It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and brother, Noel T. Davidson, 93, on Feb. 12, 2025. He was a man whose integrity, dedication and quiet wisdom touched the lives of all who knew him.
    Noel was born in Thief River Falls, Minn., during the Great Depression, to Nels and Pearl (Thompson) Davidson. At the age of 2, Noel and his mother relocated to Pearl’s family farm in Cando, N.D. He recounted cherished memories of his upbringing on the farm, surrounded by loving grandparents, aunts and uncles. Pearl married Philip Henry, and five more children were born: Clarence, Duane, Sharon, Terry and Larry. At 14, Noel assumed responsibility for his Uncle John and Aunt Bernice’s farm while his Uncle John recovered from a back injury, forming an indelible work ethic.
    As a young man, Noel and a friend ventured west to find work and settled in Deer Lodge. Here he married Edna Hurlbert, and they were blessed with four children. Following his divorce from Edna, Noel continued to raise his family with a legacy of love, care and dedication. Noel later married Linda Eastman, spending 49 years together with many adventures and so much love along the way.
Noel began a 35-year career in corrections at the old Montana State Prison in downtown Deer Lodge as a Correctional Officer. He moved up through the ranks and retired as a Security Manager at the new facility built west of Deer Lodge. Noel enjoyed his job, and he earned the respect of colleagues and inmates alike with his integrity and calm demeanor.
    Noel’s passion for golf, bowling, snowmobiling, four wheeling and the Saddle Club sparked his excitement for life, which he lived to the fullest. He cherished the lifelong friendships that he developed from these connections.
    Noel is survived by wife Linda of Deer Lodge; his children Gary (Ellen) Davidson of Alaska, Sherry (Stan) Glovan of Deer Lodge, John (Robin) Davidson of Wisconsin and Nancy Hall of Alaska; brothers Duane and Terry (Arliss) Henry and sister Sharon Laverdure of North Dakota; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
    He is preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Philip Henry, brothers Larry and Clarence Henry and son-in-law Donald Hall.
    Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff of Renaissance Senior Care, Deer Lodge for the compassionate care and support they provided to our beloved father and husband during his time with you. The kindness, patience and dedication you showed in caring for him brought our family great comfort, especially in his final days. Special thanks and appreciation to     Honey Bee Hospice for their kindness, support and professionalism.
    Services for Noel were held on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PAWHS, P.O. Box 283 Deer Lodge, MT 59722 or Honeybee Hospice of Butte, 3099 Grand Ave., Butte, MT 59701.
    His extraordinary legacy of love, hard work and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Rest in peace. You will forever be missed, but never forgotten.
    Please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Noel.

    Mary Jane Collins, 80, passed away peacefully at her home Feb. 17, 2025. Elvis finally got to meet his “biggest fan!”
    Born Sept. 20, 1944, to Kenneth and Geraldine Knepple in Niles, Mich., Jane would spend the next 80 years writing her story. Growing up in San Diego with her cherished siblings, Suzanne, Ruth and Tom, they spent their days pulling taffy and enjoying the beach.
After graduating high-school in 1963, Jane crossed paths with a boy from Montana who was stationed with the Navy in San Diego. That boy, Ronald Collins, would take Jane as his beloved wife, June 8, 1963.
    After starting their family in San Diego, Ron and Jane moved back to Montana. They spent time in Philipsburg before permanently laying roots in Deer Lodge. Six children would complete their family.
Jane worked many years as a cook at 4B’s, as well as other restaurants before settling in at the hospital, where she would retire.
    She loved to sew, and many grandkids received the gifts of her quilts. Many a morning  you would find Jane downtown having coffee with her “coffee gals,” oh the gossip!
Her family was her smile, and with her six kids, rarely a year would pass starting in 1987 that a new limb wasn’t added to the family tree.
    Jane is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ronald Collins;  her six (6GR8) kids, Art (Audrey) Collins, Steve (Julie) Collins,  Guy Collins, Sheryl (Scott) Fitzpatrick, David (Jennifer) Collins and Diane (Mike) Williams. Those six kids would bless Jane with 31 (including spouses) grandchildren and 16 beautiful great-grandchildren.  With that, her story is far from over.
    She is also survived by her brother Tom, and special niece Robyn Baesler.
    She is preceded in death by her father  and her mother,  Kenneth and Geraldine Knepple; sisters, Suzanne and Ruth.
    A celebration of life was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Deer Lodge Community Center. A luncheon immediately follows.  We welcome everyone in remembering our beautiful wife, mother  and grandma.
    Please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Mary.

    RoseMary L. Brown, 75, passed away Feb. 9, 2025 in Butte with her family close by.
    RoseMary was born in Missoula on March 29, 1949, and raised on a ranch between Maxville and Hall. She attended school in Lolo, then a one-room school in Maxville, and Granite High School. RoseMary married her high school sweetheart, Samuel, on April 4, 1967, and they were together for close to 58 years. During those years, she lived in numerous states and once overseas in Australia.
    RoseMary worked at a few different jobs, but her most important job was raising her children. There were two children out of this marriage, Laura and Sam Jr.
    RoseMary was well known for her love of animals, ranging from horses to dogs, the current being her dog Ralphie.
    She was preceded in death by her father, Alan Boomer; mother, Laura Johnston; step-mother, Evelyn Boomer; and one sister, Bobbylee Farrier.
    She is survived by her husband, Samuel; daughter, Laura; granddaughter, Ashley; great-grandchildren, Chrissy and Austin; son, Sam Jr.; and grandchildren, Jamie, Steven and Jessica; brother, Allen Boomer; and sister, Jackie Lingle.
    A graveside service will be held in the spring or summer.

    On the evening of Jan. 25, 2025, Joe passed away of Frontal Temporal Dementia while being cared for by the wonderful staff at the Granite County Medical Center and surrounded by loved ones. Joe was 61 years old.
    Joe was born in the town of Sharon, Penn., to Charles J. Pence and Patricia (Leonard) Pence. Joe had many occupations in his life. He worked for the USPS, he was a gunsmith, farrier and worked for the IBEW as a groundsman. He had a love for football, horses, trapping, hunting, snowmobiling with friends and collecting guns. He liked to buy vehicles that he told his dad were “cherry.” Playing card games and dice games with friends made him happy. He always looked forward to relaxing and having a “dilly” (drink) with his close friends.
    Joe’s favorite activity was being an avid and vocal cheerleader at all of his daughter’s sports and writing articles for sports in the Philipsburg Mail.
    Joe is survived by his spouse, Teresa (McKinney) Pence; his daughters, Anna Pence, Heather Winsett (step-daughter); his parents, Ernest and Patricia Hemmerly; his siblings, Tim (Mary Beth) Pence, Adam (Caren) Pence, Dana (Tony) Nelson and Candi (Pence) Heckathorn, as well as several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
    Joe is preceded in death by his biological father, Charles J. Pence; his brother, Christopher Pence; maternal grandparents, Lois and Anna Leonard, Claude and Lenora Pence, Martha Hemmerly.
    A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held in June. Joe will truly be missed by all.
We ask that any memorial donations be made to the Philipsburg Schools in support of the sports programs.

    Joshua Charles Brenton (Josh) was born in Deer Lodge on Sept. 14, 1979, to Sandy Brenton (Williamson) and Tommy Paull. He passed on too soon in his home on Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh was a loving, giving and caring father to his two children, Kemrai and Aiden Brenton, and granddaughter Delila Groves.
    He found great joy in his hobbies including motorcycling and jamming to his music, but his favorite past-time was teaching, mentoring, guiding, protecting and providing for his loved ones.
He will be rejoined with his father, Tommy; Special Aunt, Janie; Grandmas, Edie and Joanie; and his grandfathers, Donald and Charlie.
    He is survived by his children, Kemrai and Aiden; his mother, Sandy, and her husband; his ex-wife, Amber; and his special cousin, Meranda; and many more.
We would like to specially thank Uncle & Aunt Chuck and Jonna Brenton.
There will be a celebration of life and spreading of ashes to be determined at a later date.
    R.I.P - you will be missed more than you know.

    Eleanor M. Wallin, 96, of Deer Lodge, died on Jan. 25, 2025. She was born on Nov. 27, 1928, in Hoople, N.D., the daughter of Theodore H. Midboe and Agnes (Johnson) Midboe.
    She received her education in Hoople and a B.A. degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church.
    Survivors are her sons Eric (Todd) (Terri McConnell) and Paul (Barb Bjornemo). She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harlan, husband Lloyd and her sister Beverly Grubb.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Rialto Theatre, William K. Kohrs Public Library or the Renaissance Assisted Living Center.

    Gladys M. Zlotnicki, 93, passed away Jan. 23 in Sanford, N.C. She was predeceased by her husband, Major B.M. Zlotnicki (U.S.A.F. – Retired).
    Gladys was born in Lewistown, Mont., and raised in Deer Lodge. She graduated from Powell County High School and attended the University of Montana for two years. She then moved to Albuquerque, N.M., with Sandia Laboratories. It was there she applied for a Civil Service position overseas and in 1956 departed to Madrid, Spain, to work in the Joint United States Military Group. Her position required a Top Secret security clearance, working knowledge of the Spanish language and “a great deal of discretion” while working for three different general officers. During her off time she went to bull fights (even got in the ring a couple of times with younger bulls), acted in plays, and met Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway and pilot Jackie Cochran.
    She met and married 1st Lieutenant “Nick” Zlotnicki while in Spain on the Rock of Gibraltar and had their first child, Kristina Marie, in Madrid. Upon her husband’s transfer to Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., her son Michael Steven was born. The family went on to six more base assignments in Maryland, Colorado, Washington again, Nebraska, Guam and South Carolina (retiring there). Nick spent many months abroad on various deployments, so Gladys often had to be Mom and Dad and credited those “alone” times for preparing her for life after his death in 2020. At various times, Gladys enjoyed bowling, volunteering, reading, cooking, sewing, bridge, decoupage and figure draping. She was there for her children’s every sporting event or activity.
    Later in life, she loved being a grandmother, doting on her four grandchildren. She babysat during teacher workdays, stayed for weeks when each child was born, traveled to birthdays wherever, and attended countless dance recitals and school graduations. She found joy in any situation in her busy life. Even as her health declined, her sense of humor and love of life never wavered.
    Gladys is survived by daughter Kristina (husband Marty Boermeester and granddaughter Katie) of Windham, N.H., and son Michael (wife Renee and granddaughters Caroline, Olivia and Nicole) of Garner, N.C.
    There will be no formal services at Gladys’ request. Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home in Sanford is handling cremation, and her ashes will be interred in Sanford and spread off the Outer Banks and in Montana.
    Donations can be made to hospice, any shelter or rescue (women’s, pets, homeless, vets) and the Red Cross.
    The family wishes to thank Parkview Retirement Village and Amedisys Hospice for the wonderful care and comfort Mom received, as well as singing with her (also many thanks to Mr. Luke for a special playlist).
    Gladys, a woman of principle and opportunity, lived life on her terms with joy and love for friends and family.
    “I shall be telling this with a sigh, Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost    Arrangements by Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home. Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.