Rodrick Speed, 16, died Monday, April 27, 2020, in Wolf Point. He was born Feb. 11, 2004, in Poplar. From day one, he had such a precious smile and anyone who knew him would be greeted with that huge smile. He grew up loving the outdoors. He could be seen riding his bike or running. He loved when the pool would open in the summer and would be there every day. He loved to run and enjoyed cross country and track to the fullest and always ended his run with that infectious smile. He loved to read, but not on a tablet. He needed to hold a book in his hands. His favorite reading material was something about aliens or some other type of science fiction. He would take a book on long drives with the family or to a restaurant and read while he waited. The Last Dragon Chronicles was the series he was currently reading. He loved doing things with his friends and family. He had a lot of family, but his friends were very important to him. He was in choir at school and loved to sing. He just really loved music. He would sing anywhere, all the time. He loved his job at the Sherman Inn and enjoyed his coworkers. He was proud of himself for working his way up from dishwashing to making pizzas. He was never too good to go back and wash dishes when needed. He was saving his money to buy a car and was studying the driver’s manual so he could take his test. He helped his mother often with the Wolf Point Pound Puppies rescue. His love for animals was amazing and he was always a fixture at the spay/neuter clinics. He could be seen laying on the recovery bed with the dogs and cats, helping them wake up or sometimes just sleeping. Just recently, he flew two orphaned newborn puppies to Billings by himself to get them into the safe hands of the rescue folks at Tiny Tails. He was always willing to help in any way he was needed. He was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Lee Renz Speed. He is survived by his parents, Tina (Speed) and Dave Bets His Medicine; siblings, Casey Mae Olson, Adison James Renz Speed and Ryan Thomas Renz Speed; and grandmother, Aurelia Bets His Medicine of Fort Kipp. Other family members surviving him are Harold “Sinbad” Renz Jr., Colleen Ferguson Renz, Shelby Renz, Ralph Renz, Brennan, Ashley Ferguson and Barb Perry. A graveside service was held Thursday, April 30, at the Poplar City Cemetery. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Pauline Francis Johnson, 36, of Poplar died May 1, 2020. She was born Aug. 28, 1983, in Poplar to Dewey and Vearlene. She attended Medicine Lake School and graduated in 2003. She attended Kicking Horse Job Corps, then returned to Poplar where she worked at the school and did other various jobs with her fiancé, Lester Menz. She was always a kind soul. She loved her family and friends. She had an infectious smile and mischievous grin, and her laughter was contagious. She loved making the people around her laugh and will always be remembered for being a caring person and making those she loved feel important. She is survived by her fiancé, Lester Menz; daughter, Anna; son, Samuel; father, Dewey (Antoinette) Johnson; mother, Vearlene (Allen) Red-Dog; sisters, Carrie Kennedy, Laura Johnson, Eva Hernandez, Mikhael Johnson, Leona Mitchell, Emerald Baxter, Sapphire Johnson, Diamond Johnson and Christine Johnson; and brothers, John Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Leon Mitchell, Andrew Mitchell and Taurean Baxter. She was preceded in death by her brother, Daniel Johnson. Services will be held in Wolf Point followed by burial at the family burial site north of Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Clifford John Country, 38, of Poplar died April 25, 2020. Affectionately known as “Duta” as a young boy, he was born in Poplar to Bonnie Clincher and Jeff Country of Sisseton, S.D., on May 20, 1982. His mother later married Herman Red Elk, who helped raised him from a young age. He attended Poplar Schools. He grew up with Alan Hoke across the street. They could always be seen together and, when the hoop went up, many games were played between all his childhood friends. He spent a summer in Laurel and grew close with cousins Verle Clincher and Louis Montclair. He transferred to Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, S.D., graduating in 2001. He made lifelong friendships that continued to this day. After graduating, he attended Job Corps in Nemo, S.D., where he studied trades in masonry and culinary arts. A group of friends had started Rez Life Ent around 2003 and he joined the group around 2005. This was an important part of his life and they made many songs and videos, some that can be seen on YouTube. The group consisted of best friend and brothers Chaz Dillon, “Chaz D”, Casey Weston, Paul Atkinson (Wazetta), James Culbertson (Jimmy C), BJ Johnson (Benzo), Vern Red Elk and Milo Whitetail (Siouxicide) and Dorrance (Bodoo) Comes Last. he worked at Tribal Express, Commodity Foods, Faith Lutheran Home and lastly at Agland West with the “Swagland Crew.” In 2014, he met Kay Weston and they welcomed a daughter, Carolann Lenore Country, Feb. 5, 2016. He loved Kay’s son, Lucas Fast Horse, as his son, enjoying getting him ready for school and into the school building. There was never a kinder soul. He never got mad and was always the one who calmed everyone down. He didn’t let things that happened in life harden his heart. He loved to cruise, hang out with friends and family, jamming to good tunes. In his later days, he was always hanging with his best friend and brother, Zack Dionne. He is survived by his daughter, Carolann Country; Kay Weston and Lucus Fast-Horse of Wolf Point; brothers, Vern Red Elk of Miles City, Randy Red Elk of Wolf Point, Jesse Country of Washington and John Country of Sisseton, S.D.; sisters, Charley Red Elk-Snell of Glasgow, Carly Clincher of Wolf Point and Lynn Country of Grand Forks N.D.; and grandmother, Roberta “Bobbie Clincher of Laurel. Graveside services were held Friday, May 1, at the Riverside Presbyterian Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Former Congressman Ron Marlenee, 84, died Sunday, April 26, 2020, in Bozeman. He was born Aug. 8, 1935, in Scobey to Charles and Margaret (Darchuk) Marlenee. He was later joined by brothers, Bob and Lanny. The family homesteaded in a tar paper shack north of Scobey while Charles with his wife, Margaret, started and operated a farm through both a depression and a world war. The oldest of three, responsibility set in early and hard work became the mainstay of his life. He graduated from Scobey Schools and attended Montana State University and the University of Montana before being called back to work on the family farm. He attended and graduated from the Reisch School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa, and used his skills throughout his life auctioneering livestock throughout Montana and later on the campaign trail, donating his time for good causes. He was also proud to be a Freemason and a Shriner. He married Carmen Willard and together they had five children, David, Mike, Sheila, Casey and Allison. In 1978, he married Cindy Tiemann who became his wife, political partner and best hunting and fishing buddy. In 1976, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in what was a rare Republican win in a disastrous election for the GOP on the heels of Watergate. Democrats dominated Montana politics, particularly at the federal level. He was one of only two Republican candidates elected that year in the state. While in Congress, he served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees and was known as a fierce fighter for the common man against a bureaucracy. He enjoyed working with President Ronald Reagan and referred to him as “the greatest politician and leader” he had ever met. They remained friends for many years. He was elected to Congress seven more times and, in 1992, due to the census, Montana lost one of its two seats in Washington, D.C. This pitted the two Montana congressmen against each other in an epic political battle that garnered national attention. He lost to Pat Williams in an extremely close and well-fought race. After leaving Congress, he went on to represent Safari Club International, a hunting conservation group in D.C., until retiring to his home in Bridger Canyon north of Bozeman. Throughout their lives, he and Cindy traveled extensively and were blessed to have made many lifelong friends. While he was best known for his political life, he is most fondly remembered as a father and grandfather. He created many adventures and memories for his children and grandchildren in the Bridger Mountains at the family cabin. There was always a new adventure or mystery to solve in their beloved Sherwood Forest. Hidden among the castles and the forts were buried treasures to be found, frog hunting from the pirate ‘paddle' boat and rope swings from massive trees down to the slide into the icy water at the pond. He always had a luge built when the grandchildren arrived in the winter with plenty of sleds and, of course, skiing at Bridger Bowl and his famous hot cocoa. In staying with his childhood tradition, he organized family fishing trips to Canada. He was happiest working on the hill whether it was in D.C. or at Bridger Bowl where he was building a legacy of love for his grandchildren. He was especially affected by his grandson Jake's death two years ago. His heart was weakened from that moment on. He is survived by his wife, Cindy of Bozeman; children, Sheila Wolff of Billings, Casey of Bozeman and Boise, Idaho and Allison Helland of Glasgow; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers, Bob and Lanny; sons, David and Mike; and grandson, Jacob. Due to the pandemic, memorial services are planned for Aug. 8 at the Springhill Presbyterian Church in Bozeman.

Phyllis Geraldine (Dassonville) Berge, 96, of Bainville, died April 19, 2020, at her home in Bainville. She was born at home in Frazer, on Oct. 23, 1923, to Paul J. Dassonville and Hazel May (Redfield) Dassonville. She joined oldest brother, Lloyd, and older sister, Margarite (Peggy). She was followed by brothers, Henri “Hank” and Curtis; and sister, Janice. She attended Frazer Elementary School where she met Dick Berge. He was in the sixth grade and she was in the fifth grade. She attended Frazer High School, graduating in 1941. While in high school, she played basketball with a half-court rule. She was quite proud of being “high point man” in the games. She stated many times, “I’ll always be a Frazer Bearcub.” After graduating, she attended Havre Normal School, where she obtained an associate degree that enabled her to teach first grade at the Southside School in Wolf Point during World War II. She married Dick Berge in 1947 and had two daughters, Rochelle “Rocky”and Paulette “Pauly.” In 1953, she and Dick built The Rancho Motel in Frazer. In 1957, they moved the motel to Wolf Point, where they operated the motel and campground until 1981. In 2012, they relocated to Bainville. She enjoyed growing up with so many siblings. She talked about how she and Hank could really cut a rug with jitterbugging in the living room. She was a very good dancer and proved it when she taught her great-grandson to dance before his first prom. She could play the guitar and piano by ear and could yodel with the best of them. She loved to sing, especially at church. She always enjoyed and made every holiday memorable by making special food and hosting dinners. She and Dick loved to share their recipes with their granddaughter by teaching her how to make dressing, among other things. She was an avid crafter. She crocheted dolls, doilies and afghans. She made plastic canvas projects and enjoyed trying new crafts and recording craft shows from the TV. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; brothers, Lloyd and Hank; and sister, Peggy. She is survived by daughters, Rochelle Romo of Bainville and Pauly of Plano, Texas; brother, Curtis of Bozeman; sister, Janice Long of Wolf Point; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Private graveside services were held and a public memorial service will be held at a later date. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.