In Memory: April, May and June 2023

As is our tradition at the Anaconda Leader, we are taking a look back at the lives of the people we have lost in the past year. In this issue we look at obituaries from April, May and June of 2023. For January, February and March see the Dec. 27, 2023 edition.

April

James “Red” Robert Hareland

From a young age Red thrived on and loved a hard day’s work. At one point, he held three jobs. He delivered milk in the morning, was a skilled Pipefitter at the Smelter in the afternoon, and was a Gas Attendant in the evening. Above all of this, he made it a priority to keep his belongings in pristine condition and never missed a family function.

Gerald Francis “Gerry” Shields

He married Patricia Walsh in Lewistown, Montana.  They had two children, John and Kelly. Gerry and Pat were married 54 years and traveled extensively world-wide. They observed bird and animal species on all seven continents even seeing the live birth of an elephant in Africa. Just prior to his death, they had just returned from Chile where they, their children along with their long-time friends, Candie Cane and Kathy Osen sited two Puma in the wild.

Gerard “Jerry” Patrick Hogan

Jerry’s passion for coaching began at 17 years old when he coached his little brothers. Throughout Butte, Stanford, and Anaconda, Jerry coached countless seasons of wrestling, football, and track, but his one true love was basketball. He was a member of the Montana Coaches Association for 35 years. Jerry had fire in his soul and a drive for success. Every athlete knew his “bark was worse than his bite.” He dialed in on the game fundamentals and important life lessons too. He enjoyed the opportunity to coach his own kids, and one of his greatest joys was coaching alongside his daughter Andie. Jerry showed up for his athletes, even at times going straight from a treatment to the game. Spending hours in the gym got his mind off his sickness and helped get him through the hardest days of his life.

Thomas Rangitsch

He loved having friends and family over to visit, whether it was just visiting on his deck or lighting the fire in his yard, cooking hotdogs, having a few drinks and a lot of laughter and jokes. He also loved woodworking. He would spend hours in his garage building something. He enjoyed camping, walking, riding his four wheeler, ice skating and spending time with his favorite companion Benny. Tom was always ready for fun, laughs and telling his jokes and the never ending stories.

Helen Gallagher Herbolich Dowdall

After graduating from Anaconda High School, she attended St. Mary’s College in Kansas. Helen married Dick Herbolich and they were the owners of Herbolich Grocery and the Dairy Delight. Their four children, Jim, Ann, Dick and Mike, joined them to help run the stores. Helen and Dick were married for 26 years until his untimely death. She later married Joe Dowdall. Helen worked as an eligibility technician in the Public Health and Human Services Department for the State of Montana. Helen was a member of the American Contract Bridge League for over 60 years and rose to the rank of Ruby Life Master. She enjoyed fishing, reading, traveling and being with family.

Loreen “Reene” Rae Speelman

She was passionate about her interests; including crafting jewelry, editing photography, researching genealogy; and teaching others about healthy habits, healing remedies, and the Bible. She once owned the Anaconda Bar and worked as a local DJ’s wedding videographer. In addition, she served many people over the years at Donivan’s and the Copper Bowl in Anaconda. Despite being the self-proclaimed “black sheep” of the family, Reene was known for her straightforwardness and unwavering support to those around her, always listening to their concerns and ideas.

Mary Ann Bing

Mary Ann was developmentally disabled and attended several different schools throughout her life in Oregon, Illinois, and Montana. She worked at Helena Industries for several years. After leaving Helena Industries, she attended the CAP program offered through Spring Meadow Resources. Prior to living at Mount Ascension, Mary Ann lived in several different places in Helena including the Davis Group Home, Stewart Homes, her own residence on 8th Ave., Eagles’ Manor, the Hudson House and lastly Mount Ascension Transitional Care. Mary Ann was often described by her friends as always happy and having a big smile on her face. She enjoyed all of the various activities that were offered at Mount Ascension. She and her roommate Cora were best friends.

Margaret Rita Allen

Mama was a problem solver and the eternal optimist.  She was witty and good natured and with her love of reading, she made sure she and her children made good use of the Hearst Free Public Library. Mama’s grandchildren have many happy memories of the creative games she played with them and the vast amount of books she read to them.  Her children remember many entertaining stories of her youth spent growing up on fourth and Ash Street. She was a Chaplain for the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Garden Club and the Anaconda Catholic Community.

May

Arthur Charles Ellison

Patriotism and love of country were instilled at a young age while living in San Francisco during WWII. Lois worked at the Presidio and his father at the naval shipyard. Military personnel were often dinner guests, air-raid sirens and blackouts were common. Art, AKA Buster, and Shirley raised money for Christmas presents for the soldiers at the Naval hospital by making and selling homemade holiday cards. Story goes that cute little Art was the perfect salesman. He always did have the gift of gab and a great smile!

Father John Elmer Murray Jr.

Known as the “Hiking Priest” he climbed the mountains of Montana and the world. From his youth, Father Jack cherished the outdoors. Fishing, river rafting, hiking, camping, and biking were all activities he extracted the peace and strength found in nature with.  Father selected the final resting place, his boyhood where he spent hiking Mount Powell located west of Deer Lodge.  While selecting the site, Father Jack’s comment was “I could look at this view forever:” With a passion for football, Father Murray intensely watched Notre Dame games.  Best not to disturb his game days with phone calls or an unexpected drop in visit. Father Murray led pilgrimages to the Holy Land, walking the St James Way Camino de Santiago, The Kerry Way of Ireland, the Andes of South America, the Himalayas and the Great Wall of China.  During retirement he visited almost every continent while serving as a chaplain aboard cruise ships.

Martin Albert Heaney

Marty was a true gym rat growing up in the alleys, playgrounds, and gymnasiums of Anaconda where he developed a lifelong love of sports, camaraderie, and competition. Apparently, no one thought it odd in the 1950’s that a 12-year-old kid with no money would often hitchhike across the state to watch a game. Marty and Kay had many adventures involving their travels to sporting events at all levels, they especially enjoyed Saturdays in the North End Zone. Dad was a fan of sportsmanship and giving your best, whether it was at Notre Dame Stadium or the Kennedy Commons. His 132 consecutive free throws at Daly Gym, and thousands of range balls hit at the Old Works will never be matched.

Jackie Lynn Weist

Jackie was a very loving, outgoing woman. She created bonds with everyone she met. Jackie was the most selfless person you could meet and would do anything and everything she possibly could to ensure she helped everyone who needed it. Jackie’s favorite thing to do was to spend time with her grandchildren. She also loved to play on her computer and spend time with her close friends. Jackie worked a lot and loved to meet new people. Her favorite job was being a disc jockey at a radio station in Butte, MT. Her job at the time of her passing was at Aware in Anaconda, MT, where she would help children. Jackie grew up in Libby, MT, and later moved for more opportunities.

Floyd Johnston

On December 10, 1942, Floyd got his call to join the war effort and went to Plattsburg Barracks, NY for nine months of training as part of the 51st Engineer Combat Battalion. In November 1943, they were sent to North Africa and then headed through the Strait of Gibraltar to India, all the while dodging German submarines. After a twenty-two day battle over Oran, Algeria, he moved on to the Suez Canal and was then shipped back to England for more training, prior to what would become the D-Day invasion. Ten days after D-Day, his battalion landed on Utah Beach and moved across France constructing roads, bridges and culverts to be used by the US First Army. During this time, Floyd participated in the Battle Of The Bulge, joined up with Patton’s Third Army and in March 1945, the 51st built a bridge across the Rhine river in twenty-six hours while being bombarded by German fire. On April 27, 1945, towards the end of the war, after completing a bridge across the Danube, they came upon three-hundred German soldiers, who became prisoners of war. Floyd was discharged from the Army at Chafee, Arkansas on November 5th, 1945.

Evelyn Barbara Blaskovich

Evelyn was a lifetime member of the Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU) and served as an officer in the Anaconda CFU lodge for many years. Her hobbies included reading, cooking traditional dishes like Povitisa, taking a spin in her car, having lunch, and playing bingo at the senior center, keeping an immaculate house and yard, and daily walks throughout Anaconda when she was able. She loved to watch football and college softball. During football season, Evelyn faithfully watched her favorite NFL team which was determined not only by the athletic qualities of the team’s quarterback, but, most importantly, their personal attributes. Evelyn was a devout Catholic and attended mass at St. Peter’s church for many years.

JP Sletten

Jon-Paul was a hard worker who started his first job at 14 years old, bussing tables at Barclay II, a local Anaconda supper club. He went on to become a career server, working at multiple restaurants in the greater Seattle area and eventually settling at his final place of employment: Endolyne Joe’s. Jon-Paul was well-known in the Seattle service family for his engaging personality. He went to extremes to bring smiles to the faces of his customers and co-workers, relying on his signature sense of humor, and readily deploying a string of bad jokes if all else failed.

June

Danielle Jean Kahm Lorenz

Danielle was born of her parents Dorthy and Daniel Kahm in Missoula, Montana. She has 4 siblings, Rosemary, Linda, Debbie and Doug. Married to the love of her life Thomas Ray Lorenz in 1960. Danielle was hard working, loyal, loving, kind and deeply committed to family. Danielle loved animals especially dogs and horses, puzzles and adult art coloring. Danielle struggled with many health challenges throughout her life and was in Hospice care for the last year of her life here on earth. She passed peacefully and lovingly at home with her daughters Julie and Laurie.

Helen Mae Meyer

In their younger years, Helen and Dick belonged to the Anaconda Saddle Club and owned several horses. She enjoyed riding and the companionship of the horses. Helen’s other hobbies and interests included dancing, needlework, making stuffed toys for children, recycling cards for the Nursing Home and Hearthstone, and playing bingo. She made many beautiful, embroidered pillows for the Anaconda Rest Home residents and always remembered them with cards, treats, and visits. She spent many hours volunteering for the Anaconda Head Start Program where she was “grandma” to so many of the children. Each year, she looked forward to helping distribute dictionaries to Deer Lodge, Powell, and Granite County 3rd graders as part of her volunteer work with Avon Grange.

Belva Leona Miller Keele Tarkalson

Mom being a housewife and mother of six kids, she made many of our dresses and matching shirts for the two boys. She always braided our hair for school, sometimes so tight we had raised eyes and brows! Mom used to make the best homemade bread and scones. She was always so loving and giving of her hugs and kisses. Her sons-in-law were treated like extra sons. Mom loved reading romance magazines and watching soap operas. She called herself a tv-aholic right up to the end and enjoyed old westerns like Gun Smoke. With most of our family moved, mom always asked us to tell our children and grandkids she sends her love. Saying every day when any one of us were with her, as we were ready to leave the house (even earlier the night she passed) she always said, “drive careful and watch out for that other guy and animals.”

John W. Pellegrini

John was known throughout Anaconda as an avid baseball fan.  He especially loved the New York Yankees.  He used to say that he bled “Pin Strips”.  When he got “too old” to play baseball and softball, he turned his passion into umpiring. For several years, he could be seen calling balls and strikes at many men’s and women’s softball games, particularly during the Goosetown Softball Tournament. When not watching baseball, he was keeping a close eye on his beloved MSU Bobcats.  He was a proud Bobcat.

Anthony “Tony” J. Pellegrini

Tony was born on December 4th, 1957 at Saint Anthony’s hospital in Seattle Washington along with his twin brother Joseph “Joe”.  When he was born, the nun at the hospital told his mom that he looked just like St. Anthony, hence the reason for his name. In 1958, his family returned to Anaconda, MT, where Tony grow up, enjoying the many pleasures Montana has to offer that included fishing and hiking.  His passion for fishing was encouraged by his father who was also an avid fisherman and his favorite “spot” to fish was the Big Hole River near Wisdom.  

Ardeth Julienne (Rusk) Moquist

Ardie enjoyed many things in her life including crocheting, baking, canning, and cooking.  Her banana bread, jams, pasties, and pickled beets were family favorites.  She also enjoyed her monthly bridge club and monthly luncheons with her classmates.  But after Alden’s passing, her favorite past time was enjoying her children with their children and then their grandchildren.  Her Friday became sacred to her with a trip to the beauty shop to get her hair and nails done in the morning followed by lunch.  Everyone knew better not to call her or schedule anything for her until late afternoon on Fridays.  She enjoyed many trips, whether it was to get out of town for a few days or to go watch the latest sporting event that her grandchildren were involved in.  Recently the sparkle in Ardie’s eyes were her great grandchildren, which most of them affectionately referred to her as AJM.  Ardie was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  

Debbie DeLong

Debbie DeLong was an avid reader who loved to explore the outdoors of Idaho and Montana with her family and dogs. She was a proud member of the Iroquois nation. Though, her greatest joy came from being a loving wife and supportive mother. Her boys were her world. 

Later in life, she devoted herself to her grandchildren, Leo, Lola, and Caylee. As anyone that met her knew, she also showed motherly love not only to her own kids, but to her boys’ friends and any younger person who needed her, welcoming anyone with open arms.

Robyn Dombrowski

Robyn in all her embodiments, was someone with whom we have laughed, cried, joked, teased, sympathized with, cringed at, admired, respected, and ultimately loved.

How does one sum up the existence of such a cherished human in so few sentences? How do we describe the impact of one specific person on the lives of so many others? Maybe we begin with ice cream parties, cheap shoes, farting ring tones, turkey roasting instructions, gift giving, adoration and adoption of other’s children, letter writing mornings, biking the Hiawatha trail, garage sales, barbecue buying, iPad deal sleuthing, lunches at Panera, surprise tractor purchases, unvarnished commentaries, savage loyalty, and divine-like love.

Raymond Beausoleil

Ray attended both St. Paul’s and St. Joseph grade school and attended Anaconda Central, graduating in 1967. He then went on to Carroll College where his plans were to become a priest. After several years he decided that the priesthood was not his calling.

He went on to work at the Berkley Pit until his health wouldn’t allow it. He then went to work as a Philatelist for several years then worked for the Diocese of Helena as a printer.  Ray finished his career as a Psych Aide at Montana State Hospital.