LaVerne Hyvonen-Dunbar, 81, born on April 10, 1943, passed away on Oct. 11, 2024, after a lengthy respiratory illness. 
    She went to school in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School, Class of 1961.
Preceding LaVerne in death was her husband, Duane Dunbar; son, Mark Greenfield; parents, John and Bertha Hyvonen; and brother, Robert Hyvonen.
    She is survived by her two daughters, Sheri Cook and Carla Larsen, both of Las Vegas, Nev.; brother, Thomas Hyvonen of Santa Fe, N.M.; grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
    LaVerne was a loving Mother, daughter, sister and aunt. Her wishes were to have no services

     Janet Parke, 72, of Drummond, passed away on Wednesday, June 18. For obituary, service information and to leave condolences, visit www.gardencityfh.com.

    Victor Kasper Lewis, 77, of Conrad, Mont., passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on May 30.
   Vic was born May 20, 1948, in Seattle, to Victor H. and Vivian M. Lewis. He was a successful businessman, owning and running two auto shops, world famous for his custom radiators (Vic’s Custom Radiators). Made for hot rods, they were custom handmade works of art for very special vintage vehicles.
    He enjoyed hunting with his bird dogs over the years, most recently with his dog, Lily Bonkers, of field trials champion lineage, gifted to him by Jan. Together they trained her to be a fine bird dog, and they spent many joyful years hunting with each other.
    In addition to hunting, Vic also loved nature, fishing and sharing his rock shop skills. He chased pheasants and ducks in Eastern WA/MT, salmon and crab in Hood Canal, Wash., and deer in Terry, Mont. Vic really loved living in Montana, and it was a nice change of pace as he retired from the hustle of Washington where he built his career.
    Vic was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Gail L. Lewis. Vic is survived by his children, Victor A. Lewis and Paul Milner; as well as his partner, Jan Johnson, who loved him dearly.
    Vic has been cremated, and an interment ceremony will take place at a later date in Deer Lodge.

    WWII Veteran assigned to Ship U.S.S. Knox APA46, Richard William Newens, known to most as “Dad,” 99, of Deer Lodge, passed away on May 22. Dad was born on Jan. 4, 1926, to Forest and Sylvia (Warehime) Newens in Willard, Colo. He passed away at home, in his easy chair, with Jan and Gerald by his side.
    Richard proudly served his country in World War II in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Knox (APA-46). His time in the military was a source of great pride and honor for him throughout his long life.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roy and Charles; sister, Maxene; our mother, Juanita; and his soul mate, our stepmom, Sheila Rachel.
    He is survived by his son, Charles Newens and his wife, Janet; daughter, Jan Bender and her husband, Gerald; granddaughters, Lydia Mitchell and her husband, Eric Knight, Tabitha Mangum and her husband, Jamell, and Sonja Crum and her husband, Chris; great-grandchildren, Madison Hall and her husband, Kyle, Sheldon Davis and his wife, Crystal, and Jayson Davis; five great-great-grandchildren; and his cherished Valley Foods Family.
    The family of Richard would like to extend a special thanks to Nurse Becky, Chaplain Barb and all the staff at Stillwater Hospice for the outstanding compassion and care they provided to Dad in his final days.
    A celebration of Dad’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 19, at Deer Lodge Elks Lodge, 230 Main St., Deer Lodge. A luncheon will follow at the lodge.
    In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Elk’s Lodge 1737, memo line: Veteran Quilt Project, P.O. Box 777, Deer Lodge, MT 59722
    Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer condolences to the family or to share a memory of Richard. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Crematory have been privileged to care for Dad and his family.

    Lillian Long, 100, was born in Maycroft, Alberta, Canada, in a homestead cabin to Jack and Perl Roe Douglas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Harold Long, and her favorite cat, Smokey.
    Lilian rode to school on horseback from their ranch on Olin Creek in the Porcupine Hills, southwestern Alberta, Canada. She went to beauty school in Nelson, British Columbia. People at her 50th wedding anniversary asked why she and Harold got married in Superior, Mont., by the Justice of the Peace, to which she replied, “We couldn’t Wait!” She spent most of her life in Victor, Mont., where she loved to garden and cook. 
    She is survived by her five children and spouses: Huey Long and wife Barb, Sharon Mahe and husband Gary, Teresa Kern, Kathy Ahern and husband Shannon, Renee Renney and husband Bill. She has 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. 
    Memorials: in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to PAWHS Deer Lodge Partnership for Animal Welfare Humane Society or Powell County Social (Senior) Center or a charity of your choice.

    It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald Clement Pearson, 82, who passed away peacefully to heaven at Deer  Lodge Medical Center  on June 1.  Born Oct. 2, 1942, in Deer Lodge,  Donald was a kind, faithful man with a witty sense of humor who didn’t know a stranger and  touched countless lives. 
    Donald, called “Donny” by many friends and family, leaves behind  daughter and his care giver for the last  7 years,  Michelle Pearson, aka “his little buddy;” daughter  Lori Pearson Saba; son-in-law, Marwan Saba;  grandson, Joshua Saba; brother, Kenneth Pearson; and sister-in-law, LaVonne Pearson. He also leaves behind many cousins, sister and brothers-in-law, nieces,  nephews and friends  who will miss his warmth and humor.  
    He was preceeded in death by his wife of 54 years, Linda Bowman Pearson; his father, Clement Pearson; his mother, Margaret Traverso Pearson; and his infant sister, Louise Pearson.
    Donald was a dedicated employee with great values who gave 100 percent in all he did.  He started young, working at age 10 delivering papers for 8 years.  He also worked in the hay fields for Sam Beck as a teenager.  At age 17, he started his career for the USPS in Deer Lodge.  He  also worked in  Lincoln, Mont., as the postmaster for several years in the 90s. He retired at age 57 after 40 years. If you knew him, you heard his countless stories about the uni-bomber.   In his spare time, he loved hunting, fishing, reading, taking drives,  and spending time with family and friends.
    He loved spending time at his daughter Lori’s place with her farm animals, or just watching the cows in recent years, especially during calving season. He would grab a burger with Michelle and watch from the end of the land.
    Donald’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.  His memory will be forever cherished through the countless stories that will continue to be shared.  He was a Christian man who lived a life of love, integrity and compassion.
    A special thank you goes out to all his care givers at Deer Lodge Medical Center.  Your kindness to him and to us will not be forgotten.  Also, thanks to the many friends and family that came to visit him recently. He cherished this time.
    His celebration of life  will be held at his life-long church, the Assembly of God in Deer Lodge at 1 p.m., June 16, followed by a  luncheon proceeding  burial at Hillcrest Cemetery.  Donations may be made in his name to donor of choice.
    Please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer a condolence or to share a memory of Donny.

    Pamela “Pam” Rae Salveson, 73, was born June 18, 1951, in Missoula. She is the daughter of the late Al and Ethel (Erickson) Salveson and sister of the late Steven Salveson. Pam died on June 5 in Deer Lodge.
    Pam was a member of Rainbow for Girls as a teen; she later became active in the Order of the Eastern Star for 50+ years. Pam experienced great joy signing to music. After working 30+ years, she continued enjoying reading, poker club, travel adventures and shopping, lots of shopping. 
    A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 17, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. Pam will be laid to rest next to her brother. Following the graveside, a luncheon celebrating her life will be held at the Masonic Temple, 500 Main St. and Milwaukee Ave., in Deer Lodge.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Pam are suggested to the Rialto Theatre, P.O. Box 874, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or to Shriners Children’s Hospital: Shriners Children’s, Attn: Office of Philanthropy, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, or to a foundation of the donor’s choice.
    Visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Pam. 

    The family of Pamela Joan Yockim, 67, is saddened to announce her peaceful passing in Deer Lodge on May 30 with her family close by. Pamela (Pam) was born to Floyd and Violet Yockim on April 23, 1958, in Sidney, Mont.
    She was the fifth of seven children. She attended grade school in Miles City, middle school in Baker, and then moved to Deer Lodge to finish her school years. She earned an associate’s degree in accounting from Butte College of Vo Tech. Pam was a life-long resident of Deer Lodge from 1972 until her passing. 
    Pam married Darrell N. Brown on Sept. 25, 1976, and to this union three sons were born: Phillip, Thomas and Bryan. 
    Pam spent many years in the service industry working as furniture manager, restaurant manager and as a chef. She had a brief taste of restaurant ownership with her specialty in Mexican fare. She began her work at the age of 16 for a mere $1.70 per hour doing dishes and making pizzas. 
    Pam’s most treasured memories were her family. The love of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her great pleasure. She especially enjoyed their many sporting events or going to the mountains during summers or winters with the kids. Pam’s hobbies included genealogy and her family photo collection. 
    Pam is survived by her three sons, Phillip Brown, Thomas (Toni) Brown, and Bryan (Brittni) Brown; nine grandchildren, Jared, Ashlynd, Brandi, Olivia, Janie, Trenton Taylee, Brokk and Brynlee; and two great-grandchildren, Kaisen and Finley; her siblings, Steven (Gloria) Yockim, Theresa (Mark) Elletson, Pauline Shephard, Thomas (Theresa) Yockim and Patricia (Gary) Reynolds. 
    Pam was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Violet Yockim, sister Kathie E. Yockim Brown, brother in-law Clint Higle, niece Katrina Ladd and nephew Jacob Roberts. 
    Pam will be dearly missed by her loving family. We will always carry her memory in our hearts. 
A celebration of life will be held at a later date this summer. 

    Carla Eder, born Dec. 13, 1951, passed away on June 4 surrounded by her family and close friends. She was taken too early by an illness she could not beat. Do not be sad as she is now at peace and with the Lord. She can now tend her garden every day and go on adventures to find “cool” rocks. She is building the largest rock garden you have ever seen. She is survived by her two brothers, one sister, two sons, one daughter, 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two more on the way.  A celebration of life is being planned for a future date. 

    Robert Allen McElderry Sr., 75, passed away with his family by his side on May 27 in Omak, Wash. Bob was born on Dec. 11, 1949, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Dan and Jean McElderry. The family later moved to St. Ignatius, on the Flathead Reservation. Bob was a very proud member of the Salish and Kootenai Confederated Tribes.
    The family eventually settled in Deer Lodge, where Bob graduated from Powell County High School in 1969. He loved the Deer Lodge Valley and embraced his passion for hunting and fishing.
    In 1968, Bob married Cyndi Johnson. The couple had two children, Bob Jr. and Tara. They later separated in 1997.
    Throughout his life, Bob worked as a highly respected and successful project manager/grant writer for various tribes across the Northwest. He was deeply committed to supporting Native communities and was known for his ability to bring people and resources together.
    Bob had a generous heart and was always willing to lend a hand. He gave his time freely to others, often volunteering for community events and projects. He had a special gift for research and a deep love of history - particularly tribal history and regional lore.
    He was the kind of person people turned to when they needed to know the “real story” behind something. Bob’s curiosity was endless, and he was always reading, learning and sharing what he discovered.
    Later in life, Bob enjoyed photography, beading, whittling and writing stories. He also had a deep love for music, especially the songs of his youth, which he listened to often and with joy. His creativity, thoughtfulness and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures shone through in everything he did.
    Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Jean; and brothers Dan, Tom, Glen and Ken. He is survived by his children, Bob Jr. (Meaghan) McElderry and Tara (Jeff) Serles; grandchildren Maddie and Katie Serles, and Finnegan, Leo, Henry, Milo, Sam and Betty McElderry; his brother Doug (Roxie); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
    A private burial will be held at 1 p.m. on June 28 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge, led by his Masonic Brothers. A celebration of life for family and friends will follow at the Elks Lodge, located at 230 Main St., Deer Lodge.