Obituaries

Feb 15, 2026

Jeff McGowan (born Richard Jeffrey McGowan), age 30 of Missoula, MT, passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 15, 2026. A lover of the mountains and an accomplished climber, Jeff died in an accidental fall while developing a climbing route along Sleeping Child near Hamilton, MT. His death is a tragic shock to his family and to the community of climbers...

Feb 15, 2026

Feb 15, 2026

Maria Chinikaylo, born on March 30, 1945, in Mogilev, Belarus, lived a long and fruitful 80 years marked by unwavering faith, devotion to the Lord, and love for her family. She courageously sacrificed to bring her children to the United States, creating a foundation of faith, resilience, and unity for generations to come.



A beloved wife, mother of seven, and proud...

Feb 14, 2026

John William Nugent passed away from Multiple Myeloma on February 14, 2026. He was born on March 25, 1950 to Jim and Theresa Willems Nugent in Butte, Montana. His family moved to Missoula when John was a toddler. He attended St. Francis Grade School and Loyola High School where he began his Jesuit Education. He then studied in a Jesuit...

Feb 14, 2026

Mark Alan Woodgerd, 69, of Stevensville MT, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026 of rheumatoid lung disease. He is survived by his beloved wife Gina, of 38 years, children Kyle, Jeanette, Nate, Dan, Nicole. Grandchildren Toby, Jessamyn, Ryland, Gaige, Nina, Sadie, and Ember. Brothers Dave and Tom, and his cousins Gary, Randy, and Darrell.

He was born in Miles City,...

Feb 11, 2026

Ron Marcum passed away on February 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, leaving behind a legacy rooted in devotion, loyalty, and deep family pride.

A proud native of Butte, Montana, Ron was a 1965 graduate of Butte High School and never missed an opportunity to let people know where he was from. Butte was part of who he...

Feb 8, 2026

Barbara Mae Boerst passed peacefully at the Village Senior Residence on Sunday, February 8, 2026. She was born on December 1, 1933, in Chicago, IL, to William and Evora Hollenback. Upon the passing of her mother in 1940, she was adopted by her aunt and uncle James (Mabel) Steele and became Barbara Steele. She was raised in Chicago and graduated...

Feb 7, 2026

Kelly Lloyd passed away unexpectedly on February 7, 2026 at the age of 71. He was born in Missoula MT on May 21, 1954 to parents Ted and Lavonne (Ham) Lloyd, the second of four boys.

The family moved to Havre MT on April Fool’s Day of 1960. Kelly attended Havre schools and graduated from Havre High in 1972. He grew...

Feb 7, 2026

George Henry Johnson, 85, of Huson, MT, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026. A full obituary to follow. 

Feb 3, 2026

Vienna Tripp, 96, passed peacefully on Feb 3 at her home in Lolo, MT. She was born in Brocket, ND December 14,1929 to Aili and Gustaf Johnson. Gustaf died in his early 30’s and left Aili with 7 small children (Waino, Sadie, Lydia, Nestor, Vienna, Leo and Arve) of which the older 4 were farmed out while Vienna and the...

Feb 3, 2026

Richard Lee Van Haecke, 80, of Missoula, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Community Medical Center from complications of multiple health challenges.

Richard was born on April 14, 1945, in Libertyville, Illinois to Andrew Henry and Catherine Elizabeth Van Haecke. He attended school in Illinois and in 1965, enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served his country,...

Feb 1, 2026

Sue Kane was born April 27, 1951 in San Mateo, California. She overcame (what she sometimes called “a tremendous inconvenience”) all the challenges that came her way throughout her 74 years. Sue was totally blind.

Learning braille at a very young age, Sue attended Burlingame High School, University of Pacific and Texas Women’s University, where she earned her M.S. degree in...

Jan 31, 2026

Douglas Donald Harris, 74, passed peacefully on Jan. 31, 2026, from complications of an advanced thymoma and injuries from a fall. He was surrounded by his five children and the sounds of Hank Williams, Sam Cooke, and Appalachian hymns.  

In the wake of losing his North Star, Gael Harris, two-and-a-half years prior, Doug’s retirement was a slow and gentle return...

Jan 29, 2026

John Charles Kruger

May 25, 1953 – January 29, 2026

John Charles Kruger, a devoted husband, veteran, and proud Montanan, did not simply pass away on January 29, 2026. Instead, he stepped out of the weary vessel of mortality and into the light of the immortal. It was the fulfillment of a 45-year journey—a quiet, triumphant "unzipping" of the earthly to reveal...

Jan 27, 2026

Bernard (Bernie) Foshag was born September 8", 1957 in Great Falls, MT and passed away January 27", 2026 due to a long battle of cancer. Bernie was born to William (Bill) and Mary Foshag. Second born child out of four brothers. Born in Great Falls, his family moved to Missoula, where he attended school. He met the love of his...

Jan 27, 2026

Darvel Tripp, Shorty, passed away from complications related to pneumonia and dementia on Tuesday January 27th, 2026, in his home in Missoula, Montana, surrounded by family. The middle of four brothers; Darvel was born in Deer River, Minnesota to Leota and Charlie Tripp. Shorty’s family moved to Missoula, Montana where he spent countless hours with his brothers running free in...

Jan 26, 2026

Jody A. Brown passed away on January 21, 2026. At the time of his passing, he was working as a heavy equipment operator in Fort Benton, Montana; he lived in Laurel, Montana.

If you met Jody, chances were good he would end up knowing more about you than you knew about him. He took a genuine interest in people and what...

Jan 26, 2026

Nancy Helen Polsin passed away January 26, 2026, at the age of 90.

Nancy was born on October 19, 1935, in West Bend, Wisconsin, to Alex and Lenore Wickert. She grew up alongside her brother, Dick, and her sister, Donna. After graduating from high school, Nancy attended St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where she received her...

Jan 25, 2026

William Thomas “Bill” Vaughn, 77, died unexpectedly on January 25, 2026, at home on the Clark Fork downriver from Missoula, Montana. Born in Great Falls, Bill was a natural at everything he put his mind to -- from improv jazz piano to fastpitch softball, O-Mok-See horse games and ice hockey, to name a few. A tireless raconteur and gossip, he...

Jan 25, 2026

Josephine Grace Rundle, 32, of Missoula, passed away on Sunday, January 25th, 2026.

She was born on August 5, 1993, in Seattle, Washington to Dale and Terrie Rundle.

Josie spent her toddler years living with her family in Lake Forest Park, Washington. She was a shy, freckle-faced little girl who loved swimming pools and riding her bicycle.

In 1999 Josie moved with her...