All Obituaries

Dorothy Callender Bowling legend Dorothy “Dot” Lee (Birdsong) Callender, 101, died of natural causes at her home in Choteau on June 10, 2021 — just two months shy of her 102nd birthday. Dorothy was born on Aug. 5, 1919, in Butte to Ione (Ellis) and Ralph Schermer. Her father left the family when she was an infant, and her mother later married a man whose surname was Birdsong, the name Dorothy took for her own. In her younger years, Dorothy spent a lot of time in Texas with her...

Trysten Mark Fellers, 22, of Fairfield, was killed very early May 14, 2021 in a homicide trying to prevent drunk driving.Trysten was born September 21, 1998 in Great Falls, MT to Rory and Earl (Sonny) Fellers of Fairfield, MT, their only child.  He grew up in Fairfield, moving with his parents to the family farm in 2008. Summers were spent helping gramps put up hay, fishing in the ponds with his best friend Dawson, and driving trucks around the place. He attended school at Fairfield...

 John Loyd Daniel, 78, of Choteau passed away on Mother’s Day, May 9th, 2021 surrounded by loved ones at Teton Peak Assisted Living in Choteau.   Cremation had taken place under the direction of Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home and no services will be held at this time.  Private services and scattering of John’s remains will take place at a later date in San Angelo, Texas. John was born on November 29, 1942, in Tom Green, Texas, the oldest of six children, to Loyd...

Toni Christman Retired farm and ranchwife, homemaker and former newspaper proofreader Theone “Toni” Marie (Johnson) Christman, 92, died April 18, 2021, of natural causes at Teton Peak Assisted Living in Choteau, where she had resided since early February. Toni was born on Dec. 30, 1928, in Great Falls to Ernest and Myrtle (Moi) Johnson. She attended Great Falls Public Schools and graduated from Great Falls High with the class of 1946. On June 29, 1947, she married Ben...

Glen Swanson, age 53 passed away April 14th after an extended illness. Glen was born May 5, 1967 to Robert and Marilyn Swanson. He graduated from North Toole County High School in Sunburst. Glen resided in Choteau for nearly 30 years. Glen had a tremendous love for sports. He proudly served as the boy’s basketball manager in high school and followed the local sports teams, attending as many games as possible. He was honored as the Choteau Bulldogs #1 Fan and served as the grand marshal of...

John W. Lusty, age 76, died April 11, 2021 at his home in Sutherlin, Oregon.  Graveside service will be held at the Choteau Cemetery on July 5, 2021 at 11 am with reception to follow at the Choteau City Pavilion. All friends and family are welcome to attend the service and reception. Gorder Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Condolences may be left on-line at www.gorderfuneralhome.com

Bynum native and retired commercial airline Captain, Marvin R. Larson, 79, died April 9, 2021, at Teton Peak Assisted Living in Choteau. A private graveside service took place on April 13, 2021, at the Choteau Cemetery under direction of Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home.Born in June of 1941, in Great Falls, Montana, to Bynum ranchers, Lowry and Eunice (Campbell) Larson, Marvin deeply valued country life, its critters and its “big sky wide” days. He attended Bynum School and was a graduate of...

John (Jack) Richard Reiding, of Choteau passed away March 30, 2021 at Teton Peak Assisted living in Choteau, he was 87 years young. Jack was born on May 30, 1933 in Great Falls, Mt. On June 5, 1933 he became the loving son of Richard (Dick) and Ruby Reiding. They lived on the farm in Farmington and he attended the Burton School until the he was in the third grade.  They moved into town for the school until he graduated from Choteau High School. After graduating Jack joined the US...

  Lifelong Choteau resident and devoted Bulldogs fan M. Ethelee LaBaugh, 77, died peacefully on March 24, 2021, from complications of a stroke at a long-term care facility in Great Falls with her loving husband of 60 years holding her hand. She was born on Aug. 4, 1943, to Eldon Baker and Afton (Caufield) Scott in Choteau and grew up with her brothers Joseph, Charles, Jimmy and sister Evelyn.   Ethelee attended Choteau Elementary and Choteau High School. She met...

David Thomas Phillips was born at St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital in Lewistown, Montana on Good Friday, March 22, l940, to Helen (Munski) and David Phillips.  Thomas was their first born, and was followed by his brother Dwight, sister Margaret...then his youngest brother Duane was born on Tom’s 9th birthday…they had such special birthdays celebrating together every year.   Tom’s Mom was a teacher and over the years he attended the schools where she taught and also went...