Mary Joan “Jo” Bryan, age 89, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 27, 2020, in Wolf Point, Mont. Born in St. Joseph, Mo., to Hugh and Marion Whitten on May 9, 1931, Jo spent her younger years traveling with her family as her father’s job as an engineer for the Great Northern Railroad frequently moved them to various places. When Jo turned 11, she was excited to become a big sister to her brother Russ. Jo graduated from Jamestown College in North Dakota with a degree in English. It was during her school years at Jamestown that she was fortunate enough to meet the love of her life, Keith Bryan. Keith and Jo married on March 5, 1951, and went on to raise four children together in their small, cherished town of Wolf Point, Mont. Jo was eager to share that Wolf Point was the first town she lived in for more than two consecutive years. She went on to make Wolf Point her home for 69 years. Jo dedicated her time to raising her children and serving her community. Together, Keith and Jo ran the successful family business of Bryan’s department store. Never one to shy away from a challenge or an opportunity, Jo supported Keith in many successful business ventures throughout their marriage. When their children were old enough to work, Jo and Keith purchased an A& W Root Beer franchise and hired their kids and other local high school students as car hops, cooks, and more. Jo loved to share stories of how the A& W Root Beer was made and the time it took to get the flavor “just right.” Jo was a member of many community organizations and humbly gave back to residents of Wolf Point each and every day. She was a long standing member of Eastern Star, served as the Presbyterian Church secretary for many years, and also served as the secretary for the Riverview Home for children when it was first established. Jo was a strong supporter of the Al Bedoo temple and stood proudly by Keith when he served as Potentate in 1980. Jo enjoyed entertaining and having gatherings in her home and community. She loved cooking and always had a new recipe to share. Her grandchildren will never forget her famous Swedish meatballs at Christmas time that were sent frozen in coffee cans through the mail to their homes. Though she could never tell you the exact recipe, we know they tasted so good because they were made with love. Jo never let bad grammar go uncorrected, or elbows to be on the table at dinner time and knew that good manners were a necessity in life. She could always be found playing cards with anyone who would challenge her to a game. She especially loved playing Bridge and always encouraged playing for money. She was eager to teach new card players the tricks of the games and to help them to learn to play strategically. She would then laugh and encourage another game after she beat you at cards again. After retirement, Jo spent many days on the lake at their home on Fort Peck Lake and enjoyed time at the beach in Mexico and Oceanside, Calif. Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Keith Bryan; her parents, Hugh and Marion Whitten; and treasured son-in-law, Jerry Fossen. Survivors include her four children, Mike (Shelley) of Glasgow, Mont., George of Denver, Colo., Jan of Wolf Point, Mont., and Laura Fossen of Whitewood, S.D.; along with six adored grandchildren, Kenny (Sara) Bryan of Glasgow, Mont., Keith (Abby) Higgins of Wolf Point, Mont., Jessica Robles of Wolf Point Mont., Todd Fossen of Spearfish, S.D., Sandra (Patrick) Cass of Sturgis, S.D., and Bryana (Nick) Marsicano of Cañon City, Colo.; seven great-grandchildren Matthew Bryan, Archer Higgins, Mia Thomas, EmmahLeigh and Owen Cass and Avery and Reese Marsicano. Jo is also survived by her brother, Russ Whitten of Tucson, Ariz.; and seven loving nieces. (Paid Obituary)

Leon G. Merculieff, 48, died June 24, 2020, in Poplar. He was born Nov. 19, 1971 to Barbara Joyce Merculieff and Gerald Hollow in Poplar. He grew up in Poplar and Ashland. He enjoyed being outdoors with friends and family. He did odd jobs around town. He is survived by one son, Gerald Merculieff of Billings; sisters, Loya Wind (WarClub), Angela WarClub of Minnesota and Jo Hollow of North Dakota; three brothers, Virgil Merculieff of Poplar, Michael Hollow of North Dakota and Stacy Redditt of South Dakota. Funeral services were held Monday, June 29, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at St. Ann’s Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Olivia Marie Longtree “Wasté Hehaka Wiya” (Good Elk Woman), 44, died June 23, 2020. She was born June 30, 1975, to Robert Longtree and Sherry (TurningBear) Longtree in Poplar. She grew up in Poplar where she attended elementary, middle and high school. She graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 1995. Throughout life, she made big impacts on the lives she touched and, in return, she made many friends. When she wasn’t watching her little brother, she loved to draw, hang with friends, listen to music and drive around. She loved to jingle dress and hit the powwow trails. She loved to make everyone laugh and smile. She was kind, considerate, helpful, caring and giving and had a great sense of humor. She is survived by her mother, Sherry Longtree; brother, Christopher Longtree; and sister, Christina Longtree. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Longtree Jr. Funeral services were held Monday, June 29, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at St. Ann’s Cemetery.

Karen 'Preppie' Lee Turner, 67, died Wednesday, June 24, 2020. She was born Aug. 25, 1952, in Jordan, the second child to Fritz and Lura Turner. She attended grade school in Jordan and attended high school at Mount Ellis for the last two years, graduating in 1970. She worked for several years in Jordan at the hospital before moving to Livingston. She worked at the hospital there until being diagnosed with MS. She moved to Wolf Point in July 1989. She then went on to work for the schools, Youth Dynamics, MD's and NEMHS as a pharmacy tech. One of the milestones in her life was being certified as a pharmacy tech. She was so excited, proud and enjoyed the work. She later moved to Billings to assisted living until her death. Her love for everyone was evident and she never met a stranger, but nothing shone brighter than her love of her family. Her nieces and nephews were much loved by her, as well as any child who was fortunate enough to have met her. She is survived by brothers, Lynn Turner of Bay City, Texas, Darryl Turner of Jordan, Lee and Dee Turner, both of Wolf Point. A memorial service was held Wednesday, July 1, at 2 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. A reception followed at Harry’s Nite Club, south of Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Lloyd Edward Fleming, 86, of Nashua, died Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Billings. He was born Dec. 14, 1933, in Rockhill-Orbisonia, Pa., to Clarence and Adaline Rogers. He received his early education at Rockhill Elementary School, graduated from Orbisonia High School and attended Texas A& M. He married Edna Storkson on Aug. 2, 1959, at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow. The couple made their home throughout the U.S., since they moved where he was stationed by the Air Force. He enjoyed his time in the Air Force, which was a very large part of his life. He retired from the Air Force in 1979. Following his retirement he and his family moved to Nashua, where he worked as a town cop for a while and then later worked for a number of years as a supervisor for Western Maintenance. He loved listening to country music, watching the news and reading history. He enjoyed boating, waterskiing and camping. He loved driving through the mountains and nature watching. In his younger days, he could be found riding his motorcycle. He did a 100mile “Run For Your Life” at Ellington AFB Sprinter in 1974 for which he received a trophy. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Edna Fleming; daughters, Peggy Fleming of Nashua, Tracy Olsen of Miles City, Wendy Fleming of Wolf Point and Crystal Fleming of Nashua; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; sister, Alice Strohm of Bainbridge, Pa.; and brother, Ronnie Fleming of Orbisonia, Pa. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence; and sisters, Dorothy, Mary and Catherine. A graveside service with military honors was held Wednesday, June 24, at Highland Cemetery with Pastor Todd Wright officiating.

Katie Wetsit-Stark

Wilbur Fred Keiser III, 61, died May 24, 2020, at his home in Frazer. Wilbur, but everyone knew him Chief, was born Oct. 30, 1958, to Raymond and Ardis (RunsThrough) Keiser in Poplar. He completed his high school years at Frazer High School. After graduating, he served in the Air Force, receiving an honorable discharge. His favorite pastimes included fishing and hunting, but his time was best spent