Theresa Ida Chriske Fries, 85, joined her husband of over 55 years, Stan, when she passed away
peacefully, a year and a day after him, on Oct. 21, surrounded by her children and family.
    Theresa was born April 2, 1940, to Ernest and Helen (Short) Chriske, the first of six children. They lived
outside of White Sulphur Springs at the time, and being her mother’s first baby, Dr. Nash felt the
extravagance of a hospital birth, versus the usual midwife birth, would be best. She was born at the
Townsend hospital, with a total delivery bill of a whopping $105. Theresa grew up on the family ranch at
the foot of Flathead Pass, with her sisters Elveira “Sissy,” Karen, Alta, Marla and brother, Guy, and went
to school in nearby Sedan and Wilsall.
    Theresa met Phillip Stanley Fries, when he and his partner in crime, Eldon Chapman, came to the ranch
to supply her recently widowed mother, Helen, with firewood. Theresa and the love of her life, Stan,
married on June 21, 1969, and raised their family in Deer Lodge. Theresa made the family home and
worked as a crossing guard and playground aide for the Deer Lodge schools, where she will be
remembered by generations of Deer Lodge children for her quiet kindness, all the while supporting Stan
as a prison guard, ditch rider and gardening addict.
    Theresa will be remembered for her devotion to family. She never missed a special or important occasion
and could often be found at gatherings making the rounds with her camera, capturing the moments and
preserving the memories. Theresa enjoyed reading, crosswords and wielded an extensive vocabulary, not
to mention appreciating a good yard sale. She savored greeting the morning with a cup of tea or sharing
one with friends or family, and enjoyed letting her inner night owl stretch its wings when occasionally
possible.
    Theresa was a devoted woman of faith, and a loyal perennial member of her First Baptist Church family,
where she also taught children in Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, including teaching a class
with her dear friend, Verna.
    She was active in her community through activities and efforts including the Ladies’ VFW Auxiliary and
cancer society. She was also an inaugural and longest-serving tour guide at the historic Old Montana
Prison, sharing this local legacy and many of Stan’s and his friends’ prison guard stories with locals and
visitors.
    Theresa and Stan enjoyed their community, neighbors and family. For many years, they adopted a section
of Interstate 90 near their home that they dutifully walked and cleared of litter. And they were always sure
to spread the wealth of their garden harvest.
    Theresa and Stan took many a road trip over the years around the state and a few out of state to visit
family. They could also be found enjoying the music at the monthly Old Time Fiddlers’ Jams around
western Montana and the weekly Jammers playing in Deer Lodge.
    Theresa was preceded in death by her husband of over 55 years, Stan; her parents, Ernest and Helen; and
her sisters, Karen and Marla.
    She is survived by her sisters, Elveira “Sissy” and Alta; brother, Guy; daughters, Wanda (Ray) Mellinger
and Lynn (Luis) Torres; son, Theran (Janice) Fries; four grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and
many nieces and nephews.
    Funeral Service will be held at noon on Saturday, Nov. 1, at First Baptist Church, 127 Sam Beck Road.,
Deer Lodge, MT 59722, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Hillcrest
Cemetery in Deer Lodge. A reception will follow the graveside services at Deer Lodge Elks #1737 at about
1 p.m.
    Memorials in honor of Theresa are suggested to the Deer Lodge VFW or Honor Guard.
    Please visit anacondafuneralhome.com to leave a condolence for Theresa’s family.

    Lee Jacobson, 76, of Deer Lodge, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Oct. 13, 2025. He was the oldest child of three, born to Lorenzo “Bud” Jacobson and Edna Wood Jacobson. Upon graduation from Powell County High School in 1967, Lee went to work full time for the family ranch until his retirement in 2006.
    Lee welcomed his daughter, Terri, in 1969. Not long after, he met Jackie Allen, and they were married in 1973. Together, they added daughters Niki, Janelle, Tracy and Shonna to the mix, completing their family with a perfect handful. From that moment on, Lee was surrounded by women. It would all work out for him though, as he had a tough as nails wife who tolerated his shenanigans and loved him through it all, as well as five girls who doted on him, even when he was in trouble with Jackie.
    Lee’s girls were the twinkle in his eye, and on occasion, less of a twinkle and more of a twitch. Once he came to the realization that his girls came by their mischief honestly, all was forgiven. He was even more willing to forgive when his grandchildren arrived, and he was then able to thoroughly enjoy the chaos that ensued.
    Lee accomplished many things in his 76 years. He was a passionate advocate for all things related to the western lifestyle. An avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and a ride in the hills, whether it be on horseback or four wheels.
    He was on the board of directors for First Security Bank for a time, a member of the Stockgrowers Association, as well as school board trustee for the Deer Lodge School District. Lee was a proud member of the Masons, Shiners and Jesters organizations. Along with growing certified seed potatoes, he also raised Simmental Cattle on the family ranch before transitioning to Angus/Gelbvieh cattle. He even had a stint raising Suffolk/Rambouillet sheep well into his retirement. With the sheep came the livestock guardian dogs, which just might have been his favorite part of the sheep business.
    More than his accomplishments, it was who Lee was as a person that stood out. He was many things to many people. He was a husband and a father, a son and a brother. He was a historian and a mentor, a farmer and rancher. He was a loyal friend to many.
    His opinion was not subject to change depending on who was present. He was genuine, hardworking and true to his word. He believed in leaving people and places better than he found them. He valued family and good friends. He loved big, but not loud or flashy. His love was consistent and steadfast. You always knew where you stood with Lee, and you never doubted that he was in your corner.
    Lee is survived by Jackie, his wife of 52 years, and his siblings Rod Jacobson (Mona) and Lori Johns (Mike). He leaves behind his children, Terri Teague (Mark), Niki Pfeiffer (Nick), Janelle Jones (Jay), Tracy Jacobson (John), and Shonna Jacobson (Matt). He also leaves behind his grandchildren Kale, Lucian, Wyatt, Lockley and Jackie, all of whom will miss their Papa Lee beyond measure. Lee is also survived by multiple cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. There are too many to list in full, but know that he cherished every one of them.
    Lee requested all proceedings to be short and simple, with no fuss. It is incredibly difficult to condense a life well lived, especially when our love for him is so much more than simple or small. In keeping with Lee’s wishes, a graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 29, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge, with a celebration of life to follow at The Corner Bar. Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate the life of Lee with his family. Share a story, a smile and a laugh, and maybe a drink or two.
    Expect a little fuss, for he was a man that earned it.
    Lee’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Hueftle and the nurses in the oncology center for their exceptional care. Lee adored every one of those girls and looked forward to seeing them every week.
    Another thanks to Stillwater Hospice for their care of not only Lee, but Jackie as well.
    It eases the heart knowing that Terry, Gay, Jules and Clyde are welcoming you home.
    On to new adventures, until we meet again.
    Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to share a condolence or leave a memory of Lee.

    Charles “Chuck” Hinkle, 76, of Philipsburg, was called to eternity into the arms of our Lord on Saturday, Oct. 18.
    Chuck was born in Bellingham, Wash., to Ben and Sylvia Hinkle. He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1967.
    As a teenager Chuck spent his years playing football, hunting, waterskiing and boxing.  His father was a champion boxer on his ship and his uncle was a navy fleet champion (WWII).
    Chuck studied Forestry in college, worked in Washington and moved to Alaska, working for the U.S. Forest Service. Chuck managed timber sales and had extensive experience in wildland firefighting. Alaska is where he met and married Heidi. They moved to Philipsburg in 1984. Chuck served as a Granite Co. Commissioner from 2019-2024.
    Chuck and Heidi had many adventures, traveling all over the USA and abroad, visiting many historical sites, as Chuck had a passion for history and documenting his own ancestry. Chuck directly traced his American ancestry back to Jamestown 1619 and to the Culpepper Minute Men who were integral in defeating the British in the Revolutionary war.
    They raised three children, Tambe Summers (John), Jedediah Hinkle (Kyndall), and Caleb Hinkle, and have five grandchildren, Trevor and Tanner Summers (Tambe and John), and Adelyn, Hezekiah and Annelise Hinkle (Jed and Kyndall).
    Chuck was an incredible hunter, built muzzleloaders, became proficient in French, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Grandpere.  Chuck was very passionate about watching his two sons Jed & Caleb serve in the Montana Legislature as Representatives, watching them online every day. Chuck and both his sons were elected to public office and all served during the same time period.
    Chuck is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his loving wife, Heidi, their three children, their five grandkids, and his brother Greg Hinkle (Gail).
    A celebration of life for Chuck will be held at the Philipsburg Community Church on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m.

    Bill Perry died in his home in Deer Lodge on Oct. 9. He left this world with his 90 years and with a lifetime of service.
    He leaves behind the love of his life, Ellen Perry, his five children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
    He was born in Tucson, Ariz., to Elsie Lorenz Conlyn and Bill Cook on Oct. 9, 1934. The wild Arizona desert stirred the cowman in Bill, and it never left his soul. A horseman and a member of the Back Country Horsemen, you could always recognize him wearing well-worn blue jeans, a cowboy hat, boots and a big belt buckle.
    Bill married Beverly Beech in 1952. Shortly after, the two welcomed three beautiful girls, Rachel, Leah and Gwen.
    Bill was a hero both abroad and at home.
    His career in the Army began in 1952. He served three tours in Vietnam, including two in special forces. He parachuted into the hot and humid jungles with a mission that would sometimes last for months.
    Bill was a teacher behind enemy lines. He worked closely with the Montagnard villages to teach them how to protect themselves against the Viet Cong. His mission was to assist with preserving Indigenous Vietnamese against the atrocities they were subjected to. It was dangerous work, and he was good at what he did. History tells us his work made a difference.
    Later, he was deployed to Berlin to stop a Russian invasion. He was authorized to use radical force at the risk of ending his own life. His wife, Beverly, and children traveled there with him and lived on base.
    Bill was a humanitarian in the military. He was deployed to the Dominican Republic with orders to secure a communications tower with a four-block perimeter. Bill did so much more. He saw the people had no water and food, forced to work in the afternoon heat even though the temperatures reached extreme. He found an abandoned oil tanker, scrubbed it and used it to transport fresh water. Bill lifted the curfew to allow people to gather for parties in the evenings. The people tried to name the streets after Bill. This is the kind of American soldier he was.
    He attended college in Santa Monica, Calif., and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Later, he divorced his first wife, Beverly. He retired in 1976 as a major, receiving his field commission in Vietnam.
    Bill then worked for the National Park Service. He found comfort and healing, serving as a ranger in Death Valley, driving a truck through the long, solitary roads. There, he found his love, a fellow park ranger, Ellen Haynes. He was smitten and, recognizing a good thing, married her on March 29, 1983. Together, they transferred to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and then later moved to Corvallis, Mont. They moved to Deer Lodge, where they welcomed their first child, William S. Perry. Bill’s career history brought him to work at Montana State Prison as a correctional officer. He promptly joined the police force as a Deputy on Reserve. Their second child, Anna Perry, arrived seven years later.
    Bill raised his children with stories of war, justice and honor, always with a twinkle in his eyes and affection in his hugs.
    When the prisoners rioted in 1991, Bill was part of the SWAT team that contained the situation. His expertise and courage were invaluable.
    This was not the first situation where Bill’s training and initiative saved lives. When his brother, Bruce’s, sweetheart was kidnapped by a serial defiler and murderer, Bill tracked them down and brought the villain to justice. She lived.
    After Bill’s retirement, he served as an active member of both the American Legion, VFW and as an Honor Guard.
    Bill was an excellent soldier, a warrior, a good father and husband.  He was a man of sound moral character and honor with an appreciation for justice.
    His parents and brother are waiting for him on the “other side.” He leaves behind his beloved wife, Ellen, his five children, Rachel Perry, Leah Lawless, Gwendolyn Perry, William Perry and Anna Perry. Bill precedes in passing his grandchildren, Thomas and Grace Lawton; Mariah Perry; Liam and Ben Lawless; Kevin, Tim and Seth O’Brian; Liam Perry; Layla and Valorie Perry, and River Oran.
    We pay tribute to a true American hero and patriot.
    In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, or Wounded Warrior Foundation at 3315 S. 23rd St., Suite 310, Tacoma, WA 98405.
Services were held on Oct. 21.
    Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery at a later date. 

    Jean Skinner Giles, 98, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and teacher, passed away peacefully in Palm Coast, Fla., on Sept. 24, 2025.
    She was a longtime Deer Lodge resident who taught two generations of third graders in Central and Granville Stuart schools.
    Born in Wadena, Minn., to Ralph and Ruth Skinner, Jean attended school in New York Mills, Minn., graduating from high school in 1944. She graduated from St. Cloud Teacher’s College in 1947 and began her career teaching second grade in the northern Minnesota town of Blackduck.
    Jean’s school years were deeply impacted by the Great Depression and the Second World War, leading to a lifetime love of big band music and war-era films and books, and a deep appreciation of family, home life and frugality. Aside from her teaching career, Jean’s passions were genealogy, cooking, baking, picnics, and hosting family gatherings. She was known for her sense of style and impeccable presentation, and her elegant holiday dinners.
    While teaching in Blackduck, Jean met next-door neighbor Murry Giles. They were married in October 1948 in the First Congregational Church in New York Mills. They later moved to Columbia Falls, Mont. Jean continued teaching and began a family, raising three children there, Kevin, Jeff, and Kathy. The family relocated to Deer Lodge, Mont., in 1958, where her fourth child, Kerry, was born.
    Jean began teaching third grade in 1961, and possessing a two-year teaching certificate, worked toward her degree in elementary education, graduating from Western Montana College in 1972. During this time, Murry suffered a devastating illness, and Jean held the family together during many difficult years while working full time, raising children, caring for Murry and advancing her education.
    Jean was an avid reader and writer. She promoted literacy and language arts throughout her teaching career. She was loved by her students and their families, and she received cards and letters from many of her former students throughout her retirement. She was active in the honorary teacher’s sorority of Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Elder Hostel. She taught Sunday school and played the piano in the First Presbyterian Church.
    Jean retired from teaching in 1987 to spend more time with her husband, who passed away in 1989. Jean subsequently pursued her dream of travel, visiting family and friends in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the colonial city of Williamsburg in Virginia, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. She also traveled to Alaska and the British Isles and had fond memories of seeing Miss Saigon in London’s West End, and Phantom of the Opera in Los Angeles on her birthday, where she was invited backstage after the show. She took great pride in her Irish heritage and often spoke of her excitement at viewing the Book of Kells in Dublin, Ireland.
    Survivors include her four children, Kevin Giles (Becky) of Stillwater, Minn., Jeff Giles of Palm Springs, Calif., Kathy Talmage (Gary) of Palm Coast, Fla., and Kerry Giles (Connie) of Las Vegas; her five granddaughters, Heather Peacock (Jim), Harmony MacDonald (Jim), Hillorie Brauch (Dwayne), Tara Cullen (Shawn) and Korie Pawlowski; step-grandsons Lee Talmage (Leann) and Alex Talmage; nephew Tom Karvonen; sister-in-law Janyce Von Lindern; and her 13 great grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Phyllis Karvonen, her nephew Larry Karvonen, and a great granddaughter, Madison Welch.
    Celebration of life will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in New York Mills at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Donations in memory of Jean Giles may be made to Gentiva Foundation (hospice) and to the World Literacy Foundation.