Thomas Eugene Nyquist, 88, died Dec. 2, 2019, in New Paltz, N.Y. He was born June 20, 1931, at home on a wheat farm and cattle ranch homesteaded by his parents, northeast of Froid. He lived through the Depression and the Dust Bowl, rode a horse to the one-room Hammond country grade school and graduated valedictorian of a class of seven. He had big dreams and headed to college planning to major in journalism. But, after serving in the Army on Okinawa during the Korean Conflict and traveling to Japan and Taiwan, he returned to study political science at Macalester College in Minnesota. There, he met his bride and subsequent wife of nearly 63 years, Corinne, who was studying international relations. He earned a masters at the University of Montana in Missoula, worked two years as a social worker, then finished a PhD in African studies at Northwestern University in Illinois. He pursued his PhD research in rural Sudan during its civil war, with wife and children in tow. After graduation, a Fulbright Scholarship took them to Apartheid South Africa for 18 months. The family moved to New Paltz in 1968 where he was professor of African studies at the State University of NY in New Paltz and later an administrator at SUNY Central in grants development. He had a strong desire for a life of meaning lived for society and mankind. He served on and then chaired the New Paltz Village Planning Board and the New Paltz Police Commission, was elected to the Ulster County Legislature and the New Paltz Village Board becoming deputy mayor, acting mayor, then elected mayor for four four-year terms. As mayor, he was concerned with infrastructure, but also livability. He oversaw construction of miles of beautiful brick and stone sidewalks and brought into being three village parks. He maintained his international interests by forming a sister city relationship with Niimi/ Osa, Japan, and by hosting a delegation from the USSR. He served on the boards of the YMCA, Ulster Performing Arts Center, Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Historic Huguenot Street, and was a member of Rotary International and the Paltz Club. On the Board of the International Partnership for Service Learning, he and Corinne traveled to the Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, Jamaica, Mexico and the Rosebud Indian Reservation, S.D. They were founding members and on the executive of the New York African Studies Association, and he co-edited its newsletter for nearly 50 years. In (semi)retirement, he authored a subscription newsletter on grant opportunities for community colleges which he transitioned to a free on-line newsletter he maintained until he was 87. He and family formed the Tom and Corinne Nyquist Foundation in 2004 using the yearly income off the inherited wheat farm in Montana to give small grants to deserving charitable groups in New Paltz and the Froid area. It also funds scholarships and an essay contest in Montana. When a small oil lease on the Montana property came to fruition, they used proceeds to purchase the Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary in New Paltz which he maintained nearly single-handedly. He took his last walk to check the sanctuary the day he died. He is survived by his wife, Corinne (Johnson) Nyquist; son, Jonathan Nyquist; daughter, Lynn Nyquist); and four granddaughters. He was predeceased by his brothers, Dick Nyquist of Detroit and Bob Nyquist of Bainville. Memorial services will be Saturday, Dec. 28, at 4:30 p.m. at the Reformed Church in New Paltz. An internment service will be held July 18 in Froid.

Gary Lee McCrea died peacefully at home in Wolf Point on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. Gary was born at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point on Nov. 30, 1940, to Lee and Virginia McCrea. He grew up on the family farm in the Nickwall community of McCone County and attended the Nickwall School through seventh grade. Gary graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1959, where he played football, was editor of the school newspaper Wolf Talk, participated in Allied Youth, and was a member of the Dramatics Club and acted in several class plays. On May 28, 1959, Gary married Shirley Spitzer at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Gary began working for the Montana State Highway Maintenance Department in 1961 and they lived in Glasgow, Mont., for a short time before moving back to Wolf Point in the fall of 1964. Gary and Shirley built their home on Crescent Drive in 1968 and raised three daughters there. Weekends were often spent helping at the McCrea farm. Gary left the highway department in 1974 to begin working full-time on the farm, enabling Lee and Virginia to vacation south in the winter months. In November of 1983, Virginia and Lee were ready to retire so they moved to Gary and Shirley’s Crescent Drive house and Gary and Shirley moved to the farm. Gary and Shirley continued raising grain and cattle, expanded the farm property, and also installed several center- pivot irrigation systems on the river bottom fields. Grandson Lee Loendorf began helping on the farm during his high school years. In 2008, Gary and Shirley decided to sell the cattle and lease out the pasture. They greatly enjoyed the new freedom to travel during the winter months and took vacations to Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, and Mexico, as well as numerous road trips visiting historic and cultural sites throughout United States visiting friends and family along the way. After 30+ years on the farm, Gary and Shirley decided to semi-retire and, in 2015, grandson Lee Loendorf and wife Erin moved to the farm to become the fourth generation on the land. Gary and Shirley moved closer to town to 7009 NB Loop near the Missouri River Bridge. Gary continued to help on the farm as needed and able, passing down his knowledge to Lee. Gary was an active coop supporter and served on the Farmers Union Elevator board for a number of years including serving as director through the merger with Equity Elevator and the formation of Farmers Elevator. Gary also was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served many years as president and elder. In his early years, Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards with good friends, competing and often placing in whist tournaments. Gary was also an excellent dancer and he and Shirley were a common sight on the dance floor. Gary took up golfing in midlife and played both socially and in a men’s league; he especially enjoyed golf trips with family and friends. After moving closer to town, morning coffee with “the guys’ jump-started most days. Gatherings with family and friends were an important part of Gary’s life, especially getting to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and follow their activities. Gary inherited his honesty, integrity, and work ethic from his father, Lee McCrea, and was also known for his great sense of humor. Survivors are Gary’s wife, Shirley; daughters, Kimberly (Kevin) Frazer of Lakewood, Colo., Debra (Gene) Loendorf of Wolf Point, and Julie Mc-Crea of Tucson, Ariz.: grandchildren, Lee (Erin) Loendorf of Wolf Point, Loni Loendorf of Billings, Mont., Justin Frazer and Cassie Frazer of Lakewood, Colo.; and great-grandchildren, Emma and Evan Kawasaki and Jordyn Loendorf of Wolf Point. Viewing will be Sunday, Dec. 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, and the funeral service will be Monday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Burial will be at Nickwall Cemetery in McCone County south of Wolf Point. The family would like to thank everyone for their many kindnesses, including visits and gifts, and especially for the numerous calls, texts, cards, and Facebook comments. This outpouring greatly helps ease the emptiness left by Gary’s passing. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to Faith Home, the Wolf Point 100 Club, or Bigger Sky Kids. (Paid Obituary)

Edwina Gail Stump, 61, died Dec. 8, 2019, in Great Falls. She was born Oct. 9, 1958, to Peter Walter Stump and Eleanor Marie Hubbard Saddler on mile marker 69 between Havre and Chinook in the ambulance. She was the second youngest of eight children. She grew up in Rocky Boy where she also attended school. She received her GED at one point in her life and she attended beautician school, which led her to become a master in hair cutting. She had various jobs throughout her life including fighting fire, EMT, dispatcher, cook, cleaner, bingo caller and babysitter. She also went to school for automotive and graduated with her associates in auto mechanics. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved her machines and loved to joke and laugh and always had a story. She had a huge heart and would give you her last dollar. She will be greatly missed by her bestie, Guy Crawford Stump, whom she helped raise and loved dearly. She was there to push him in his education and was so proud to see him graduate. She loved all her grandchildren so much and they all made her very proud. She is survived by her sister, Darleen Stump Brown of Poplar; brothers, Robert and Ronnie Stump of Rocky Boy and Gordon Stump of Salt Lake City, Utah; children, Eleanor Stump, Chad Matte; five grandchildren, including Mickie who she helped raise. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Keith, Bull and Harold; and late husband, Michael Matte. Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Poplar Cultural Center with interment in Fort Kipp. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.