December 15th, 2021

Yvonne Johns, 84
DEER LODGE – Surrounded by family, Kathryn “Yvonne” Johns passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 13, 2021, after suffering from a stroke that same day.
Yvonne was born to Edward William Schmidt and Ethel Armstrong Schmidt on May 20, 1937, in Whitehall.  May 20 was a birthday she would later share with her granddaughter Patti.
Yvonne attended school in Anaconda and Twin Bridges graduating from Twin Bridges High School in 1955.  
Yvonne knew how to enjoy life, and always had a positive attitude.  Her fun-loving ways, quick wit, kindness, and common sense would draw people near to her.  
Although her stature was small, she was one of the toughest women ever. Being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was only in her twenties, Yvonne suffered pain throughout most of her life and you never would know it, as she never complained and always worked hard at remaining active throughout her life with strength and determination.
Hobbies of Yvonne were playing the piano, sewing, fishing (drowning worms as she called it), and cooking.  She also could fix anything from a broken lamp to a broken pipe.  Her common sense approach was amazing in how she could come up with solving problems.   
Yvonne’s true God given gift was her green thumb in gardening and creating beautiful flower gardens.  She would be happy spending the entire sunny day digging in the dirt, planting and caring for flowers.  
We know she is at peace and very happy tending to the gardens in Heaven and we also know Heaven is more beautiful than ever with her in it.
Yvonne was a loving mother raising three children, Mike, Avalon and Rick.  She was also instrumental in the lives and raising of  two nieces and a nephew, Sonja, Natasha, and Adam Morris.  Yvonne was a big part of her grandchildren’s lives attending plays, equine and 4-H events, concerts, sporting events, and fixing lunch for them and their friends while they were in school.
Yvonne spent most of her life as a homemaker, but also worked and volunteered at various jobs throughout her life such as Intermountain Bus in Anaconda, an accounting firm, the Ranch Bar, Jacobson Greenhouse, and she spent several years planting and maintaining the beautiful flower gardens for the Deer Lodge Museums. She was also quick to lend a hand to the elderly as needed. 
Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Jacob Johns, her brother Ralph Schmidt and her sister Margaret Sharon Schmidt.  Survivors include her children Mike (Lori) Johns of Deer Lodge, Avalon Kellough of Clinton, Rick (Terri) Johns of Helena, son-in-law Mike Kellough of Clinton, her grandchildren Patti (Danny) Faaborg, Jason (Carrie) Johns, Kyla (Luke) Johnson, Andrew Kellough, Brooklyn (Matthew) Blassic, Courtney Johns, and Myles Johns, six (6) great-grandchildren, her sister Lola Leonne Ouellette of Missoula, brother “Buddy” Lamar (Jane) Forvilly of Noti, Oregon, and Aard Voll of Anaconda and Canada who she always referred to as her adopted brother, her nieces and nephew Sonja “Toni” Morris, Natasha “Tosh” Morris, and Adam Morris, and numerous friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge, Saturday, December 18 at 11:00 a.m.  Memorials can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital (Baghdad Temple), Rialto Theatre in Deer Lodge, or Pintler Pets in Anaconda.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service are entrusted with Yvonne’s funeral arrangements.  You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.

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Ada Marie (Berg) Lee
Polson - Ada Marie (Berg) Lee, 67 years young, succumbed to her battle against brain cancer on December 9, 2021 at her cabin made of love in Polson, Montana. She was born in Livingston on June 10, 1954 to Ben and Joan Berg, and grew up in Bozeman with her two older sisters, Babs and Kathy, and younger brother, Hal. 
Ada attended Bozeman High, and after graduation she traveled and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. She then completed her elementary education degree at the University of Montana and eventually earned a master’s degree in the arts from Lesley University.
Her first teaching job brought her to Deer Lodge, she thought “for just one year, and then back to Missoula.” A local boy, Jim Lee, won her heart and kept her in Deer Lodge for the next 43 years. Ada taught first grade and kindergarten for 37 years. As an educator, her goal was to always make learning fun as she engaged students to do their best by literally performing headstands to motivate. The prep, love, zest, and fun she infused into her career inspired her two daughters and many new educators whom she mentored to enter the profession. She was bestowed with the Montana Gold Star Teaching Award.
Jim and Ada raised two daughters, Rachael and Joanna and, in her usual style, set the bar high. Her commitment to motherhood was unparalleled. Ada had a knack for making everything a special and detailed event from birthday parties, to baby/wedding showers, to appetizers with friends on Thursday nights. Later on, she lovingly welcomed two sons (Bryant and Patrick) who married into the family.
Ada was an engaged community member. She was proud to be a P.E.O. sister supporting women in their educational endeavors. In addition, she was an active member of the Deer Lodge Education Association and on the Deer Lodge Literacy Board. From earning money for the local Rialto Theater to building playgrounds, she was an involved and enthusiastic volunteer. 
She enjoyed her retirement, traveling, field trips with her close friends, and spending time with the grandkids.
As her illness progressed, Ada and Jim streamlined their lives by selling their beloved Deer Lodge home to focus on finishing their cabin at Flathead Lake. At the lake, Ada felt most relaxed and found immense joy watching her family and friends laugh and play. The image of Ada sitting on the shore, watching her four grandchildren, Brooks, Kessy, Cora, and Maggie, frolic in the water will be an everlasting memory. She squeezed as much life out of life as she could and left us much too early.
Ada’s legacy of generosity and sunshine still envelops those she loved most: Jim Lee, Rachael (Bryant) Munday, Joanna (Patrick) Lozar, Nita Lee, Babs (Bill) Leaphart, Kathy Berg, Hal (Cristina) Berg, Debbie (Russell) Romine, Kevin Lee, Chuck (Rhonda) Lee, Cheryl Lee, David Lee, 8 nieces, and 3 nephews along with their spouses.
The family plans to have a Deer Lodge service in the spring and will welcome her friends, extended family, and co-workers to celebrate a life well-lived.
Memorial contributions may be made to P.E.O., the Deer Lodge Literacy Board, or the donor’s choice. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. 
Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

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