All Obituaries

Lois Mae Gustafson was born to Hie and Olive Duits on Oct. 6, 1925 in Choteau, Montana. She grew up on a ranch west of Choteau and graduated from Teton County High School in 1943. Wanting to help the War effort, she moved to Seattle and worked for the Army. She met and later married Louie Clough, a sailor from Pasadena, Texas, on Oct. 27, 1943. They lived in Washington, D.C. where Louie was stationed in 1944 and 1945. They then returned to Choteau, where they raised their three children....

Donna (Nick) Matchett passed away January 6, 2021 at Park Place Care Center in Great Falls, Montana. She was born in South Dakota, March 25, 1933 and was preceded in death by her twin sister who died as a child at the age of nine. She was the widow of Mearlin Matchett, A life time resident and rancher of Dupuyer, Montana until his death in 1984. Donna received a degree in nursing but due to her own crippling illness she was compelled to abandon her vocation and became a partner with her...

Burchard Jack Windels Sr.,85, of Fairfield, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 6, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Burt was born October 14, 1935 in Chinook, MT to Raymond and Marion Windels. His best friends were his siblings Virginia, Bill, and Pernal “PeeWee” whom he played and grew up with on their ranch five miles south of Hogeland. Burt attended elementary at Wing School, a one room schoolhouse. He attended high school at Hogeland High and graduated in 1954....

Dona Belle Newell, 89, of Choteau passed away peacefully January 3, 2021 at Benefis Peace Hospice in Great Falls, MT with her beloved son, Greg by her side. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home and per Dona’s wishes there will be no funeral services.  Her ashes will be scattered alongside her husbands. Dona was born January 30, 1931 in Joplin, Montana “The biggest little town on earth”; where she was raised by her grandma Petra...

Robert Ray (Bob) Nelson was born in Elwood Nebraska in 1936 to Ray and Dorothy Nelson.  They later moved to Fairfield MT where he attended Greenfield and Fairfield Schools.  Bob was always involved in music from an early age.  His biggest thrill was to march in the Rose Parade in Portland Oregon during his high school years.  During his senior year he joined the Air National Guard and was there 7 years. He also worked for Sun River Electric for 13 years. In 1962 he...

Wilma Jean (McDonell) Zier, 86, of Choteau, Mt passed away December 25, 2020 at Skyline Lodge in Choteau, MT. Visitation will be Friday January 15, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home and a Graveside Service will take place January 16, 2020 at 2:00 pm at Choteau Cemetery in Choteau, MT with burial to follow.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic please wear a mask or face covering and follow social distancing protocols. Wilma was born September 28, 1934 to Gus and Effie...

Becky Kay Birnel, 61 passed away peacefully at Benefis Teton Medical Center on December 9, 2020.  Becky was born on April 25, 1959 in Hamilton, Montana.             In 1990, Becky’s life led her to Choteau, Montana where she found a home and family at Choteau Activities, Inc (CAI).  Becky quickly made many friends at CAI who became her family assigning songs and nicknames to everyone.   She loved participating...

Matthew Skelton, 29, of Conrad, Montana, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 in Big Sandy, Montana. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 11, 2020 at Choteau Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home. Matthew was born in Conrad on August 22, 1991 to Steven and Alison Skelton.  He attended the Conrad Christian School and Bynum Elementary as a child.  He graduated from Choteau High School in 2010.  Matt was an avid hunter,...

Henry W. Smith was born March 5, 1959 in Conrad, MT (which he was reluctant to admit to people and for which he never forgave his parents).  He was the son of Henry W. and Geraldine Smith.  His entire life was spent trying to make them proud.  He suffered from multiple personality disorder early in life.  His name changed from Billly (not a misprint; his own spelling) to Bill, William, Smitty, Bobcat Billy and Wild Bill.  He participated in Choteau High School...

                Retired plumber, business owner and fossil hunter John Wallace Brandvold Sr., 83, of Bynum died Oct. 25, 2020, in a Great Falls hospital after a week and a half long battle with COVID-19 complications.                 Cremation has taken place under the direction of the Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home in Choteau, and a memorial...