Clifford T. Gangstad, 100, of Billings died Nov. 6, 2022. He was born Aug 31, 1922, on the family homestead near Froid. He was predeceased by his daughter, Lila Gangstad (Peterson); and his wife, Amelia Gangstad (Dorsey). He is survived by his children, Perry Gangstad, Susan Gangstad and Terry Gangstad; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Atonement Lutheran Church in Billings on Nov. 12. Internment was at Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery in Billings.

James “Jim D” Wilbur Dillon, 67, of Brockton died Nov. 8, 2022. He was born in Boulder, Colo., Jan. 22, 1955, to Charles and Jean Dillon. He spent his childhood in Victor. He then moved to Concrete, Wash., in high school and graduated there. After high school, he attended Eastern Washington University and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. Later in life, he continued his education at University of Montana in Missoula and received his master’s degree. In 1978, he met and married Marty. In 1980, they had their first child, a son, Chaz. Soon after, they moved to Brockton and had two more children, daughters Kari and Caitlin. He began teaching at Brockton School’s in 1980 and spent the rest of his teaching career there until he retired in 2006. He took on various roles in his career such as assistant administrator, junior high science, high school art and supervisor for student council. He was very interactive with his students and was always known for hanging out in the hallway at lunch taking the time to get to know each of his students. He loved rewarding his students for their accomplishments, which is why he invented the infamous gold slip auctions. He also had a deep love for high school sports. He could be seen doing everything from announcing the starting lineup, taking stats and even sweeping the floors. He loved chaperoning the high school basketball tournaments. Later in life, he enjoyed visiting with friends, attending auctions and hanging out with and spoiling his grandsons. He had many close relationships with families of the community. He was a pillar of the community and respected by many for the work he did with the students of the Brockton community. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marty; sister, Colleen; and adopted son, Sean Bighorn. He is survived by his son, Chaz; daughters Kari and Caitlin; five grandsons; sister, Shannon; and adopted sons, Joseph Chase Sr. and Adrien Spotted Bird Jr. Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 12, at Brockton High School. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Madalynn Grace Raab, 25, of Bozeman died on Thursday evening, Oct. 27, 2022. She was born July 22, 1997, to Jeanette Hellman and Brad Raab in Dickinson, N.D. She was always a friendly little girl with an amazing smile, a wonderful contagious laugh and a great sense of humor. She was the first to make friends with everyone and could converse with anyone. She had the ability at a young age to make these connections, which continued throughout her whole life. She loved most her family, being the baby sister, and all the siblings’ love they shared. She loved snuggling with her momma and received with joy the gushing of the love and attention. She loved all the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and Avalanche games with her dad and family. She attended Brockton Immersion at age four, where she started to learn the Dakota language. She was very intelligent. She always read at least five grades ahead of her grade level. She attended Brockton and Culbertson elementary schools, graduated from Culbertson High School in 2015 at age 17. She competed in sports though her school years, excelling in volleyball, getting her massive ace server skills from her dad. She then attended college at Montana State University in Bozeman. Throughout her work career, she deeply loved her work and work families, especially her boss Jason and family. She was a strong, passionate and independent woman. She was a lifeguard for several summers at the Culbertson pool. At barely 100 pounds, Madalynn decided she was going to become a wildland firefighter. She completed the PAC test consisting of three miles, 45 pounds, for 45 minutes to earn her certification. She fought fire for the DNRC out of Lewistown. She loved and lived life to the fullest in the great state of Montana, enjoying nature activities — hiking, snowboarding, downhill skiing, swimming, working out and bowling. She was also a very talented artist and played the piano and clarinet. She is survived by her mother, Jeanette; father, Brad; brothers, Jeraco and Evan of Missoula; sister, Sarah of Williston, N.D.; and grandparents, Magdalena Hellman, Harlan Raab and Verlene (Dave) Goodrich. Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 4, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston, N.D.

Tracy Allan Brien was born on Aug. 9, 1963, in Cando, N.D., and was welcomed into the loving family of Gary Brien Sr. and Betty Lizotte. Tracy enjoyed many things during his childhood — none more than being outside enjoying the outdoors with his family whether it was hunting fishing or just enjoying the views of the great outdoors. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the National Guard and served his country for 12 years. He was stationed in Culbertson, Mont., where he met his longtime friend Michael Wolf. Even after they got out of the service, they were together whether they were fishing or hunting they remained friends until the end. He welcomed his first son Jesse, July 7, 1983. After a few years, he met his wife Jaimie in the summer of 1990. They got married in 1996 and divorced in 2000. They welcomed their first child Amber Marie June 14, 1993, and their second child Trevor James Allan July 27, 1995. They had lots of fun together being outdoors, where Amber and Trevor learned all the ins and outs of fishing and hunting. Shortly after moving back to Montana, he met Kandie Madsen and her daughter, Tessa. Tessa was a welcomed addition to the family. He separated from Kandie and then met Lana Domier whom he spent the last years of his life with. Tracy moved to the Sidney area from Halliday, N.D., in 1999 and moved back and forth from Culbertson and Sidney. His passion was being outdoors, but he was an avid collector of agates. He would walk the river bottoms for hours looking for the best out of the bunch. He would then take them home and make sculptures out of them. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with his nephew Alex and son Trevor. He had a real passion for meat cutting and he worked at IGA and Reynolds for the last 12 years. He also was a great taxidermist and would do anything from deer to fish. He loved to cook and just have a great time with family and friends. You could often see him on the weekends in his garage with his music blaring and cooking away on the grill. Tracy passed away in his home on Sept. 2, 2022, surrounded by his children and siblings and father. Tracy is survived by his children, Jesse, Amber (Kayla) Fountain Brien, Trevor (Caitlyn) Brien and Tessa Madsen; his ex-wife, Jaimie Allmendinger; two life partners, Kandie Madsen and Lana Domier; and his siblings, Ronnette (Brad) Mc-Cabe, Pam Strandlund, Sheila (Bruce) Devor, Gary Brien Jr, Shawn Brien and Brenda (JC) Christensen. He is also survived by his father, Gary Brien Sr.; and his uncle, Ronnie (Barb) Booth. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Lizotte; and his uncle, Stanley Booth. Friends and family are invited to come and celebrate the life of Tracy Allan Brien on Nov. 12 at the VFW Post 4099 in Sidney, Mont., from 1 to 5 p.m. We will have food, music and fun times. Come and tell us stories and adventures that you had with Pa. Thank you and can’t wait to see everyone. - Tracy’s children, Amber and Trevor. (Paid Obituary)

On Oct. 23, 2022, Wayne Peterson, son of Eva Rae and Gordon Peterson of Culbertson, passed away at his home in Butte, Mont., at age 87. He is survived by two sons and a grandson, as well as the families of Wayne’s two brothers, Allen and Gene. An educator throughout his life, Wayne earned his degrees at Minot State in North Dakota and the University of Montana. He began his career as a school teacher and basketball coach in Portal, N.D., where he took his team to the state championships. Then, after teaching in Oregon and Colorado, Wayne returned to Montana, where he eventually retired as a superintendent of schools in Alberton. Settling in Butte later in life, Wayne explored his interest in giving back to others through coaching wheelchair tennis and working with adult literacy projects. Wayne was also a proud patron of education for students in developing countries. His side passions for photography and travel took him around the world, enjoying decades of international experiences. From Munich to Moscow, Toledo to Thailand, Wayne pursued his deep interest in other cultures and the celebration of our shared humanity. A private family celebration of Wayne’s life will occur at a later date. Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Wayne. (Paid Obituary)

Friends are invited to Fulkerson- Stevenson Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a time of fellowship and sharing. All friends of Laura Caldwell are invited to the family farm from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where food and stories will be shared. Fulkerson- Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney is caring for the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com. Laura Jean Caldwell, 85, of Culbertson passed away Oct. 21, 2022, surrounded by her loving family after a long hard courageous battle with cancer. Laura was born on Oct. 15, 1937, in Culbertson, Mont., to Bennie and Edith Antonson. Being the oldest of four, she was raised on the family farm south of Culbertson. Laura attended country school and later attended school in Culbertson, graduating in 1955. In 1958, she met her future husband Vernon Caldwell as he had traveled to Montana to visit his sister Vivian. As Vernon returned home to Oklahoma, Laura was not far behind. Vernon and Laura were married April 17, 1959, in Steigler, Okla. They lived in Oklahoma for a short time where their son Danny was born in 1959. They then moved to Culbertson, Mont., where their daughter Diane was born in 1960. In 1963, they moved to Seeley Lake, Mont., where she along with Vernon were employed at the Catholic Diocese of Helena at Legendary Lodge for boys and girls youth where Laura was the cook. Each day, they had to take a boat across Salmon Lake to get to work. She then went to work at a place nearby called the Clearwater Junction and cooked there for several years as well. In 1972, the opportunity came to move back to Culbertson and purchase the family farm from her parents. In Culbertson, Laura worked many years for the U.S. Postal Service. She would drive the rural mail route south of Culbertson and fill in on any others, sort and deliver mail at the post office and clean every day. On top of working outside the home, she worked at the farm as well. There, she lived and thoroughly enjoyed life there till her very last day. Laura was very well known for her green thumb. Her garden and yard were always a sight to see, and she took great pride in all she did. When they originally moved to Culbertson, she started up “Laura’s Garden.” She had such a production of veggies every year that she would sell her produce to all those around. She supplied the school with potatoes for many years. Laura was a very hard worker. She planted her potatoes off the back of a plow and started all her vegetables by hand from seed every year — hundreds of them. It was not uncommon for her to plant 543 just in tomato plants a year ... and that’s a fact. She canned everything she could to make use during the winter months. She thoroughly enjoyed gardening and flowers, quilting and sewing. She and her sister Lois were very close and were fortunate to share these hobbies with each other spending lots of time walking through the yard discussing each and every plant or flower. Laura had a heart of an angel, so gentle and loving, but yet she was tough as nails when she had to be. In October of 1979, God picked her to become a grandmother. She became a grandmother again in January 1981 and March 1982, He had a plan. In 1985, she was needed. Laura opened her arms and took in her three grandchildren, Cory, Carrie and Cassie, and raised them as her own. They were her pride and joy, and she was so proud of them. She gave them all she could. The deep love, appreciation and respect they had for Laura shinned bright. Laura was a very selfless soul and did all she could for her family, no matter the personal sacrifices that she kept within. Laura lived through tough times, but proved when you don’t have it all, you make the best of what you have. Laura is survived by her daughter, Diane (Rick) Lambert; stepson, Leslie (Candy) Caldwell; grandchildren, Cory (Jennifer) Lambert, Carrie (Quentin) Heller, Cassie (Nick) Williams and Ron (Sarah) Caldwell; great-grandchildren, Jace, Chase, Macy, Denley, Mc-Crae, McConahae, McCai, McCenyen, Eli, Kelsie, Plenny and Sander, Courtney and Sophia; sister, Louise (Donny) Olson; brother-in-law, Robert Olson; sister-in-law, Vivian Baker; and several nieces and nephews. Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her son, Danny (Charlotte) Caldwell; her parents; her mother- and fatherin- law; brother, Raymond Antonson; sister, Lois Olson; step-daughter, Patricia White; stepson, Tommy Caldwell; sisters-in-law, Vida (Cliff) Brewer and Mary Jo Hardoin; brothers-in-law, Von (Wanda) Caldwell, Verde Caldwell, Tommy Jr. Caldwell and Byron Baker; and many other friends and family. “It’s not about what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.” (Paid Obituary)

Dennis Elgen, 88, of Culbertson, Mont., passed away on the morning of Oct. 13, 2022, in his home surrounded by his family. Dennis was born the second of three sons to Phillip and Inger Elgen on Feb. 26, 1934. He grew up in Grey Cliff, Mont. His love of flying started around the age of 5. He achieved his pilot’s license at the age of 16 in Big Timber, Mont. After his time away in the Army, he went to aeronautics school in Tulsa, Okla, with his new bride, Olga, in 1957. They were blessed with six daughters, 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. God blessed Dennis with many talents and a love of many things. Teaching many to fly, fabricating his own tools, woodworking, baking cookies, sewing, fishing, hunting and he enjoyed photography, as well. Dennis was known to many for his love of airplanes and flying. He served on the school board and was also active in his church. He had a strong patriotic love for his country. Dennis is survived by his wife, Olga; daughters, Debbie (Ray) Lombardo, Kathie Elgen, Karen (Eric) Sather, Dixie (Mat) Berwick, Lori (Bob) Jasper and Linda (Tom) Hinds. Dennis’s celebration of life was held on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at 2 p.m. (MST) at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson, Mont. Rev. Gretchen Wagner officiated. Burial will be at a later date in Big Timber, Mont. Visitation was held an hour prior to service time on Monday. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, N.D., is assisting the family. Friends may sign the register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com. The celebration of life was livestreamed and could be viewed Dennis’s service directly on his obituary page on www. fulkersons.com. (Paid Obituary)