Obituaries

Vinola Ellen Saunders-Squires 1940-2020

Article Image Alt Text

Vinola “Vi” passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on May 30, 2020. She was born on Aug. 12, 1940 to Bill and Mary Saunders in St. Ignatius, Montana. She was the first girl born to a family that eventually included nine other siblings. She was a devoted sister that helped raise many of her younger siblings on their family farm. This helped forge the hard worker and nurturing person that she became. She committed her life to helping and serving others, always thinking of herself last. She was the sole breadwinner and provided for her three children independently. Being a single mother was never easy, and she always did whatever was necessary to provide and care for her kids. Mom was always up for anything fun and her adventurous spirit was contagious.

June Williams Jones

Article Image Alt Text

June Williams Jones passed away peacefully in Dillon, Montana, on May 23. On the 10th of June she would have celebrated her 101st birthday.

She was born on June 10, 1919, in Malad City, Idaho, to Arthur Thompson Williams and Nora Harrison Williams. She was the fifth child of a family of ten children. Her home was filled with love and respect for each other. She grew up and was educated in Malad.

Virginia Mae Schleicher

Article Image Alt Text

Virginia Mae (Piazzola) Schleicher passed away May 19, 2020 at the Legacy Assisted Living. She was born in Butte, Montana, to Pete and Agnes Piazzola on March 23, 1926. The first years of her life were spent growing up at the Wise River ranger station where her father was forest ranger. She often reminisced about those years with great excitement. One of her many childhood stories was about getting into the axle grease – oh, how creamy and smooth it was, so she rubbed it all over her arms, legs, hands and face. A bit later she discovered that it did NOT wash off.

Phyllis J. Wetzsteon 1943-2020

Article Image Alt Text

On April 27, 2020, Phyllis J. Wetzsteon, devoted wife of the late Herald (Hal) Wetzsteon and mother of four children, took her last breath on earth and her first one in heaven.

Rhea Williams Taylor 1922 – 2020

Article Image Alt Text

Rhea Williams Taylor was born April 4, 1922 at home in Cedarville, Idaho, to Rolland Burbank Williams and Annie Sophia Jorgensen. She passed away on May 2, 2020 at 98 years of age in Dillon, Montana.

Barry John Briggs 1954-2020

Article Image Alt Text

On April 22, 2020, Dillon, Montana lost the compassionate, charismatic, generous Barry John Briggs. He was the loving husband and lifelong best friend of Mary Anne Jensen Briggs for 34 years. He was also the beloved father of two children: Tim Briggs of Seattle, Washington, daughter Laura Briggs of Dillon, Montana, and soon to be father-in-law to Bennett Chomski.

Kenneth ‘Walton’ Peterson, 1939-2020

Article Image Alt Text

Kenneth “Walton” Peterson, 81, went to be with the Lord on April 19, 2020, surrounded by family.

Larry Martin 1942-2020

Article Image Alt Text

Larry was taken to be with his Heavenly Father on March 28 2020, after a brief battle with the CO- VID-19 virus. He was born Jan. 28, 1942, in Bozeman to Albert (Bill) and Olive Egeler Martin. He grew up in the Gallatin Valley and attended school in Bozeman through his sophomore year and then transferred to Belgrade from where he graduated in 1960. Larry married his high school sweetheart, Niki Ward, on Jan. 18, 1964. Larry and Niki were constant companions and worked side by side their entire lives. One son, Troy Ward, was born to this union on July 20, 1967.

Richard D. Marshall 1926-2020

Article Image Alt Text

Richard D. Marshall passed away at home Easter morning, April, 12, 2020, with his wife Valerie by his side. Dick was born in Twin Bridges on May 16, 1926 to Frank Marshall and Norabel Robbins. The family lived in Twin Bridges on the family ranch and at age four moved to a ranch on Jackson Creek, east of Bozeman, where he grew up. He attended Malmborg Elementary School and graduated from Gallatin County High School. He enlisted and served in the United States Army Air Force as a Corporal from 1944-1946.

Charles Jack Phillips 1924-2020

Article Image Alt Text

We said farewell, for now, to Chuck our husband, best friend, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. He was born on June 14, 1924 and passed away on April 3, 2020 from an accident. He was a very special, thoughtful and kind person that will be missed more than we can say.