Dennis W. Moccasin, 78, died Aug. 23, 2026. He was born Dec. 8, 1947, in Fort Belknap, the fourth of five children born to John Moccasin and Edith Jackson. He lived a long life marked by perseverance, growth and the steady achievement of greater independence. He was baptized Catholic, a faith tradition that was part of his life. He lived at home with his family until he was admitted to Warm Springs State Hospital on Jan. 1, 1955. In 1957, he was transferred to the Montana Developmental Center, where he remained until he was placed in a group home in Bozeman in 1976. He was readmitted to MDC on March 10, 1979. During his second stay there, from 1979 until 1983, he participated in communication department training focused on improving social communication skills, increasing awareness of prepositional concepts and strengthening verbal expression. He also took part in the active residential employment program, where he worked at bed-making, laundry, recycling and in the wood shop with the grounds crew. In March 1990, he was placed at West Mont’s Farm in the Dell. He did very well there for approximately a year. He later moved to Tara House and, over time, adjusted to life in that residence. During that period, he returned to work at the Farm in the Dell while continuing to live at Tara House. In March 1995, he returned to living on the farm, where he both lived and worked, and this placement proved to be very successful. As he became more independent, he and his individual planning team recognized that he was ready for supportive living services. He had expressed

Ron H. Berreth, 71, died Aug. 20, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose love for his family was at the heart of his life. Ron retired from UPS after many years of dedicated work. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and taking pride in his yard. He was happiest spending time outdoors and with the people he loved. He was preceded in death by his father, Doug Berreth; brother, Kendal Berreth; and his son, Scott Berreth. He is survived by his mother, Georgia; wife of 52 years, Robin; brother, Brian; sons, Tige, Travis and Butch; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A.T. “Rusty” Stafne, 90, died Aug. 26, 2026, at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive. He was born on Dec. 26, 1935, in a southside home in Wolf Point to Josephine Hancock and John Stafne. By the time he turned six, he was an orphan. He was raised by his grandparents, Medicine Clouds outside of Wolf Point near Oswego. He attended school in Wolf Point and Poplar. He was called “Rusty” because of his rust-colored hair he had as a child. When he was 16, he was interested in joining the Army. His sister, Joanne Pipe, signed the papers for him to join, He became an infantry soldier in Korea and earned medals for sharp shooting and combat infantry. His aunt Annie Hancock initiated a welcome home dance in his honor where he received his Nakota name, Amba Tahinkea, which is Appears in the Morning. He attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. He worked at different homesteads as a farm hand until he met June Shields at Sheridan, Wyo., where she was participating in the Miss Indian World pageant. They married in October 1959. They participated in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Relocation Act and moved to San Jose, Calif. It was there their three children were born: Twilia, Tom and Grant. He worked at the Sears Company and only quit there to move back to the Fort Peck Reservation. They both wanted to move home, which was their goal. He enjoyed rodeos and was a founding member of the Fort Peck Indian Rodeo Club. He participated in Wild Horse Race competitions. He, Dusty Archdale and brother-inlaw Buddy Pipe won many events together. In 2009, he was the Grand Marshall