October 06th, 2021

Emma Pauline Benson
Emma Pauline Benson was born July 2, 1937, in Missoula, Montana, to Sam and Ella Bignell. She died at home on Sept. 29, 2021, surrounded by family and friends.
Pauline graduated from Powell County High School in Deer Lodge in 1955. She stayed in Deer Lodge while attending high school, returning home to Helmville on the weekends — quite an adventure for a gal from a small town. She was FFA Queen in 1955.
After high school, Pauline attended business college for a year in Missoula and she worked for Vocational Rehabilitation in Helena.
On Sept. 20, 1958, she married Bruce Benson at St. Thomas Catholic church in Helmville. Pauline met Bruce while roller skating in Ovando with her older brother Sam. 
In 1960, Pauline started a Birthday Club in Avon, which is still going today. 
Pauline was known for raking hay with a team of horses. She did this for many years while raising her girls, and she also cooked for the hay crew.
Pauline had many interests: From being a good shot with a .22, taking care of her share of the gopher and woodchuck population, to playing pinochle with the ladies. She enjoyed traveling: taking a pilgrimage and seeing seven countries, a cruise on the Columbia River, and to the San Juan Islands. She also enjoyed celebrating holidays, often hosting get-togethers with family and friends. 
She was a devoted member of the St. Theodore Catholic church in Avon. Pauline had a wonderful sense of humor. 
Pauline is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bruce Benson, as well as her daughters Ev Benson and Val Benson of Avon; grandchildren Sarah Parks, Laurel, Beth (Noah) Carpenter and Leigh Parks (Kevin Boucher fiancée) of Billings; sisters-in-law Lou (Bignell) Tavenner, Avon and Eva Browning of Great Falls; and Georgia Bignell of Helmville. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and many good friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Sam and Gerald Bignell; her sister and brother-in-law Betty Lou and Gerald Fleming; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Fred and Dot Benson, Cliff and Doris Benson, and Betty and Jim Monroe; and brother-in-law Telford Browning.
The family would like to thank the Avon Ambulance QRU for their repeated care and support of Pauline these past few months. Memorials may be sent to Avon Ambulance QRU or the Avon Cemetery Association.
A viewing is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be held at the Avon Cemetery followed by a reception at the Avon Clubhouse.
Pall bearers are Tim Quinn, Sean Logan, Bruce Kleinschmidt, Leo Fleming, Jerry Fleming and Larry Fleming. Honorary pall bearers are Jim Quigley, Jeff Janke, and Dan and Josh Senecal. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Pauline. 

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​Loy Marie Hart
Loy Marie Hart, age 78, of Deer Lodge, Montana passed away on Sept. 24, 2021, at home in the comfort of her loving husband. She is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She died from complications of Huntington’s disease.
Loy was born on Aug. 5, 1943, in Boise, Idaho, to Lloyd and Vera (Hack) McClanahan. Her parents were of Cut Bank, Montana, and this is where Loy spent much of her life. Loy graduated from Cut Bank High School where she was a varsity cheer leader. She went on to graduate from Kinman Business College in Spokane, Washington. She started her career as a dental assistant and then progressed to dental office manager for several dentists in Montana and Idaho. She spent the last 20 years of her professional career as a supervisor at the DMV in Deer Lodge.
Loy had two children, Wade and Wendy, from her first marriage. When she was in her early 40s, she reconnected with an old friend, Larry Hart, and they were married within four months.
Her favorite pastimes included snowmobiles, motorcycles, hot rods and corvettes. She even rode her own Harleys. Loy was a member of the Frontier Bible of Gold Creek. She enjoyed these pastimes with Larry by her side. 
Loy is preceded in death by her parents and a baby sibling. She is survived by her loving husband, Larry; her children Wade Berkram and Wendy Woolstenhulme; Larry’s daughter Heather Lansky; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a twin sister, two more sisters and several nieces and nephews.
No services are planned. She will be laid to rest in Cut Bank at Crown Hill Cemetery at a later date. Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Loy.

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