“Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3 — is this thing on?” Joseph “Joe” Nathan Sande, 88, of Wolf Point, Mont., signed off for the last time on Oct. 4, 2024, in Billings, surrounded by the people he loved most — his family. Cremation has already taken place, and, in keeping with Joe’s wishes, there will be no public service. Instead, his family will gather privately later this year to celebrate a life filled with laughter, love, and a deep devotion to those closest to him. Born on July 19, 1936, to Francis M. Sande and Mary (Gillette) Sande, Joe’s life journey took him from Havre to Great Falls and eventually to Wolf Point, where his legacy would take root. In his younger years, Joe was up early, cleaning his father’s bar before school — a bit of work that may have shaped both his work ethic and his sharp sense of humor. After being drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1955, Joe spent two years on a submarine, which may explain his lifelong ability to navigate any situation with calmness and a well-placed quip. Returning to Montana, Joe earned a teaching degree from Northern Montana College and embarked on a career that spanned decades and touched countless lives. He met the love of his life, Gloria Nelson, in 1961 and, in true Joe fashion, they eloped in 1963 — choosing love and simplicity over fanfare. In 1964, Joe accepted what he thought would be a one-year teaching position at Wolf Point High School. That “one year” stretched into 33, during which he shaped young minds in ninth-grade English, media and writing classes, all while never missing a chance to make his students laugh. Joe’s teaching career was only one aspect of his dedication to his family and community. His voice — legendary in Wolf Point — became synonymous with school spirit as “the Voice of the Wolves,” announcing games, matches and tournaments for over four decades. While students eagerly awaited hearing their names over the loudspeaker, Joe’s heart was always anchored in his love for his family. He raised two daughters, Lori Jo and Natalie, alongside Gloria, and together they created a home full of warmth, laughter and encouragement. Family was the heart of everything Joe did. Whether coaching a softball game, umpiring or cheering on his daughters, Joe’s focus was always on providing the same unwavering support he had for them to the next generation. And when his grandchildren arrived, Joe found a whole new role to relish — being their biggest fan. Whether it was football, wrestling, swimming or tennis, if one of his grandchildren was on the field or in the pool, you could count on Joe being in the stands, a proud grandpa, ready to cheer them on. His love for his family was evident in every conversation, every joke and every moment he spent with them. Even when he was busy volunteering with the Wolf Point Optimist Club, announcing the Radiothon to raise funds for Christmas gifts or judging essays for the Optimist contests, Joe’s heart was always with his family. His marriage to Gloria, which spanned 61 years, was the foundation of his

Verona Lea Boger Bubak, 84, died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. She was born to Albert and Hazel Boger on Oct. 12, 1939, in Plentywood. She grew up in Froid and attended Froid High School before meeting Leonard Bubak. The two were married on June 15, 1958, in Froid at Grandview Church of the Brethren. Their loving marriage of 58 years until Leonard's death in 2016 was the foundation behind their numerous relationships with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, fellow volunteers and church members. They raised two sons in Billings and cherished their many visits with their three grandchildren and daughters- in-law. Together, they volunteered at St. Vincent's Hospital and served at First Christian Church in Billings for decades. She taught Sunday school for many years and contributed to various church committees. After graduating from Froid High School, she attended business school in Minot, N.D. She and Leonard lived in several states in

Florence M. Fourstar, “Lightning in the Clouds Woman,” 74, of Wolf Point died Oct. 5, 2024, at Benefits Medical Center in Great Falls. She was born Dec. 25, 1949, at the IHS hospital in Poplar to Leslie Sr. and Freda (Redstone) Fourstar. She was a member of a large family which included nine other brothers and sisters. In her earlier years, she was raised in a two-room log house on her father’s original allotment in the Wiota community. She often referred to the somewhat destitute lifestyle in which they resided. Despite these struggles, she had a compassionate spirit and was a caring central figure, helping to raise her siblings when her parents were

Frederick Silk, 51, of Miles City, formerly of Hays, died Oct. 13, 2024. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home.

David James Renner, 78, died Monday evening, Sept. 30, 2024, at home. He was born April 28, 1946, to Irene Reinbold and Lloyd Renner in Glasgow, the oldest of three siblings. He attended school for three years in Nashua, then went to Grain School north of Nashua for three years before returning to Nashua Public Schools where he graduated in 1964. He worked for Phil Tadij for one summer and then numerous ranches before attending Montana State University for a year. He enlisted in the Navy on July 25, 1966. While serving in the Navy in Vietnam, he worked on patrol boats as a diesel engine mechanic, where he earned four commendations: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation medal with Combat “V.” He was discharged from the Navy on July 24, 1970. After returning to the states, he worked in Great Falls for Hallperry. Good friend Mick Ridenour and he moved to Malta where they opened R & R Machine Shop. He met Susan Wiederrick Lamson at a bar in Malta where he asked her to dance and the rest became history. They married Jan. 20, 1973, and he acquired a stepson. Over the next few years, they added four more children to the family. They lived in Malta for a couple of years before moving to the farm north of Nashua in 1975.

Jerome “Jerry” Osterhout, 86, of Culbertson died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. He was born to Ernest and Violet (Waldahl) Osterhout in Beach, N.D. He and his sister, Joan, were raised by his aunt and uncle, Bill and Muriel Waldahl, in Sentinel Butte, N.D. He graduated from Sentinel Butte High School with the Class of 1956. His passion for the rodeo began early in his life by riding cows and started competing in amateur rodeos in 1954. He qualified for the 1956 National High School Rodeo in Reno, Nev., competing in bareback riding and bull riding. He won the second goround in the bareback riding event. One of his proudest moments was winning the state high school bull riding championship on a spinning bull. Today, his grandson wears that buckle. While continuing to compete in amateur rodeos, he took over his father’s ranch. He rode Jim Barnhart’s Whiz Bang in Medora, N.D., and recalled it was pretty tough but, nonetheless, he won first place in 1959. Along with a high school buckle from the state rodeo, he won bull riding buckles at Killdeer’s RA rodeo and at an amateur rodeo in Richey. In 1961, he won bull ridings at New Salem, N.D., Sidney and Helena. He retired from rodeo competition that year.

Jordan Scott Martell, 36, died Oct. 2, 2024. He was born to Lila Doney and Charles Martell on Dec. 31, 1987, at Frances Mahon Hospital in Glasgow. He was raised in Wolf Point and attended school there and graduated in May 2006. He had several occupations, but worked at the Faith Home for many years. He worked as a custodian and his employers always complimented him on his great work. He had a great disposition and good sense of humor which allowed him to gain the love of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas and Travis St. Germaine; and sister, Denice St. Marks. He is survived by three daughters, Azaleah, Savannah and Aubrey; two sons,

Nastassja Lynn Houg Perez, beloved daughter of Angela Martinez Brotzman and the late L. Bruce Houg, tragically lost her life due to a car accident in Memphis, Tenn., on Sept. 28, 2024. Nastassja was born on March 26, 1985, in Wolf Point, Mont., located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, although she was a Nez Perce tribal member. Tassja spent many of her younger years living in Wolf Point where she was later joined by a sister, Nicolet, and a brother, Jeffrey. During those years, Nastassja attended Frontier Elementary School and was active in 4H spending lots of time on the Houg family farm with her grandparents, Loren and JoAn Houg. In the latter part of her youth, Nastassja moved with her mother to Texas and then Alabama, dividing her time between there and Montana during middle school and high school. Tassja lost her brother, Jeffrey, when he was only 12 years old while living in Alabama. During the time she resided in Wolf Point, she married a gentleman from there but, after a short marriage, she moved back to Alabama. After having her first son, JJ, in 2007, she moved to Kentucky and then to Las Vegas to join her sister, Nicolet. While in Las Vegas, Tassja had two more children, Sage and Lily. A few years later, Tassja moved to Colorado to be closer to her mother. This is when she reunited with her middle school sweetheart, whom she would soon marry, Antonio “Tony” Perez. With Tony, she gained a stepson Darian, and later they had their first son together, Antonio Jr., “AJ.” Tassja was an amazing artist. She began her artistic journey at a young age when she wrote calligraphy and won many coloring contests. As an artist, she was creative, could paint beautifully, and had the best penmanship in the family. Tassja also spent a lot of time making jewelry, beading, and sewing. She also had a vast rock collection which she was always adding to. She always had her eyes on a new creation. Being that Tony was a veteran, he got a job with the Army Corps of Engineers, which brought him along with Tassja to Tennessee. This is where they added their dog Bowser to the family, and began to build their lives on their own, wanting to plant roots. Nastassja was preceded in death by her father, Bruce; brother, Jeffrey; grandparents, Loren and JoAn Houg, Joe and Alvina Martinez, Jasper Shippentower and Katherine “Katsy” Jackson; uncles, Joe Martinez Jr. and Jeff Howell; and a cousin, Benjamin Houg. Tassja is survived by her husband, Tony; children, JJ, Sage, Lily and AJ; stepson, Darian; mother, Angela; stepfather, John Brotzman; sister, Nicolet (BJ) Palmer; nephews, Treyvan, Jeffrey and Jax; niece, Jewel; step-siblings, Elizabeth, Ben and McLain Brotzman; aunts and uncles, Tony (Linda) Martinez, Chris (Stacey) Martinez, Sandy (Alija) Mahoney, Marc (Janece) Houg, Becky (Rick) Fritz and Tonya (Mel) Paulson; several cousins and great-aunts and -uncles including aunts, uncles and cousins from the Nez Perce Indian Reservation; and former stepdad, Bennie Joe (Sam) Thompson; and father figure, Aaron Rutherford. Her funeral service will be from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Clayton Stevenson Chapel (open to the public), with a PRIVATE family graveside service to follow at the Greenwood Cemetery and a public gathering to eat and share stories at the Wolf Point Golf Course at 4 p.m. (Paid Obituary)

Joni D. Perry Johnson, 43, of Fort Kipp died Sept. 24, 2024, in Billings. She was born to Adrian and Jackie Perry on Dec. 19, 1980, the second daughter of four. She is also known as Sina Ota Uhye Win, “Has Many Blankets Woman.” She attended Brockton Schools until her graduation, then she continued her education at Haskell Indian College where she met Edmund Johnson Jr. From this marriage came her sons, Yamni and AJ. They later divorced but remained close friends. She later met Carl “Kidd” Payne. From this union came one son, James. She enjoyed time with her sons, family and friends. In her free time, she loved to play darts, travel and shop. She lived a fulfilling life of laughter. Her laugh with closed eyes showed her funny side and that laugh will never be forgotten. She is survived by her sons, Yamni Johnson and James Payne; sisters, Taelynn Moss, Jackie Christian, Freda Christian and Dannis Duquette; and brothers, Cal Christian and Rich Terbasket. She was preceded in death by her son, Adrian AJ Johnson; sisters, Bobbie Perry and Andrea Perry; brothers, Tommy Dude Christian and James Christian; and granddaughter, Laila Christian. Funeral services were held on Friday, Oct. 4, at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp. Cremation followed. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel assisted the family with the arrangements.

Brittany Gilbert-Grandchamp Brittany Anne Gilbert-Grandchamp, 33, of Williston, N.D., died Sept. 28, 2024, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings. She was born May 3, 1991, in Billings to Dorena Blanchard and Robert J. “Lil Bob” Grandchamp Jr. She attended Glasgow High School and graduated from there in 2010. Following graduation and a brief marriage, she resided and worked in several areas, including Fargo, N.D.; Glendive; Minnesota; and Kansas. She eventually settled in Williston, N.D., after meeting Noah Taylor. She and Noah built a life that included her beloved cats, Yin, Yang and Zen, and an infinite number of healthy houseplants. They were also blessed to have a foster child in their care for a brief but fulfilling time. She was intelligent, honest, brave and caring. She touched the lives of many and will be remembered fondly by all that knew her. Survivors include her sister, Elena Grandchamp; brothers, Ryan and Robert “Robbie” Grandchamp, all of Glasgow; and partner, Noah Taylor of Williston, N.D. Services are pending under the direction of Bell Mortuary in Glasgow.