Great Falls Tribune from Great Falls, Montana • M4

4M SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2020 GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE GREAT FALLS Lori (Kirk) Dutcher and her husband, Tom, were found passed away in their home on Thursday, July 9, 2020. They were married in December of 1994, and Tom helped raise his stepdaughter, Crystal Warner. Lori was born toMar- tin Edward and Frances Joan (Devereux) Kirk onNovember 4, 1957. She was the 3rd of 7 children. She enjoyed helping with the elderly andworked as a certified nursing assistant, a housekeeper, and a dietary assistant at medical facilities in Great Falls.

She also took great pride in being a substitute teacher at Centerville. Lori never met a stranger; she loved to social- ize, make friends, and make people laugh. She enjoyed the outdoors, cooking, and coloring on her smartphone an app for that)! She is survived by her daughter, Crystal; grand- children, Payten andCooper of Black Eagle; broth- er, Tim (Delores) Kirk of Vaughn; oldest (Gary) Fliginger of Belt; younger sisters, Mary (Jim) Terry of Billings, Ju- lie (Roy) Back of Great Falls, Vikki (Pat) Gilm- ore of San Antonio, TX; many nieces; nephews; great-nieces; and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her older brother, Jeff; her mother, Joan; and her father, Ed. Condolences for the familymay be shared online at www.OConnorFuneralHome.com.

Lori (Kirk) Dutcher GREAT FALLS -Virginia D. Landers, 92, of Great Falls passed away on July 29, 2020. A Graveside Service will be held on THURSDAY, August 20, 2020 at 10:30 AM at DawsonMemorial Cemetery in Glendive, MT with Rev. Avis Anderson offici- ating. Cremation has been entrusted to Croxford Funeral Home.

Virginia was born on November 19, 1927 in St. to Leslie andAugusta (Larson) Crooks. The growing family would soonmove to Red Lodge, spent her formative years, even- tually graduating from The Carbon County High School in 1945, earning awards for both perfect attendance and outstanding penmanship. She then attended the Billings Polytechnic Institute. After completing school at Billings Polytechnic Institute, she returned to Red Lodge and worked for the telephone company.

While she was working there, her boyfriend asked Les to take care of Virginia while he went back to college. According to Virginia, took great care of And so a great love story was born. She married C. Leslie Landers, the love of her life, on September 27, 1947 in Butte, Montana. The young couple would eventually move to Glendive, MT and raise a family together.

It was here that she worked as an administrative assistant at Dawson County High School. After death in 1993, Virginia moved to Great Falls in 1994 to be closer to her daughter and family. She was a womanwith a passion for family but also found the time to play golf. She was the champion, for many years, at the Cottonwood Country Club.When not stacking up championships at the golf course she could be found sewing, scrapbooking, or solving crossword puzzles. Manywill miss her and grieve her loss, but especially her (Roger) Munson, and Virginia (Rick) Blevins; her beloved grandchildren, Trent (Eddie) (Mimi) Blevins, Sarah (JJ) Bittner, and Caitlin Blevins; great-grandchildren, Brody Bittner, Paige Bittner, Callie Bittner, Cameron Bittner, Tevin Archuleta, Tyus Archuleta, Elijah Archuleta, and Annalyse Flynn Munson; great-great-grandchild, Brixton Archuleta; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She now goes on to join her husband, C. Leslie Landers; parents, Leslie and Augusta Crooks; brother, Ronald Crooks; and sister, Darleen Eaton. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Intermountain Terry Chaney; 500 59601.Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com. Virginia Landers Out of respect and concern for public health and safety, the family has chosen to postpone funeral ser- vices that were sched- uled for August 15, 2020 at 5 PM for Laura and Web McPherson. However, there will be a service of remem- brance at a later date.

We are sorry for any inconvenience. Laura and Web McPherson GREAT FALLS Earl Russell Furlong, 72, passed away at home in Great Falls, MT on July 30, 2020. Earl was born on October 1, 1947, to Russell and Evelyn (Earl) Furlong in Great Falls, MT. His education journey began at Great Falls Roosevelt Elementary School, then to Chester Ele- mentary School, and graduating fromChesterHigh School in 1966. In 1971, he received his degree fromMontana State University in Bozeman, MT.While attending MSU, Earl met and married his wife of 49 Dronen.

The fall of 1971, he started his teaching career in Three years and two children later, Earl moved his family to Geraldine and continued teaching until his retirement in 2004. Hewas dedicated to life-long learning for himself, his family, students, and community. He taught Industrial Arts college accredited courses, Education, Red Cross First and adult education. Earl brought innovation to GHS through technology grants as a certified AutoCAD in- structor, and was one of only twoMT certified instructors for Cisco pilot high school expansion program.He also taught Education in Fort Benton andDenton, as well as aMontanaOfficials Association (MOA) basketball referee, bus driver, class sponsor, coach, mentor, and friend. Being an active member of the Geraldine community, Earl was involved in the Geraldine Fire andAmbulance departments, serving as Fire Chief for 10 years, and was a Son of The American Legion through the Painter Brothers American Legion Post 102.

While involved with the fire department, he secured grants to update vital equipment such as pagers, radios, and turnout gear. He fought wildland fires, ranging as far as Cali- fornia, and also instructed wildland fire fighting. Earl also worked for local farmers and a local grain elevator. Above all else, Earl was a family man. He loved being around his kids and grandkids, and sharing his favorite activities of learning, mechanics, woodworking, and cooking with them.He led the charge into the outdoors which included camping, firewood harvesting, and big game hunting.

Attendance and support for his activities was crucial.He traveled the United States to support his interests.He took on the GHS Speech and Drama mantel when the post became vacant, enabling his daughter Kassey to continue to compete. Earl is survived by his wife, Ann; daughters, Colleen Elpel and Hannah Furlong of Great Falls; son, Edward and Furlong of grandchildren, and Jaydan Elpel, andAlex- ander and Isabella Furlong; mother-in-law, Maxine Dronen; sister, Terrie (Ray) Clark. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kassey Furlong; parents; father-in-law, Arthur Dronen; and sister, Sharon Kettunen. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be sent to the Geraldine Fire Department.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com. Earl R. Furlong GREAT FALLS Marian Midge Aaberge Rogers passed away on August 2, 2020, at the age of 90. Marian grew up in the Prospect community close to Galata and Ledger, Montana. Her parents were Robert and Myrtle Midge who homesteaded east of Conrad in the early She was the fifth of their six children.

Marian attended Shelby High School, and then graduated from Conrad High School in 1947. She and her mother attended Northern Montana Col- lege in Havre, seeking their teaching certificates. Marian wasmarried in 1948 to Oliver Aaberge in the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, built in 1916. They were the only couplemarried in that church before a new church was built in 1957.Marian worked as the Pondera school clerk while her children were in school there.

They lived on theAaberge homestead east of Conrad until andMarian bought the Teton Valley Ranch, north of Dutton. Marian was busy being a farm and ranchwife, cook- ing and taking meals to the fields during planting and harvesting hosting guests for their Registered Angus cattle auctions held at the Ranch, and can- ning from a half acre garden that was maintained by a gardener, Charlie, who stayed with them at the Ranch. BecauseMarian and Oliver had several houses on the Ranch, over the years they generously provided a place formany friends and families to reside.As an accomplished seamstress, Marian found time to sew clothes for her daughters, including prom dresses and wedding dresses. She also sewed Barbie doll clothes and Care Bears, and created twelve cross-stich blankets for her grandchildren. Marian also made numerous wedding cakes for family and friends, giving the cake as a gift to the bride and groom.

Music was a significant part of her life. Marian sang with her sisters, di- rected the Lutheran church youth choir, and loved to dance. Marian was also a good golfer and archer. She and her family were active in the National andMontanaArchery Association. She spent several summers traveling and participating in golfing tournaments with her family.

Marian found herself working for the Dutton high school as Secretary and Clerk for the School District from 1971-1975. After retiring, she and Oliver traveled, spending time in Arizona, golfing, and enjoying time with family and friends. After 41 years of marriage, Oliver passed away in 1989. About a year later, she met andmarried Bob Rogers. She moved toWash- ington state, then Arizona, and finally back to Montana in 2013.

Marian continued to golf and travel during her time with Bob. She went on many cruises over their 27 years of marriage. Bob passed away in 2017. Marian eventually moved to The Grandviewwhere she resided until her recent can- cer diagnosis. Marian loved to make those around her smile and be happy.

She was determined to lemons into Marian always saw the humor in life and shared her funny stories and jokes with everyone. She was a great counselor, as she listened to others and tried to help them. She was also a great storyteller. She prided herself in knowing the history of the communities in which she had lived. She did not forget anything! Marian had a remarkablememory.

Shemade a point of attending her class reunions, including last years. Marian was preceded in death by all of her siblings, Ronald Midge, Doris Allen, BurtonMidge, Betty Raymer, andNellie recently passed away on June 29; and Bob Rogers; Fleshman; grandson, Nick Fleshman; and son-in-law, Glenn Green. Marian is survived by her five Jackie Van Heel, Eileen Thorpe, and Luther Aaberge; as well as children, Diane Green, Lee Rogers and Alan Rogers; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.OConnorFu- neralHome.com. Marian Midge Aaberge Rogers CONRAD Phyllis Ann Philipps, after a long battle with breast cancer has gone to be with God.

Phyllis passed peacefully in her home in Conrad surrounded by family on Wednesday the 5th of August 2020. Phyllis was bornDecember 28, 1958 inAlhambra, California to Anthony and Josephine Caputo. She was the youngest of six children. She attended high school in Alhambra and later attended Humboldt State University where she followed her passion for performing arts, nature, and JohnDenver. Shemar- ried her first Faulkner, in California in 1980 and gave birth to her daughter, Lauren, in April of 1981.

In 1982 she received a Bachelor Degree of Art. She found her calling in the Natural Resources Conservation Service and excelled at her job until 2014 when she retired. In 1988 shemarried her second husband, Jerry Philipps, a local producer in the Conrad area. In 1991 she gave birth to their son, Brandon. Phyllis loved to travel.

She was a very active member in her community. She taught dance, was active in Pondera Arts Council and performed in multiple plays. She later began directing and writing her own musicals. Phyllis was a loving wife, an amazing mother, and the best grandmother to her four grandchildren. She was a living example of how a diagnosis of a terminal disease should only be fuel to live life to the fullest and enjoy every minute doing the things that you love.

Phyllis is survived in death by her husband, Jerry Philipps of Conrad; children, Lauren (Gareth) Morrissey of Delaware and Brandon (Nicole) Philipps of Conrad; siblings, Ralph Caputo of Washington, Tony (Lynn) Caputo of North Carolina, Richard (Kim) Caputo of Florida, and Theresa Renn of California; and her four and SaoirseMorrissey and River and Poet Philipps. She is preceded in death by her mother, Josephine Caputo; her father Anthony Caputo; and her brother, Michael Caputo. A private funeral mass will be Wednesday, August 12, at 10:00 AM at St. Catholic Church. A ZOOMmeeting is available by calling Pon- dera Funeral Home for details.

Following mass, a Celebration of Life will be held at The Legion Park in Conrad at 1pm for the public. lieu of flowers, donations can bemade in her name to the PonderaHealth- care Foundation, PO Box 802, Conrad, 59425. Condolences and full obituary can bemade and seen at wwwasperfh.com. Phyllis Ann Philipps For information on how to place an obituary, go to www.greatfallstribune. and follow the steps.

For assistance, please call 406-791-1420 option 2. Obituaries.