​Kenneth Paul Beck, 73, passed away March 14 at his home with his family by his side.
Ken was born on March 28, 1950, to Dorothy and Wally Beck. He was born and raised in the Deer Lodge Valley. Ken owned and operated Beck’s OK Tire shop for 27 years before he retired.
Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and going to auctions. He was always looking for a good deal. Ken had a heart of gold and would have given the shirt off his back to anyone, even a stranger.
Ken married the love of his life, Arlene Warren, on July 10, 1970. They had three children Kaylin, Tammy and Kenny.
Ken had a soft spot in his heart for his furry friends and of course his best friend, Art Freeman. Art would come out to the house at least twice a week, visit and help out with whatever needed to be done.
Ken struggled with his illness for nine long years before he found peace. We will miss him dearly.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Wally Beck, and his brother Jack.
Ken is survived by his wife, Arlene; daughters, Kaylin (Russ) Klemann; Tammy Beck (Ken Hosford); and his son, Kenny (Brandi); brother, Ray (Fran) Beck; grandchildren: Colt Klemann, Teegan Shafer, Brady Hosford, Tazra, Tayvor, Ashton, Aushay and Kaiden Beck, Landara and Drake Hosford; along with six great-grandchildren.
To fulfill Ken’s wishes there will be no services.

Leah “Suzee” Janine West-Jacobs, 79, passed away Jan. 31, surrounded by her family.
Suzee was born in Rock Springs, Wyo., on Jan. 8, 1945, to Victor and Fern Delbridge. Her daddy was a gold prospector, so his job took them to several towns. They settled in Lander, Wyo., where she finished school. After high school she met the first love of her life, Frank Roy West, and married Oct. 24, 1968, raised two children, Jeanette and Robby. She was a devoted wife and mother.
She worked as a nurse’s aid and ICU ward clerk at Lander Valley Medical Center. She loved to take care of others. She remained in Lander until Frank passed away June 6, 1986.
At that point she moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to live with family. While living there, she was fortunate to meet the second love of her life, Donald William Jacobs, who she married Feb. 14, 1998. While being married to Donald, she was fortunate to be a homemaker. They built their forever home in Post Falls, Idaho, which she enjoyed designing and decorating frequently. She was very talented and excelled in many hobbies, crafts and trades. There was nothing she couldn’t do. She sewed, quilted, baked, did stained glass and ceramics. She was the best cook you ever met, and she loved to cook.
She lived in Post Falls until Donald passed away after a long battle with cancer on December 15, 2007. She and her sister lived there until moving to Deer Lodge until her beautiful soul left this world.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Robert Young; granddaughters, Brittney King and husband, Roy King, and their children, Tucker, Roy, Gavin and Paisley; granddaughter, Brianna West and her children, Daniel and Autumn; grandsons, Christopher West and his wife, Jamie Simmons; and grandson Damion West and his daughter, Aurora; her sisters, Linda Hart and Cynthia Macclanathan and their families.

Betty B. Roe, 90, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2024. Arrangements were made with Croxford Funeral Home in Great Falls. To share your condolences, please visit www.croxfordfuneralhome.com.

​On the morning of March 11, Lynda “Lynn” Jean Spangberg, 75, passed away in her home in Deer Lodge surrounded by family.
She was born in Deer Lodge on Oct. 15, 1948, to Marvin and Margaret Pierce. She attended schools in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 1967.
Lynn married Larry Spangberg on Jan. 17, 1997. Between the two of them there were six children, 28 grandchildren and 31 1/4 great-grandchildren.
Lynn is survived by her husband, Larry Spangberg; children, Amy Thomas, John Reistad (Terra), Wendy Nelson (Kelly), Wade Reistad, Kari Abramson (Brian) and Chelle Davidson (Ray); 28 grandchildren; and 31 1/4 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Margaret Pierce, and her first great-granddaughter Kaitlyn Reistad.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at First Presbyterian Church, 500 Milwaukee Ave., Deer Lodge. There will be a luncheon at 1 p.m. following the graveside service.
Please send memorials to any charity of your choosing.

William Philip (Bill) Thomas passed peacefully March 3 in his home surrounded by his children. Bill was born in Butte, Mont., on Feb. 17, 1937, to William Everett and Mayme Irene Thomas. As the oldest of six, he played an important role in helping care for his younger siblings. When Bill was 10 years old, the family joined their grandfather, affectionately called Tata, in Elliston. He said when he and his siblings first entered the Elliston Gulch, they thought they were in heaven. He never outgrew that sentiment.
At 16 years of age, Bill went to work on the Bob Lee Ranch at Snowshoe. He said he decided then and there he would work his way to becoming his own boss, and an entrepreneur was born.
In 1955, Bill and his brother Bob joined the Army and were soon on their way to California. He was stationed at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. His brother Bob told him about a blond he saw wearing a cute hat at church, and the following Sunday, Bill was introducing himself to his California babe. Sparks flew and on Feb. 1, 1958, Marilyn Riley and Bill Thomas were married in Redondo Beach.
Bill bribed Marilyn away from her beloved ocean by promising her a black horse if she would move to Montana. And so began their adventure in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
They grew their family with the arrival of three daughters, Colleen in 1959, Laura in 1960 and Lynn in 1961. Their son, William Riley (Billy) was born in 1966.
Dad worked at the Luke Mine and for several area ranchers. In 1961, he was accepted to farrier school in California. The family packed up and moved to the sunny south. Dad shod horses for several of the local racehorse ranches in California but his Mamatana, as he called his home state, was whistling him north, and he answered the call.
Dad was a jack of all trades, working hard and finding ways to prosper. Besides shoeing horses in the summer and mining in the winter, he worked for the railroad and county road department, and built houses in Helena with his brothers. Always very independent and wanting to be his own boss, Bill owned several businesses over the years including a small sawmill and a trailer court. He and Mom owned the Elliston Store for 25 years. He added a laundromat and built the Elliston Post Office nearby. His last career adventure was realty school and selling local property, which was fitting since he bought and sold land in and around Elliston throughout the years.
Dad was the go-to guy and a blessing to the community. He gave from the heart, helping anyone who came to him whether for a loan, a handout, information or advice. As a pillar of the community for many years, his generous spirit will be remembered by many. He also led 4H, served on the school board and was a volunteer fireman and fire chief. History was a passion for dad, and he loved to read, mostly of the early days in Montana. He and mom wrote a history book, Elliston Days Gone By. He was a lifelong Catholic and a member of St. Theodore Mission Church in Avon.
Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marilyn last April; his parents; his brothers Bob, Barney and Bruce; brother-in-law Jim; and sister-in-law Sherry; five grandchildren, Sammy Jo, Isaac, Benjamin, Jory and Maria.
He is survived by his children: Colleen & John Quigley, Laura and Steve Marks, Lynn and John Price, and Billy and Missi Thomas; his little sisters Sue and Sally; sister-in law Cheryl; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Larry Riley and Margie Minogue. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter.
Memorials in Bill’s name can be made to the Elliston Fire Department, PO Box 65, Elliston, MT 59728; or Elliston EMS, PO Box 5, Elliston, MT 59728.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 605 Clark St., in Deer Lodge. Burial will follow at the Elliston Cemetery with a reception in the Elliston Gym.

​Susan “Sue” Marie Whitney, 75, passed away on Feb. 24, at her home, surrounded by her family.
Susan was born Nov. 20, 1948, in Missoula, Mont., to Tracey E. and Wanda West Dawson. Her father’s employment took the family to several towns, and they settled in Deer Lodge in 1960. Susan attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Powell County High School, graduating in 1966.
Susan married William L. Whitney on May 25, 1973, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. Sue and Bill fostered 67 children over 29 years. She was the administrator at Renaissance Assisted Living Home, retiring in August of 2018.
Sue is survived by her husband, William L. Whitney; daughters, Casi Harris (Scott), Sherry Whitney (Joe), and Krissy O’Hare (Kevin); son, Cody Murray; grandchildren, Korri Jo, Kordell, Maygen, Natalie, Jackson, Brecken and Sylvia; great-grandchildren, Aspen, Kazen and Karter; sister-in-law, Sue Dawson; niece, Kelly Leaver; and nephews, Tracey Dawson and Trace Dawson.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Traci Stevens; brother, Charles Dawson; stepfather, Clifford Perkins; and grandson, Aden Whitney.
A potluck gathering for Sue was held at St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall in Deer Lodge on Thursday, Feb. 29.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the St. James Cancer Center, 400 S. Clark St., Butte, MT 59701.
Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Sue.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Sue and her family.

​Charles “Charlie” Douglas Bauman, 91, transitioned to Heaven peacefully at home Feb. 19, surrounded by the love of his family.
Charles was born at home in the town of Deer Lodge, Powell County, Mont., on Jan. 24, 1933, with his maternal grandmother Margaret Beck Jensen as the midwife. He was the third son of R.M. (Slim) and Elsie (Jensen) Bauman. Charles’ life came full circle as he passed away in the home he built on the same property of his birth.
Charles’ legacy will long be remembered for his love of God, honesty, as well as his kindness and extreme generosity to family, neighbors and everyone he came in contact with. He took time to help and pray with those who needed it, talked with everyone - often bringing strangers home for dinner.
Growing up in Deer Lodge, Powell County, Charles developed a love of nature, wildlife and the mountains, which continued throughout his life. He was an avid hiker, hunter and fisherman, especially enjoying ice fishing with his son, Bob. They visited elderly couples and widows delivering fresh fish, deer or elk meat and garden bounty throughout the year.
As a teenager, he felt called to become a minister, and following graduation from Powell County High School (1950) attended Northwest Bible College in Kirkland, Wash.; Central Bible Institute in Springfield, Mo.; and later with a family, attended University of Montana and returned to Northwest Bible College, earning Bachelor’s degrees in Theology and Arts. Charles loved and played basketball in high school and college, and was a member of various Missions groups, band (Clarinet), singing, Thespians and Class President (Central Bible College).
In the summer of 1956 at Glacier Bible Camp in Hungry Horse, Mont., Charles met the love of his life, Karen Hollo. He invited Karen for a snack and walk by the river and prayed that night, “ Lord, if I still feel this way in the morning, this is the girl for me.”
He married Karen 11 months later and was married 66 years.
In his teens and college summers, Charles worked at the Toggery men’s fine clothing store in Deer Lodge and a lab at the Anaconda Copper Company. Other special college jobs included a summer in Alaska (fish cannery) and as a Bell Hop at a ritzy hotel in Springfield, with $100 tips! Later, while a full-time student at Northwest Bible College, he worked full time at Boeing, earning a Certificate of Merit for his constructive suggestions. Many Saturdays found Charles with the children practicing Greek words or learning to ride bicycles and swim.
Charles became an Ordained Minister for the Assemblies of God in 1954 and pastored several churches in Montana: Lewistown, Roundup, Baker, Ovando and later in Marblemount, Wash., after returning to Northwest Bible College. Karen was often the church pianist or organist. For 40 years, Charles and Karen held Sunday services for residents in the Deer Lodge Colonial Manor Nursing Home.
In March 1970 upon the passing of his father, Charles returned to Deer Lodge to take over his father’s businesses: Conoco bulk plant delivering gas and oil to ranchers, farmers, the mines and gas stations as well as driving a school bus until summer. Charles then worked for the Montana State Highway Department Deer Lodge division for 23 years, retiring as foreman in 1993.
Days after retiring, Charles hiked Patrol Mountain near the Bob Marshall Wilderness to be a fire lookout for the summer. This was a dream and highlight of his life, especially as he took up photography. His photographs from Patrol Mountain, Bob Marshall Wilderness and Deer Lodge Valley can be found around the community, purchased by travelers and local residents, and displayed at Deer Lodge Medical Center.
Charles’ love of the outdoors was evident throughout his life: Ice and fly fishing, hunting, watching deer and elk in the wild, hiking, backpacking, camping, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, photography, gardening (especially his raspberries and tomatoes), biking and sports. He also loved to sing, especially when Karen accompanied him on the organ, piano or accordion. He sang gospel duets with his wife and trio together with his brothers in church, Glacier Bible Camp and special events. Often the brothers were asked to repeat their performances several times.
Charles showed a deep love for his family, including Karen and the children in all activities. He was always home for dinner; encouraging, praying for and supporting his family and anyone he came in contact with. When not in school, one or more of the children accompanied him on errands, delivering oil/gas or checking highways. Those times included stops for treats, especially Forbes grocery in Avon (his favorite - peanuts or ice cream). He adored the grandchildren; teaching them to ride bikes, wrapping his arms around them, endless hours in the garden - especially picking raspberries and eating fresh carrots.
Charles is survived by his wife, Karen Bauman, of Deer Lodge; son, Robert Bauman, of Deer Lodge; daughters, Diane Bauman Kamson of Seattle, Elaine Bauman of Everett, Wash., Joan Bauman of Palm City, Fla. He has five grandchildren: Morayo Kamson of Austin, Texas; Jacob, Lauryn, Elyse and Lily Klostreich of Palm City; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, R.M. (Slim) and Elsie Bauman; brother, Eugene Bauman, brother, Harold Bauman; and son-in-law Solomon Kamson.
Charles’ Celebration of Life service will be held at noon, Saturday, March 9, at the Deer Lodge Assembly of God Church, 601 5th St., Deer Lodge. Following the celebration will be a graveside service at Hillcrest Cemetery, 343 Conley Lake Road, Deer Lodge. A luncheon will follow at the Deer Lodge Assembly of God Church.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Powell County Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, 100 Missouri Ave., Deer Lodge, MT 59722.
Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Charles. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Charles and his family.

It turns out even the lives of those who are larger than life must come to an end. Former NFL linebacker, Montana Football Hall of Famer, Grizzly great and retired high school principal John S. (Steve) Okoniewski died Sunday, Feb. 25, at his home in Green Bay, Wis. Steve was born Aug. 22, 1949, in Bremerton, Wash., and had an active childhood, playing sports and exploring the Pacific Northwest wilderness. Time in nature and athletics would persist as prevailing themes his whole life.
Steve’s toughness and strength attracted the attention of colleges. He started college on a football scholarship at the University of Washington, where a knee injury abruptly ended his playing days. He enrolled at Everett Community College, where he joined the team there, and earned the title of All American both offensively and defensively.
Steve soon transferred to the University of Montana, where the state’s incomparable nature and down-to-earth people instantly and profoundly resonated with him.
“The best move I ever made in my life [was] when I moved from the Seattle area to Missoula, Montana,” Steve said in 2020. “If it wasn’t for that move, it’s hard to say what my life would’ve been. It’s the ultimate best decision I ever made in my life.”
Steve played under Coach Jack Elway as an offensive lineman at the University of Montana and twice earned the title of All American. Steve would later be inducted into the University of Montana Hall of Fame in 2009 and the State of Montana’s Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Selected as pick No. 42 in the second round of the NFL draft, Steve was the highest draft pick ever to come from the University of Montana. A six-year NFL career followed, bringing Steve to the Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Cardinals. This career also introduced him to Green Bay, Wis., where he played from 1974 - 1976. “He’s not blessed with the most physical talent, but there’s not a harder worker,” then-Coach Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers said of Steve. “You’d like to be able to transplant his heart into some people.”
After hanging up his own football jersey, Steve found a way to channel his love for the game while giving back: coaching. Steve began a second career in high school education in Deer Lodge and soon discovered a passion for connecting with youth through the sport. Among his proudest accomplishments was leading the Deer Lodge Wardens to playoffs in 1979 after he inherited the team with a 0-8 record.
He also coached in Wibaux, Mont., at a school with 55 boys - 53 of whom went out for the Wibaux Longhorns football team. Steve would continue to maintain contact with the players and people of Deer Lodge and Wibaux for the rest of his life.
Besides coaching, Steve’s leadership skills were seen in his second career as a high school principal. He received his Master’s in Education Curriculum and Supervision from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and worked as high school principal in Wibaux and St. Francis, Wis., before finding a home at Luxemburg-Casco High School in Luxemburg, Wis. Steve was a fixture at LCHS, serving there for 25 years, while also volunteering as assistant coach to the Luxemburg-Casco Spartans football team.
Steve’s grit and determination made him larger than life, and were on display for all to see with his trademark arthritis-mangled fingers and disfigured ankle joints. He was renowned as an early advocate of a high fiber diet, a fervent proponent of dental hygiene and daily flossing, and as an unerring champion of his NFL losers’ pool. Steve kept himself young, spending lots of time outdoors, running and/or cycling daily. He completed five marathons, his best under three hours. He spent the Wisconsin winters cross-country skiing and each year looked forward to the 50 km Birkebeiner in Hayward, Wis., (completing the race 19 times).
During the summers Steve made annual pilgrimages Out West, swimming off the rocky beaches of the Puget Sound where he grew up and trout fishing his beloved Montana rivers (especially the Little Blackfoot). As the years passed, his appreciation for the state never wavered.
“Montana is the absolute best,” Steve told Skyline Sports. “I knew Montana before Montana was discovered ... The beauty of that state, the people, I have such a love for the state of Montana.”
Among Steve’s many talents was an uncanny, encyclopedic ability to navigate the US highway and freeway system from memory and without GPS. Among Steve’s many dogmas was a categorical refusal to fly. This resulted in many cross-country drives a year for Steve (and often his loved ones). Although often known as the life of the party or as having a public presence as a school leader, these drives gave Steve moments in solitude to reflect and reconnect with the vast nature around him. They also had many pit stops so he could engage in his preferred form of meditation: fishing. It is believed that a cut while fishing in Western Montana led to the sepsis that Steve battled during his final months with his signature stalwart style.
Steve is survived by his long-term partner, Nancy Frank, of Green Bay; his brother, Michael Okoniewski, of Woodland, Wash.; his daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Shawn Tedford, of Silverdale, Wash.; his daughter, Ivy Okoniewski, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; his daughter, Maggie Okoniewski, of Denver; and granddaughters, Clara and Ellie Tedford, of Silverdale.
A memorial to honor his many achievements and passion for life will be held Saturday, April 6, at Vandervest Harley Davidson of Green Bay. Additional gatherings will occur over the summer in Montana and Kitsap County, Wash. Please contact [email protected] for any details or if you have photos or videos you would like to share.