Evelyn Strand Stensland Casterline, 86, died May 12, 2020. She was born Dec. 4, 1933, in Big Timber to Albert and Elsie Strand, the fourth of their six children. She graduated from Big Timber High School and attended Montana State. After graduating in 1955, she married her college sweetheart, Gerald Stensland. They had four boys, Gary, Mark, Paul and John. Jerry died in 1963. She married Bill Casterline in 1967 and they made their home on a farm east of Culbertson. Together, they finished raising their four boys as well as hogs, cattle, chicken and crops. Bill died in 2006. She was very active in the Culbertson community, serving on the school board and hospital board. She loved her service with Women’s Club, where she served as local president, state president and national officer. There was never a time when she was not active in her faith in Jesus. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church for the last 60 years, where she taught Sunday school, led Bible studies and gave an occasional sermon. She is survived by her sons, Gary, Mark, Paul and John; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and sisters, Doris McDonald and June Gunnerson. Cremation has taken place. Her celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Bruegger Park in Culbertson. Pastor Gretchen Wagner will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Culbertson.

Ashton Clark (Gillming) Stovern, 24, of Sidney died July 28, 2020. He was born Nov. 14, 1995, in Chadron, Neb. He grew up in small town life from Nebraska to Montana and loved everything about it. He loved hanging out with his cousins and friends in both Sidney and his occasional trips to Nebraska. He loved being out at the ranch with his horse, Outlaw. He was so excited to be driving truck again and even more ready for beet season to start. His personality always gave the right amount of spice. He always entered his parents home with a “Honey, I’m home, what are we watching now,” and never left without throwing one of his sassy “I love you’s” at his father. When Ashton wasn’t trucking or working with his horse, he surrounded himself with family and friends who were as close as family. He loved coyote “yote” hunting with his brother, riding and roping, and annoying his dad and siblings. His mother was his “ride or die,” she was his rock. He is survived by his parents, Michelle and Rob Stovern; sister, Shelby Stovern, brother Brok Stovern; special friends Amanda Berger and Sandra Goulette; and grandparents Jim and Terri Stovern of Wolf Point. Funeral services was held Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Richland County Rodeo Arena in Sidney.

Willard 'Will' Wayne Luft, 70, of Midland, Texas, passed Saturday, May 23, 2020. Will was born to William 'Willie,' and Anna Marie Luft on July 18, 1949, in Froid, Mont. Willard graduated from Froid High School in 1967 and received a degree in microbiology from Concordia College and later a degree in electronics from Northern Montana College. After working as a lab tech in various hospitals in Montana, Will moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where he worked at two different hospitals. In 1980, while living in Anchorage, he met and married his wife, Rita. In December of 1980 in a several-day trek across the Alaskan-Canadian Highway in a blizzard, Will, Rita and their daughter, Maureena, moved to Froid, Mont. After living in Froid for a short time, the family relocated to Midland, Texas, where they have resided for the last 40 years. Will worked for and retired from Midland College, where he was an instructor for decades. After retiring, Will spent half the year doing what he loved; working on his trucks and tractors and helping to plant and harvest wheat in his homeland of Montana. He was known to drive half-way across the country to purchase a motor or tractor. He met lots of friends at auction sales where he accumulated 'treasures' such as old tractor engines, parts and tractors that he would eventually restore. Most were kept on his family's farm in Froid, Mont. eBay and Tractor Supply will miss him as he was a regular. Will was a father who taught the values of hard work, integrity, perseverance and being sensible and frugal, often having his daughter as his worker and pupil of his many life lessons. Will also loved his root beer, ice cream, cantaloupe and a good hamburger steak. He will be missed for being a friend and family member who stuck to his values and worked hard. Will is survived by his wife, Rita Luft; daughter, Maureena Benavides; and grandson, Alex Fields. He is survived by brothers, Clarence Luft (Barb), Gordon Luft (Anne), Rod Luft (Alice), all of Froid, Mont., and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his great friends, Kenneth Putnam of Midland, Texas, and Jim Clark of Froid, Mont. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Raymond Luft. (Paid Obituary)

bituaries Adrienne Jackson Adrienne Rae “Annie” Jackson, 41, died July 4, 2020, in North Dakota. She was born March 1, 1979, in Culbertson at Roosevelt Memorial Hospital to Donetta White Bear and Gerald 'Bootsie' Jackson. She spent most of her life living with her grandmother Mercy White Bear in Fort Kipp. From middle school all though high school, she attended Brockton School.

Elva May Knudsen, 85, of the Culbertson and McCabe, Mont., area, most recently of Breckenridge, Minn., passed away June 12, 2020, at the Twin Town Villa Assisted Living Center in Breckenridge. Her funeral will be celebrated Friday morning, June 19, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. (Mountain Time) at Big Sky Church (American Baptist Church of the Brethren) Froid, Mont. Rev. Neil Knudsen will officiate and interment will follow in the Ebenezer Churchyard Cemetery, McCabe, Mont. Friends may call one hour before service time at the church on Friday. We will be following the CDC Guidelines for the Common Sense Social Distancing. A second celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday afternoon, June 24, 2020, at 5 p.m. (Central Time) at the Harvest Outreach Church in Wahpeton, N.D. Rev. Dominick Warne will officiate. Elva May Knudsen was born on Nov. 24, 1934, to Frank Thompson and Frances Winona (Moyer) Taylor in Trenton, N.J. As a child and throughout her teen years, she took ballet and performed in many dance recitals. She was involved with Girl Scouts and earned her Gold Bar Scouts. She was active in youth activities through her church and served on local and state councils. Elva May graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J., in 1952. She worked part-time while attending college. In 1960, she graduated with a bachelor in Christian education from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill. After college, she worked for the American Baptist Home Mission Society at Rankin Christian Centers, Philadelphia Neighborhood Centers & Friendship House Neighborhood Ministries in Billings, Mont. While in Montana, she met Gerald Knudsen and they decided to marry on March 1, 1969, in Billings, Mont. He was a local farmer/rancher. They moved to the family farm near McCabe, Mont., which they later purchased. In 1971, their son, Mark, was born. She was a stay-at-home mom, helped on the farm and took care of all the business aspects of the farm. After many years of farming, the couple purchased a small RV and began to take some small trips and found a new enjoyment, including fishing trips to Canada and a trip to Alaska. She was a member of the McCabe Baptist Church and then the Big Sky Church of Froid, Mont. She taught Sunday school and served on many church boards locally, state and regional. In 1998, after Gerald retired from farming, they moved off the farm and into Culbertson, Mont. Elva May worked with the local food bank for several years. In 2013, she moved to Breckenridge, Minn., to be closer to her son and family. She enjoyed living in Minnesota and joined Harvest Outreach Church in Wahpeton, N.D. She was involved in many activities and her daily schedule was always full. She loved attending church and Bible studies, Red Hats, Music in the Park, sports activities, high school and college events and trips to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. The highlight of her life was serving the Lord and seeing her family become active in their Christian growth and ministry for the Lord. Elva May is survived by her son, Mark (Melissa) Knudsen of Hazen, N.D.; two grandchildren, Dorran (Jenny) Knudsen of Seffner, Fla., Abreena Knudsen of Hazen, N.D.; two great-grandchildren, Kenrix and Reubin; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Knudsen; her parents, Frank and Frances Taylor; her brothers, Frank and R Bruce Taylor; and niece, Virginia Taylor. Friends are welcome to visit www.eversoncoughlin. com to share memories of Elva or leave condolences for her family. The Everson Coughlin Funeral Home of Williston is caring for the family. (Paid Obituary)