Phillip “Choya” Smoker, Jr., 43, of Frazer died Monday night, March 7, 2022, at his family home. He was born July 10, 1978, in Wolf Point to Phillip and Rosalie Smoker. He was the third of eight children. He was the only son and loved that fact. He was a middle child and, because he was the only boy, his sisters catered to him. He attended and graduated from Frazer School with honors and was the valedictorian of his class of 1996. He played many sports in his high school career and excelled at basketball. He also participated in cross country and track. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting with his father, Phillip Sr. He danced traditional in his youth and enjoyed attending pow-wows with his family. He loved to cook and try out new recipes. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1997 but, because he developed asthma, he received a medical discharge. He attended DeVry College in Phoenix, Ariz., and majored in computer graphics science. After a year, he came home and attended college off and on at Fork Peck Community College. Before he could finish, he was in a car accident that affected him and lost use of his left arm. He was very intelligent and loved to learn new things. He would research about anything and visit about what he learned. He liked to share his knowledge. He enjoyed family gatherings and loved his family as he was happy to see them all when they’d come to visit. He had a nickname for everyone who meant something to him. He liked to joke around and make everyone laugh. He had many friends and he loved to visit with his family and friends. He would load up his friends or sisters and go for a cruise either the small town of Frazer or Wolf Point. He enjoyed his cars he would hook up his radio system and bass. He loved to listen to music. He also loved watching TV or movies with his mom. He is survived by his mother, Rosalie Smoker; and sisters, Sonya Smoker, Tiana Smoker, Sheena Smoker, Teera Smoker, Rhea Smoker and Donell Smoker. He was preceded in death with his sister, Lonell Smoker. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 15, at the Frazer Community Hall. Interment followed at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Harvey W. Kuntz, 77, of Billings, formerly of Circle, died March 5, 2022, at his home in Billings. He was born May 17, 1944, in Dickinson, N.D., to Monica and John Kuntz. He and Monica, along with their seven children, moved to Circle in 1959 to operate the Husky Station. In 1962, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country. A portion of his four years of service aboard the U.S.S. John W. Thomason DD-760 was spent with his brother, Squeak. Many a story has been told about their time together. Following his years of service, he returned to Circle to find employment and eventually part ownership of the Husky Station. One day, he saw Patsy walking home from the Tastee Freeze and engaged her in conversation — thus began their 52 years of wedded bliss. To this union, six children were born. When not working at the station, he and the family spent endless enjoyable hours at the lake house at Rock Creek catching “carp” and just enjoying one another. After their children graduated, he and Patsy Ann made the decision to move to Billings. He was a family man, who enjoyed spending time with his family above all else. It was very evident that his grandchildren meant the world to him and spending time with them may have been his favorite. He was a very kind-hearted man, whose inner warmth and sparkle in his eyes would make any stranger feel welcome. It’s been said that “he would talk as long as someone would listen” and maybe even beyond at times. He was preceded in death by daughters, Londa and Brenda; son, John; granddaughter, Chaela; and brothers, Leonard and Perry. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Ann of Billings; son, Travis Kuntz of Kinsey; daughters, Jennifer Sperry of Newbury Park, Calif., and Amber Massey of Katy, Texas; and son, Hunter; eight grandchildren; sisters, Toots Haynie, Bonnie Gardner and Sandee Dean; and brother, Ray Kuntz. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Circle, followed by a military burial at the Riverview Cemetery.

Sandra Gayle Knudson Kessler, “Sandi,” passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at the age of 86. She remained in her home in Billings until March 8, when she entered RiverStone Hospice of Billings. She is survived by her son, Chuck Kessler (Patti); daughters, Debbi Hanna (Jim) and Kandi Kessler; grandchildren, Dustin, Trenton, Patrick, Jesse, Dylan and Jake; six great-granddaughters; and a great-grandson to be born in August. Sandi was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her ability to put together a gathering was made to look effortless, and she loved to find reasons to gather. Sandi was a high school graduate from Peerless High School who achieved the status of master coordinator with her husband in their Shaklee business. Her husband Roy, who was the love of her life, passed away Dec. 22, 2014. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Michelotti- Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., with interment at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park. The full obituary may be found by visiting www.michelottisawyers. com. (Paid Obituary)