In Memoriam – December 2024

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 December of 2024. January through March were printed on Dec. 27, April through June on Dec. 30, July and August on Jan. 3, September on Jan. 8, October on Jan. 10 and November on Jan. 15.

December

Virginia Carosone

She grew up and graduated from Anaconda Central High in 1952. She then attended and graduated from St. Mary’s College in Kansas with degrees in both Chemistry and Home Economics.  Upon return to Anaconda, she worked as a chemist at the Smelter.  Virginia was very proud of her time on “The Hill.”  After her marriage to Elmer Carosone, she found herself as a day-to-day keeper at the Anaconda Country Club, all the while carrying for her family.  The consummate mother and housewife, there was no stain she couldn’t get out of the laundry, nothing couldn’t be stitched or sewn. No matter what her sons Vince and Rick were participating in, she never missed an event.  Later in life, she lovingly embraced her grandchildren and granddogs who always looked forward to visiting as each knew the special attention they would receive. Her finest efforts were in the kitchen. From a small treat to a huge holiday feast with all the trimmings, she was an exceptional host, preparing and serving to family and friends. 

Helen Agnes (Feist) Holzer

Soon after moving to Bismarck, she met Adam Holzer, they were married and began planning a life together. They relocated to Anaconda where Adam found work with the Anaconda Company. They lived in a small apartment until they could buy what would become the family home on North Cherry Street. As the family grew Helen and Adam took on the adventure of adding on to their home and even digging out a basement to have a “rec-room” for their children to “hang-out.”  Most of this work was done by themselves, friends, and neighbors. In addition to raising four children and her beloved dog Holly, Helen was a master homemaker. She loved decorating her home inside and out, keeping it spotless, cooking meals and baking goodies, all while making it look effortless. She was an accomplished seamstress and often sewed late into the night. She did embroidery, made clothes, prom dresses, baby quilts, teddy bears from fur coats and so much more. She was known for the wide variety of Christmas treats including hand-dipped chocolates that she made from scratch. You were truly fortunate if you were on her Christmas Cookie list, and you could always expect a variety of home baked treats when visiting grandma Helen.

John F. Donohue

A first-generation Irish-American, he took great pride in his heritage. After World War II, the family moved to Anaconda, MT, where John spent a joyful childhood and honed his talent for storytelling. John graduated high school and enlisted in the Navy in 1953, serving at Port Townsend, WA, and Adak, AK. His love of the water endured throughout his life, and he spent countless hours fishing in Alaska’s pristine waters. Following his Navy service, John completed a boilermaker apprenticeship in Anaconda before enrolling at Montana State College. It was there he met Sue Trott, a nursing student who became his wife in 1960. The couple raised four children—Shauna, Brian, Dan, and Tara.

Carl S. Jess

Carl attended Anaconda High School until he joined the Army and was stationed in Alaska. He became a boilermaker working at the Smelter and later went on to barber school in Great Falls. Carl returned to Anaconda, opening his own barbershop on Main Street. He then worked as a Barber for the state of Montana and retired after 20 years. Not yet ready to put down his clippers, he worked at a barbershop on Park Street until his final retirement in 1998. Carl married his high school sweetheart Mary Kay “Cute” McDonald on December 29th, 1956, in Anaconda, Montana where the couple lived and raised their family and were an integral part of the local community hosting an epic Christmas Eve party every year with all welcome. Carl was an avid outdoorsman relishing in camping, hunting, fishing and spending time in the mountains of Montana. He was a devoted friend and family member and the first person many called on to fix or build anything. Woodworking, mechanics, and tinkering were passions throughout his life. He often would find an ancient cedar fencepost in the back country and carry it home, where he would turn it on the lathe and make something beautiful.