JoAnn Forsness, 88, died Saturday, May 23, 2020, in Wolf Point, Mont., at Faith Lutheran Home.

Orvis Nelson, 87, of rural Homestead, died at the Roosevelt Memorial Nursing Home Monday, May 18, 2020, in Culbertson. He was born south of Watford City, N.D., to Eddie and Irene Nelson on Feb. 25, 1933. Just a few months after he was born, the family moved to rural Homestead. He attended most of his grade school at Central Consolidated, graduated high school from Medicine Lake and attended Concordia College for two years before entering the U.S. Army. He spent two years of active duty during the Korean Conflict and received an honorary discharge in 1953. He farmed part-time with his father and worked fulltime in Williston, N.D., driving Gamble Robinson’s grocery delivery truck delivering to stores in northeast Montana. While working in Williston, he met Lois on a blind date. They were married in June 1958 and soon moved home to farm full-time. After her death in August 2019, he missed her dearly. He was very proud of his service to this country and, once home on the farm for good, he became very active in Legion Post 49 in Homestead. As Post Commander, he organized many trips to the 49th Parallel Days with Canadian Service Men and Women. He was the “Master Card Party Organizer” and there were many card parties and games of cards played. Being involved in community was very important to him. He served as the chair of the Medicine Lake School board during the time the school was being rebuilt after a fire. He served on the NEMONT board for 27 years. Other organizations included the Froid Credit Union, Farmers Elevator in Homestead, Northeast Montana Threshers Association and church and parish councils. He also purchased bags of groceries and delivered them to families in need. He organized bus trips to the Medora Musical for the elderly. He was one of the first to offer his land into the Block Management Program. He never missed a benefit in the area where he always made some kind of donation, and he would go to the nursing home and give haircuts. He took pride in using his hands to build many beautiful woodworking projects which he donated to various places. Being a Norwegian is not a privilege everyone gets. He was proud of his heritage and seldom missed the opportunity to attend the Norsk Hostfest in Minot, N.D. The most enjoyable times in his life were visiting with people. He set up areas on the farm where hunters could camp just so he had someone to visit with. He would chase down hunters in the field to say hello and welcome them to the area. In later years, he and Lois loved to travel but could not go anywhere without scheduling time on the trip to stop and visit friends and family. He never missed a concert or music event the children were in and sang in a group called the Homestead Legionnaires who performed at many area events, such as the Faye Crush variety show. They sang at countless funerals and never turned down a request to do so. Some memorable trips included the trips to Moville, Iowa, to sell cattle. This was an annual event where he and some of his most cherished friends had the opportunity to spend time together. He organized a fishing trip to Besnard Lake, Sask., 27 years in a row. He loved to see his children and grandchildren experience camping and catching big fish. All were welcome, so almost always the children or grandchildren had friends with them. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; and brother, Rudale. He is survived by daughter, Kimberly; sons, Dale and Dean; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His graveside service was held Saturday, May 23, at the Big Lake Cemetery, rural Homestead. Pastor Johnette Grefe officiated. Military rites followed. There will be a celebration of life tentatively set for June 28, at the family farm.

Colleen Shumway, 64, died April 29, 2020, of complications from COPD at her home in Billings. She was born in Wolf Point on Jan. 12, 1956. She was the second child of four born to Jack and Barb Shumway. She was raised on the family farm northwest of Wolf Point. She and her siblings helped with the farm work but enjoyed playing and riding horseback over the hills and prairies. Their only rule was to be in the yard by dark. A few months after graduating from Wolf Point High School, she moved to Billings. After trying different jobs, she moved back to Wolf Point. She worked for Roosevelt County in the land department and then for Roger Wimmer at Roosevelt County Abstract. From there, she had the opportunity to become a petroleum landman. Monte Sandvick and Dave Mork were her mentors and became lifelong friends. She searched hundreds of titles in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. After Colleen's daughter, Callan, was born they both made those trips to various court houses all over the area. Everyone in those areas was well acquainted with Callan and her favorite doll, Betsy. The life on the road led her to meet Bruce Chappell. At every opportunity, she went home to the farm to ride horseback. She loved riding and helping her dad gather cattle. She never missed Christmas, branding or Stampede. After Callan was born, she brought her to all of these occasions so that she would get to experience them. In 1986, she moved to Billings and remained there until her death. She maintained many lifelong friendships around Wolf Point, but also with the many people she met along the way. She never met a stranger. She was kind, giving and truly loved people. She is survived by daughter, Callan Nagy; one grandson; mother, Barb Shumway; brother, Mark Shumway; and sisters, Cheryl Pearson and Dawn Shumway. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Shumway, and her love, Bruce Chappell.

Helen Marie Lizotte, 82, died at Riverstone Hospice in Billings on May 16, 2020. She was born Dec. 11, 1937, to Stephen and Bertha Lizotte in Belcourt, N.D. Her family moved to Poplar when her father found work at the Ault Ranch. That is where she met and married Raymond Hagadone. They had two children, Douglas Wayne and Julie Ann. After their divorce, she moved with her small children to Billings to begin a new life for them. She went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, starting in an entry level position. Because of her integrity and incredible work ethic, she moved up the ranks and, in 1987, retired as the administrative officer for the Fort Peck Tribes and first female acting superintendent of a reservation in the state of Montana. After retirement, she moved to Hardin to be near her mother. It was while living in Hardin that she met David Conroy. She and David had only 14 years together, but those years were filled with love, happiness and adventure. She gained a whole new family through David and many happy memories were made at brandings, large annual camping events in the Snowies, gatherings at the Lodge Compound in the Pryor Mountains and wintering in Quartzsite, Ariz. After David’s death Jan. 1, 2014, she finally gave in to repeated requests and agreed to move to Billings to be closer to family. She made it clear, however, that she would not be giving up her independent ways. Everyone who knew her was keenly aware of her incredible strength and fierce independence; she remained so until the last five months of her life when cancer refused to loosen its ugly grip. Survivors include daughter, Julie Bare; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and bonus children, Marlo Conroy, Kirk Conroy and Tara Hope. She was preceded in death by her son, Doug; life partner, David Conroy and brothers Raymond, Larry and Patrick. A private family burial is planned.

Aurelia Lilly Half Red Bets His Medicine, 80, of Brockton, died May 16, 2020, in Billings. She was born on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota on Nov. 10, 1939. She was raised by her mother and maternal grandfather and told many stories of her traditional upbringing. She only spoke the Dakota language until she was forced to learn English during her stints in two boarding schools. Although her boarding school experience was tough, it taught her how to be resilient and she resolved to keep her language alive. She got her teaching certificate and later became a Dakota language instructor at the Fort Peck Community College (NAES) and Brockton High School. She and her mother moved to Montana in 1949 to find a home. They moved around to various places until settling in Fort Kipp where she was later “mutually introduced” to her future husband, Ray, by well-meaning grandparents when they were in their teens. They married in 1960 and made their home on the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Reservation in northeast Montana, where Ray was an enrolled member. They bought their twobedroom house in 1968 and had it placed on seven acres in the country so their children could raise animals and have room to run without the hassle of “city living.” They had five children and raised them together, along with various “foster” children, until his death in 1995. They never considered these children to be “fosters,” they welcomed them into their home and eventually had to turn the two-bedroom home into a five-bedroom home to accommodate their own children and the extra children entrusted to their care. After her husband’s death, she continued to open her home to anyone who needed shelter, whether that was a friend running from a dangerous situation with their children in tow or any child needing a safe place to sleep. When her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born, she took great pleasure in helping to raise them. Stories were told by community members about how she was never alone when she went anywhere. Her van was always filled with children. She was a woman of extreme faith. She is survived by three daughters, Raylene Bets His Medicine, Theresa Bets His Medicine and Anissa Gabrielson; two sons: Travis Bets His Medicine and Dave Bets His Medicine; an adopted son, Carlin Iron Moccasin; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sister, Sybil Summers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her mother, Agnes; father, Loyal Half Red; sister, Eliza Lambert; and grandson, Rocket Speed. A funeral service was held Thursday, May 21, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Arienne Jessan Low Dog, Was’te Ina Wiya, “Good Mother Woman,” Road the Thunderbird, 30, of Wolf Point, died May 21, 2020, in Wolf Point. She was born July 15, 1989, in Wolf Point to Anita Nylene Iron Cloud and Jeffrey Low Dog Sr. She attended school in Wolf Point, Wahpeton, N.D., Frazer and a year at Fort Peck Community College. She had many jobs through her lifetime, mostly in the customer service area and as a home health aide. She loved to spend time with family and friends. She enjoyed outdoors, camping, swimming, barbecuing, traveling, cruising, listening to music and playing board games with family and friends. She enjoyed laughing, joking and visiting. She was an awesome artist, always drawing pictures and name designs for friends and family. She was always willing to help when needed and always up for an adventure. She wanted so much to have more time and was still setting goals like finishing college and getting her driver’s license. She had so many plans for herself and her children. She had a big heart, a smile that lit up the room and love for everyone. She is preceded in death by grandparents Myrna Joy Boyd, Thomas Ira Iron Cloud, Donna “Bonnie” Nelson, Joseph Low Dog Sr., Yvonne Low Dog-Shields; stepmother, Rebecca Low Dog; brother, Aaron Leonard Perry, Jeremy Red Dog and Brandon Little Bird. She is survived by her children, Jayceon Clark, Amya Low Dog, Dayton Low Dog, and Arious Beauchamp; father, Jeffrey Low Dog Sr.; sister, Althea Iron Cloud; and brothers, Alwin Dubois, Albert Schindler, Alaric Low Dog Sr., Jeffrey Low Dog Jr. A funeral was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at King Memorial Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Due to COVID-19 regulations in place, we ask that only immediate family and friends attend the services. A live stream video of the funeral service will be available on the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel’s Facebook page. The video will be available on this page following the services.

LeRoy Allen Delger passed away May 11, 2020, from Parkinson’s Disease. This kind, gentle man was well-known for his infectious smile and compassionate spirit. LeRoy was born in Portland, Ore., on May 16, 1943. His father, Frank Delger, and mother, Edna Schutt Delger, had moved the family from Wolf Point, Mont., to support the war effort. After the war, they returned to Wolf Point where LeRoy attended elementary and high school. His father was an Undersheriff for Roosevelt County and his mother worked at the JC Penney store. As a child he loved watching the trains (Great Northern and BNSF) cross the Hi-line, sparking a lifelong interest in model trains. LeRoy was best known in high school for his athletic ability. He was a track and basketball star and helped propel the Wolf Point Wolves to several state championship events. LeRoy attended Montana State University in Bozeman on a basketball scholarship before going to work in Facility Services at MSU. He ultimately became the supervisor of the Paint Shop, responsible for maintenance on classrooms and dormitories. He especially enjoyed supervising students who worked with the summer crews. He married Marilyn Gibson from Helena in 1964. Marilyn was an elementary school teacher and principal in Bozeman. LeRoy was a great support for her career, doing many volunteer building and landscaping projects for the Bozeman schools. In the last few years he especially loved helping her PEO chapter with the annual Flathead Cherry fundraiser! After 32 years at the university, he retired and started a new career working as a lighting-control and low-voltage technician for Black Box Design. During this time, he worked with amazing people who became lifelong, steadfast friends. Throughout his life, he enjoyed doing odd jobs for friends and family. He created beautiful wood-working projects with his hands! He loved being challenged by building projects and built five homes in the Gallatin Valley for his family. LeRoy and Marilyn have two children, Darren and Heidi, whom he adored. He spent many hours volunteering to support his children’s activities such as building sets for Nutcracker performances, working concessions at Midget Football and handing out water bottles at bicycle races. LeRoy loved opportunities to be of service to his family, friends, and community. He was a member and officer of the Gallatin Empire Lions Club and the Sourdough Lions Club for over 35 years. LeRoy was a volunteer for many other community organizations including the Sourdough Rural Fire Department, the Bozeman Schools and Bozeman’s Sweet Pea Festival. He spent many hours “behind the scenes” helping lay the groundwork to assure things ran smoothly. Friends and family meant the world to LeRoy. He was a proud founding member of “The Thursday Club,” a group of friends who have met monthly for over 35 years! He loved entertaining and friends will always remember his amazing Bloody Marys! LeRoy was an avid Nascar fan and loved attending races. He also loved riding his Harley and boating on Flathead Lake. He had a great interest in eagle watching and, as his physical health declined, a favorite pastime was watching the Eagle Web Cam livestreamed from Decorah, Iowa. LeRoy fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease for 18 years and was an inspiration to all who knew him. The Covid-19 Pandemic greatly impacted his last weeks of life. During the torment of isolation, he spent hours watching his beloved eagles. The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for LeRoy at The Springs during his final days; we are forever grateful. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Coral Jean Delger. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Marilyn; son, Darren (Jeanne) Delger and their children, Taylor, Chase and Grace of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Heidi (Dean) Blackford of Billings, Mont., and their children, Kendra (Jeff) Price of Scottsdale, Ariz., Danielle (Mitch) Saylor of Vancouver, Wash.,Braden Blackford of Vancouver, Wash., and Alyssa and Emily Blackford of Billings, Mont.; two great-grandchildren, Bennett and Cooper Saylor; and his sister, Marlene (Richard) Funk of Puyallup, Wash. A private family interment and celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Sourdough Lions Club, 1201 Highland Blvd, D109, Bozeman, MT 59715 or your favorite charity. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson. com. (Paid Obituary)

Marie “Doris” Kveseth, 91, passed away May 15, 2020. Marie “Doris” Kveseth was born on June 6, 1928, in the Florence Crittenton Home in Helena, to Dorothy Dedic. Dorothy named her Leatrice. She was adopted by Christ and Elise Paulsen and raised in Dane Valley, north of Culbertson, with her older brother, Richard. She would wait until her parents passed and then search for her birth mother. She found Grandma and “Grandpa” Albert Dedic in Great Falls and went on to have a wonderful relationship with them for years. Mom and Dad (Clayton) married in 1948 and set up a home in Froid. Mom worked hard all of her life, first as a homemaker with three small children. When we moved to Wolf Point and all of us kids started school, she started her professional life. She worked as a florist at Wolf Point Floral and Gifts, as a secretary in the Clerk and Recorder’s office and retired from the state as the secretary for the Roosevelt County Commissioners. She was always busy — cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting and doing family research. She wrote a history of the Elton family and collected together three books full of Kveseth/Paulsen history. She loved to be busy and she was so creative. She still had unfinished projects at her death and one of the last conversations we had was about finishing the blankets for family before she left. Mom is survived by her oldest son, Arthur (Delaina); her daughter, Leatrice (Anthony); and her very loved daughter-in-law, Corrine. Our little brother and Corrine’s husband, Lorin, passed one and a half years ago. Daddy passed in 2010. Mom loved her grandchildren, Anthony Jr., Lorin, Chris, Talon, Griffen, Zen and Carlie. She had three great-grandchildren. Michelotti-Sawyers is in charge of cremation. There will be a small family service at the end of May and she will be buried by Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa Paulsen in the Dane Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery at a future date. We love you, Mom, and I remember … You want In the Garden sung at your service. I won’t forget. Condolences may be made at www.michelottisawyers. com. (Paid Obituary)

Evelyn Strand Stensland Casterline, 86, died May 12, 2020. She was born Dec. 4, 1933, in Big Timber to Albert and Elsie Strand, the fourth of their six children. She graduated from Big Timber High School and attended Montana State, where she was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority and the Women’s Student Body President. After graduating in 1955, she married her college sweetheart, Gerald Stensland. They had four boys, Gary, Mark, Paul and John. Jerry died in 1963. She married Bill Casterline in 1967 and they made their home on a farm east of Culbertson. Together, they finished raising their four boys as well as hogs, cattle, chicken and crops. Bill died in 2006. She loved to cook and bake. In the late 1950s, she even had her own live TV cooking show in Great Falls. She loved cooking traditional Norwegian foods. For several decades, she served as foods judge at county 4-H fairs across northeastern Montana. She could make anything grow and always had a bountiful garden, bright flowers in the yard and house plants that somehow never died. She loved to read and had a lifelong love of books. When there wasn’t a book in her hands, she was working on some craft. She made beautiful pieces of needlework and quilts and has the purple ribbons to show for it. She especially loved the challenge of Hardanger, an intricate Norwegian form of needlework. She was very active in the Culbertson community, serving on the school board and hospital board. She loved her service with Women’s Club, where she served as local president, state president and national officer. She loved the extensive traveling that came with those jobs and the wide expanse of friends she made from across the country. There was never a time when she was not active in her faith in Jesus. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church for the last 60 years, where she taught Sunday school, led Bible studies and gave an occasional sermon. She is survived by her sons, Gary, Mark, Paul and John; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and sisters, Doris McDonald and June Gunnerson. There will be celebration of life at a later date. Burial will take place in Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson.