William Charles 'Bill' Smith, 74, of Wolf Point, died Jan. 29, 2020, in Billings. He was born June 18, 1945, third son of Marie Pereau Smith and Wilfred (“Puss”) Smith. The family grew with the birth of a daughter after the sad death of their first son, who died of a brain tumor. The family lived on Wolf Creek, west of the town of Wolf Point. He attended Wolf Point High School, Shaddock Military School and graduated from Wolf Point High School, where he was a basketball star and still holds state basketball records to this day. He grew up loving music and Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Nancy Sinatra and Dean Martin were among his favorites. He went to college in Billings for a while and then he went on to attend Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. When he came home from St. George, he took firefighting training. He became a firefighter for the State of Montana and was sent to fight wildfires all over the West. He settled in Wolf Point, where he enjoyed farming and ranching on land along Wolf Creek and the Missouri River. He enjoyed sports of all types, with basketball being his favorite, but he was a most avid fan of the Green Bay Packers football team. The world stopped when his beloved Packers were playing. On Jan. 12, 2008, he was inducted into the Indian Basketball Hall of Fame, an honor of the highest order. Here are some of the incredible stats that Bill held. He was called one of the most pure shooters in Montana basketball history. He once boasted 47 points against the Glendive Red Devils, and that was after he’d been taken out of the game in the third quarter. He is Wolf Point’s all-time leading scorer with 1,362 points. He was a member of two state championships with the Wolves in ’61 and ’62. He was as good with a 10- to 15-foot hook shot as he was with a 10- to 15-foot jump shot. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Wilfred and Ronnie; and his sister, Geri Ellen Smith Jensen. He is survived by his daughter, Jody Denison (Kent Denison of Denver, Colo.; and two grandchildren. Elsie King Hanson was one of the people he cared about most. A viewing will be held between 2 and 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the First Presbyterian Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Jerry Kozak, 74, of Culbertson died Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 29, 2020, at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney. He was born in Wolf Point Sept. 12, 1945, to Julius and Bernice (Qualley) Kozak. He had a brother, Ron, and a sister, Betty Jean, and was the middle child. He attended school in Poplar. In his early years, he helped his dad farm. In September 1963, he decided to join the United States Army Reserves. He was an E6, Staff Sergeant. On May 5, 1967, just four months after they met, he married Caroline Hansen in McCabe. They were married 52 years at the time of his death. They had two daughters, Judy in 1968 and Rhonda in 1986. In 2005, they were blessed with their only granddaughter, Karli. He taught her the best life lesson, to joke and never take life too seriously. He did drywall for many area homes and businesses throughout northeast Montana. He also hauled hay for many farmers. In his later years, he drove semi for several oilfield companies. Driving semi was his passion and he missed it dearly, so he took up collecting semitrucks instead. He had other collections of hats, pens and pocket knives, too. He enjoyed watching Westerns and WWE Wrestling. He loved to drag anything he thought had potential, whether it was a tractor, pickup, lawnmower, etc. home and tinker with it. He saw potential in any old piece of junk lying in a field. He enjoyed watching Karli and his great-nephews play sports. In the summer, he loved sitting outside in the chair with his wife and watching the squirrels. It was the simple things in life he enjoyed so much. He fought some hard battles in life. When he was very young, he got meningitis at basic training. He wasn’t supposed to make it then. He fought cancer twice. And, he beat cancer twice. He is survived by his wife, Caroline; daughters, Judy Kozak and Rhonda Parks; grandchild, Karli Parks; brother, Ronald Kozak; and sister, Betty Johnson. Cremation has taken place and there are no services planned at this time.

Aleta Ann “Leta” Archdale Melbourne, “Walking Star Woman, died on Jan. 30, 2020, at the Poplar Community Hospital in Poplar. She was born May 11, 1954, in Poplar to Violeta (Brown) and Frederick Archdale Sr. She grew up in Oswego and attended Frazer High School, graduating in May 1972. She participated in basketball and excelled in track, running the 1200 and 3200 events. After graduation, she continued to help her parents on the family farm/ranch. She was a true cowgirl and she helped her brothers with haying, feeding the cows and horses and calving. She even knew the basics and more when it came to mechanics. One summer she entered up to ride bareback in the Brockway Dairy Days rodeo. On top of this, she worked at the Glasgow Air Base for years up until it closed. She was a bartender at “Buck’s Bar” in Oswego for a few years and the Fort Peck Senior Citizens feeding site in Frazer. She also worked at the Frazer Headstart as a cook. She met Manuel “Manny” Melbourne in 1982, moving to Poplar later that year. They married Feb. 13, 1987. To this union, Manny gained a son, Frederick “Boo,” and Aleta gained a daughter, Michelle. On Sept. 22, 1985, Monica Annette was born. She was a stay-at-home mom and her pastime was doing beadwork. Her work is well known throughout Montana. She made many championship event belt buckles for local rodeos and complete regalia including the moccasins for many families. She beaded checkbook covers and her trademark was the porcupine quills in the center. When her eyes could not take the beading anymore, she started to babysit for many families at her home. She and Manny raised one child, Gregory, until he was 13 years old. She then went to work with Debra Bruner who started “Debbie’s Daycare” for several years. The past few years, she received her “food handler” certificate and she started to set up at the flea market that was held every Saturday, serving her famous “biscuits/gravy” and her traditional soups with frybread, a pop/tea, with pineapple upside down cake. People would come from the west and east end of the reservations to enjoy this meal and to visit She loved to visit everyone and share her knowledge of traditional ways. With her death, a lot of this will be lost for very few know of these ways. She loved to read, do crossword puzzles and cook. She enjoyed the Poplar Wild West Days rodeo and would have a cookout in her backyard for her family and friends. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Frederick “Boo” Archdale; brothers, Douglas “Dusty,” Fred Jr., Donald Wayne and Kermit; and sisters, Darlene Johnson and Sylvia Birdsbill. She is survived by her husband, Manny; daughters, Monica, Yolanda and Michelle; sister, Annette Linder; brother, Wallace “Beanzie”; and numerous grandchildren.

Shirley Mae Nelson, 91, died Jan. 25, 2020, at Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow. She was born in Poplar Dec. 30, 1928, to Charles and Edith (Smith) Prior. She graduated from Poplar High School. She married James Nelson on May 27, 1947, and had three daughters. They farmed and ranched north of Brockton for 42 years before retiring and moving to Glasgow. She loved cooking, needle work and was active in various organizations. She is survived by Linda Rutschke of Gilbert, Ariz., Diane Dirkson of Glasgow, Mary Thompson of Bismarck, N.D.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Donna Alzheimer of Choteau. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Nelson; granddaughter, Kalli Thompson; and sisters, Betty Scott, Molly Kapinos and Glora Sayers. Services will be held this summer at a family gathering in Glasgow.

Barbara Vinger, 80, died Jan. 18, 2020. Born in Baltimore, Md., she grew up in Edmonds, Wash., and attended Edmonds High School. In recent years, she and her husband, Dennis, shared homes in Wolf Point and Surprise, Ariz., and loved traveling in their motorhome. They moved to Surprise permanently several years ago. She was supported by a loving family. Barb will be remembered for her vibrant and fun spirit, her generous and loving nature and her sharp sense of style. She is survived by her husband, Dennis; children, Scott, Kimber and Jamie; her brother, Jim; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. No services are being planned at her request.

Michelle Lee LowDog Garfield, “Standing on Iron,” 46, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, at Billings Clinic in Billings. The daughter of Calvin Clark Jr. and Donna LowDog of Wolf Point, she was born July 22, 1973. She grew up in her hometown which held most of her happiest memories and greatest obstacles that she continued to fiercely battle. She had a heart of gold that fit perfectly while being a CNA and waitress. She always had a good work ethic throughout her life. She made sure to keep her chidlren in good health, but God had other plans, she challenged her own way. Even though her choices shaped a troubled future, she kept a positive, strong-willed and humorous outlook that she shared with lucky individuals. Her hobbies include reading Stephen King novels, puzzles, Sudoku, board games with family, bingo, dancing and entertaining company by being the life of the party. She will be remembered for her humor and smile that changed lives. She had 10 children — three boys and seven girls. Raising them fully wasn’t in her favor or in God’s plan for her, yet she accepted the hand she was dealt as life became rocky. She gave her all when it came to love. She spent her happier days with three important companions. They became her children’s fathers. Eventually, she married Robert Garfield Jr. and widowed a couple years into it. She spent her last days with her brother Ryan Whitehorse in Wolf Point. She lost her battle with alcoholism. The tough life she endured was fought with every ounce of self-taught strength, survival skills, selfless acts, determined outlooks and stubborn headedness. She is survived by her father, Calvin Clark Jr.; sisters, Memorie Clark, Santee Clark, Echo Clark, Johnny Clark and Billie Jo Calder; brothers, Jay Clark, Bernie Whitehorse and Ryan Whitehorse; and children, Jasmine Birdsbill, Dawnee Birdsbill, Royce Birdsbill, Shai-lee Weeks, Jory LowDog, Doven Birdsbill, Shiary Birdsbill, Taven Garfield, Angelina Garfield and Robert Garfield Jr. The funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 6, at the new Community Hall in Wolf Point. Interment was at Pony Hill Cemetery in Fort Belknap. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Monty Pearl LeVay Fisher, 86, of Miles City, formerly of Poplar, died Jan. 3, 2020, at the Billings Clinic. She was born in Poplar April 2, 1933, and resided there for most of her life until they retired, moving to Miles City in 2011. She married Russell James Fisher Aug. 17, 1957, in Poplar. This union spanned nearly 59 years until Jim’s death in 2016. Three children, Ed, Bobby and Julie, were born to this marriage. She devoted the majority of her life to being a farm wife and mother. She and Jim did everything together. With hard work and support of each other, they operated the farm and ranch. She was a mom and grandma in every meaning of the word with her nurturing, supporting, encouraging, teaching, comforting and caring ways, not only for her children and grandchildren but with any child around. She was known for her cooking and baking. If you ever stopped by the house for coffee or for a meal, you always had a cookie, cake or pie and you never left hungry. She enjoyed good old country music and dancing. She also liked sewing, playing cards, rodeos and watching Jeopardy. She was a strong woman with great faith who, in times of others needs, would put those before her own. She is survived by her children, Ed, Bobby and Julie; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation was held Wednesday, Jan. 8, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a vigil service at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Miles City.

Nellie Silk, 87, died Jan. 4, 2020, at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. A wake will be held Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. at the new Community Hall in Wolf Point. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. at the new Community Hall in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Carol Jean Holmes of Great Falls, 60, died Dec. 28, 2019. She was born to Raymond Curtis Biem and Mary Louise (Isle) Biem Aug. 15, 1959, in Wolf Point. The Biem family relocated to Glasgow, where she completed grade school. In 1979, she met Terry Steven Holmes and, in 1985, the two were married in Havre. They moved to California briefly, but made their home in Milliken, Colo. In 1993, she began working as a special education paraprofessional at Milliken Middle School and retired in 2016 with 23 years of teaching. After retiring, she returned to Montana and settled in Great Falls with Terry. Even after retirement, she had a burning desire to continue influencing today’s school students and returned to work part time in the Great Falls Public Schools where she continued until the summer of 2019. She had a heart of servitude and always put others before herself. The most important things to her were her family, her friends and her church. She is survived by her husband, Terry Steven Holmes of Great Falls; children, Andrew Biem of Conroe, Texas, Alisha of Greeley, Colo., and Amanda Holmes of Great Falls; three grandsons; and brothers, Ronald Biem of Havre, Randy Biem of Monongahela, Pa., Robert Biem of Benson, Ariz., Ernest Biem of Havre and Raymond Biem Jr. of Great Falls. A memorial service was held Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 9 a.m. at Crossroads Memorial Church in Great Falls, with burial following at Highland Park Cemetery in Havre.

Gene Leslie Andersen, 71, died at his home near Dagmar Friday morning, Jan. 3, 2020. He was born in Williston, N.D., Dec. 7, 1948, to Marjorie and Leslie Andersen. He grew up on the original Andersen family farm near Dagmar, with his sister, Joanne. He attended Hiawatha Elementary School and graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1966. He went on to college in Billings and Havre. He received his architectural drafting degree in Wahpeton, N.D. Following that, he served seven years in the Army National Guard. He married Geralyn Sneva Aug. 15, 1970, in Grenora, N.D. After they were married, they lived in Miles City, where he worked at Midland Lumber, drawing and estimating house plans. In 1972, they moved to Plentywood, where Gene worked for C & D Lumber. Then, it onto Tioga, N.D., where he worked for Bethlehem Steel. In the spring of 1973, he had the opportunity to go into farming, working for his uncle Delmar until 1979, when they purchased the farm and he designed and built the farmhouse still there today. This is where they made their home and raised their three children, Brent, Kerby and Ashley. He found his calling going into the family business of farming. He and his father farmed together for many years until his father’s death in 1990. In 2000, he and Kerby began farming together. As most farmers are, he was keenly aware of the weather. When not in the field, he and Geri drove around checking the crops and hoping for moisture when necessary. He spent many years working closely with Les Jensen and Roger Manger. His love of baseball led him to his wife, Geri. In his younger years, he played with the Big Muddy League in Dagmar and Babe Ruth and Legion in Grenora, N.D., which is where he met Geri. He also brought his passion of this game to many great players coaching Little League in Dagmar, as well as Babe Ruth and Legion baseball in Grenora, N.D. As a man of the land, he also loved hunting and fishing. Over the years, he took many hunting trips to western Montana with friends. Each year, pheasant and deer hunting were high priorities as well as many fishing trips with the family and friends. His family was always a priority. While he didn’t want to venture too far from the farm, he attended the children’s activities whenever he could. Over the last 13 years, he got to know and love his grandchildren, who brought great joy to him. He gave back to the community through coaching baseball and many other ways. He volunteered when there was a community event and also served on several boards of directors, including the Hiawatha School and Prairie States Co-op in Zahl, N.D. Gene and Geri also helped Kerby with the Centennial Bar when he purchased it and really enjoyed helping him get started. His life changed drastically in 2009. First, when Geri suffered a stroke and then a few months later when Kerby died. He was a great caretaker for Geri for seven years and did an amazing job, suddenly balancing farm work with household work. Geri died in 2017. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Andersen of Eagan, Minn.; son, Brent Andersen of Minnetonka, Minn.; daughter, Ashley Engh of Williston, N.D.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geri; and son, Kerby. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 1 p.m. CST at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grenora, N.D.