All Obituaries

Barry William Vanderstouw, 67, of Ledger, passed away on December 27, 2022 at his home after a long and difficult battle with numerous health challenges. He was born in Auburn, NY. on October 12, 1955, son of the late Cornelius and Bonnie Vanderstouw. He is survived by his 3 sons, Casey, Jeff, and Ryan, and his daughter, Crystal. He is also survived by four siblings, Wendy, Robert, Karl, and Richard including their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his seven...

 Madelyn Sylvia (Hovde) Erickson was born at home on the family farm, five and one-half miles north of Conrad, on  July 19,1932, joining her 4 brothers and 2 sister's, on her oldest sister's birthday!  Some birthday present, don't you think!! Her oldest sister, Alice, whom they called "Sally", is just 12 years older than Madelyn.  When she was 4 years old, a new baby brother joined the family, making it 5 boys and 3 girls.  They lived on the...

 Eleanor R (Ellie) Simmes Bush passed away peacefully on January 22, 2023, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.  She passed from complications with pneumonia and previous health issues.  She was surrounded by family and friends in the final days prior to her passing.  Ellie was born in Shelby, on June 21, 1942.  She grew up on the Simmes Ranch west of Sunburst, Montana.  Ellie attended Sunburst Elementary School as well as Sunburst High School where she graduated...

 Dawn Eloise Ross Bjornstad, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on January 21, 2023 at her home on the Bjornstad farm north of Joplin.  Dawn was born in Billings, MT to Donald A and Margaret L (Clark) Ross on July 4th, 1930.  She was fond of telling everyone that she had lived with her family in 3 states, 25 towns and 27 houses during her childhood.  While living in Joplin, MT she married Carl Eugene Bjornstad on June 28th, 1948.  They made...

Ralph Dee Shettel, 86, passed on January 18, 2023 in CutBank during a hospital stay. Ralph was born in Chester to Mildred and Alva Shettel on December 7, 1936. He was the 5th child of the family, 5 boys and 3 girls.  When Ralph was a week old he developed a high fever and pneumonia and almost did not survive. He started school in Chester but it was hard for him. Ralph lived and worked on the farm with his dad for many years. He loved being outdoors. When the farm was sold to his...

 James Gregory Parker was born March 29, 1951 to James H. And Mary Parker in Eugene, Oregon. Jim passed away suddenly at home in Shelby on January 15, 2023. He was the firstborn of ten children. He grew up in Shelby, attending St. William’s Catholic Grade School and Shelby High School. He attended Carroll College until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force where he worked as a surveyor. He attended Gonzaga University on the GI Bill, then enlisted in the Navy where he worked in the...

Charlotte R. Hovde passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, January 12, 2023, at Logan Health Center in Conrad, MT where she has resided since October of 2022. Public visitation will begin at 6:30 PM, January 19th with Vigil following at 7:00 PM at Asper Funeral Home, Conrad MT.  Funeral Mass will be Friday, 10:00 AM at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Conrad, MT.  She will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery, next to her beloved husband Bob.  A luncheon will follow...

 Zona Gail Swenson was born in Cut Bank, Montana on August 21, 1949 to Jess and Lila Pritchard. She enjoyed growing up with her three siblings, Cheryl, Greg and Barry. After graduating from Cut Bank High School in 1967, she attended college for a year in Billings before deciding to return to Cut Bank and marry her high school sweetheart, Jerry Swenson. They began their married life in 1970 on the Swenson family farm, 35 miles north of town. Although at first she was convinced he’d...

Rodney Sim Pearson, age 80, a wonderful husband, father, friend, and patriot, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 8th, 2023. His family was able to be there with him and watch him joke around as always, during his last hours on this earth.  It is with great joy that he will be reunited with his beautiful wife on the other side, Valerie Proctor Pearson.  Rod was born and raised in Circleville, Utah to Sybil Joyce and Joseph Lorenzo Pearson. He was a great storyteller and many...

  Carolyn J. Norris, 74, a long-time resident of Chester & Joplin, passed away peacefully at Village Health & Rehab, in Missoula, Montana on January 3, 2023. Born March 5th, 1948 to Winfred P. (Jerry) and Inez (Huestis) Halter in Havre, she was raised near Big Sandy on the Halter Ranch along the Missouri River. She attended school in Big Sandy and began her career in the Healthcare field while still in high school. She married Steve Norris on November 15, 1968. Over the years...