A funeral service for Candace Bridges, 83, will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church in Poplar, Mont. Burial will follow in Poplar Cemetery. Candace passed away Dec. 18, 2019, at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson, N.D., surrounded by her loving family. Candace Thelma Bridges was born Jan. 27, 1936, in Wolf Point, Mont., the daughter of Walter and Jessie Mae (Hart) Bridges. She grew up on the family ranch north of Poplar, Mont., where as a child she enjoyed the ranch work, helping her father ride on the cattle, care for the horses, put up hay and with other ranch chores. Candace attended Poplar High School where she was active in the band and was a majorette. She was crowned Wolf Point Stampede Rodeo Queen in 1953. Following her graduation, Candace attended Northern Montana College in Havre where she attained her two- year teaching degree. She then began her teaching career at Charlie Creek Country School in eastern Montana in the 1950s. In 1958, Candace married John Fredericks Jr. and moved to Twin Buttes, N.D. Together, they had five children, Susan, John III, Casey, Shawn and Mary. In the 1960s, she continued teaching in Mandaree and Twin Buttes on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. After her children were born, she went back to college in the late 1960s and received her four-year degree in education from Dickinson State College. She moved with her children to Medora, N.D., in 1971 and continued teaching and raising her children after her divorce. While in Medora, she traveled throughout each school year to various country schools in Billings County teaching classes. In 1975, she moved with her children back to Poplar where she taught in Poplar and Brockton, Mont. Candace was an educator for over 40 years in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. She mentored many young people along the way, while remaining devoted to raising and nurturing her own children. She eventually retired from teaching in Brockton, Mont. Even after retirement though, Candace continued to do what she loved by tutoring and substitute teaching. In 2001 Candace moved to her son Casey’s ranch north of Dunn Center, N.D., and from there traveled to her kids’ homes staying at times with Susie and Mary on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. She was a lifelong learner, educator and mentor. Candace enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her kids and grandkids. She was a wonderful seamstress, always sewing clothes for her kids, nephews and nieces as they grew up. Candace was an avid reader and loved to travel. Candace was very knowledgeable and was known to be a historian. She loved visit with everyone — always making people feel special. Candace is survived by children, Susan Jane Fredericks of Mandaree, N.D., John (Wendie) Fredericks III of Mandan, N.D., Casey David (Kami) Fredericks of Halliday, N.D., Shawn Dee (Peggy) Fredericks of Busby, Mont., and Mary MaLee Fredericks (Marle Baker) of Mandaree; grandchildren, Michael Granbois, Jordan Granbois, Chloe Fredericks, Candace “Cate” Fredericks, Jesse Fredericks, Whitney Schroeder, Mariah Fredericks, Megan Fredericks, Casey Shay Fredericks; great-grandchildren, Will and Mara Granbois, Sampson and Charlotte Schroeder, Jubal Fredericks, Brylie Ohmstede, Chastyn Fredericks, Essence Garcia, Evalina Castro, Breanna Castro and Roman Castro; and brothers, Donovan (Claire) Bridges of Poplar, Mont., and Dallas O’Connor of Poplar, Mont.; and special sister-in-law, Danette O’Connor of Hinsdale, Mont. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Jessie Bridges; grandmother, Jettie D. Hart; and nephew, Darren Bridges. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome. com.

Michael D. Chamberlain, 41, of Glasgow died the morning of Dec. 26, 2019, at his residence in Glasgow. As per his wishes, he has been cremated. A memorial service is being planned for this spring.

Jeanine DeCoteau, 59, died Dec. 27, 2019. She was born on March 6, 1960 to the late Elizabeth and Elmer DeCoteau in Poplar. She went to school in Poplar, Brockton and Upward Bound. She was a CNA along with many other things. She enjoyed baking, sewing, Bingo with friends, spending time with family and her grandbabies and drawing. She is survived by her children, David Muskrat, Timothy DeCoteau and Joseph Douglas “JD”; adopted son, Michael McClammy; brothers, Elmer DeCoteau, Lester DeCoteau, Jim DeCoteau and Charles DeCoteau; sisters, Eliza Young, Birdie DeCoteau-Hawk and Jane DeCoteau; and numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Francine DeCoteau; brothers, Lonnie and Emerson DeCoteau; and two children, Erin DeCoteau and Jeffrey Douglas “Nooners”; and adopted sisters, Emily Cantrell and Phoebe Owens. A family service was held Monday, Dec. 30, at the Lindsey Presbyterian Church in Poplar. Cremation followed. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Larry Ronald Zody, 76, a long-time resident of Culbertson, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, at the Roosevelt Memorial Nursing Home in Culbertson. He was born in Glendive on March 19, 1943, to George and June (Grigsby) Zody and was the oldest of nine children. He attended a rural school through the eighth grade and graduated from Dawson County High School in Glendive in 1961, living with his grandparents during the week and going home on weekends. Following high school, he attended Dawson Community College. He grew up on the family farm near Bloomfield where he developed a strong work ethic that continued throughout his life. At an early age, he helped his father milking cows, summer fallowing and driving the grain truck. He served in the Navy from 1964-1968 during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked at various jobs in the Glendive area until he moved to Culbertson in the late 1970s. Upon moving to Culbertson, he started his career as a local truck driver hauling crude oil. He worked for many different companies over the years. After retiring from truck driving, he spent his final working years at LandTech, a saltwater disposal site near Bainville. After moving to Culbertson, he met Ruth K. Thompson and they were united in marriage Dec 5, 1986. They raised their son, Joe, in Culbertson. He enjoyed the outdoors, spending his free time hunting or fishing. Ruth died in 2003, which made the last 16 years very difficult for him. He was a very proud and private man, not wanting to bother anyone or rely on anyone. He is survived by his mother, June of Glendive; son, Joe Zody of Montana City; two daughters, Machelle Lewis of Richland, Wash., and Mary Taylor of Chehalis, Wash.; two brothers, Steve Zody of Lindsey and Mark Zody of Glendive; six sisters, Linda Eaton of Terry, Rhonda Bornholtz of Woodward, Okla., Kathy Lafond and Sheryl Johnson, both of Glendive, Val Maus of Plentywood and Susan Edwards of Lindsey; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be Monday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Grace and Peace Church (former Methodist Church) in Culbertson. Rev. Tim Hutslar will officiate. Interment with military honors will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral service.

Bruno Alex Ostwald, 70, of Froid died at his home Dec. 17, 2019. He was born March 13, 1949, to Alexander Ostwald and Gladys Ostwald (Damm) in Williston, N.D. He and his older sister, Flora, were raised on their family farm outside of Froid, where he attended school and graduated in 1967. After graduating from Froid High School, he joined the Army and served his country honorably. His bravery during the Vietnam war earned him many medals including: Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14), and Expert (Rifle M-16). Upon completing his time overseas, he found himself drawn back to his roots where he had a full-time career at the National Guard unit in Culbertson. He married Michelle LaPorte Jan. 27, 1989. He helped raise her three children, Desiree, Amanda, and William and had five children of his own, Rebekah, Rachel, Josiah, Esther and Hannah before they divorced in 2006. With the dedication of 36 years in the service, he retired with honors as Sergeant First Class Bruno Ostwald. Buying and selling guns was a hobby of his. He routinely cleaned his guns every winter. Reloading bullets was very therapeutic to him and he considered it an art form. Hunting was a sport he enjoyed very much, both bow and rifle. He always made sure to iterate the agricultural connection to his German roots and found pleasure in gardening. He was a part of the block management program for over 20 years and also participated in wildlife enhancement programs. Many of his days were spent at “the bowl” on his land to tend to his garden, as well as helping the community, however he didn’t ask for recognition and remained humble throughout it all. He was a phenomenal cook, but had a hard time making anything less than required to feed an army. Reading the Bible was very important to him and he often quoted it. He was gifted when training his dogs and he shared everything with them. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rachel; and sister, Flora. He is survived by his children Desireé Badger of Williston, N.D., Amanda Smith of Bismarck, N.D., William Ostwald of Williston, Rebekah Marquez of Williston, Josiah Ostwald of Williston, Esther Ostwald of Williston and Hannah Ostwald of Williston; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 23, at the Froid Lutheran Church. Burial was in the Damm Cemetery between Froid and Culbertson with military honors.

The Loftus family mourns the loss of our dear mother, Florence “Dickie” Bauer Loftus. Dickie was born in Wolf Point, Mont., Sept. 3, 1925, to Ambrose “AJ” Bauer and Hulda Marie Wendland Bauer. Upon graduation from Wolf Point High School, Dickie moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the Department of the Navy. She married Milton “Spike” Loftus in 1945 and 10 years later they moved to Great Falls until she died at Peace Hospice on Dec. 22, 2019. She was 94 years old. Dickie was everyone’s favorite due to her fun sense of humor, kindness and compassion. She was a Christian as evidenced by the fruits of the spirit listed Galatians V, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Blessed with the gift of gab, she made friends easily wherever she went. Although she will be deeply missed, her positive influence lives on in the many family and friends who enjoyed her irresistible optimism and wisdom. She is survived by her four children, Bruce, Greg (Jan), Susan (Craig Boye) and Cathy; and her grandchildren, Zachary, Jessica, Alexandria and Jake. Wolf Point nieces and nephews include the Kurokawa family of Tim, Karen, Don, Ruth, Mike and Kenny. Dickie was preceded in death by her four sisters and two brothers, one of whom was LaVone “Vonie” Kurokawa and her son, Roy, of Wolf Point Cafe. Dickie has been laid to rest at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point under direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. A graveside service is planned for summer 2020. (Paid Obituary)