David Allen Ruffatto, 82, of Sidney died at his home in Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. He was born at home on June 13, 1940, in Brockton the sixth child of Antone “Tony” and Anna (Cuccia) Ruffatto. He joined two brothers and three sisters ranging in age from 21 to 8 years old. He always worked odd jobs, anything to make a few bucks. When he was 12 or 13, he made a deal with the owner of the hardware store. He wanted to make payments so he could order a gun. He would take in his cash for the store owner to hold on to and keep track of how close his total was to the prize. Once he made the final payment, he asked the owner to please order the gun. The gentleman said, “I knew you were going to make it, so I went ahead and ordered it” and pulled it out from under the counter. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1958 as salutatorian. He always joked that there were only two in his class. He received a full year scholarship to Carroll College in Helena. After college, he moved back to Brockton and worked at the elevator. He ordered a brand new 1961 Ford Starliner car, black on black. He lived on the highway across from the railroad tracks and saw the train come through with his car on it. He hot footed it to Wolf Point where he paid cash for his new ride. It also happened to be his 21st birthday. He met Karen Kirn in 1963 through mutual friends. He married Karen on June 26, 1965, and also purchased the Westland Station where he was working in 1965. They moved into the tiny house behind the station to start their married life. Their only child, daughter Diahn, was born in 1967. In 1969, he became route man for Wildwood Beverages and moved to Plentywood. His ability to read people, along with his social nature, allowed him to excel in this field. The year 1971 saw a change in ownership to Blue Rock, where he continued to be the top route man for many years. In 1980, he was promoted to branch manager and worked another two years. In 1982, he began his oilfield career as a pumper for Grace Petroleum. This job allowed him the freedom to do the things he loved and also take his dog, Rex, with him. Hunting arrowheads was one of his favorite pastimes. He had a great eight years with Grace, but alas the boom ended, and his wells were closed. Lance Averett called him in 1990 and said, “I hear you could use a job!” Next was a move to Sidney to become the area marketing manager for Blue Rock. Prior to the move to Sidney, 1989 brought Perry Boyer into the family. Dad still called him his first son and cared for him deeply the rest of his life. Along with shooting and looking for arrowheads, he loved to canoe and help friends with construction, electrical work and plumbing. He was a World War II history buff, loved Native American culture and wolves. He retired at the end of June 2006. He was ready for a new chapter and started working with metal. Over the years, this passion lead him to make gates, tables, wall décor, crosses, quilt holders, plant holders and even a name plaque. 2010 brought Ray Skogen to the family as his second son. In 2013, he took a tumble off scaffolding while working on a ceiling and landed on the cement. This resulted in a broken eye-socket, nose, femur and eight ribs in his back. It was a tough road, but he made it through with some lasting repercussions. He always like a good joke and was the ultimate storyteller. The day after his 82nd birthday, he was flown to Billings where he received the news that he needed a quadruple bypass. He decided there would be no surgery and said “I’ve lived a good life, I’m tired and I’m just going to ride this out.” He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; and siblings, Pete Ruffatto, Jim Ruffatto, Marie Wilson, Grace Howe and Rose Thumm. Survivors include his daughter, Diahn Ruffatto. Memorial services were held Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Carpenter’s Church in Sidney with Pastor Gloria Buxbaum officiating.

Bradford Scott Johnson, 86, Plentywood died Feb. 11, 2023. He was born to Millard and Sigrid Johnson in Culbertson on Nov. 5, 1936. He was their first-born child and was raised in Poplar. He spent his early years following his father around the family farm. By age 17, he leased his own land and began his lifelong farming career. In high school, he participated in wrestling, football and band where he was known by his circle of friends as Scotty. Together, they also enjoyed swimming, ice skating, hunting, archery and fishing. He attended college at Northern Montana College in Havre where he met Delores Juliuson who captured and kept his heart. He courted her by mail as he traveled for naval training to Norman, Okla., and Memphis, Tenn. The young couple married and moved to Coronado, Calif., where he served in the Navy at the North Island Naval Base with the All Weather Fighter Squadron 3. Their first child, Torey, was born during their time in Coronado. Upon his release from the Navy, they returned to Montana and farming. During this period of time in Poplar, they added two more children to the family, Jody and Brad. In addition to farming, he also owned and ran the hardware store. Surrounded by family and friends, the days in Poplar were filled with snowmobiling, ice skating and swimming on the river, holiday celebrations and laughter. In 1975, the family moved to Plentywood where he spent the rest of his life. He became active in city government which ignited his passion for politics. Plentywood gained a proud Republican who loudly shared his views with the members of his coffee club, a good neighbor who enjoyed checking on his friends during his daily drives, a pilot who loved the excitement of aerial spraying and the satisfaction of instructing flight students, an adventurer who would land a plane anywhere to inspect a site and search for artifacts, a farmer who loved his land, and a grandfather who shared all of the above and more with his three grandsons. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gary; sister, Vera; and son, Brad. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Delores; children Torey Houtz and Jody Paulson; three grandchildren; and sister, Florice Coiro. Per his wishes, no services are planned. A private celebration of life is pending.

Chastity Martha Merijah Black Dog, 37, died Feb. 2, 2023, in Wolf Point. She was born to William J. Black Dog and Elsie Lenore Dust Necklace on May 28, 1985, in Poplar. She lived most of her life in Fort Kipp and Brockton. She attended Brockton School and graduated in 2004. She attended Fort Peck Community College in Poplar and earned her CDL. She is survived by her children, Brooke, Jazmine, Justin, Marshall, Hiro and Rayna; parents, William and Mary Black Dog; fiancé, Dennis Takes Horse; brothers, Miccah Dust, Robert Ferguson, Isaac and Quentin Failing, Micheal and Jacob; adopted brother, Isak Rosales; adopted sisters, Jana Nygard, Loretta Brown and Veronica Severt; grandmothers, Roberta and Connie Bird, Della Thomas, Ceya and Lydia Long Hair, Arletta Black Dog, Dani Green, Peggy Ireland, Dina Diserly, Diana Diserly- Tuttle, Vernita Buckles, Leta Atkinson, Irene Wilkins, Janice White Eagle, Trivian Grainger, Pauline Lewis, Doris Walking Eagle, Missy Bear Cub, Ruth Necklace, Bernice Martin; grandfathers, Maynard Black Dog, Adrian Ireland, Archie Bear Cub, Duane Green, Sly Martin, Rusty Denny, Allie Myron, Rusty, and Kermit Walking Eagle, Frank Smith, , Marvin and Randy Birthmark; and great-grandfather, Arlie Diserly. She was preceded in death by her brother, Quannah M. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the James Black Dog Center. Interment followed at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Dean Dueth Nelson, 91, of Williston, N.D., formerly of Bainville, Mont., passed away at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Plentywood, Mont., on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2023. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Bainville Fire Hall with Pastor Jon Pust and Pastor Ryan Lundquist officiating. Interment will follow at Bainville Cemetery. Friends may call at Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home in Williston on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Central time and for the hour preceding the service at the fire hall in Bainville on Friday. Dean was born Dec. 12, 1931, in Bainville, Mont., to Oscar and Mabel (Torgerson) Nelson. He was raised on the family farm east of Bainville and graduated from Bainville High School in 1949. After graduation, Dean moved to Houston, Texas, and worked in construction with his brother Dennis. After he left Houston, Dean moved to Denver, Colo., and started a television sales and repair business with his brother-in-law. While in Denver, he met Jean Schweitzer while she was waiting tables at her family’s diner and they married three months later on Jan. 24, 1959. In 1963, Dean returned to the family farm in Bainville, where he and Jean raised their five children. Dean’s passion was farming and, even after he retired and moved to Billings, he returned to the farm to help his son Dennis every spring for planting and fall for harvest for many years. In 1998, Dean and Jean settled in Williston, N.D.,, where they lived until Jean passed away in May of 2019. When they weren’t busy farming, Dean and Jean spent many years calling square dancing and teaching round dancing. Dean was also an excellent carpenter and remodeled every house he and Jean ever lived in. He loved gardening and took particular pride in his extensive flower garden in Williston. Dean was also known as a competitive card player and spent many hours in retirement beating his kids and grandkids at pinochle, whist and cribbage. Dean and Jean cherished their family. They were involved in all of their grandkids’ activities, and traveled many miles watching their sports games, concerts and plays. Dean was known as calm and steady with a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh. Dean is survived by his five children: daughters. Janelle (Wayne) Lundquist, Lanette (Rick) Hansen, Deanne (Matt) Ober and Melanie (Mick) Portra, and son, Dennis (Tami); nine grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Jean, his wife of 60 years; his parents; sisters, Aloha and Ramona; and brothers, Oscar Gordon, Delton, Myron and Dennis. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Sheridan Health Care Foundation (SHCF), 440 West Laurel Ave., Plentywood, MT 59254. Friends are welcome to visit www.eversoncoughlin. com to share memories of Dean or leave condolences for his family. (Paid Obituary)

Thomas G. Bracken, 78, died Dec. 8, 2022, at River Ridge Assisted Living in Billings. He was born Nov. 26, 1944, in Poplar to Ray and Anna (Manning) Bracken. They lived in a two-room house in Homestead until he was 10 years old, where he attended grade school. He then went to high school in Medicine Lake, where he graduated in 1962. After graduation, he attended various colleges in Montana until joining the National Guard. On Nov. 30, 1974, he married Connie Engelke. On May 9, 1975, they welcomed their only son, Justin. They farmed and ranched on his family farm west of Froid. In the early 2000s, they built a house overlooking Smoke Creek near the Engelke farm. He enjoyed raising cattle and helping Justin with farming and whatever else he needed help with. Connie also kept him very busy with all her projects and her sheep. He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Bracken. He is survived by his son, Justin Bracken of Froid; sister, Linda Frantz of Ennis; and two grandsons. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, at 11 a.m. at the Froid Community Center.

Linda Rose (DeTienne) Larson, 70, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022m at St. Luke’s Hospital in Crosby, N,D. She was born June 9, 1952, at Mercy Hospital in Williston, N.D., to Young and Berniece (Hammond) DeTienne. She grew up and attended school in Bainville, graduating in 1970. After high school, she attended Billings Business College for accounting in Billings. She married Harry Gilbert Larson on June 23, 1974. The couple first settled in Dickinson, N.D., then later moved Williston, N.D., where they raised their family. The couple had two children together, Arthur and Berniece, then later welcomed Kris Price into the family as their own. She was a social butterfly. She enjoyed bowling leagues, being a BMX mom, camping and fishing, along with reading, cross-stitching, sewing and playing cards. She was a caregiver and knew no strangers. She would open her door to all and make them feel welcomed. She worked in many different jobs in retail throughout her life, retiring from WalMart in 2012, after making many lifelong friends. She is survived by her children, Kris Lippert of Williston, N.D., Art Larson of Crosby, N.D., and Berniece Stuefen of Elkton, S.D.; brother, Lloyd DeTienne of Billings; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; two step-mothers, Florence and Bessie; and brother, Loren. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on March 4 at a location in Bainville yet to be determined.

Donald Edward (Curley) Marchwick, 96, passed away peacefully in Butte, Mont., at the Southwest Montana Veterans Home on Dec. 7, 2022. Fortunate to have lived his first 90 years with very few health ailments, recent years were filled with age-related conditions and, a year ago, he moved into the veterans’ home in Butte, where he received excellent continual care. The son of Peter Marchwick and Marie Tlustosch, Curley was born Oct. 13, 1926, in Culbertson, Mont., and grew up in Sidney and Culbertson. Independent from an early age, he left high school to join the U.S. Navy in July 1943, serving in the Asiatic Pacific until World War II ended. In November 1946, he completed his service and returned to Culbertson, where he worked as a truck driver for Great Northern Railroad. There, he met Grace Neikirk of Bainville. They married in Culbertson on Nov. 6, 1948. Curley and Grace embarked upon a vagabond life, moving across Montana and back again, building an active family of five children over 10 years, with each one born in a different city. When the fourth child reached school age in 1962, the family settled in Wolf Point where they spent the next 16 years. Although Curley spent some time in sales (life insurance, mobile homes) and construction, he always returned to long distance truck driving, hauling loads of grain and cattle over the open road. In Wolf Point, he was owner/ operator of the trucking firm Crown Distributors for many years while his kids completed their pre-college education in the Wolf Point school system.