Obituaries

Jan 12, 2023

Alpha Caroline “Dolly” Kelly, 85, of Great Falls, died Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Benefis Westview.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dolly Kelly, an 85-year-old resident of Benefis Westview Care Facility who passed away peacefully following a fall that greatly affected her overall health.

She was born on...

Jan 11, 2023

Barbara “Barb” Davis at the age of 74, passed away on January 11, 2023. She was in a room filled with loved ones and family.

Barb was born on May 7, 1948, in San Diego, CA to parents Bert and Alice Koelling. She met the love of her life, James “Big Jim” Davis and got married in...

Jan 10, 2023

Benedicta Beltran Schulteis passed away Tuesday morning, January 10, 2023. She was 98 years old.

Benedicta “Bennie” was born in the Philippines to Diego and Francisca Beltran. She was the 2nd of 7 children. She married Buenaventura Nazario, and they were blessed with a little boy, Rolando. Benedicta was widowed at a young age during World War...

Jan 8, 2023

Robert James “Bob” Stainsby, 83, of Great Falls, died of heart failure on Sunday, January 8, 2023. A memorial service will be on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel with a celebration to follow at the Pit Stop in Black Eagle.

Bob was born on September 5, 1939, in Great Falls...

Jan 7, 2023

Verlene “Vee” Morrow, 90, of Great Falls, died Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Peace Hospice.

Vee was born on January 24, 1932, near Fairbury, Nebraska and grew up on a farm. She loved animals and had a pet cow she would ride, as well as horses she rode to school. Verlene finished eighth grade before she had...

Jan 7, 2023

Asuncion “Chony” Maxwell, 84, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Sun River Valley Fellowship, 301 Largent St, Sun River, Montana.

Jan 7, 2023

Violet Genevieve (Bergan) Garner, 103, of Great Falls, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023, from natural causes, at the Grandview Assisted Living. Violet’s family plans a graveside service at a later date. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

She was born July 7, 1919, in Great Falls, and was raised on the family farm in Collins and...

Jan 5, 2023

Michael William Joseph Reid passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023. He was 79. He lived in Vaughn, MT.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 28, 1943. He graduated from Benedictine High School in 1961. He proudly served his country in the US Navy. He worked for the phone company for many years.

...

Jan 3, 2023

Etta Jean (Hightower) Closs, 72, of Belt, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Etta was born on February 12, 1950, in Valdosta, Georgia to William and Ruth (Niesmith) Hightower. After high school she attended two years of college before becoming an interior designer. When Etta married Arthur Closs, he added a wife and daughter and together...

Jan 2, 2023

Theresa A. “Teri” Knott, 96, of Great Falls passed away on January 2, 2023, and is now reunited with her son, Bill Tesinsky; husband, James R Knott; stepdaughter, Joanne Knott Messman; and daughter-in-law, Gail Tesinsky. Teri was also preceded in death by all nine of her siblings and Pookie, her beloved chihuahua.

Teri is survived by her...

Jan 1, 2023

William “Bill” C. Austin, 85, of Great Falls, will have a viewing from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023, at O’Connor Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Temple Baptist Church with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery.

On 01/01/2023, Angels welcomed with open...

Dec 28, 2022

Janet Zimmerman, 76, of Great Falls, MT passed away on December 28, 2022.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at First Baptist Church.

Janet was born on September 6, 1946, to Kenneth and Naomi McFarlen. She grew up and attended school in Great Falls where she...

Dec 28, 2022

Linda Dower, 71, of Great Falls, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Calvary Chapel.

Dec 27, 2022

Janice Albert, 74, passed away on December 27, 2022. She was born August 8, 1948, in Joliet MT to John and Alberta Bartell. The family moved to Great Falls and attended Central High School.

She married Roland Albert on May 23, 1970, and had two sons, Daryle and Randy. She was a longtime bowling coach for youth...

Dec 24, 2022

Mark Steven Salois, 51, of Great Falls, Montana passed away at his residence due to natural causes.

Mark was born to Roger and Linda Salois on June 12, 1971, in Great Falls, Montana. Mark grew up in multiple towns between Montana and Washington State.  He graduated in 1989 from North Central High School in Spokane, Washington. After...

Dec 23, 2022

Marjorie “Marj” L. (Dohmeyer) Fura passed away on December 23, 2022, four days after her 97 th birthday following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Fura; her parents. Charles “Chuck” and Elizabeth “Bessie” Dohmeyer; and her sister and brother-in-law, Charlene (Jim) Kuglin. She is survived by her children, Richard “Dick” (Jan), Jeanne...

Dec 23, 2022

Gloria A. Geyer, 82, of Great Falls, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022. Gloria was born in Rochester, New York in January 1940, to William and Alice Zamiara. She was married to Donald F. Geyer on November 4, 1961, at Fort Lewis Washington Army Post. Gloria lived most of her life surrounded by family in Los Angeles County,...

Dec 21, 2022

Brett Gene McMurphey, 54, of Great Falls, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

Brett was born on June 27, 1968, in Bitburg, Germany to Michael McMurphey and Donna Barrera. He graduated high school and joined the US Air Force. He then completed schooling at the Vo-Tech where he received his LPN certificate. He worked as an...

Dec 21, 2022

Jackie “Jack” Arlyn Becker, age 78, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022, at The Azalea Place in Great Falls after many years of declining health. He was preceded in death by his father, Tayfield Becker; mother, Evalyn Renk; sister, LaVonne Kellogg; and his longtime partner, Betty Reiquam.

Jack was born in Great Falls on April 26,...

Dec 21, 2022

Saird LeAnna Kunsa, 43, passed away unexpectedly on December 21, 2022, in Great Fall, MT.

Our hearts our broken. Her parents are Mary Warner and Dale Kunsa. Saird was born in Helena, Montana, and spent the first 10 years of her life in Missoula, with her mom. After Missoula, she lived in Simms, attending schools in the...