On the evening of August 13, Kurt Breithaupt, 75, passed away from complications of kidney failure.
    Kurt was born October 20, 1949, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Gordon and Vera (Pierce) Breithaupt. Not long after starting school, Kurt and his family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Kurt loved the mountains; he hiked, camped, hunted, fished, snowmobiled and dirt biked every chance he got.
    Kurt worked as a heavy equipment operator. He learned how to operate a skidder at 15 (he was a big man and would be asked if he played football in high school - Kurt would always answer “no, I worked”). One of his proudest accomplishments was the road on the “back side of Discovery.”
    Kurt is survived by his wife, Paula of Georgetown/the ranch; his son, Keith (Tina) and granddaughter, Mackinzey of Nevada; his son, Kyle (Sammi) of Georgetown; his daughter, Brandy of New York; his foster son, Darrell Peterson (Sarah) of Washington; and many nieces and nephews (Kurt had a special place in his heart for his niece, Linda Cole (Eric).
    Kurt is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Vera Breithaupt, and his siblings, Gordon Jr., Nancy and Cindy.
    Kurt hated funerals and requested that he have no funeral or memorial service. Kurt believed in “random acts of kindness” and his family requests in lieu of flowers or donations in his memory, a simple act of kindness to a stranger or neighbor would be welcomed.

    Ted (Teddy) Johnson was born in Deer Lodge, where he lived on the family ranch until moving to Yuma, Arizona in 2019. He graduated from Powell County High School in 1966 and went into the Navy and served in Vietnam. He returned to the family ranch and continued farming and was also a carpenter. He is survived by his children, Marcie and Marty.
    Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Marvel Johnson; sister, Margie Fowler (Boyce); his granddaughter, Madison King; and great-grandson, Zepher.
    He is survived by his wife, Candy; and his special friend and caregiver, Rachel Morales; daughter, Marcie (Jeff Rahm); son, Marty (Cathy); grandchildren, Alex King (Allen Padovich), Molly Rahm, Will Rahm,  Matthew Lewis Johnson; great-grandchildren, Blakey, Knox and Silas. Brother, Boyce Fowler; nieces, Koket Fowler (Jason Troglia) and Julie Fowler (Drew Melby); grand-nephews; and many cousins.
    Ted will be cremated. No services are pending at this time.

    Michael “Mickey” Thomas Lynch, 83, a loving widower, father and grandfather, passed away in Helena on July 25, after sustaining a severe brain trauma caused by a fall at his home early in the morning. He died later the same day. He passed at St. Peter’s Hospital with his son and daughter- in-law by his side.
    Mickey was born in Deer Lodge, in October of 1941, to John “Jack” Lynch and Margaret Eileen Lynch at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was preceded in birth by sister Constance “Connie” Perrin and followed by siblings Eileen Ekebom, Jacqueline “Jackie” Lynch, Dennis Lynch and Terrence “Terry” Lynch. He was a graduate of both St. Mary’s Academy and Powell County High School in Deer Lodge. While attending school, he held a part time job delivering newspapers around town. As he later liked to tell the tale, the route was always snow-covered, uphill and had to be walked backwards.
    He enlisted for military service in the United States Army in 1959 and was honorably discharged just shy of a three-year tenure. Upon completing basic training, he spent most of his term in France, where in his free time he was exposed to popular American jazz music that immediately turned into a lifelong passion. He was captivated by an Ahmad Jamal tune he heard on the radio, “Poinciana,” and forever referenced that beautiful track as the origin of his expanding musical tastes.
    Back in Deer Lodge, he worked a variety of short-term jobs before becoming permanently employed in 1963 with the Milwaukee Railroad as a machinist, following in his father’s footsteps. He continued his railroad career with the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1975 in Spokane, Wash., followed by a few years in Alliance, Neb., before settling in Seattle, where he finally retired in 2001.
    He met and married his wife, Norene Joy Daley, a recent graduate of Powell County High School in December of 1967. The couple had only a brief courtship before eloping to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, but the decision was the right one; they remained faithfully married for 56 years until Norene’s death in spring of 2024. In August of 1969, she gave birth to daughter Jill, and in July of 1971, to son Jack. The small family remained tightly knit as they moved about while Mickey’s railroad life changed and evolved.
    Mickey was a loyal and devoted family man who enjoyed coaching his children’s summer softball teams. He relished recreational activities himself, joining bowling leagues, softball teams and playing the occasional tennis match with his wife.  His love of sports encompassed basketball and football as well, with his favorite professional teams being the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Indians. Even in their losing seasons Mickey remained a loyal, unwavering fan and was never too humble to boast about them.
    He and Norene discovered a love of travel, both international and domestic, later in life making many trips exploring countries all over Europe with Ireland being the favorite as both were proudly of Irish descent. Back stateside they met up with daughter Jill of Atlanta and experienced visiting culturally rich cities like New Orleans, Memphis, and Savannah. And naturally, after relocating to Helena in 2003, they enjoyed scenic road trips and visiting the parks within their home state and the region.
    Mickey is survived by his daughter, Jill Lynch, and spouse Suzanne Abbott of Atlanta, son, Jack Lynch, and spouse Kelly Lynch of Helena; granddaughters Greta Lynch and Lucy Lynch; all siblings with the exception of his sister Eileen; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law, Robert Daley.
    An informal gathering will take place to bury Mickey’s remains at 1 p.m. on Sept. 20 at St. Thomas Cemetery, 409 Helmville Back Road, in Helmville. All are welcome to pay their last respects.
    Mickey had a big laugh, gave a great bear hug, was a friend to all who knew him and will be deeply missed.

    Fred M. Lurie, longtime resident of Philipsburg, was born Nov. 16, 1930, and died peacefully on July 24, 2025. Full obituary to follow. 

    Judy Ann Bice, 73, of Deer Lodge, passed away on July 25, 2025. She was born to Clarence Sabin and Helen Gosset on Feb. 29, 1952, in Seattle. She was adopted by Alfred Sabin and Viola (Harms) Sabin when she was 15 years old. Judy grew up in Twin Valley, Minn., where she graduated from high school.
    At 19 years old, Judy went on a blind date with Kenneth “Knute” Bice. Their relationship grew from there, and they married on Oct. 23, 1971, in Mahnomen, Minn. Knute and Judy were married for 53 years.
    Judy’s principal occupation was as a cook and a server in the food and beverage industry.
    Judy loved Jesus, her cats, reading and writing, art and pestering her husband. She was very committed as a volunteer to PAWHS and the Deer Lodge Food Pantry. These causes were very important to Judy. Judy was fiercely loyal and loved her children and Knute unconditionally.
    Judy is preceded in death by her parents. Judy is survived by her husband, Knute; children, Kimberley Marie (Jimmy Chamberlin) Keith of Butte, Karalee Raye (Robert) Focht of Silver Bow, JoEllyn Kae Sharkey of Silver Bow and Joshua Kenneth (Rolana) Bice of Rapid City, S.D.; her grandchildren, Payton, Kody, Jacey Mae, Trenton, Kyle, Adessah, Jaelynn, Lorne, Tommi Raye, Gabriel, Summer, Mercadie, Makayla and Elijah; and her great-grandchildren, Eli and Ronan.
    Services are pending and will be announced when arrangements are finalized.
   Memorials in honor of Judy are suggested to PAWHS (Deer Lodge Partnership for Animal Welfare Humane Society), PO Box 283, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or to the Deer Lodge Food Pantry, 101 Milwaukee Ave, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.
    Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer condolences or to share a memory of Judy.