DIRECTORS PUB. 2 2023, ISSUE 1 SIGHTLIFE A Legacy of Eyesight OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
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©2023 Directors Digest | The newsLINK Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Directors Digest is published four times each year by The newsLINK Group, LLC for the Montana Funeral Directors Association and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Montana Funeral Directors Association its board of directors, or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Directors Digest is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of the Montana Funeral Directors Association. While the Montana Funeral Directors Association encourages a first-print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at 855.747.4003. Table of Contents 20 10 14 04 President’s Message: Looking Ahead with Confidence T.J. Stevenson 06 Executive Director Report James Brown 08 Legislator Update: 2023 Montana Legislative Priority Bills By Brad Longcake 09 2022-2023 MFDA Board of Directors 10 2023 Mid-Winter Conference By Terri James 12 MFDA 2023 Calendar of Events 13 2023 MFDA Convention & Trade Show 14 SightLife: A Legacy of Eyesight 18 In Loving Memory Monica Silvernale-Miller Darlene Flesche 20 Getting to Know Jessie Billquist 23 Apply Today! Foundation Scholarship Program 24 AG Knudsen Calls on Biden to Designate Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations 26 Congratulations to Our 2023 Award Recipients Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE T.J. Stevenson It is hard to believe that we are well into the new year already. With our fall district meetings in both Great Falls and Missoula getting canceled, I look forward to seeing everyone at the spring district meetings in May. We just had our Mid-Winter Conference in Helena and I thought it went well. We had a very good turnout for our conference, and the speakers were all fantastic. For those in attendance, make sure you get your certificates via email. On the legislative side, we had a bill come up (SB 244) that we had to testify for during our time in Helena. I want to thank Tyson Moore and Chris Holt for going and giving testimony on this bill. SB 244 will allow for internships to be served while enrolled in mortuary school rather than having to serve the one-year internship after school and after passing the National Boards. I would also like to thank our lobbyist, Brad Longcake, for all his hard work tracking the various bills pertaining to our industry, as well as his involvement with our Mid-Winter Conference. A couple more legislative bills of interest are that they are trying to raise crime victims’ compensation to $10,000 as well as trying to raise the current $15,000 limit on burial insurance to $25,000 per person. Both seem to be making their way through without much opposition. Looking Ahead with Confidence We have a wonderful board and are honored to serve with everyone on it. 4 Montana Funeral Directors Association
Terri James and I recently attended the Board of Funeral Service board meeting. It is good to have regular meetings again and I thought the meeting was very positive. They are sitting very well financially — almost too good – that they are worried the excess funds may be taken and put back into the general fund. There is talk at their next board meeting about actually doing an abatement on licensing fees for a year — possibly two years; we will have to keep an eye on this. I also suspect with the surplus of money and that the board is meeting regularly again, we will see more routine inspections as well as audits on our continuing education credits. Also, our MFDA board meeting went really well. We have a wonderful board and are honored to serve with everyone on it. The financials of our board are still rock solid. I attribute this to the financial stewardship of our Executive Directors James Brown and Terri James. We did see a loss in our investment account during 2022, but we look forward to gaining that back when the market goes up. Another positive from our board meeting was with our Montana Funeral Trust. We have a significant amount of CDs within it that will be maturing over the few months. One of our advisors from New York, Mellissa, stated she speculates that, with interest rates on the rise, 4% or better is a possibility. Currently, the Montana Funeral Trust is gaining 1.8% on average. If anyone has any questions or suggestions, please feel free to call me anytime. I look forward to seeing everyone again at the district meets in May and hope everyone has their calendar marked for the summer convention here in Miles City in June! T.J. Stevenson MFDA President Strengthening futures, one relationship at a time. dadavidson.com TROST WEALTH MANAGEMENT a service of D.A. Davidson & Co. member SIPC Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 5
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT James Brown, Executive Director, MFDA Now that the calendar has rolled over into another new year, I am reflecting on the importance of focusing on what members of MFDA do for a living and what the funeral profession does for Montana’s local communities. This is because, as the author E. Stanley Jones stated, “Whatever gets your attention . . . gets you.” For the last several years, Montana’s funeral providers have had to focus their attention on the fiscal and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of this focus was on protecting internal business operations and employee health. But, of course, part of this focus was helping grieving families navigate the most unprecedented societal disruption of the last 100 years. As I write this column in early January of 2023, I am optimistic that this year marks the year where MFDA’s members and associate members can put the pandemic crisis in the rear-view mirror and double down their attention on the one intangible that defines MFDA the best: serving the local communities and the people that live in them in the most compassionate manner they can. MFDA is proud of the way its membership stepped up to the plate and made a positive, if not vital, impact on public health during the pandemic. We are gratified that, with your continued membership in MFDA, we will jointly align our business and community values in 2023. As for the MFDA in the coming year, the Association will also be refocusing on its core mission — that mission being to serve our membership. One of the primary ways in which the Association serves its members is through legislative advocacy and promoting good public policy both at the state and federal level. Currently, the Montana Legislature is about two weeks into the 2023 legislative session, slated to end in late April. Some of the big issues for the session appear to be Governor Gianforte’s proposals to provide tax relief, both in terms of property and income tax, to fund state building repairs and improvements, to revise Montana’s system of licensing alcohol sales and ownership, and to improve telecommunications services and opportunities. The 2023 Legislature once again sees the Republican Party controlling both the State House and Senate chambers. Republicans have an unprecedented majority this session — holding 103 of the possible 150 legislative seats. Thus, as has been the case since the 2005 Montana legislative session, a Republican legislature will be driving the agenda and the policy-making decision process. MFDA has a somewhat busy agenda for the 2023 session. Much of the Association’s policy focus will be on its own bills to (1) lift the statutory 6 Montana Funeral Directors Association
cap on the amount of funeral insurance that can be sold from $15,000 to $20,000 and to (2) revise Montana code to allow the one-year internship to be conducted prior to or after passing the exam. These were statutory changes requested by MFDA members. However, in addition to advancing its own legislative agenda, the Association is tracking legislation related to revising the way licensing boards operate in Montana. To this end, the Governor has embarked on a red tape removal initiative that would, among other things, prohibit members of the Board of Funeral Services from serving as officers in MFDA, as well as place financial decisions in the hands of the Department of Labor — effectively removing the Board of Funeral Service from budget setting. This last provision could result in the industry being unable to control the disposition of the licensing fees it pays to operate the Board of Funeral Service as well as the Board’s ability to control the rate by which licensing fees will grow to cover board expenses and costs. The Association is working to amend the Governor’s red tape bill to mitigate or remove these provisions. For the 2023 session, the Association has hired Brad Longcake to serve as MFDA’s lobbyist. Brad grew up in the Sweet Grass hills area of northern Montana and has extensive experience lobbying the Montana Legislature. The MFDA Board is pleased to bring Brad aboard for the session. As the legislative process moves forward, we at MFDA are interested in hearing directly from you as to legislation the Association should or should not support on your firm’s behalf. And, in turn, the Association will keep its membership abreast of legislative developments on a weekly to biweekly schedule. Setting public policy matters aside, in early January, the Association submitted its written comment on proposed revisions to the FTC’s funeral rule. In addition to submitting its own comments, MFDA encouraged its members to submit their own separate comments detailing the problems stemming from the application of the current rule as well as the additional business-related issues that could be created by the proposed “updates” to the rule. Scan the QR code to read more about the proposed amendments. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/ blog/2022/10/funeral-rule-retained-ftcalso-wants-know-if-amendments-rule-arewarranted MFDA has a busy year ahead of it, offering multiple opportunities for MFDA’s members to meet their CE requirements. The Association will be hosting its annual convention in Miles City in June. Further, as 2023 is a legislative year, the Association will be hosting its biannual MidWinter Conference in Helena in February. As part of the Mid-Winter Conference, the Association will once again host its legislative reception. This reception is a great way for you to interact personally with the legislators representing you and to tell them directly what your policy priorities are. And, of course, MFDA will be hosting its popular Montana dinner during the NFDA national convention, which will be held in Las Vegas in September. MFDA encourages you to attend these great social and educational events. In closing, let me take this opportunity to wish you a prosperous 2023. Thanks for being a part of the MFDA team. ■ We are gratified that, with your continued membership in MFDA, we will jointly align our business and community values in 2023. Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 7
LEGISLATOR UPDATE By Brad Longcake 2023 Montana Legislative PRIORITY BILLS Each year, MFDA works hard to make a positive impact on the laws and regulations that directly affect funeral service professionals in our state. This year is no exception, and we have two priority bills: HB 505 — Sponsored by Nelly Nicol of Billings This bill will raise the statutory cap on the amount of a funeral insurance policy. Current law caps the amount at $15,000 regardless of need or circumstance. The cap has not been raised since the late 2000s, and, as such, the Legislature has not allowed the cap to keep up with inflation. HB 505 will raise the cap from $15,000 to $25,000. SB 244 — Sponsored by Mike Cuffe of Eureka This bill will revise Montana law governing licensing of morticians and is designed to give Montana more flexibility in recruiting and hiring students into the funeral industry. At present, in order to be licensed as a mortician in Montana, an applicant must complete a one-year, in-state internship after having passed the required exam. Other states do not require an internship to be conducted prior to being licensed or allow the internship to be done prior to or after passing the exam. The result of this is that graduates of mortician schools are choosing to work in states that allow them to be immediately licensed rather than coming to Montana where the internship requirement stands as a barrier to full employment. SB 244 would amend Montana law to allow the required internship to be served either prior to or after taking the exam (i.e., the internship could be served while the student is in school or after the exam is taken). This is a pro-jobs bill that is in keeping with the Governor’s Red Tape Initiative. ■ For more information about the MFDA or its priority legislation, please contact Brad Longcake, who is serving as MFDA’s lobbyist for the 2023 legislative session. Mr. Longcake can be contacted by calling 406-438-1276 or by emailing the association at info@montanafda.org. 8 Montana Funeral Directors Association
2022-2023 MFDA Board of Directors Rick Walter Northcentral District Governor O’Connor Funeral Home and Cremation, Great Falls rick@oconnorfuneralhome.com Office: (406) 453-7257 Brianne Mulvaney Secretary Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services, Butte bri@axelsonfuneralhome.com Office: (406) 494-4264 James Brown Executive Director jim@thunderdomelaw.com Office: (406) 449-7444 Terri James Association Assistant info@montanafda.org Office: (406) 449-7244 Cell: (406) 490-7712 Chris Holt Immediate Past President NFDA State Association Representative Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, Helena chris@aswfuneralhome.com Office: (406) 442-8520 T.J. Stevenson President Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home, Miles City tj@stevensonandsons.com Cell: (406) 853-1860 Office: (406) 232-4457 Tyson Moore Vice President Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula tyson@agelessinc.com Cell: (505) 985-2712 Matt Coon Southcentral District Governor Billings mtc1@bresnan.net Cell: (406) 951-1546 Fred Nelson Western District Governor The Lake Funeral Home Polson flateheadpolson@centurytel.net Office: (406) 883-2808 Cell: (406) 261-0579 Katie Baca Future Development Leaders Director Just Cremation Montana, Missoula katie@missoulafuneralhomes.com Office: (406) 543-4190 Scott Stevenson Eastern District Governor Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Miles City scott@stevensonandsons.com Office: (406) 232-4457 Steve Kirkegard Treasurer Cloyd Funeral Home & Cremation Service Lewistown skirkegard@yahoo.com Cell: (406) 868-5437 Office: (406) 538-8711 Jessie Billquist Southwestern District Governor Longfellow Finnigan Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda jessie@anacondafuneralhome.com Office: (406) 494-4264 Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 9
2023 Mid-Winter Conference By Terri James, Association Assistant The 2023 MFDA Mid-Winter Conference was held February 8–9 in Helena at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel. An evening reception was held for the Montana Legislators on February 8, and there was an impressive turnout from both directors as well as legislators. The reception had mouthwatering appetizers and beverages of choice. Thank you to LifeNet Health for sponsoring the event. The first guest speaker was MFDA President T.J. Stevenson who welcomed all to the second day of the event. T.J. was followed by Executive Director Jim Brown who gave a brief association update to the members. Jim then introduced Brad Longcake, MFDA Lobbyist, to give an update on bills of concern for MFDA. Newly-elected Chairman of the Board of Funeral Service Jim Axelson was the next speaker who gave a brief overview of the Board of Funeral Services’ upcoming agenda items. Morrison Law Firm Attorney Rose James gave an outstanding presentation on estate planning. Rose was followed by Dennis Beverlin who presented on cremation called “Cremation: Price or Service, What Do You Want to be Known for?” 10 Montana Funeral Directors Association
A lunch buffet was served and sponsored by Memorial Monuments. During lunch, members had the opportunity to watch a recording presented by NFDA Lobbyist Leslie Witter and Chief Legal Counsel Chris Farmer for an update on formaldehyde and FTC pricing regulations. Other sponsors of the conference were SightLife, Precoa, NFDA, and the Montana Funeral Trust. Lunch was followed by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudson who gave an eye-opening report on the Mexican cartel in Montana and the fentanyl crisis. Lastly, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Willy Kemp gave a presentation on autopsies. All of the education speakers were sponsored by Medallion Vault and Casket. Nineteen firms were represented at the conference as well as non-firm members, one non-member, and four associate members. Funeral directors were eligible to earn up to six continuing education credits for attending the conference. Thank you to all who attended the largest Mid-Winter Conference to date. ■ Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 11
MFDA 2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS NFDA Scholarship Submission Cycle February 15–April 1 MFDA Board Meeting April 6 Virtual NFDA-Advocacy Summit April 19–21 Washington, D.C. District Meetings May 1 – Miles City May 2 – Billings May 3 – Great Falls May 4 – Butte May 11 – Missoula, Springhill Suites Speaker: Sgt. Jay Nelson, Active Shooter Training MFDA Convention & Trade Show June 11–13 Miles City Event Center MFDA Board Meeting June 11 Miles City Hotel and Suites MFDA Annual Golf Tournament June 11 NFDA Leadership Conference June 25–28 Phoenix, AZ NFDA Convention September 10–13 Las Vegas, NV NFDA Scholarship Submission Cycle September 15–November 1 Fall Board Meeting November 9 District meeting November 16 Virtual UNLOCK THE HIDDEN VALUE IN POST-CREMATION METALS TO GET STARTED, CALL (800) 523-0968 OR EMAIL CREMATORY@GARFIELDREFINING.COM 12 Montana Funeral Directors Association
JUNE 11–13 MILES CITY EVENT CENTER Award Ceremony Service of Remembrance CE Classes Vendors on Exhibit Golf Tournament REGISTRATION OPEN Scan the QR code to register. https://montanafda.org/new-page-1 2023 MFDA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW
SightLife is the world’s leading eye bank and a global nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating corneal blindness. For over 50 years, they have been preventing blindness, restoring sight, and transforming health systems to address the inequities that contribute to and perpetuate corneal blindness globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The following is a story about one of their donors. SightLife: A Legacy of Eyesight
We often use the word “legacy” to describe the incredible gift of sight given to a grateful recipient by a person who became a cornea donor. Through the act of cornea donation, the gift of sight is given to a perfect stranger by an individual and impacts the recipient (s) and their community’s lives in ways the donor will never know. Sage, an 18-year-old young lady from Montana, left her legacy, her spirit, and her love on this earth. Sage was born to Camille and Paul and lived in Bozeman, Montana, with her two older brothers, Zach and Jordan. She was a force in this world and always loved a challenge. Whether it was academics, gymnastics, rodeo, or light rifle shooting, she always pushed herself to be her best. While she did enjoy her successes, Sage also knew she could not win every time and learned how to be comfortable with her losses. Sage was a gymnast from a young age and loved the sport for both its athletic gracefulness and the “sisterhood” — Sage was very social and easily made friends. Both of her brothers participated in rodeo, and often Sage would attend their events. She loved everything about rodeo, and as she grew, she started to participate; it became her number one passion. Sage also excelled in academics with math being her favorite. Paul describes her as a “math nerd”. One of her dreams was to serve her country in the military, fueled by her admiration for her grandfather who served as a Marine. Sage was accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy, which was perfect for her both academically and athletically. Her plans, however, were changed by cold, outside forces. During her physical examination for the academy, cancer was discovered. This diagnosis did not cease her determination. Instead, it just changed her course. Sage enrolled at Montana Tech in hopes of pursuing a career in engineering. By the beginning of 2019, Sage’s cancer had spread too much for her body to handle. On January 23, her presence left our world as we know it, but her spirit continued in countless ways. While devastated by the loss of their daughter, Paul and Camille knew that Sage wanted to be a donor, if possible, as she registered as a donor as soon as she got her driver’s license. It only made sense as Sage was so kind and giving to her community. Despite the cancer, Sage was able to donate both her corneas which brought sight to two different people. 15
After Sage’s passing, her parents discovered journals filled with selfreflections, her values, her hopes, all pointing to the fact that she was wise beyond her years. They found a quote of hers — “it’s a good day for a good day”. They shared this quote with Sage’s cornea recipients when they participated in SightLife’s anonymous letter writing program. They were pleased when one of the recipients wrote back and learned that he too was a believer in community and thoughtful acts. While there were some differences between Sage and the recipient, they seemed to be “kindred spirits” of sorts. Paul shared that one of the biggest lessons he learned from his daughter was patience. Paul said, “Sage had such wonderful patience with people – she always gave people a second chance and was curious, not judgmental. I learned that you really don’t know what someone is dealing with; you don’t know what is underneath.” Paul continued, “Since Sage’s passing, there has been a good deal of scholarships, programs, a dedicated Facebook page, and even a hashtag, all in her name. BUT the cornea donation was all Sage’s. That was HER gift. That was HER decision. HER idea. In a way, that act almost makes it the most profound.” Paul and Camille don’t see her corneas as a piece of Sage left on this earth, but as a continuation of her spirit, a continuation of Sage doing the right thing. ■ To learn more about SightLife, visit sightlife.org. 2022 SightLife Facts Last year, in the state of Montana, SightLife received 4821 referrals of death in Montana which resulted in 443 cornea donors. This potentially helped 886 men, women and children regain the gift of sight. This amazing feat could not have been accomplished without the help and support of the MFDA members. Thank you for all you do to help us with this mission. Sage had such wonderful patience with people – she always gave people a second chance and was curious, not judgmental. 16 Montana Funeral Directors Association
IN LOVING MEMORY Monica Silvernale-Miller Monica Silvernale-Miller, age 96, of Glendive, Montana, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at the Glendive Medical Center. The family received friends Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at the chapel of Silha Funeral Home, followed by a Graveside Funeral Service in Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive was entrusted with the arrangements. Monica was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Howard Lake, Minnesota, to Martin and Bertha Erhardt, the second youngest of 13 children. When she was four, after her mother’s death, it was decided the younger children would be sent to live with relatives in the area. Monica moved to Zumbrota, Minnesota, where she was raised by Gertrude and Tina Steege. Even at this young age, she knew her life was never going to be the same. Monica graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1944 as the Salutatorian of her class. She moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she attended beauty school. She had also attracted the attention of a soldier who was home on leave from WWII. Monica married L.W. “Larry” Silvernale on June 26, 1946. Together they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Larry attended Milwaukee Technical Institute and Monica gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Sheralynn (Sherry) Dawn. In 1948, looking for work, the young family boarded a Northern Pacific passenger train headed for Montana. Glendive was the first planned stop and, being out of money, they found work there: Larry at the local funeral home and Monica as a beautician at Ida Mae’s Beauty Shop. Eventually, in 1958, Monica opened her own beauty shop in her home and gave birth to their second child, Dane. Monica served a loyal clientele until 1980 when she and Larry retired. Monica and Larry moved to Helena, Montana, where they lived on the Canyon Ferry Reservoir for 10 years before returning to Glendive to be near family. They enjoyed their time on Canyon Ferry buying and fixing up a cabin at Eldorado Bar, looking for sapphires, and also, enjoying winters in Yuma, Arizona. Larry died in 1997. Monica married Bruce Miller on May 19, 2002, in Glendive. They enjoyed 20 years together traveling, dining, dancing, and gardening. They were always available to take care of grandkids, pets, plants, or whatever else came up. Monica was a Life Master Duplicate Bridge player and was responsible for teaching many local bridge players how to play the game. Monica was preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters and her daughter Sherry. Monica is survived by her husband Bruce, and son Dane (DeAnn), both of Glendive; four grandchildren: Adria Alumbaugh of Peabody, Massachusetts, Darcy (Paul) Maki of Duluth, Minnesota, Allison Julia Silvernale of Glendive, Dillon Silvernale of Bozeman, Montana; and two greatgrandchildren: Fox and Iris Maki of Duluth. ■ Memorial donations are suggested to the Dawson County Food Bank. Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at www.silhafuneralhomes.com. 18 Montana Funeral Directors Association
IN LOVING MEMORY Darlene Flesche Darlene Fay Flesche, 77, of Malta passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at her son’s home in Hamilton, Montana. Born July 16, 1945, Darlene spent her entire life in Malta, working many different jobs. She worked at the local Gambles Store and Ezzie’s Wholesale for many years while waitressing and bartending at Stine’s Nightclub and Roger’s Saloon before finally retiring as a cook for the Malta School District. She married Monte Rothie in Malta, and they had their first child, Becky, in 1964 followed by their son, Billy, in 1969. After the loss of Monte in 1974, Darlene married Robert (Bob) L. Flesche on June 16, 1978, and they remained happily married for 32 years until his passing in 2010. In her younger years, Darlene loved to camp and fish with Bob at Nelson Reservoir on their pontoon boat. She and Bob also loved dancing, playing cards, and especially enjoying their many Whist tournaments throughout the years. However, her greatest joy was precious time spent with her grandchildren. She loved attending sporting events, graduations, and was always so proud of everything they achieved. She was blessed with her first, and only, great-grandchild, Leyton William Luedecke, born July 2022 to granddaughter McKayl and husband Wyatt. Leyton was truly the light of her days the last passing months, and she made sure he would have only the best memories of his special “GG”. In addition to Monte and Bob, Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. She is survived by her daughter, Becky Quick, and husband Dave of Helena; son, Bill Rothie, and wife Judy of Hamilton; two sisters; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her five grandchildren: Keegan Rothie of Hamilton, McKayl Luedecke and husband Wyatt Luedecke of Post Falls, Idaho; Madison Quick and Connor McGree of Helena; Conor Quick of Helena; Camron Rothie of Hamilton; and by great-grandson Leyton Luedecke of Post Falls. ■ Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at the Malta Lutheran Church with burial following at the Malta Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com. Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 19
Getting to Know Jessie Billquist Funeral Director at Longfellow Finnigan Riddle Funeral Home Jessie Billquist was born and raised in Anaconda, MT. Upon graduating from high school, she attended Montana Tech and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health. She then attended the University of Montana and earned a Master’s in Physical Therapy. Jessie began her career as a Pediatric Physical Therapist (PT) in a private practice but ultimately settled into a primary Pediatric PT role for the Butte School District. She worked with children in a school setting to improve their gross motor skills and to meet the child’s needs with an adapted educational environment. In 2011, she was urged by a family friend to apply for the position of Deputy Coroner in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County. Because of Jessie’s strong medical background, her rapport with the public, and her interest in forensics, she felt this would be a great way to build her knowledge in the area. She accepted the job. During her time as a Deputy Coroner, Jessie became involved with the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners and the Montana Coroner’s Association. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of both organizations. She also became the first Coroner in Montana to earn her new Diplomat certification as a Medicolegal Death Investigator through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. In 2017, Jessie was hired as the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Coroner. In her position at the Coroner’s Office, she regularly interacted with funeral directors in her area and across the state. She was able to see firsthand the impact that caring and empathetic funeral directors made on families during such difficult times. Wanting to support families in mourning and knowing that a need existed for more funeral directors in Montana and her area, Jessie was compelled to return to school and 20 Montana Funeral Directors Association
earn her degree in Mortuary Science. She graduated from Arapahoe Community College in May of 2021. Jessie began her new career as a Funeral Director/Mortician with Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services in Butte, MT. When the owners of Axelson’s purchased Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home in Anaconda in 2022, Jessie moved to that location and became the managing Funeral Director/ Mortician. For Jessie, this was her dream come true, as she had always hoped that she would be able to return to Anaconda and care for the families in the community where she was born and raised. Jessie is the proud mom of six amazing children. She and her husband, Doug, live just outside of Anaconda, where they have a great view of the Deer Lodge Valley. In their free time, they enjoy spending time at Montana’s hot springs and traveling. Jessie is a board member of the MFDA. She also serves as the SW Area Outreach Coordinator for Special Olympics of Montana and is a member of the Anaconda Kiwanis Club and Avon Grange #125. ■ To learn more about the Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home, please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com. Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 21
Trust Wisely When it comes to serving your families, trust Montana Funeral Trust. •Funds are 100% government-backed •Quarterly audit ensuring investments are fully secure and properly managed •24/7 online access, convenient forms make the Trust consumer-friendly Take advantage of this exclusive MFDA member benefit! mft@montanafuneraltrust.org | 844.206.0049 | www.montanafuneraltrust.org Montana Funeral Trust If you are interested in: • Helping Others • The Human Biological Sciences • Community Involvement • A Business Environment Then a career in funeral service may be right for you! Funeral service professionals work with the bereaved during times of emotional need. These professional caregivers enable families and communities to express their emotions and help them to grieve properly. Looking for an awarding career? Offering up to $5,000 in scholarships for mortuary science schools. CONTACT ONE OF OUR MEMBER FIRMS OR MFDA TODAY! 406-449-7244 info@montanafda.org MONTANA’S ONLY FUNERAL PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION. MFDA Montana Funeral Directors Association 22 Montana Funeral Directors Association
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AG Knudsen Calls on Drug Cartels as Foreign Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and a coalition of 21 state attorneys general called on President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to designate Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) under federal law. The FTO designation will make additional federal resources available to confront the fentanyl crisis head-on and save American lives. Fentanyl has driven a meteoric increase in drug overdoses, which now kill more than 100,000 Americans per year. Over a 10-day period earlier this month, at least 28 Montanans overdosed on drugs suspected to be fentanyl, killing eight. Attorney General Knudsen and the coalition are demanding the FTOdesignation for drug cartels because of the massive death they are causing and the severe threat they pose to the nation and to the states. “We know that Mexican cartels are producing illicit and deadly fentanyl in Mexico then trafficking it across the nation’s southern border and up to Montana where they can make top dollar for their product. One hundred percent of the illicit fentanyl in Montana is coming from the cartels — and it’s killing Montanans,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “I will continue to do everything in my power as attorney general to combat the fentanyl problem, but until President Biden secures the southern border, we can’t solve the problem.” Not only are cartels smuggling poison into the United States, they are also assassinating rivals and government officials, ambushing and killing Americans at the border, and engaging in an armed insurgency against the Mexican Government. Designating major cartels as FTOs will give state and federal law enforcement agencies increased authority to freeze cartel assets, deny entry to cartel members, and allow prosecutors to pursue stricter punishments against those who provide them material support. “The national security threats posed by this ongoing campaign of violence are particularly acute. Clashes between gunmen from rival cartels claimed the lives of nine U.S. citizens just across the U.S. border on Nov. 4, 2019. The cartels’ intense violence goes far beyond mere resistance to interference with their drug trafficking and now encompasses a general effort to intimidate rivals and expand their influence. This violence, which necessarily involves using firearms and explosives to kill security forces, plainly constitutes terrorist activity,” the Attorney General wrote. Traditional counter-narcotics efforts are allowing cartels to get away with their criminal behavior because of narrow laws that don’t address the current threat they pose. For example, the drug cartels have diversified their operations beyond mere narcotics 24 Montana Funeral Directors Association
Biden to Designate Mexican Terrorist Organizations trafficking to include seemingly legitimate enterprises, and unless these cartel-driven enterprises have directly engaged in narcotics trafficking, they escape designation under the Kingpin Act. Through Sept. 30, 2022, Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) task forces seized 154,986 fentanyl dosage units in Montana. This number includes 22,031 fentanyl dosage units combined with 29.3 fentanyl pounds converted to dosage units. In all of 2021, a combined 60,577 combined dosage units were seized. In 2020, that combined amount was 6,663, and in 2019, it was 1,900. According to the CDC, drug overdose deaths increased 30% from 2019 to 2020 in the United States and are now a leading cause of death for young adults. The rate of overdose deaths increased 49% among Native American people ages 25 to 44 years old. Fentanyl is primarily driving the increase. In August 2022, Attorney General Knudsen declared fentanyl the top public safety threat in Montana. He continues to fight the Biden administration’s disastrous border policies in federal court, engaging in multiple lawsuits to compel it to enforce existing immigration laws and secure the border. He also called on the Biden administration earlier this year to take a tougher stance toward China and Mexico against the influx of fentanyl and to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. To fight the problem in Montana, Attorney General Knudsen has increased the number of Montana Department of Justice narcotics and major case agents, added a statewide drug intelligence officer who News Nation recently ran a story titled Mexican Drug Cartels Arrive in Big Sky Country that talks about the influx of drug cartels and what local Montana communities are dealing with. To read this story, please scan the QR code. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/ mexican-drug-cartels-arrive-in-big-skycountry/ar-AA17bmk5 assists local law enforcement and public health agencies, and spearheaded a grant program that helped deploy two dozen drug detecting K9s around the state. One of those K9s has helped take 400 fentanyl pills off the street since the beginning of the year. He has also asked the State Legislature to allocate additional funding to the Montana Department of Justice for more narcotics agents. ■ Pub. 2 2023, Issue 1 25
Congratulations to Our 2023 Award Recipients Awards will be presented at the Convention & Trade Show in Miles City. 1963 — 60 years Jered Scherer 1973 — 50 years Terry Bullis 1978 — 45 years Dick Brown Greg Kirkwood 1993 — 30 years Denis Pitman Dan Whitted 1998 — 25 years Jennifer Kinsella Keith Kneeland 2003 — 20 years Brian Bell Julie Briggs Shawnee Krauszer John Rae Fred Thompson 2008 — 15 years Matthew O'Brien 2013 — 10 years Thomas Weiss Tyson Moore Karen Jelly 2018 — 5 Years Madisen McIntosh Dannon Gibby Hit your target market. Get more exposure • Increase revenue To advertise in this magazine, contact us today. 801.676.9722 | 855.747.4003 thenewslinkgroup.org | sales@thenewslinkgroup.com 26 Montana Funeral Directors Association
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