LaVern “Vern” E. Unger, 90, of Wolf Point died Dec. 6, 2025, at Faith Home. He was born Dec. 2, 1935, to Abram and Anna (Unrau) Unger on the family farm in Lustre. From a very young age, he loved to work with all kinds of materials, knowing he could craft something unique or make something even better just by using his hands and his natural creativity. This creative spirit led him, during his high school years, to seek education and opportunities away from the farm in Hutchinson, Kansas. Amidst his second year of schooling, and living on a high schooler’s salary, he decided to enter the workforce, taking on jobs with custom cutting crews and mine work. In 1954, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving with honor as a mechanic in the 3201st Aircraft Repair Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. He received an honorable discharge in 1956. After returning home to Montana briefly, he ventured to Washington where he co-founded V& B Design, a cabinetry business, with Bob Baerg. During this time, he met and later married Delores Dahl, warmly welcoming three stepdaughters into his life: Wendy, Devorah and Johanna. The couple later moved to California and eventually parted ways amicably. In 1972, he became a successful entrepreneur in Corian materials with his creation of Artistic Countertops in Chatsworth, Calif., which remains in operation today. Through his business, he formed lasting friendships, particularly with Darla Hernandez, his longtime Corian supplier, and Roger Galeana, who worked with him for over 35 years. Roger ultimately acquired the business upon Vern’s retirement in 2008, when he returned home to Montana. Vern was preceded in death by his brother, Ed; and sisters, Helen, Rose Friesen, Leatha Brown and LaVera Unger. He is survived by his brother, Larry Unger. A viewing was held on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Cremation followed. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Arnold Waller, 93, of Billings died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at Highgate Assisted Living in Billings. Born in Circle in 1932 to Theodore Waller, a cowboy and rancher in McCone County and Elizabeth Waller (Dougherty), a dedicated schoolteacher from Minnesota, he grew up in the rugged beauty of northern McCone County. His mother taught him and his siblings in a rural one-room schoolhouse, instilling in them the value of education and perseverance. He was the second eldest of five children. He was preceded in death by his brother, Alvin Waller; and sister, Margery Koltes. He is survived by his brother, Leo Waller of Circle; and sister, Eldora Berry of Billings. He graduated from Circle High School in 1950 and proudly served in the U.S. Army beginning in 1952. Stationed in Germany during the post-war rebuilding efforts, he discovered his lifelong trade as an operating engineer. After his discharge in 1954, he embarked on a career in road construction. The development of the interstate highway system took him across Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota. Starting as a welder/mechanic, he worked his way up to operating engineer and eventually superintendent, later applying his expertise in the coal mines of Gillette, Wyo. While working in Rapid City, S.D., he met Vernice Curtis. Together, they built a family and raised five children, Genie Loghry (preceded in death), Michael Gorsuch, Raymond Gorsuch, Art Waller and James Waller. Their family grew to include 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He was a devoted father and stepfather, teaching his children the importance of hard work and serving as a true example of what it means to be a dad and husband. He and Vernice eventually retired to Billings, where they enjoyed their later years together until Vernice's death in 2019. Memorial services were held Dec. 8 at Smith Downtown Funeral Chapel in Billings. Burial will be at Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, alongside Vernice.

John A. Szymanski, 80, of Wolf Point died Nov. 23, 2025, at Trinity Hospital. He was born in Poplar on Nov. 5, 1945, to John L and Carol (Mohr) Szymanski. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1963. He played football, basketball and baseball. After high school, he attended Rocky Mountain College in 1964 with his degree in physical education. He played football for Rocky Mountain Bears as a half back in 1964 and baseball for the Rocky Mountain Open in 1965. He married Karen Carlsen in Poplar on May 1, 1965. From this union, they had a daughter, Lenora Kay, born in 1965, and a son, Robert John, born in 1966, in Billings. They divorced in 1967. Karen’s current husband, Kenneth Loomis, adopted Lenora and Robert. He had a child with Annette White Eagle Boxer, Craig Anthony Plummer, who was born in Miles City on April 21, 1968. He was adopted by Plummer family at birth. He married Eddy Mae Brown in Wolf Point on Aug. 26, 1968. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968. They had their first child, Kimberly Ann, in 1970 in Wolf Point. Their second child was John Thomas, born in 1974, in Port Smith, Va. Their third child, Melissa Jean, was born in 1980, in Wolf Point. He had transferred from the U.S. Navy to the Montana National Guards. They made their home in Wolf Point and he worked various jobs as a ranch hand, farmer, butcher and at the United States Postal Service. He retired from the National

Donna Ricker, 76, died Dec. 15, 2025. Funeral services are pending at this time. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Sybil Erickson, 76, died Dec. 13, 2025, at Billings Clinic Hospital. Funeral services are pending at this time. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Rocky Garfield, 63, of Terry died Dec. 8, 2025. Funeral services are pending at this time. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Dale Romo, 76, of Bainville died Dec. 12, 2025, at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. Funeral services are pending at this time. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Denise Buckles, 55, of Poplar died Dec. 13, 2025, at Poplar Community Hospital. Funeral services are pending at this time. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Deborah Ann 'Debi' Jensen, 73, of Wolf Point died Nov. 24, 2025, in Great Falls. She was born Aug. 17, 1952, to Albert and Rowene Dahl and grew up on the family farm south of Wolf Point. She was the middle child. She went to elementary school in the country just down the road from the farm. She continued her education at Wolf Point High School where she developed a few more very close friends. While she was still in high school, she met Raymond Hansen. She graduated from high school in May 1970. After graduation, she went to Minot, N.D., to the Trinity School of Nursing and graduated on June 8, 1973. On Aug. 4, 1973, she married Raymond and had two children, Wade and Katie Rae. She married Gerald Jensen on Sept. 2, 1978. They had a son, Rex, and she gained three step-daughters, Kara, Mindy and Krystee. She spent many years in the nursing field. She was very caring and compassionate and made the job fun. She loved teaching new nurses and a few old ones as well. She was a nurse for more than 40 years. She started working at Trinity Hospital right out of school, then onto Faith Home and Listerud’s Clinic, where she nursed for over 10 years. While she was nursing, she took classes and gained an associate of science degree in accounting from the College of Great Falls. She moved to Yankton, S.D., where she was accepted into the anesthesia program. Once she arrived, the college notified her that they had canceled the program. She was returning home when she stopped in

Spike Norman Bighorn, Dakota name “Sung gdeska agdi” or “Brings Home Spotted Horses,” 65, died Nov. 23, 2025, at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center. His love for his family and community was the most important thing to him in life (although he considered sports, basketball in particular, as his first love). He was born on May 23, 1960, in Poplar. His parents, Doremis Hollow Bighorn and Alpheus ‘Sonny’ Bighorn Jr., were young working parents who received help with raising Spike from Spike’s maternal grandparents, Norman Hollow and Vera Bertelsen Hollow. The family divided their time between the Hollow Ranch, located between Brockton and Culbertson and the town of Brockton. He was a 1978 graduate of Brockton High School and earned an athletic scholarship to play basketball for Miles Community College in Miles City. He went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University and earned a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on American Indian entrepreneurship from Gonzaga University. He was a 2018 inductee in the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and was one of the first Native referees to officiate a state basketball tournament in Montana. He paved the way for many to follow his example and led a life of impact. He was respected and admired for his many talents working with youth, young professionals, elders and people from every walk of life. He showed up for everyone in moments of tragedy and celebration. He had a heart for helping people and giving back to his community, which guided his career choices. He held many professional public service leadership roles throughout his career. He served as the tribal chairman for the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for two years and was on the tribal executive board (tribal council) for eight years. He held numerous