Ryan Allen Burshia, 31, of Fargo, N.D., died June 12, 2025, at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. He was born Oct. 9, 1993, to William Burshia Sr. and Janel (Buck Elk) Little Light. He attended school in Culbertson from kindergarten to his senior year. After graduation, he attended Fort Peck Community College in Poplar. He attended for half a year, before working off and on for his uncle Wendell “Chico” Martell in construction and other odd jobs. He met girlfriend Francine “Fran” WhiteShield and moved to Fargo, N.D., working at Wal-Mart and various restaurants. He also traveled often with his cousin Wayne Sayetsitty Jr., making friends wherever he traveled. In his short, life he accomplished a lot. He was home for a visit at the time of his death. He made a big impact on the lives of people who had the privilege of knowing him. With his kind heart and quiet caring nature, he always had a smile on his face and was always willing to help those in need. He will be remembered for these qualities.

Theresa Marie Four Bear, 66, of Brockton died June 17, 2025, in Billings. She was born Oct. 20, 1958, to Pearl and Ervin Four Bear in Poplar. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and cherished her time with her grandchildren, Kai’anna, Kai’ella and Kyzae’ah, listening to music and cruising. She loved to laugh and joke around. In addition to being a homemaker and running a daycare, she also worked at A& S Industries. She met Harold Red Eagle Sr. in the early 1970s and they had six children, Kimberly, Isaac, Phillip, Harold Jr., Mandy and Natalie. They later separated. In 1990, she met Ray Jones, and they remained together for 35 years until her death. She is survived by her companion, Ray Jones; daughter, Natalie Red Eagle; sister, Irene Evenson; brother, Dennis Four Bear; and numerous grandchildren and

Louise Three Stars Smith, 101, died Thursday June 12, 2025. Born on Aug. 28, 1923, in Hisle, S.D., on the Pine Ridge Reservation to Paul and Sarah Three Stars, she lived a century defined by love, faith and lifelong service to others. She was a proud enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and carried the name Red Horse Woman. She graduated from Oglala Community High School in 1943 and went on to attend nursing school in Lawton, Okla. She began her nursing career in 1945 during the final year of World War II when she and her best friend, Mamie Dupree, were assigned to the Indian Health Service hospital in Poplar. Though the small one-horse buggy town was not what she expected, she quickly made it her new home. For the next 44 years, she served as a nurse for the Indian Health Service. Her patients remember her warmth, her humor, the trust she built through compassion and her smile. On Jan. 2, 1948, she married William “Buck” Smith, a rodeo cowboy, sportsman and decorated Army veteran. Together, they raised four children: Mike, Eddy, Edna and Paul. Their lifelong marriage was filled with devotion and adventures. After Buck’s death in 1990, she never remarried. Their bond remains a testament to enduring love. A devoted Christian, her faith was the foundation of her life and she was often seen reading from her Bible. Her family attended the Inestimable Gift Episcopal Church in Allen, S.D., and she was an active member of the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church in Poplar. Her trust in God carried her through life’s challenges and her deep spirituality was evident in every word, every prayer and every act of kindness. A gifted singer, she sang with the Dakota choir and especially cherished the hymns of the Dakota Odowan. Whether in church or at community events, her voice lifted hearts — blending faith, tradition and language. She embraced her Lakota identity with pride. Fluent in her language and immersed in her culture, she found joy in powwows, ceremonies and community gatherings. Her smile, laughter and steady presence made her a familiar and welcome figure. She was a dedicated supporter of the Nakona Medicine Lodge and loved her lodge family. She also carried a deep knowledge of traditional teachings: gardening, drying corn, digging turnips, picking berries, making wasna, cleaning tripe and making frybread. She was a rock collector and had a green thumb, creating a beautiful flower and rock garden every year. She understood how to live in harmony with the land. This wisdom, passed through generations, ensured

Nicholas John Diserly, 16, of Poplar died June 3, 2025. He was born May 28, 2009, to Tiffany Bear and Daniel Diserly. Shortly after his birth, his parents separated and he moved to Devils Lake, N.D., with his mother. After awhile, he was joined by Ryder, Michael, Mori III and MaKenzi. Being a big brother, he enjoyed and loved them very much, playing many games mixed with lots of laughter. He would especially love it when his father and great-grandparents would come to see him. His eyes would light up and run to them with arms wide open. When he was six, he moved back to Montana to live with his father and great-grandparents. He attended school in Poplar, receiving straight A’s the whole time. In high school, he joined the wrestling and football team and loved it. After school was let out, he would be seen working for the Tribal Youth Summer Program. Last year, he worked with ARWSS where he did such a good impression