Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Irene Josephine (Rensvold) Toavs, age 99, of Wolf Point, Montana, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026. She was surrounded by love, and most of her family was able to spend time with her in the last few weeks of her life. Irene was born on the 20th of August 1926 and was the seventh of eight children born to Arthur and Josie (Felberg) Rensvold. She was born and raised on a farm 15 miles north of Wolf Point. She attended Dry Fork Country School and graduated from Wolf Point High School in...
Tammy Becraft was born December 1, 1959, in Salem, Indiana, to Porter Becraft and Delores Drew. She spent her younger years in the Salem and Pekin area. At the age of 9, she moved to Nebraska with her family. Tammy graduated from Logan View in 1978. She lived in Fremont, Nebraska, where her son Kip was born. In 1988, Tammy moved to Montana. Tammy was very talented in everything she did. She had many hobbies, enjoyed the outdoors, nature, and animals of all kinds. Tammy was preceded in death by...
"Dr. Don" Collins, Ph.D., a popular professor at MSU Bozeman, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026, at age 92. He taught in the Biology (Ecology) Department for over 36 years, retiring in 1998 as a Professor Emeritus of Biology, Ph.D. (Genetics). He lived most of his life in the home he built close to Story Park; then, for several months, at Galatin County Nursing Home, in the care of their extraordinary staff, with his lovely wife Donna at his side. Don was born in 1934, youngest of three...
"Trapper Bill" died peacefully in his sleep in Whitehall, Montana, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. He was the son of Kenneth and Clarice (Huffman) Stewart. Bill was a 1963 graduate of New Albany High School (IN) and served in the Indiana National Guard. Although it was difficult, he thoroughly enjoyed Jungle Warfare Training in Panama and was proud to have done that. He retired from Navistar in Springfield, Ohio (originally International Harvester, Louisville, Kentucky). He forged friendships with...
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Reign Tyler Blair. Reign was born on November 11th, 2020, and left us at age five on April 24, 2026. Reign was the beloved son of Tyler Blair and Kathryn LaSalle Aldrich. Reign brought light and joy into every room he entered. He had an immense love for construction equipment, cars, and monster trucks, and his intelligence and curiosity were beyond his years. Reign was known for his warm and welcoming nature, always greeting everyone with a...
Wallace Henry Madsen was born near Baker, Montana, along with his twin. Shortly after, his parents, Hans and Agnes, traveled with the family to Minnesota, where Wallace spent his youth with four sisters, his twin, and another brother. Wallace graduated from Tech High School in St. Cloud in 1953. The Army was next (Fort Lewis), and while attending a USO dance, he met his future wife. After marrying and starting a family, Wallace spent his career as a carpenter, showcasing his work ethic and craft...
Dr. Don Collins, 92, of Bozeman, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026. A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 1 p.m. June 6 at the Bozeman Senior Center....
Reign Tyler Blair, 5, of Whitehall, passed away on April 24, 2026. Please join Reign’s family for a celebration of life ceremony and gathering beginning at 1 PM, Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Story Mill Park (698 Bridger Dr, Bozeman, MT 59715). Reign’s full obituary will be published in the coming days. Please visit www.axelsonfuneralhome.com to offer condolences to Reign’s family and memorial donation details....
MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A big, important day we chose. The time is near to honor a loved one so dear! Join us in honoring John W. Clugston on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 4 PM at the Whitehall Community Center in Whitehall, Montana. Come visit in fellowship and share your positive memories of John. John Wayne Clugston of Whitehall, Montana, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026. He was born on August 3, 1947, to Wayne Clugston and Sylvia (Clugston) Jenkins in Bradford, Pennsylvania. John was a hard-working man who loved to fish, design jewelry,...
Born Darlene Olive McLaughlin, to Olive and Elmer McLaghlin, on February 5, 1939, in Salmon, Idaho. Darlene went to be with our Lord, her husband, Bill, and daughters Kathy and Susan on April 24, 2026. Darlene was the youngest of four children. At a young age, her family moved to Missoula, Melrose, and Three Forks, Montana. While living in Three Forks, she met the man who would become her husband of nearly 70 years, Bill (William) Russell Beam. They were married on June 18, 1954. Soon they had...
Paul Hiniker,60, passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on April 10, 2026. Paul was born in St. Peter, Minnesota, to Robert and Beverly Hiniker. The family moved steadily west from Minnesota to Missoula, Montana. One home fondly remembered was in Rapid City, South Dakota. Paul spoke of the fun he had with his brothers and sisters, exploring and playing outside all day long. Paul was employed in the home building industry throughout his life, first with his dad and brothers, and...
Ginny Jackson Kelly passed peacefully on April 3, 2026. Ginny was born in Livingston, Montana, on April 17, 1945, to Marie and Morris Jackson. Ginny's greatest joy in life was being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandma (GiGi). Ginny was blessed to be married to her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Terry Kelly, for 48 years before he passed in 2011. Ginny is survived by her son, Tony (Amy) Kelly (Pinedale, Wyoming); her daughter, Kim Kelly (Belgrade, Montana); and her son,...
Helen Joyce Kessner, age 91, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026, in Butte, Montana. Helen was born on March 10, 1935, in Zurich, Montana, to Anton and Blanch Nelson. She spent her life rooted in strong family values and a deep sense of faith, making her home in Whitehall, where she was a beloved member of the community. On July 19, 1952, Helen married Kenneth Kessner in Chinook, Montana. Together they shared a lifetime of love and partnership until Kenneth's passing on April 22, 2015....
John Wayne Clugston of Whitehall, Montana, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026. He was born on August 3, 1947, to Wayne Clugston and Sylvia (Clugston) Jenkins in Bradford, Pennsylvania. John was a hard-working man who loved to fish, design jewelry, polish stone, woodcarve, and create and invent new things that one would think were impossible to accomplish. Those are only a very few of his talents; John had many jobs. His passion was logging and gold panning; he also loved to eat, especially...
Mary Frances was born in Butte on March 25, 1928, to Marguerite and Frank Moran, and she passed away on March 18, 2026, one week before she turned 98. She grew up on the West Side of Butte with seven sisters and one brother. St. Patrick's church was the center of their life and held them all together. In 1948, Mary Frances married the love of her life, Bill Burns. They had been married for 70 years when Bill passed away. They were blessed with three children: John (Barb) Burns, Elaine (Bob)...
Ronald William Dorvall, a true son of Montana and a man who lived life wide open, passed away on March 10th, 2026, at the age of 74. Born on May 11th, 1951, in Livingston, Montana, Ron was raised under big skies and open country. He attended small country schools in the Livingston area, later graduating 8th grade in Cardwell, before attending high school in Whitehall. Those early years shaped the man he became: tough, independent, and deeply connected to the land. In 1969, Ron answered the call...
William Rhea (Bill) Alley passed away at 5 PM on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Helena, MT, with his family by his side after a brief illness. He was 81 years old. Bill was born on April 11, 1944, in Butte, MT, to Alice Rhea (Matson) and Harry Charles Alley. He was the second of their four sons, joining his older brother Harry Jr and later welcoming younger brothers Roy and Andy. Bill's early years were spent on the family ranch west of Whitehall, MT, where he learned to care for cattle, sheep,...
Opal Joyce Held, lovingly known as Joyce, was born on October 23, 1930, in Butte, Montana to Cecil & Leona Atkinson. She had two brothers and one sister, all deceased. Joyce married her lifelong love, John "Jack" Held, and together they made their home in Whitehall, Montana. Their life was built on enduring love, partnership, and a deep commitment to each other and their family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and family was always her greatest joy. She was a true and loyal frie...
Kathleen (Benner) Nylund, born October 15, 1944, entered the arms of Jesus on February 8, 2026, at the age of 81. Kathy was born in Forsyth, Montana, to Willie and Marge and was the second of six children. The family moved to Billings when she was a young girl. Kathy graduated from Billings Central High School in 1963. In August 1963, Kathy married Richard Schmidt. To this union, five children were born: Robin, Rick, Christy, Stacy, and Jamie. Kathy and Richard later divorced. Kathy had various...
Elizabeth (Betty) Hunter was born on October 5, 1941. She was born in Trenton, New Jersey, but called Whitehall, Montana, her home. Betty peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. Betty married Sam in January 1981, and they began their adventures together. Sam saw an ad in a rifle magazine they picked up in North Carolina, came west, and they moved to the mountains in Whitehall, Montana. They built a log home and lived there for many years, until Sam passed away....
Richard “Rich” Choquette passed away on September 18, 2025. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM on March 14, 2026, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church (107 2nd St. East in Whitehall), with a visitation beginning at 10 AM. Military Honors will follow the mass with a luncheon immediately after. Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence. Richard Arthur Choquette, 83, of Whitehall, Montana, passed away on September 18 in the arms of his loving wife. Richard was born on March 18,...
Ralph Loren Clements, also known as "R.L." by many and the self-proclaimed Mayor of Silver Star, Montana, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026. He was 94 years old. Ralph was born in Colorado to Richard and Bertha Clements. He proudly served 21 years in the United States Navy, including 18½ years at sea. Rising to the rank of Chief Gunner's Mate, he served aboard destroyers, heavy cruisers, and aircraft carriers. Ralph served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War,...
Lee Leroy Lewis, 71, passed away on January 26, 2026, in Whitehall, Montana. Lee was an avid outdoorsman, a NASCAR fan, and loved working on cars. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Jean Nighswonger; his father, William Charles Lewis; and his siblings, Ron Lewis, Robert Lewis, Nancy Jones, and Cheryle Stone. Lee is survived by his children, Jason (Rachael) Lewis, Ritchie Lewis, Mandy Kay (Justin) Cleverley, Michael Lewis, Amanda (Jesse) Ehnes, and Brittney Cranford; 15 grandchildren,...
It is with profound sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Jacob James Adamson, 45, of Whitehall, Montana, on December 22, 2025. Born on June 24, 1980, Jake lived a life characterized by kindness and unwavering devotion to those he loved. A proud graduate of the University of Montana with a degree in Business and Finance, Jake followed in his father's footsteps to carve out a successful career in real estate and entrepreneurship. His charming and memorable connection with Heather began...
Karen L. Mast, beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on January 7th, 2026, surrounded by friends. Karen was born on August 7th, 1936, to Maynard and Flossie Berthelson in Shelley, Idaho. She was raised in Shelley, Idaho, and went to school there. She worked in cafes and spud houses. She married Howard Clark in September 1954, and they settled in Caldwell, Idaho. Howard had a service station, and when he sold out, he bought a...
