Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services

04/07/2026

Frances "Fran" Evans

Frances Della “Fran” Evans, 89, passed away on April 3, 2026, and was reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Merritt.

Fran was born on May 22, 1936. After marrying Merritt in Colorado, the couple traveled as he worked in highway construction before settling in Opportunity, Montana, where they raised their family. Fran was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who found her greatest joy in caring for her loved ones.

She is survived by her children: Skip Evans, Gene Evans, and Sandra Evans; grandchildren: Brandy Jo, Savannah Evans, Jake Evans, and Derek Evans; and great-grandchildren: Mariah Becker, Jesse Becker, Austin Evans, Alyssa Bell (Evans), Heaven Evans, Taylor Evans, and Merritt Evans. She was also blessed to witness five generations of her family, including her great-great-grandchildren, Kinsley Seitzinger and Della Bell.

Fran worked for many years as a waitress and cherished the friendships she made along the way. She especially treasured her lifelong friendship with Connie Meyers, with whom she shared many meaningful memories.

Fran will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for her family and friends. Her presence touched many lives, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

There will be a private graveside service for the family and loved ones of Frances.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Frances and her family.

View Frances "Fran" Evans's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/07/2026

Albert John Clark, Jr.

Albert “Al” Clark was born and raised in Anaconda, Montana. He was the first of fourteen children born to Albert & Alice (Kelly) Clark. Al was also known affectionately as “Crabby Abby”. This nickname was given to him by his sister-in-law, Nancy, and he was very proud of that.

Al always kept very busy in life. At the age of 12 he and an uncle wanted to earn some spending money so they started the “Clark’s Christmas Tree” business, which is still in operation on West Third Street. He attended school in Anaconda and was set to graduate from Anaconda Central High School in 1957. A hunting accident at the age of 16 delayed his graduation by a year. He was shot in the neck which left him partially paralyzed on his right side. This put an end to his dream of playing professional baseball.

He loved to watch his grandchildren at any sporting event or activity in which they were involved. Al also enjoyed watching rodeos and traveled every year to Las Vegas to see the National Finals Rodeo.

After high school he worked as a ranch hand at several ranches around Montana, including Helmville, Winston & Philipsburg. While working in Philipsburg in 1963 he met Terry Slovacek and they married in December 1964. The marriage lasted for over 30 years and ended in divorce, but they remained good friends.

In 1966, he went to work for the smelter. He held several positions ranging from Janitor to Lime Kiln Foreman, to Electric Furnace Supervisor. He said his crew cut the power to the electric furnace and the smelter was forever closed.

After the smelter closed, his desire to keep busy led him into the business of raising pigs with his friend, Duane Logan. They were in the pig business together from 1982 to 1984 near Warm Springs, Montana. In 1984 he started working at the Housing Authority of Anaconda where he was the maintenance supervisor until his retirement in 1999. After retirement he grew hay and raised some cattle. Some of his happiest days were spent in the swather cutting hay. Although there was one day that was not so happy. He was cutting hay near Philipsburg and his ride to lunch was late. After waiting way too long for the ride to show up, Al improvised and drove the swather right down the highway to the Sunshine Station and ate lunch. When his ride finally arrived, they witnessed firsthand how fitting his nickname could be.

Al also had a very generous side. He would discreetly mail money to people he thought were in need. He would also loan out his equipment and tools to anybody who asked. He would happily volunteer family members to assist with whatever needed to be done. Even in his personal life, he liked to supervise.

Al is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gene, James Joseph & Billy Clark; sisters Alice Joan Finnegan & Ruth Ann Puccinelli; brother-in-law, Joe Slovacek, nephews Craig Finnegan & Joey Slovacek and niece Sarah Sweeney.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Terry Clark and their three children, John Clark (Tabitha Utz), Valerie Kober (Tim) and Debbie Wixsten (Randy). Albert has nine grandchildren, Jared & Josh Clark; Michael (Mary Wang), Alex (Jasmine Busche) & Andrew (Emma Funk) Kober; and Eric (Whitney), Sean, Travis & Amanda Wixsten. He also has five great grandchildren, Ella & Wyatt Wixsten and Conley, Vincent & Bennett Kober.

He is survived by brother-in-law, Larry Finnegan; siblings, Robert (Nancy) Clark, Mary Lou (Jim) Furaus, Larry (Barbara) Clark, Barbara (Dan) Whittaker, Janice (Tom) Sweeney, Jerry Clark, Susan Clark, Laureen (Rob) Hensley, Pat (Sandy) Domitrovich; sisters-in-law Fran Galvin, Julie Slovacek & Sonja Clark and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12 pm, Saturday, Aprill 11, 2026 at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home followed by interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Anaconda. A reception will follow interment back at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Camp Mak-A Dream, the Anaconda Food Bank or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Albert and his family.

View Albert John Clark, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/03/2026

Albert John Clark, Jr.

Albert John Clark, Jr., of Butte, passed on April 2, 2026.

Funeral Services will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda. Interment will be at 1 pm at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Anaconda followed by a reception back at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home.

Please visit below to offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Albert.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Crematory have been privileged to care for Albert and his family.

View Albert John Clark, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/02/2026

Charles Larry Thorpe

In the early hours of Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Charles “Chuck” Thorpe went with the angels. He was 88 years old and at home comforted by his wife and a friend.

Chuck was born in Lansing, Iowa on March 13, 1938, to Lawrence Thorpe and Beatrice Race at the Thorpe family farm. He was a farm/ranch kid raised by his maternal grandparents, Charlie and Emma Race, in Burley, Idaho. They worked their farm, and during summers, Chuck went where his step-dad and mother were working at the time including a ranch in Dillon, Montana.

Check entered the Navy at the age of 17 aboard the “Kiddy Cruise” as it was called. He served as a shipboard electrician during his enlistment of four years active duty and two on reserve. He also had the fortunate experience of living in Japan for a year and a half.

After being discharged in California, Chuck worked a few odd jobs before joining the Westminster Police Department in Orange County where he served for nearly 10 years. In 1969, he was honored for “Bravery Above and Beyond.” Chuck then took a break from police work and went into private security.

On December 31, 1971, while working security at a large New Year’s Eve party, Chuck met the love of his life. Pam’s aunt was the hostess of the party and nagged Pam into coming. Chuck and Pam met at a party that neither wanted to be at and were together for 54 years, married 51 years. In 1974, they were married in Las Vegas.

During their lifetime together, they had many adventures and lots of fun.

They started their own security company not too long after the party, and sold it in 1974 to move to Lancaster, California. It was there that Chuck became chief of security at Air Force Plant 42 by Edwards Air Force Base. He was there when the first space shuttle rolled out onto the tarmac. Chuck and Pam were honored and privileged to meet many interesting people including NASA astronauts and many of the scientists and engineers that worked at the jet propulsion lab in Pasadena.

When the contract ended at Plant 42, he moved Pam to Idaho where he joined the Wendall Police Department. Since Wendall was just ‘a wide spot in the road’ at the time, it was a real “Mayberry” situation with a department consisting of the chief and Chuck. It was a little too small for him so they moved to Twin Falls where they both took jobs at the potato factory. It was the first ’no stress’ job that either of them had, and they had lots of fun there.

Chuck eventually went to work for the local police department, but it wasn’t long before he realized he was burned out. They packed up and moved to Omak, Washington where his father lived. There he worked for the county maintenance and emergency services departments.

It was in Omak where Chuck returned to the military. He joined the Washington National Guard AGR and served another 16 years of active duty. He was the SFC/NCOIC for several companies all over Washington, from ground pounder, transportation, armored to attack helicopters.

His last duty station was Yakima, and in 1995, he retired from the military. Pam said no more deserts and their retirement home needed trees and water. That’s when they moved to Libby, Montana. After 12 years, they knew they wanted to stay in Montana, just not in Libby. They found Anaconda in 2007 and said, “home at last!”

After moving, Chuck became a life member of the local DAV where he obtained the necessary grants to pay for the veterans’ van. He also helped as a driver and introduced the veterans here to a ‘stand down,’ providing lots of clothing and gear for them. Additionally, he organized a computer program for veterans where he took donated computers, cleaned them up, and gave them to any veteran in need. For this, he was honored as “Veteran of the Year” in 2011.

Chuck also volunteered with the Anaconda police commission, department of emergency services, and the coroner’s office.

Some of Chuck’s friends started him riding quads, but after his third trip to the ER on one of his play dates, Pam said “enough” and sold his quad. Chuck was also an avid reader and was well known at the library. Sam and everyone there were close to his heart. Chuck loved fishing, something his dad taught him. He also stayed busy with Pam who always found projects in the yard for him.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Thorpe and Beatrice Race, and an infant daughter.

Chuck is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela; the other love of his life, daughter, Windi Thorpe (partner Carl Eck); nephew Chris Tilley and family; Ryan Collins and family; sisters – Shari Barstow, Margi McClellen; numerous other nieces and nephews as well as many special friends. He considered you all family and he loved you so much.

Chuck was a humble man and grateful for his life and all of those around him. He asked that anyone wishing to make donations consider Wounded Warriors, the DAV, or a charity of their choice.

A celebration of life will follow with information provided later.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Charles and his family.

View Charles Larry Thorpe's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/02/2026

04/01/2026

Keith Robert Marthaller

Keith Robert Marthaller was born April 6, 1979. He was the last of Marthallers. Keith grew up in Anaconda with friends who became family. His mother, Silvia Peterson, passed when he was young and his dad, Ken Marthaller, remarried prior to his passing. This left Keith with the most wonderful mom, Sally (Bleile) Marthaller. Sally treated this young man as her own. She raised him, taught him, and loved him. Sally also brought Keith a sister in Julie.

Keith graduated from Anaconda High School in 1997. He was so kind and fun loving. He always tried to bring a smile to those around him. He was incredibly animated and always shared his love of the game cartwheels.

Even though both of Keith’s parents passed when he was young, he was never without family. He kept collecting family throughout his life because he was so kind and lovable. This started with the Bleiles, then moved on to the Heaneys, the Smiths, the Monacos, Josh Follman, and John Durkin. After high school Keith attended the University of Montana. Prior to realizing college was not for him, he left his mark, especially at Pantzer Hall. There are many great stories about Keith, and he loved hearing and reliving all of them.

In April of 2005, Keith finally made a move on Alexis Monaco. It took him quite a while to realize she was available and interested. He asked her to accompany him to a house party in Lost Creek. They went to the party with a few other friends. Alexis left her cell phone and car keys in the car while they socialized at the party. When Keith was ready to leave he did not want to bother Alexis, as he thought she was having a good time. He quietly left with his friends. Alexis realized this and after a few phone calls she found Keith at the Harp, sitting at the bar with her cell phone and car keys. He said he knew she would find him because he had her stuff. She never left him again.

Their time together was magic. Her family became his family, and his chosen family became her family. They eloped in Las Vegas in 2008, and welcomed Link in 2014. This added to Keith’s family. He loved pop culture, golf, baseball, video games, and newly discovered the greatness of hockey. He was a Braves fan, an unfortunate Cowboys fan, a Griz fan, and a newly minted Canucks fan. He loved watching and playing golf. He taught Alexis to golf, and she only hit him with a ball once. Some of the best times of his life were on a golf course. He felt at home there.

Keith was a helper. He had a way of making others feel comfortable and at ease. He was a natural at helping people find calm. This was a bit ironic, considering he was always worried and anxious. When Alexis was pregnant, he would often make himself sick with worry. She was his calming presence and could help him find his zen. Many days started with reminders of blessings and the good in life. The main one was Link. He was incredibly proud of his child’s intelligence, strength, creativity, and wit. They shared a stubborn streak, and Alexis would often remind him of their similarities. He was so worried about being a good dad, but the worry never showed because his love was all that was needed to create a strong, confident, amazing child.

While Keith left us early, he made his mark. He saw, again, that Alexis was having fun, but he was ready to go. He quietly slipped away but kept her stuff with him. It’s not her car keys and cell phone, but something much more sacred. She knows when she is ready, he will be there waiting to give her back her heart.

Please join us for a celebration of life on Thursday April 9, 2026, at 1pm at Longfellow Finnegan Funeral Home. A luncheon at the Club Moderne will follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a cancer charity of your choice, or to Link’s college fund at Southwest Montana Credit Union.

We would like to thank the wonderful people at the Oncology and Infusion Center in Anaconda and the amazing people at Providence in Missoula. You were all so kind and caring. We would also like to thank our community. You all have shown us there is so much good in this world!

Keith enjoyed comfort, golf, and pop culture. Please wear your most “Keith appropriate” clothing. Choose a golf shirt, a nerdy shirt, your good sweats, whatever makes you comfortable and happy!

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Keith and his family.

View Keith Robert Marthaller's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/20/2026

Anthony E. Quick

Anthony (Tony) Quick, 88 of Anaconda, Montana passed away of natural causes on March 18, 2026. Tony was born on September 17, 1937, to Elmer W. and Marie C. (McManus) Quick and lived in Anaconda his entire life.

Tony attended Anaconda Central High School and joined the U.S. Marine Corp following graduation in 1955. After serving in the Marine Corp, and continuing in the Marine Corp Reserves, Tony attended Northern Montana College where he earned a degree in Auto Mechanics. A self-described Motorhead, Tony had a love for cars and motors of all kinds, and a talent for working on them, so his education was a natural transition into his lifelong career with cars. In his 20’s Tony bought his first business, Quick Carter Servicecenter which he operated for several years. During this time, he met Marlene Medvit, who was working as a Mountain Bell telephone operator, and they began visiting while she was connecting phone calls through her switchboard for his business. They were married in February 1961 in Walkerville, MT and were blessed with six children.

Tony dreamed of being able to fly and obtained his private pilot license and shared ownership in a small airplane. As his young family grew Tony sold the airplane and the service station, and he began working as a car salesman at Young Motor Company. He soon purchased that auto dealership, and established Tony Quick Inc. Tony operated his car business for almost 30 years, until he retired and sold his brand franchise to the Dee Motor Co. He will always be the Pontiac, Cadillac, Jeep and Winnebago guy to those who knew him well.

Tony’s talents were not limited to mechanics and automobiles. He was a handyman/jack- of-all trades and was known by his children and grandchildren to be able to ‘fix anything’. Tony was also a self-taught construction guru. After buying ‘the cabin’ at Georgetown Lake in the early 1970s he built his own workshop as well as his ‘shed’ that was a 12+ vehicle garage/storage building at the lake property. This is where he kept his prized 1960s GTOs, his 1947 Packard and an assortment of classic cars, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, four-wheelers, spare engines, auto parts and the infamous 1974 Tony Quick Inc Jeep wrecker. He shared his vast knowledge and love for vehicles with his children and grandchildren, many of whom also caught the car bug. The ‘cabin’ property was his favorite place, and he spent most days in his retirement years working and building there. His list of projects was endless. Fishing and boating were favorite activities among the kids across three generations. Many learned to waterski, got bounced off tubes, caught rainbow trout, as well as at least one bat while casting from the dock. Tony’s patience was tested with constantly tangled fishing lines and requests for another pull behind the boat.

Tony utilized his own workforce of children, and the family spent many Saturdays in the hills cutting firewood, and along Flint Creek Pass picking and loading flat rocks to build the shoreline. Maintaining his strict lawn care standards at home was also a popular task involving the kids. They learned to recognize his raised eyebrow as the trouble sign without him having to say a word. His strong work ethic and need to get the job done right is a trait he passed on.

Tony was instrumental in forming the Anaconda Motocross Club and track in Lost Creek and spent countless weekends traveling to motorcross races.

Winter family activities revolved around skiing. Tony was proud of being part of the ski patrol at Wraith Hill where he taught his family to ski. Christmas break included family ski trips to Grand Targhee in the motorhome and he spent hundreds of hours on the slopes at Discovery Basin through the years.

Tony was an avid reader, enjoying a good mystery, crime story or western adventure. He also liked nonfiction related to cars, history, finances and politics. In his later years, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren in sporting, dance and musical events. He was proud of the accomplishments of his family and was overjoyed to see the littlest ones for a visit.

Tony is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Marlene; his children Joann (Kevin) Lacey, Karen (Mike) Ottman, Steve Quick, Lynn Kopp, Michael (Kae) Quick and Jeanne (Bob) Mehrens; grandchildren Jason and Justin Masonovich, Darby Lacey; Cody Ottman, Kaylee Ottman Padmos; Scott Galle, Josh Rosenburg; Ashley Kopp Alarcon, Casse Erbe; Aurora, Derick and Dylan Quick; Grace and Brigid Mehrens; 14 great-grandchildren, Jaxen, Blake, Keenan, Huxley, Brooxzyn, Breece, Elise, Cara, Shanley, Tayden, Lenora, Cambree, Lincoln, Jackson; his brother R. Nicholas Tobin (MA), sister Marion (Jerry) Fleming (NM). Tony is loved and will be deeply missed by his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Marie and step-father John Tobin.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Community Hospital of Anaconda and Pintlar Hospice for their care and compassion.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am, Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Holy Family Church, 217 W Pennsylvania, Anaconda. Visitation will begin at 10am. Reception will follow mass in the Hunthausen Center of the church. Cremation has taken place, and a private family burial and celebration will take place at a later date.

Memorials in honor of Tony are suggested a foundation of the donor’s choice.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Anthony and his family.

View Anthony E. Quick's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/19/2026

Raymond "Ray" Tarkalson

Surrounded by his family in the early morning of March 19th, our beloved father and grandfather, Raymond Fredrick Tarkalson, Jr. left this earth to spend eternity with his Norma Jean. Ray was born on June 19, 1939 to Raymond, Sr. and Margaret “Maggie” Ricci Tarkalson and from day one, he gave Maggie a run for her money. Ray was full of energy and spent his childhood outdoors with his best buddies Woody Driver and Gene Harris.

At the age of 16, he began his first job working on the railroad and playing football for the Anaconda Copperheads where he earned the nickname “Tank”.

It was a year or so after he graduated and maybe while eating a burger at Norma’s family-run “White Spot”, he fell in love with his sweetheart. He took advantage of the spring day, while driving his early 1950’s Studebaker, and saw Norma home from the famous burger joint and offered her a ride. The acceptance of his offer led them to a 65 year love affair. They were married in 1960 and their family expanded the next year with their first son Kevin, followed by Kurt, Toni & Terri. Their family was completed in 1991 with the adoption of their daughter Ebony.

Following in his father’s footsteps as a self-trained meatcutter, Ray began working at Safeway as a butcher due to the 1959 strike. A few years later, he and his family moved to Ogden and then Logan, Utah where he worked for Albertsons. Five years later, they returned to Anaconda where he was employed by Butterys. Years later, he then worked part time for his friend Howard Buehler as the butcher at the infamous Park Cafe. Ray was also proud of his time being a meat cutting instructor at the prison.

At the age of 31, Ray began his 21 year career working as an Anaconda Fireman. The last three years of his tenure he spent as Assistant Chief. It was without fail, every time we drove by the Anaconda Fire Department on Commercial Street, Ray would point out the Willow Tree by the driveway that he planted when the building was finished in 1975.

Upon retiring from the fire department, Ray spent the next 11 years working as a Residence Assistant, and instructor of the fire crew and brick laying at the Anaconda Job Corp. He loved working with the students and taking them on field trips as his favorite was Yellowstone National Park.

Throughout his life, Ray had a great passion for the outdoors; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling and camping. During hunting season, he enjoyed the treasured time with his father, uncles and cousins, and then sons hiking and searching for their prize of the season. After school/work and weekends were filled with fishing local lakes and rivers.

He spent decades of summers camping at the Sportsman Campground along the Big Hole River. These were treasured times with his parents, relatives and his own children.

Ray’s surviving family members include the following: son Kurt & Shantu Tarkalson, (Mackenzie, Morgan & Megan), daughter Toni Snapp, (Kane & Ian), daughter Terri & Donald Summers, (Dean, Ellen & Ricci), and Ebony Tarkalson.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents Ray & Maggie Tarkalson, his beloved oldest son Kevin Tarkalson and his sweetheart Norma Indendi Tarkalson.

The Tarkalson family would like to thank the many dear people who supported Ray’s final years: Dr. Cook of Anaconda, Dr. Yates of Butte, HoneyBee Hospice Nurse Virginia Williford, and the in-home care provided by Diane McCarthy & Queeda Wigert of Anaconda and Shawni Porter of Butte.

A Celebration of His Life will be held at 11 am, Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home, 107 Oak St., in Anaconda. Visitation begins at 10 am. A reception will follow in the reception hall of the funeral home. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park 5001 Crackerville Rd., Gregson, Montana (Silver Bow County).

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask donations made in Ray’s honor to the Anaconda Job Corp.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Raymond and his family.

View Raymond "Ray" Tarkalson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/17/2026

Evelyn Jean Waldbillig

Jean Patten Waldbillig, 102, of Philipsburg, Montana passed away at St. James Hospital on March 12, 2026.

Jean was born on March 20, 1923, in Tonopah, Nevada, to James Patten and Phyllis McLeod Patten. The family moved from Tonopah and lived for a while in Butte before returning home to Philipsburg.

Jean graduated from Granite High School in 1941 and went on to enroll in St. James School of Nursing in Butte. She had many fond memories of her time there and made lifelong friends with her classmates. She graduated in 1944, worked for a time at Murray Hospital in Butte before joining the Navy in 1945. She was stationed at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital near San Francisco, California, where she worked with servicemen coming home from Japan – many of whom had been prisoners of war. She was very humbled by their service and felt, in contrast, that she had not contributed as much to the war effort.

She was discharged in 1946 and took a job in Boise, Idaho, as a public health nurse. She loved to relate that she made her rounds on a Cushman scooter, as there were no cars that could be purchased after the war. She enjoyed the field of public health and went from Boise, Idaho, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to pursue a degree in public health. On a trip home, she reconnected with a classmate, Frank Waldbillig, and she quit school to return to Philipsburg. She and Frank were married on September 3, 1949, in Helena, Montana. Jean and Frank moved to the ranch where they raised 3 children, Raymond, Helen, and Jim. She said that she did not learn to cook until she moved to the ranch, but she became a good cook and provided three meals a day for her family, hired hands, and friends. She made sure no one went hungry!

Jean continued her nursing career in the Flint Creek Valley, working in public health and at Granite County Hospital, finally letting her RN license expire in 1997. She spent many years conducting home health visits and “wild child” (well-child) clinics, much of the time with her colleague and great friend, Harriet Mentzer. Countless youth in Granite County had their childhood vaccines administered by Jean.

Jean loved her time growing up in Philipsburg. She had fond memories of roller-skating, ice skating, playing cards, and walking to Fred Burr and Rumsey, where they would build a fire and spend a summer afternoon swimming. As an adult, Jean was very active in the Philipsburg community. She was an avid supporter of Prospector athletics and the Philipsburg Public Library, frequently played Bridge with friends, and was a faithful congregant of St. Andrew’s Episcopal church.

Jean loved her life on the ranch. She and her horse Campie covered a lot of miles helping the neighbors chase cows and enjoying the beautiful Flint Creek Valley. She

loved animals, especially her Shelties, Chelsea and Snooper. In fact, many of the pets on the ranch ended up being “hers”, and she would often need to admonish her grandkids to “pet their damn dog”.

Jean often remarked that she had the best of it: A wonderful husband and a good family. She would not have traded her life on the ranch for anything. She loved her grandchildren and was blessed to have them close as they grew up. She asked about them every day and was always interested in their careers. She was also blessed at the end of her life to live at the Southwest Montana Veterans’ Home, where she created a new family group that took very good care of her.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, James and Phyllis, Brother Jim and sister-in-law Pat, husband Frank, and son Raymond. She is survived by her daughter, Helen (Bernie), son Jim (Jill), grandchildren Zachary (Marina), Austin (Darby), Marie, Sean (Sakoya), and Patrick (Bryanna), daughter-in-law Jan and her son Sean (Vickie) Graybeal. She is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren, Delilah, Waylon, Siobhan, Aiden, and Banx, as well as nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Philipsburg at 11:00 AM on March 21, 2026. Internment will be at Philipsburg Cemetery, followed by a reception at Granite County Museum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or the Philipsburg Public Library.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Evelyn and her family.

View Evelyn Jean Waldbillig's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.