November 16th, 2016

Doris Louise Benson
Doris Louise Benson ended her journey on earth on November 7, 2016. She was under the care of hospice and surrounded by her family and dogs that loved her. 
Doris was born December 2, 1928 in Deer Lodge to Earl and Marguerite (Eliason) Allen. She attended grade school in Deer Lodge and graduated high school in Bremerton, Wash. during WWII. She attended Graceland Community College in Iowa where she earned an Associated Degree in Business. 
Doris’ first career was as a telephone operator for “Ma Bell” and she had numerous comical stories to tell about the old days of saying “number please” and making long distance connections by having to stretch over three circuit boards.  
She put her business savvy to work when she married Clifford Benson of Avon on July 1, 1951. The couple ran a very successful ranch south of Deer Lodge until they retired in 1996. Doris was the boss of the pigs. She was a brave and tough lady and survived a pig slash that had all the doctors shaking their heads. 
Doris was a devoted member of the Community of Christ Church in Deer Lodge where she attended all of her life. She loved to read, quilt, attend swim exercise and collect pig knick-knacks. Her special love was always her pets. Many days she and her sister, Earlene Walters, could be seen giving the dogs a ride around town after eating a nice lunch at Senior Citizens. Her special little lap dog, Max, stayed by her side until she passed. 
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Marguerite Allen, husband, Cliff, and middle sister Earlene Walters. She is survived by her two daughters; Luisa (Louise) Heizer of Las Vegas, Nev. and Leah Justice of Deer Lodge. Her grandchildren are Cristina Carvajal of Las Vegas, Nev., Cynthia Carvajal of Austin, Tex., John Heizer of Longmont, Colo. and Brian Cunningham of Deer Lodge. She has six great-grandchildren, Aspen, Atlas, Aaron, Dakotah, Aurora and Brian. 
Her family members are sister and brother-in-law Joyce and David Martin, Dorothy and Fred Benson, Pauline and Bruce Benson, Eva Browning, Allen and Teresa Walters, Ted and Carrie Walters, Dan and Molly Walters and Harold and Cheryl Walters. There are many loving nieces, nephews and friends. 
The viewing was Friday, November 11, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the Jewell Funeral Home in Deer Lodge, with funeral services on Saturday, November 12, at 11 a.m. at the Jewell Funeral Home. Interment was at Hillcrest Cemetery immediately following the service. A luncheon was served to celebrate Doris’ life at the Community of Christ Church Annex on the corner of 5th and California. 
Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Community of Christ Church of Deer Lodge or to the donor’s choice. 

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​Donald Allen McKee
Donald Allen McKee died November 10, 2016 at Deer Lodge Medical Center in Deer Lodge.  
Don was born December 25, 1936 to Edward and Dorothy McKee in Deer Lodge. He grew up near Deer Lodge on the family ranch where his folks raised cattle, chickens and operated McKee’s Greenhouse.  He served in the Montana National Guard.  In 1955 Don married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann McCormick. They moved to Helmville where Don ranched until his death.  When first moving there, Don drove the Helmville grade school bus for 19 years.  On occasion he worked for his good friend and neighbor the late Powell County Commissioner Newman Raymond on the road crew.  
Don taught Hunters Safety from its beginning through the present time.  He taught generations of great hunters; he, himself, loved to hunt.  In his later years, Don regretted that he left college when he and Mary Ann married and he became interested in computer science, so he attended Montana Tech in Butte. Don was a pilot and a member of the Lincoln Flying Club.
Don is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; three daughters and sons-in-law: Mary Don Glidewell; Susan and Mike Hillerman, Margie and Bob Brousseau. Grandchildren: Clint, Katie, and Mary Jo Hillerman, Hannah Brousseau, and Jessica Glidewell Velie and her husband, Neil.  
A Vigil and Rosary will be held for Don on Friday evening November 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Church in Helmville.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. the following morning, November 19, at the same location.
Honorary Pallbearers are his lifelong friends in the valley.