Obituaries

Jun 21, 2023

Dennis Charles Pilling of Great Falls died at Montana Gems on June 21, 2023.

Denny was born October 29, 1938, in Seattle, WA to Charles Albert Pilling and June Hersey.

He graduated from O’Dea High, then, from Everest Junior College in 1960, Western Washington College of Education in 1962, and received his M.A. in mathematics...

Jun 19, 2023

Mary Lucille Ryffel Birgenheier of Great Falls, formerly of Highwood, passed away at Peace Hospice on Monday, June 19, 2023, with her family at her side. Mary was born on April 15, 1926, in Great Falls to Erna (Sell) and Gottlieb Ryffel, the sixth of eight children.

The family lived in Highwood above her father’s general store...

Jun 17, 2023

Marcia “Marcy” Lee Duffner passed away on June 17, 2023, in Great Falls, MT at the age of 78. Marcia was born on December 15, 1944, in Coleman, Texas to Oris William and Joie (Doggett) Norwood. She was a 1962 Coleman High School graduate and attained her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1966 from Tarleton State College, Stephensville,...

Jun 16, 2023

On June 16, 2023, our precious mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betty Knight, was unexpectedly called to the place Jesus had prepared for her. She died peacefully at Benefis Hospital.

Betty Jeanne (Moring) Knight was born on February 24, 1931, to David and Anna (Bakken) Backstrom in Fargo, ND. The family lived in the Prosper, ND area where...

Jun 16, 2023

Joseph Loncki, 79, passed away on June 16, 2023, surrounded by the people who loved him. Joe was born on January 17, 1944, in Philadelphia to Walter and Anastasia (Walsh) Loncki. The family later relocated to New Castle, Delaware. Joe received his bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Delaware before embarking on a career with the U....

Jun 14, 2023

John David “Jay” Powers passed away on June 14, 2023, at home with his family by his side.

Jay was born on September 10, 1947, in Parkersburg, WV to Madeline and Herb Ludick. He graduated from Meadowbrook High School in 1965 in Byesville, OH. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and was honorably discharged as...

Jun 13, 2023

Robert P. “Bob” Vylasek passed away on June 13, 2023, at the age of 74. Bob was born on October 25, 1948, in Havre to Mary Ann (Chase) and Robert Vylasek. Bob grew up in Cut Bank where he proudly achieved the status of Eagle Scout while in school and graduated from Cut Bank High School in 1967. Bob...

Jun 12, 2023

Charles “Charlie” Leonard Cornelius of Cascade, MT passed away at the age of 74 on June 12, 2023, after a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Denise; sons, Jason (Zara) and Matthew (Amanda); and grandchildren, Mija, Morgan, Isabelle, Ella, David, and Little Charlie.

Charlie...

Jun 11, 2023

Allan C. “Swede” Olsen passed away at the age of 89 in the Great Falls Hospital on June 11, 2023. He passed away from heart complications.

Swede was born in Stanford, MT on February 10, 1934, to Einer and Freda Olsen who immigrated from Denmark. Swede graduated from Fairfield High School. He married his wife, Faye Sammons...

Jun 11, 2023

A memorial service for Allan “Swede” Olsen will be held on August 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Fairfield.

Jun 10, 2023

Maxine Hovland passed away on June 10, 2023, peacefully at home at the age of 74. She was born in Great Falls, MT on March 26, 1949, to Mike and Peggy Ehnot. She grew up in Great Falls with her sister, Ronee. She had two children and four grandchildren. She also had four great- grandchildren whom she loved very...

Jun 9, 2023

Beverly Jane Cromwell was a force to be reckoned with. Beverly Jane “Janie” Lockwood was born on April 15, 1931 in Billings, Montana to Clark Augustus and Cathron “Katie” Mary (Reardon) Lockwood. She passed from this life on June 9, 2023. She was the 1949 Laurel High School Valedictorian, received her Nursing diploma from Carroll College, and graduated cum...

Jun 9, 2023

Donald William McKamey passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023, at his home in Great Falls, just shy of his 95th birthday.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Community Church in Highwood, Montana. In lieu of flowers the family requests support for the charity of...

Jun 7, 2023

Gary William White Jr., also known to many as "Red" passed away unexpectedly on June 7, 2023, at his home in Great Falls, Montana. Gary was an avid outdoorsman that loved to go fishing, camping, and hunting, with his family and friends. Gary was a kind, gentle man that would truly give the shirt off his back and cared...

Jun 6, 2023

Marianne Magdelana Mohr, 83, of Great Falls, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at a local care facility.

Marianne was born on March 2, 1940, in Mannheim, Germany to Heinrich and Maria Sauter. After graduating high school and business school in Germany, she met her soon to be husband, Douglas (who was enlisted in the Army), and...

Jun 6, 2023

Gary Lee “G” Weyer of Great Falls passed away on June 6, 2023, at the age of 80. A family celebration of life will be at his beloved family property near Monarch, Montana.

Gary was born in Great Falls, Montana on August 17, 1942, to Joseph and Edith Weyer. He loved Great Falls and chose to make...

Jun 5, 2023

Deanne McCarthy passed away on June 5, 2023. Deanne was born on March 9, 1964, to Bernard and Donna McCarthy. She graduated from Great Falls High and later got a degree in respiratory therapy. She practiced at Benefis for 18 years.

Deanne liked the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Stars, the American’s Hockey team, and baseball. She...

Jun 5, 2023

April Lee Laubach, 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 5, 2023, at Great Falls Clinic Hospital with her daughter by her side.

April was born on May 13, 1940, to Russel B. Rupp and Maxine (Hoover) Rupp. She attended school in Carter through the 8th grade and then attended Fort Benton High School from which she...

Jun 4, 2023

Leslie Lorne “Les” Stevenson, died at home on June 4, 2023, after a short illness. He served as executive director of Opportunities Inc., from which he retired in January, 2012, after 30 years.

Born on November 22, 1934, in Concrete, N.D., to Milford and Mary Stevenson, he grew up on a farm in northeast North Dakota. He...

Jun 4, 2023

John Joseph Kauffman, 85, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2023, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Montana. He was born on July 13, 1937, in Tucson, Arizona to William and Helen (Morris) Kauffman. John grew up in the Amphitheatre area of Tucson where he graduated from high school. It was there that he met his wife of 68...