Iola Bighorn Scott, 81, of Poplar died Oct. 31, 2024, in Poplar. She was born in Box Elder June 12, 1942, to Jacob Bighorn and Jane Half Red. She graduated from Brockton High School and excelled as a student. After high school, she married Michael Wayne Youngman Sr. In that union, they had four children, Michelle Wade, Michelle Youngman Wilsey, Michael “Speedy” Wayne Jr. and Muriel Wynn Youngman. Upon returning to her home reservation, she became a CNA. She worked at the Poplar Hospital for 28½ years. She made many friendships and took care of her patients the best way she could. She raised her grandchildren and gave them a stable and happy home life. She married Dorrance Scott. She treasured every phone call and visit and adored her family. She and her family attended missionary meetings, ladies aid and the nursing home. She ensured her family loved others more than themselves, an amazing gift she granted them. She was preceded in death by her sons, Mitchell Wade and Michael “Speedy” Wayne Youngman Jr.; and her brothers and sisters. Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Brockton Cultural Center. Interment was at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point assisted the family with arrangements.

Betty Jean McGinnis, 98, of Culbertson died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. A celebration of life was held Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson with Pastor Gretchen Wagner officiating. Interment was in the Cherry Creek Cemetery near Culbertson.

John Leonard Martell Sr., 67, of Wolf Point died Nov. 6, 2024, at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. He was born June 17, 1957 in Wauwatosa, Wis., the youngest of eight children of Maxim and Violet Martell. He resided in Wolf Point with his children and animals. In 1978-1981, he met and married Mary Ellen Greyhawk. From this union, they had three children, John Martell Jr., Unity Guen Martell and Felicia Martell. In 1982, he met Eunice Longtree and had 12 children, Yovette Martell, Jordan Martell, Trista Martell, Blair Martell, Thomas Martell, Johnna Martell, Mada Martell, Chance Martell, Morgan Martell, Isaiah Martell, Trinity Martell and Semone Martell. In his life, he had various jobs, but being a master mechanic was most important to him. Everyone that had spent time with him knew he was a rebel. He liked playing machines and loved Elvis. He is survived by his children, John Martell Jr. of Poplar, Yovette Dupree of Wolf Point, Unity Guen of Poplar, Felicia Mathison of Poplar, Jordan Martell of Rochester, Minn., Trista Martell of Wolf Point, Blair Martell of Wolf Point, Thomas Martell of Wolf Point, Johnna Welch of Wolf Point, Mada Martell of Billings, Chance Martell of Wolf Point, Isaiah Martell of Wolf Point, Semone Martell of Wolf Point; numerous grandchildren he helped raise; and siblings, Max Martell of Glendive, Margorie Ivy of Wisconsin, Terri Lone Bear of Lame Deer, Kathy Roundface of Poplar, Vicki Martell of Sidney, Deann Lemay of Poplar, Valerie Martell of Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Maxine Zimmerman, Marily and Mayda Martelll and two brothers, Richard and Jimmy Martell; and his son, Trinity Martell. A wake was held Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the Martell Family Cemetery in Blair. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point assisted the family with arrangements.

Ashley Elk, 36, of Poplar died Nov. 9, 2024, at Billings Clinic in Billings. Funeral services are pending at this time under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point.

Harold “Buddy” Adams, 74, of Wolf Point died Nov. 9, 2024, in Hardin. Funeral services are pending at this time under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point.

Colin James Ulrich, 44 of Richey died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at Glendive Medical Center Extended Care. A graveside service was held Monday, Nov. 4, in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive with Kris Buller officiating.

Claire Lynn Potts, 15, of Jordan died Oct. 30, 2024. She was born May 11, 2009, to Clint and DaLauna Potts. She joined her brother, Forrest, just 12½ months after he was born. The two siblings were inseparable. As soon as they could walk, they could ride and, from then on, the family was able to cowboy till the job was complete. Her work ethic was never questioned. From a young age, her determination and grit shined through. Her horsemanship skills were something to see, especially her trick riding. Not only could she handle the regular cowboying tasks, but she could look stunningly beautiful while hanging off the side of her loyal steed, Batman, to entertain a crowd. She always seemed at ease flying on the back of her horses. Her fearlessness was a part of everything she did. It was part of her presence when she entered the room, court, track or arena. She could smile and everyone knew she was ready for whatever came next. On the flip side, if she didn’t smile, all knew she was not in a mind to be bossed around. Fortunately, these moments never lasted long, and her smile would return,

James C. ”Jim” Soft, 78, of Billings died Oct. 29, 2024. He was born July 24, 1946, in Williston, N.D., to Bernard and Clara (Graber) Soft. He was the youngest of three brothers and grew up in Richey. He was incredibly athletic and excelled in basketball, football and track and field in high school. In January 2005, he was inducted into the 10th annual Montana High School Association Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a rebounding machine, averaging 20 rebounds per game during high school. His basketball talent earned him one of the first full-ride basketball scholarships offered at Eastern Montana College. His collegiate career was a prestigious one, an All-American twice (1966 and 1967) and All-Frontier Conference three times and was named MVP of the league in 1968. While at EMC, he set season and career rebounding records and currently is the Yellowjackets’ third all-time leading scorer. In 1994, he was inducted into the Eastern Montana College Athletic Hall of Fame and Distinction and his #50 jersey was retired. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1968 from EMC. He holds a certified financial planner designation and a master of science degree. He also has a master of arts from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is a four-time published author. After college, he went to play for Athletes in Action, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ. On Aug. 23, 1968, he married Linda Jo Schneider at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Billings. They resided in Billings with their two children, Max and Brook. His life work was dedicated to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. He began

The best educators view their profession as a calling, not a craft, inspire in and out of the classroom, and never really leave the profession, seeing every individual encountered as a potential student. By this measure, Jack was among the best of educators, and we were all his students. George Bernard “Jack” Copps Jr. was born and raised in Rapid City, S.D. His parents Ruth Schmadlewsky Copps and George Bernard Copps Sr. raised Jack along with his twin sister, Jean, two additional sisters and two brothers. Jack graduated from Rapid City High School and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Black Hills State College. He completed additional studies at Montana State University in Bozeman, and he also taught several courses at MSU and MSU Billings. In 1960, he married Donna Reid. They raised three children and later divorced. In 1982, on the banks of Holland Lake, Jack married Penny Clark Bullock, spending the next 42 years as one another’s biggest fans. Together, they enjoy five children, 11 grandchildren (two deceased) and four great-grandchildren. Jack began his teaching career on the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, Mont., teaching and serving as high school principal for 16 years. To this day, tribal leaders and members recall it was Jack’s firm guidance and love that helped direct their lives. Jack then moved to Lewistown, serving as high school principal from 1976 to 1979. In 1979, he and his family moved to Helena, joining School District 1 as an administrator. In 1989, Jack resigned as Helena Superintendent of Schools to serve as Deputy State Superintendent of Schools under Superintendent Nancy Keenan. After 10 years of serving all students in the state, Jack retired … for the first of many retirements. Jack couldn’t leave education behind, assuming several leadership roles in the state, including with Northwest Accreditation and serving as the first Executive Director of the Montana Quality Education Coalition, fighting to ensure funding to fulfill our state constitution’s aim of establishing a system which will develop the full educational potential of each person and guaranteeing equality of educational opportunity to each person of our state. Then, he retired. Again. From 2006 to 2011, Jack came out of retirement to serve as Superintendent of Billings School District 2. He retired yet again, but after only a year, was asked to once again return as Billings Superintendent, serving until 2013. Jack was more than just

Newton Cantrell, 85, of Wolf Point died Oct. 25, 2024, at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. He was born March 21, 1939, to Marie and Otto Cantrell Sr. He attended the Poplar school system until he