Frontier Funeral Home

03/19/2026

Verna Steinbach

Verna Jane Steinbach, beloved mother, grandmother, horsewoman, and lifelong rancher, passed away on March 10, 2026, leaving behind a legacy rooted in family and the Montana land she loved. Verna was born on November 24, 1938-Thanksgiving Day-to Helen Gibson Brown and C. Donald Brown. Her youth on the Gibson-Brown ranch, now known as the Hoon Ranch, fostered the enduring love for horses and ranch life that defined her and nurtured deep connections with her children and grandchildren.

Verna attended South Fork Elementary School, riding on horseback to school with neighbors until she was about nine or ten years old. She later attended Helena High School, graduating in 1956. While in Helena, she boarded with the family of her dear friend Judy Allen Burggraff, an arrangement that created lifelong connections, especially with her closest friend, Susan Burggraff Melaney.

From a young age, Verna was a gifted horsewoman and competitor. She won two state championships in O-Mok-See and finished third in the nation in barrel racing. Horses were a defining part of her life, and her favorites included her high school barrel horse, Lady, as well as Pete, a dependable barrel horse known for his efficiency and heart.

Verna knew Marvin "Buz" Steinbach for many years, growing up in the same community. After Buz suffered a broken neck, Verna visited him in the hospital, and their bond grew stronger. The two married on June 8, 1957, and Verna moved to the Steinbach Ranch, where they built a life centered on family and ranching.

They raised four children: Shawn (1959), Ty (1961), Scott (1964), and Tell (1973). Ranch life meant long days in the saddle, and Verna spent countless hours riding the mountains pushing cattle. She made sure each of her children learned to ride and understand the responsibilities that came with ranch life.

Verna's passion for horses and young people shaped generations of riders. She served as a 4-H leader, taught horsemanship, and mentored many young riders in barrel racing and pole bending, often hosting several girls at a time who came to learn from her. She served the rodeo community as district secretary, state secretary, and national director of high school rodeo, and helped start the Montana Barrel Racing Association. Verna also organized ropings at Bowman's Corner for about five years and hosted jackpot events in Browning, always working to support youth and the sport she loved.

Later in life, Verna and Buz often traveled the west to watch rodeos, including the National Finals many times, the Calgary Stampede, and the Pendleton Roundup, the latter to watch her son Tell compete.

Above all, Verna loved her family with fierce devotion, and this was nowhere more apparent than in her relationship with her grandchildren. She never missed a chance to watch them compete in sports, no matter how far the drive. Each summer, her grandchildren eagerly counted down the days until they could spend weeks at a time with her on the family ranch - days filled with horses, ranching, and card games - memories they will cherish forever. Whether helping them find confidence in the saddle or hollering from the stands, she poured herself into the nextgeneration without hesitation.

Verna also had a quieter side that those closest to her knew well. She could often be found snuggled into her rocking chair beside the fireplace, lost in the pages of a romance novel. It was her peaceful escape - a tender contrast to the rugged life she lived with such grit and grace.

Verna will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and deep love for horses, ranching, and family. Her life was one lived in service to others, in the saddle, and on the land she called home.

She leaves behind her husband, Marvin 'Buz' Steinbach; son, Shawn (Karmon); grandchildren, Trevor (Ashley), Miles (Becky), Skylar (Kody), Sydne (Kyle), Allie (Jordan), and Avery;

great-grandchildren, Hadley, Vivianne, Ryggs, Marlow, Rahlee, Tein, and Evelyn; and the many young riders whose lives she touched through her patience, wisdom, and encouragement.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

Condolence to the family maybe shared to www.frontierfuneralhome.com

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03/17/2026

Today is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the traditions, stories, and connections that shape our lives — no matter our background. Whether you’re gathering with family, sharing a meal, or simply reflecting, we hope the day brings a moment of warmth and meaning. 💚

03/12/2026

Who’s part of your support circle? Whether it’s family, friends, or even a pet, we’d love to know what helps you through the hard days. Whether you need someone to talk to, ask questions about planning, or just want a listening ear—we're here, whenever you need us.

03/11/2026

Yvonne Adele Liss

Yvonne "Vonnie" Adel Liss, 91, passed away February 24, 2026, at her home in Fairfield, Montana.

Yvonne was born September 18, 1935, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Robert W. Wallet and Olive Ann (McKay) Wallet. She attended and graduated from Westminster High School. Vonnie met Keith S. Liss Sr. in Golden, Colorado, where the couple later married on April 17, 1954. She called many places home, from Phoenix, Arizona, to Golden, Morrison, Castle Rock, and Denver, Colorado, and later to Stevensville, Corvallas, Big Timber, Butte, and finally Fairfield, Montana.

She worked as a bus driver for the Arvada Seventh-day Adventist Church School and was also a CNA in Stevensville. Her greatest accomplishment and favorite job was raising her four boys. As for hobbies, she enjoyed bowling, collecting angels, cooking, and organizing potlucks for the church, and she was known to always have a pet.

Yvonne's wisdom lives on through her favorite expression, "Life's good if you don't weaken." She also survived a car accident in 1971 that resulted in a lifelong injury.

She is survived by her sons, Keith S. Liss Jr., Daniel T. Liss, Mark G. Liss, and Robert A. Liss; sisters, Judi Wallet, Lynn Niss, and Julie Wallet Schuler; and brother, Bob Wallet. Other survivors include Floyd Liss, Heather Liss, Glenda Dolecheck, Billy Dan Liss, Matthew Liss, Zachary Liss, Trevor Liss, Chad Liss, Andy Liss, Zephyra Liss, Victoria Liss, Taina Liss, David Liss, Steven Liss, Isaac Liss, Jonathan Liss, Ethan Liss, and Abner Liss.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith S. Liss Sr., and her sister, Gemma Wallet.

A service will be held March 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Stevensville Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3411 Baldwin Rd.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Frontier Funeral Home in Choteau, Montana.

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03/05/2026

Every life tells a story and we believe every funeral should, too. At Frontier Funeral Home, we’re dedicated to creating unique, personalized services that truly honor the life being remembered.

Whether it’s incorporating favorite music, meaningful keepsakes, themed displays, special readings, or a celebration that reflects a loved one’s passions, we take the time to learn what made them who they were.

From traditional services to one-of-a-kind life celebrations, our team is here to help families create something heartfelt, memorable, and uniquely theirs. 💛

03/02/2026

Anna Lee Erickson

Anna Lee "Anna Lee" Erickson

Anna Lee Erickson, lovingly known as "Anna Lee," was born on January 30, 1928, and was raised in Bole and Choteau, Montana. She passed peacefully, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories with family and friends.

Anna Lee was the daughter of Walter Dauwalder and Irene (Jackson) Dauwalder. She graduated from Teton High School, where she met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Erickson. The two were married in 1947 in Choteau, Montana, and shared 55 devoted years of marriage before Bob's passing.

Throughout her life, Anna Lee called several Montana communities home, including Bole, Choteau, and Helena. She attended Montana State University in Missoula from 1945 to 1947, prior to it becoming the University of Montana.

Anna Lee was a hardworking and capable woman. She farmed and worked for Sonny Omholt in Helena at the State Auditor's Office, contributing faithfully to her family and community.

She was an avid bridge player and found great joy in gardening and taking care of her flowers. Anna Lee treasured time spent outdoors and valued the simple pleasures of Montana life. She was a devoted member of Choteau United Methodist Church, where her faith and fellowship were important parts of her life.

Anna Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Irene Dauwalder; her beloved husband, Robert Erickson; her children, Pamela Donavan and Randall (Randy) Erickson; her sister, Donna Faye Otness; and her twin brothers, Bob and Dick Dauwalder.

A Memorial Service will be held March 20, 2026 at 11:00AM at the Choteau United Methodist Church. Anna Lee will be remembered for her quiet strength, dedication to family, and warm presence in the lives of those who knew her.

Condolences to the family may be shared at www.frontierfuneralhome.com.

View Anna Lee Erickson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/02/2026

Stewart Schwartz

Stewart Lee Schwartz - "Stew" - was born in Havre, Montana on June 4, 1935. He lived his early years on his grandparents' homestead in Goldstone, North of Rudyard, with his parents Herman and Mildred, and his siblings Francis and Arlie. In 1941 his family homesteaded a place West of Fairfield, where Stew graduated from Golden Ridge Grade School in 1949. He attended High School in Fairfield, loved baseball and football, and graduated in 1953.

Stew married Shirley Obernolte and was blessed with three sons, Jim, Scott, and Rick. When the boys were young, Stew bought a place six miles NE of his parents' homestead. There, he started raising Simmental cattle, and formed the seedstock business Spring Valley Simmental.

About this time, he married Delores Pleasance from Cavalier, North Dakota and moved Delores and her two daughters, Kim and Roxanne to Montana. They continued ranching in the Fairfield area until they moved to Millegan, South of Cascade, where they continued raising Simmental cattle. To be closer to town, their last home was West of Vaughn. Stew resided there until his passing on February 20, 2026.

Stew is survived by his wife, Delores; Sons Jim and Scott; Daughters Kim and Roxane; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He enjoyed church, family, friends, elk hunting, and raising cattle. He was know to be quite a conversationalist.

Stew was preceded in death by his Parents, both Siblings, Son Rick, and Grandson Curtis.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 6th, 2026 at 10:00 am at

Faith Lutheran Church, 1300 Ferguson Drive, Great Falls, MT 59404.

Condolences to the family may be shared at www.frontierfuneralhome.com.

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02/26/2026

Dorothy Perkins

Dorothy Marie "Doph" Bruner Perkins, 86, of Bynum, Montana, passed away peacefully in her home on February 6, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Dorothy was born on October 31, 1939 in Conrad, Montana, to Leonard Duane Bruner and Lizzie Marie Raty Bruner. Known affectionately as "Doph," she was the second of nine children and was raised on her Grandfather's Ranch near Dupuyer, Montana, where her early life was shaped by hard work, perseverance, and family. She attended Dupuyer Elementary School as the only student in her grade, reflecting her quiet independence, and later attended high school in Valier.

At a Sadie Hawkins dance, she met the love of her life, Earl Perkins of Bynum. The two were married on July 1, 1956, at the Valier Methodist Church, and began a lifelong partnership on the Perkins Ranch east of Bynum spanning almost seventy years. The union was devoted to hard work and raising a family. When visitors and friends came, they never left hungry. Her house was always clean and ready for company.

In addition to raising her children on the ranch, she stepped up wherever she was needed, operating haying and harvesting equipment, preparing meals for ranch hands, and helping with other responsibilities of ranch life. Though she ended her high school career in order to marry, she was determined to earn her GED and proudly completed it on February 4, 1969.

In 1976, Dorothy began her career with the United States Postal Service. She became a familiar and welcoming face in the Choteau Post Office, where her warm smile and kind spirit made everyone feel valued. In 2000, she became Postmaster in Bynum and retired in 2005 after 29 years of dedicated service.

Dorothy was deeply devoted to her community. She was an active member of the Bynum Civic Club, helping establish the Bynum park and cemetery kiosk, and contributing to numerous community efforts. She played a key role in organizing the 1989 Teton County Centennial Celebration and had a special gift for bringing people together. She loved organizing and hosting baby showers, bridal showers, as well as decorating for weddings, receptions, and countless gatherings-always giving her time and talents wherever she was needed. Serving others was simply who she was.

To her grandchildren, she was safety and comfort. She was bedtime snuggles, laughter-filled scavenger hunts, horseback rides on old Smoky, and jumping on the trampoline. She had a way of making each grandchild feel cherished.

Dorothy never sat still for long. Even when she was tired, she kept going - never just walking but running to the next task. Many would say that she was a whirlwind of motion. Her faith in Jesus was of utmost importance to her which brought her hope and purpose. She deeply loved her sisters and close friends and was kind to everyone she met.

Though her absence leaves an immeasurable void, her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the family she raised. She looked forward to seeing Jesus and hearing Him say - "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Dorothy is survived by her children, Vicki (Marvin) Baker of Bynum, MT and Rock (Janeil) Perkins of Pendroy, MT; her grandchildren, Stephanie (Trig) Zwerneman, Loni (Ross) Judisch, Whitney (Matt) Caldarone, Lee (Taylor) Perkins, Mary (Tyler) Youdarian, and Matt (Kara) Baker; and 17 beloved great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Myrna (Vern) Monroe, Patricia (Joe) Lewis, and Aletha (Lyle) Woelich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Perkins; her parents, Duane and Lizzie Bruner; her granddaughter, Kelly Baker; her sisters, Linda Curtis and Sharlin (Jack) Arnst; and her brothers, Doug (Trudy), Gerald (Marla), and Rodney Bruner.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Living the Word Church in Choteau, Montana.

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02/26/2026

Some days are harder than others. Be kind to yourself today, and remember it’s okay to feel everything you're feeling.

02/24/2026

Georgia Gimbel

Georgia Kay Gimbel passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, at Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls following a brief illness. She passed with her granddaughter, Tiffany, and grandson-in-law, Zachary Kosse, by her side. While her family will miss their Sunday chats, visits, and her infectious smile, they take great comfort in knowing she is in her forever home with her Savior A Montana Spirit Born on March 2, 1946, in Kalispell, Montana, Georgia was the daughter of George E. and Mary Jo TenEyck. She grew up on a farm in the Flathead Valley and was a proud graduate of Flathead High School. Georgia was a true daughter of the West; she was a self-taught pianist and a remarkably accomplished horseback rider. Her grit was legendary; she was known for her ability to shoot aluminum cans in the ditches with a .22 pistol from the back of a moving horse-and she rarely ever missed. Georgia was a protector at heart. Her sister, Sandra, remembers her as the sibling who always looked out for her, a quality of fierce care that Georgia later poured into her children and grandchildren. The Rae Tradition and Family In 1965, Georgia welcomed her daughter, Melody, and sparked a cherished family tradition by choosing the middle name Rae. Georgia intended for the women of the family to be linked by this name, a tradition that has now flourished through five generations. Georgia later welcomed twins, Jodi and William Joel. Though she faced the heartbreaking loss of her infant daughter, Heather, shortly after birth, Georgia's heart only grew larger. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and was recently overjoyed to become a great-great-grandmother. A Pillar of the Community Georgia worked in customer service all her life, once stating that being among people was exactly where she wanted to be. After living for many years in Washington, where the family moved frequently, she returned to Montana and settled in Choteau in the 1990s. For over 35 years, she was a well-known and cherished member of the Choteau community. She was a familiar face at Rex's until her retirement and remained an active member of the New Song Church. Known for her vibrant spirit, Georgia had a deep love for the color purple and a lifelong fascination with fantasy creatures. Her days were often filled with the hobbies she loved: spending time with her family, cooking, reading, coloring, and photography. It was said that you couldnt go anywhere in Choteau or Great Falls without someone stopping to say how much they loved Georgia and how they missed her smile. Family Georgia is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jim; her sister, Sharon; and her infant daughter, Heather. She is survived by: Her Children: Melody Rae Carlon (Choteau) William Joel Gimbel (Choteau) Jodi Rae Gimbel (Washington). Her Sister: Sandra Hawk of Kalispell. Her Grandchildren: Tiffany Rae Kosse (Zachary) of Great Falls Joshua Ryan Gimbel (Ashley) of Choteau. Her Great-Grandchildren: Anthony Le'Everett Carlon (Choteau), Trace Micheal Lawrence Kosse (Great Falls) Samantha Rae Kosse (Great Falls). Extended Family: Various nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

A celebration of Georgia's life will be held at stage stop inn April 26, 2026, from 12pm-4pm.

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02/16/2026

On Presidents Day, we pause to recognize the leadership and dedication that have helped shape our country. We’re grateful to serve our community with care and compassion every day.

02/14/2026

Yvonne Armstrong

Audrey Yvonne Armstrong passed away February 7th, 2026. She was known to family and friends alike as "Yvonne" and to her grandkids as "Grandma Von".

Yvonne was born May 26th, 1931 in Williston, ND to Elmer and Mable (Sonstoby) Tofte and raised in rural Williston. She graduated high school in 1949 and went on to graduate from the Minot State Teacher's College back when Teaching Certificates only took two years to complete.

In 1956, as a young, single, woman she travelled Europe but spent most of her time in Norway where she met relatives. This was a big adventure as she took a ship there, returning to the U.S. via plane and landed without a penny left to her name.

Yvonne moved to Conrad, Montana for her teaching assignment and it was there that she met Darwin "Fuzz" Armstrong. The two married on December 28th, 1957 at the Williston Lutheran Church. The couple was married for 29 years. Her teaching career took her to rural schools in Western North Dakota, Laurel, MT, Conrad, MT, Bynum, MT and Choteau, MT where she resided from 1958-2026. These teaching assignments were often in one room schoolhouses and some had her housed with families of the children she taught. While teaching in Laurel she and her roommate, Noreen, used their kitchen cabinets to store pairs of shoes-a pair for each outfit! While teaching in Conrad her average class size was 40. Substitute teaching brought her to Bynum and Choteau where she then spent 25 years tutoring students who needed a little extra help.

Yvonne was involved with the Jaycees, and all aspects of Trinity Lutheran Church. There she was a Deacon, Sunday school Superintendent, Teacher, and helped with the Lutefisk Dinners. She was affectionately known as the "N**i" who ran the funeral dinners. She was involved with Bible studies, ladies circle and was also an incredible cook and baker. Her Hershey's brownies, caramel rolls, and potato salad were the best. She made 200 caramel rolls for her granddaughter, Jill's graduation.

She was a great listener and friend. You couldn't have asked for a better neighbor. Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews loved her. She was always there for them and any other child that needed a helping hand or a listening ear. Yvonne loved her friends and family, and she was loved by them. Yvonne lived for her family. She was passionate about her Norwegian heritage, Lutefisk (a disgusting dish) was her favorite. More recently in life she had become a wine connoisseur. She loved having her hair and

nails done by friends Kim and Lori. Music was something she enjoyed as she sang and played the piano. She was even a member of the family band playing along side her dad who played the fiddle while her cousins were on guitar and accordion. Her love of shoes would be unsurpassed!

She is survived by her son Mark (Lyla) Armstrong of Choteau, MT, and daughter Darla (Dave) Haller of Basin, WY. Grandchildren; Sam (Mariah) Armstrong, Jesse Armstrong, Becca Armstrong and Jillian Lorash. Great-Grandchildren; Lucy, Kohen, Jens and Aksel Armstrong, Lilly Armstrong, and P.J. Lorash along with many nieces and nephews and Sister-in-law Marcella Rodriguez.

She is proceeded in death by husband Fuzz Armstrong, parents; Elmer and Mable Tofte; brothers Odeane and Wyatt Tofte; Mother and Father-in-law Florence and Noble Armstrong; brothers-in-law Leonard and Walt Armstrong; sisters-in-law Maxine Schlosser and Pat Giard.

A memorial is planned for late May.

Donations may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church in Choteau in lieu of flowers.

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