Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service

Roger Raymond Stenzel, born August 1, 1938, passed away on March 7, 2026, of natural causes. Roger's youth could best be described by the song "Hunting, Fishing, Loving Every Day" ? he truly did love every day spent outdoors. From early on, he found joy in hunting, fishing, and embracing the freedom of wide-open spaces. As his sense of adventure grew, so did his pursuits. He took to the skies, flying Super Cubs and engaging in friendly contests with his brother and fellow daredevil friends to see who could land closest to home plate on the local ball field. Remarkably, despite the spirited competition, he never bent an airplane ? a point of quiet pride. After "growing up," Roger channeled...

Bruce Edison Bobb, age 89, lovingly remembered as a devoted husband, father, and pastor, passed away peacefully at his home in Bozeman, MT, on March 6, 2026. Born on August 5, 1936, in Richardson, ND, Bruce was the son of Garfield and Wanda (Hamann) Bobb. He spent his early years on a farm south of Taylor, North Dakota, where he learned the values of hard work and community. At the age of 20, Bruce served in the Army for two years, spending most of his time in Germany. This experience shaped him in profound ways, but it was when he returned home and married his beloved wife, Inez Kukla, on November 27, 1959, that he truly began to build the life that would define his legacy. Together, they...

Mary Gregory Pitzer Griffith of Bozeman, Montana died March 5, 2026. She was born on October 29, 1941, in Springfield, Illinois, the only child of Stanley Donald and Henrietta Gregory Pitzer. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1959, and DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana in January of 1964 with a BA in History and English. She married John K. H. Griffith August 15, 1964, whom she met in their church choir. She taught first grade in Lafayette, Indiana and Springfield for several years before the birth of their 3 children. Mary and her family moved to Bozeman, Montana in 1981, where she and her husband remained for the rest of their lives. A lifetime member of the...

Gwendolyn Lloyd, 96, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 27, 2026, with her son by her side. She was born March 29, 1929, in Madison County, North Carolina, the eldest of four children. She spent her early years in North Carolina, and adult life in Michigan and Montana. She enjoyed Bible study, teaching the Word of God, and attending church. Gwen believed in the power of prayer and prayed faithfully for her family and those in ministry. Her greatest desire was to see everybody come to know the Lord she knew and loved. She was a skilled seamstress, enjoyed gardening, and always loved a good cup of coffee. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them. She was...

Casey D. Heberling, 56, of Belgrade, MT, passed away February 26, 2026. Casey was born in 1969 in Hermiston, OR, to parents John and Marie (Norwood) Heberling. The family later moved to Oak Harbor, WA, where Casey graduated from Oak Harbor High School. Following high school, Casey enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served in the Combat Engineer Corps until his honorable discharge. In recent years, Casey worked as an IT Specialist, dedicating himself to helping organizations "stay connected". Outside of his professional life, he embraced a wide range of passions and hobbies. He was the driving beat behind the drum set for the Belgrade Alliance Church Worship Team, and you could...

In the early morning of February 25, 2026, Virginia Mae Goodheart Browne gained her angel wings at the age of 94. She was born on January 27, 1932, at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, to Donald and Josephine Goodheart. Ginny lived a happy and fun childhood in Denver. She cherished the time spent at her grandma's cabin at Coal Creek Canyon, where she fondly remembered playing outside and watching the clouds with her Grandma Brown. Growing up, Ginny loved school, reading Nancy Drew mysteries, roller and ice skating, watching The Wizard of Oz, and celebrating birthdays with a Bauer's chocolate torte (a family tradition). In high school, Ginny served as a class officer and thoroughly...

It pains me to admit it, but apparently, I've passed away. Admittedly, this is not a total surprise as I was fairly certain it would happen at some point. While I was staying in the hospital a few years back, I heard my doctor tell Betty Rose, my wife of 48 years, "Your husband is a very sick man." She replied, "Oh, you have no idea!" Since this is my obituary, I get to have the final word on a couple matters: First, it took years, if not decades, for me to get my toenails the way they were. I like them that way, so just leave them alone. This also applies for my mustache and eyebrows?just leave them alone. I was born when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, to Howard & Eleanor. For...

Kelsey "Kels" Andrew Koch, 58, of Bozeman, Montana, died on February 24, 2026. During a checkup after a recent heart attack, he suffered a fatal allergic reaction to contrast dye used in an echocardiogram. Kels was born on May 14, 1967, in Billings, Montana, to Raymond "Roger" and Patricia Koch. He was preceded in death by his sister, Honey Koch; father, Roger Koch; and his spiritual forebears, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Lou Reed, and the Shangri-Las. He is mourned by: his devoted-to-a-mythological-level mother, Patricia Koch; sister, Loy Koch, husband, Tim, and their children; stepsister, Mink Reiter and husband, Michael; cousins, Larissa and Eivind Forseth; former wife and constant...

Steven Roscoe Maggard, in his home of 60 years and in the presence of his family, went to be with The Lord and his wife April on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. A lifelong Gallatin County resident, Steve was born to Fred and Marguerite Prather Maggard on July 15, 1936, in Bozeman. He grew up on the northeast side of town and attended public schools through the 9th grade. In 1954 he joined the US Army and attended basic training at Ft. Bragg. He was stationed in cold war Germany and honorably discharged in 1957. He was married to April Kershner on Feb. 27, 1960, in what was a classic city boy meets rancher's daughter match. For a time, they lived on the Kershner ranch on the Bozeman Hill before...

Shirley Faye Craver Klatt Smith, 94, passed away on February 19, 2026. She was born November 7, 1931, in Butte, Montana, and spent her childhood at the Montana Children's Orphanage before being fostered by Harvey and Grace Svensrud. Shirley married Harold Craver in 1952, and they had four children. After Harold's passing, she later married Ernie Klatt, with whom she had one daughter. Shirley operated a home daycare for many years, caring for countless children, and later worked at Dairy Queen. At age 58, she learned sign language and joyfully signed for worship at First Lutheran Church. In 2009, she married Raymond Smith, the "Special Love" of her life. Remembered for her quick wit, strong...

After enduring a difficult year of health challenges, Richard "Rick" E. Hart chose peace and dignity on his own terms. Held by family and surrounded by love, Rick entered his eternal life on February 10, 2026, surrounded by his daughters and sons in law. Rick was born February 24, 1948, in Hamilton, MT to Dean and Kathleen Hart. He was raised in Stevensville where he attended high school and upon graduation was awarded the JPS (John Philip Sousa) Scholarship for excellence playing the trumpet (the most prestigious high school band award and is given to the most outstanding senior band member). Rick graduated from the University of Montana in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Business...

Loretta M. Gee, of Bozeman, MT, passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 87 years old. Loretta was born In Salt Lake City, UT, in August of 1938, one of five children of parents Fred and Mildred (Jacobsen) Leavitt. The family spent time in Great Falls, then Butte, before finally settling in Bozeman in the early 1950s. It was in the Gallatin Valley that Loretta met Ernie Gee, and they were married in August of 1958. Loretta had a short venture working with the local ambulance service in Bozeman when it was run by the City Taxi service and also worked at Simkins Lumber. She and Ernie enjoyed many years together, raising their children and recreating with friends...

Betty Joyce Larson passed away on February 8, 2026, at the age of 96 in Bozeman, Montana, encircled by the beautiful mountains she loved. Betty was born to Thomas Crouse and Mabel Sundvold in Carpenter, South Dakota, on November 11, 1929. She was the "apple of the eye" of her three older brothers. Growing up in Clark, South Dakota, she sang in the choir, played the piano at the Lutheran Church, and was a cheerleader and salutatorian of her high school class. Betty received a bachelor's degree in nursing from South Dakota State University in 1951 working two years as a registered nurse. She met Wayne Larson while attending SDSU. They were married on September 9, 1951, and shared 67...

Betty Joyce Larson passed away on February 8, 2026, at the age of 96 in Bozeman, Montana, encircled by the beautiful mountains she loved. Betty was born to Thomas Crouse and Mabel Sundvold in Carpenter, South Dakota, on November 11, 1929. She was the "apple of the eye" of her three older brothers. Growing up in Clark, South Dakota, she sang in the choir, played the piano at the Lutheran Church, and was a cheerleader and salutatorian of her high school class. Betty received a bachelor's degree in nursing from South Dakota State University in 1951 working two years as a registered nurse. She met Wayne Larson while attending SDSU. They were married on September 9, 1951, and shared 67...

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...

Danny Raymond Lake, a name that represents a man bigger than life himself. He was a beloved father to his 5 daughters, Grandpa "G" to his 12 grandchildren and Great grandpa G to a grandson on the way. He is survived by his 3 sisters; Margie, Beverly, and Denise. Danny was taken to heaven on January 31, 2026. He was a man of strong faith and loved Jesus. He lived a life with passion on a foundation of redemption. Danny embodied what it means to be a true servant. He worked hard and gave everything he had to anyone in need. He was the first to offer his help no matter the task. He was a man of humility and yet had a bigger than life persona. He made people laugh wherever he went. His...

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....