February 15, 2023

Elizabeth C. Needles
​ May 15, 1937 - January 28, 2023

​Elizabeth C. Needles of Ovando, 85, passed away suddenly and without permission Jan. 28, 2023. Elizabeth was born in Big Timber to William (Bill) and Isabel Dickinson, May 15, 1937. Elizabeth attended high school in Deer Lodge. Elizabeth grew up in the logging camps of Montana. Shortly after high school, she fell in love and married Woodrow (Woody) W. Needles Jr. at the young age of 18 in Missoula on June 3, 1955.
Of this marriage, four wild and crazy children were born: Arlene, Julie, and the twins, Teddy and Terry. In between the years of the late 50s and early 70s, Woody and Elizabeth moved back and forth several times between Montana and Grass Valley, Calif., eventually making their home in Ovando in the summer of 1976. Elizabeth was a homemaker and worked for Leo Bush at Trixi’s for a few years. Elizabeth, Woody and so many friends enjoyed pinochle and marble parties most every Friday and Saturday evening. She enjoyed motorcycles but had a love of 4-wheelers, trailing all over the Ovando area, especially up Ovando Mountain with Woody and several of their close friends.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Isabel; husband of 65 years, Woody; son, Terry; sister, Elsie Dickinson; brothers William (Billy) Dickinson, James (Jimmy) Dickinson; and son-in-law, Leo Bush.
Elizabeth is survived by her daughters; Arlene Bush of Missoula; Julie (Robert) Morgan of Sun River; son Teddy Needles of Ovando. Grandchildren: Kristie (Doug) Nelson, Barbara (Stacey) Forseth and Riki House. Great-grandchildren: Kyla and Garrett Nelson and Tanisha Albrecht and Tanin House. Siblings: John (Gin) Dickinson and Barbara Dickinson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ovando Fire Department or to the Ovando Sew and So Club.
Arrangements are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory in Missoula.

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Donald D. Richardson
​ October 28, 1927 - January 27. 2023

Don Richardson, 95, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 27, 2023, at home.
Born in 1927 to Philip and Katherine (Gill) Richardson in Saint Maries, Idaho, Don was a veteran, serving in the Navy in WWII and the Marines in Korea. He worked in Law Enforcement most of his life, including the Deer Lodge Police and security officer for the Anaconda Company.
Don spent a lot of time on his uncle’s ranch in South Dakota and loved horses, riding many miles in the saddle and working cattle. He rode in the Pony Express 100th Anniversary from Deer Lodge to Gold Creek in 1966 and operated his own saddle shop, Richardson Saddlery, in Deer Lodge from 1966 to 1969. He also enjoyed shooting and flying his own aircraft.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Louise, Gene, Robert and Charles and his eldest son Michael Richardson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norita, daughters Dianne (Jim) Slater of Kingman, Kans., and Valerie (David) Williams of Deer Lodge, son Art Richardson of Havre, daughter-in-law Eileen (Mike) Richardson of Havre, and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Powell EMS Ambulance, Deer Lodge Medical Center, Drs. Johnson and Colvin, nursing staff and hospice for their wonderful care and kindness.
Many thanks to our friends and neighbors Jean and Mike Steber, Judie Lucas and Pam Bromley for all the meals and comfort.
At Don’s request there was no funeral; a celebration of life will be held this summer.

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Denise Carole Ray
​ April 19, 1963 - February 5, 2023

​In the early morning of Feb. 5, Denise Carole Ray, 59, of Deer Lodge, passed away. She was born in Butte to Luke and Carole Ray on April 19, 1963, and was the oldest of their three children.
Denise had three children of her own, Tony, Jessi, and Teddi, who she raised in Deer Lodge. She worked hard to provide for her family throughout the years, working as a waitress and a few other professions. Denise loved being around her family, above all, her grandkids. They were the light of her life, as she was in theirs. She enjoyed spending time outdoors in the summer, especially if it meant she could go rock hounding.
Denise had a smile that could light up a room and the heart to match it. She is preceded in death by her parents, Luke and Carole Ray, and her daughter, Teddi Forsman.
She is survived by her son Tony (Shelby) Forsman, her daughter Jessi (Joe) Gwin, her two brothers Luke (Brenda) Ray and Dean Ray, her grandkids Holly, Cambrie, Brooklynn, Taitem, Brylee, McKenna, Parker, and Logan, her dog Izzy, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at First Baptist Church, 127 Sam Beck Road in Deer Lodge. There will be a one-hour viewing and visitation for family only beginning at 9 a.m. A one-hour viewing and visitation for the public will take place beginning at 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. A graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral service at Hillcrest Cemetery, W. Milwaukee Ave., Deer Lodge. Following the graveside service, a potluck luncheon will be held at the Community Center of Powell County, 416 Cottonwood Ave, Deer Lodge.
Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Denise.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home has been privileged to care for Denise and her family.

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