December 29th, 2021

Gregg D Enger
Gregg D Enger passed away peacefully at his home in the early morning hours of December 23, 2021, from multiple myeloma.  
Gregg loved life, which is evident from his determination to hold on to life for as long as possible.  
Gregg was born in Belmont, CA, to Don O. and Janice A. Enger.  He was raised in CA, but spent many a summer with his Uncle Pete in Deer Lodge MT.  That close relationship with his uncle prompted him to move to MT, and to make his ancestral home his home.  He loved his childhood, his siblings and the innocence that comes with a fantastic upbringing.  Gregg was a skilled carpenter, logger, mechanic, and a fixer of all things.  He loved his self-made job, and through good times and lean times, Enger Bros. Sawmill provided both an income and satisfaction of a job well done.
His two daughters brought pure joy to him.  He was a patient and devoted father.  He loved his chosen career and always said his hours were 9 to 2 with an hour off for lunch.  
Those of us that knew him know this really wasn’t the case.
Gregg was an avid reader, and enjoyed sharing authors and books with his brother-in-law Dick.  He had a talent for all things, but G Scale trains became his hobby of choice.  He loved figuring out all of the intricacies of model railroading without benefit of manuals!  
While most put a train under a tree at Christmas, Grandpa Gregg put a G Scale circus train, complete with sound under the tree!
Target shooting was another favorite hobby.  Only in Montana can you go out on your back porch and “plink” a few at targets (don’t worry, there was no danger to human or critter).  It may have been a little tricky shooting from the electric wheel chair, but he got the job done!
Gregg had a quick wit and a ready smile.  He loved to laugh, and was not afraid to cry. 
This amazing human being left each of us with a special memory of what a kind, gentle, good humored, and valuable person he was.  Simply put, he was a “good guy.”
Gregg is survived by his mother, Janice Enger of Fallbrook, CA.  His wife, Cindy Clawson.  Daughters: Amanda Enger (Francis) of Carson City NV,  Elizabeth Enger (Joe) of Boise ID.   Grandchildren: Weslee, Kimber, and Lynkon. Sister Teri (Dick) Southworth Slagle ID and brother Tom (Gail) Enger Thompson Falls MT.
The family thanks all of the friends and relatives for all of their help, prayers, positive thoughts and assistance during the past few trying years.  
Memorials are preferred to charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 2nd at The Pen Convention Center, 925 Main St., Deer Lodge, MT with a luncheon to follow at the Elks Lodge, 230 Main, Deer Lodge, MT. 
Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Gregg. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Gregg and his family.

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​Earl Harry Hoppe
Earl Harry Hoppe, age 92, of Deer Lodge, Montana, died of natural causes on December 12, 2021, at St. Patrick’s hospital in Missoula, Montana.  
He was born on October 23, 1929, to John and Hannah Hoppe in Washington Lake Township, Sibley County, Minnesota, the ninth of eleven children.  
He was active in sports as a youth and graduated from high school in Henderson, Minnesota, in 1949.  He met Mary Grayce Bisch, at the local Green Giant Cannery, and the two were married on August 15, 1951, at the Catholic church in Cleveland, MN.  Earl was in the Army from March 1951--March 1953 (Honorable Discharge), and he was deployed to Korea where he delivered mail aboard a train running from Seoul to Pusan, sometimes under enemy fire. 
He had a fulfilling career as a contractor and a trained union carpenter.  Earl and Mary had nine children, all born in Mankato, Minnesota.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman and after a hunting trip to Montana in 1973, he fell in love with Montana. In 1975, he and Mary packed the family, along with a hen and a dozen tomato plants, into a little Chevy LUV light pickup truck and moved to a mountain view hillside outside of Deer Lodge.
He provided well for his family. He was loyal, generous, and helpful to people.  After retirement he helped his children remodel or build their homes and helped local non-profits with their construction projects.  Earl spent many hours in his extensive garden and in the garage next to his wood stove and adopted stray cat. He kept busy hunting, fishing, canning pickles, smoking fish, making mule deer sausage and rhubarb wine, woodworking, cutting firewood and raising chickens.  He grew petunias to give to the community and loved chatting around his barrel stove with his friends and family.  When asked, he said that he wanted to be remembered for making great picture frames out of diamond willow.  
Earl’s surviving family include Mary, his wife of 70 years, his children and their spouses: daughters- Mary Lynn (Jerry Stringer), Connie Girard, Gwen (Jim Day) and Rosie; sons- Allen (Susan), Terry (Katrina), Jerry (Marie), Charles (Anne-Marie), and John (Kirsten); and, his sister Alvera Carufel of Hastings, Minnesota. Earl and Mary were blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Earl was preceded in death by his sisters Dorothy, Ethel, Freida, Joan and Myrtle, and brothers Adolf (Chris), Alfred, Lawrence, and Norman.  
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 605 Clark Street, Deer Lodge, MT  59722.  
The family is very grateful to friends and healthcare workers who helped him in his final days.  We will miss him dearly.  
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that any donations be made to the Deer Lodge Food Pantry, 101 Milwaukee Ave, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, or to the Church.

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Daniel J. McDonnell
August 1948 – October 2021 
Daniel J. McDonnell (Dan) was born in Butte, Montana to Patrick and Rose McDonnell in August 1948. Dan was returned to their loving arms on October 9, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. Dan started his health care career as an attendant MSH at Warm Springs State Hospital in Warm Springs, Montana and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1978 from Montana State University. Soon after graduating, he joined the army, serving for 12 years and separating from service as a captain. 
Dan entered the private health care field with Group Health Hospital in Seattle, Washington, as a surgical nurse for 24 years. 
He had a passion for art, antiques, and music and was a BIG Barbara Streisand fan. Over the years, he gifted lovely antiques, and jewelry to his family. Dan will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him. 
Dan is received in heaven by parents Patrick and Rose McDonnell, brothers, Patrick, and Michael. He is survived by his loving sister Rose Marie Periman of Great Falls, Montana, nephews and nieces Kenneth Periman, Bob Periman (Lora), Annie Gilbert (Bill), Bill Periman (Ann-Margaret) and Tana Periman (Jim Nye). The family wants to express their heartfelt appreciation to Jean Robinson for her selfless care and friendship for Dan during his life and last days.  
A graveside service will be held in the spring of 2022 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge, Montana, with dates and times to be announced when arrangements are complete. Daniel will be laid to rest next to his parents. 
Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Dan. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Dan and his family.

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