Mass of the Christian Burial for Melvin “Mel” Torgerson, 91, of Beulah, N.D., formerly of Sidney, Mont., is at 10 a.m., Friday, June 4, 2021, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Bainville, Mont., with Fr. Anietie “Akama” Ukanide as presider. Interment will be in the Bainville Cemetery, Bainville, Mont., under the care of the Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney. Visitation will be Thursday, June 3, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour before services at the church. Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the funeral home. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons. com. Melvin Harry Torgerson, son of the late Sophie and Harry Torgerson, was born on March 3, 1930, in Williston, N.D. He grew up in Bainville, Mont., but did some traveling with his dad’s construction company, attending his freshman year of high school in Oklahoma. Melvin graduated from Bainville High School in 1948. Melvin met the love of his life, his brown-eyed beauty, Margaret Halvorson and they were wed on Nov. 10, 1949. Their union was blessed with five children. They made their life in Bainville, Mont., with Melvin managing the grain elevator and Margaret keeping things running smoothly at home. He, along with a group of investors, eventually purchased the elevator and he continued to run it until he retired. With an almost empty nest, Margaret and Melvin purchased the Tastee Freeze in Culbertson, Mont., and renamed it M& M’s Place. They built and ran this wonderful business, a business known for their smiling faces, hometown feel, exceptional service and locally famous broasted chicken until they retired in 2004 and moved to Sidney, Mont. This is where they made their home until Margaret’s passing in 2006. Melvin continued to reside in Sidney until he moved to Beulah, N.D., in 2014. He was residing at the Knife River Care Center at the time of his passing on May 21, 2021. Family, faith, friends, sports, puzzles and cards were a few of the things that fulfilled Melvin’s life. Whether it was playing football in his younger years with his cardboard and leather helmet, reffing basketball, attending as many of his kids’ and grandkids’ events he could or watching his beloved Vikings on TV, sports were one of his favorite ways to spend his time. Anyone that knew Melvin knew he loved to do puzzles. He was so proud to have a gallery showing at the museum and an article in the newspaper showcasing the talent of “The Puzzler” in 2008. Pinochle and cribbage have been pastimes his whole life. It wasn’t a family get together without cards. He even had running tally’s of wins and losses with some family members; one of the many ways he constantly reminded family members of his stubborn competitiveness stemming from his love for sports. However, it wasn’t always about competition with Melvin, some of the best memories of playing cards with him were the witty comments and colorful stories mixed into the card game. Melvin thrived on socialization and could always find someone to listen to his stories of the past. If he wasn’t at home, you could find him playing cards at the senior center or socializing with coffee and donuts. The family values that Margaret and Melvin instilled on their children and grandchildren is unmatched. Torgerson family get-togethers are always a loud, happy crowd and family always comes first. Faith was Melvin’s foundation. He was a very active Catholic in every community he lived: Bainville, Sidney and Beulah. His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of his children, Billie Lou (Chris Elder) Giese, Howard (Teri) Torgerson, Brent (Carrie) Torgerson, Brian (Kristy) Torgerson and Doug (Debra) Torgerson; his 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. (Paid Obituary)

Shanna Lynn Stelsie Booth, a mother, daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend passed away at the age of 32 in Billings, Mont. Shanna was born on May 8, 1988, in Williston, N.D., to Darlene and Duane Booth. She was raised in Culbertson, Mont., where she attended school from third grade to high school graduation in 2007. During this time, she spent many weekends and summers on her grandparents’ family farm where her love for the outdoors grew. After graduation, Shanna moved to Plentywood, Mont., creating a home for herself and making many friends some who became more like family. Shanna gave birth to a son, Kaysen Robert Booth, on Sept. 15, 2015. Shanna had a bright energy around her and such a strong love for life. She changed so many lives by just being herself and getting to know others. More than anything, she loved her five-year-old son, Kaysen. Shanna is proceeded in death by her father, Duane; grandparents, Mamie and Myron Anderson; and aunts and uncles on both sides of the family. She is survived by her mother, Darlene; brother, Ryan; sister, Chelsea; and her five-year-old son, Kaysen. She is also survived by her aunt Colleen Anderson and uncle Rodney and Lydia Anderson and many cousins and friends who were her family. A Cclebration of Shanna’s life will be held on June 12, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Centennial Park in Culbertson, Mont. (Paid Obituary)

Elmer Eugene “Gene” Foss, 78, of Culbertson, Mont., passed away April 11, 2021, at his ranch outside on the land he loved. A visitation was held Friday, April 23, 2021, in Culbertson, Mont., at The United Methodist Church from 12 to 4 p.m. with the service following. An outside service will take place at the Lynde Cemetery on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at the same time as his wife’s, Marsha (Becker) Foss. Officiating both services is Pastor Gretchen Wagner from Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson, Mont. were his grandchildren, who fondly called him “Grandpa with the Mustache,” Chase, Kourtney and Jacob. He always said he was so proud of them. He and his wife, Marsha, raised Chase from elementary school through graduation of high school. He is survived by his children, Michelle Foss of Sidney, Mont., and Russell (Paula) Foss of Billings, Mont.; step-children, Christy (Mark) Kleinwaechter of Dickinson, N.D., and Billy Norby (Sharon Hodges) of Culbertson, Mont.; grandchildren, Chase Kilzer, Kourtney Kleinwaechter (Byren Tobar), Jacob Kleinwaechter, all of Dickinson, N.D.; sisters, Shirley (Boyd) Hardy of Fairview, Mont., Constance (Connie) (Allen) Thompson of Anchorage, Alaska, Norma Foss of Stockton, Calif., and Mary Marie Taylor of Bellingham, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Brenda (Arden) Saunders of Hettinger, N.D., Pam (Kelly) Wolf of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Janice Becker of Richardton, N.D.; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and pets. He was preceded in death by his adoring wife, just months ago, Marsha Foss; parents, Elmer and Dorothy Foss; and siblings, infant Marjorie Jean, Winifred “Winnie” Clausen, child Peggy Hope, Kenneth Foss, Harry Foss, Mildred “Dolly” Angel and child Norman Foss. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, Mont., is caring for the family. Remembrances, condolences and pictures can be shared at www.fulkersons.com. Gene was born Dec. 15, 1942, in Sidney. He was the youngest of 11 children and “finally” a boy after eight girls. His family lived on their ranch near Culbertson his whole life. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1960, where he was Sidney’s first All State Wrestler and played football. He attended college at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. Gene was a true cowboy in every sense of the word. He loved his family, animals, land, friends and neighbors. Gene wanted to share his cowboy life with the world, so he did just that, by hosting many cattle drives, with his wife, Marsha, on or near the ranch over many years. Foss Cattle Drives hosted hundreds of guests from 35 states and 10 countries from all over the world. Gene never met a stranger. Gene has farmed and ranched full time from 1965 until the time of his passing, buying his own ranch in 1972. He was very involved in his community as a 4-H leader, founding director of Charlie Creek Jaycees, Sidney Elks member and president, Culbertson Saddle Club director for 12 years and president, Culbertson Farmers Elevator president and chairman of the board and member of the Lions Club, Culbertson Museum, Lynde Cemetery and Threshers Association. Gene also owned and operated Foss Rocks with his grandson Chase, where they hauled scoria. The pride and joy of his life (Paid Obituary)

Delphine Plain Bull, 51, of Poplar died at Poplar Hospital on April 22, 2021. She was born to Hazel E. Longee and Orville Cloud on March 5, 1970, in Poplar. She was raised by her foster parents, Corrine and Timothy Turning Heart at Fort Kipp. She graduated Head Start at Brockton in 1979. She also went to Culbertson School until 1981. She earned her G.E.D. She attended many powwows and camps. She loved listening to powwow music and drive her mother Hazel around. She was a Kansas City Chefs fan. She enjoyed visiting and teasing her family and friends. She was a very kind, caring and loving person. She had six children, Clifford J. Plain Bull, Jonas B. Birthmark, Isiah J. Birthmark- Alkire, Marvin D. Birthmark- Mcgrail, Sioux G. Birthmark- Merculieff and Ellyn Plain Bull. She is survived by her children, Jonas Birthmark, Marvin Birthmark-Mcgrail of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Sioux Birthmark-Merculieff of Poplar and Ellyn Plain Bull of Fort Kipp; five grandchildren; adopted daughters, Ashley Elk, Jennifer Jones and Avis Big Track; sisters, Charlene Nepal of Omaha, Neb., Rebecca Cloud of Omaha, Neb., and Patty Fiest of Pueblo, Colo.; adopted sisters, Sharon Yellow Owl of Poplar, Corrine Yellow Owl, Dianna Longee and Patricia Longee-Dubray; brothers, Gordon Plain Bull Jr. of Pueblo, Colo., Llewellyn Plain Bull of Great Falls and William Plain Bull of Poplar; adopted brother, Vernon Turning Heart of Fort Kipp; half-brother, Camille Clous; and step-brothers, Eugene “Tubby” Longee of Poplar and Robert Longee. She was preceded in death by her sons, Clifford J. Plain Bull and Isiah J Birthmark- Alkire; foster brother, Jeffrey Stump; and foster sister, Arlene “Sissy” Buckles. Funeral services will be be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 7, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will be at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.