On the evening of Jan. 1, 2024, Sam left her earthly home and went to her heavenly home! She was 72 years old.
She was born Betty Rae Davenport on Nov. 6, 1951, to Burton Davenport and Orvabelle (Leach) Davenport in Pomeroy, Wash. She has a brother who is a year older.
Raised on a ranch outside of Starbuck, Wash., as a young girl, she loved to ride to the breaks of the Snake River and watch the Little Goose Dam construction. Along the way, she became known as “Sam” with the beautiful red hair. Whether she was in her car, on a motorcycle or her horse, she liked to go fast. She was a fearless woman!
She was married for a short time in the late 60s and had a son, Shane, whom she dearly loved.
In the early 70s she had a terrible toboggan accident, which left her hospitalized for quite a while. After that it was a virus that paralyzed her for 6 months, a car accident and a horse wreck. Through all the trials she never complained about anything, and her faith in Jesus Christ grew stronger!
By the late 70s, she was one of McCollum Ford’s top salespersons. During this time, she also represented the Diamond Spur Rodeo as their Queen for 4 years. The audience loved to watch her come into the arena full speed with the flag and her red hair flying behind!
After that she worked in the insurance industry and traveled the states of Washington, Idaho and Montana. She made many lifelong friends from that.
She met the love of her life, Bruce, in July of 1995 on a benefit trail ride in northern Idaho. They married July 19, 1997, and she joined her husband in his saddle shop (Sweetwater Saddlery) in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. She helped at all the shows including the Black Hills Stock Show and was a very important part of the business. She enjoyed doing the shows and meeting horse people, hearing their stories and telling hers. She always had something good to say to everyone and would share her faith in Jesus with everyone.
A few years later they bought a small ranch and ran it and the saddle shop. She loved doing both. She was tireless and wouldn’t stop till the sun went down. She was also an excellent gardener, and many people enjoyed stuff from her garden. She had a strong dislike for weeds and would not allow them to exist on her place!
When they sold the ranch and semi-retired, they built a house in the woods. She designed it the way she wanted it and helped build it from the ground up. She was a very talented woman. Truly a Western girl.
A loving mother, wife and best friend!
You are Loved!
See you in Heaven!
Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Sam.

Malinda Jane Weston McKinnon, 43, of Deer Lodge, died Saturday, Jan. 13, due to complications with diabetes and pneumonia. She was born to Jerry and Brenda Weston on Feb. 17, 1980, in Salt Lake City. Malinda graduated from Powell County High School in 1998 and went on to receive an Associates of Science degree in Practical Nursing. She was married to Donald McKinnon from June of 1998 until they separated in 2012.
Malinda was a passionate Licensed Practical Nurse. She was well known for her ability to comfort patients and teach new recruits. She was fond of the peaceful falls in Lost Creek State Park where she often visited during summer.
Malinda was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Wayne Weston; her niece, Katee Gene Bohrer; and her daughter, Aspen Jayne Weston.
Malinda is survived by three children: Jordyn McKinnon, Ashyr McKinnon and Jaxyn Weston, all of Deer Lodge; her mother, Brenda Weston of Butte; and sisters, Amanda (Nelson) Bohrer of Deer Lodge and Bonnie (Dennis) O’Donnell of Anaconda.
Services have been set for 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, at Assembly of God Church in Deer Lodge, 601 5th St. Potluck to follow next door.

Joseph Yankoskie, 88, of Deer Lodge, passed away Dec. 25, 2023, at St. Patrick Hospital, in Missoula.
The son of Joseph and Mary (Tomko) Yankoskie, he was born July 9, 1935, in Sheppton, Penn. Joseph moved a lot through his childhood due to his father serving in the United States Air Force. He graduated High School from Ramey Air Base in Puerto Rico. He continued his education at Louisiana State University; transferred to the University of Pittsburgh; then transferred to Montana State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Joe began his working career as a Juvenile Detention Officer in Bozeman. He took the psychologist position at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, working there until his retirement.
Joseph was united in marriage with Carol Vitoch on Sept. 12, 1961, in Bozeman; three children were born to this union.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors and was a talented fly fisherman. He later fell madly in love with golf and spent as much time on the links as possible. Joe volunteered the last several summers at the golf course. He loved animals, especially his dogs: Missy, Star and lastly, Buddy, who went everywhere with Joe. He cherished the time he was able to spend with his family and loved ones. Above all else, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol Yankoskie; children Joseph John (Wendi) Yankoskie; Jan Marie (Stuart) Sutherland; Leigh Ann Yankoskie; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; siblings, Carol (Ron) Kimball, Virginia Yankoskie, Irene Sosh, Albert Sosh, Jr.; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Joe is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Yankoskie; stepfather, Albert J. Sosh; and his mother, Mary (Yankoskie) Sosh.
In memory of Joseph Yankoskie, please send donations to Deer Park Golf Course, 838 Golf Course Road, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 and/or cards to Carol Yankoskie, 214 Clark St., Deer Lodge, MT 59722
No funeral is planned at this time.

Anna Marie Dixon Collinsworth, 84, passed away peacefully at the Weston County Manor in Newcastle, Wyo., on Dec. 20, 2023.
Anna Marie was born April 1, 1939, in Deer Lodge, to David and Catherine (Weidenfeller) Dixon.
She lived her whole life in Deer Lodge before moving to Newcastle in August 2017 to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren.
Anna Marie is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jerry Dixon.
She is survived by her sons, David Stinson and Tim (Kathy) Stinson; daughters, Cheryl (Bryan) Gardner and Penny (Carl) Lenardson of Newcastle; eight grandchildren, Justin (Abbey) Steber, Lindsey (Matt) Gregory, Ryan (Kim) Scharf, Tony (Kara) Lenardson, all of Newcastle, Kristen (Reynaldo) Tortoledo of Calgary, Canada, Heather (Mark) Husman of Casper, Wyo., Justin (Laura) Blake and Branden (Emily) Blake of Ennis; 11 great grandchildren, Macy and Jacob Steber, Mason Scharf, Tanner and Taylor Lenardson, all of Newcastle, Ollie and Lily Husman of Casper, Aubrey, Ava, Carter and Miley Blake of Ennis.
Anna Marie will be put to rest with her parents at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge at a later date.
You may sign her online guestbook at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.

​On Jan. 3, Sheila, 77, passed away peacefully with her sister present at the Ivy Assisted Care Facility in Deer Lodge, from natural causes.
Sheila was born April 12, 1946, in Bozeman, to Wilbur and Sandra Hinsen. On July 26, 1964, Sheila married the love of her life and best friend, Dan Jones in Bozeman. They moved to Deer Lodge in 1976, where she first worked at the Soft Touch Lounge. She then was employed at Montana State Prison for 13 years in the mailroom, as a receptionist and switchboard operator. She went on to Deer Lodge Drug for 7 years until it closed. She finished working in 2006 at the I-90 Gas Station.
Sheila enjoyed doing all kinds of crafts and collecting such things as Micky Mouse items and chicken-themed figures for her kitchen. She loved to travel; most memorable for her were trips to Disneyland with her son, Robert, and to Anchorage with her son, Jeff, to see her grandchildren. Her trip of a lifetime was to Hawaii in 2007, with Dan and all her children.
She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every minute spent with them was a cherished memory. Christmas was her favorite holiday, especially if she had children and grandchildren home for the holidays.
Sheila is survived by her loving husband, Daniel R. Jones, and her three loving children: Kim and Dennis Morelock, Robert and Sheri Jones, and Jeff and Polly Jones. Grandchildren: Lonnie and Amanda Persons, Matthew and Kyra Persons, Ryan Jones, Jordyn Jones, Manasse Jones, Maya Jones. Great-grandchildren: Rodger, Tailynn, Jace, Alaina, Quinnlynn and Qorbin. Sister: Penny and Clint Roy.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Sandra Hinsen; brothers: Leonard and Lonnie Hinsen; and her incredibly special mother-in-law, Ella Mae Jones.
A graveside ceremony to inter the ashes will be at the Deer Lodge Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. A luncheon for family and friends will follow at the Broken Arrow in downtown Deer Lodge.
Please make any donations to PAWHS; any animal shelter; or a charity of choice.

​Ray James Browning, 91, of Hamilton, Mont., passed away on Dec. 25, 2023, of natural causes at home. He was born to Theodore Telford Browning Sr. and Kathrine M Norick Browning on Timber Creek in Montana at his uncle’s home (Thomas Browning).
Ray worked on ranches and in the phosphate mines in Avon. He worked for Davies Farm Supply for 24 years and sold farm equipment, and when Davies changed hands, Ray became your friendly helpful gas delivery man before retiring. He was the mayor of Macaroni Flats, and no one was a stranger to him.
He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Catherine Van Dyke Browning, in Bozeman on Sept. 15, 1956. They resided on the farm on Blodgett Creek for 57 years.
Ray was proud of his four children and who they had become. Timothy (Susan)Browning, and their daughters Lisa (Paul) Jarvis and their twin girls Zoey and Olivia: Sarah (Mark)VanDyke and their children Kaara, Declan and Forrest. Laurel (Chris) Owings and her four kids LaDawn (Eric) McMillan and their kids Gage and Karsen: Stacey (Duane) Horvath and their children Justin, Drake (Ciera) Horvath: Ashlee (Casey) Cushing and their children Madysen and Bradyn, Jacade Owings. Paul Browning. James (Sarah) Browning and their children Shawn (Evan) Browning and their son Kelson and Arlo: Tara Browning (Mike Saiz) and their children Brantley and Jace: Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The service will be January 2, 2024 at Daly Leach Chapel at 11 AM with Gretchen Strohmaier officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Hamilton and reception to follow at Daly Leach Chapel. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com