Howard James Bemer, 70, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2020, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings. He was born on Dec. 7, 1949, to Neville Bemer and Freda Bauer Christian Burshia Bemer. He was raised on the family farm and ranch north of Fort Kipp. He attended school in Brockton, graduating in 1967. He briefly attended Dartmouth and Montana State University before returning to run the farm and ranch due to his Grandfather Neville’s illness. He married Carol White Bear Bemer in 1967 and, to this union, Paul, Leslie (who was born on his birthday) and William were born. They later divorced, but remained lifelong friends. He married Vicky Hopkins in 1988 and they later divorced. On June 30, 1999, he married Roberta “Billy Gayle” Murray Bemer. They were devoted to each other and spent the rest of his life on adventures, traveling around the country for his work and locally to support Billy Gayle and the Blue Ribbon Band. Howard and Billy raised her grandd aughter, Ronni Pritchard. He had many imp ortant and fulfilling jobs during his lifetime. During his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he served as a police officer, criminal investigator and captain of law enforcement. These positions eventually led him to BIA and the Office of Special Trustee Executive leadership positions in Nashville, Tenn.; Washington, D.C.; Rapid City, S.D.; Fort Belknap; Fort Yates, N.D.; and New Town, N.D., before completing his federal career as the Superintendent of the Fort Peck Agency in Poplar. He also faithfully served the Fort Peck Tribes as a game warden, police officer, tribal executive board member and tribal judge. In addition to his service with the BIA and Fort Peck Tribes, he found the time to operate a farming / cattle operation north of Fort Kipp. He also co-founded United Professional Permitting — a seismic permitting firm — during the early 1980s “oil boom” in northeastern Montana. He enjoyed the ranching lifestyle and was very fond of his horses. During his younger years, he was an avid team roper and found great success on the regional rodeo circuit. He was also responsible for helping to revive the Fort Peck Indian Rodeo. He was always happiest when riding and probably forgot more than a lot of people knew about horses. He was a people person and made friends everywhere he went. A born leader, he enjoyed developing talent and empowering people to realize their full potential. He always had a moment to visit, advice to share, or an anecdote that helped. He could tell a mean story and had many stories to tell, from his time mining coal at the old Bemer coal mine, to crazy exploits with his many friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ossie, Al Jr. and Ronnie Burshia; sisters, Brenda Burshia, who died in infancy, Gladys Bemer and Joyce Bemer Waldhausen; and granddaughter, Paulette Bemer. He is survived by his wife, Billy Gayle; children, Paul Bemer, Leslie Gourneau and William Bemer; stepson, Bill Pritchard; sister, Julie Bemer; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Monday, Jan. 27, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. At a later time, a private family ceremony will take place to honor his wishes to scatter his ashes.

Gene Leslie Andersen, 71, died at his home near Dagmar Friday morning, Jan. 3, 2020. He was born in Williston, N.D., Dec. 7, 1948, to Marjorie and Leslie Andersen. He grew up on the original Andersen family farm near Dagmar, with his sister, Joanne. He attended Hiawatha Elementary School and graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1966. He went on to college in Billings and Havre. He received his architectural drafting degree in Wahpeton, N.D. Following that, he served seven years in the Army National Guard. He married Geralyn Sneva Aug. 15, 1970, in Grenora, N.D. After they were married, they lived in Miles City, where he worked at Midland Lumber, drawing and estimating house plans. In 1972, they moved to Plentywood, where Gene worked for C & D Lumber. Then, it onto Tioga, N.D., where he worked for Bethlehem Steel. In the spring of 1973, he had the opportunity to go into farming, working for his uncle Delmar until 1979, when they purchased the farm and he designed and built the farmhouse still there today. This is where they made their home and raised their three children, Brent, Kerby and Ashley. He found his calling going into the family business of farming. He and his father farmed together for many years until his father’s death in 1990. In 2000, he and Kerby began farming together. As most farmers are, he was keenly aware of the weather. When not in the field, he and Geri drove around checking the crops and hoping for moisture when necessary. He spent many years working closely with Les Jensen and Roger Manger. His love of baseball led him to his wife, Geri. In his younger years, he played with the Big Muddy League in Dagmar and Babe Ruth and Legion in Grenora, N.D., which is where he met Geri. He also brought his passion of this game to many great players coaching Little League in Dagmar, as well as Babe Ruth and Legion baseball in Grenora, N.D. As a man of the land, he also loved hunting and fishing. Over the years, he took many hunting trips to western Montana with friends. Each year, pheasant and deer hunting were high priorities as well as many fishing trips with the family and friends. His family was always a priority. While he didn’t want to venture too far from the farm, he attended the children’s activities whenever he could. Over the last 13 years, he got to know and love his grandchildren, who brought great joy to him. He gave back to the community through coaching baseball and many other ways. He volunteered when there was a community event and also served on several boards of directors, including the Hiawatha School and Prairie States Co-op in Zahl, N.D. Gene and Geri also helped Kerby with the Centennial Bar when he purchased it and really enjoyed helping him get started. His life changed drastically in 2009. First, when Geri suffered a stroke and then a few months later when Kerby died. He was a great caretaker for Geri for seven years and did an amazing job, suddenly balancing farm work with household work. Geri died in 2017. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Andersen of Eagan, Minn.; son, Brent Andersen of Minnetonka, Minn.; daughter, Ashley Engh of Williston, N.D.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geri; and son, Kerby. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 1 p.m. CST at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grenora, N.D.

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, Mont., passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, at the Roosevelt Memorial Nursing Home in Culbertson after a short battle with lung cancer. Larry 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. Larry grew up on the family farm near Bloomfield, Mont., where he developed a strong work ethic that continued throughout his life. At an early age, he helped his dad milking cows, summer fallowing and driving the grain truck. Larry served in the Navy from 1964-1968 during the Vietnam War. After his military service, Larry 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, including Plummer Trucking, Texaco, Chevron, Ashland, Scurlock Permian and Plains. After retiring from truck driving, he spent his final working years at LandTech, a saltwater disposal site near Bainville. After moving to Culbertson, Larry met the love of his life, Ruth K. Thompson and they were united in marriage on Dec 5, 1986. Here, they raised their son, Joe. Larry enjoyed the outdoors. You could find him spending his free time hunting or fishing. Some of his happiest memories were going deer hunting with his dad in his younger years. This continued on into adulthood where Larry, Ruth and Joe spent many hours hunting, fishing, or just going for a drive in the county. In 2003, Ruth left this earth way too soon, which made the last 16 years very difficult for him. Larry was a very proud and private man, not wanting to bother anyone or rely on anyone. In one of his final conversations with Joe, he said how hard it was losing Ruth and that he was ready to see her again. He was very proud of his grandchildren and before getting sick, made the long drive across the state many times to watch Sam, Zach and Tyzer in their many sporting events. Larry is survived by his mother, June of Glendive, Mont.; his son, Joe (Jennifer) Zody of Montana City, Mont.; two daughters, Machelle (Jesse) Lewis of Richland, Wash., and Mary (Todd) Taylor of Chehalis, Wash.; two brothers, Steve Zody of Lindsey, Mont., and Mark (Anita) Zody of Glendive, Mont.; six sisters, Linda Eaton of Terry, Mont., Rhonda Bornholtz of Woodward, Okla., Kathy (Bill) Lafond and Sheryl (Roy) Johnson, both of Glendive, Mont., Val (Jim) Maus of Plentywood, Mont., and Susan (Bill) Edwards of Lindsey, Mont.; eight grandchildren, Sam, Zach and Tyzer Zody, Misti Reyes and Travis Lewis and Dustin, Dalton and Darby Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wonderful wife, Ruth; his father, George; and his grandparents. Always loved, Never Forgotten, Forever Missed. Funeral services will be Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at 11 a.m. (MST) at the Grace and Peace Church (former Methodist Church) in Culbertson, Mont. Rev. Tim Hutslar will officiate. Interment with military honors will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Culbertson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family. Friends may sign the online register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com. (Paid Obituary)

Funeral services for Bruno Ostwald were conducted Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at the Froid Lutheran Church. Burial followed in the Friedens Geminde Cemetery between Froid and Culbertson with Military Honors. Bruno Ostwald, 70, of Froid died Dec. 17, 2019, at his home from natural causes. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood had charge of arrangements. Read the complete obituary, post remembrances, send cards and flowers online at www. fulkersonsplentywood.com. Bruno Alex Ostwald, age 70, of Froid, Mont., died peacefully at his home of natural causes with his dog, Mauser, watching over him on Dec. 17, 2019. Bruno 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, Mont., 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 w/1 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. It was during this time he married Michelle LaPorte on 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 our 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 Bruno's 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. We would eat the same meal for days sometimes! Reading the Bible was very important to him, and he often quoted it. He loved his dogs Roxy, Sugar and Mauser as though they were his children, and he shared everything with them. He was extremely gifted at training them. Of all things, his children were most important and he would always take the time to help them, educate and teach, and spend time with and love them. He strove to be their hero. Preceding him in death were his father, Alexander; mother, Gladys; daughter, Rachel; and sister, Flora. He is survived by his children, Desireé Badger (Tom) of Williston, Amanda Smith of Bismarck, William Ostwald of Williston, Rebekah Marquez (Matt) of Williston, Josiah Ostwald of Williston, Esther Ostwald of Williston and Hannah Ostwald of Williston; five grandchildren, Alexandra Fischer (Devin), Brayden Heller, Tobias Long and Tavian Long and MaeBelle Oxendahl; and one great-granddaughter, Hazel Fischer. (Paid Obituary)