Steve Boysun Jr., 78, passed away on Oct. 28, 2020, in Billings. Steve was born on May 18, 1942, in Roosevelt County, Mont., to Steve Boysun, Sr. and Louise Kassner. He was raised in the country and joined by a younger sister, Bonnie Boysun, when he was 10 years old. Steve attended high school in Wolf Point, Mont., where he graduated in 1960. After high school, Steve enlisted in the Navy and was a corpsman. He was stationed on ships in the Pacific and visited Japan. While in the Navy, he sailed over the Equator, earning him the honor of Shell Back. Steve worked in the oil fields, then later for Waggoners Trucking Company and finally as an electrician for Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Steve had many hobbies. He enjoyed fishing, boating and camping. He enjoyed learning new things and had started to learn Mandarin. He learned how to tie fly fishing lures and to fly fish. As a young man, he learned how to scuba dive and ski. Steve was also an excellent bowler and archer. He enjoyed hunting, both with black powder and rimfire rifles. He enjoyed going metal detecting and panning for semi-precious stones. Steve loved to travel and made friends easily. He was very generous and was always available to help his friends. He loved reading books, listening to music and watching historical programs. Steve married Bobbie Jo and divorced. They had one child, Kristi Boysun (Thomas Moore). Steve has three grandchildren whom he loved very much. He enjoyed spending time with them and teaching them various things like boating and fishing. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Steve Boysun Sr. and Louise Kassner. He is survived by his sister, Bonnie (Ray) Olson, and her children Irene Connor, April Unruh, Gary Olson and Mary Willard; and his daughter, Kristi (Thomas) Moore and her children Jerrik, Marjorie and Robert. Cremation & Funeral Gallery of Billings is handling arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.cfgbillings. com. (Paid Obituary)

Ronald Gene LaRoche, 59, of Poplar died Nov. 13, 2020, at Poplar Hospital. He was born in Poplar on June 9, 1961, to Joe LaRoche Sr. and Viola Kelsey. When he was 14, he first met Diane Barman. She still remembers his leather jacket and cowboy boots with a knife tucked inside. He won her heart when they were 17 and they married two years later on Friday, June 13, 1980. Their 40-year marriage was filled with laughter and love. He had a quick wit and way with words, always keeping a smile on everyone’s faces. He had a big loving heart under his tough exterior. He loved his family and was a very involved grandfather, adored by all his grandchildren. He’d do anything for them, from recording books in his voice so he could read to them even when he wasn’t there, to teaching granddaughter KaiLeigh to ride her scooter. The only line he drew was the slip and slide because it ruined his grass. He enjoyed spending his free time fishing. He was in many tournaments with Jamie Atkinson, but he had many fishing buddies. He also enjoyed pool and played in a league for many years. Even as a child, he always liked to keep busy. When he retired, Diane knew he was going to need something to do and Cruzer was exactly what he needed. They were inseparable. He worked at the school for 11 years, L.A.W. Construction for about 10 years and Atkinson Rain Gutter for over 20 years. Survivors include his wife, Diane LaRoche; son; Josh LaRoche; daughter, Whitney Kelsey; and father, Frank Kelsey. A viewing is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 27, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. The funeral will be at noon on Friday, Nov. 27, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will be held at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Joann was born on March 13, 1931, to Harry Johnston and Phoebe Chase in Wolf Point, Mont. Joann was an Assiniboine lady and an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Tribes. She grew up out in the Chelsea area between Wolf Point and Poplar. She graduated from Wolf Point High School. Shortly after graduation, she married George H. Stensland and moved onto the farm 13 miles north of Wolf Point off of Hwy. 13. Later on, the family moved to the Fada apartments in Wolf Point — a learning time as the young boys (Lars and Robby) played around the apartments. In 1968, the family, which now included daughter (Lori), moved to their new house out of town about six miles east of Wolf Point. She always took care of the kids as they grew up, making sure she followed them through their various activities. Joann was very busy from the brandings in the spring to harvest in the fall, but always found time somehow for her friends. She enjoyed many hobbies, from bowling in her younger years and going to the Montana state bowling tournament, to making ceramics, to getting into beadwork and don't forget playing cards with her girlfriends. She was always up for a card game. She was active with the Elks in Wolf Point as George was once Exalted Ruler. During her lifetime, she grew up enjoying the Wolf Point Stampede and attended the rodeo every year until a couple of years ago. She always enjoyed visiting with old friends during the Stampede weekend. Early on, she was a Stampede representative. Another important time of the year was harvest time. Everyone was busy during this time, and she and the family also got to visit friends Gordon and Laura Jane Haynes from the custom cutting crew from Texas. Big BBQs were a favorite for entertainment when they had a break. She was preceded in death by her husband, George H. Stensland; and son, George L. Stensland. She is survived by son, Robert (Doral) from Billlings; daughter, Lori (Duane) from Gallatin Gateway; and daughter-in-law, Cindy from Wolf Point. There are many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she was very fond of. Thanks to the people who watched over her before we got to get her to Billings where we enjoyed her company. Shout out to Joyce, Mary and Shelly and the girls at Roosevelt County Senior Citizens Center. Thanks to the personnel at Highgate who got to know firsthand the spitfire of a mother she was and how special she was. After a short service in Billings, the family has decided to celebrate her life possibly next year at the Wolf Point Stampede and bring her home to the family plot in Greenwood Cemetery. Cards in the meantime can be sent to Rob at Box 165, Billings, MT 59103. (Paid Obituary)

On Nov. 5, 2020, Rose Rauch went home to be with the Lord. Rose was born on Feb. 2, 1927, to Martin and Eva Rauch. Rose attended school at the Victory School, Lustre Bible School and graduated from the Wolf Point High School. She earned her bachelor of science degree at Northern Montana College and her masters from Montana State University. Rose was a school teacher for 41 years. She taught at the Victory School, the Volt School and the Great Falls Public Schools. Rose accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was a young girl. She joined the EMB Church in Lustre. When she was teaching school in Great Falls, Rose joined the Christ’s Church on the Hill. She taught Sunday school and helped with other activities and programs at the church. After her retirement from teaching, Rose returned to Lustre. She attended the EMB Church. She continued to teach Sunday School and help with their activities and programs for many years. Rose loved to garden, plant flowers, read and do embroidery. She also loved to listen to Christian music and hymns. Rose will be remembered for her love of children. She was in charge of the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry at the EMB Church for many years. Working with this ministry brought Rose great joy. Rose was a wonderful cook and baker. Her yummy cookies and carrot cake will be missed. Rose was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Jacob, Herbert, Harold and Albert. She is survived by her sisters, Ruth Rauch and Hulda Schmidt; her nieces and nephews, Karyl Rauch, Virgil (Kathy) Rauch, Sylvia Mc-Cutcheon, Rd (Stacy) Rauch, Harry (Myrna) Rauch, Arlie (Ruth) Rauch and ILA Hagen; and many great- and greatgreat- nieces, -nephews and cousins. A funeral service will be held at the EMB Church in Lustre on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the EMB Church cemetery. The family is asking that any memorials be given to the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry or to the Sat 7 (Christian Satellite television network). (Paid Obituary)

Ruth McConnell Todd, 85, of Frazer died Nov. 3, 2020. She was born July 4, 1935, in Frazer to James McConnell Sr. and Fannie (Shoots The Door) McConnell. She was raised in Frazer and graduated from Frazer. She married Benedict Todd Sr. right out of high school. To this union, Benny Jr., Mitchell, Julie and Lisa were born. She was a kind, compassionate, generous, selfless person and often did more than what was asked of her, whether it be helping her family or praying for someone who requested it. She continued to love and serve the Lord throughout her life and wanted all to know Jesus. Her life became even more focused on prayer and family in her later years. She was always listening and singing to Gospel music and reading her Bible. Her greatest pride and joy was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who always brought a smile to her face. She always looked forward to the Bearcub basketball season. Starting from when her children were playing, she went to every game that she could and wished she could have gone to them all. Basketball season was her favorite season and when it was over, she would say, “Now what am I going to do?”. She was a true Bearcub fan to the end. She worked at the Frazer Headstart and the Green Thumb Program and served on the Frazer School board, chaperoned many events at the Frazer School and was an elder advisor for the Red Bottom Committee. She is survived by her son, Benny Todd of Wolf Point; daughters, Julie Namyniuk of Hebron, N.D., and Lisa Todd of Frazer; adopted son, Roger White Sr. of Wolf Point; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benny Todd Sr.; son, Mitchell Todd; brothers, Joseph McConnell, Jimmy (Skunk) McConnell and Richard McConnell; sisters, Lena Wright, Rosella Murdock, Myrtice Redstone and Florence Buck; granddaughters, Arid Joy Ackerman, Angie Redstone and Sondra Wright; and adopted son, Russell White. The funeral service was held Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at the Oswego Catholic Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Funeral services for Irene Dehner, 81, of Brockton, Mont., were Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Faith Free Lutheran Church in Brockton, Mont., with Pastor Brandon Marchner officiating. Visitation started Monday at the church at 12 p.m. 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. Irene passed away on Nov. 3, 2020, at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, Mont. Irene J. Dehner left this world to join her Heavenly Father on the morning of Nov. 3, 2020, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, Mont. Irene was 81 years old. Irene was born in Wolf Point, Mont., on Jan. 6, 1939, to Edward and Alice (Lauridsen) Schwarzrock. Irene was the youngest child joining her sister, Pearl, and brother, Lyle. They lived on the family farm northwest of Brockton, Mont. Irene attended the Biem School and Poplar High School, graduating in 1957. After a short courtship, Irene married Leon Dehner on June 8, 1957. Irene always remarked how far she had to move away from home, (a whopping five miles)! She lived within that five-mile radius for 81 years. Leon and Irene became parents to four rambunctious boys who kept them busy running to wrestling meets, going on family hunting trips and frequent trips to the emergency room. Leon and Irene, with the help of their boys, farmed north of Brockton for over 40 years. Irene saw to it that a hot meal was brought out to the field, and the boys have fond memories of her bed being completely covered in freshly baked cookies, ready to go in baggies to be stored in the freezer. The boys quickly figured out that if you hid the baggie behind the freezer, Mom didn’t notice that they were missing … or so they thought. She ground her own wheat to make flour for her delicious homemade breads. She loved to garden and canned the fruits of her labor. Mom saw to it that no one left her kitchen hungry. Irene was the best hired hand Leon ever had! She would run for parts, could operate any piece of equipment on the farm and even did the occasional mechanic work. One year when Leon was sick, Irene pulled the engine out of the grain truck, tore it apart, rebuilt the engine and put it back in the truck, all by herself. In addition to farming, Irene also cared for numerous animals on the farm. The grandchildren have fond memories of helping her care for her little angora goats that she bottle fed. When Irene had a free minute, she loved to sew and crochet. She made her children’s clothes, their winter coats, and she loved helping make costumes for the annual Christmas program, held at the Mineral Bench School. Every grandchild and great-grandchild was the recipient of a beautiful blanket made by grandma. After the boys were all of school age, Irene had several jobs outside of the home. She worked at the Cenex store in Poplar, A& S Industries, B& S Laundry Mat and the Poplar Schools. Irene was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and confirmation classes. Generous and giving described Irene in every way. We knew if we ever needed someone to help with a job, not only would she volunteer but she would stay until the job was complete. She loved being asked to watch her grandchildren as they were her pride and joy. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Leon; grandson, Hunter Dehner; greatgrandson, Grady Sunwall; and brother-in-law, Earl Floyd. Irene is survived by her four sons, Raymond (Su), Dallas (Paula), Todd and Ward (Cheryl); 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Pearl Floyd; brother, Lyle (Betty) Schwarzrock; numerous nieces and nephews; and her precious dog, Kricket “with a K.” The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her neighbors and friends who took the time to check in on her and care for her throughout the years, since Leon’s passing. She was blessed to have neighbors who were willing to step up and help her at any given moment. You know who you are, and we love you for all you have done. We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at Roosevelt Medical Center for the care that they gave to our mother and grandmother over the last six months. (Paid Obituary)