Bernie W. “Butch” Finnicum, 77, of Culbertson died Aug. 3, 2022. He was born Jan. 14, 1945, to Bernie and Montana Finnicum. Throughout his years growing up in Culbertson, he kept his parents on their toes; however, he always looked out for his younger siblings. After graduating from Culbertson High School, he met Christina Vallejo. They married July 4, 1969. After a short stint in the Army, he and Chris returned to Culbertson to work in the family businesses, where he remained until he retired. They raised two daughters, Monika and KayCee. He loved cars … admiring them, driving them (preferably very fast), buying them and selling them. He also loved playing cards with the guys, playing dominos with his family and eating all the healthy foods like cheeseburgers, ice cream, popcorn and candy. However, his greatest love was his family. Everything he did was wrapped up in family, whether it be his job or his hobbies. He had a great love of the Lord. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his grandchildren. He would often initiate and partake in many a trip to the pumpkin patch, go carts, water park or wherever a fun time could be had with his grandkids. He spent lots of time watching all the sports his grandkids played. He was incredibly proud of his daughters and his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Chris; daughters, Monika Feldmann and KayCee Murray; six grandchildren; brothers, Paul Finnicum and Bill Finnicum; and sisters, Diane Hampton, LaVonne Scotson, Nancy Hansen, Susan Finnicum and Bonnie Hellweg. Burial was at the Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.

Wendy Lisa Chopper, 49, of Poplar died July 30, 2022, in Billings. She was born on July 2, 1973, in Devils Lake, N.D., to Abraham Chopper Sr. and Lorene (Good Soldier) Michel. She attended school in Sheyenne, N.D., until her freshman year and then went to Clearfield Job Corps in Clearfield, Utah. She was in culinary arts. After leaving Job Corps, she worked at many different places throughout her life. She worked at Dakota Tribal Industries; Spirit Lake Casino in Ft. Totten, N.D.; MIT Telemarketing; Dakota Sportwear; Noodles by Leonardo; Taco John’s and McDonald’s in Devils Lake, N.D.; Subway and Taco John’s in Jamestown, N.D.; McDonald’s in Aurora, Colo.; Bear Lodge Assisted Living and Cenex in Billings, Mont.; Bryan’s in Wolf Point; and as a CNA at the Poplar Hospital and at Tribal Express in Poplar. She was a kind soul who loved her family and friends to the fullest. She would try to help anyone out in need if she could. She is survived by her mother, Lorene Michel of Poplar; children, Colby Chopper of Sioux Falls, S.D., Benjamin Chopper and Royce LaVallie of Fargo, N.D., and Payton Knoth of Flaxville; siblings, Abraham Chopper Jr., Jolene Chopper-Jones of Poplar, Joseph Dunn of Jamestown, N.D., Louis Dunn of Fargo, N.D., Tiffany Chopper of Billings and Nicolle Bighorn of Brockton; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Douglas Michel; and sister, Althea Deserly. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.