July 27, 2022

Ramona Rose McQueary
​ September 2, 1928 - July 22, 2022

Ramona Rose McQueary, 93, died Friday, July 22, 2022, and is now resting in peace with her Lord.
Ramona was born on Sept. 2, 1928, to Andrew and Mary Beck in Deer Lodge. She spent almost her entire life in Deer Lodge. She enjoyed the town life living in the white two-story house behind Safeway even though Andrew was a prominent rancher in the valley. Ramona graduated from Powell County High School in 1946. After graduation, she headed off to college in Missoula to study business but only lasted one year. She worked as a waitress for the Keystone Drug and 4B’s. She then engaged to be married to the love of her life and soul mate, Pete McQueary. They were married July 6, 1947. After their marriage, they left the Deer Lodge Valley and spent the fall and winter months in the Big Hole Valley living in a one-room cabin with no indoor plumbing. Luckily, that only lasted a short time, and they moved back to the Deer Lodge Valley. They spent a few years living in town as Pete worked for Beck Equipment, and Ramona stayed home raising their first two boys Dan and Carl. Later they moved to their permanent home just east of town and managed a ranch for her dad, Andrew.
Ramona spent most of her early years on the ranch cooking for the hired men, hay crews during the summer, and raising Dan and Carl as well as Dale who came a few years later. Ramona was also the bus driver, taking her kids and neighboring kids to and from school. After Pete passed away in 2005, Ramona moved in to town and spent the rest of her life on Saint Mary’s Avenue, except for the last year, which was at Big Sky Senior Living in Butte.
Ramona and sister Mabe left the Valley on occasion; once to the east coast to see her mother’s name on the wall at Ellis Island and another to Austria to meet and visit their relatives.
While cooking was not one of Ramona’s favorite jobs, she claimed she would eat a horse turd as long as someone else would cook it. What she did enjoy was watching her children and grandchildren at sporting events with football being her favorite. Ramona liked to purchase contestants in Calcutta’s competing in Deer Lodge at rodeos, horse races and chariot races. Ramona enjoyed watching westerns, dramas, comedies and sports on TV. Bubby Watson was her favorite golfer. Although Ramona enjoyed many aspects of her life, her favorites were dancing with Pete, playing Bridge with the women from town during the afternoons and evenings, and her involvements with her church at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Ramona saw many changes in her 93 years, and her caring personality will be missed by her family and friends.
Ramona was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mary, as well as her husband, Pete; brothers, Joe, Sam and Bud; sister, Mabel; and daughter in-law, Michelle.
Survivors include sons, Dan McQueary, Carl (Lynn) McQueary, Dale (Chris) McQueary; grandchildren, Troy (Rikki), Jeff (Rikki), Cim, Cam (Sarah), Crissie (Pete), Cal, Clay (Saidee), Quinn and Quade; great-granchildren, Olivia (Jordan), Dace, Kaylee, Jimmy (Cassidy), Tommy, Kelsey, Quade, Kenzie, Chase, Kayden, Quincy, Owen; great-great-grandchildren, Eastyn, Myla.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 410 Missouri Ave. in Deer Lodge. Visitation with viewing will begin at 1:30 p.m. before the funeral at the church. A graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Ramona are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 410 Missouri Ave, Deer Lodge, MT 59722. Please visit www.axelsonfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ramona.

​

---

Gregory Scott “Scotty” Anderson
​ November 7, 1953 - July 10, 2022

Gregory Scott “Scotty” Anderson unexpectedly passed away July 10 at the young age of 68 in Deer Lodge, Mont. Eugene and Beth Anderson brought Scott into this world Nov. 7, 1953, in the town of Ashton, Idaho. Scott shared his childhood with brothers Sherman, Robert, Michael and David. The family relocated to Philipsburg, Mont. where he graduated from Granite High in 1972. After high school, Scott purchased a logging truck from his father and began hauling logs. Not long after, he sold it to purchase the White Front Bar in Philipsburg. Scott married Linda, having daughter Shawna in 1977 then soon after divorcing.
Scott later married Margery “Puddin” Metesh. Together they introduced the joy of their lives, Coral, in 1989. Five years later, Puddin passed away, leaving Scott to raise Coral on his own. Scott and Coral shared a one-of-a-kind bond. You could say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Scott and Coral moved to Deer Lodge in 2000. Scott then purchased his second bar Scotty’s in 2007 and then sold it in 2019. One of Scotts proudest moments was becoming a grandpa to his three grandchildren, Kinlee (2011), Karbon (2015) and Klutch (2017).
Scott was a man of many skills. You could say he tried just about everything. From bullfighting, firefighting, carpentry and everything in between. His pride and joy, though, was owning his two bars. Scott loved to entertain and was known for throwing “over the top” parties. He was a friend to everyone and thrived on helping out the communities he lived in. Anyone who knew Scott has at least one wild story about or with him. He touched the lives of many people all around the world. From his trips to the pro bowl or tailgates at the Griz games. No matter where Scott went, he made friends. He will be deeply missed by so many.
Scott was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Beth Anderson.
Scott is survived by daughter Coral Miller, son-in-law Justin Miller, granddaughter Kinlee Miller and grandsons Karbon and Klutch Miller. Brothers and sisters-in-law Sherman and Bonnie Anderson, Robert and Kay Anderson, Michael and Mariann Anderson and David and Jean Anderson, along with daughter Shawna Kientz. He has many nieces and nephews and endless friends.
Please join us with one last toast to a legend who will never die but live on through his memories. The celebration of life will be held Sept. 3, 2022 at 12 p.m. at the Springs Brewery in Philipsburg, Mont. An after party will follow near 8 p.m. at the Whitefront Bar.
In lieu of flowers, please send a card to Coral and family at P.O. Box 828 Philipsburg, MT 59858 with your favorite memory of Scotty.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service is entrusted with Scotty’s funeral arrangements. You may pay your condolences at longfellowfinneganriddle.com. ​

---