February 25, 2022

The United States Postal Service® offers Priority Mail Express® and Priority Mail Express International® service for shipping human or animal cremated remains domestically and internationally. Whether you are shipping the remains of a loved one or a pet to or between family members or to an artisan to incorporate the remains into blown glass or other works of art, this publication is designed to provide the necessary preparation and packaging requirements that will aid in protecting this special mailing during transit.

The Retz Funeral Home in Helena, Montana, has been serving the needs of the community for over 100 years. Formerly known as Opp & Conrad, it is located at 315 E. 6th Ave and is a contributing property of the Helena Historic District. The Retz Funeral Home is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The listing reads:

The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory follows a history of several funeral home names, one still well known in the state: the Retz Funeral Home.

As many of you may have read, in response to the soaring inflation gripping the country (an increase of 6.8% compared to 12 months ago and its highest level in 39 years), many vendors have begun instituting surcharges on their products. Perhaps you’ve read about these surcharges, or you might have received a letter directly from your vendor. Because the price of raw materials and supplies has surged due to a worldwide shortage of supplies, companies favor a temporary surcharge instead of a general base price increase, which would be instituted to address the inflationary pressures that continue to drive up costs.

Barbara Jean Montgomery, 66, of Black Eagle, passed away on Oct. 5, 2021. Four years ago, a stroke took away her “spark of life.” COVID took away anything that was left.

Funeral services for Brandon Stevenson, 37, of Colorado Springs, CO, were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at the Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson, with Pastor Scott Skones officiating. A second funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at the Woodmen Valley Chapel at the Rockrimmon Campus in Colorado Springs, CO, with Pastor Matt Ferrell officiating. Burial was in Colorado Springs. Full military honors were presented by the Dickinson Drill Team and the Army’s 10th Special Forces Group. Due to a sudden and brief illness, Brandon passed away Dec. 12, 2021, at St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs, CO.

MFDA Calendar of Events 2022

Welcome to the first 2022 edition of the Director’s Digest. You will notice we have a new look to our magazine. MFDA has partnered with The newsLINK Group to bring you this professional magazine. We here at the Association hope you enjoy the “new and improved” format.

Hello and welcome to 2022. Here we are in a brand new year, and yet it seems we are still dealing with the last few years of issues.

Chris Holt PresidentAnderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, Helena chris@aswfuneralhome.comOffice: (406) 442-8520 T.J. Stevenson Vice PresidentStevenson & Sons Funeral Home, Miles Citytj@stevensonandsons.com Cell: (406) 853-1860Office: (406) 232-4457 Tyson Moore TreasurerGarden City Funeral Home, Missoulatyson@agelessinc.comCell: (505) 985-2712 Steve Kirkegard SecretaryCloyd Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Lewistownskirkegard@yahoo.comCell: (406) 868-5437 Office: (406) 538-8711 Todd Carmichael Immediate Past PresidentO’Connor Funeral