Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service

Eleanor J. Krause, 99, of Bozeman passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026. Eleanor was born on July 16, 1926 in Cokesbury, NJ to J. Wilson and Jennie (Suydam) Apgar. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, J. Wilson Apgar Jr., Helene A. Cooper; spouses, Arthur Barbiche Sr., William Krause; and companion, Leo Hornsby. Eleanor is survived by children, Pamela (George) Liedl and Arthur (Mary) Barbiche Jr. along with three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A special thank you to Spring Creek Inn Memory Care and Enhabit Hospice for the loving and compassionate care that Eleanor received. Eleanor will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Cokesbury, NJ...

George Edward Evans, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, after a long, rich life devoted to family, education, and the great outdoors. Born on August 31, 1932, George spent his early childhood living at Montana Power's Morony Generating Plant north of Great Falls, where he lived from 1932 to 1945. In 1945, his family moved to a farm in Simms, Montana, where George later graduated from high school in 1950. That same year, he relocated to Bozeman, Montana, a place that would become the heart of his life, career, and community. George proudly served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed at Fort Ord, California. Following his military service, he...

Daniel Ambrose Shyne passed away peacefully with his family by his side, after a short but hard-fought battle, on January 29, 2026. Dan was born on Friday the 13th of August 1954 in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Norman A. and Michaela Bielmaier Shyne. He was the oldest of six children. In 1958 the family moved to Bozeman where his father attended MSU. Growing up Dan and his siblings spent summers at the Bozeman City Pool as members of the Bozeman Bee Swim Team, winning meets across the state. Winters were spent on the ski slopes of Bridger Bowl, where he eventually joined the Ski Patrol. He attended Bozeman Schools, graduating in 1973. While growing up he held two and sometimes three paper...

Candis "Candy" Kay Flaherty passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, resilience, and grace that touched everyone who knew her. Candis Kay Flaherty of Bozeman, Montana was born on December 3, 1951, in Denison, Iowa. She was the daughter of Fern Ohl (Bretthaeur) and Ferris Ohl. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Traci Fesolowitz and Tori Fesolowitz; brother, Randy (Cindy) Ohl; and nieces and nephews; along with her furry companions, Willie Nelson, Louie, and Eddie Haskell. She was lovingly preceded in death by her beloved husband and love of her life Thomas John Flaherty; parents, Fern Ohl and Ferris Ohl; siblings, Steve Ohl and Ryan Ohl. Candy...

Eldon Henry Leep, 80, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 28, 2026. Throughout his life, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and pillar of hard work and faith. Eldon was born on November 7, 1945 to Harry and Edith (Alberda) Leep in Bozeman, MT and would live the entirety of his life in the Gallatin Valley. He was the nineth of twelve children, all raised in the Churchill community. In his earlier years, you could find Eldon working on his family's dairy farm and attending Manhattan Christian School. It was during high school that Eldon met the love of his life, Sheri Dyk, and the two were wed on June 24, 1966. They were blessed with almost 60 years of marriage as...

Elsie Elizabeth Kring Bull passed away on January 26, 2026 at the age of 93. Elsie was born on January 3, 1933 in St. Lawrence County, New York, to Joseph Marsales Kring and Helen Ruth Collins. Elsie attended one-room elementary schools near Black Lake, NY. She graduated from Heuvelton Central School in 1950 and from the State Teachers College at Potsdam, NY in 1954. She received her Doctorate in Education from Columbia University in 1974. Her first teaching job was in suburban Rochester. She then spent 32 years with East Rampapo Schools in Rockland County outside of New York City, where she worked first as a classroom elementary teacher, then as a school librarian and an administrator....

Sylvia Gail McCabe Shell (Grammie), age 89, went to be with the Lord on January 26, 2026. Gail was born on January 2, 1937, in Tonasket, WA to Rex and Fay (Scarbro) McCabe. As a teenager, Gail lived in the Okanogan Valley in Washington where she loved working in the orchards and packing apples. She was actively involved in and dedicated to the Assembly of God church. It was here, in youth group, where she met the love of her life, Jack Shell. Jack and Gail were married on May 20, 1955, in Omak, WA. In 1957, Jack and Gail, along with their first child Michael Paul, moved to Montana to work on the Flying D Ranch. This beautiful and rugged ranch, located at the base of the Spanish Peaks on...

John Walter Dunse, 88, of Belgrade, Montana, passed away January 24, 2026, in his home with his wife by his side. He was born in Holbrook, Nebraska, on July 12, 1937, to Walter and Johanna "Anna" Dunse. John was a true farmer at heart, hunter, hiker, horseman, and carpenter with strong hands that built things with love. He was a lover of nature and fishing in high mountain lakes A quiet man of few words with a sparkle in his eyes. Quick to smile, quick to laugh, quick to tell a story. His quiet presence will be missed by all who knew him well and loved him. John is survived by his loving wife, of 36 years, Bluette Phillips; children, Wanda, Monica, and Mark; grandchildren, Nicole,...

Kenneth C. Walcheck, longtime Montana wildlife biologist, educator, writer, and devoted husband and father, passed away peacefully after a full and active life marked by curiosity, service, and a deep love for the natural world. Kenneth was born January 26, 1931, in Denmark, Wisconsin. He graduated from Custer High School in Milwaukee in 1949. Following high school, he worked at Nash Motors before enlisting in the United States Navy during the Korean War, serving four years as a Petty Officer Second Class (Gunner's Mate) aboard the USS Pawcatuck and USS Briarius. After his military service, Kenneth earned a double major in Wildlife Conservation Management and Biology from the University of...

Dorothy Ann Karch, 86, of Bozeman, passed peacefully on January 21, 2026. She was born in 1939 in Forest City, Iowa, to parents Carl and Daisy Prescott. She attended Omaha Baptist Bible College in Nebraska. In June of 1958, she married Arnold Karch in Forest City. They moved to Baker, MT, before settling in Bozeman. Dorothy dedicated her life to raising her family and supporting Arnold's work endeavors. Dorothy is predeceased by her parents and infant son, Joel. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Arnold; her sons, Daniel (Edwina) and Robert (Lenore); four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Private family services will be held later. Arrangements are in the care of...

Hazel L. Gillette, 93, passed away peacefully on Jan. 21, 2026, at Hyalite Care in Bozeman. Hazel was born on December 1, 1932, in Great Falls, MT, to Elmer and Lillie Sprunger. She grew up on her family's farm in Dutton and graduated from Dutton High School. She married George R. Gillette, Jr. in Dutton, MT on November 10, 1956. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to raising her five sons. She found joy in leading Bible study and had a passion for genealogy and historical research, alongside her love for flower gardens and houseplants. Known for her great sense of humor, Hazel will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her sons, George, Darwin (Annette),...

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...

Janice Marie Hoovestal Brown, 85, peacefully entered the glory of Heaven on January 13, 2026, while sleeping in her Bozeman home. Janice was born on August 21, 1940, in Sanders, Montana, just a hundred yards off the banks of the Yellowstone River. She was the third child of Palmer Arthur Hoovestal and Neva Pearl (Muller) Hoovestal, joining her older sister, Myrna, and older brother, Gary. Later, her younger brother, Dennis, would complete the family. Until Palmer's retirement at age 81, Janice's parents operated the Sanders General Mercantile Store, Gas Station, and Post Office with their residence attached. As the hub of the local farming community, life at the General Store greatly...

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...

Lydia Jo Leep was born at 2:26am on January 11th, 2026, at Children's Hospital Colorado, but her life began many months before that moment! For 27 weeks and 5 days before she was born, Lydia brought her family, particularly her mother, immense joy. Every kick, twist, turn and hiccup brought an immeasurable glow to her mom's face throughout her shortened time in the womb. Hopes and dreams for Lydia's life brought joy to her daddy, mommy, sister, extended family and friends each day! Early on during Lydia's time in the womb, it was noted that she had a hernia in her diaphragm which ultimately led to severe impacts on her lungs and their development. While this brought fear and sorrow to her...

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...

Kayla Dawn Erickson was born in 1983, to Doreen Erickson in Plentywood, Montana. Kayla attended Medicine Lake's K-12 school, and later MSU-Bozeman. Kayla worked in Labor and Delivery at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for most of her career. In 2025, she joined Billings Clinic OB/GYN as a medical assistant. Kayla passed away peacefully at home in her sleep the morning of January 2, 2026. Kayla was preceded in death by parents, Mike and Doreen Krosbakken; and grandparents, Dennis and Alice Erickson. Kayla is survived by husband, Terry Moltzan; son, Jack Moltzan; sisters, Krista Schneider and Michelle Krosbakken; brother, Jameson Krosbakken; and godmother, Myrna Kampen. A Celebration of Life...

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...