Kathleen Hodous, age 68, of Glendive, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Billings Clinic in Billings. 

Visitation was held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday,  March 3, 2017 at Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive, with Reverend Mark Grunst officiating. Interment will be held in Dawson Memorial Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Kathleen was born on February 24, 1949 in Glendive to parents Gydeon and Lydia (Gaub) Ulrich. She was raised and educated in Glendive, and graduated high school with the class of 1967. While in high school, she met Jim Hodous. Jim entered into the military, but when he came back, he and Kathleen started to date. They were married on December 2, 1967 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive. The couple spent 50 years together before Kathleen’s passing. Kathleen and Jim had two sons, Rodney and Jason. Kathleen worked the Wagon Wheel Bar, at City Drug, as a teller at First National Bank and then the BN Credit Union, and worked as an insurance clerk at Glendive Medical Center.

Kathleen enjoyed gardening, her flowers, angels, bird watching and line dancing. She loved to spend time with her family, which she was the center of.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Duane and Robert; sister, Wanda; and nephew, Mikel.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, Jim of Billingsa; sons, Rodney Hodous of Glendive and Jason Hodous of Billings; sisters, LaDonna (Larry) Schlenz of Glendive and Arleen Ulrich of Glendive; sister-in-law, Nancy Ulrich of Richey; grandchildren, Gaige and Michael of Glendive; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Eunice May Workman, 82, passed away on January 24, 2017 in Littleton, CO. Eunice was born in Glendive, MT on May 19, 1934 to Henry Theodore and Edna Candice (Wilhelm) Sell. Eunice was child number 11 of 13 siblings. She is survived by her son, Steven Rogers; daughter, Pamela Fluken; daughter, Elizabeth Herdt; step-daughter, Karen Burhans; 8 grandchildren, Tamara Elison, David Rogers, Daniel Rogers, Rick Boyer, Thomas McBartlett, Jaimie Golub, Mindy Kellar, Timothy Rogers and 18 great-grandchildren; and one remaining sibling, brother, Ted Sell. 

On July 19,1951 Eunice married Timothy Gordon Rogers in Miles City, MT. To that union, they were blessed with four children; Steven, Pamela, Linda (deceased), and Elizabeth. Eunice was married two additional times, with no additional children: February 1, 1981 to Thomas Rehor and June 9, 1990 to Orald Workman.

Eunice was baptized at a very early age at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Montana by Rev. Meyers. She maintained her faith throughout her life, often volunteering in her church community and always helping those in need. 

Eunice, we miss your kind spirit, loving nature, and warm heart.

Judith Diane Dowson, 73, passed away on Sunday February 26, 2017. She was born July 10, 1943 in Glendive, to John and Wilma Dowson. After living through a myriad of health issues, she passed away at Billings Health & Rehabilitation Center in Billings.

Judy joins her parents, John and Wilma Dowson; her sister, Marion Rickett; grandson, Jason Charles; nephew, John Dowson; and great-nephews in heaven.  

She is survived by her sister, Carol Turner of Glendive; brother, David Dowson of Troy; son, Russell Zinda of Gillette; daughters, Angela (Zinda) Kuehn of Billings and daughter Debra (Zinda) Charles of Apache Junction; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and Molly her pet (dog).

Family, friends and others whose lives Judy touched are invited to the graveside memorial service on March 10, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the Dawson Memorial Cemetery. Avis Anderson will officiate.  After services you are then invited to the Zion Lutheran Church to reminisce, support each other and of course just chat. Please dress warm and jeans are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Judith Diane Dowson to the Billings Clinic Dialysis, LLC at 2800 10th Ave N, Billings, MT 59107. The family is especially grateful to the staff at the Billings Clinic Dialysis Center as their help gave Judy an extra 9 weeks with family and friends.

Geraldine M. Akren, 83 of Glendive, passed away February 11, 2017. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Astoria in Glendive on March 11, 2017 from 12 p.m.. to 3 p.m. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Geraldine was born in Long Beach, Calif. on August 8, 1933 to Alice Childers and Ennis Crouch. In the late 1960’s she became a deputy sheriff for LA county and was a trailblazer for women in the industry. She retired in 1990. Sometime after her retirement she moved to Glendive and settled into a community that she loved and considered a part of her extended family.

Geraldine, lovingly referred to as “Grammy”, “GG”, and Geri, was loved by all who came into her life. Geri was independent, loving, hardworking, energetic and passionate about life. She enjoyed her cats, puppy-sitting, volunteering with local groups including the local food co-op, cancers survivor group and calling Bingo at the Heritage. 

She leaves a loving legacy with her four children, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her legacy of loving kindness will never be forgotten and her presence will be missed by all who came to know her. She will be dearly missed. 

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Keith Cameron Keysor, age 67, passed away on March 2, 2017 at the McCone County Health Center in Circle.

Keith was born in Glendive on February 3, 1950, the son of Robert (Bill) and Betty (Volbrecht) Keysor. He grew up and attended school in Richey, and graduated from Richey High School in 1968.  He initially worked for the Dawson County Road Department and then took a position with the McCone County Road Department when it became available. He was Road Foreman of McCone County for 20+ years before retiring in 1997. Many people will remember him spending  countless hours to keep their roads open and maintained, especially in remote parts of the county.

Keith married Deanna Switzer on June 2, 1973, in Circle, and to this union three sons were born. Hunting and fishing were activities Dad enjoyed very much, and our family took many trips each year to Fort Peck Lake or one of Montana’s many rivers. Dad spent several years elk hunting at Taylor’s Fork with friends and passed that love to his sons who continue this annual hunt. Dad relished sports: he bowled, played softball, watched the Dallas Cowboys and was one of Deane Copping’s steer wrestling students. He was an avid fan of his son’s sporting events.

Dad liked to work with his hands and could operate any manner of machine. He filleted fish, skinned deer and canned meat. Dad loved gardening; digging in the soil and making things grow. He also loved to cook. He would make a home-cooked meal for whoever crossed his path.

Dad was a character. He had a long smile that seemed to split his face in half. He always wore long sleeved button shirts, even when fishing. He had a friendly nickname for everyone, but, oddly enough, never seemed to have one himself.

Dad is survived by his three sons, Kelly (Nicole) Keysor of Sidney, Kyle Keysor of Miles City, and Kirk Keysor of Bozeman; mother, Betty Keysor of Richey; sisters, Cheryl (Jerry) Whiteman of Richey, Becky (Brian) Vetter of Glendive, and Susy (Ken) Ehli of Circle; brother, Bruce Keysor of Richey; and two grandchildren, Brody and Kaia Keysor. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

A memorial service was held on March 10, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Circle Country Market Banquet Room. Stevenson and Sons is entrusted with arrangements. Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice.

Margaret “Maggie” Gibson of Glendive, passed away on February 12, 2017 at the Glendive Medical Center Extended Care in Glendive on her 100th birthday. 

No services are planned at this time. Per Maggie’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Maggie was born on February 12, 1917 to parents Thomas and Tilda (Moe) Austin in Buchanan, N.D. She was raised on a farm north of Mott, N.D. She met Jim Shirby, and the two were married in Malta, Mont. in November of 1936. The couple moved to Glendive where Margaret worked at Sam’s Arcade, the Jordan Hotel, and as a housekeeper. Jim passed away in 1980. In 1985 she met Donald Gibson and the couple was married in July of 1985. Don passed away in 2000. Maggie was a resident of Glendive until the time of her passing.

Maggie enjoyed riding horses in the Badlands of Mont., as well as fishing and hunting. No better venison steak was served than at the Shirby house.

Maggie and her husband Jim Shirby were original members of the “Send a Boy to Montana” program as part of the Elks organization and were extremely proud to have mentored a number of young men. In the summer of 1953 the first two boys came to stay with Maggie and Jim. One of those boys, Mike Brown, has been close to Maggie since that first visit.

Maggie was preceded in death by her first husband, Jim Shirby; second husband, Don Gibson; as well as seven brothers and sisters.

Maggie is survived by her nephew, Bill  Austin of Hettinger, N.D.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

John Mathew Larimer, 75, passed away February 20, 2017.

He was born April 3, 1941 to Sue and Robert Larimer in Glendive, where he attended school and graduated with the class of 1959. He served in the army from 1965-1967. He married Tennant in 1967. Moved to Alaska in 1968. In 1975 their only daughter Tara was born. Moved to Prescott Valley, Ariz. in 1997.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; and brothers, Paul and David.

He is survived by his wife, Marge; daughter Tara (Jason) Vrobel; grandson, Evan John Vrobel; mother, Sue; sister, Nancy (Orville) Shefelbine; sister Ruthie (John) Naegele); sister-in-law Elaine; nieces Ashlee, Alexis, Kirstin and Jennifer; nephew, Brad; and many other loved great nieces and nephews.

John enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Mont. buddies, Montana agates and most of all chocolate.

He will be greatly missed.

Frances Wimmer, age 81, of Glasgow, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive. 

Memorial services are pending and will be announced at a later date. A full obituary will follow. Silha Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Axel Short, son of Cindy Kolberg and John Short of Three Forks and Bozeman, and grandson of Gordon & Gert Kolberg of Glendive, passed away on March 3, 2017 in Bozeman. Axel was born on March 4, 1989 in Bozeman.

Funeral services are pending.

Susan (Mast) Bunch, age 67, of Glendive, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at her home in Glendive. 

Services are pending and will be announced at a later date. A full obituary will follow. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Susan Jane Mast Bunch, 67, died March 7 at her home in Glendive. 

Susie was born October 24, 1949, in Ill. She was the daughter of Jane and Robert Mast (both deceased).

Susie was retired at the time of her death and worked many years at the Trail Star Restaurant, enjoying her customers and fellow employees. She loved everyone.

Susie moved to the LA area in the late 1960’s and married Frank Lopez. Frank, and two daughters, Mary Hansen and Susan Jane Olivas preceded Susan in death. She later married Terry Bunch of Billings.

Susie enjoyed going to Makoshika State Park and local lakes. She traveled often to visit family on the east coast and Los Angeles. She loved all animals, especially her cat “Smile.”

Survivors include daughter, Frankie Jo Lopez and son, Tony Lopez living in the LA area; numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. 

Susan is survived by seven siblings, Peggy (Ron) Gilbert of Pawley’s Island, S.C., Roberta (Earnt) Amsler of Wibaux, Pete (Karen) Mast of Spokane, Wash., Don (Brenda) Mast of Glendive, Deb (John) Sillery of Billings, Mary (Grant) Kubesh of Glendive, and Rich (Cheri) Mast of Spokane, Wash.

Susie was deeply loved by her sisters, brothers, children, grandchildren, her entire family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to support the ASPCA, Humane Society or any Animal Shelter.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com/obituaries/

John Arlyn Haase, age 62, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2017 at his home in Glendive. 

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A family and friends service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Greg Lucido officiating. Interment will follow in the Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. 

John was born on March 12, 1954 in Sidney, joining older siblings Gary and Ron.  John attended Deer Creek Elementary School and graduated from Dawson County High School, where he was an essential asset to the chess team. John attended college in Bozeman. He returned to Glendive where he worked for UPS as a package car driver. The summer of 1975, John’s life soon changed when he met Peggy Buck. They were married on July 9, 1976 in Glendive and to this union two sons, Bradley Anson and Michael John, were born. John then started coaching baseball in 1986 and soon became well known as “Coach Haase.” His love of coaching extended through many years beginning early on with his boys and continuing on with his granddaughters. John retired from UPS after 34 years of service, but was not the end of his busy lifestyle. He started his own roofing business which kept him going. John became a grandfather in 2008 to his beautiful granddaughters Audrey Marie, followed by Ava Victoria in 2010. Those two girls had their grandfather wrapped around their little fingers from the minute he met them and they became the loves of his life.  

John was a very active member in his church as well as a revered  member of the community where he served on many boards and committees. In 2015 John fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams and bought his bar. With much hard work and dedication his dream started to unfold right before his eyes.  John’s outgoing personality and contagious laugh will not be forgotten. His luster for life will live on forever. “Hee, Hee.”

John was preceded in death by his mother and father, Fred and Loraine Haase; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Johnny and Marie Buck.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy “Peg” of Glendive; two sons, Brad and Mike, both of Glendive; two brothers, Gary Haase and his wife Lynn of Sherwood, Ore., and Ron Haase and his wife Tammy of Sidney; one sister, Sue Atwell of Glendive; two granddaughters, Audrey and Ava; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Tiena Mitchell, 68, passed away in her Miles City home on March 13, 2017. She endured her illness of ALS with strength, courage and dignity. She was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to many.

Tiena was born in Sidney. She graduated high school in Baker.

In 1975, Tiena married the love of her life, Jim Mitchell. For 41 years, she was proud to be called “his lady.” Jim and Tiena have 3 children. Tiena dedicated herself fully to raising her kids and supporting her husband. She was a wonderful mom. Tiena was also the beloved grandma to 5 grandchildren that she was very proud of. Tiena loved all her family and friends.

Baptized in 1984, Tiena was a very dedicated, faithful and active Jehovah’s Witness. Tiena loved all of her Christian brothers and sisters and was always regular in the preaching work.

Tiena was preceded in death by her mother, Josie (Hart) Mitchell; her father, Marvin Petersen; and her sister, Marva Hart.

Tiena is survived by her husband, Jim Mitchell; son, Colter Mitchell; son, Levi (Lyndsey) Mitchell; daughter, Cedar (Zeb) Speer; grandchildren, Lane, Libby, Emily, Dylan and Ocean. She is also survived by her Dad, Stanley Mitchell; sister, Rita Mitchell; and cousin, Karen Kasenberg.

Tiena will be remembered by her friends and family as a beautiful, loving, strong and faithful woman. She will be dearly missed until her resurrection by Jesus to a perfect paradise earth. Where she will be able to Really Live!

Services will be held at the Range Rider’s Museum-Memorial Hall in Miles City on Friday, March 31 at 2 p.m. Arrangements will be handled by Tiena’s Christian Family of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Cards may be sent to: Jim Mitchell, 2319 Palmer St., Miles City, MT 59301.

Thomas A Hafele was born on July 30, 1945 in Glendive. He passed away in Billings on March 14, 2017. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents. He graduated from Richey High School in 1964 where he held a track record for the 440. He went to Dickinson State College on a track scholarship where he received his BA. After graduation he taught school in Mandaree, N.D. Tom married Mae Chrest in 1968 with whom he had two children.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Pam (Bob) Hafele Cullinan; grandson, Dillon; son, Troy (Val) Hafele of Glendive; sister, Elaine Hafele (Dave) Swanson; niece, Erin Swanson of Wells, Nev.; sister Marian Hafele (Clarence) Reidelbach; nephew, Scott Reidelbach; and niece, Cara Reidelbach Hicks of Big Timber. Tom is also survived by his cousins including David, Bernie, Lee and Bill Greiman; Barb, Bruce, Steve, Debra and Teresa Richert; Anne Greiman Freistone, Karen Greiman Reilly, Katie Greiman Gerke (deceased), Sandra Greiman Schwartz; and John Sura and Dan Caruso.

Farming was Tom’s great love; fishing wasn’t far behind. Summers found Tom on the river enjoying the great outdoors with his son, Troy, and grandson, Dillon. His vegetable and flower gardens were legendary and daughter, Pam, recalls that he never needed help hoeing as he had it covered. And please not step on his vines. He gave strict instructions to Troy and Pam on how to pick raspberries. His favorite pastime was hunting agates on the sandbars of the Yellowstone River. He spent many happy winter hours cutting and polishing agates in Troy’s garage. He reluctantly grew to love Dillon’s dog, Romo.

For ten winters, Tom spent time fishing and boating on the Colorado River near Parker, Ariz. Tom was a natural storyteller and enjoyed the company of his friends.

Special people in Tom’s life include his coach, Joe Whisonant; lifelong friends, Monte Fulton, Jim Soft, Don Klempel, Harvey Hamburg, Herb and Ralph Allard, and departed friend, Leroy Buxbaum.

Mike and LaRae Hagel invited Tom on many camping and fishing trips at Tobacco Gardens on Lake Sacagawea, N.D. These weekends were some of the happiest in Tom’s life.

Funeral services were held at the Savage Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. Reception followed at the Savage Community Center.

On a fine Spring day Tom’s ashes will be scattered among the wild flowers at the farm.

A memorial service for Anna (Nissley) Kauffman will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Red Top Church in Bloomfield.

Henry Kathrein, 93, of Bozeman, MT died Saturday March 18th, 2017 at his home in Bozeman, MT. Henry was born February 27th, 1924 in Glendive, MT, the son of Joseph and Regina Grasl Kathrein. He attended Glendive schools and was a graduate of Dawson County Junior College and Montana State College, Bozeman. In 1943, at the age of 19, Henry was drafted into the Army Medical Corps during WWII. He served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations (from England through France, Belgium, Holland, to Germany). At the end of the war in Europe in 1945, he was scheduled for service in the Pacific, when that conflict also ended. After release from service, he enrolled at Montana State College under the GI Bill of Rights, graduating in 1949 with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Microbiology.

Henry married Marilyn Hoole on May 3rd, 1946 in Bozeman at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. After graduation, he was employed as a Research Microbiologist with Grain Processing Corp., Muscatine, IA from 1952 until his retirement in 1985. Henry and Marilyn moved back to Montana in 2003. He and Marilyn travelled extensively around the United States as well as many foreign countries. Henry enjoyed gardening, collecting railroad memorabilia, reading and photography.

Henry is survived by his wife, Marilyn; one son Richard of Albuquerque, NM; four daughters Judith McLean (Mark) of Hagerstown, MD, Janis  Kathrein and her husband James Redmond of Auburn, WA, Diane Watch (Mike) of Eloy, AZ and Elaine Gunnink (Brett) of Bozeman, MT; eight grandchildren as well as eight great-grandchildren. 

A Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 24th at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral and Cremation Service. Condolences and memories may be shared with Henry’s family at www.dahlcares.com. 

Phyllis Darlene (Layman) Wivholm, age 86, passed away with family at her side at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive on  Thursday, March 23, 2017.  

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Greg Lucido officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Phyllis was born on December 27, 1930 in Merrill, Wis. to Ruby (Nentwig) and Ernest L. “Pete” Layman. In 1931 the Layman family moved to Dawson County to join Ruby’s parents and siblings. In 1951 Phyllis married Curtis Allen “Al” Wivholm and to this couple two daughters were born.

During high school Phyllis worked at J.C. Penney and then went to work for Anderson’s Department Store. Her true professional calling was found when she and Al purchased Glendive Glass & Paint and her interior decorating skill was allowed to shine through. Al and Phyllis devoted their passion and time to the business. After Al’s untimely death in 1996, Phyllis operated the store for another four years, and continued working for a couple years after selling the business. Her decorating sense and eye for color was legendary.

Phyllis lived in Forest Park for 50 years and especially valued her lifelong friendship with neighbors Walter and Vi Kukus. 

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Al, her parents, her brother Del Layman and sister-in-law Karen Layman, her brother in-law John Wivholm and sister-in-law Jean Guenther.

She is survived by her daughters, Debby Wivholm of Missoula and Danise (Bob) Jones of Glendive; her grandchildren, Alexandra Hall of Missoula, Chad Knudson, Ashley Knudson and Evan Jones of Glendive; and two great-grandchildren, Finley Fulton and Garrett Fulton of Glendive. She is also survived by her sister, JoAnn (Sy) Zabrocki; her brother, Darrell (Linda) Layman; her brother-in-law, Dale (Marlene) Wivholm; brother-in-law, Vern Guenther; and sister-in-law, Barbara Wivholm; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the local organization of your choice.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.   

Axel Forrest Short passed away in Bozeman on Thursday, March 2, 2017. This happened two days shy of his 28th birthday due to complications from chronic kidney disease.

Funeral services for Axel Short were held on March 23, 2017 at Pilgrim Congressional United Church in Bozeman, Mont.

Axel was born March 4, 1988, at Livingston Memorial Hospial, joining two older brothers.

Axel grew up as a strong-willed kid and always maintained his 100 mph cruising speed. In fact, he was so fast that at 4 years old he won the NASTAR downhill ski race Montana state title. As Axel grew older her continued to excel on the ski hill and enjoyed participating in numerous outdoor activities, always trying to outdo his older brothers. He loved his many animals, most recently his Golden Retriever dog, Toeby.

At age 13 he encountered the first major speed bump of his young life. While on a trip with his family and friends, rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, he contracted salmonella blood poisoning and had to be airlifted out with is mother alongside.

Thus began a long battle to live an ordinary life while maintaining his health from chronic kidney failure. Axel never this small “distraction” to interfere with his quest for life. He went on to not only participate in varsity soccer, but was named by his teammates as the team captain his junior and senior years. At 6 foot 6 inches, he had a slide tackle that was known around the state.

Despite being in and out of the ER and constantly battling sickness, Axel graduated from Bozeman High School in 2007. After graduation, Axel worked at Cardinal Distributing for four years.

June 16, 2010, Natalie Lane, and ANGEL, longtime friend, two-time prom date and an honorary Short daughter and sister, blessed Axel with a new shot at a healthy life. On this day, Natalie donated her kidney to Axel and we all watched things turn for the better. He once again enjoyed living a hospital-free life, visiting his brothers at college, spending time in Costa Rica with friends, and pursued a future in the medical field at Montana State University.

In 2016, he went into kidney failure again and was back fighting every day to live a normal life. Axel lived and went through more in his short 27 years than most people will have to endure in a lifetime.

He is survived by his parents, John Short and Cindy Kolberg of Bozeman; his grandparents, Gertrude and Gordon Kolberg of Glendive; uncles, Greg Kolberg, Guy Kolberg and fiancè Vickie Crane, all of Glendive, Darren Kolberg of Three Forks; aunt Cheryl Kolberg and partner Maggie Copeland of Glendive; as well as numerous cousins around the state. He is also survived by his aunts, Margee Short of Fort Collins, Colo. and Nancy (Rob) Blazer of Stevenson, Wash. He is also survived by his comrades in arms, older brothers Michael and Ryan Short.

Axel Forrest Short... his name rings proud, but pales in comparison to the strength of his true character. Always remember, that while his life may have been determined by his kidney condition, he never allowed it to define HIM!

We will ache from the void left by this gentle giant.

Memorials in Axel’s name may be made to the Gift of Life Transplant House, 705 Second Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902, The Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, PO Box 11390, Bozeman, MT 59219 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Frederic Eugene (Gene) Dion, III, 70, passed away from natural causes on February 25th, 2017 at his home in Boulder, Colo.

Known as Good Time Montana Gene, he loved playing the jug, listening to blues music and riding motorcycles. He was a proud founding member in good standing of Hell’s Tunas Motorcycle Club.

He loved the outdoors. Before sustaining a hip injury, he enjoyed cross-country skiing, climbing and hiking. A voracious reader, Gene was a student of many subjects, a collector of Western art, and always enjoyed a good debate. He relished a good road trip and amassed many memories from his travels to Africa, the Galapagos, the Cook Islands, Belize and Alaska. Though fiercely independent and a life-long bachelor, Gene had many great friends whose company he cherished and whom he would help whenever he could.

Gene was born on April 4, 1946 in Glendive to parents Frederic Eugene Dion, Jr. and V. Elizabeth Myers. He attended Sacred Heart Primary School, then graduated from Dawson County High School in 1964. Gene earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1969, and continued his post-graduate work there in Interdisciplinary Mechanical Engineering. Gene earned his California Professional Engineer’s License, and eventually held twelve patents. In his early career he worked for Ross Gear, Peterbilt and West Coast Tuna Works. He then turned to the disk drive industry working for Hewlett Packard, Storage Tech, Amcodyne, Prairie Tech and Data General before moving back to Boulder where he brought his skills to MiniScribe and Maxtor.

He achieved his life-long dream of having his own business when he became the owner of Collins Machine and Manufacturing, a leading machine shop on the Front Range, eventually selling the company in 2011.

Gene is survived by his brother, John Howard  Dion (wife, Carol); his sisters, Theresa Elizabeth Dion (husband, Randall Kohlfarber) and Patricia Anne Dion (husband, David Amick); his nieces, Katherine Amick and Heather Dion McPherson; his nephew, J.P. Dion; four grandnieces and grandnephews; as well as several cousins.

Described by his loved ones as a man who appreciated life, friends and family, Gene will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, please focus donations in his honor to your local Public Broadcasting Service (PBS.) Thank you for your kind thoughts and considerations for Good Time Montana Gene and his family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 8 from 2-4 p.m. at the Dove House, Lionsgate Event Center, 1055 South 112th St. (Hwy 287), Lafayette, Colo. New Orleans style funeral procession at 3 p.m.

Larry Duncan Preston, age 85, of Glendive, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2017 at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive.  

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Westside Baptist Church in Glendive with Pastor Dan Pust officiating. Silha Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.