Gerald Boots Jackson Sr., “Togahe Giya” First to Fly, 72 of Poplar died Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. He was born June 24, 1950, in Poplar to George Grant “Kao” Jackson and Gertrude Louise “Tootie” Bushman Clark. On May 15, 1993, he married Shirley June Jackson they resided in Poplar. Through their union, they combined their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He served in the Army and had many careers throughout his lifetime. He was a police officer, director of fish and game, SORNA officer, housing commissioner and tribal executive board member. He enjoyed visiting and spending time with family and friends. He forever had a story and would make everyone laugh with him. He enjoyed his card family, playing many games of Contract and Poker. He is survived by his wife, Shirley June Jackson; siblings, Ron Jackson, Calvin Clark, Coleen Clark and Lanette Clark; daughter, Leigh An Jackson; sons, Gerald Jackson and Ivan Witford; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Kermit Clark, Ethel “Pie” Jackson, Judy and Cayin Rodriguez, George “Rusty” Jackson, Mitchell Clark and Roland Clark; sons, Joshua Jackson and Wade White Eagle; and daughter, Adrienne “Annie” Jackson. A four-day feed was held Monday, Oct. 17, with cremation to follow. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Dennis Elgen, 88, of Culbertson died Oct. 13, 2022, in his home. He was born the second of three sons to Phillip and Inger Elgen on Feb. 26, 1934. He grew up in Grey Cliff. His love of flying started around the age of 5. He achieved his pilot’s license at the age of 16 in Big Timber. After his time away in the Army, he went to aeronautics school in Tulsa, Okla, with his new bride, Olga, in 1957. They were blessed with six daughters, 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He had many talents and a love of many things. Teaching many to fly, fabricating his own tools, woodworking, baking cookies, sewing, fishing, hunting and he enjoyed photography, as well. He was known to many for his love of airplanes and flying. He served on the school board and was also active in his church. He had a strong patriotic love for his country. He is survived by his wife, Olga; daughters, Debbie Lombardo, Kathie Elgen, Karen Sather, Dixie Berwick, Lori Jasper and Linda Hinds. His celebration of life was held Monday, Oct. 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson. Rev. Gretchen Wagner officiated. Burial will be at a later date in Big Timber.

Carla Sue (Coffey) Will, 75, died Sept. 24, 2022, in Billings. She was born Feb. 11, 1947, in Scobey to Berniece Nadine (Norman) Coffey and Ernest (Chic) Somers. She was later adopted by Mel Coffey when Berniece remarried in August 1961. She attended and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1965. She then attended Carroll College in Helena for a bachelor's in elementary education and finished her degree at Montana State University in Bozeman in 1969. She started her teaching career at Crow Agency, where she met her husband Arden Ray Will (the night janitor at the time for the elementary school). They later married July 3, 1976, in Wolf Point. Together, they resided in the Indian Health Services Housing for six years where many friendships were formed. On Feb. 24, 1978, their son, Jess Elliot Will, was born and family life began. In July 1982, they found their perfect forever home in Hardin. There, they also lived with her mother, Berniece. The fall of 1986, she continued her teaching career in Hardin as a third-grade teacher, where she had 20 years of service. On March 27, 1988, a surprise birth of Alex Jordan Will added to the family. Together, she and Arden built a wonderful and full life in Hardin. They were regarded as a home full of love, shelter and food for anyone in the community. She always had a sharing and caring heart. She loved many things, such as playing the piano, reading a good book and having a conversation with an old friend, but nothing brought her more joy than her grandchildren. She is survived by her sons, Jess Elliot Will of Grand Forks, N.D., and Alex Jordan Will of East Helena; two grandchildren; half-brother, Terry Vincent of Barra Mansa, Brazil. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arden Ray Will. Her wish was to be cremated and placed in the Yellowstone National Veterans Cemetery in Laurel with her husband, which will be honored privately. A celebration of life was held Sunday, Oct. 16, at the First Congregational Church in Hardin.