Todd Allen Nedbalek
Todd Allen Nedbalek, October 20, 1968 – November 15, 2020.
Todd Allen Nedbalek was born October 20, 1968 to Sharon Ann Huggins at Greeley, Colo. Soon after, she married Robert Joe Nedbalek, who adopted Todd in mid-1969. 
Though he often described himself as understanding that he was a colicky baby, Todd was a healthy, curious and active child. He was a bright and eager student of things both educational and of life itself, most interested in science and nature. As a pre-teen, he was often heard to say that his life’s ambition was to both own and pilot the first commercial space craft to and from the planet Mars. Appointed to the United States Air Force Academy, many thought he might be headed to make that a reality, but his life went in other directions.
In August of 1991, Todd married the love of his life, Jenni Hillary, a union to which three children were born, Jenna, Nicholas and Maggie.
Todd loved the outdoors, and seemed always busy helping others with the tasks of life. But he was most passionate about food. Whenever someone called him a chef, he always countered by saying, “I’m a cook; I feed people.” He seemed most happy and at peace in the kitchen.
Todd passed away at home in Deer Lodge, on Sunday, November 15, 2020. He was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon, his Step-dad, Doug, and his brother, Mike. He is survived by his wife, Jenni, and his children, Jenna, Nick and Maggie “Moo,” his father, Rob and step-mom, “Mother Lori,” brothers Wade, Trebor, Glenn, David and Johnathan and sisters Chris, Tara and Danyelle, and many nieces and nephews, whom he cherished.
Todd returned to Montana, intent upon returning to the place he called home, in the Bull Mountains outside Roundup. He talked often of his memories of that place, on Harper’s Coulee; which always included his dog, Poacher, his pig, Guy, (who thought he was a dog,) and his chickens.
Paul, in Romans 6:4-5 said, “Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Todd firmly believed that he was joined to Jesus Christ in his baptism and would be joined to him in resurrection. 
Henry David Thoreau said “Spring is a natural resurrection, an experience in immortality.” A memorial service is planned in the spring, and his ashes will be spread in the place he called home.

​Kim Arthur Pfaff
​Kim Arthur Pfaff, our cherished husband, father, son, brother, and friend, passed from this world and onto his next adventure on November 12, 2020.
Kim was born on September 24, 1963 to Willie and Cleo Pfaff in Kellogg, Idaho. He is survived by his wife Jody; children Aaron Breshears, Amy Breshears, and Damon Pfaff; his grandchildren Alexander Espanol, Mimi Espanol, and Kayla Breshears; his mother Cleo Pfaff, and siblings Lynn Pfaff, Tony Pfaff, Todd Pfaff, Penny Poche, and Pam Nelson. He was preceded in death by his father Willie Pfaff and his in-laws, Frank and Norma Kearby.
Kim grew up in Kellogg, establishing himself amongst his siblings as the adventuresome one. The whole family loved to fish and camp together, and legend has it, fishing in the Kellogg Valley is now poor because of Kim and his brothers cleaning up the waters there. Symbolic of his character, Kim preferred to sleep under the stars instead of under the roof of a tent or camper so he could gaze at the sky and dream big dreams.
Moving to California in his early twenties, Kim set out to forge a life and future of his own. He worked in petroleum, gaining the respect and friendship of his colleagues, along with a reputation for being a compassionate, fair, and honorable man. He had a passion for renewable energy and a fascination with the science of powering a clean and sustainable world. While in California, he met and married Jody, gaining a son and daughter in Aaron and Amy. Damon, the youngest, soon followed.
Kim’s passions were many, including duck hunting, good food, and Ram’s football, but he was never happier than when he was fishing (or talking about fishing) or in the company of his family. And when he could get his family to go fishing with him, or listen to his stories of being on the water, Kim would be in want of nothing.
Kim was immensely proud of his grandchildren and would cherish every moment spent with them. He found a true pal in Alex, who shared his propensity for quiet reflection and insight. He and Mimi loved to eat together, competing every Christmas Eve for who could put down the most cracked crab. Kayla, the baby, had a tight hold on his heartstrings and could always get anything she wanted from her protective Poppa.
Kim was lionhearted and resolute in his fight, and in his honor, we ask that memorials be given to the American Cancer Society, the Powell County Medical Foundation, or the Fishing League Worldwide Foundation.
A service funeral service was held and Kim was laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.
Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Kim. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Kim and his family.

Tina Joy Reza-Sproul
Tina Joy Reza-Sproul passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Tina was born July 17, 1950 in Missoula, to Norma (Cooper) and Robert Hamilton. Tina grew up in Deer Lodge with her two younger sisters, Roxanna and Noreen and a half-brother named Jerod. After graduating high school in 1968, Tina married Keith M. Mitchell and had her son Michael S. Mitchell in 1969, then later her daughter Cynthia D. Mitchell in 1973. Later Tina remarried Mark S. Reza and moved to Texas where she completed her family with a daughter Rebecca M. Reza born in 1981. In 1999 Tina met her soulmate Mike O. Sproul who has two children, Jay Sproul and Jan Sproul. Tina and Mike resided in Wichita, Kansas where they built their life together. They enjoyed spending their weekends at their farm in Caldwell, Kansas where they later resided as their permanent home. Tina spent many years enjoying her 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren at the farm. You could easily find Tina exploring her artistic talents including making jewelry, gardening, sewing crafts, card making and scrapbooking. She loved traveling, hunting and being outdoors with her partner Mike and their grandchildren. Her service will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Caldwell Community Center, 119 East 1st Avenue Caldwell, KS 67022. Memorials may be made in Tina’s name to the Sumner County Hospital Construction Fund.

Death Notice: Gene Richard Meredith
Gene Richard Meredith, 62, of Deer Lodge, Montana passed away on Wednesday, November 18th, 2020. Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family. To view the tribute page or share remembrances, visit: www.SimpleCremationMT.com.

Jan Ridley
Jan Ridley passed away peacefully on November 19, 2020 with her loved ones surrounding her at Deer Lodge Medical Center, Deer Lodge.  Jan was 73 years old.  Jan was born on February 22, 1947 in Billings to Gerald and Rosalin Neeley.  After her father’s death, she was raised by her step-father Woody Frailey and her mother.  Jan grew up in Anaconda, the oldest of four children.  She graduated in 1965.
After high school, she met the love of her life Noel Ridley and married on August 6, 1966 in Missoula.  Soon after they had four children. Noel passed in 1985 and she proceeded to raise her four children on her own.  Jan worked for Montana State Prison for 20 years doing payroll for the staff of the prison. She later worked for the Title and Registration office before retiring. 
 Jan was known to all to be one of the nicest people who always lent a helping hand to anyone and never asked for anything in return.   Jan spent many years in bowling leagues, gardening, canning, crocheting, enjoying her books, and was an avid movie lover especially of John Wayne Westerns.   
Jan was preceded in death by her husband Noel Ridley, her son Scott Ridley, and parents Woody Frailey, Gerald Neeley, and Rosalin Loesch.  Jan is survived by her sons, Keith Ridley of Helena, Matt and Lisa Ridley of Tigard Ore., and daughter Melinda and Linn Feliciano of Three Forks, and one granddaughter Hannah Feliciano of Bozeman.  Her brothers Blaine Neeley and Tim and Regina Frailey, and sister Hazel and Kyle Crouch.  Jan is also survived by special friends John Johnson of Deer Lodge, and Wendy Allen of Cutbank. 
The family would like to thank Deer Lodge Medical Center for their outstanding care of our mother during this time. We appreciate your kindness to our mother and to us.
Due to Covid restrictions Funeral Services will be in the spring 2021.
Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Jan. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Jan and her family.

​Kim A. Pfaff
Kim A. Pfaff, age 57, of Deer Lodge, passed away on November 12, 2020. A Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Jewell Funeral Home. Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Kim. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Kim and his family.

​Brandon Scott Rowland
​Brandon Scott Rowland, age 37, of Deer Lodge, passed away on November 12, 2020, of complications from sepsis.
He was born to Ruby Farabaugh and Barry Rowland on March 1, 1983, in Lynchburg, Virginia. His hometown was Garrett, Pennsylvania, and he graduated from Meyersdale Area High School, in Meyersdale, Pennsyvlania.
He loved playing video games, engaging in outdoor activities, riding four-wheelers, and collecting crystals and gemstones.
He is survived by his mother, Ruby Farabaugh and significant other, Ryan Maloney, of Deer Lodge; his father Barry Rowland of Altavista, Virginia; his step-dad, Thomas Farabaugh, of Deer Lodge; his brother and sister, Barry Rowland, Jr. and his wife, Angie, of Salisbury, Pennsylvania, and Amanda Rowland, of Cresson, Pennsylvania; his grandmother, Yvonne Rowland; his nephew, Andin; niece, Paisley; nieces, Natalie, Italia, and Evelyn; and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Ruby Williams; his grandfather, Robert Dudley Williams; and his grandfather, Alvis Rowland.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to American Heart Association.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Brandon. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Brandon and his family.

Leonard Weisbeck
Leonard Weisbeck, 86, formerly of Opportunity/Anaconda, Montana, passed away Monday, November 9, 2020 in Livingston, Montana at the Diamond K Lodge. Leonard was born on February 4, 1934 in Lemmon, South Dakota the oldest child born to Francis and Alice (Johansson) Weisbeck. The family relocated to Montana while Leonard was still very young. They lived in the Bitterroot Valley and Leonard was a graduate of the Hamilton High School. He went on to attend Northern Montana College earning associate degree in nursing. Leonard worked many jobs including a sawmill, road construction, mining and finally nursing at the Warm Springs Prison as a nurse’s aide. He worked for the State of Montana in Warm Springs up until his retirement. Leonard was never a shy man and he was very eccentric and into various technical things. He did voice his opinion whether popular on not about wearing seat belts, politics, or the decline of the Ham-Radio operator. Yes! He was an impassioned Ham-Radio operator, his handle was N7SAF. He was intelligent, always tinkering with electronics, learning morse code, taking flying lessons, or teaching himself to play the guitar so he could play music with his child-hood friend Terrel Crane. Leonard had a passion for seeing old friends and always was excited for the Hamilton High School Reunions where according to his classmates he took lots of photographs and made home videos.  His classmates presented him with a plaque “Mr. Class Reunion - Class of 1959” and he cherished his time seeing old friends. He had lived most his later life in the area of Opportunity/Anaconda and had moved to Livingston just a couple of years ago to be closer to his caregiver, nephew and friend, Scott Weisbeck. Our peace be with you Leonard. He is survived by his brother, Dean (Reva) Weisbeck; nieces and nephews, Marchel “Shelly” (Greg) Ray, Gay (Huey) Curry, Lyle (Elizabeth) Weisbeck, Scott (Nicole) Weisbeck and Marvin (Veronica) Weisbeck, along with his long-time friend, Terrel Crane. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Alice (Johansson) Weisbeck and his brother, Donald Weisbeck. Services are currently being planned for Spring/Summer of 2021.  For details please reach out to Scott at 406-333-1889 or [email protected]. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. To share condolences, please visit www.franzen-davis.com

​Obituary for Paul Peterson, Deer Lodge Valley, Montana, 1931-2020.
With the help of his wife’s spirit, Paul Peterson passed from this earth on November 5, 2020.
Most likely his first question asked of God was “How did You create the universe?” His next could be “Who won the Presidential election?” An avid Trump supporter, Paul disliked socialism because he felt it stifled peoples’ creativity and inventiveness, plus led to a society’s decline and deterioration.
At an early age he sat on his dad’s lap in a rocking chair, eyeing the Montgomery Wards catalog. Especially purchasing honey bees and equipment. This fueled his desire to become an apiarist, fancy word for beekeeper. As an adult he did just this, changing from raising Hereford cattle and chickens to beekeeping for fifty years. He was innovative with this, using two queens in one hive, which requires diligence and time intensiveness. 
He lived his entire life in the Deer Lodge Valley. As a self-sustaining minister, he performed numerous weddings and funeral services for people of various Christian faiths.
Rock hounding and mining was a favorite pastime of his and his wife, Bette. Explosives was especially fun for him.
Paul was soft hearted and generous; also a tough Swede and Irishman. Growing up during the Depression, he would recount stories of the men around the dinner table who spoke many languages and worked for just room and board on the farm. 
He lived the last 5 ½ years at The Ivy at Deer Lodge. His daughter and her husband thank this staff who took care of Paul, loved him, listened to him, and put up with his idiosyncrasies. Anyone so inclined may make a memorial contribution in Paul’s name to The Ivy at Deer Lodge, 1100 Texas Avenue, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.
Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Paul. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Paul and his family.