Obituaries

Mar 27, 2023

Dennis Dean Compton, passed away March 27, 2023, in Great Falls, MT.

Dennis was born to Duane and Shirley Compton in Great Falls, MT on May 11, 1957. He grew up in Great Falls and Vaughn, Montana where he spent his youth developing a love of the outdoors. He spent much of his time fishing, or you...

Mar 27, 2023

Frances “Fran” Olinger, 74, passed away on March 27, 2023, after a series of illnesses at a long-term care facility in Great Falls, MT. At her request, the family will hold a small private memorial service.

Fran was born in Great Falls on October 13, 1948, to Donald and Edith (Leona) Frank. She grew up in Sand...

Mar 26, 2023

Rose Mary Offerdahl, 92, of Great Falls, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, at O’Connor Memorial Chapel with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Mar 24, 2023

Allen Jefferson Adams, 92, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2023. He was born in Patricia, Texas on August 28, 1930. He married the love of his life, LaVerne, in 1950 on Christmas Day.

A celebration of Allen’s life will be held 11:00 am on Friday, April 28th at First United Methodist Church in Great Falls. A...

Mar 21, 2023

Shirley Vaun Davis, 86, was granted her angel wings on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, surrounded by family.

Shirley was born April 11, 1936, to John and Cecil Wills in Terry, Montana. She married Lark Davis on May 16, 1954, and together they had six children. Shirley worked at many restaurants in Great Falls, owning the Pantry Cafe...

Mar 18, 2023

Kimberly “Kim” Michelle Brannon, age 36, passed unexpectedly in her sleep Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Great Falls.

Kimberly was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania on April 28, 1986, to Tom and Joni Brannon. Kimberly attended Holy Family school where she met some of her life-long friends. She also attended Berwick area middle school and high school where...

Mar 15, 2023

Elizabeth “Dolores” Brower passed away in her Great Falls home on March 15, 2023, due to heart failure.

Dolores was born to Roberta and Art Newberry in Verdon, Oklahoma on May 5, 1936. She attended school in Sunol and Pleasanton, California. Dolores was the best Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Friend, and Neighbor one could hope...

Mar 13, 2023

Our beloved Mom and Grandma, Ethel Mae (Salois) McKnight, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023, in Great Falls. She was 87. Cremation has taken place under the care of O'Connor Funeral Home. Graveside services and a burial of ashes will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery on a later date.

Ethel was born on the family ranch...

Mar 12, 2023

After 91 beautiful, joy filled years of life, on March 12, our beloved mother, Bonnie J. Yurko gained her angel wings surrounded by loved ones.

Bonnie was full of love, found joy in all things, and was a beautiful person inside and out. Bonnie was born August 26, 1931, on the family ranch to Henry Burton and...

Mar 12, 2023

Vincent Paul Howanitz, 60, beloved husband, brother, uncle, friend, Navy veteran, “sheriff,” and “mountain man” unexpectedly passed away on March 12, 2023, from a massive heart attack.

Vince is survived by his loving wife of 12 1/2 years, Sarah; brother, Nicholas (Linda) of Port Orange, FL; sisters, Alice (Ron Miller) of Orchard Park, NY and Pat (Bill...

Mar 11, 2023

Clarence M. Fowell, age 81, of Mauston and Great Falls, MT, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

He was born on October 7, 1941, in Richland County, Wisconsin, the son of Ronald and Clara (Luttig) Fowell. Clarence was a 1959 graduate of Ithaca High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force...

Mar 6, 2023

Glen William Corcoran, son of William and Irma Corcoran, died on March 6, 2023, his 82nd birthday.

Glen was raised on the 100 year old Corcoran farm in Eden, MT and he graduated from Centerville High School. He served his term in Navy on the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier. After the Navy, Glen attended Great Falls Commercial College,...

Mar 5, 2023

Georgia Maroney Steir was born August 23, 1936, to Edward Maroney and Mary Munson in Helena, Montana. She passed away peacefully on March 5, 2023, surrounded by her husband and devoted caregivers.

Georgia attended school in Helena and graduated from Helena High School with a scholarship to Butte School of Mines but chose to stay in Helena....

Mar 4, 2023

Raymond A. Wardinsky, age 89, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023. He was born in Great Falls on April 21, 1933. His parents were Eugene A. Wardinsky and Madonna Catherine Burns.

All the Wardinsky boys were given nicknames from their grandfather. Ray was known to his family and long-time friends as “Butch.” He graduated from Great...

Mar 1, 2023

Gordon Edward Swanson, 61, died peacefully in the arms of his loving wife, Jodi Erwin Swanson, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Great Falls, Montana.

Gordon (Gordy) was born on July 8 in Manilla, Philippines. He was, however, a Californian through and through, loving the sun, sand, and surf. If it seemed strange for...

Feb 25, 2023

Wayne L. Ballantyne passed away on February 25th, 2023, after a progressive battle with Alzheimer’s. Wayne was born on July 26, 1932, as the second of three children born to Gilbert and Millie Ballantyne at Tooele, Utah.  Tooele, Utah was known to the Ballantyne’s as “The Ranch” that sustained the family in the Depression years. The family later moved...

Feb 19, 2023

Ronald Leroy Kinder passed away on February 19, 2023, at the age of 87.

Ron was born in Havre, MT on June 9, 1935, to Murvel and Ellen Kinder of Rudyard, MT. Ron was the first of 4 children. He would remain very close to his parents and siblings throughout their lives. Ron graduated from Rudyard High...

Feb 17, 2023

Janice M. Grimm, 72, of Great Falls, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023, with her family by her side.

A funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Janice was born on July 4, 1950, in Great Falls to Francis and Martha (Cain) Schlimgen....

Feb 16, 2023

Lena Louise Welling passed away on February 16, 2023, peacefully at Peace Hospice House. She was born on July 23, 1931, to Anna and William Stahl in Midland, South Dakota.

She married Bill Welling, they later divorced. They had 4 children, Bill Welling of Great Falls, Dave (Kathy)Welling of Ulm, Debbi (Greg) Wennerberg of Great Falls; 4...

Feb 16, 2023

Marjorie B. Thomas, 85, of Sun Prairie, suddenly and sadly left us on Thursday, February 16th.

She was born February 26th, 1937, in Browerville, Minnesota to William and Rosemary Zigan. She came to Montana in the fall of 1956 and was blessed with five children. She spent 56 years as the bartender at The Office Bar in...