Our hearts are forever broken losing Jo Ellen Smaha Roberts. She has been a very close friend of mine (David) since 1983. This unexpected loss sent shock waves through our class of 1985. She served as President of our Senior Class @ LMHS in Louisville, Ky.

Among so many major achievements, Jo selflessly served many over the years including being President of my non profit K9 Care Montana from 2009-2013. She remained on our board until her passing. Her love for others had no limits. Her infectious laugh (w/an occasional snort) will remain in our hearts forever. She was always encouraging people to be better to one another through kindness and love. She was a leader of men and women. Our prayers and support go out to her husband Jim Roberts and her children and immediate family. Our world has changed forever with this loss. We will embrace all the many great memories she helped make over the years.The hardest part of life to me continues to be losing the ones you love. Love you always and forever Jo!

Kerry Cross died unexpectedly on June 9th, 2021 doing what he loved, which was work.  Kerry is survived by his wife Lori Cross along with Bubbie Lester Cross and A.J. Lee Cross.  He is also survived by his mother, Elaine Cross, five siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  Kerry served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Iraq Freedom ~ with over 30 years total serving our country, from1969-2005. Twenty of those years he was with the Montana Army National Guard. Kerry also served as a First Responder. He will be dearly missed but has left a legacy for which he will be always remembered and never forgotten. God speed soldier.

Virginia Ann Bertram Settle, 89, passed away peacefully at Nazareth Home on September 23, 2022. She was born on November 13, 1932, to Nell Rush Bertram and Hershel Lee Bertram of Glasgow, Kentucky. Virginia grew up in Glasgow, Kentucky graduating from Glasgow High School alongside her future husband, John Wooten Settle. Virginia, John, and their children resided in Lawton, Oklahoma until 1966. Virginia was thrilled to return to her home state of Kentucky when the family was transferred to Louisville. Virginia was a homemaker and active member of Middletown Christian Church, devoting much of her time to Christian Education. She enjoyed volunteering in her children’s activities, especially girl and boy scouts. Virginia took a keen interest in family genealogy and never failed to delight others with detailed, interesting stories of growing up in her beloved hometown. In later years, she enjoyed working at her antique booth in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Virginia was a wonderful mother, but perhaps her greatest calling in life was being the perfect grandmother. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, Donald Lee Bertram (Sue), and her son, John Bertram Settle. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Settle Lewis of Louisville, her son, Lt. Col. Donald Blake Settle of Elizabethtown, KY, her grandchildren, Andrew Harrison Lewis of Pittsburgh, Peter Campbell Lewis (Charli Kanupp) of Louisville, Clara Nell Lewis (Robert Broderick) of Philadelphia, Nathan Rush Settle, John Silas Settle and Quinten Lee Settle, all of Elizabethtown, KY, nephews Mark Boling (Michele) of Bowling Green, KY, Ross Boling (Beverly) of Pitcairn, PA, and Ben Bertram (Jessica) of Vinita, OK, great nieces and nephews, and her life-long Super Club friends. The family would like to thank the Nazareth Home Highlands Campus for their care and kindness during her residency. We also extend our gratitude to Hosparus of Louisville. Virginia was devoted to the needs of veterans and Wounded Warriors.

​​Richard Allen Puett, 76, crossed to Spirit on Friday, August 19, 2022.

Richard created and was known in many circles of friends and colleagues, in many communities throughout his lifetime.

A graduate of Morganton High School, he maintained friendships with his classmates through college into adulthood…friendships that continue to this day.

In the SCCA racing community, he was a champion H Production and ITS race car driver, known for coming from the back of the pack to win the race. Those friendships continue.

In the Sport Bike community, he developed friendships as he rode the mountain roads of NC, VA, WV and TN.

He began hiking the Appalachian Trail shortly before retirement, completing over 700 miles, section hiking, making friends along the Trail.

His business community was made up of colleagues within Alemite Corporation where he worked as applications engineer for over 28 years. Friendships with his customers, distributors and his Alemite family continued after his retirement to present day.

As an artist with God-Given talent, he has created over 200 watercolor paintings capturing the beauty of Nature and the beauty of the Human Spirit. Under his brush, people and animals come alive. Many of his paintings grace the homes and offices of friends, family and others, near and far.

Richard’s zest for life, his love of many, his generous heart and dedication to those he loves are part of the legacy he leaves with each and every one of us who were blessed to know and love him. He lives in our hearts, our minds and our memories forever.

His beloved wife Margo “Miki”, his family, and family of friends are richer for knowing him and being in his presence. He will be missed.

I met Elaine Cross at a dinner I was invited to when I first moved to Philipsburg, MT. I was in my mid 30’s and Elaine was in her early 80's. We quickly became friends and were Philipsburg pool tournament partners for the next 15 seasons. She had a mean pool shot usually when you would least expect it like a double bank on the 8 ball for the win. I had lost my last grandparent only just a few yrs earlier and Elaine comfortably helped fill that void. She also eventually proceeded both my mother and father. Elaine loved her family including all of her grand children and grt grandchildren. Elaine loved our US military with both her sons serving . She was a board member of a charity I started in 2010. She actually came up with the term “ K9 Care” as part of our non-profits name; K9 Care Montana. Through over 5 decades of community involvement Elaine had gained the love and respect of everyone. She loved singing in the church choir, playing penuckle and bridge, playing the fiddle at fiddle jams all over Western Montana. She was a speaker and a Master story teller w/ more than just an occational joke. She loved playing cribbage with her best friend Sandy . Elaine was a women's advocate. She was a fighter for womens rights " kicking ass and taking names" until the end. . You of course have heard of Mini Pearl the actress? Well she played Maxi-pearl the actress at the local Philipsburg Opera house which is noted as the oldest opera house in Montana..When we would talk about her youth she would often refer to her school days and how she would ride her horse "Lady" to school. These are just a few things I know about and had the honor to experienced firsthand with my friend Elaine Cross. Doing all of this while she was in her 80 and 90 years of age. Many other great memories I will continue to hold close to the chest which includes her direct family. I am sure I will share some more of the good times in the future through many photos taken over the yrs. Although she didn’t visibly show it much I know Elaine was heart broken when she lost her 70 yr old son Kerry to an accident almost a year ago yet still found the strength to push forward @ 102 years old. At the end she said she was ready to meet Kerry at their favorite fishing hole. We were able to say our good byes over a span of recent visits and even shared a last sip of fine whiskey together. She will always be remembered and never forgotten. In some of her last words to me; “We have had some good times kiddo! Cheers!” Elaine comfortably passed away @102.5 years old. An amazing lady and an amazing life.. *Special thank you to GCMC and staff.

We continue to be very saddened by the recent loss of one of our young K9 family members. K9CM Warrior, Lynessa Vankirk. Lynessa passed away April 30, 2022 from medical complications from a previous injury. Lynessa was a fighter yet one of the kindest and loving persons a person could be. She loved most, her family and close friends, all dogs,children and being a Military Veteran. Her battle buddy Hero was her shadow. Hero will serve out the rest of his life with family as a bright reflection of his years with Lynessa.She will be deeply missed by all but we will continue to push forward in her honor and loving memories. Our extended thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Rest easy warrior.

Upon her family's request .please consider honoring Lynessa by donating to K9 Care Montana.

My son, Daren M. Keys, was a 14 yr old fun-loving young boy who was always up to something adventuress. He was diagnosed at a young age with Autism and ADHD which he never let slow him down, and we don’t just say that because of the ADHD :-)

If he wanted to accomplish something then he put his mind to it and did just that. When Daren was diagnosed with epilepsy, we wanted to get him a service dog, but the timing just never seemed to be right for us, so we chose your organization to hopefully help future families have better timing than us.

Thank you to all who have donated in Daren’s memory ~ Crissi Woolbright and family