Obituaries

Dec 9, 2024

The end of an Era

The Navy’s last Airship pilot and world record holder is gone.

 Born on 11 February 1936 in the Hudson (NY) hospital to John H and Mabel (Kelly) Fitzpatrick, John Joseph Fitzpatrick, fondly known by his many friends as Montana Jack, launched on his final flight on December 9th, 2024. His first 12 years were spent in Valatie...

Dec 6, 2024

Richard P. Ellis, 57, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on December 6, 2024. A celebration of life will take place at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Garden City Funeral Home. A full obituary will be posted soon. 

Dec 6, 2024

Dec 5, 2024

Ravyn was a beautiful little girl born at St Patrick's Hospital in Missoula to Todd and Terrie Bauer. Shortly after she was born she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and was flown to Colorado Children's Hospital in Denver. While there she made it into the hearts of the staff with her spicy attitude and the need to be...

Dec 2, 2024

John Kawalski, 76 of Missoula passed away December 2, 2024 at his home. A visitation concluding with a Rosary will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Garden City Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2024 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with inurnment to...

Dec 1, 2024

Jerry Mike Ford, 90, of Missoula, passed away on December 1, 2024, at St. Patrick Hospital.

Jerry was born on February 24, 1934, in Spokane, Washington to J.K. “Pat” and Marie Ford. He was the youngest of 4 boys and was raised on a sheep farm in Eastern Montana until the family moved to Missoula in 1945 when Jerry was in...

Dec 1, 2024

Kenneth Steven Bidlake, 20, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on December 1st, 2024, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Most called him Kenny, a few called him Bubba, all of us called him friend. 

 Kenny was born April 14th, 2004 in Missoula, Montana to Mike and Kristi (Thompson) Bidlake. He joined his older sister Kami and completed his family...

Dec 1, 2024

Sandra (Sandy) Beth Foust passed away peacefully at home on Sunday December 1, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was born September 25, 1942, to George Henry Nuse and Lula Lavon Hudson Nuse. 

Sandy was blessed to have many adventures early in life as her father was stationed at several locations throughout the world during his military service. She spent part...

Nov 26, 2024

Charles Dayton Seitz was born on March 1st, 1945, to Frank and Lois Seitz and died November 26th at 6:30 p.m. in the comfort of his own home.

Charles (Charlie, Chuck, Mr. C, Chuck Country, Papa Chuck or even Mr. Seitz) was born in Pittsburg, California but became a lifetime Montanan. Music was his first and longest love affair. The guitar...

Nov 26, 2024

Bobette Brookshire was born to Boyd and Marian Reeder in Whitefish, Montana on August 24, 1934. She passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at home surrounded by loved ones.

Bobette received her early schooling in Whitefish and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1952. She attended the University of Montana during her freshman year and was a member of Alpha Phi...

Nov 24, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Andrew Hart, 73, who departed this life Thursday, 28 November, 2024. George passed away peacefully in his home. He had a constant thirst for knowledge and desire to serve others as well as his family, often with an infectious laugh during family gatherings.

Born to George Anthony and Anita...

Nov 24, 2024

Rosemary Sayer Harrison, born June 6, 1949, passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of November 24, 2024 after having spent the day surrounded by her loving family. Rosemary was a beacon of kindness and determination, known for her unwavering commitment to her family, friends and faith. While there are not enough words to describe Rosemary’s enormous positive...

Nov 24, 2024

Douglas Dean Combs, 86, of Missoula passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation center of natural causes. He was born June 22, 1938 in Missoula to parents Leonard and Jennie Combs. After high school, Douglas enlisted in the United States Navy. Returning home, he met the love of his life Joan while working at the Wilma...

Nov 22, 2024

Daniel Gates, 75, passed away Friday, November 22, 2024 at his home in Missoula, Montana. 

Daniel Eugene Gates, son of Jack and Virginia (Steinmetz) Gates, was born March 23, 1949 in Evansville, Indiana. He attended school in Evansville and graduated from F. J. Reitz High School in 1967. He continued his education at Purdue University and later transferred to the University...

Nov 21, 2024

Levi Marshall Edden died November 21, 2024, at Village Health Care center. This lovely gentle, brown-eyed soul was born in Missoula, MT on October 18, 1986. Levi was born with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS – a severe form of childhood epilepsy) and Visual Impairment. His brain and body were ravaged with seizures his entire life until it finally gave out. Levi,...

Nov 21, 2024

Douglas R. Sellner, 58 of Missoula MT. passed away on November 21, 2024.

Doug was born on August 2,1966 to Raymond and Delores Sellner of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. As a boy some of Doug's favorite pastimes were video games and playing football. Doug went on to play football in high school at Saint Mary's catholic school in Sleepy Eye, MN where...

Nov 15, 2024

After 89 successful years of traversing life's peaks and valleys, Robert (Bob) Albert Giffin of Missoula, reached his final summit on November 15, 2024 and was able to join his dad, Robert H Giffin, his mom, Martha J Harkness/Giffin, his older brother Richard (Dick) Giffin and his twin William (Bill) Giffin in a new and glorious journey that awaits us...

Nov 15, 2024

Amelia (Gust) Crotty

 Amelia Gust Crotty, 100, passed away of natural causes, on Friday November 15, 2024 at the Springs of Missoula.

 She was born on March 11, 1924 in Cordenons, a village in Northern Italy, to Giovanni Guisti and Caterina Turco. As a young girl she immigrated to the United States with her mother and sister, Marie, in August 1930. They...

Nov 14, 2024

I have been blessed to share these last few years with a very special man, Matt Denison. After a long battle with kidney failure, Matt passed from his earthly home on November 14, 2024, and is now pain free. Throughout the years, Matt maintained his sense of humor, his kind heart, and his ability to remember the words and sing...

Nov 11, 2024

Deborah F. "Debbie" Robinson, 76, of Polson, passed away on November 11, 2024, of natural causes at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Debbie was born on March 22, 1948, in Wilmington, Delaware, to James and Deborah Edgar. She grew up on the family farm near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where she developed a lifelong love of animals and horsemanship. An active member...