A Peaceful Goodbye for Your Beloved Companion — Serving Western Montana
At Mountain View Pet Crematory, we understand how deep the bond is between pets and the families who love them. Proudly based in Kalispell and serving all of Western Montana.
Whether you’re in Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, Kalispell, or a small town in between, we’re here to bring compassion and care to your doorstep.
Our mission is simple: To help you say goodbye with peace, dignity, and kindness.
Carrying Forward a Montana Legacy of Care and Compassion
Mountain View Pet Crematory was founded in January of 1996 by Michele Binstock, a Certified Veterinary Technician whose roots run deep in the open country of North Dakota. Growing up on her family’s cattle ranch, Michele learned early what it means to work hard, care deeply, and respect the animals that share our lives. Those lessons shaped her calling. After earning her degree in Animal Health Technology in 1983, she made her way west to Kalispell, where her love for animals and dedication to service became the foundation of a new kind of business — one built on compassion, dignity, and trust.
In those early years, Michele recognized something missing in the Flathead Valley: a compassionate, professional option for families needing aftercare for their beloved pets. Montana winters are long and unforgiving, and the traditional options simply weren’t good enough. With encouragement from local veterinarians and an unshakable work ethic, she established Mountain View Pet Crematory to fill that need — to offer families a sense of peace, respect, and closure when saying goodbye to their companions.
For many years, Michele balanced full days working as a Certified Veterinary Technician with long evenings and weekends at the crematory, tending to each animal and family as if they were her own. In 2001, her quiet determination paid off. The business had grown to the point that she could dedicate herself full-time, expanding her vision and deepening her relationships with veterinary partners across the region. By 2016, she had purchased the facility she’d long rented and continued to invest in new equipment, staff, and service capacity — always guided by the same values she started with: compassion, honesty, and excellence in care.
Through nearly three decades of dedication, Michele built something truly remarkable — not just a business, but a legacy. She earned the trust of veterinarians, the loyalty of clients, and the gratitude of countless families who took comfort in knowing their pets were treated with dignity and respect.
In 2025, Michele passed that legacy to 406 Pet Crematory, confident that her life’s work would continue under the same compassionate philosophy that defined it from the start. For us, this transition is more than an acquisition — it’s a privilege and a promise.
We are deeply honored to build upon what Michele created. Her story inspires us daily: the integrity of her service, the care she gave each pet, and the grace with which she met every family in their time of loss. At 406 Pet Crematory, we share that same calling. Our goal is not only to maintain her standard of excellence, but to expand upon it — investing in technology, facilities, and outreach so we can serve more families, more compassionately, across the state of Montana.
We believe legacy is not just something you inherit — it’s something you nurture. And as we move forward, we carry Michele’s spirit with us in everything we do: in every phone call, every service, and every quiet moment when a family places their trust in our hands.
Michele’s foundation will always be the heart of Mountain View Pet Crematory. Our mission at 406 is to ensure that heart keeps beating strong for generations to come.
OUR TEAM
Our team of trained professionals has more than 10 years of experience and is fully committed to ensuring that each companion animal is treated with complete sensitivity, dignity and respect.
Our team fully understands the very deep and special bond that develops between people and their companions. We extend our hand to you with warmth and compassion, and promise that we will treat your pet with all of the dignity, respect and caring that it deserves and that you would want for it.
Jolene
Born and raised in the heart of Montana’s Flathead Valley, Jolene has spent her life embracing the ranching tradition. Compassionate and caring by nature, she finds joy in both people and animals. When she’s not horseback riding, hunting, or fishing, Jolene cherishes time spent with her family, friends, and animal companions—two horses named Ike and Sunny, a cat named Mable, and her loyal dog, Hank.
Shallon
Shallon is known for her deeply compassionate, caring, and kind spirit, which shines through in all aspects of her life. She has a profound love for animals, especially her beloved cat, Teddy Bear, whose companionship brings her immense joy.
Her kind and nurturing nature extends beyond her home, inspiring those around her. When she isn’t caring for others, Shallon is likely to be found embracing her adventurous side in the great outdoors. She has a passion for rockhounding, a hobby that blends her appreciation for nature with the thrill of discovery.
Shallon’s love for the outdoors is also expressed through her enthusiasm for camping and fishing, activities that allow her to unwind and connect with the world around her.
Her adventurous spirit is further fueled by her passion for traveling and exploring. Whether discovering new landscapes or experiencing different cultures, Shallon approaches each journey with an open heart and a sense of wonder.
Mikel Stevenson – Owner
Mikel was born and raised in Miles City MT. After graduating from Custer County High School, he attended college at Montana State University-Bozeman. There, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, with a Minor In Economics. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree, he studied at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, NY, where he received his Mortuary Science Degree.
Mikel moved to Helena, Montana in April of 2010 and became one of seven family members serving as a mortician, He is part of the Stevenson family’s third generation in providing funeral services to communities. Mikel married Kami Sevier in August of 2018. The Mikel and Kami reside in Helena with their son Sutton, who was born in September of 2022. The couple is still adjusting to the new family’s schedules in their household!! Mikel enjoys working on and restoring old vehicles, car shows, hunting and fishing whenever an opportunity arises.
Erik Bass – Owner
Erik was born in Helena Montana and raised in Miles City, MT. Erik graduated from Custer County District high school in 2005 and attended Montana State University in Billings to pursue a degree in business management. Realizing that his true passion was caring for families and the community around him, Erik enrolled at the Mount Hood Mortuary School and graduated in the summer of 2011. After graduation, Erik was able to fulfill his dream of moving back to Helena where he spent many of his summers growing up and is now able to serve the community which he is extremely passionate about. Erik is an active member of Bill Roberts’s golf course, Young Professionals, Montana Club, Exchange Club and the Montana Funeral Directors Association. Erik enjoys Montana’s great outdoors and when he finds time for relaxation, he enjoys both snow and water skiing, golf, hunting and playing hockey.
Max – Director of Operations
Max was born and raised on a 5th Generation ranch on the Hi-Line outside of Chinook, MT. With a passion for caring for various animals and pets growing up he was also very involved in sports and music in the community. Upon finishing high school, Max moved to Seattle, WA to play drums in a band and tour up and down the Western coast where he had also met his wife Jessica during that time.
Always knowing he wanted to come back home to Big Sky Country, Max and Jessica were able to make that dream come true and moved to Helena in the Summer of 2021 along with their 3 Cats Zeus, Blue and Juno.
Max loves all pets and understands the various hardships of pet loss. He is here to help all our Helena area families and vet clinics to ensure the best care and consideration for everyone who requires our services here at Mountain View Pet Crematory.
Amy – Office Administrator
Amy was born in Oregon, but she and her family moved to Montana in 1992. She grew up in Helena and graduated from Capital High School in 2004. After some time spent in Washington she moved back to Montana and is happy to call Helena home again.
Amy enjoys cooking and baking. She is incapable of making food for less than a small country despite being the single mom of one boy, Ryan. She dabbles in photography and always has a book on hand. When the weather is nice, she and Ryan spend as much time outdoors as they can. In the winter you’ll find her cozied up reading with a cup of tea and her cat, Indigo.
Amy joined the Mountain View Pet Crematory team as Office Administrator in 2022 and is here to help guide families through the difficult process of losing a loved one.