​Sandy Acord, 84, who had been residing in Deer Lodge, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, with loving family members at her side. Sandy was born in New York, N.Y., on June 21, 1938, and grew up in several places as a (in her words) “Navy Brat.” She spent many of her young adult years in Baltimore, Md., where she attended Sparrows Point High School and later married to start her family. She was the wife of Victor E. Acord and the proud mother of seven children.
Sandy was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend. She never said an unkind word about anyone. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, Vic Acord, her seven children, Debbie, Terry, Karen, Kenny, Leah, Russell and Holly, 10 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and her brother, Wayne Martin. She will be sorely missed.
Sandy was strong in her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness and had many spiritual brothers and sisters who will also miss her dearly; she touched people’s hearts wherever she went.
Services will be determined at a later date for her family and friends.

“Edie” passed away at the age of 90 of natural causes on Feb. 6, 2023, surrounded by family in Walnut Creek, Calif. Edie was born on Sept. 7, 1932, in White Sulphur Springs, Mont., to Montie and Alma McAfee, and siblings Kenneth, Dale and Carol.
Spending many of her formative years in White Sulphur, she formed what would become lifelong friendships and family connections forever sealed with multi-annual trips to Meagher County. In 1943 the family moved for a short time to Bozeman and then finally settled in Deer Lodge where Edie graduated from Powell County High School in 1950.
Shortly after graduation, Edie began working at the Powell County Clerk and Recorder office, which is about the same time she would come to meet the love of her life, Arthur “Art” Joseph Thompson, from Gold Creek, Mont. The two were married in Deer Lodge on June 26, 1954, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A lifetime of love, family and adventure ensued thereafter.
Early in the marriage, the family followed the job opportunities of the Milwaukee Railroad that found them in Mobridge, S.D., for a stint, where their first son Art (1955) was born. Soon after, the family moved back to Montana, settling in Three Forks where they welcomed another son Gary (1956) and a daughter Peggy (1958).
In 1963, Art left the railroad for the insurance business, and the family settled in Laurel, where they would welcome sons Larry (1964) and Jarrod (1975). Laurel would go on to become home for the next four decades, and Art and Edie would become fixtures in and of the community. Edie was a dedicated homemaker taking care of children with ages spanning 20 years. She had a long-held love of sports and would become a stalwart Laurel Locomotive fan, rarely missing a home football, basketball or wrestling meet in that 40-year span.
Edie was also deeply involved with her second family at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where she routinely could be found at daily mass, serving as lector, sacristan or taking early morning calls on the prayer chain. Serving the church and those within it were a passion for her. Whether it was singing in the choir or selling kuchen at the Herbstfest, you would find Edie serving that community.
Art and Edie would go on to become founding members of the Laurel Golf Club, would travel the world and eventually welcome 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. While Art passed away in 2001, Edie would continue her adventures and could often be found on a Global Grannies trip somewhere in the world, all the while always finding the time to make every birthday, graduation and wedding, eventually leading to her grandchildren’s moniker of ‘Granny Goose.’ She always flew in for the festivities and a good game of Scrabble or cribbage.
Living a long and fruitful life, Edie was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings.
Edie is survived by her children Art, Gary, Peggy (Perry) Mullinix, Larry (Sheila) and Jarrod (Christen) Thompson; her grandchildren Travis, Lauren, Garrick (Emily), Dylan (Amanda), Aidan (Easton) Purchio, Connor Mullinix, Kelci, Meghan (Dimitry) Belenkov, Walker, Cole, Noah and Avery; and her great-grandchildren Beau and Cy Purchio, Kennedy, Elaine and Niko.
Edie spent the last few years of her life in Walnut Creek, under the care of her daughter Peggy and the extended California family that loved her. A celebration of life and a mass at St. Anthony’s will take place sometime this summer; at that time Art and Edie will be rejoined at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel. ​

​Elizabeth C. Needles of Ovando, 85, passed away suddenly and without permission Jan. 28, 2023. Elizabeth was born in Big Timber to William (Bill) and Isabel Dickinson, May 15, 1937. Elizabeth attended high school in Deer Lodge. Elizabeth grew up in the logging camps of Montana. Shortly after high school, she fell in love and married Woodrow (Woody) W. Needles Jr. at the young age of 18 in Missoula on June 3, 1955.
Of this marriage, four wild and crazy children were born: Arlene, Julie, and the twins, Teddy and Terry. In between the years of the late 50s and early 70s, Woody and Elizabeth moved back and forth several times between Montana and Grass Valley, Calif., eventually making their home in Ovando in the summer of 1976. Elizabeth was a homemaker and worked for Leo Bush at Trixi’s for a few years. Elizabeth, Woody and so many friends enjoyed pinochle and marble parties most every Friday and Saturday evening. She enjoyed motorcycles but had a love of 4-wheelers, trailing all over the Ovando area, especially up Ovando Mountain with Woody and several of their close friends.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Isabel; husband of 65 years, Woody; son, Terry; sister, Elsie Dickinson; brothers William (Billy) Dickinson, James (Jimmy) Dickinson; and son-in-law, Leo Bush.
Elizabeth is survived by her daughters; Arlene Bush of Missoula; Julie (Robert) Morgan of Sun River; son Teddy Needles of Ovando. Grandchildren: Kristie (Doug) Nelson, Barbara (Stacey) Forseth and Riki House. Great-grandchildren: Kyla and Garrett Nelson and Tanisha Albrecht and Tanin House. Siblings: John (Gin) Dickinson and Barbara Dickinson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ovando Fire Department or to the Ovando Sew and So Club.
Arrangements are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory in Missoula.

Don Richardson, 95, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 27, 2023, at home.
Born in 1927 to Philip and Katherine (Gill) Richardson in Saint Maries, Idaho, Don was a veteran, serving in the Navy in WWII and the Marines in Korea. He worked in Law Enforcement most of his life, including the Deer Lodge Police and security officer for the Anaconda Company.
Don spent a lot of time on his uncle’s ranch in South Dakota and loved horses, riding many miles in the saddle and working cattle. He rode in the Pony Express 100th Anniversary from Deer Lodge to Gold Creek in 1966 and operated his own saddle shop, Richardson Saddlery, in Deer Lodge from 1966 to 1969. He also enjoyed shooting and flying his own aircraft.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Louise, Gene, Robert and Charles and his eldest son Michael Richardson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norita, daughters Dianne (Jim) Slater of Kingman, Kans., and Valerie (David) Williams of Deer Lodge, son Art Richardson of Havre, daughter-in-law Eileen (Mike) Richardson of Havre, and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Powell EMS Ambulance, Deer Lodge Medical Center, Drs. Johnson and Colvin, nursing staff and hospice for their wonderful care and kindness.
Many thanks to our friends and neighbors Jean and Mike Steber, Judie Lucas and Pam Bromley for all the meals and comfort.
At Don’s request there was no funeral; a celebration of life will be held this summer.

​In the early morning of Feb. 5, Denise Carole Ray, 59, of Deer Lodge, passed away. She was born in Butte to Luke and Carole Ray on April 19, 1963, and was the oldest of their three children.
Denise had three children of her own, Tony, Jessi, and Teddi, who she raised in Deer Lodge. She worked hard to provide for her family throughout the years, working as a waitress and a few other professions. Denise loved being around her family, above all, her grandkids. They were the light of her life, as she was in theirs. She enjoyed spending time outdoors in the summer, especially if it meant she could go rock hounding.
Denise had a smile that could light up a room and the heart to match it. She is preceded in death by her parents, Luke and Carole Ray, and her daughter, Teddi Forsman.
She is survived by her son Tony (Shelby) Forsman, her daughter Jessi (Joe) Gwin, her two brothers Luke (Brenda) Ray and Dean Ray, her grandkids Holly, Cambrie, Brooklynn, Taitem, Brylee, McKenna, Parker, and Logan, her dog Izzy, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at First Baptist Church, 127 Sam Beck Road in Deer Lodge. There will be a one-hour viewing and visitation for family only beginning at 9 a.m. A one-hour viewing and visitation for the public will take place beginning at 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. A graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral service at Hillcrest Cemetery, W. Milwaukee Ave., Deer Lodge. Following the graveside service, a potluck luncheon will be held at the Community Center of Powell County, 416 Cottonwood Ave, Deer Lodge.
Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Denise.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home has been privileged to care for Denise and her family.

Bonnie Rae (Cook) Berg, 90, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Jan. 25, 2023, in Deer Lodge, at the home she shared with her husband and where they raised their family. She spent her last days surrounded by her husband and children before being welcomed into the arms of her Savior.
Bonnie was born on Feb. 6, 1932, in Granger, Wash., to Charles and Ruth (Wickwire) Cook, and joined two brothers, Charles and Glenn. Bonnie’s family moved frequently during the Depression, living in Oregon, Idaho and then Garrison and Elliston.
In 1937, they moved to Deer Lodge where Bonnie attended school and graduated from Powell County High School. She was heartbroken over the death of her father in 1941. Her mother married again in 1944 to Art Hitz.
She met the love of her life, Philip Ole Berg, on a double date. They married on Aug. 10, 1951, and together built a marriage on a foundation of faith over 71 years. They were blessed with five children: Jim, Ole, Jon (JD), Paul and Lisa. She was a strong woman who found joy in raising four boys and was delighted when she and Phil welcomed a girl to the family. The family enjoyed spending time in the hills around Powell County and at Rock Creek Lake.
In addition to managing their household, Bonnie was the bookkeeper for Phil’s business, Berg Construction. Bonnie and Phil loved dogs, and for many years they bred and raised shelties. Their home was blessed over the years with many wonderful dogs who were always considered part of the family.
Bonnie was thrilled to be a grandmother to Rip, Katrina, Callie, Ty, Griff, Laine, Kaehl, Candra, Karlee, Tyrel and Georgiana, and 23 great-grandchildren.
Bonnie was an excellent cook, an exquisite seamstress and a wonderful hostess. Everyone who entered their home was greeted with a warm “hello” and hug. She was actively involved with the women’s groups at the First Christian Church and the Deer Lodge Assembly of God. She will be missed by her loved ones and friends.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her father, Charles; mother, Ruth and stepfather, Art Hitz; brother, Charles “Chuck” and wife, Joan Cook; brother, Glenn and wife, Dede Cook; and sister-in-law Andrea Lawrence and husband, Bob. She is survived by her husband, Phil, and five children: Jim and Charla (Vanisko) Berg of Deer Lodge; Ole and Elizabeth (McKee) Berg of Deer Lodge; Jon and Sandy (Kratzer) Berg of Marshall, Va.; Paul and Colleen (Gaub) Berg of Billings; and Sam and Lisa (Berg) Bignell of Helmville.
Her legacy continues through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
No services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews or a charity of the donor’s choice. ​