March 27th, 2019

Carol Kay Hanson
Carol Kay Hanson age 77, entered her heavenly home on March 24, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 15, 1942 in Kalispell, to George and Mildred Webster and was the second of three daughters. The family moved to Deer Lodge where she attended school and graduated from Powell County High in 1960.
On August 14, 1960, Carol married Duane Hanson and soon started their family. Carol enjoyed being a homemaker, raising their children Duane, Debbie, Dick and Rocky and then later helped raise her grandchildren as well as many Pomeranians. Mr Furb, Tia and Foxy were her favorites but also had lots of love for her grand-dogs that she would watch.
Carol enjoyed her time as a Girl Scout leader for many years, participated in bowling leagues, played bunco, pinochle, bingo, cards and mostly being involved in the DL First Presbyterian Church. She became a member on March 26, 1972, was ordained a Deacon in February 2001 and was also the treasurer for the Women’s Circle as well as being a member of Eastern Star. 
Carol will be missed and always remembered by her family and friends for her loving heart, infectious smile and for all the amazing wedding and birthday cakes that she created.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents George and Mildred Webster, husband Duane, sister Diane Gilman, and grandson Josh McOmber.
She is survived by her four children, Duane (Yvonne) of Deer Lodge; Debbie (Jim) McOmber of Wright, Wyo.; Richard of Helena; and Rocky (Kim) also of Deer Lodge; sister Georgia Spence of Missoula; grandchildren Christopher McOmber of Billings; and Chelsie (Nick) Hansen of Great Falls; Crystal (Chris) Gomez of Billings; Amanda Enger (Brandon Lemen) of Carson City, Nev.; and Liz Enger (Joe Shafer) of Deer Lodge. Her great-grandchildren Darren, Jazmin, Jaired, Brynn, Nora, Logan, Teegan, Luke, Kimber, Weslee, Grayson and Lynkon were the lights of her life. Carol will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will take place on Wednesday March 27 between 4-7 p.m. at the Jewell Funeral Home and the celebration of life will be held at the Deer Lodge First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery with a reception to follow.
The family would like to thank the Deer Lodge Medical Center for their care and to the Genesis HealthCare in Deer Lodge, we so appreciate the amazing care, compassion and support that was given to our mom during her two week stay.
Memorial contributions can be made in Carol’s name to West Mont at 2708 Bozeman Avenue, Helena, MT 59601 or donor’s choice.

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​Debbie K. Niederklein
​Debbie K. Niederklein passed away suddenly late Saturday night March 2, 2019, at her home in Deer Lodge.  She had been struggling with chronic asthma and allergies for the past six years.  She is now in her Savior’s hands and does not have to struggle with her breathing problems.
She was born in Philipsburg on March 28, 1957 to Walter and Patricia Brooks. She graduated from Philipsburg High School in 1975 and was a member of the 1974 State Class B Championship basketball team and the 1975 State Class C Championship Track team.  She was an athlete and awarded a basketball scholarship to attend Western Montana College, where she was a four-year starter on the basketball team and a member of the track team.  Debbie graduated with BS in Secondary Education from Western Montana in 1980.  After graduation from Western, she taught and coached girls’ basketball and track at Jefferson High School in Boulder for three years.
Debbie married the love of her life Lyle Niederklein, on July 9, 1983 at St. Timothy Chapel near Georgetown Lake.   They were blessed with two sons, Shane of Belgrade, and Blake of Colstrip.  Lyle’s career with the Federal Government took them to Colorado, Washington and back to Montana with seven moves over 11 years.   
She loved being a mother and doing anything for her family.  She also enjoyed helping her friends with babysitting for their children.  She was a substitute teacher and coached girls high school basketball while in Deer Lodge.  As an avid sports enthusiast, she cheered for her sons while playing baseball and basketball.  
Debbie was member of Hope Lutheran Church in Anaconda, and her passing will leave a large hole in her church family.  She was a light in everyone’s life who she touched. 
Debbie was a very thoughtful and loving wife, mother, sister and friend.  She was never a selfish person and always thought of her family and friends first.  Once she obtained an iPad, she always texted her sons “Good Night,” and took pictures whenever she was with them.  It was said by others that they never heard her say a bad thing about anybody.  She will be greatly missed by many.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Lyle, her son Shane, daughter-in-law Anna, granddaughter, Sage, her son Blake, daughter-in-law Kristen, sister Barbara Kain of Helena, sister Janice and brother-in-law Mike Cinko of Apple Valley, Calif.  She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Pat and Walt Brooks.
A graveside memorial, with Pastor Ken DuVall officiating, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Philipsburg Cemetery.  Luncheon will be served following the graveside service in the conference center of the Granite County Museum in Philipsburg.
Memorials:  St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America or  a charity of donor’s choice.

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William Stanley Tooke
William Stanley Tooke, February 6, 1954 - March 14, 2019.
William “Bill” Tooke of Plattsburgh passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Bill was born in Hillsboro, Ore. to William A. Tooke and Charlotte (Winkleman) Tooke. He grew up in Deer Lodge  and always considered himself a “Montanian” at heart. 
After earning his Ph.D in Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington, he began his career at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1987.  There, he was an inspiring professor and is fondly remembered by many of his students. He recently retired after 31 years of service to the University and its students.
He is survived by his daughter, Katharine his literal pride and joy- and her husband Bruno Beca, his father William A. Tooke and his wife Deanette, his sister Patricia and her husband Van Amundson, his nephew Brian Amundson, and his niece Amy and her husband Marty Walters. He was pre-deceased by his mother, Charlotte Tooke. 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be gifted to the Plattsburgh College Foundation William Tooke Award for Excellence in Psychology. Gifts may be mailed to the Plattsburgh College Foundation at 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

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Gary Thaut
Montana State Prison inmate Gary Thaut died on March 23, 2019 at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge  of an apparent suicide. Mr. Thaut was found unresponsive in his cell at Montana State Prison. An autopsy will be performed. Mr. Thaut was 66 years old. 
Mr. Thaut was sentenced out of Flathead County in 1998 for the crimes of Aggravated Felony Assault and Criminal Mischief. Mr. Thaut was sentenced to 30 years for the two crimes. In 2012, Mr. Thaut was sentenced in Powell County for Assault on a Peace Officer and received an additional five years to his sentence. Mr. Thaut has been parole eligible since 2013, his discharge date from prison was in 2033.