Sara Corinne Loch, 31, of Billings, who worked at Rocky Mountain College, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 19, 2012.

She was born in Butte on June 3, 1981, to Karl and Jo Ellen (Williams) Loch. She graduated from Skyview High School in 1999, and attended Rocky Mountain College.

She worked at Rocky as the cashier and was recently promoted to administrative assistant to the vice president of the college.

Survivors include her father, Karl; a sister, Stephanie M. Ell; and a brother, Sam Loch.

Viewing was on Saturday, June 23. Services followed, both at Cremation & Funeral Gallery.

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Albert Pitman, 72, a longtime employee of Food Services of America, died Sunday, June 24, 2012, in his home after a four-month battle with renal cell cancer.

He was born Dec. 1, 1939, to Ellsworth and Vera Scott Pitman in Virginia City. He was raised in Butte and drove stock truck for his father and Ralph “Old Man” Craddock in his youth.

He enlisted in the Army in 1958 and served six years as a cook. After coming home to Butte, he married Beverly, who became the mother of his four children, on June 15, 1963, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Butte.

In 1974, the family moved to Billings, where he worked for Rocky Mountain Equipment Co. as a mechanic. Then he moved on to Cummins, followed by a job as shop foreman with Food Services of America. There he retired in 2007 after 26 years of “exceptional service.”

In 1985, Mr. and Mrs. Pitman moved to Worden and ran their own farm. Mrs. Pitman died in 2001.

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Joseph H. Yerger, 81, who had a long career in sales management, died after a short illness on June 22, 2012.

He was born April 1, 1931, in Forsyth to Mary and Henry Yerger. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1949 and married Betty E. Steinmetz in 1950. After serving in the Navy, he began a 35-year sales management career with the Grinnell Co. in Great Falls, then Billings, retiring in 1985.

He had received care from Aspen Meadows Nursing Home.

Survivors include children, Lori, Russ and Jim; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marjorie Mott.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. in Billings.

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Leroy Victor Kudrna, 72, a retired risk management consultant with the Cenex Insurance Agency, died of lung cancer on Monday, June 18, 2012, at RiverStone Hospice Center in Billings.

He was born Oct. 18, 1939, in Dickinson, N.D., the oldest son of Victor H. and Dorothy M. (Semerad) Kudrna. He was raised on the family farm southeast of South Heart and attended school in South Heart, graduating as valedictorian and class president in the class of 1957.

He graduated from Northwest Schools of Airline Careers in Portland, Ore. In 1958, he began working for Farmers Union Oil Co. in Dickinson.

On April 6, 1959, he married Isabel Jahner. They resided in Dickinson until 1968 when he became general manager for Farmers Union Oil Co. in Regent, N.D.

In 1973, they moved to Havre to manage North Central Co-op. In 1984, he accepted a position as a risk management consultant with the Cenex Insurance Agency of St. Paul, Minn., thus moving to Billings.

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Deloris Louella Klein, 84, of Billings, died Wednesday, June 20, 2012.

She was the daughter of the late Henry Oberlander and Lydia Wright Oberlander. A son, Clayton, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Clarence A. Klein; a daughter, Sandra Nelson; sons, Gerald Klein, Arnold Klein and David Klein; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at Cremation & Funeral Gallery, 29 Eighth St. W.

Betty Mae (Noblitt) Lowthian, 86, a former teacher in Billings, died at Westpark Village Senior Living Community on Saturday, June 23, 2012.

She was born Sept. 12, 1925, in Great Falls, the daughter of Wayne and Eula (Johnston) Noblitt. She graduated from Denton High School on May 23, 1946.

She attended Colorado Woman’s College for one year in Denver. She then transferred to the University of Montana in Missoula, became an Alpha Phi and received a degree in business administration in 1947.

She married Archie W. Lowthian of Peerless in Denton on June 12, 1946. They were married for 53 years.

The family later moved to Tulsa, Okla., where she received a degree in elementary education. She taught fourth grade in Billings at Meadowlark and Rimrock Elementary schools. She also taught school in Denton, Midwest and Casper, Wyo.

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Laverne Barbara Paulson, 74, who had worked at several jobs, died June 23, 2012.

She was born Sept. 12, 1938. She graduated from Absarokee High School, Billings Business College, beautician school and computer school. On Feb. 9, 1974, she married Norman R. Paulson at Yellowstone Boys Ranch in Billings.

She had worked at Yellowstone National Park, as a bookkeeper for Grinell and Co., as a beautician and as a switchboard operator at Billings Clinic.

Mrs. Paulson was secretary and treasurer for a time for the Yellowstone Good Sam Club and was a patient advocate for the Laurel Rest Home.

Survivors include her husband; stepdaughters, Louise Barman and Lanae Paulson Morgan; stepson, Lowell Paulson; and a brother, Ronald Carstens.

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Thomas King Hahn, 60, of Billings, who had worked for the state of Montana Unemployment Division, died Monday, June 18, 2012, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. 

He was born Dec. 5, 1951, to Dick and Peg Hahn in Great Falls. He had three siblings.

He attended Lincoln Junior High School, Hardin Senior High School and Montana State University. He worked 25 years for the Unemployment Division before retiring due to failing health.

On July 11, 1981, he married Evelyn Mae Hambidge.

He was an avid golfer, especially with his father.

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Herbert H. Bentz, 83, of Billings, who worked for many years at the Conoco Refinery, died Sunday, June 17, 2012, at the RiverStone Hospice Home.

He was born in Circle to August Sr. and Laura Mohr Bentz on Feb. 11, 1929.  He graduated from Billings Senior High School.

He married Ruby Zuelch in 1950. He spent several years in the Army in the 1950s.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Terry; a grandson; sisters, Nora and Nancy; and a brother August Jr.

At his wish, no services are planned. Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.

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Nadine “Deany” (Horton) Sotzin, 78, died at home in Billings on Saturday, June 23, 2012, after an extended illness.

She had received care from Rocky Mountain Hospice.

Survivors include her husband, Charles “Chuck” Sotzin; children, Penny, Pamela, Charles, Keith and Alan; nine grandchildren; a sister, Judi Staffen; and brothers.

No services were planned. Arrangements were by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.

Donations may be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice, 2110 Overland Ave., Suite 111, Billings MT 59102.

Continue reading: Nadine ‘Deany’ (Horton) Sotzin