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​Marjorie Ross Beck
Marjorie Ross Beck, 96, a life-long resident of Deer Lodge died Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Renaissance Senior Care in Deer Lodge after a brief illness. She was born on December 27, 1921 at the family home to Ralph and Caroline (Leibrock) Ross. Her parents raised her in Deer Lodge, where she attended the local schools, finally graduating from Powell County High School in 1939. She also attended Stephens College in Missouri for a short time.
Marjorie lived a full and productive life during her 96 years. Family was always very important to her, beginning with her immediate family as a child. She was the middle child between Richard, her brother, and Mary Lou, her sister. Marjorie married Ralph Beck on January 3, 1941 at St. James Episcopal Church in Deer Lodge. They were married for 57 years and had one child, Mary Lou.
Her father, RW, was the Deer Lodge funeral director, and Marjorie learned from an early age the skills and talents of a compassionate and successful funeral director. At the young age of 12, Marjorie had learned to drive and was often seen behind the wheel of the family hearse, providing needed assistance to her father and the family business. She continued through adolescence to learn the funeral directing trade, and at the age of 16, she became a registered female funeral director, one of only two in the entire state of Montana at that time. This remarkable accomplishment brought great pride to Marjorie throughout her life. After marriage, Marjorie and Ralph moved to Chicago to attend Worsham College for training in funeral home directing. Together, Marjorie and her husband Ralph purchased her father’s funeral home business and successfully ran it until 1972 when they sold the funeral home to the Jewell family and retired.
During her adult years, Marjorie dedicated herself to a variety of community endeavors. She was a dedicated pillar of St. James Episcopal Church, where she devoted her time to countless church programs and committees, including Trinity Guild. In 1968 she chaired the 100th Anniversary celebration for St. James, including editing the church history booklet for the celebration, and on Sunday, July 22, 2018 she was honored at the 150th Anniversary of St. James, just two days before her passing. She also actively participated in civic organizations such as Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, PEO, Republican Women, Deer Lodge Woman’s Club and played bridge and scrabble regularly. Through her father and then her husband, she was also associated with Rotary International, Masonic Lodge Shriners and BPOE. Not only did she attend and accompany her husband to many organizational meetings and conventions, they also traveled abroad whenever possible. Marjorie was pleased to have seen Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan in her lifetime.
Marjorie’s culinary skills were often at the center of her civic contributions as she would host luncheons, dinners, teas, and other special occasions on behalf of many causes, organizations, and personal family and friends. She was well-spoken, articulate and was raised to be a consummate lady who shared her kindness and compassion with all who knew her. Marjorie enjoyed many close friendships over the years and was always thrilled when these dear friends visited and shared conversations and stories with her. When personal visits were unattainable, Marjorie kept up correspondence through avid letter writing. In her final days, Marjorie often remarked how astounded she was to have so many dear friends at her age, and thanking each visitor personally, she carried her graciousness with her to the end.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Caroline; her brother, Dr. Richard Ross; her sister, Mary Lou Countryman; and her beloved husband of 57 years, Ralph Beck. She is survived by her daughter Mary Lou (Morten) Weiner of Meridian, Idaho; her sister-in-law Janice Schmutz of Calif.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear personal friends.
Marjorie was quick to remind anyone that she was an “ordinary” person, but to those who knew and loved her she was nothing short of extraordinary. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Deer Lodge later this fall. Jewell Funeral Home is charge of arrangements and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. James Episcopal Church in Deer Lodge or to the organization of the donor’s choice.
“Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away; To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away). I’ll fly away, Oh Glory; I’ll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away). ”
--from the hymn “I’ll Fly Away”

​Taylor Michelle Lott
Taylor Michelle Lott, 19, of Deer Lodge passed away unexpectedly due to a car accident July 27, 2018.
She was born in Deer Lodge on March 7, 1999 to Jeremy and Julie Charles Lott. She graduated from Powell County High School in 2017 as valedictorian. She was enrolled at Montana Tech and finished her first year of college.
She was very smart, positive and charismatic. Her heart was big enough to share a little piece of it with anyone she met, and she didn’t hesitate to do so. She welcomed everyone with open arms.
Taylor had a deep love for art and photography, quite frankly anything beautiful, especially flowers. She found beauty in every situation. She also loved to sing and did it exceptionally well. She was beautiful inside and out. She had many plans to travel the world, thankfully she got to enjoy two trips this summer to the Oregon Coast down through California to the Redwood Forest, and then to California to spend a couple days on the beach. She never wasted any time and was always planning something new.
Taylor is survived by her parents Julie and Jeremy, her sisters Amanda, Samantha, Cheyanne and Reagan, her brother Wayne, her nieces and nephews, Dominic, Gracie, William, Emmalynn and Grayson, and her grandma Janice. She is proceeded in death by her Papa and Nana, Patricia and Edward Charles and her grandpa Wayne Lott, and uncle Fabian Charles.
Services will be held at PCHS, August 2 at 11 a.m., with a luncheon following at The Pen.

​Murray Swenson
Murray Swenson passed away at home on July 23 with his family present. Born in Deer Lodge in 1932, he was the son of C. L. and Beatrice (Murray) Swenson.
Murray grew up in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 1950. He attended the University of Montana in Missoula where he joined Sigma Chi fraternity. His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the army and served 16 months in Korea. When Murray returned to Deer Lodge he worked at the smelter in Anaconda. At this time he met the love of his life, Thea Westre. They were married in 1956. He decided to go to Montana State University in Bozeman to finish his degree in Engineering in 1958. Upon graduation he was hired by Boeing. Their first daughter, Teri, was born in Seattle.
Murray and Thea returned to Montana and he worked for U. S. Gypsum in Lewistown. The family moved to Helena in 1961 where their second daughter, Karen, was born. Murray designed and built the home they lived in for the next 54 years. Murray was hired as an engineer at the Montana State Highway Department and he worked there until he retired in 1995.
After retirement Murray and Thea traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico by motor home. They also made several trips to Norway to visit relatives. His hobbies included reading, skiing, camping and duck hunting. He particularly liked WWII history and a vacation highlight was a trip to Omaha Beach in France. Murray and Thea celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in June.
Murray was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Larry. He is survived by his wife, Thea and two daughters, Teri Yeager (Theron), Karen Meick (Joe), two granddaughters Emily Meick and Roslyn Yeager, his brother Larry’s children Greg Swenson and Michelle Swenson Aguirre, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral was scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 3580 N. Benton Ave., with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Burial with Military Honors was held at 2 p.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison following the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Redeemer’s, an animal rescue organization or a charity of your choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhomes.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Murray.

Death Notice: Louis (Louie) Marshall Sr.
Long time Deer Lodge resident Louis (Louie) Marshall Sr. Passed away on July 27. His services are pending and will be held in Deer Lodge at a later date.

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