Obituaries

Oct 2, 2023

Owner of Mick’s Boat Storage for over 55 years, Asher J “Mick” Rooney, age 86, peacefully passed away on October 2, 2023, of respiratory failure, in the care of Peace Hospice, his loving & devoted stepchildren, Tena & Tony at his side.

Mick was born, Asher James Rooney Jr. in Great Falls, MT on October 28, 1936,...

Oct 2, 2023

Richard J. “Ryk” Hamilton, 69, of Great Falls, MT, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Tres65 Celebration Studio. A private family memorial will take place in Port Hueneme, California, later.

On December 20, 1953, he was born to Ann Reeves...

Sep 29, 2023

James “Jim” A. Walker, age 87, passed peacefully at his home on Friday, September 29, 2023.

He was born April 16, 1936, to Ralph and Mabel Walker in Windham, Montana. He was the eldest of seven children. Throughout his youth he worked on the family farm by Benchland, Montana. In 1957, he joined the Montana Army Guard...

Sep 28, 2023

Ardis L. Hughes, 84, passed away peaceably of natural causes on September 28, 2023, at the Azalea Place Assisted Living.

Ardis was born August 30, 1939, in Medina, ND to Julius and Elsie Reister. She graduated from Medina High School and got a degree in accounting from the College of Great Falls. She worked as a bookkeeper...

Sep 26, 2023

Mary Lois Long, 91, died September 26, 2023, in Great Falls after a brief illness with cancer. She was born in Sisseton, SD on December 28, 1931, to Clare and Florence Olsen where she was raised with her brother, Dick.

Mary Lois graduated from Sisseton and earned an associate degree from the University in Huron, SD where...

Sep 23, 2023

LaVerne C. Smith, 83, of Great Falls, Montana passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the Great Falls Clinic Hospital. LaVerne was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 3, 1939. LaVerne is survived by her husband, Frank Smith, of 61 years; daughter, Sherry Phistry; and numerous grandchildren; and great grand-children. She is preceded in death by children, Jeffrey and...

Sep 20, 2023

Lloyd Maki, 92, died on September 20, 2023, of complications due to congestive heart failure at Logan Health Conrad.

He was born December 5, 1930, in Great Falls, MT, to Lempi S. (Carlson) and Severt E. Maki. He joined older sister Mildred on the ranch between Ulm and Cascade. Baby sister Arlene would fill out the family...

Sep 16, 2023

Marlene Tanner Haman aged 69, passed away September 16, 2023.

Marlene was born in Great Falls to Josephine Tanner and Morris Brown. She was raised in Great Falls and had 7 siblings. She was a graduate of Great Falls High School.

Marlene enjoyed being involved with her 3 son's many sports and activities through the...

Sep 15, 2023

Nancy Tadej Wills was born December 1, 1944, in Chicago, IL. Moving with her family to Eagle Butte, MT when she was just 4 years old. Nancy was the oldest of 9 children. She met the love of her life, Edward Wills, when they were just toddlers and his mother taught school in the one room schoolhouse in Eagle...

Sep 13, 2023

Michael “Mike” David Fiant, 54, of Great Falls, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at O’Connor Memorial Chapel.

Mike was born on August 5, 1969, in Taft, CA to Richard and Lola (Woods) Fiant. He completed high school and...

Sep 7, 2023

Nanette Newport McLaughlin, homemaker and volunteer, passed away on September 7, 2023, in Great Falls.

She was born on January 20, 1930, to Grace and Leon Newport in Missoula, Montana. She attended Bonner Grade School, Missoula County High School and Montana State University (now University of Montana) in Missoula.

Nanette married Harold McLaughlin on November...

Sep 2, 2023

Lorraine "Lorrie" Pauline Ranieri Peck passed away peacefully at the Beehive Saturday September 2, 2023, surrounded by family at the age of 87. Lorrie was born on November 11, 1935, to Romeo Ranieri and Mary Matteucci Ranieri, the only daughter with three brothers.

Lorrie, lifelong Black Eagle resident attended Collins Elementary, St Mary's, and Great Falls Central...

Sep 2, 2023

James Michael Clark went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 2nd. His wife, Lanita, was with him when he took his last breath that day. We know from scripture James' next breath was with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8, says: “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and...

Aug 30, 2023

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023, Phyllis Charlene “Char” Christiaens quietly passed from this world into the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the presence of her family and friends.

Char was born on August 23, 1954, in Conrad, MT to her parents Edman and Maxine Ashworth who preceded her in death.

...

Aug 30, 2023

Ronald Joseph Blaquiere, 76, died on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at his mountain home outside of Monarch, Montana, after battling Parkinson’s for 10 years.

Ron was born on November 21, 1946, to Dave Blaquiere and Ilah “Arlene” Dodge Blaquiere. He was the middle of three sons and was raised in Harlowton, Montana, graduating from high school there...

Aug 25, 2023

Walter “Holly” Kortum, 80, of Belt, Montana, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, August 25, 2023.

Holly was the third born child of nine to Bud and Edith Kortum in Ekalaka, Montana on December 7, 1942. After serving in the United States Army from January of 1964 – December of 1965, Holly married Betty Grosskopf...

Aug 23, 2023

On August 23, 2023, Doreen Amelia Lambdin peacefully passed away, with her eldest daughter, Suzanne, by her side. Doreen was a cherished mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Doreen was born in Paisley, Scotland on July 21, 1942, to William and Mary Davies. She grew up with her family in the United Kingdom.

On November...

Aug 17, 2023

Mary Louise Sitton Kraft, beloved mother, wife, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, at the age of 94. She was born May 8, 1929, in Stanton, Nebraska to Albert and Anna Sitton. Mary was the youngest of five children.

She attended school at Burwell, Nebraska, graduated from Burwell High in 1945, and attended Chadron...

Aug 3, 2023

Patricia Ann (Simmons) Matsko, 97, of Great Falls, died of natural causes August 3, 2023, at a Great Falls care facility.

Rosary is at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 10, 2023, at O’Conner Memorial Chapel. Her funeral is 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 11, 2023, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Black Eagle, with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery....

Aug 2, 2023

DeLores June “Dee” Perry, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 2, 2023, in Great Falls, MT. A memorial service will be held at the O’Connor Memorial Chapel on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00 am with a graveside service to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Fort Benton, MT.

DeLores was born June...