John William Porter John William Porter, of Deer Lodge, passed away on April 20, 2016 after a long, fruitful, and good life. John was born in Lincoln, Nebr. on May 26, 1926, and spent his childhood and adolescence in Missoula, graduating from Missoula County High School in 1944. After high school, John served in the Navy during World War II as an electrician, and he enrolled in college after his discharge. John graduated from Montana State University – Bozeman in 1950 with a teaching degree and was hired as an industrial arts and science teacher at Powell County High School in 1950. John taught there for 35 years while also coaching football, advising key club, and serving as a driving instructor. John received his master’s degree in 1958 from the University of Northern Colorado. During his time in Colorado, John met the former Kay O’Brien of Iowa. They married in December of 1955 and returned to Deer Lodge where John would build the family home. John and Kay raised three daughters together and the five of them remained loving and close for the duration of John’s life. John was incredibly active in his working life and in his retirement. John enjoyed camping with his children and grandchildren; spending time in Glacier National Park; remaining very involved in his community -- including Jaycees, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, and the Deer Park Golf Club. He also enjoyed following his grandchildren’s sports; fishing and hunting; skiing with his family; riding his motorcycle; golfing; teaching his daughters, students, and grandchildren everything he knew about life; joining his coffee group friends at the Broken Arrow every morning; and working countless hours in his wood shop. John died as a result of him doing something he loved: spending time in his wood shop while working on a project around his house. John is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Julia Porter and his brother Scott Porter. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Kay, his three children Cindy Porter of Spokane, Wash., Sue (Steve) Walther of Spokane, Wash., Kathy (Paul) Thompson of Deer Lodge, his six grandchildren Brad (Niki) Weston of Hamilton, Melissa (Matt) MacDonald of Bozeman, Michaela Walther of Richland, Wash., Kara Walther of Spokane, Wash., Brian Thompson of Missoula, Cal Thompson of Helena, and his five great-grandchildren. Services were held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge, at 11 a.m. on Saturday April 23, 2016. A reception in his remembrance followed the service at the Saint Mary’s Center. Memorials should be sent to the Deer Park Golf Club. Sherry Ann Goodman Ruttenbur Sherry Ann Goodman Ruttenbur, 73, loving wife, mother and dear friend, died of complications from strokes in Missoula on April 11, 2016. She was born in Missoula on June 10, 1942 of Jack W. Goodman and Lee Goodman. Her mother died when Sherry was nine years old. Her father married Fern Downing in 1952, and her father continued his work in road construction in Montana. Through their frequent moves, Sherry attended grade schools throughout the state. When she was a sophomore, the family settled in Deer Lodge, where she attended and was graduated from Powell County High School in 1960. It was there where she met the man of her dreams and married Neil Gordon Ruttenbur on June 30, 1961. Neil’s career was as a dairyman for 36 years for Meadowgold Dairy in Missoula. Their marriage produced Loran Albert (deceased in 2002 leaving two children, Joshua and Bethany), Lee Allen (employed in the grocery business in Missoula), and daughter Christie Lynn who serves full-time in the Montana National Guard. Sherry and Neil retired full time to Seeley Lake in 1997 after building their distinctive “arch” home, workshop and garage beginning 1992. Sherry is warmly remembered by her many friends for taming deer who came to their house frequently for snacks of bread and other goodies. She taught one friend how to feed deer a slice of bread out of her mouth. Sherry worked from 1998 to 2002 at Seeley Lake’s Valley Market. She was an active member of the Quilters Guild and a volunteer for several years at the Seeley Lake Senior Center. She was a loyal supporter of the community efforts of the Seeley Lake Lion’s Club. A talented and creative cook and baker, her hobbies also included cross stitching. Sherry was an avid Seattle Mariners fan who attended several games in Seattle as well as the team’s spring training in Arizona. She leaves behind her best friend and husband, Neil, two great-grandaughters in Loran’s family, various cousins throughout the U.S. and her miniature Schnauzer, “Button.” Her final wish included no services. Contributions memorializing Sherry may be sent to the Seeley Lake Senior Center, Seeley, MT 59868. Wesley E. Lucas
Wesley E. Lucas, 82, passed away April 19, 2016. Mr. Lucas was born in Dubuque, Iowa and he spent much of his life there. He retired to his property on the mountain in Anaconda in 1994. He returned to Dubuque in 1998 to take care of his mother in her last days. In 2012, he moved back to Montana, permanently, with his long-time companion, Sally. They spent many happy hours in her house in Deer Lodge and at his cabin in Anaconda. There will be a celebration of life scheduled for sometime in July or early August that will be held on the mountain outside Anaconda where his heart lived. Comments are closed.
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