Blog Archives

April 10, 2024

4/10/2024

Helen Jean Hanifen
December 10, 1934 - March 20, 2024

Helen Jean Hanifen, 89, went home to be with the Lord, March 20. She was born Dec 10, 1934, to Theodore and Anna Hiltz. Helen met the love of her life, John Micu, and married June 19, 1955, and had three children.
Helen worked as a tech fixing dentures early on but devoted herself to raising her children and being a devoted wife. John preceded her in death. Later she met and married Dan Hanifen, who also preceded her in death.
You would usually find Helen at church every Sunday, where she loved to volunteer at bake sales or any other fundraiser she could help with. Her true passion was art. Helen was very active in the art club. Her paintings were quite amazing and something she truly enjoyed doing. You would see her all over town with her little hand-painted visor.
She had a huge love for animals and always had a dog or cat or two around, choosing her favorites from a shelter. Her larger-than-life smile brought joy to everyone around.
She is survived by her son Mike (Gena) Micu, son Kim Micu and daughter Kitt Micu. Grandchildren Kyla, Chelsie, Austin and Rashelle, and numerous great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers we ask to either make a donation to the art club or an animal shelter in honor of her. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Phillip Ole Berg
August 15, 1928 - March 16, 2024

On March 16, Philip Ole Berg, 95, left this earth and joined his wife, Bonnie, and the many others who had gone before him, at their heavenly home. Phil was a man of great faith and anticipated with certainty the joy that was waiting for him when he would meet his Savior face-to-face.
Phil was born on Aug. 15, 1928, to Ole and Gladys (Kelson) Berg. In 1933, his sister, Andrea, joined the family and the two of them became lifelong friends. Phil attended school in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army for a short time until he was called home from Austria because his father was ill.
Phil met the love of his life, Bonnie Cook, on a double date. They were married on Aug. 10, 1951, and spent 71 years together on this earth as a well-matched pair who relied on God as the foundation of their marriage. Phil and Bonnie were blessed with five children: Jim, Ole, Jon (JD), Paul and Lisa. Together they raised their family and took on many adventures in the mountains and at Rock Creek Lake.
Later, Phil was a wonderful grandpa to Rip, Katrina, Callie, Ty, Griff, Laine, Kaehl, Candra, Karlee, Tyrel and Georgiana, and 24 great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his love for the Lord and his family, his strong work ethic, his mischievous streak and his sweet tooth.
Phil started working as a teenager for Williams & Pauley in Helmville, first operating the winch during haying season and later as a ranch hand until his military service. Phil took over his father’s construction business in 1949 and created Berg Construction, which included excavation and concrete services. It’s estimated that Phil and his father built approximately 200 homes, business and churches in Powell County, and remodeled countless more. He also served as the county’s building inspector and operated the county landfill.
He retired slowly in the 1990s. He was a familiar face around Deer Lodge and lived there for 94 years until he moved to Helmville in 2023 to stay with his daughter, Lisa. He loved his last year in Helmville being part of the ranch and was quickly embraced by the community.
Phil was a man with many friends and talents. He was genuinely curious from a young age and had the mind of an engineer. He enjoyed making things, which ranged from designing mining equipment for goldmining in the hills, building a life-sized electrical wooden horse, cutting gems, and creating intricate jewelry and clocks. Phil and Bonnie both loved dogs and for many years bred and raised cocker spaniels and shelties. Phil was never without a dog by his side.
Phil always made time for fellowship and coffee breaks. He was an elder and board member at the First Christian Church and later at the Assembly of God church, and also served as a greeter for many years as he welcomed people to weekly services. When he wasn’t working or spending time out around town, he could be found in the mountains around Deer Lodge, out at the Vanisko ranch south of town or in his shop—always with his dog.
Phil was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; father, Ole; mother, Gladys; sister, Andrea Lawrence, and her husband, Bob.
He is survived by his five children: Jim and Charla (Vanisko) Berg of Deer Lodge; Ole and Elizabeth (McKee) Berg of Deer Lodge; Jon and Sandy (Kratzer) Berg of Powhatan, Va.; Paul and Colleen (Gaub) Berg of Billings; Sam and Lisa (Berg) Bignell of Helmville; nephew, Dale Lawrence of Oceanside, Calif.; and his dog, Bella. His legacy continues through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Phil.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Phil and his family.

Funeral Notice

Patricia “Pat” Abbott, 90, of Philipsburg, died April 3.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm. on Thursday, April 18, at the Granite County Museum, 135 S. Sansome St., in Philipsburg.
Memorials in honor of Pat are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Shriner’s Children by visiting donate.lovetotherescue.org.
Visit longfellowfinneganriddlefuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence, to share a memory, or to watch the memorial service over livestream.

April 3, 2024

4/3/2024

Thomas “Tom” George Graham
February 16, 1984 - March 23, 2024

On March 23, 2024, Thomas “Tom” George Graham, 40, died at home surrounded by his loved ones from brain cancer.
Tom was born on Feb. 16, 1984, in Missoula. He was the first born son to Ron Graham and Linda (Worden) Graham.
As a child, Tom was always playing cowboys and tagging along with his Grandpa Leo. It was from Grandpa Leo that Tom’s passion for ranching was born. His love for hunting developed over many trips down Christmas Tree Lane with Grandpa George chasing after that big buck. Tom took his job as an older brother seriously, adoring and protecting Carl and Mel at any cost; something he continued to do even into adulthood. Tom was a natural athlete. Running, jumping, playing football and basketball and competing were part of Tom’s everyday routine. A three-sport athlete through high school, Tom held many records and eventually would be a member of the University of Montana Track team. Tom went on to graduate from Montana Western with an education degree in Math. During his time there, Tom fought bulls and became an avid fan of rodeo. He was always finding a Montana rodeo to watch, wearing his best jeans and black cowboy hat.
An avid outdoorsman, Tom knew Granite County better than any map. His drift boat could always be found on Rock Creek and he often bushwhacked off trail. With a strong determination to get to a secret spot or hidden lake, Tom was a natural in the wilderness and delighted in the fact that he was able to live in his beloved Granite County. Tom played hard and worked hard as a member of an award-winning trail crew for the USFS. Many stories and lifelong friendships came from Tom’s work at the Forest Service.
Ranching on Fred Burr Creek and running Black Angus/Charolais Cross cattle was one of Tom’s true passions. Tom’s favorite season was calving, his least favorite haying. Driving down the lane to have a cup of coffee with Marlene and talk news, Tom enjoyed his time being able to carry on his Grandpa Leo’s legacy. It was not lost on anyone that one of Tom’s happy places was at the ranch, doing all those ranch things.
Tom was devoted to his family and fiercely loyal. His parents, wife, children, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and in-laws were of the utmost importance to Tom. He was always willing to drop what he was doing and help in any way he could. Tom really enjoyed going to any family function, reminiscing about good times, and seeing those he loved so much.
A true P-Burger, Tom was proud of growing up and living in Granite County. Coaching high school basketball (especially his sister’s team), and his daughter’s t-ball, Tom was an avid fan and supporter of any Prospector/Titan sporting event. He was invested in his Pburg community and loved the people he grew up with his entire life.
The most important and favorite role in Tom’s life was that of dad. When Tom met and married his wife Jennifer, he proudly took on the role of stepdad to her children Reece and Erik whom he loved as his own. He was able to deliver his daughters Lacie and Hattie Joe, in true rancher fashion, catching them with his two hands. With the birth of his two daughters, his family was complete. Tom was dedicated to protecting his children, teaching them, and giving them tough love when needed. Watching Reece compete, taking Erik hunting, bringing Lacie to the ranch, and napping with Hattie Joe, Tom cherished his children and would do anything at any time for them.
Tom was preceded in death by his grandfather Leo Graham, his grandmother Donna Reisman, grandmother Joan Young, cousin Amanda Foote, four precious babies, and good friend Justin Mason.
Tom is survived by his wife Jennifer (Verlanic), step-children Reece and Erik (Pitcher), daughters Lacie and Hattie Joe, his parents Ron and Linda Graham, brother Carl Graham,sister Melanie MacPherson (Aaron), and nephews Duke Dennison and Leo MacPherson, as well as numerous other family and friends who Tom cared for and loved deeply.
Services for Tom were held March 27 & 28, 2024. He was laid to rest in the Philipsburg Town Cemetery.
Donations in Tom’s name can be made to Pintler Hospice of Anaconda, 118 E. 7th St., Ste. 1A, Anaconda, MT 59711.
The family would like to thank the Philipsburg Community, friends and family; the love and support throughout Tom’s cancer journey was so very much appreciated. A huge thanks to Pintler Hospice and Nurse Lora for caring for Tom compassionately and empathetically. Tom will be greatly missed.
Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Tom.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Tom and his family.

April 10, 2024

Helen Jean Hanifen ​ December 10, 1934 - March 20, 2024

Phillip Ole Berg ​ August 15, 1928 - March 16, 2024

Funeral Notice

April 3, 2024

Thomas “Tom” George Graham ​ February 16, 1984 - March 23, 2024

Archives

Helen Jean Hanifen
December 10, 1934 - March 20, 2024

Phillip Ole Berg
August 15, 1928 - March 16, 2024

Thomas “Tom” George Graham
February 16, 1984 - March 23, 2024