The annual Elks memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. This annual event, which is open to the public, honors local Elks members who have died in the past year as well as all who have gone before. The community is encouraged to come pay their respects to lodge treasurer Larry Greufe and other members who have passed in the previous year. The short memorial service is followed

Gayle Johnson, age 91, of Wolf Point, Mont., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Gayle was born on July 3, 1933, to Guy and Ida Lindberg in Arnegard, N.D., where she spent her early childhood. The family moved to Glasgow where she finished her schooling. She traveled to Moorhead, Minn., to attend Concordia College and earned an associate degree. After returning to Montana, she met a handsome young man named Floyd C. Johnson. Gayle and Floyd were married July 19, 1958, in Glasgow. They moved to the airport addition in Wolf Point, then had kids and Floyd worked on the family farm south of the Missouri River. Gayle raised her two young children (Celia and Larry), while working as the secretary at Frontier School. After the tragic loss of her two children, she was blessed with son Kendall almost three years to the day later. During this time, she concentrated on her business as a Shaklee product distributor. Gayle was seen on a number of occasions flagging for Floyd as he performed aerial spraying. She also returned to work at Lorene’s for a while. She enjoyed attending church, being involved with Bible study and singing in the choir. She took pride in being selected the Queen of Montana Flying Farmers. She loved attending social events — including the coffee club! Gayle found a passion in hand-making cards for people and giving them out on special occasions. Mom and Dad took many trips together from Canada to Mexico, Hawaii to Alaska and across the USA. Together with her beloved husband Floyd, they spent 66½ wonderful years together in the Wolf Point area. She will be missed by her husband, Floyd; son, Kendall; nieces, Cheryl Lenox, Donna Loberg and Eilleen Wilcoxon; and numerous great-nieces and -nephews. She is preceded in death by her children, Celia and Larry; sister, Betty Driver (Bill); niece, Debbie Gage; nephews, Jay Johnson and Leonard Johnson; parents, Guy and Ida; and great-nieces, Amanda Lenox and Bobbi Jo Loberg. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church. A luncheon followed immediately after. (Paid Obituary)

Phyllis Johnston, “Miracle Eagle Woman,” age 88, of Spokane, Wash., went to be with the Lord on Nov. 2, 2024. Phyllis was born in Wolf Point on April 28, 1958, to her parents Leslie and Freda Fourstar. Phyllis was born without a heartbeat and her father prayed for her and raised his pipe in our native ways. He promised to thunderbirds that he would have a ceremony every spring for his daughter if she made it, and his miracle came true. Phyllis grew up in Wiota surrounded by her many siblings: Delores McConnell, Leslie “Sonny” Fourstar, Victor Fourstar Sr., Anthony “Tony” Fourstar, Florence Fourstar, Vernon Fourstar Sr. (Debbie, Spokane, Wash.), Phillip Fourstar Sr., Terrance Fourstar, Rodrick “Rick” Fourstar (Frazer, Mont.). She then moved to Frazer for high school at Flandreau High School. Phyllis left early to raise her first daughter, Lana Fourstar. She later acquired her GED and went on to culinary school and accomplished many other great successes. Phyllis was proceeded in death by her husband, Raymond Johnston; her parents, Leslie and Freda Fourstar; and her siblings, Delores McConnell, Leslie “Sonny” Fourstar Sr., Victor Fourstar Sr., Anthony “Tony” Fourstar, Florence Fourstar, Phillip Fourstar Sr. and Terrance Fourstar. She is survived by her children: Lana Fourstar of Frazer, Faith Clancy, followed by her only son Frederick Miller (Karen). She later had 12 grandchildren: (Lana) Brent, Breah, Brielle and Brady, (Faith) Kayden, Kalob, Kyler and Araya, (Fred) Frederick Jr., Mylah, Felix and Frankie. Phyllis was very loved by many nieces and nephews who she was very close to. She holds a special place in the heart for each and every one of them. Phyllis’ family is very large. If anyone has been omitted, it is not intentional. (Paid Obituary)

Lorraine Tillie Quincer Shackelford Tveit, 90, died Nov. 13, 2024, at Butterfly Assisted Homes in Billings. She was born Feb. 27, 1934, at Fallon County Hospital in Baker to Edward and Tillie Quincer. She grew up on the family farm south of Plevna and attended grade school at Leischner School through the sixth grade. She attended junior high and high school at Plevna Public Schools and graduated in 1951. She worked hard and often did chores for the farm including milking cows, thrashing the grain, herding cows and riding horses to the end of the Montana skyline. She loved ice skating, rollerskating, dancing, riding horses, rodeo, her love of music and cooking fabulous home-cooked meals, knitting for her grandchildren, she took pride in keeping an immaculate home and a love of gardening, canning her harvest from pickles to meat, jams and jellies. She was also very active in the Plentywood Hospital Auxiliary. She meta young confident sailor named Joseph Earl (Dick) Shackelford in the spring of 1949 at a dance in Ismay. He was in the U.S. Navy when the Korean War was just beginning. He was stationed in Iceland with the Navy Airborne where he remained until his honorable discharge in 1953. They were married Feb. 28, 1952, at Peace Lutheran Church in Baker. They had three children: Edward Joseph Shackelford, Wesley Leonard Shackelford and Kathleen Rae Shackelford (Wagnild). While he was still in the service, they lived all over the U/S/, including Galveston, Texas; Norfolk, Va.; Clark, Wyo.; Glendive; Miles City; Baker; Plevna; and Wolf Point. He received his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1957. They decided to set down their roots in Plentywood in 1969. They started their own business called Dick’s Oilwell Service, Inc. He owned five work-over rigs working from Wolf Point and throughout the Williston Basin. It was a terribly busy but exciting time for them. In 1979, they sold Dick’s Oilwell Service to NL Company. Both were eager to retire and enjoy life. She managed the Diet Center in Plentywood from 1982 to 1986. In 1984, he was diagnosed with leukemia. He died in the spring of 1986. She remained in Plentywood to stay close to her children and grandchildren. She kept herself busy and remained active in her community. She worked at the Plentywood Rexall Drug, Peterson’s Ready to Wear, Pioneer Manor and Firehill Farms with her daughter Kathleen and son-in-law Gary Wagnild. In 2002, she met Larry J. Tveit at a dance in Williston, N.D. Their relationship grew until Larry proposed. They later married in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 14, 2003. She sold her home in Plentywood and moved to Sidney, where she and Larry built their new home. Larry died in October 2020 in Billings. In November 2020, she moved to Butterfly Assisted Living in Billings,. In October 2021, she decided to sell her home in Sidney and continued to live full-time in Butterfly Assisted Living where she could stay close to her daughter Kathleen and her doctors. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dick and Larry; and brother, Leonard. She is survived by her three children: Ed, Wes and Kathleen; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Denise Tveit, Larry Tveit Jr., Nolan Tveit, Kevin Tveit and Carrie (Terry) Roth; nine step-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren. Services were held Monday, Nov. 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Plentywood. Burial was at Plentywood Memorial Cemetery.

Ashley Elk, 36, of Poplar died Nov. 9, 2024, at Billings Clinic in Billings. She was born Dec. 16, 1987, to Sophia Martell Youngman and Maurice Elk Sr. in Poplar. She grew up in Riverside with her mom, stepdad Mitchell Youngman Sr, siblings and grandparents. She loved to listen to music, hangout with friends and be with her papa and grandma-ma-ma. She attended Poplar schools until she departed to Montana Youth Challenge and, upon completion, received her GED. She grew up watching and caring after her siblings. After the Montana Youth Challenge, she met Eugene Culbertson and, from that union, had two children, Sahnos and Carmen Culbertson. They later separated, but remained friends. Thereafter, she met PJ Badbear, whom she married. From that marriage came her son, Mason Badbear. After the divorce, she later had more children, Megan Lemay and Riley Loegering. She enjoyed helping all who asked and always looked forward to sharing memories with her friends and family, including making Tiktoks with her brother Chauncey. She enjoyed working at Walmart with her mom in Williston, N.D., and at Tribal Express. She was always proud of her children, siblings and cousins. She was always somewhere to be heard at her siblings’ graduations. She loved fashion and doing hair and make-up. She cherished memories with pictures and selfies with her children, family and friends. She had a great sense of humor like her brother Delmar and loved to make others laugh. She is survived by her mother, Sophia Martell; her step-dad, Mitch Youngman; children, Sahnos and Carmen Culbertson, Mason Badbear, Megan Lemay and Riley Loegering; siblings, Maurice Elk, Chauncey Elk, Brandi Brown, Troy Brown Jr., Tommy Brown, Zandalie Martell, Boy Youngman, Samantha Youngman, Sasha Youngman, Mitchell Youngman Jr., William Youngman and Anthony Youngman; and grandmothers, Isabelle (Elizabeth) and Wilma Youngman. She was preceded in death by brother, Delmar Martell. Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 22, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Burial was at the Riverside Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point was in charge of the arrangements.

Lance Brown, 56, died Nov. 22, 2024, at Billings Clinic. Funeral services are scheduled for Dec. 1 and 2. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Dale Jerome Bear, 39, of Wolf Point died Nov. 15, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings. Born Feb. 15, 1985, in Poplar, he was the son of Percy (Butch) Bear and Louise Boyd-Webster. A proud graduate of Poplar High School, Class of 2003, his joy for life and generous spirit left an indelible mark on everyone he knew. His early years were shaped by his aunties Suzanne Smith, Kathleen Ventura, Carol Redthunder and Linda Atchico, who, alongside his father, Butch, helped raise him. As he grew, he formed lifelong bonds with his best buddies and cousins, Lee and Joey, who shared countless adventures with him. His father doted on him, always giving him everything he could and fostering a home filled with love and support. During his teenage years, he spent countless hours hanging out at the Atchico home and jamming in his dad’s garage with his band, Away from Nowhere, showcasing his passion for music and creativity. He was a man who valued family above all else, creating memories that would live on in the hearts of his loved ones. He is survived by his daughter, Lylith Bear; father, Butch Bear, girlfriend, Barbara Blackshear; and grandmother, Myrna Greufe. He was preceded in death by his brother, Allen Boyd (Juju). Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Assembly of God Church in Poplar. Interment was at Red Thunder Cemetery in Poplar. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Harold “Buddy” Adams, 74, of Poplar died Nov. 9, 2024, in Hardin. He was born on Jan. 23, 1950, in Fort Kipp to Clarence and Loretta Adams. He attended and graduated from Brockton High School in 1969. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his time in the Army, he went on to fight in the Vietnam War. While in combat, he was wounded on the battlefield. He was then sent to Germany for his recovery. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he worked a variety of different jobs which include carpentry, law enforcement, accounting, game warden, truck driving and a bingo caller. During this time, he had also pursued to further his education at Williston State College, Miles City Community College and Fort Peck Community College. He dedicated the later years of his life to the Fort Peck Tribal community. He was an ordained minister and was the pastor of the Red Eagle Presbyterian Church in Fort Kipp for multiple years until 2008 when he started work for Clayton Stevenson Funeral Home until his death. He was the commander of Post #61 until its closure. He then became a lifetime member of Thomas Mann American Legion Post #81 of Culbertson. He was also the chairman of the Fort Peck Sioux Council. He loved his culture and speaking Dakota. He loved his family and being at family gatherings. He enjoyed announcing, singing and attending powwows, especially Poplar Indian Days. He also enjoyed watching old western movies. He loved cars

Julius F Poitra, 78, passed away peacefully while enjoying his last sleep with his wife Pamela by his side on Nov. 14, 2024. Julius was born in Belcourt, N.D., on Dec. 11, 1945, to Albert Poitra and Nora Azure. He was the third child of 10 children. Julius attended elementary and middle school in Wolf Point, Mont. In 1963, he graduated from Stephan High School, S.D. From November 1964 through November 1967, Julius served the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam. He held the distinction of operating one of two jungle crushers (Trasphibian Tactical Crusher). The tree crushers cleared more than 2,000 acres around Long Binh by themselves. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. He was an Expert (Rifle M-16) and Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14). In 1969, Julius married Helen Pipe. From the marriage, they had two children, Joseph and Julie. In 1971, he graduated Siebel School of Drafting, Denver, Colo. He worked as a Draftsman for Tumpane Engineering, Glasgow AFB, Draftsman at Fort Peck Housing Authority, worked at IHS for a short time, worked in construction rebuilding the WPHS after it burned, for Gus Albert Construction paving highways, at the Gun Factory and was an Engineering Draftsman for the Bureau of Reclamation where he retired, from 11/1983 to 01/2008. In 1984, he met his wife, Pamela Pipal. From this marriage, they had three special dogs, George, Daisy and Buddy who they loved like children. They spent 40 years together. Julius loved hunting, fishing and camping. He loved walking and would walk almost every day if the weather permitted. He loved his family very much. He was a very generous, kind man that loved with his whole heart. He was the best father and grandfather

Gayle Johnson, 91, of Wolf Point died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Services are pending at this time under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point.