IN MEMORY

As is our tradition at the 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 October, November and December of 2023. For the previous months, see the Dec. 27, 29 and Jan. 3 editions.

October

Jay Arthur Peterson

Jay continually looked for ways to improve the ranch whether it was the hay crop, the cattle blood line or increasing the cattle herd. Jay was very innovative, talented, and resourceful. Jay was very proud of the custom log home that he and Beth built to raise their family in. Jay could look at a picture of his next project for the ranch and before you knew it, he would have it built. He built several hay bale feeders, horse trailers and numerous farming/irrigation equipment. He seemed to be able to fix (jerry rig) anything, even if missing a few parts.

Richard Arlen Calhoun

Richard graduated from Anaconda High School in 1973 and then enlisted in the United States Navy.  He proudly served for 22 years, retiring as Senior Chief Petty Officer.  Richard was a communications control manager and supervisor and served on the USS Enterprise, the Cleveland and Carl Vinson.  While serving in the Phillipines, he aided in the evacuation and placement of Vietnamese refugees after the fall of Saigon.

Ella Marie Froehlich

In 2020, Ella moved to Star to live near family again. She was especially delighted by the time spent with her great-grandchildren, who called her GG for short. For Halloween last year, Ella dressed as a nurse and handed out candy to kids and adults alike.  She will be missed immensely by her family and many friends. Ella always had a heart devoted to her prayer life, a sense of humor, and a happy spirit. Her memory was so vivid, and she could recite God’s word or a poem she learned as a child. God truly blessed us with Ella every day.  

Diana Sue Binns-Chor

Diana was a lifelong Anaconda resident, with a brief residency in Butte. She loved life to its fullest and loved her family and friends. She will be remembered as a CNA, both in Butte and Anaconda. She loved taking care of her residents and being silly and having fun with her coworkers. She worked at the Crest Nursing Home in Butte, and the Anaconda Nursing Home in Anaconda, where she retired.

John E. Siders

John joined the Army in 1963 at the age of 17 with his two friends, Serge Myers and Bob Huffman, hoping to be a cook. Instead, in typical Army fashion, John shipped out to Stuttgart, Germany, as a Cessna L-19 “Bird Dog” Mechanic after graduating tech school in Alabama. He learned to speak fluent German and after his discharge from the military in 1968, lived in Germany working for the Red Cross. 

Avalon Marie Billquist

Her parents were the leaders of the first 4-H club in Deer Lodge County when Avalon was in 9th grade and 4-H remained a big part of her life. She graduated from Anaconda Senior High School in 1944 and then attended summer school at The Normal School, now U of M Western in Dillon, and received an emergency teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at Finn MT teaching grades 1-8 in a one room schoolhouse. She was 17 turning 18 one week later. She retired after teaching for 34 years.

Suzanne Patricia (Hansen) Holden

Sue graduated from AHS in 1980.  She had a beautiful voice and sang at her graduation accompanied on the piano by her mom, Gale.  Following high school, Sue attained her first college degree from MT Tech. After that she attended college in Portland, Oregon and then went on to earn her teaching degree from Eastern Montana College in Billings.  Sue then moved to Las Vegas and began her 30-year teaching career and ultimately earned her masters degree at UNLV.  As well as being an excellent vocalist, she was a very talented artist and her creations were a reflection of the beauty she saw in the world and her deep appreciation for its wonders.

Richard “Dick” Walter Wilson

He met the love of his life Sandy Wilson while working at Warm Springs and everyone knew they would be together forever. They married with a great Irish wedding on St. Paddy’s Day 1995 and made their home in Anaconda, MT. Dick enjoyed many things but most of all enjoyed his beer rides in the big hole valley with his lovely wife taking in Montana’s finest beauty.

Joseph Harold Jette

In 1978, Harold and Carol made a pivotal decision to purchase the Jette family ranch from Harold’s mother. His time was filled with tending to the land, growing feed for the cattle, and managing a diverse range of animals, from chickens and turkeys to pigs. He even had a pair of draft horses that he worked with on occasion. The ranch was not just a place of work but also a source of cherished memories, especially with his family and friends. 

Nancy Aileen Hebnes

Nancy found joy in making some of the best cinnamon rolls, raisin puff cookies and dinner rolls a person could eat. She enjoyed travelling and exploring new places with Jim, even though she most likely had to convince him to go.  Every year, she and Marie would take a trip to Spokane to shop and eat. They both looked forward to this trip very much so.

Nellie L Hobson

Nellie graduated from high school and opened a beauty salon. Eventually she became a real estate agent in Portland, OR. Nellie was an avid golfer, and loved knitting and crafting. Nellie also had an affinity for Poodles and Cairn Terriers and had many over the years of her life.

November

Martha “Martie” Mullen Tafoya

Martie “retired” and moved back to her hometown of Anaconda, residing in her childhood home in 2021. Martie had a beautiful circle of friends that she shared many adventures with. Martie never met a stranger and made ripples everywhere she went. Martie had a passion for traveling, reading, her dogs, candy crush, and community activities.

Mary Elizabeth Mullen

Mary enjoyed going to Josh’s many sporting events. Mary loved playing Adult Rec league sports in Anaconda and made a lot of friends through playing. She also coached female youth league sports and enjoyed it. Mary taught religious education at the Catholic Church for years. She had Josh in class one of those years and kicked him out a couple of times to nobody’s surprise. She became friends with Kay Heaney and Sister Eileen through the church. She really appreciated these friendships.

Margaret Rose Rub Nebeker

She was a mother to Marion Sage and Phillip Nebeker, step-mother to Bonnie, Earla and Marilyn. She had eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She enjoyed crocheting, playing cards with Jack in the evening. She also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles.

Jean Marie Harding (Monaco)

Jean faithfully dedicated 30 years to the State of Montana at the Women’s Prison and with the Granite County Sheriff’s Department. Jean loved her job, the people she worked with, and the people she supervised. She made many lifelong friends, and after retirement, took to her new hobbies of traveling, spoiling her grandchildren and quilting with great enthusiasm. Jean was called away from us to Heaven too soon, and we will all miss her dearly.

Mary Joan (Austin) Lindgren

Mary was very outgoing and friendly to everyone she met.  She volunteered at various functions and especially loved working at the Sacramento Jazz Festival. She was an avid sports fan, especially loved the Miami Dolphins and enjoyed attending the Sacramento Kings Basketball games, but watching her grandchildren play sports was her favorite.

Marianne T. Malen

Marianne attended Central High School in Anaconda, MT, and graduated from Gonzaga University with a BS in Chemistry. After graduation, Marianne worked at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, MT. She married Peter F. Malen Sr. in 1962 and his career took them to Great Falls, MT, Spokane WA, and ultimately to Portland, OR. In Portland, Marianne worked as a chemist for Merix Corporation, a printed circuit board manufacturer, for many years before retiring.

Harry Edward Dziak

He was greatly influenced by music and eventually learned how to play the guitar, accordion and was a natural born singer. Harry and a group of his high school friends formed the band The Z-Ons, playing local dances and eventually became the house band for Anaconda’s Club 919. He later formed a band known as the Zacks with his brother Joe Dziak. With his deep love for God, he enjoyed sharing his music in churches. He was actively involved in Holy Family and Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Anaconda, and The Cathedral of Saint Helena.

Helen Marie (McGivern) Huber

She was raised on the flats with her 8 brothers and sisters, graduating from Girls Central.  She married Larry Huber and together they raised 6 children until Larry’s death in 1984.  She then went to work for the Community Hospital of Anaconda until grandchildren started arriving; at which time she decided to give them her full and undivided attention.  She offered endless love and support to her 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren as only a grandmother can.

Kathleen Mavourneen O’Dwyer

Katie earned her degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early reading at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington in 1979. In 1980, she married and had her first of three children. From the time Katie was a very small child, she knew she wanted to be a mother. As a toddler, she would tell people, ‘I’m one of the mothers.” Katie stayed home to raise her three children, where she made good use of her elementary ed degree, providing them with a strong educational foundation. Katie loved her children with every fiber of her being and made them the center of her universe.

Lani Maria Kleinhans

Lani attended St. Paul’s grade school and graduated from Anaconda Senior High in 1966. After high school Lani attended the University of California at Berkeley, graduating with a degree in political science.  Lani began her career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the typing pool, and was so intrigued she went back to school to become an agent. As a Federal Agent she traveled and lived in numerous locations until she transferred to Seattle, WA and served with FBI until she retired.

December

James “Jim” Richard Bishop

Jim served in The United States Navy from 1971 to 1979 as an Aviation Electronics Technician aboard The U.S.S. Enterprise. After the military he worked in the Seattle area.  In later years, Jim and Jane moved to the Midwest where he worked at Spring River Mental Health and Wellness as the director of IT.

Jacqueline Niland

t was in her nature to take care of everyone. She nourished their spirits and their bodies. Not only did Jackie feed her children, but also their friends with every day bringing another person to lunch or dinner and into Jackie’s heart. This tradition also continued with her time at the Tri County Fair where she watched her “kids” compete in 4H and the rodeo for many years. She was such an infectious and loving mother and steadfast caregiver, that many of these friends became family who still continued to visit with Jackie on a regular basis.

John T. McNay Jr.  

Dr. McNay was an exceptional teacher who referred to his students fondly and optimistically as his “young scholars.” He brought history to life through stories about the rise and fall of empires, political espionage, back-door diplomacy, and ordinary people thrust into extraordinary roles. In college classrooms and study abroad programs, he taught courses on world history, the world wars, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. Dr. McNay was known for his dedication to his students and for his extraordinary ability to see in them the young scholars they might not yet see in themselves. He regularly nominated students for awards, celebrated their successes at commencement, and maintained friendships with some long after they graduated.

John Shegina

John earned his B.A. in Education from Eastern Montana College. His Masters in Vocational Rehab from Northern Colorado University. He moved to Long Beach, California working as a V.A. and Disability Counselor/Supervisor in Southern California and lobbied for ADA Rights in Sacramento. An avid golfer, bicyclist and trail hiker and he loved L.A.

Brett William Ellison

Brett grew up in Gallatin Gateway, where as a boy he loved exploring the outdoors, fishing, hunting and playing sports. It was hard to pull him away from a fishing stream. He was a true Montana boy his whole life. When he was a sophomore in high school, he got his first taste of ranch life working on his aunt and uncle’s ranch in White Sulphur Springs. He graduated from Bozeman High and then started his ranching career. He worked on the Flying D, Red Rock, and Diamond O ranches. He loved shed horn hunting and working with bison.

Michael Q. Adams

Mike was predeceased by his parents and all of his relatives. He is survived by his business partner, Greg Lagimoniere of Jacksonville, Florida, his best friend, Ryan Carlyle of Anaconda, and many friends in Anaconda. While living in Anaconda, Mike enjoyed the outdoors and traveling, he was a member of the Search and Rescue and the American Legion, and he took care of his business affairs and his dogs, Juneau and Kodiak.

Woodrow Foyosa Morgan Jr.

In the early 1990’s Woodrow moved back to Omaha Nebraska & met Dixie. They instantly connected. They lived in Nebraska until they moved to Arizona to be closer to his father. After his father passed & Woodrow retired in 2005, they moved to Anaconda, Montana. They chose Anaconda by placing a map on the table, closing their eyes & using pens to pinpoint the area they were moving to. They both ended up in the same area on the map & decided on Anaconda due to its mountainous region & population.  

John Michael Chor

John was an Anaconda Central High School graduate as well as a Western Montana College graduate where he excelled in academics and sports. After graduation, he served in the Montana National Guard. He began his career as a teacher of special education, business education and drivers education at the Anaconda High School. In addition to teaching, John enjoyed coaching AHS boys basketball. He managed Granite Amusement of SW Montana until his retirement and was the owner of the Last Chance Casino and Restaurant in Helena.

James (Jim) Edward Nissen

In January of 1980 he fulfilled his lifelong dream of moving to Montana with his then wife, Kathy. They purchased a log home in Deer Lodge on 40 acres.  Jim used his carpentry skills to finish the inside of their log home. He did a beautiful job. He found work as a ranch hand for the Simon Ranch in Butte, working for Leonard and Otto Simon. Jim was treated like family and enjoyed all that was involved working on a Ranch in Beautiful Montana, He loved horses and was a true cowboy.

Wanda Delores (Rice) Rogers

Wanda was a great cook and enjoyed trying new recipes to share with her family and friends. She loved to shop and always dressed to the nines. She was a hard-to-beat pinochle and cribbage player. She was a diehard Seahawks fan, and watched their game against San Francisco from her hospital bed in the afternoon prior to her death. She was strong and independent, and lived life on her terms.

Mary Lee Fitzpatrick-Shepherd

Mom loved her time with her siblings, always keeping an eye on her thirteen nieces and nephews. She always tried to live close to her two sisters that she adored.  She was always boasting about her older sister Jerry and keeping close tabs and traveling with her baby sister Patsy as long as she wasn’t trying to “boss her around”. Another favorite past time for mom was to be at the lake with her surviving brother Frank Fitz.

Schriee May Harding

After a year in Beauty School in Butte, she began her career in bartending and waitressing, and in 2001, moved to Longmont, Colorado. There she eventually found her place at Aunt Alices Restaurant where she worked as a waitress and eventually became the assistant manager for the rest of her working days.