Rodney “Rod” Eugene Lemieux, 74, died July 7, 2025, at Sidney Health Center. He was born May 17, 1951, in Havre, the second of nine children born to Roy and Viola (Schiff) Lemieux. In 1960, the family moved from Big Sandy to Culbertson. He excelled at basketball and running track and, after graduating from Culbertson High School, he attended Minot State University on a basketball scholarship. On Sept. 11, 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Damm. He then transferred to Eastern Montana College, where he earned a bachelor of arts in business administration. Settling in Sidney, they raised their children, Alisha and BJ. After a successful career in the insurance industry, he spent the next 30 years farming and cherished his time spent in the field with brother- in-law Louis Vournas and lifelong friends, the Salvevold family. In addition to his professional work, he enjoyed serving the community on various boards and civic organizations and very generously helped members of the community behind the scenes. He enjoyed great friendships within the Sidney Fire Department, retiring as fire chief. His greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. He loved following the successes of his children

It is with heavy hearts we announce that Sgt. Michael Anthony Ellerton passed away on July 1, 2025, after a four-year battle with cancer. Born Jan. 31, 1994 in, Lohr a.M., Bayern, Germany, he spent the first seven years of his life there before moving with his parents and brother Paul to the U.S. to be raised with his future brothers. From an early age, he excelled academically, despite frequent moves and hard times. He graduated from Polson High School near the top of his class. He then went to Montana State University chasing a chemical and biological engineering degree. It was not for him. He then spent a year out of state finding himself and returning home to restart. From early on, Michael always wanted to be a soldier and serve his country, since his dad is a veteran. This desire to serve led him down the path to becoming a Deputy, where he could protect people and take criminals off the street. He thrived in that environment, asking for a K-9 and S.W.A.T. training, which he talked the county into providing. This proved fruitful, wiht them finding missing children and doing much more in the few short years they served. His level of dedication, attention to detail and looking at things through a different lens led him to also take on investigative tasks for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His end goal was to be a U.S. Marshal, because he wanted to find the most dangerous among us and bring them to justice. He was strict, but loving. He would enforce the law while fiercely protecting rights and exhibiting great patience. He loved what he did and he did it exceptionally well. He loved his family and had a wicked sense of humor. He loved a game of chess or a trip to the range. He could be serious or silly. He was insanely close to his three brothers. Those that knew him, know. He was complex and yet easy to understand. He fought hard, hoping to beat something that had a 99 percent chance of winning. He fought anyway, and this was him. A man of principle, dedication, fortitude and sheer will. He is survived by his grandfather, Brian Ellerton; parents, Shawn Ellerton and Edith Ellerton (Holembowski); brothers, Paul, Nicholas and Matthew; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Paul Holembowski and Martha Holembowski (Krauss); his paternal grandmother, Catherine Ellerton (O’Donnell); his maternal aunt, Evi Bauer (Holembowski); and his paternal cousin, Caleb Quaife. Celebration of life and fallen officer service was at the Sidney, Mont., event center on Monday, July 14, at 10 a.m. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. (Paid Obituary)

Olga Mae Elgen, 87, of Culbertson, Mont., passed away peacefully the morning of July 9, 2025 at the Roosevelt Medical Center surrounded by her daughters. Olga was born to Carl and Mae Kjarmo on July 17, 1937, in Big Timber. She grew up on a sheep ranch outside of Grey Cliff alongside her three younger siblings. She graduated from Sweet Grass County High School and attended college at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. Soon after, she married Dennis Elgen in 1957. Together, they had six daughters and they made their home in Culbertson. Olga was a devoted mother, wife and Christian. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Sweet Adelines singing group. She loved singing hymns at church and tending to her flowers. She enjoyed cooking and baking for Dennis and her girls. She baked bread, caramels rolls and treats each week for them to enjoy. Dennis and Olga were known to go on many trips to visit family and friends, often times on their motorcycle. In her later years, she was known for crocheting and gifting pot holders to many family and friends. Olga will be missed by her daughters, Debbie (Ray) Lombardo, Kathie Elgen, Karen