In Memoriam April and May 2025

As is our tradition, we are taking a look back at the lives of the people we have lost in the past year, continuing with obituaries that appeared in April and May 2025. For obituaries that appeared in January, see the Dec. 21 edition. For February and March, see the Dec. 23 edition.

April 2025

Margaret Alice Monforton Haugland Blair

Margaret was an amazing seamstress and frequently made and patched clothes for her family and friends. Margaret very much enjoyed and was fully accomplished at baking pies and various breads. Many of her baked goods were prepared and always available for sharing with friends and family. She loved large family gatherings and often coordinated preparation of holiday meals. Margaret looked forward to visits from her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She loved to visit and reminisce about their activities and endeavors. Along with her culinary talents she had a natural interior decorating flair. Displaying pictures, art, and family memoirs in her home was an often-appreciated gift. Participating in senior citizen activities was a favorite pastime for Margaret. She especially enjoyed pinochle and other games until the day before her passing.

Jean Yvonne (Manion) Monaco

She enjoyed ceramics, puzzles, country music, playing cards and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren in many different activities. She loved attending Galen Annual Retirement Dinners. She loved animals and she loved going on mountain rides in the jeep with her husband. She especially loved watching her Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Mariners and professional tennis players play. She loved going to Loran and Patti’s to watch the river go by. She also enjoyed listening to many family stories and the laughter that often filled the air. She was most proud that she had the highest levels on her Ipad.  

William P. Strelnik

He was born on February 21,1951 along with his identical twin brother Joe to William B. & Tina Strelnik. He went to St. Paul’s grade school, Anaconda Junior High, & graduated from Anaconda High School in 1969. He attended Montana State University for 2 years and later served in the Montana National Guard. Growing up in Anaconda he played sports to include AHS golf team & American Legion baseball. He was an avid hunter. He was always proud of being one of the 6 sets of twins that graduated from Anaconda High School in 1969.

Charles Benton “Ben” Nicely Jr.

In his free time, Ben enjoyed a variety of hobbies. He loved reloading ammunition, fly tying, hunting, and fishing. Outdoor activities such as camping and golfing were also significant parts of his life. Ben was a passionate fan of college football and loved traveling to Missoula to watch his Montana Grizzlies. He cherished family trips, including a memorable journey to Ireland, several trips to sunny Hawaii and a recent trip to Pasadena to watch his Fighting Irish play USC.  One of his last adventures was a fishing trip to Orofino, Idaho, reeling in steelheads with his dear friend, Victor Boucher. Ben was actively involved in the Anaconda Catholic Community and participated in local clubs, including the Anaconda Country Club and the Ham Radio Club.

Braxton Thomas Edmonds

He attended school in Anaconda and was currently a student at Fred Moodry Middle School where he made many friends and was known for his enthusiasm, humor and, above all, kindness. He loved spending time in Opportunity with his horse Saint. He was active in gymnastics, basketball, football and was very excited to be a future Copperhead. When Braxton wasn’t watching his favorite Copperhead teams play you might find him riding his scooter, dirt bike and snowmobile or playing lifeguard at the pool or jumping on his trampoline. Braxton also loved making TikTok’s, snap chatting with friends and spending time with his Great Nana.

Dr. William “Bill” Shields

Born on May 21, 1942, in Anaconda, Montana, Dr. Shields dedicated his life to higher education and academic leadership. He served as president of The College of Great Falls from 1977 to 1992, Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois from 1992 to 2003, and the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville from 2005 to 2012. Dr. Shields concluded his distinguished career with his retirement from the University of Pittsburgh Main Campus in 2014. Even in retirement, he continued to contribute to academia through four interim leadership roles at various colleges.

Michael J. Skocilich (Mike)

Mike prided himself in his work. He was a dedicated man. He loved working on the Anaconda Smelter until it closed in 1980. He then traveled to other places running cranes to support his family until finally settling at MRI and retiring in 2011. He enjoyed helping friends, especially his buddy Mick Nazer on service calls and picking up the Commons Christmas tree until it became permanent. He had many interests like coin collecting, M & M’s, and hunting. Hunting being his favorite hobby. He enjoyed spending this time with his brothers, friends, and family. He really loved this hobby when the kids were being taught, especially after his grandchildren started joining him.

Violet Marie Harris Van Bockern Chapman

After graduating from Anaconda High School she worked for the Montana State Telephone Company as an operator. During this time, she met and married the Rev. George L. Van Bockern in 1954, the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. In 1959 they moved to Bismarck, ND where he was the Associate Pastor in the First Presbyterian Church, along with his close friend and head Pastor, Dr. William R. Lindsay in a team ministry. This association continued when they moved to the First Presbyterian Church in Spokane, WA. Rev. Van Bockern died in 1989. Marie later married Wayne H. Chapman, who died in 2001.

May 2025

Gordon Henry Pierson

In 1970, Gordy started at MT State Prison doing what would end up being his passion as a meat cutter and butcher. He did this for 3 years before deciding to work full time at P & S meats with his father Bud. Gordy provided the best cuts of meat and slaughter services in Montana until 1989. Gordy then went to work for MT Fish Wildlife and Parks as a fisheries technician where he met his close friend Wayne Hadley. He retired from FWP in 2004 and became head of maintenance at the Old Montana Prison Museum using his vast knowledge and skills to make the museum functional and historically appealing for all to enjoy. He retired from the museum in 2019 to stay at home and take care of his wife Myra. Gordy spent his whole life hunting, fishing arid camping with Charlie, his boys and numerous other family and friends. He recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award for 40 years of teaching Hunters Education to local children and adults. Gordy always had an English Bulldog by his side as his partner in crime.

Bernetta (Bonnie) Dallas Dyste Haugen Grimes

Bonnie married Aril Haugen in January, 1945.  They worked briefly at the shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, farmed in North Dakota and then heeded the call of the West and headed out for the coast, with their two small girls, Margaret and Patricia, and a small trailer.  They stopped to visit friends in Anaconda and stayed.  They had two more daughters, Barbara and Addie. They built a life together, bought a bare lot and built a house.  As the house was built, so too were friendships – many folks showed up to help.  It was in this neighborhood that Bonnie opened her home for children’s parties, dance lessons, planning a carnival and some fun games, and for that she had to get a piano. The two older girls wrote a neighborhood newspaper, with ads and sales.  We can still smell that mimeograph.

Richard Ross Sanders

As the 4th child and only son naturally his three sisters and mom and dad fell in love at first glance with this bright eyed, inquisitive child. Dick made friends easily with his zany and quirky personality and his unusual aptitude for spot-on nicknames and uncanny ability to imitate the movement of any of God’s creatures. His love of wild places, and the great outdoors provided him years of exploring, hunting, fishing, motorcycles, snowmobiles, horn hunting, skiing, boating, swimming and hiking. In later years, he ended his party days and developed a keen sense of the magic and spirit of all that is, spending hours on the deck observing and enjoying the antics of all the critters who flocked to him. He was a carpenter by trade, as was his father before him, and proud of all his hands could create.

Otto “Ot” F. Lemm III

Inseparable, he and “C” [Cecilia] were active together in all levels of the scouting program, the Jaycee and Jaycees organization, was a founding member of the citizens band radio club in Anaconda, which was a pre-cursor to the current Anaconda Pintler Search and Rescue, where he held various offices, including state and national commander.  Together Ot and “C” were 2 of the original founders and supporters of Anaconda’s Pintler Pets, Montana’s first no-kill humane society.  As if he wasn’t busy enough, he found a love and passion for Post 21, the local American Legion, where he served in various offices including Commander, finding a true love for the honor guard on which he served for many years.  In his later years, he served as promotor, advisor and in his own term “the inspiration to good music” to ZebraSolutions.  There truly was nothing he wouldn’t try, take part in, and if he believed in the cause, give his entire focus to.  Until his health became an issue, you could find him attending Sunday mass regularly at St. Peters church.

Donald Raymond Zarr

He attended schools in Anaconda, graduating in 1975, joining the Navy right out of high school. He visited many interesting Ports-of-call while overseas and was Honorably Discharged. He used his G.I. Bill to help pay for college at MSU Billings earning a Bachelors degree in Psychology. He worked many jobs but his favorite was at the Yellowstone County Youth Detention Center where he was employed until his retirement in 2019. Don was a member of St. Patrick’s Co Cathedral where he was a very active member helping at various homeless shelters. His Faith and Love of God sustained him in good times and in bad.

James Francis Kanduch

Jim was the firstborn to Francis and Margaret (Clark) Kanduch of Opportunity, MT. He was born on October 9, 1942. He graduated from Anaconda High School. Jim worked as a long-haul trucker, but his passion was farming. He was looking forward to harvesting this year. Jim found his perfect partner when he reacquainted himself with Mary Jean McGee “Midge.”  They spent many years together going to sporting events, rodeos, and enjoying life in Anaconda.

Ryan Wyant

Ryan was a fun loving, kindhearted, caring, giving, compassionate, easy going, honest, hardworking young man who had a quirky sense of humor. Stopped whatever he was doing to help family and friends. Ryan loved his family and always put them first, especially Sarah, Brenyn and Max. Ryan had a way of making family and friends feel important. Ryan was a great role model to all of us. Ryan had a passion for singing, writing songs, Karaoke and playing his guitar and was talented with all of them. 

Catherine Marie Estill Martinez

Cathy attended school in Anaconda and graduated from AHS along with her dearest friends: Frannie Ginsburg and Vickie Blaskovich.  In 1976, Cathy went to the Missoula Vo-Tech where she met her future husband, Randy Martinez.  They were married on August 20, 1977 in Anaconda. In 1980, Cathy became a “Navy Wife”.  She lived and worked in various cities over her lifetime.  In 1991, her husband began work as a Deputy US Marshal where they made their home in Helena and finally in Lolo.  Cathy worked many years in the medical support services and as a 911 dispatcher for Missoula City/County.  She always had a warm welcome for her family and friends.  She never turned down a hungry mouth or failed to give a much-needed hug to any of the neighborhood kids that needed a hug.

Santana Natasha Kortum-Caballero

Santana traveled the world not to escape, but to conquer it — one passport stamp and one bold story at a time. To soak it in, learn from it, and remind it that people like her existed — the kind who turn pain into purpose and fire into fuel. And whether she was in a courtroom, on a beach in some far-off country, or at a dinner table calling out everyone’s nonsense, she was unapologetically herself: honest, passionate, fearless. But the courtroom wasn’t her only battleground. Santana was a champion for the underdog — unwavering in her support of anyone facing hardship. She had a special place in her heart for kids and families in need, offering pro bono adoption services to those with nowhere else to turn. She knew the power of chosen family — she had adopted all three of her beloved children, Gabby, Michael, Madison/Duke, and poured every ounce of her soul into giving them the love and strength that she carried with her always. They were her greatest legacy.

Clayetta Corcoran Border

You may remember Clayetta from a few establishments in town… her role consisted of part babysitter, part shrink, and allowed her to develop a keen sense of seeing through the BS … as a bartender!  She served at Fairmont Hot Springs for years, then the Owl Bar & Warm Springs Bar for some good friends, and lastly at Granny’s Kitchen, where she met her future husband Rich Border, and soon after moved to Missoula, MT.  While in Missoula, she worked at Lenscrafter’s for a short time, then brought her design skills to Daltile and Stone, from which she retired in 2019.

Angela Jean Gates “Ann Jean”

She was well-known as the “best Avon Lady in Anaconda,” a title she claimed proudly. Her enthusiasm and success earned her recognition and trips she cherished, often shared with her daughters. But beyond Avon, she was a listener, a giver, and a friend to all. A creative spirit, Ann Jean had a passion for crafting. Her Cricut machine was her magic wand, transforming simple materials into heartfelt gifts—mugs, shirts, coasters, and more—that now serve as cherished reminders of her thoughtfulness. She also loved her walks in Washoe Park, where she found peace and joy in the beauty around her.

Derald L. Dorlarque

Derald graduated from Anaconda High School in 1961. After graduation Derald went on to join the Marine Corps. He proudly served his country from 1964-1967. After his time in the service Derald moved to Las Vegas and joined the ranks of professional bartenders, which he did until 1987. Derald made his way back to Montana, which he always referred to as his home state. Once he moved back to Montana he started a house painting business in Bozeman, MT, which is still active under his son.