October 25th, 2017

​Donald Gilbert Mickelson
Donald Gilbert Mickelson, 87, 1/29/1930 –  10/06/2017.
Donald Gilbert Mickelson passed away Friday afternoon at the BeeHive Assisted Living Center in Butte on October 6, 2017.
Don was born in Roundup, to Gilbert and Mary Mickelson on January 29, 1930.  He grew up in Delphia and Musselshell, graduating from Musselshell High School in 1948.  From 1948 until 1951, he worked for the Milwaukee Railroad.  He enlisted in the Army on March 4, 1951 and served as a radio operator until his honorary discharge on March 7, 1953.  After that, he returned to work for the Milwaukee Railroad in eastern Montana, relocating to Deer Lodge in 1963 as a train dispatcher.  His Milwaukee career lasted over 30 years, continuing until the Milwaukee Railroad closed their western divisions in 1980.  He went to work at the Louisiana-Pacific Sawmill until he retired.
Don was an avid hunter and fisherman, and woodworker, skills he passed along to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was also well-known to be an “H-O” Train collector.
He is survived by his 100 year-old sister, Lois Gackle, of Miles City, and his daughters Diana Johnson of Aberdeen, S.D., Linda Mickelson of Helena, Jean (Mike) Steber and Carol (Ron) Mjelde, both of Deer Lodge, 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and one niece.
Don was preceded in death by both of his parents, wife Vivian, son James, and sister Carol.
A visitation was Tuesday, October 10,  from 5 to 7 p.m.  Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11.  All were held at Jewell Funeral Home in Deer Lodge.  Family requests memorials to the Powell County Senior Citizens.

​Dorothy Marie Eliason Benson
Dorothy Marie Eliason Benson passed away October 23, 2017, surrounded by family.
Dorothy (Dot) was born December 31, 1929, in Deer Lodge, to Charles and Gladys Eliason.  She attended grade school and graduated high school in Deer Lodge.
Dot worked for Powell Motors in Deer Lodge after high school.  She then worked for the Avon Store and the Avon Post Office where she was postmistress.  She also worked for Davis Mercantile and later for Forbes Grocery in Avon.  She worked in the Welfare Office and the Drivers’ License Bureau in Deer Lodge.  She was then elected as Clerk and Recorder which she worked in that office for two terms and retired.
Dorothy married Fred Benson of Avon on November 20, 1949, and resided on the ranch in Avon for several years until they moved to the ranch in Deer Lodge.  She cooked for ranch hands, worked in the hay field, raised chickens and supplied many families with eggs, and helped with many other ranching activities.  
Dot was a devoted member of the Community of Christ Church in Deer Lodge where she attended all her life and was ordained in the priesthood.  She loved to bowl and was on many bowling leagues over the years.  She enjoyed playing horseshoes, making wedding cakes, and painting with her friends.  Dot enjoyed going to the Applegate cabin with all the kids.  The highlight of her week was preparing Sunday dinners for her family and friends.
Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Gladys Eliason, brother Richard, sisters Alma and Ruth.  She is survived by her husband Fred, sisters Lois Jones and Helen Ring, sister Sharon and brother-in-law Joe Applegate, sister-in-law Eva Browning, brother-in-law Bruce and Pauline Benson.  She also has many nieces and nephews that she loved.
Memorials are appreciated and can be made to the Community of Christ Church, Avon Cemetery or the Avon Community Club.

​Floyd Dale Larkin
Floyd Dale Larkin, of Deer Lodge, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the age of 87.
Floyd was born to parents Harold and Clara Larkin in Bottineau, N.D. on February 24, 1930. Floyd attended Minot State Teacher’s College earning a bachelors degree in Education. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Education at Greeley State University. Floyd served in the Army Special Forces in the Korean War. Upon discharge, he worked as a teacher and later as an administrator in Glasgow and West Yellowstone. He retired as the Superintendent of Powell County High School in Deer Lodge.
Floyd was married to Delores (Soland) in 1954 who preceded him in death in 1980. They had one son Richard Dale Larkin. One of their greatest joys was their cabin on Ft. Peck Reservoir where they spent summers renovating and enjoying the outdoors with their son.
Floyd married Marie Connolly Curran in 1982. They spent countless hours volunteering for local charities especially Elks Lodge 1737, where Floyd held several offices including Exalted Ruler and District Deputy for the state of Montana. He was most proud of his work on the Elks scholarship fund for graduating seniors. He was instrumental in establishing the Hooked on Fishing Program for grade school children. Aside from his volunteer work Floyd was also active in the VFW and Masons. Floyd and Marie traveled extensively visiting every state in the continental US and Alaska. Not only did they travel personally, but they led several guided tours throughout the country. They spent many summers at his cabin on Ft. Peck Reservoir where he caught walleye and hunted deer. Floyd loved country music, Marie’s cooking, western movies and Montana history.
Floyd is survived by his wife Marie of Deer Lodge. Son, Richard Larkin (Sara), of Broken Arrow, Okla. Step-children Thomas Curran (Laurel Lee) of Deer Lodge; David Curran (Patti) of Ontario, Ore.; JoAnn Peters (Donald) of Billings; Sharon Curran (Jeffery Kinzer) of Chalfont, Pa.. Floyd had eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, whom he adored.
A celebration of Floyd’s life will be held at the Deer Lodge Elks Lodge, 230 Main Street in Deer Lodge, MT on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 11 a.m. with lunch following. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Elks National Foundation (through the Deer Lodge Elks Lodge or www.elks.org) or the Deer Lodge Presbyterian Church.