Elsie Olive Hanson, age 82, died Tuesday, July 6, 2022, at her home. She was born on Dec. 29, 1939, in Wolf Point, the daughter of Glenn and Arline King. She grew up and attended schools in Wolf Point, graduating in 1958 from Wolf Point High School. On Nov. 19, 1961, she married Robert Hanson in Wolf Point. They had a blessed and loving marriage. Elsie ran a daycare in their home for years, where she loved, cared for and was loved by hundreds of children. She made sure every kid had a birthday party and a cake. After she closed the daycare (i.e., her boys grew up), Elsie started a career and retired from Job Service of Montana in Wolf Point. Elsie was known for her crafting skills, making legendary mints and decorating amazing cakes. She had compassion for every soul and generosity for everyone. She helped charter the Optimist Club of Wolf Point and Glasgow. She was very active with every event they sponsored. Angel Tree and flowers on Main Street were her personal favorite projects. Elsie was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she planned and participated in almost every event. Elsie was preceded in death by her mom, Arline; dad, Glenn; and husband, Robert

Esther Helen Fast, 100, of Lustre died at Valley View Home in Glasgow on July 6, 2022. She was born May 30, 1922, to Jacob and Lena Fast. She joined a brother, Elvin, and a sister, Erma, followed. She was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church in Lustre. She taught children’s Sunday school and was active in the women’s mission society. She accepted Jesus as her savior at the age of nine at an evangelistic tent meeting at her church. She started her education at Center Bell School in Lustre and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1940. She married Marvin Fast May 10, 1944, when he was on leave from serving the country in the civilian public service. Their first son, Gary, was born in 1945. When Marvin completed his service, he worked for Esther’s parents on the farm. A few years later, they purchased the farm from her parents. Six more children were added to the family, Terry, Wanda, Dale, Glenda, Ricky and Kevin. Sewing was her passion. She loved making dresses, wedding, prom and many little girl dresses. She was asked to sew infant dresses from old wedding dresses that were donated to an organization that gave them to stillborn infants. She also loved to quilt, crochet and embroider, but her greatest joy was giving her creations away. There was never a small garden at the Fast farm.

Jayden Allen White “Baby J”, died on the evening of June 28, 2022, in Wolf Point. He was born June 19, 2022, in Wolf Point. He was the first child of Jaycee White and Mackiera Schindler. Within the first day he was born, he was already opening his small dark brown eyes and trying to grab things with his tiny hands. He only lived for nine days and only met some of his family members. He liked many things, like being in the sun, smacking his lips when he was hungry, playing with his hands, having attention when he was awake and sleeping a lot. He also like being swaddled and listening to calming music. He loved being out on the balcony and going for car rides. He loved being held and rocked when he was asleep. He is survived by his parents, Mackiera Schindler and Jaycee White; grandparents, Patrick and LeAndra Gustafson,

Heather Rees, 41, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Wolf Point, died June 18, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nev. She was born Sept. 30, 1980, in Glasgow. She attended and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1999. She attended The Culinary Arts Institute in Burlington, Vt. She was currently studying to become a computer programmer/data processor. She loved animals. She was a chef and worked in Key West, Fla., and Portland, Ore., in an industry that she loved. She later moved to Las Vegas and worked various jobs. She was a “master” quilter, crocheter and crafter. She enjoyed making period theater costumes. She loved reading and had a wonderful reading library.

Earl James LaRoque, 85, of Lincoln, Mont., passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Mont. He was born Jan. 7, 1937, in Poplar, Mont., to Albert J. and Victoria (Foster) LaRoque. At the young age of 13, he started working and never quit. He worked many different jobs, including the oil rigs in North Dakota and the Fort Peck Dam during construction. Earl met Sandra Nelson, the love of his life, when he was about 15 and never quit chasing her. In 1966, Earl and Sandy moved their family to Great Falls, Mont. He started a successful painting and drywall company (G & L Painting) and was a painting contractor for over 50 years. He was the hardest working man his family has ever known and always found time to spend with his family and friends. In 1980, he and Sandy purchased the Blue Sky Motel in Lincoln, Mont., where he enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, golfing with “Douggie” and fixing up old pickup trucks. He loved to sing, play the guitar and listen to Merle Haggard. He had the voice of an angel. Survivors include his wife, Sandra; one son, Don LaRoque (Tammy Jordan); two daughters, Lynn La-Roque (Pam Wagner) and Wendy Pettapiece (Dougg); two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Henry S. LaRoque (Susan) and Robert D. La-Roque (Resa); three sisters, Yvonne M. Shields (Caleb, deceased), Alice M. Ferraro and Irene Pacheco (Albert). Earl was preceded in death by his mother, father and two brothers, Albert F. and Ronald D. LaRoque. Dad, your hard work here is done. Thank you for all you have done for us. Thank you for all the values you shared with us. We will forever love and miss you. Sing with the angels, Dad. The family is being served by Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory, Missoula, Mont. (Paid Obituary)

Felisha Monique Crowe, 36, died June 17, 2022, in Great Falls She was born Oct. 11, 1985, to Richard H. Campbell Sr. and Dorreen J. Brown, joining her two older siblings Heather and Richard Jr. Growing up, she mostly attended Brockton schools, graduating with the class of 2004. Not long after graduating high school, she met Mylan Wetsit Sr. From that union, they had one son, Mylan “Chuey” and two daughters, Ameah and Laura Wetsit. In 2013, she met Stanley “Bo” Crowe. They married in 2015. They had a son, Bradyn, and two daughters, Darla Jo and Leola. She loved her children and wanted nothing more than for them to have a wonderful and fulfilling life. She loved to take country cruises, jam out to her favorite songs and dance. She had many siblings, younger and older, as well as numerous cousins that she loved to visit with, crack jokes on or just to even lend her ears to. Her smile could light up a room. She was preceded in death by her sister, Heather R. Campbell; and step-brother, Ely R. Magnan. She is survived by her father, Richard (Monica) Campbell Sr.; husband, Stanley Crowe of Helena; children, Mylan, Ameah and Laura Wetsit, all of Wolf Point and Brady, Darla and Leola Crowe, all of Helena; brother, Richard Campbell Jr.; three step-brothers, Lucio Quiroz, Doratello Fischer II and James Magnan; five sisters, Colleen Campbell, Harmoni Campbell, Marcella, Marlana and Martina Black Dog; grandmother, Alva Bighorn; and one step-sister, Arleda Quiroz. Funeral services were held Friday, July 1, at the Brockton Cultural Center. Interment was at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Donna Mae French Waitschies, 79, of Binghamton, N.Y., died in Denver, Colo., on June 29, 2022. She was born Nov. 15, 1942, in Binghamton, N.Y. She grew up in Holland Patent, N.Y., as the eldest daughter of Gerald French and Ruth Turk French with her brothers, Gerald “Skip” French Jr. and Gary French. She attended Wheaton College ,graduating with degrees in PE and mathematics in 1964. She married Karl Alfred Waitschies on Aug. 7, 1965, and they spent over 50 years farming together in Peerless where they raised four children, Cheryl Hammond, Karleen Westermeyer, Kristine Trillet and Janine Connor. They were active members of their church (EMB Church of Lustre) and the Peerless school community while their daughters attended. She is remembered for her tremendous love for her family, her passion for music, her infectious smile and her amazing cookies. She led the church children’s choir for over 25 years, coaxing the most exuberant singing from groups of all sizes. It’s how she introduced people to Jesus. She devoted her life to others — playing organ for church services as well as attending countless of her daughters’ sporting events for over 20 years which she continued by supporting her grandkids at their athletic events until she was no longer able. She was a partner to Karl in running their farm where harvest was her favorite time. She was truly unmatched in backing up a grain truck. She loved evening walks and beautiful sunsets. Most importantly, she enjoyed a wonderful life impacting those around her and relishing her roles as oma (grandmother), mother and devoted wife. She is survived by her husband, Karl Waitschies; children, Cheryl Hammond, Karleen Westermeyer, Kris Trillet and Janine Connor; 14 grandchildren; and brother, Skip French. Services will be held at the Glasgow Evangelical Church on Saturday July 9, at 2 p.m. with Pastor John Skillman officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.