Missoulian

On July 26, 1944, Reed D. Owens and Nelda D. Montague Owens welcomed, Mary Gayle into the world. She joined her two older brothers, Max and Monte, in the Owens household and helped welcome younger brothers, Blaine and David. As the only girl, some might say she was a wee bit spoiled, and they would be right! She was very protected by her brothers and she loved them dearly for always being there for her. In 1962, she met and married David Michael Sutherland (aka Mick). While Mick was in the Navy she had the opportunity to travel from coast to coast before having their daughters, Sandy (Jerry) Turmel and Michelle (Brian) Covert. She later married Keith David Jenkins in 1967, and gained...

Douglas E. Daniels was born March 31, 1943, the second son of Eugene and Vera Daniels in Missoula, MT. He attended elementary school in Ovando, and Missoula, MT. He graduated from Missoula High School and then attended college on a wrestling scholarship at Montana State, Bozeman, MT. He also squeezed in one quarter at University of Montana, Ohio State extension classes in Mexico. He graduated from Montana State, June 1967 with a B.S. in civil engineering. After graduation he was employed by the Washington Highway Dept., Kirkland, WA from June 1967 to September 1969. Then returned to Montana at Great Falls to a company from Sept 1969 until April 1972 when that company moved him to Kalispell...

Ken was born in Anaconda, Montana, to Peter and Mary McGinn Finnegan and was one of eleven children. During his younger years, the family split and he and several siblings were placed into the Twin Bridges Orphanage. After leaving the orphanage he spent some time with family in California. but his love for Montana drew him back. He was forever grateful to the Giems and Balkovetz families for the opportunity to return to Montana and work on their ranches. After graduation Ken joined the Navy and spent 4 years moving up the ranks in service to his country. He was a decorated Korean War Veteran and had many stories to tell about his time in the service. He returned to Montana where he met and...

Harris Wiltzen passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, February 13, 2022. He was 99 years old. Harris Anthony Wiltzen was born in Minot, ND in 1922 to Anthony "AOK" and Annie (Lawrence) Wiltzen. He was the third of three children and had two older sisters, Fern and Amelia. Harris grew up in Deering, ND and started school at the Dakota College of Forestry before he enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps in 1942 and was called to duty in 1943. Harris became a high-speed radio operator. He served in New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon in WW2. After four years of service, he was honorably discharged in January 1946. He met the love of his life, Estelle Malaterre, in Minot, ND before he...

Bonnie Marilyn "Lynn" Wemple Hash of Bozeman passed away December 29, 2021. Bonnie was born in Missoula, Montana to John Francis "JF" Wemple & Johnnie Violet (Higgins) Wemple April 21, 1937. Bonnie was the eldest of three children. After graduation from Missoula High School in 1955, Bonnie attended Montana State College. There she met her soulmate, Charlie Hash, while they were in a theater group on campus during first quarter. They married a year later on December 27, 1956, in Stevensville, MT. Bonnie's college experience was interrupted by raising their family, but she was able to return to classes in 1970 and ultimately graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1972. She was a...

Martin, 32, former resident of Missoula, Mt, passed away Nov. 24, 2021 in Pocatello, ID. No services at this time. An obituary will be at a later date.

Sybil Mae Zentz was someone you were privileged to know. When she passed away on November 18, 2021, we lost not only our beloved mother but a true friend. With her bright, gentle spirit, even at 101 years, she was as she always had been: kind, generous, and curious to know how you were doing It is really hard to imagine life without her but she would remind us to carry on with a smile. The youngest of five children, Sybil was born March 1, 1920, to Laura Gilroy Dreher and Otto Ferdinand Dehrer. Mom grew up in Wenatchee, Washington and graduated from high school there. During the Great Depression, she worked a number of jobs to help support her family including packing apples, ushering...

Joseph H. Servel, Jr., of Shelley, passed away Nov. 8, 2021, surrounded by his wife and children, losing a long battle with bladder cancer. Joe was born in Sun Valley, Idaho, on April 1,1953, to Joseph Honor? Servel and Joan Smith Servel. His childhood was filled with moves across the nation with his father's career. He graduated from Loyola Sacred Heart High School in 1971 and furthered his education to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana in 1978. He met his soulmate, Debra Lynn Miller, in the spring of 1978. They married in August 1979. Their union brought four sons; Joe III, Pete, John, and Phillip. Joe began his lifelong career in law enforcement as a...

Dennis Ray Monroe Sr. left this life on October 13, 2021, in Bozeman, MT. Born in Alton, IL he always considered Montana, specifically Stevensville, his home. Dennis lived a full and incredibly interesting life, which started in the construction field at an early age. He loved baseball and had an opportunity to play for a major league baseball team, however, he declined this opportunity and chose to remain close to home as a devoted husband and father. At the age of 21, he became a police officer for the City of San Bernardino, CA. Then later relocated to Arizona and was promoted to Sergeant with the Arizona Highway patrol, serving communities such as Parker and Flagstaff. After departing...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, husband, son, brother, "Grumpa," and friend, John Clark, as the result of a tragic motorcycle accident. It's not too often that you meet someone truly larger than life. Someone who has never met a stranger and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Someone who is fiercely loyal, and loves with everything they have. Someone who is not only a hard worker and a family man, but also a true friend. This is who John Clark was to his core. John has born in Ronan, Montana, to Hester and Charles Clark, on November 28, 1962. Soon thereafter, they moved to Lolo where he spent most of his childhood. In 1981, he graduated from Big...

William "Bill" Byrne passed away peacefully on August 13, 2021, in Bozeman with his family by his side. Bill was born on December 20, 1926, to James and Margaret (Douhan) Byrne. He was raised on the family farm in Creston with his two sisters Francis "Mickey" and Margaret "Dottie" and cousin John Brady. Growing up and working on the family farm, Bill attended Cayuse Prairie Grade School and graduated from Flathead High School in 1944. He was active in FFA serving in various elected positions including Chapter President. Following high school, Bill served an unprecedented two years as Montana State FFA President. In the early years after high school, Bill had two interests besides farming...

Everett W. Lemm, 81, of Anchor Point died Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at his home with family by his side. Ev was born November 30, 1939 to Lloyd and Elsie Lemm in Meeteetse, Wyoming. He moved to Montana at an early age with his family. He graduated from Drummond High School in 1957 and enlisted in the US Army the same year. He served with the 94th Engineering Battalion in Germany as an Equipment Operator during reconstruction. He had many stories of his time in the Army, most of which are not printable. Upon his discharge he returned to Montana where he worked multiple different jobs some of which were the pipeline in Dillon, the Cominco Mine, as a guard at the Deer Lodge Prison and for the...

Timothy R. "Tim" Schmitz, age 67, of Dubuque, passed away at 4:55 p.m., on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital. To celebrate Tim's life, the family will hold a gathering at a later date. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is assisting the family. Tim was born on September 2, 1953, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of LeRoy J. and Rosemary (Basten) Schmitz of Potosi, Wisconsin. Tim attended Potosi High School before joining the U.S. Army in March of 1971, to honorably serve his country. After his service Tim went to work for Caradco and then St. Regis Paper in Dubuque. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Linda Halverson, in 1975. They were blessed with 2...

Timothy John Burke of Lithia Springs GA and Helena Montana fought a hard battle but due to complications of Covid19 died the morning of April 30, 2021. He was a beloved son and brother, a kind- hearted soul, a Christian, friend, pilot and car enthusiast, and Montanan to the end. Tim was born to Marlene (Cresien) and Robert (Bob) Burke on March 16, 1958 in Missoula, Montana. His parents considered naming him Patrick, but because he arrived one day shy of St. Paddy's Day, the name Timothy won out. It was a fitting name for the good Irish Catholic boy he was and the fine man he would become. Tim joined two older brothers, Bob and Dan, and younger brother Mike arrived a few years later....

Glenn Braatz of Billings, Montana passed away quietly in his sleep at the age of 81 on April 25, 2021. Glenn was a life-long truck driver with a passion for the road. He could tell you the mile marker of every interstate caf?, who had the best biscuits and gravy, or the cheapest cup of coffee. He loved the road and his trucks. He often competed in semi-truck shows and won Grand Champion with his customized 1971 Peterbilt Tractor in 1978. Glenn also enjoyed sitting on the seat of his John Deere tractor. While living in Missoula, Montana he grew hay to sell to the local ranchers. Glenn was born in Litchfield, Minnesota the oldest child of Gerald and Beulah Braatz. He is survived by his...

Gordon "Wayne" Torno, 89, of Billings passed away Saturday, March 27th at Riverstone Hospice House, a week short of his 90th birthday. To view a full obituary and leave condolences for the family please visit www.cfgbillings.com.

Walter Bruce McRae passed away at home on December 14, 2020, surrounded by his family following a battle with cancer. He was born September 1, 1940, in Jordan, Montana, to Jack and Mary (Kerr) McRae and spent his early years on his family's sheep ranch. He and his twin sister Jackcee were the youngest of eight siblings. Both of his parents passed away when he was a child, after which he and the other three youngest siblings were supported and cared for by their older brothers and sisters. He graduated from the University of Montana in 1965 with a degree in Chemistry. He also attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, from 1958 through 1961. While a student at the U. of Montana, he worked as...

James 'Jim' Kinsey, 80, of Park City passed away December 10, 2020. Cremation has taken place, and no services are planned at this time. He is survived by his wife of 54 years of marriage, Nancy, 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Gay Estelle (Huffman) Fischer passed away at the age of 92 on December 6, 2020 at Bozeman Lodge Assisted Living Home in Bozeman, Montana. At the time of her passing and throughout her life she was dedicated to her family, Catholic faith, community, and friendships. Gay was born June 30, 1928 to Rod and Star (Neu) Huffman in Philipsburg, Montana, the youngest of three children. She attended Philipsburg schools and graduated from Granite County High School in 1944, valedictorian of her class. Following high school she studied nursing at Carroll College for one year before returning to Philipsburg and working in a local attorney's office. Gay had many good memories of her school days and...

William Pauly Corette, Sr. passed away September 22, 2020, in Bozeman, Montana at the age of 81. As a third generation Montanan, he was born in Butte America to John Earl Corette II and Elsie Pauly Corette. Bill married the love of his life, Deborah West Corette, in November 1965. They shared 55 wonderful years together, raised four beautiful children and are blessed with six adorable grandchildren. After graduating from Butte High School, Bill entered the Army. Following the service, he received a B.A. from the University of Montana in Missoula where he became a Sigma Chi. Bill was also a star player and the coach of the tennis team. Bill began his investment banking career in New...

Tom Duffy, the owner of Excel Drilling and Bozeman Hot Springs gave his life in a helicopter crash while fighting fires in Oregon on August 24, 2020. He was 40 years old and died a hero. Anyone who knew Tom knew he was larger than life, both in stature (6'10") and in everything he did. When God opened a door he didn't walk, he ran. Tom was born and raised in Bozeman, MT. He attended Mount Ellis Elementary, Mount Ellis Academy and then played basketball for the Bobcats at Montana State University. As a sophomore, Tom led the Big Sky Conference in blocked shots and the team in 3-point field goal percentage. He did this while missing half the conference games because, as a Seventh-day...