Robert Edward Dorsett, 51, of Billings, owner of KD Contracting, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012.

He was born March 30, 1961, in Billings to Kenneth and Sophie Dorsett.  He graduated from Billings Senior High School.

He was self-employed as a carpenter. He also had a passion for music and playing his guitar.

Survivors include his mother, Sophie Dorsett of Billings; a daughter, Nicole Ann Dorsett of Phoenix, Ariz.; a son, Robert Michael Dorsett of Phoenix; a grandson; and a brother, Richard K. Dorsett of Billings.

A celebration of life was held Aug. 8 at the Dorsett residence. Arrangements were by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.

Continue reading: Robert Edward Dorsett

Allan J. “Doc” Kruger, 88, of Billings and formerly of Hardin, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2012.

He was born in Fingal, N.D., to Stephanie and Fred Kruger on June 3, 1924. He married Marie Boheman on May 9, 1959, in Hardin.

Survivors include his wife; daughters, Tracy Johnson and Jan Manolis; a son, Rick Kruger; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at Yellowstone Valley Veterans Cemetery in Laurel. Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.

Donations may be made to the Big Horn County Museum, 1163 Third St. E., Hardin, MT 59034.

Continue reading: Allan J. ‘Doc’ Kruger

Norma Hodgson, 80, of Billings, a volunteer at Pompeys Pillar for 20 years, died July 29, 2012, in Billings.

She was born June 2, 1932, in Ord, Neb., to Curtis and Roberta (Williams) Blakeslee. Fresh out of high school, she married Dewey G. Hodgson on June 2, 1950. They moved to Billings in 1979.

Because of her keen interest in Lewis and Clark, she volunteered at Pompeys Pillar for 20 years. She was a member of the Teamsters and Huntley Senior Citizens.

Survivors include four children, Doyle Hodgson, Debra Mathewson, Julie Stone and Jeff Hodgson; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

At her request, her ashes will be spread in her favorite places. Dahl Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Continue reading: Norma Jean Hodgson

Bonnie Ruth Taylor, 59, a registered nurse who co-founded Antique Rose Care Management, died suddenly on Wednesday, July 25, 2012.

She was born March 9, 1953, in Emmett, Idaho, the third of five children of Joe and Orla Taylor.

In 1964 the family relocated to Billings, and she graduated from Billings West High School in 1971. She earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Montana State University, becoming a registered nurse. She married Mike Williams, another registered nurse, and they later divorced.

Ms. Taylor worked at Billings Deaconess Hospital (Billings Clinic) in a variety of aspects of nursing. She was an operating room nurse on the heart surgical team for several years, then co-founded Antique Rose Care Management, providing personal care for patients in their homes. She had been recently offered a position at the Department of Corrections.

She represented Montana as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Miami in 1972. She also had worked for years with a veterinary clinic and was an accomplished horse rider.

Continue reading: Bonnie Ruth Taylor

F. Genevieve “Jensy” Jones, 90, a registered nurse who also raised four children, died in her home in Billings on Sunday, July 29, 2012.

She was born at home on Sept. 9, 1921, the daughter of Herman and Esther Nylander in Parnell Township (now Traverse County), Minn.

One of six children, she spent her childhood on the family farm and attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse.

She graduated from Wheaton, Minn., High School at age 16 and worked on the farm and as a bookkeeper until she entered nurses’ training at Peabody Hospital in Webster, S.D. After graduating as a registered nurse, she worked at that hospital.

She married William W. “Bill” Jones on Feb. 28, 1944, and the couple lived in Clear Lake, S.D., until moving to Watertown, S.D., where he worked as an electrician and she as a nurse.

Continue reading: F. Genevieve ‘Jensy’ Jones

Ada Kay Price McGraw, 67, who had lived in Billings all her life, died Wednesday, July 25, 2012, of lung disease.

She was born on June 26, 1945, in Billings to Scoop and Ona Price.

Survivors include a brother, Cliff Sanderson; children, Marcie Kading, Mike McGraw and Todd McGraw; and six grandchildren.

She had received care from Meryl Bryson of Rocky Mountain Hospice and from St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Services were July 30 at Cremation & Funeral Gallery.

Continue reading: Ada Kay Price McGraw

Alma Dietrich Runge, 86, the daughter of German immigrants and the former cafeteria manager at Will James Junior High School, died July 28, 2012.

She was born Aug. 2, 1925, in Gering, Neb., the third of seven children of Alex and Pauline Dietrich. She married Jack Runge on Sept. 8, 1947.

They transferred to Billings in 1949 where he worked for Great Western Sugar Co. for 24 years and then for Consolidated Freightways.

Mrs. Runge was known as a baker and was a self-taught seamstress who made handcrafts and crocheted afghans. She worked as head baker and later as manager in the cafeteria at Will James Junior High School from 1967-’87.

In 1972, they bought a cabin just south of Red Lodge on Rock Creek, then remodeled and enlarged it.

Continue reading: Alma Viola Runge

Daniel Ray, 57, of Billings, who had worked at Patriot Farms for 18 years, died Wednesday July 25, 2012, at St. Vincent Healthcare of injuries received in a farm accident.

He was born June 5, 1955, to JoAnn and Ross Ray. He graduated from Roundup High School in 1974. He worked in the oilfield right out of high school until he was injured in an accident in 1982.

On Sept. 14, 1985, he married Jackie (Stigen) Ray. They moved to Quincy, Wash., for several years, then back to Billings. He was employed by Patriot Farms until his death.

He and his wife built their house, and he gardened.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Ray; mother, JoAnne Ray; and brothers, Tom Ray and Don Ray.

Continue reading: Daniel Wayne Ray

Diane Patrice (Geer) Hagemeister, 65, of Laurel, who cooked at church for children who had nowhere else to eat dinner, died Thursday, July 19, 2012, at the RiverStone Hospice Home in Billings.

She was born May 28, 1947, the daughter of Art and Charlotte Greer. She cooked every Wednesday night at the church when her health was good.

Survivors include her husband, Carl; a son, Tom; a daughter, Robin; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and siblings, Nancy, Michelle, Barb, Tom and Gregg.

Services were held July 23 at the Laurel Church of the Nazarene in Laurel. Arrangements were by Cremation & Funeral Gallery. 

Memorials may be made to Laurel Church of the Nazarene or RiverStone Hospice.

Continue reading: Diane Patrice Hagemeister

Randi Alice (Kjos) Prchal, 92, died Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings.

She was born April 8, 1920, on a homestead outside of Killdeer, N.D., the daughter of Anders and Randi (Eid) Kjos.

Survivors include eight children, Bob Prchal of Powell, Wyo.; Doug Prchal of Bismarck, N.D.; Noel Prchal of Sidney; Connie Rasmussen of Billings; Ron Prchal of Portland, Ore.; Curt Prchal of Billings; Judy DeBock of Powell; and James Prchal of Billings; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Grace Ludeke and Elena Beneke.

Services were July 23 at Stevenson Funeral Chapel in Killdeer. Burial of ashes was in Killdeer Cemetery. Arrangements were in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings and Stevenson Funeral Home in Killdeer.

Memorials may be made to The Lutheran Center, P.O. Box 825, Billings, MT 59103.

Continue reading: Randi Prchal