Edith (Ede) Marie Baker, 86, of Lincoln, passed away Dec. 23, 2025, in Deer Lodge. She was born in Forsyth to Raymond and Helen Clark.
    Edith married Stuart Baker on Dec. 5, 1955.
    She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a great-great-grandmother. 
Most of her life was spent raising her four children and ranching. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting and playing the poker machine. She put jigsaw puzzles together and once together, decided they looked better in a frame and hung them on a wall.
    She loved being part of the Blackfoot Babes.
    Edith was a great supporter of Helmville Labor Day Rodeo and loved selling the 50/50 tickets there.
    Edith is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Helen Clark; husband, Stuart Baker; brother, Forest Clark; and sisters, Roberta Pugliano and Linda Ford.
    She is survived by her sister, Madge Adams; three daughters and a son: Cheryl Brenton of Missoula, Tina (Todd) Hoover of Las Cruces, N.M., Carol Baker of Marceline, Mo., Bill (Kristi) Baker of Helmville and son-in-law Jim Brenton of Drummond. Great-grandchildren: Shaylynn Hammond, Jordan Webb, Mathew (Zelia) Guerra, Rebecca (Joe) Rodriguez, Abby Guerra, Adon (Dorthy) Palomo, Robbie Bowers, Cloe Hoover, Carnell Smith, Taylor Bennett (Shay), Heaven Bennett (Neil), Dylan Tucker and Madisyn Bennett. Bailey Bennett, Parker Bennett, Nolan Baker, Corrissa Baker, Marcus Baker and Kenzi Baker. Great-great-grandchildren: Amari Guerra, Joshua Rodriques, Melody Palomo, Oliver Palomo and Lainey Hammond.
    In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Helmville Rodeo Club, P.O. Box 67, Helmville, MT 59843.
A memorial will be held Jan. 25 at the Lincoln Community Hall at 12:30 p.m.

    Wallace (Wally) L. Patton, 89, of Elliston, passed away Dec. 7 at Cooney Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Helena. He was born May 30, 1936, in Townsend, a son of Ernest and Lillian Patton.
    Wallace served in the Air Force; however, he was released on an honorable discharge for a family emergency.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta (Bobbi Ann) or “Bertsie Anna,” as he lovingly called her; his granddaughter, Alyssa B. Kovach; and daughter-in-law, Jean Walston.
    Wally is survived by this four daughters, Gina (Paul) Albert of Waynesville, N.C.; Renee (Cal) Stucky of Avon; Kristi (Bill) Baker of Helmville; and Kathi Jo Patton of Cape Coral, Fla.; and his son, Bob (Jean) Walston of Mason City, Iowa; along with 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
    In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Elliston Fire Dept. or Elliston QRU. Graveside services will be at a later date in the spring.

    Our beloved mother and grandmother, Stella Jean Hansen, 100, passed away on Dec. 18, 2025 in Missoula. Stella was born on June 11, 1925 in Deer Lodge to Wilbur and Mabel Hoskyn.
    Stella graduated from Powell County High School and went on to study nursing in Helena as part of the Cadet Nursing Corp during WWII. Stella married Douglas Hansen in 1945. Doug and Stella operated the Hansen Dairy in Deer Lodge before moving to Missoula in 1953 where they raised their six children and operated Hansen’s Famous Ice Cream. They were married for 52 years.
    Stella was active in local issues and was elected as a Representative to the Montana Legislature for six terms from 1983-1995. Stella was a committed Democrat, passionate about issues related to public health, education and fairly meeting the needs of all Montanans. Stella was a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints where she served as a pastor and later was a member of the University Congregational Church.
    Stella is survived by her children Jennifer (William) Cote, Michael (Pam) Hansen, daughter-in-law Maureen Hansen (Aaron), Rebecca Hansen, Sarah (Patrick) Newell, and Toby (Jovi) Hansen. Stella was preceded in death by her son, Aaron, and her husband, Douglas.  Stella is also remembered by her 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
    Stella was a loving mother, amazing grandmother, a trail blazer and a business icon.  She is now at rest and enjoying her reunion with Douglas and Aaron in Heaven.
    A memorial will be planned at a later time.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in Stella’s memory.

    Katherine “Kathe” Mary Kane, 73, of Drummond, passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 10, 1952, in Missoula.
    Kathe met Kenny Kane in high school, and they were married for 52 years. Together they raised two amazing sons in Drummond. Kathe was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose greatest joy in life was being surrounded by her family. The light in Kathe’s eyes when her grandchildren and great-grandchild pulled into her driveway was pure bliss. Not only did she take care of her sons and grandchildren, but she also cared for all the friends they brought into the family as well. Kathe spent her working years running Swede’s Corner, volunteering for the Drummond ambulance, and spent 16 years as a dispatcher in Philipsburg.
    Kathe enjoyed giving back to her community, she took pride in volunteering for the ambulance and other various opportunities that came her way. As an outstanding member of the Drummond community, Kathe was also known for showing her love through cooking, often bringing people together around her table and making sure no one ever left hungry.
    Kathe is survived by her husband, Kenny Kane; her daughter-in-law Sarah Kane; her grandchildren, Tyler Kane and partner Lori Russell, Katelynn Kane, Chase Kane, and Carson Kane; her great-granddaughter, Zoe Kane; her siblings, Patty Hanson (daughter Kallie Harris and son-in-law Tel Harris; grandkids Nalina, Saharra, and Royce Harris), Sandy Evans (son Denny Jacobsen), Vicki Hanni (husband Russell Hanni), Tom Gress (wife Bonni Gress; children Brandon Gress and Stefanie Silvan), Brother-in-law Marty Kane (wife Diane Kane; sons Scott and Ben Kane); and many other extended family members and dear friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Dolores Gress; her in-laws, Harry and Opal Kane; her sons, Michael Kane and Ryan “Cubby” Kane; her brother-in-law, Bill Hanson; and hers and Kenny’s beloved dog, Otis Kane.
    Kathe leaves behind a legacy of love and generosity that will live on through the many lives she has touched during her time here. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering devotion to family, friends, and community will never be forgotten. A celebration of Kathe’s life will be held sometime in the spring, with the date to be announced.

    Once again, the angels took another beautiful soul back to heaven to join our heavenly Father. In the early morning hours of Dec. 13, Bernice May (Kopp) Verlanic, 79, passed away with her daughter, Kamala Marie Verlanic Ball, by her side at St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula.
    Bernice was born to Nick and Katherine (Ehlis) Kopp in Anaconda on Sept. 27, 1946. She joined her older siblings, Nick and Marianne.
    Bernice attended catholic schools in Anaconda before transferring to Anaconda High School. She met the love of her life, Fred Verlanic, on a double date in 1961. They were married in Idaho Falls in 1963. Fred considered himself a pretty lucky guy! Fred joined the United States Air Force in 1963. During this time, Bernice remained in Anaconda with her family. Their daughter, Kamala, was born in 1965 while Fred was overseas. In 1967, Fred returned from active duty, with son, Bruce, arriving in 1968. After living in Anaconda for a short while, they moved to Missoula, where Fred attended the University of Montana. Upon graduation, the family moved to Deer Lodge, where Fred started his career at the Montana Department of Corrections, and Bernice worked at Young’s Market for Jack and Dorothy Young, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law. She later became a cook, followed by a kitchen manager, at the 4-B’s restaurant for many years. She also worked a few years at the I-90 Auto Plaza. Fred and Bernice relocated to the Swan Valley, where they both worked at the Swan River Youth Camp, later transitioning to the Swan River Boot Camp. This tiny woman with a beautiful smile completely changed career paths by becoming a drill instructor! When the boot camp relocated back to Deer Lodge, Fred and Bernice also relocated and continued working at the boot camp until her retirement.
    Bernice was well known to family and friends for her cooking and baking skills. In her later years, she loved nothing more than spending time with her great-granddaughter, Alaiya, in the kitchen baking special treats. She loved feeding everyone a good meal. Big family gatherings were one of her favorite things. She also loved gardening and camping, where she got to cook for everyone over an open fire.
    Bernice was preceded in death by her son, Bruce Charles Verlanic, and her grandson, Alec Mackenzie Tolon; her parents, Nick and Katie Kopp, and her sister Marianne (Kopp) Calnan. She joins sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dorothy and Jack Young, and sister-in-law Carol Kopp.
    She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Fred Verlanic, daughter Kamala Verlanic Ball and son-in-law Dave Ball, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Shirley and Duane Colwell. Also surviving are grandchildren Trevor Denny, Rechelle (Verlanic) Anderson, Bridgette Verlanic, Alexandra Verlanic, Chris Ball and Marina Ball; five great-grandchildren, Alaiya, Jax, Addilyn, Braydon and Oaklynn.
    Services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Deer Lodge at 11 a.m. on Jan. 3 with a luncheon to follow at St. Mary’s Hall. Donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice.
    Longfellow Finnegan Riddle has been privileged to care for Bernice and her family.

    Beverly Margaret Johnson Fjelstad, 75, passed peacefully at home on Dec. 5, 2025, with her husband, Curt, by her side. She was born March 6, 1950, in St. Paul, Minn. She joined big brother David to make up the happy family of Gordon and Lenore Johnson.
    Born into a family of educators, Bev grew up to be a passionate reader, a world traveler and an accomplished flute player. While attending college at Moorhead State, she met the love of her life, Curt Fjelstad, a farmer from Walcott, N.D. The big city girl happily transitioned to farm wife, as she and Curt started their family with daughter Sandra, followed two years later with son Curtis, Jr. They spent the first decade of their marriage exploring the perfect place to live until they settled in their forever home in Deer Lodge. Other than the 10 years she spent as part of the team at the Quality Inn/Super 8 hotel, Bev happily devoted her life to being the world’s best wife, mom, grandma and great grandma. After the kids were off to college, she spent the next 20 years traveling and helping Curt run their trucking business. Her diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis forced the couple to stay a little closer to home for the last 10 years, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to enjoy her home and family without measure. No couple has ever been more dedicated to each other than Curt and Bev.
    Bev was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather Merle Anderson, her father-in-law Clayton Fjelstad, mother-in-law Helen Hart, stepfather-in-law Duane Hart, stepsister Sharon Gortner, sisters-in-law Becky and Cecelia Fjelstad, stepbrother-in-law Bruce Hart, and granddaughter Laynie Bauman. She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Curt; her daughter and son-in-law Sandy and Darrell Bauman; son Curtis; granddaughters Regan and Olivia; great-granddaughter Camden; and great-grandson Owen; brother David Johnson (Geri); sisters-in-law Mari Christensen (Russ), Peggy Erracart (John), Patti Fjelstad, and Angie Lommen (Curt); as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and friends who loved her enough to call her mom.
    In addition, the family would like to express their love and gratitude for the amazing team at Trek Hospice, especially Robin, Wendy, Trish and Kelsey, whose care and love have made all the difference.
    At her request, no immediate service is planned but a celebration of life will be held next year.

    Gary Edward “Flip” Erb, 93, passed away on Friday, Nov. 28, at his residence. He was born on Aug. 17, 1932, in the Missoula Elmore Hospital.
    Gary’s sperm donor, Phil Erb, divorced Margaret prior to Gary’s birth and he, as well as the extended Erb family, remained non-entities physically and financially throughout Gary’s life.
    Gary’s preschool years were spent with his older sister, Fay “Mickey,” and Margaret in the Missoula area where she struggled to support the three of them during the depression. Eventually, Margaret resigned parenting and allowed Gary and Fay to be separated for approximately five years to live with relatives at the Missoula Saint Francis Xavier boarding school and with regional unrelated families who took in boarders.
    When Gary reached about 10 years old, he and Fay were reunited and taken in by their maternal grandparents, Frank and Rose Roberts, who lived in Deer Lodge. Frank was an elderly retired Northern Pacific Railroad Bonita/Clinton section foreman who maintained their small sparse two-room rented home while Rose was employed as a practical nurse/matron and resided at the Warm Springs Mental Hospital. Rose traveled occasionally back and forth between Warm Springs and Deer Lodge on the Northern Pacific “Galloping Goose” as neither grandparent owned, nor was capable of driving a vehicle.
    Their grandfather died when Gary and Fay entered Powell County High School as freshmen, requiring them to live alone for two years. Fay married early in their junior year and departed Deer Lodge. Gary remained in the house by himself except for continued visits by his grandmother.
    Gary worked as seasons and schooling permitted, delivering newspapers, pin setting in a bowling alley, pool hall and restaurant dishwasher, and immediately joined the U.S. Navy, where he qualified to become a Naval Aviation Cadet. Immaturity led Gary to resign after six months of flight training and returned to Deer Lodge with an honorable discharge.
    With the ongoing United Nations action in Korea and the expectation of being drafted into the U.S. military, he decided to enlist into the U.S. Army. Eventually, after basic training and Ft. Benning, Ga., parachute jump school, he was assigned in March 1953 to the original Tenth and Seventy-Seventh Special Forces Groups, spending the remainder of his enlistment at Smoke Bomb Hill, Fort Bragg, N.C., receiving his honorable discharge in June 1955.
    Gary applied for a position with the U.S. Forest Service Smoke Jumper program in Missoula shortly before his U.S. Army departure, believing he had a strong chance of acceptance because of his military training and experience. He had earned senior jumping status, jump master, rigger and heavy drop qualified. He had also undergone mountain climbing training in Colorado and glacier climbing in Wyoming. The Forest Service responded that Gary was not qualified. That rejection remained as a lifelong regret.
    Shortly after returning to Deer Lodge from the army, Gary was offered a ride in a pickup truck by Alice Brenton. This fortuitous encounter resulted in a whirlwind courtship ending with their marriage in Butte by a blind JP in February 1956. With GI eligibility, and Alice’s urging, Gary enrolled in the fall of 1957 at the Montana School of Mines in Butte. Ongoing, Gary worked as a Butte miner, as a head driller in an open pit phosphate mine near Garrison, at the ACM smelter in Anaconda, railroad switchman and as a welder’s helper on a natural gas pipeline between Deer Lodge and Missoula.
    Meanwhile two daughters, Kary and Kim, were added to Alice and Gary’s family. They then moved to Missoula where Gary graduated from the University of Montana in June 1961. Gary spent the summers in Missoula employed by the U.S. Forest Service mineral survey investigating mining claims throughout Region One, including paid extended horse back trips into the Bob Marshall and Absaroka Wildernesses.
    After receiving his UM degree, the U.S. Naval Photo Interpretation Center in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., offered Gary a photo interpreter position, where he remained for 11 months. During this period, Alice gave birth to their son, Montana, a name Alice agreed to in a weak moment shortly after leaving the delivery room.
    A career change occurred at this time when Gary was notified that he had been accepted as a Central Intelligence Agent Officer Trainee. He became a National Clandestine Service staff/case operations officer upon completion of a year plus training in foreign intelligence collection and paramilitary operations at a Virginia facility and Panama.
    In 1964 another daughter, Shawn, joined the family in Virginia as they were preparing for Gary’s initial overseas assignment in northern Laos for two years where he lived with and supported indigenous tribesmen who opposed Communist Lao forces during the Laos civil war. Several overseas and domestic assignments occurred thereafter with family accompaniment depending upon the security / condition of the foreign area concerned.
    Gary retired overtly as a CIA NCS staff officer and followed that up with two other retirements as a CIA independent contractor that altogether spanned approximately 34 years. He participated in covert action, foreign liaison, paramilitary and counter terrorism operations, concluding his career as a training officer at the same facility where his career began. He was active in Panama, Thailand, Laos, South Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Jamaica/Bahamas, Spain, Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq and Afghanistan in addition to the U.S.
    He climbed Mount Powell near Deer Lodge on Aug. 17 1959 (Hebgen Lake earthquake) and again on his birthday at the age of 65. Twice, in his early 80s, he made the trek to the “M” on Mount Sentinel near the U of MT in Missoula.
    In retirement, Gary was a volunteer VA driver into his late 80s; the Montana Adopt a Highway cleanup program for 15 years; America Reads tutor at Polson Linderman School for five years; and, as an avid Griz fan, was a Mission Valley Grizzly Scholarship Association board member for several years.
    Gary is preceded in death by his daughter Kary Erickson; maternal grandparents; sister, Fay “Mickey;” 15-year-old granddaughter in Missoula on Dec 26, 2009; in-laws Al and Kathryn Brenton; surrogate parents, Margaret and Phil.
    Gary is survived by his wife Alice of 69 years, (missed 70 years by 2 months); daughters, Kim Erb and Shawn Erb Cearley, son Montana “Kip” Erb; granddaughters, Erin Dunn, Caitlin Erb, Hanna Erb and Jacey Erb; grandson Brannon Cearley and great-grandson Dominick; all but adopted daughter Debbie Franck and children Chad, Cara and Christina; nieces Teresa Sullivan, Shannon Neubauer and Kathy Mullins; nephews Brad Neubauer and Guy Neubauer.
    Gary’s request was to be cremated, and at his request, no services will be rendered. A wake service will be held during warmer times. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

    Walter Lee Boese, 75, of Deer Lodge, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Nov. 18, at Community Hospital of Anaconda.
    Walter was born in Detroit, Mich., on July 3, 1950, to Walter Henry and Dolores Patricia (Shattuck) Boese. He graduated from Fraser High School in Fraser, Mich., in 1968, and attended the University of Alaska from 1972 to 1973, pursuing a liberal arts degree, which included Police Science, Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology. 
In 1967, two crazy kids met, dated, and fell in love, and on Oct. 18, 1969, he married the love of his life, Gail Marie (Kleist). Together, they raised three incredible children, Todd Christian Boese, Shaun Patrick Boese and Kathleen Marie (Boese) Wyant. They were his greatest joy, and he would brag about each of them to anyone at any time!
    He was a true patriot and loved his country. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic from May 1970 until May 1976.
    Walter was also an avid sportsman, so in the early 80s, he moved his little family to Montana where he taught his children to love and respect the outdoors. He taught them how to camp, hunt, fish and actually read a map. Wonderful memories were made floating the Madison River, camping in Ennis every 4th of July, pheasant hunting with the boys in Glendive and teaching his daughter how to fly fish and actually tie her own flies at a very young age. He even taught his wife how to rifle and archery hunt, trap shoot and fish. One of his favorite memories was his African Safari trip that he got to take with his son, Shaun.
    He was a journeyman cabinetmaker, learning the trade from his father at Boese Wood Products. Later, he took great satisfaction in passing his love for the trade to inmates at Montana State Prison where he was the Industries Shop Supervisor from 1984 to 1995. He taught them all aspects of cabinet work and furniture construction so that upon release, they could get a good job. From 1995 to 2003, he realized his dream of owning his own company, High Country Furniture and Custom Cabinetry.
    Besides hunting and fishing, he especially enjoyed raising chickens, helping the 4-H kids with their poultry projects. In fact, he gave his grandson Wyatt a turkey, and that dang thing won Grand Champion!
    He was happiest at family get-togethers with his children and grandchildren, loved to cook and had a soft spot for his furry companions: Bear, Presley, Bruiser and Sailor, and treated each and every one like a valuable family member.
    Walter was predeceased by his father, Walter; his mother, Dolores; and his grandsons, Wyatt and Caleb Havens.
    Walter is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gail; their children, Todd Boese, Shaun Boese, and Kathleen (Kristopher) Wyant; three grandchildren, Alexandra (Keagan) Lyman, Riley Boese and Kayin Boese; siblings, Rita (Delayne) Johnecheck, Karen (Brent) Schaller and Mark (Janet) Boese; plus many cherished brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
    We find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared and the memories we will cherish forever.
    A memorial service will be held at noon on Monday, Dec. 1, at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 Missouri Ave., Deer Lodge. A luncheon will follow at the church.
    Memorials in honor of Walter are suggested to the Deer Lodge Food Pantry, 101 Milwaukee Ave, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 or to the Partnership for Animal Welfare Humane Society – “P.A.W.H.S.” - of Deer Lodge, PO Box 802, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.
    Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer condolences to the family or to share a memory of Walter.

    Betty Burk, 76, passed away peacefully at the Deer Lodge hospital and went to join her husband and love of her life on Oct. 16, 2025.
    She was born to Ed and Ida Verworn and had grown up in Garrison and had moved to Deer Lodge from there.  She was married to William (Skip) Burk for 46 years until his passing in 2012.
    Betty loved all animals, and opened her home and heart to many strays.
    Betty is survived by a daughter, Tracy Tipps, son-in-law Rick, and two grandchildren, Ryan Tipps and Kayla Sullivan; brothers and sisters Norman Verworn, Jean Scott, Shirley McFadden and Karen Scholler and Clifford Verworn, who has passed.
    A celebration of life will be at a future date for Betty and Skip in the spring.  She will be missed. Visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Betty.

    James “Jim”  Lee White, 88, a man of remarkable determination, ingenuity and adventure, passed away after a long and full life. A defining figure in Western Montana’s construction and mining history, Jim’s strength and spirit left an enduring mark on the state he loved.
    Born and raised in Deer Lodge, Jim attended Powell County High School and began a lifetime of hard work in the railroad, mining and construction industries. After surviving a severe mining accident at age 19, he recovered with trademark resolve and went on to live a life filled with exploration, craftsmanship and generosity.
    A proud member of the Operating Engineers for 69 years, Jim worked on projects across Montana and was known for his mastery of heavy equipment and unmatched work ethic.  He was still using a jackhammer well into his 80s. A passionate prospector and gold miner, he helped relocate the Crooked River dredge to Virginia City and supplied authentic mining artifacts for Disneyland Paris’ Big Thunder Mountain attraction.  Jim made Helena his home since 1980 and enjoyed many years of gold mining on his properties at Cave Gulch at Canyon Ferry and in Basin.
    Along with his encyclopedia knowledge of cars, Jim’s sharp memory and creative resourcefulness gave way to many lifelong friendships. As a devoted Jehovah’s Witness, he was known for his kindness and willingness to help others.
    Jim is preceded in death by his siblings, Terry White, and Marjie Scarf (Jack) and sons, Thane and Shane White.
    He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Donna White; his children, Linda “AJ” Hoenig (Chic), James “Jimmy” White (Karen), Cindy Marshall, Shawn White (Kat) and Tressie White; along with his sister, Betty Main (Jack) and sister-in-law, Kathy White.
    He leaves behind 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family, all of whom carry forward his love of family, adventure and hard work.
    A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m., May 2, 2026, at the Helena Indian Alliance, 501 Euclid Ave., Helena.