Jean Skinner Giles, 98, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and teacher, passed away peacefully in Palm Coast, Fla., on Sept. 24, 2025.
    She was a longtime Deer Lodge resident who taught two generations of third graders in Central and Granville Stuart schools.
    Born in Wadena, Minn., to Ralph and Ruth Skinner, Jean attended school in New York Mills, Minn., graduating from high school in 1944. She graduated from St. Cloud Teacher’s College in 1947 and began her career teaching second grade in the northern Minnesota town of Blackduck.
    Jean’s school years were deeply impacted by the Great Depression and the Second World War, leading to a lifetime love of big band music and war-era films and books, and a deep appreciation of family, home life and frugality. Aside from her teaching career, Jean’s passions were genealogy, cooking, baking, picnics, and hosting family gatherings. She was known for her sense of style and impeccable presentation, and her elegant holiday dinners.
    While teaching in Blackduck, Jean met next-door neighbor Murry Giles. They were married in October 1948 in the First Congregational Church in New York Mills. They later moved to Columbia Falls, Mont. Jean continued teaching and began a family, raising three children there, Kevin, Jeff, and Kathy. The family relocated to Deer Lodge, Mont., in 1958, where her fourth child, Kerry, was born.
    Jean began teaching third grade in 1961, and possessing a two-year teaching certificate, worked toward her degree in elementary education, graduating from Western Montana College in 1972. During this time, Murry suffered a devastating illness, and Jean held the family together during many difficult years while working full time, raising children, caring for Murry and advancing her education.
    Jean was an avid reader and writer. She promoted literacy and language arts throughout her teaching career. She was loved by her students and their families, and she received cards and letters from many of her former students throughout her retirement. She was active in the honorary teacher’s sorority of Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Elder Hostel. She taught Sunday school and played the piano in the First Presbyterian Church.
    Jean retired from teaching in 1987 to spend more time with her husband, who passed away in 1989. Jean subsequently pursued her dream of travel, visiting family and friends in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the colonial city of Williamsburg in Virginia, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. She also traveled to Alaska and the British Isles and had fond memories of seeing Miss Saigon in London’s West End, and Phantom of the Opera in Los Angeles on her birthday, where she was invited backstage after the show. She took great pride in her Irish heritage and often spoke of her excitement at viewing the Book of Kells in Dublin, Ireland.
    Survivors include her four children, Kevin Giles (Becky) of Stillwater, Minn., Jeff Giles of Palm Springs, Calif., Kathy Talmage (Gary) of Palm Coast, Fla., and Kerry Giles (Connie) of Las Vegas; her five granddaughters, Heather Peacock (Jim), Harmony MacDonald (Jim), Hillorie Brauch (Dwayne), Tara Cullen (Shawn) and Korie Pawlowski; step-grandsons Lee Talmage (Leann) and Alex Talmage; nephew Tom Karvonen; sister-in-law Janyce Von Lindern; and her 13 great grandchildren. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Phyllis Karvonen, her nephew Larry Karvonen, and a great granddaughter, Madison Welch.
    Celebration of life will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in New York Mills at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Donations in memory of Jean Giles may be made to Gentiva Foundation (hospice) and to the World Literacy Foundation.

    Fred Lurie, 94, a Philipsburg resident for almost three decades, died on July 24 in Missoula, where he had lived for seven months. Born in Boston in 1930, Fred grew up in the Boston suburb of Belmont and spent summers in Antrim, N.H. at his family’s house on Gregg Lake. He distinguished himself as a fisherman at an early age by catching the largest bass on record for the lake.
    Fred received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a physics major and served as a member of the ROTC. He joined the Navy in 1952 and served on board ship as an ensign for several years. After leaving the Navy, Fred joined the Physics Department at the University of Illinois, Urbana, as a graduate student of Charles Slichter. His thesis research on “Spin Temperature in Nuclear Double Resonance” was published in Physics Reviews in 1964. The method described in this paper, referred to as the “Lurie-Slichter” method, is still in use, and was cited as recently as this year.
    After receiving his PhD in 1963, Fred spent several years at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1967, he joined the Indiana University Physics Department as an assistant professor and member of the solid-state group. In addition to his research and teaching, he supervised undergraduate laboratories and built the department’s nuclear magnetic resonance laboratory. His 1996 retirement tributes remembered him as the department’s “blackest sheep”—a position he undoubtedly would have been delighted to hold. His colleagues described him as a person who was “honest and disliked hypocrisy wherever he found it.”
    After retiring from Indiana University, Fred moved to Philipsburg for the fishing and spent the happiest years of his life as a member of the community. A card-carrying member of the coffee group – the Pedants of Philipsburg, he was also a member of the Philipsburg Rotary Club and worked on the construction of the warming hut at the skating rink. Fred participated on the Technical Advisory Committee of the Granite Headwaters Watershed Group, and he was instrumental in the founding of the Granite County Museum and worked on the historical displays. Fred worked on the Chamber Flag and Flower project every year, hanging flags and baskets (even when he shouldn’t have been on a ladder!) and helping at the breakfast. Fred was a strong supporter of the Five Valleys Land Trust, and was a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited. He spent many years taking stream flow measurements in the rivers of Western Montana for Trout Unlimited. Fred believed in actively supporting the activities and causes of all of these organizations.
    Fred is survived by six nieces and nephews, ten grandnieces and grandnephews, two great-grandnieces, and one great-grandnephew. Please join us on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Granite County Museum for a memorial gathering in Fred’s honor.

    On Sept. 21, Sharon, 79, entered into the refuge of the Lord after battling Parkinson’s and associated dementia.
    She was born June 17, 1946, in Orange County, Calif., to Robert and Anne Varrill.
    In an individual’s life, an event or personal contact will occur which will have a wonderful and everlasting effect. Sharon provided that realization to Carl, her husband of 58 years.
    She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ as reflected in her voice, actions, and devotions. She was known for her willingness to express her views and dedication to helping others, specifically children and the elderly.
    Sharon had direct impact on numerous individuals through her work as a Director of Mary Kay cosmetics. Her three children, Margee, Brett, and Tait and five grandchildren will continue to embrace her love of life and legacy of supporting others as this was near to her heart.
    In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the national organization, Dress for Success at https://dressforsuccess.org/
    Funeral services will be held at a date to be determined that will involve immediate family only.
    The family will conduct a Celebration of Life with all of those who were impacted by Sharon’s love and fellowship. No location or date have been determined at this time.
    Please visit www.anacondafuneralhome.com to offer condolences to the family or to share a memory of Sharon.

    Thomas C. Hauck, 83, died in Missoula on Sept. 13 of natural causes after a brief hospice stay.  He was born in Butte on June 17, 1942, the son of John C. and Mary Taaffe Corette Hauck. Tom graduated from Butte High School and The University of Montana, where he earned a degree in mathematics and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
    Football was both Tom’s passion and his profession. In high school he was a three-sport athlete, earning all-state honors in both football and basketball.  In the spring, he found time to throw the shotput and discus. Away from athletics, he graduated near the top of his class.
    As a linebacker for the Grizzlies, he was compared to Dick Butkus, the legendary Chicago Bears linebacker, before a knee injury forced a position switch  to center. After graduating, he served a tour in Vietnam as a lieutenant in the Army.
    Tom’s coaching career began at Billings Senior High School, where he taught math and was the head football coach for several years. His next coaching assignment was at Rocky Mountain College where he was defensive coordinator before joining the Grizzlies in 1999. At Montana he coached the defensive line for 10 years under two coaches; first Joe Glenn and then Bobby Hauck, his nephew. Tom was on the staff for a national championship, nine Big Sky championships and two finishes as national runner-up.
    Coach Bobby Hauck remembers : “Tom was loved by all his players and coaching colleagues, and was always a steadying positive influence.  He had the right temperament, both calm and fire, when needed.”  
Tom was also inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame.
    In his retirement years, Tom spent much time at his cabin at Moose Lake, where his family has summered for decades. One year he even spent the long Montana winter there, a wood stove as his primary companion.  Moose Lake is where his family will most fondly remember him.
    Above all, Tom was devoted to the blended Hauck and Moriarty family, brought about in 1957 with the marriage of Tom’s father, John Hauck, to Elizabeth Moriarty. Both were then widowed.
    Tom is survived by his sisters, Mary Hauck Rasmussen (Ronn) of Anchorage, Alaska and Jane Van Dyk of Billings; his brother, Frederic B. Moriarty (Donna) of  Midway, Utah; his sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Hauck of Lolo and Eleanore Hauck of Missoula.
    His brothers, John C. Hauck, Jr,  Robert L. Hauck and William J. Moriarty predeceased him.
    Among his 12 nieces and nephews are Bobby Hauck (Stacey), Tim Hauck (Robyn) and Katie Hauck Tirrell (Jason), all of Missoula. Many great  nieces  and nephews also survive. The family is especially grateful to Katie Hauck Tirrell for taking such loving care of Tom as his health began to decline.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m.  on Friday, Sept. 26, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 420 W. Pine St., Missoula 59802.  An evening vigil service will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Garden City Funeral Home, 1705  W. Broadway, Missoula 59808.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Hospice Center, 3615 Union Pacific St., Missoula 59808;  UM Quarterback Club, Grizzly Athletics, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula 59812 or Sigma  Chi Building Foundation, P.O. Box 8874, Missoula, 59807.

    Daniel E. Beaumont, 73, died at home Aug. 6 in Rochester, N.Y. He was born in Seattle on Jan. 22, 1952, to Patricia and Robert Beaumont.
    Dan grew up in Portland, Ore., until high school when his family moved to Seattle. He attended Seattle Preparatory and graduated with honors from Bellevue High School.
    His interest in Arabic language and studies began when he worked for his Father in 1980 - 1982 in Libya. His father was hired by the Gaddafi Government to operate Cloud Seeding operations. He often said this experience set the course for his future.
    Dan earned a BA in 1975 and a Masters degree in 1986 from the University of Washington. He left there to earn a PhD from Princeton in 1991. He also was a Fulbright Scholar while at Princeton. University of Rochester hired Dan in 1992 to teach Arabic Language and Studies. His teaching included Arabic, Medieval and Contemporary Studies, European Philosophy and The Blues.
    He is the author of two books: “Slave of Desire: Sex, Love, and Death in The 1001 Nights,” 2002, and “Preachin’ the Blues: The Life and Times of Son House,” 2011. At the time of his death, he was working with a Hollywood Literary Agent on a new novel.
    Dan is survived by his daughter, Lily Beaumont, Kerrville, Texas; his brother, Peter Beaumont, Seattle; and sister, Cathleen Bryan, Palm Desert, Calif.; nieces and nephews, Patrick Bryan and Matthew Bryan, Seattle, Claire Beaumont, Seattle, and Samuel Beaumont, Bellingham, Wash. Lifelong friends, Lisa Salvati, New York City, Curtis Piltz, Portland, Ore., and Adham Hameed, Rochester, N.Y.
    In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to the University of Rochester Scholarship Foundation, Rochester. Services handled by New Comer Cremation and Funeral, Rochester.
    Dan had a 33-year history with the University of Rochester and its staff and students, many of whom became lifelong friends. His family wishes to thank you for the care, friendships and appreciation shown him over his life.
    Celebration of Dan’s life and career will be held in the University of Rochester Chapel in October. Date forthcoming.

    Machille Frazer, 64, of Deer Lodge, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 13. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home.

    Elizabeth Ann Smith (Liz), 85, was at home and in the arms of her loving husband when she passed away peacefully from natural causes on the evening of Sept. 5, 2025.
    She is preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Henrietta Hanson; her sister, Mary Ellen Hanson; and her daughter, Mary Smith.
    Liz was born in Bend, Ore. on March 1, 1940, to Nathaniel and Henrietta Hanson. She was the youngest of three children and her elementary school years were spent attending Indian Boarding Schools on various Native American Reservations in Oregon, Montana and Nebraska. Her father was a Federal Agent for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Liz loved sharing memories of childhood summers spent using horses to pack supplies into Montana’s back country sites complete with camping and fishing adventures and how exciting Native American Pow Wow ceremonies were.
    Liz graduated from Nevada’s Carson City High School in 1958. She then followed in both her Mother ‘s and Sister’s footsteps earning her RN diploma in 1961 from the Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls. After graduating from nursing school, Liz moved to Tacoma to live with her sister and started working at Pierce County Medical Center. There she met and fell in love with the most handsome, kindest, hard-working orderly named Bill Smith.
    Bill and Liz were married on Sept. 30,1964, and remained in Tacoma until 1969, when they were able to return to Montana – first landing in Avon before re-locating to Deer Lodge in 1978.
    1983 was the year that Liz officially became known as “Nana.” She had an absolute love and passion for life and was so appreciative of being a stay-at-home Nana and Mom. Her faith in Christ could move mountains, but she had no problem going over his head if she needed to. We all agree that her one true passion was anything children (having six of her own as well as taking in families of foster children, neighborhood children, foreign exchange children, grand-children and great grand-children). She also loved cow dogs, lap dogs, sled dogs, ponies, horses, cats, hunting, fishing, mountain drives, Sunday night family rosary nights and her beloved cabin.
    Hospice nursing remained near and dear to Nana’s heart. She was instrumental in helping to establish Powell County Hospice, and through the years, she continued to keep her Montana RN License active as she wanted to be ready just in case she should receive a call to serve. She was also especially proud that she was able to be of service for three elected terms as Powell County’s State Representative.
    Nana is survived by her loving husband, Papa Bill;  her children, Tanya Wilkerson (Erik), Sabrina Brown (Scott), Troy Smith (Mary), Brock Smith (Denise), Celeste Davis (Todd), Holly Zeilie, Debbie Cooper; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren;  one great-grand Baby Bean on the way; and her brother, John Hanson and his wife, Judy.
    Visitation will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.
    Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Sept. 13, at Immaculate Conception Church, 601 Clark St., Deer Lodge, MT 59722. Luncheon to follow at St Mary’s Center.
    In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to PAWHS

    Gerald “Jerry” Lyle Knight, 70, known by many nicknames - “Big Jerry” and “Moose” - passed away on Aug. 20, 2025, in his beloved Avon. Born on June 22, 1955, in St. Joseph Hospital, Deer Lodge, Jerry was the son of Bud and Bonnie Knight.
    From an early age, Jerry’s imposing presence was matched only by his big heart. He gave up a promising football opportunity after graduating high school in 1973 to help on the family’s Avon ranch, marking the beginning of a lifetime devoted to both the land and hard work. His mining career started immediately at Cominco Phosphate Mine, where he remained steadfast until its closure in 1999.
    In partnership with his brother, Don, Jerry purchased a ranch in Powderville, Mont., in 1992, a point of deep pride. He loved Powderville, and the friends and neighbors who would always lend a hand. He built strong relationships there and Avon. Jerry lived a life enjoying people, talking with them, and most would consider a friend. You can travel from one end of Montana to the other, say “Jerry Knight” and someone knew him and had a great story to tell.
    Jerry cherished his family above all. He married his high school sweetheart, Sena, in 1975, and they welcomed their daughter Nicole “Cole” in 1980. Though their paths eventually diverged, Jerry then met Twyla Jackson in 1994, and together they welcomed twin sons, Zeb and Tate, in 1998.
    Known for his hard work and common sense, Jerry was both intimidating and beloved - feared by some but loved by all. He drew people in, whether he was swapping stories at a local Montana bar or working cattle at the ranch. Jerry thrived in the mountains, tracking elk, riding dirt bikes, snowmobiling or checking on cows. Even in retirement after serving as a lead foreman underground at Stillwater’s East Boulder Mine, he loved being a mentor to his sons, who took on the great responsibility of the ranch.
    Jerry is survived by his wife, Twyla Knight; his children, Nicole Ashby (Taylor), Zeb Knight (Cheyanne), Tate Knight (Trinity); his grandchildren, Juna Ashby, Temple Ashby; his great-grandchild, Augustus May Ashby; his siblings, Susan Knight, Marilynn Knight-Pennington and Don Knight (Lynn); and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
    A memorial service to celebrate Jerry’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Avon Clubhouse, with stories and lunch to follow. All are welcome to share memories and honor a great man who left an indelible mark on those who knew him.
    In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation given to Avon Community Center and Fire Department or Broadus MT Volunteer Fire Department, Powder River County.

    On the evening of August 13, Kurt Breithaupt, 75, passed away from complications of kidney failure.
    Kurt was born October 20, 1949, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Gordon and Vera (Pierce) Breithaupt. Not long after starting school, Kurt and his family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Kurt loved the mountains; he hiked, camped, hunted, fished, snowmobiled and dirt biked every chance he got.
    Kurt worked as a heavy equipment operator. He learned how to operate a skidder at 15 (he was a big man and would be asked if he played football in high school - Kurt would always answer “no, I worked”). One of his proudest accomplishments was the road on the “back side of Discovery.”
    Kurt is survived by his wife, Paula of Georgetown/the ranch; his son, Keith (Tina) and granddaughter, Mackinzey of Nevada; his son, Kyle (Sammi) of Georgetown; his daughter, Brandy of New York; his foster son, Darrell Peterson (Sarah) of Washington; and many nieces and nephews (Kurt had a special place in his heart for his niece, Linda Cole (Eric).
    Kurt is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Vera Breithaupt, and his siblings, Gordon Jr., Nancy and Cindy.
    Kurt hated funerals and requested that he have no funeral or memorial service. Kurt believed in “random acts of kindness” and his family requests in lieu of flowers or donations in his memory, a simple act of kindness to a stranger or neighbor would be welcomed.

    Ted (Teddy) Johnson was born in Deer Lodge, where he lived on the family ranch until moving to Yuma, Arizona in 2019. He graduated from Powell County High School in 1966 and went into the Navy and served in Vietnam. He returned to the family ranch and continued farming and was also a carpenter. He is survived by his children, Marcie and Marty.
    Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Marvel Johnson; sister, Margie Fowler (Boyce); his granddaughter, Madison King; and great-grandson, Zepher.
    He is survived by his wife, Candy; and his special friend and caregiver, Rachel Morales; daughter, Marcie (Jeff Rahm); son, Marty (Cathy); grandchildren, Alex King (Allen Padovich), Molly Rahm, Will Rahm,  Matthew Lewis Johnson; great-grandchildren, Blakey, Knox and Silas. Brother, Boyce Fowler; nieces, Koket Fowler (Jason Troglia) and Julie Fowler (Drew Melby); grand-nephews; and many cousins.
    Ted will be cremated. No services are pending at this time.