Obituaries

Dec 26, 2024

A full obituary is currently being written and should be available shortly.

Dec 25, 2024

William “Bill” George Olds passed away on December 25, 2024. Bill was born to George and Aggie Olds on January 31, 1934, in Great Falls, Montana. He joined sister, Shirley Jean, and was later followed by brothers, Robert “Bob” and Gary “Punk.” From day one, Bill always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face....

Dec 23, 2024

Daniel L. Wilkerson, age 72, passed away at home on December 23, 2024. Dan was born to Glada Hammett and Lindsay Wilkerson on August 1, 1952. He graduated from Belt High School in 1970. Dan served in the US Army from 1972 – 1975 and worked for the US Postal Service from 1977 until retirement. He enjoyed fishing, bowling,...

Dec 22, 2024

Nels Elmo Olson Jr., aged 93, passed away peacefully with family at his side on December 22, 2024, in Great Falls, Montana. Nels was born on May 19, 1931, in Doyon, North Dakota, to Nels E. Olson, Sr. and Myra M. Locke. He spent his formative years in Crary, North Dakota where he attended local schools. Nels served his...

Dec 21, 2024

Brandon Duane Batey, aged 31, passed away in Murray, Utah on December 21, 2024, after a ten-year battle with congestive heart failure.

Brandon was born on September 20, 1993, to his parents Melanie and Duane in Turlock, California.

In his early years, Brandon moved to Utah with his mother, making this the place Brandon would...

Dec 20, 2024

More than an uncle. Marvin Smith was born on February 10, 1951, to Harold and Rosella Smith. He was the youngest of 14 children. He is survived by his brother, John Smith. Marvin has three surviving children, Hope, Steve, and Heather Smith. He lost his daughter, Christy Smith, in her adult years. Marvin has many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces...

Dec 20, 2024

Zelda Mae Johnson Stevenson, aged 85, of Great Falls, died peacefully in her sleep on December 20, 2024, in a Great Falls hospital. Daughter of Alvina Bergan and Theodore Johnson, she was born in Bismarck, N.D. on October 30, 1939, and raised in Osnabrock, N.D.

In 1958 she moved to Havre and worked as a telephone operator....

Dec 19, 2024

Joseph E. David, aged 77, passed away on December 19, 2024, at his Wolf Creek home after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  Joe was born and raised in upstate New York.  After graduating from high school in 1966 he joined the Air Force. He proudly served his country for 24 years, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1991....

Dec 18, 2024

In loving memory of Gary Stuart. On the windy evening of December 18, 2024, Gary Stuart tragically passed away after being struck by a passing motorist while crossing the street near his home. Despite receiving medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries later that evening.

Gary was born in Havre, Montana, on November 21, 1947. He eventually...

Dec 15, 2024

Darrell James Archey passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 68. He was born on November 8, 1956, in Great Falls to Edwin and Jeannette (Hawthorne) Archey.  Darrell grew up on the north side and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1975.  He was a basketball player, motorcycle rider, pool player, skier, and snowmobiler. While...

Dec 14, 2024

Sylvia Jean Harant passed away calmly on December 14, 2024, at Peace Hospice with her family nearby. Sylvia had known that this moment was coming, and she approached it the way she approached life: with prayer and boundless confidence in Jesus Christ. If you spoke with her during her final months, she would have told you, "I'm in pretty...

Dec 14, 2024

Mom always said our family was so large that we can only get together at weddings and funerals.

Viola Marie Burckhard passed away on December 14, 2024. She was born in Havre, Montana on April 6, 1942, to Selma and John Eschenbacher. She was the third youngest of twelve siblings. She spent her childhood there while her...

Dec 13, 2024

Robert David Stauffer, beloved husband, father, son, and brother, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Friday, December 13, 2024. Those that were close to Robert saw his pragmatic personality tackle this disease for 4 years, like he did in all aspects of life. He put his loved ones first throughout his battle, uncomplaining and upbeat on each new...

Dec 12, 2024

James Ignatius Trunkle passed away December 12, 2024, at Peace Hospice surrounded by his family. James was born to Ignatius and Anne, nee Urick, Trunkle in Great Falls, Montana on March 2, 1927. In early childhood, Jim became deaf from an unknown cause. As a young lad, his father drove him to South Dakota traveling over dirt roads to...

Dec 10, 2024

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Timothy James Wylder, aged 69, on December 10, 2024. Tim passed away at Benefis Hospital, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer that metastasized suddenly.

Tim was born in Billings, MT, on March 11, 1955, to Frances Mae Jorgensen Wylder and James Monroe Wylder. After the...

Dec 9, 2024

"Some people are like unpaid therapy. They come, they shine, they make us smile and they never ask for anything in return." The world lost one of these people on Monday, December 9, 2024. Eva Marie (Jones) Valdez died unexpectedly after a brief illness. She spent 91 years shining, making people smile, and never asking anything in return. Eva...

Dec 8, 2024

Victor Duane Graf passed away on December 8, 2024, in Great Falls. He was born on August 16, 1956.

Victor had many health issues throughout his life due to two brain injuries. The first occurred at the young age of 17. He spent most of his adult life in assisted living homes. The last 18 years were...

Dec 8, 2024

Thelma Ann (DeCelles) Aldridge was born on February 14, 1951, in Choteau and was raised in Hays. She lived most of her life in Great Falls. She passed away peacefully on December 8, 2024.

Thelma was born to Mathew and Doris DeCelles. She was the eighth child of ten. She was preceded in death by her parents;...

Dec 7, 2024

On December 7, 2024, Michele Ann (Gernaat) Goyette passed away surrounded by her family.

Michele was born on October 13, 1968, to William C. Gernaat and Kathleen (Brownell) Woeppel in Great Falls, Montana. Michele was raised in Great Falls until she moved to Havre with her mom. She graduated from Havre High School in 1987.

...

Dec 6, 2024

Stephen “Steve” Jesse Lords passed away on December 6, 2024, in Great Falls, Montana at the age of 82.

Son of Helen Marcia Grubb and Raymond Jeese Lords, he was born on August 9, 1942, in Great Falls, MT. He graduated from Great Falls High School.

Steve went on to work at Freightliner as a...