Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service

Emmett "Bruce" Huffine, 83, of Belgrade passed away surrounded by his loving family on January 16, 2026. Bruce was born to Stanley and Ruth (Lane) Huffine on April 23, 1942. He grew up on a farm in the Gallatin Valley and attended school in Belgrade. Following high school, he went on to attend the University of Montana and then joined the Army Reserves. After leaving the service, he returned to Belgrade and began his 36-year career with Cenex. Following Bruce's retirement, he continued working in the agricultural industry throughout the Gallatin Valley. He was also very involved with the Masons and Shriners. In his free time, he enjoyed driving motor coaches through Yellowstone Park with...

Marilyn "Lyn" Bader, 83, of Bozeman, Montana, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026. Lyn was born on August 19, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Quentin and Estelle Crossman. She grew up with a deep love for the drum and bugle team and especially baton twirling. In high school the team won the national championship and Lyn spent countless hours traveling throughout the United States in various competitive events. After high school she graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois with a bachelor's degree in nursing. She later taught nursing in Decatur. This led to a 20-year career in nursing which also included teaching in a vocational high school medical arts program in...

Sara J. (Durnam) Anderson, 91, of Bozeman, Montana, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, in her hometown of Bozeman. She was born on April 23, 1934, in Bozeman to Edwin and Isabelle Durnam and was raised in the beautiful Gallatin Canyon. Sara and her brother, Jack, spent their childhood helping their parents raise lettuce in the canyon?a family endeavor that taught them the value of hard work. She graduated from Gallatin High School and married her High School sweetheart, Grover L. Anderson Jr, on October 7, 1951, in Bozeman. Together they built a lifetime of love, laughter, and dedication to family and community. Sara enjoyed a long career at Montana State University, where she...

Gina Cortner Hupka, 67, passed away in Bozeman, Montana, on January 10, 2026, and was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, whom she loved deeply. Her strength and resilience in the face of many health challenges including tremendous physical pain were an inspiration to her family, and she continued to bring comfort and hope to those around her. She was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on October 9, 1958, to William and Lou Ann Cortner, and spent her early years in the family home on Lover's Lane. In 1964, the family moved to a ranch in Kansas, where Gina and her sisters, Julie and Janelle, loved riding horses and playing in the woods. She spent her summers at her family's cabin in...

With hearts broken wide open, our family shares the unexpected death of a precious father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Larry Walker. Larry passed away on January 5, 2026. Larry was a beloved and active member in his communities of family, close friends, patients, and colleagues in the medical field, both in family practice and occupational health. Larry is survived by his mother, Marlene; his sons, Cameron (Alexa) and Gabriel (Rylee); his daughter, Chloe (Michael and baby Cruz); his brothers, Lonny (Carrie), Jassen (Sharon), Todd, Ty (Lynn); his sisters, Lori (Neil), Lynae (Ricky), DeLynn, and Angie; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Larry is preceded in...

Marcene Rae Sievert Harvey passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, in Bozeman, MT, at the age of 86. In early June, there will be a Graveside Service followed by a Celebration of Life of this amazing woman. The date and time will be announced once they are determined. To view the full obituary please visit the Dokken-Nelson website. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com.

Dorothy "Dot" Keck, 99, of Bozeman passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026. Dot was born on April 30, 1926, in Newark, NJ to William and Elsie (Steenbock) Tromans. She graduated high school before starting work at the local post office. She also worked as a dance instructor after WWII where she met the love of her life. She married her husband Harold in 1948 and together they spent 44 years living in Pequannock, NJ. After the joyful adoption of "Tommie", Dot worked in the home. Eventually she became a secretary at Edwards Engineering to save for Tom's college fund. She also made custom draperies. Dot was an active member of the Pompton Valley Presbyterian Church where she sang in the...

Erin Amanda Bradford, 49, died unexpectedly in her sleep at her North Carolina home on Dec. 31, 2025. She was a Belgrade native, born on Oct. 18, 1976, to Mary and John Bradford, and a graduate of the Belgrade High School Class of 1995. Erin briefly attended both Montana State University and the University of Montana, finally finding an academic home at North Carolina State University-Raleigh, where she got her undergraduate degree in History in 2005. To that she added graduate degrees in Public History and Library Science. And, finally, her passion for genealogy found a home at the State Library. (She was known for her multiple plastic tubs full of genealogy research.) Years earlier,...

Martin Louis Mikes "Marty", 68, passed away peacefully on 12/28/2025 with his wife Carol at his side. He was born 6/5/1957 in Great Falls, MT to Dallas and Virginia Mikes. He spent his early years in Great Falls until his family moved to Power when he was in High School. Marty graduated from Power High School in 1975, and went on to study at the University of MT. He went on to attend the Broadcasting School of Radio in Billings, MT. He worked as a DJ for a short time, but decided that wasn't the path for him. Marty obtained his CDL and started working for Coca Cola as a delivery driver in Havre, MT. He spent four years there, and then an opportunity arose at Pepsi Cola in Bozeman....

Mary Ken Patterson Chandler passed away peacefully at Spring Meadows Assisted Living in Bozeman where she had resided for a number of years. She was 93. Mary Ken was born in Butte Montana to Ken and Scotta Patterson. Scotta was from a Gallatin County pioneer family (Duncan), but Mary Ken's allegiance and heart was always to her beloved Butte. Butte was filled with immigrants from all over the world. Mary Ken grew up with, and attended school with, Eastern Europeans, Italians, Swedes, Finns, Danes, and of course the Irish. Mary Ken was very involved in school and wrote for the school newspaper, was on the ski team, and was in Glee Club. Skiing was at Beef Trail and ZBarT, both of which are...

Barbara (Smith) Wilder Yawitz passed away on Saturday, Dec. 27, peaceful in the knowledge that her daughters and husband ? not she ? will have to deal with a house and garage full of stuff that represented a life well lived. Born Feb. 26, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Pauline (Bukovnik) and Joseph Smith, she joined a large Slovenian clan of a doting grandmother, loving aunts and uncles under the same roof. As a little girl, her grandmother was her caretaker and friend, pulling her through the East Cleveland neighborhood in a little red wagon that always had one of her kitty companions on board. Later, her aunts taught her the thrill of the hunt of rummage sales and flea markets while her...

Garth R. Sime, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and steadfast friend, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished so deeply. He was 85 years old. Garth was born on May 18, 1940, in Bozeman, Montana, to Ralph R. Sime and Audrey Lee (Blackwood) Sime. Raised in the Gallatin Valley, Garth grew up learning the value of hard work, integrity, and perseverance?values that would guide him throughout his life. Alongside his parents and his brother, Russ, Garth farmed and ranched in the valley, developing a deep respect for the land, the people, and the meaning of an honest day's work. On June 16, 1962, Garth married the love of his...

In Memory of Kenneth Allen Green, June 14, 1943 to December 21, 2025. Loving husband and father who left us in his 82nd year. His Spirit and Love of Life will be forever remembered by family and friends. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John Dorn, a beloved member of the Bozeman community, who left us on December 19, 2025, at the age of 94. Born on April 14, 1931, in Hardin, Montana, John was the son of immigrant parents, Henry and Mary Dorn. He grew up on a farm in North Valley, where he was the youngest of six siblings, instilling in him a strong work ethic and values that he carried throughout his life. John's educational journey began in Hardin High School, where he graduated in 1949 and proudly served as class president, cultivating a deep bond with his classmates that led to reunions every five years. He pursued further education at Montana State University,...

Walter Lewis Gordon, Jr., was born on August 16, 1930, in Churubusco, IN and went to his eternal resting place on December 19, 2025, in Bozeman, MT. After graduating from Churubusco High School, he attended Purdue University completing a degree in pharmaceutical services. He enlisted in the US Army in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954. He moved to Bozeman in November of 1955 and started work as a pharmacist at the Bungalow Drug in downtown Bozeman. He purchased the Bungalow with Harland Shuttler in 1962, selling it in 1989. He was happily married to Mildred Mae Roessner on June 3, 1961, at the First Baptist Church in Bozeman. Walter has called Bozeman his home for over 70 years....

Eileen Fay (Ingram) Bourke passed away peacefully in her home in Bozeman, Montana on December 16, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Eileen was born on September 9, 1940 in Doniphan, Missouri to Albert Ingram and Mary Hayes. Living a rural life in the Ozark foothills as part of a farming family instilled a strong work ethic in her from a young age and a lifetime passion for gardening. After moving to Delton, Michigan with her family, she graduated from Delton High School as co-valedictorian in 1958. Eileen started undergraduate studies at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago before transferring back to Michigan and graduating at the top of her class from the Bronson School of Nursing in 1961. She...

Kenneth Edwin Killian was born July 18, 1942, in Lambert, Montana, to George and Marie Killian. He grew up in Billings, where he excelled in sports and earned the nickname "Mr. Touchdown." Ken loved sharing stories of his adventurous youth?playing on the rimrocks, hopping freight trains, and "borrowing" his parents' car for a trip to Las Vegas. Ken later moved to California, where he and his first wife, Janie Smith, welcomed three children: Christopher, Steven, and Kimberly. In 1973, he married Susan Doane and became guardian to Susan's sister, Colleen, whom Ken raised as his eldest daughter. They later welcomed two more children, Amy and Robert, and settled in Edmonds, Washington, where...

Dean Wayne Halse, a beloved husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona, on December 12, 2025, at the age of 62. Dean was the youngest of five children and the only boy, raised in the rural community of Sheridan, Montana. He attended school in Sheridan and proudly participated in basketball, football, and track for the Sheridan Panthers. Following high school, Dean received his bachelor's degree from Montana State University. Shortly thereafter, in 1983, Dean married his high school sweetheart, Ann, and they established a new permanent home in Bozeman, where together they raised two sons, Bryson Kenneth and Brady Dean. Dean...

Sally Mae Larson Babcock was born in Missoula, Montana April 20, 1946. She grew up in White Pine, Montana, a small community outside of Thompson Falls. Sally graduated high school in 1964 from Thompson Falls High School. She then attended Western Montana college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Sally married her childhood sweetheart, Ray S. Babcock on June 17, 1967. Ray and Sally moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Ray worked at Collins Radio, and Sally taught grades 4-6. The couple then returned to Montana in 1973, where Sally taught at Wilson Middle School and then Cottonwood school. In 1974, she earned her Master of Science in Education with a counseling...

Brett Thomas Hinman, 31, passed away on December 11, 2025, in Bozeman, Montana?the same city where he was born on September 17, 1994. His life, though far too short, was filled with deep love for the outdoors, unwavering kindness, and a quiet strength that left a lasting impression on all who knew him. A graduate of Bozeman High School in 2013, Brett went on to earn his degree in Natural Resource Recreation and Management from the University of Utah in 2017. His academic path reflected his deep connection to nature and his desire to protect and enjoy it. Whether skiing down fresh powder slopes, hiking through mountain trails, or camping under the stars, Brett found peace and joy outdoors....

Gerald "Jerry" Baker, 86, of Churchill, MT, passed away in the early hours of December 10, 2025. He was born on July 1, 1939, in Choteau, MT. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carole Baker (nee Grinwis). He is survived by his devoted wife Kathleen Baker (nee Graney) and children Scott (Kim) Baker, Kari (Jon) Leep, and Marshall (Liza) Baker. He was a proud grandfather to Sean Baker, Lianne Baker, Rachelle Baker, Alexandra Lind, Colter Leep, Mallory Abbott, Sophia Leep, Nick Baker, and eight great-grandchildren. Gerald served in the United States Army entering service in December 1961. He was honorably discharged from service in December 1963. After serving in the Army, Gerald...