Lewis Dale Martell Jr., 41, of Grand Forks, N.D., died Jan. 10, 2022, in Grand Forks, N.D. He was born June 2, 1980, in Poplar to Lewis D. Martell Sr. and April Johnson. He attended schools in Poplar. He enjoyed spending time with family, listening to music, fishing, hunting, working on cars and lifting weights. In his younger years, he liked wrestling and boxing. He was a boxer for the Poplar Boxing Club that was started by Frank Martell; his father, Lewis Martell; and Lee Kip Rafaeal. He is survived by his parents, Lewis “Shorty” Martell Sr. of Poplar and April Johnson of Grand Forks, N.D.; sisters, Candie, Tashina and Marci of Grand Forks, N.D.; brothers, Rudy Loves Him of Poplar and Darren Longee of Grand Forks, N.D.; step-sisters, Vanessa and Jessica Red Star of Poplar; and step-brothers, Thomas Juarez and Anthony Melbourne of Poplar. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anita Martell. A funeral was held Friday, Feb. 4, at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar. Interment was at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Margaret “Marge” Forbes, 93, died Feb. 3, 2022, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. She was born July 4, 1928 in Wheelock, N.D., to Alex and Anna Skorick. She attended local schools and then went to college in Havre to become a teacher. She taught in three country schools for several years. On Dec. 23, 1950, she married John Forbes in Bainville. They established their home in the McCabe area where they lived and farmed for many years. She was a nurses aide at the Culbertson hospital temporarily, but was a faithful farm wife most of her life. She was known by her family and friends to be kind, thoughtful, generous and a wonderful cook. Many relatives and friends have been blessed by her “open door” policy with abundant food and good conversation at the kitchen table. She was a woman of strong faith and spent many hours with her well-worn Bible. She was a member of the Bainville Methodist Church, where she served as pianist/ organist for many years. She was preceded in death by two brothers; two sisters; husband, John; and a great-granddaughter, Lyla Gintz. She is survived by her three daughters, Susan Beck of Post Falls, Idaho, Pamela Weyer of Golva, N.D., and Cindy Cain of McCabe; a granddaughter; and three great-grandchildren. No services are being planned at this time.

Norma “Nana” Agatha Heser passed away on Feb. 4, 2022, peacefully and surrounded by family at NEMHS in Wolf Point, Mont. Norma was born Nov. 22, 1925, on a homestead 12 miles north of Wolf Point to Samuel and Alma McDonell. She attended Wide Awake Country School for eight years and, in the winter, would ride with her sisters three miles to school in a horse-drawn sleigh with heated rocks to keep warm. She graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1945 and then attended Volkman’s Beauty School in Great Falls. She married Lawrence Heser in 1948 and made their home on the farm south of Wolf Point where they raised chickens, pigs and cattle. Norma loved the farm life, the outdoors, picking field rock by hand, gardening, riding 4-wheelers and snowmobiles, cross country skiing when she was in her 80s, fishing and camping. She also loved sewing and making quilts with her grandkids. She also loved baking and cooking for her family — especially good were her donuts, brownies and homemade noodles. Norma is survived by her three children, Linda Heser of Wolf Point, Pat Hickok of Missoula and Larry (Eileen) Heser of Wolf Point; eight grandchildren, Barry (Katie), Tara, Stacie, Shasta, Bridgett, Amber, Kelli and KaDee (John); 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her parents; and her two sisters, Catherine Sprague and Hazel Rowell. Rest in peace “Nana.” We love you and will never forget you. Services were held on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Special Olympics of Montana, 710 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements. (Paid Obituary)

Alfred H. Schmitt, 81, of Frazer died Feb. 1, 2022. He was born Aug. 22, 1940, in Lustre, the third child of four born to Ludwig and Charlotte (Wichman) Schmitt. He lived his entire life in Lustre on the Schmitt farm. He graduated from Lustre Christian High School and attended Multnomah Bible College where he met Dorothy Glyshaw. They married Sept. 4, 1959, at Church of the Air in Billings. They had three children: Perry Schmitt, Craig Schmitt and Melenie Stone and all were raised in the “new house” on the original farm where he grew up. The EMB church was important to Alfred and Dorothy, and they attended this church their entire life. He was a part of “The Quartet” for many years, along with original members Don Traeholt, Ron Wall and Allen Wall. This quartet had changing members through the years, but was always a joy to listen to, including Schmeckfest. He was also a pilot and had a passion for flying. They, along with Vern and Pat Wiens, flew to Alaska on a great adventure. Remembering him checking on crops in his wooden-winged Mooney are some of his family’s favorite memories. Farming was everything to him. He was ready to farm this spring and was working on his farm plan up until a few weeks ago. Folks in the community referred to him as the “energizer bunny” because he never stopped and his passion for the farm and this church were at the top of his list. He also had a gift of drawing cars and designing things, whether it was a way to run the combine better or building a carport, he could fix anything. Words to describe him were talented, driven, funny, loyal, hardworking and honorable. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Perry Schmitt and Craig Schmitt; daughter Melenie Stone; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded i9n death by brothers, Erwin, Werner and Helmuth. Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 7, at the EMB Church in Lustre with Pastor Lee Button officiating. Burial was in the EMB Church Cemetery.