Kevin Henry Seitz died on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his home in Culbertson. He was born in Billings on Oct. 14, 1958, to Henry Herman and Arlys Jean Seitz. He grew up in Broadview, helping with the family farm which is where his love for farming and agriculture started. He attended Northern Montana College in Havre, where he received a farm and ranch management degree as well as a business administration degree. It is also where he met Rhonda Anderson (Seitz). They started their family in Billings. After moving around for a few years, they settled in Nezperce, Idaho, where all four children grew up and graduated from Nezperce High School. His job as a soil conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Services then took him to Williston, N.D., which allowed him to pursue his passion at a higher level. He and his wife resided in Culbertson, where he lived full time until his death. He was a road warrior. He spent many years driving (or following) his four children around to various sporting activities. There were countless hours spent in the gym coaching and practicing with his children. He never missed one of their games if he could help it. He coached many of his children’s basketball teams, making an impact not only on his own children for his love of the sport, but also made a difference to so many of his children’s friends. He continued to be a mentor to the youth of his community. He led by example and was a role model to his children. He taught them how to work hard, treat people with respect, and most importantly, that family is the most important thing in life. He enjoyed many things including being a member of the Nezperce Lions Club, hunting, fishing, gardening, basketball and refereeing, but spending time with his family was what he enjoyed most. He had the gift of gab. “Stranger” was not in his vocabulary. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda of Culbertson/Nezperce; son, Nathan Seitz of Grangeville, Idaho; three daughters, Melissa Strerath of Lewiston, Idaho, Michelle Cannon of Moscow, Idaho, and Kelsie Seitz of Lewiston, Idaho; numerous grandchildren; brothers, Jim Seitz of Acton and Dave Seitz of Billings; and sister Trish Kellogg of Camas, Wash. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Keith Seitz. A funeral service was held Saturday, May 7, at Smiths Billings West End Chapel.

Lyle Hartvig Knudsen, 81, of Bain-ville died Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the Billings Clinic in Billings. He was born on Feb. 20, 1941, to Hartvig and Hazel Knudsen. His father died when Lyle was just five years old. He was raised on the family farm just north of Bainville along with his siblings Gerald, Wayne, Naoma, Beulah and Orabelle. Faith and family helped them through those tough times. He attended Bainville School and graduated in 1959. After high school, he worked as a farmhand and, in 1961, his sister Beulah introduced him to a coworker named Mary Madson. They were a perfect match and, in 1962, they were married in Ronan. They farmed north of Lanark and started a family. In that same year, he joined the Montana National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of E-5. He proved to be a good role model as his three boys all joined the National Guard when they got older. In 1970, he moved his family to Ronan, where he worked as a shop foreman for a Chrysler dealership. Eastern Montana called them back to Bainville in the mid ‘70s where he started Knudsen Repair Center where the Welcome Stop is presently located. He decided to get into the oil business in the ‘80s and started Knudsen Contract Pumping. Along with his sons, he worked many years in the oilfield and also worked as a school bus mechanic and bus driver for the Bainville School. He was mechanically minded and because of that talent many people would call or stop by the house asking questions about their vehicle issues for years after the repair shop had closed. He was a hardworking man his entire life. He found joy in the simple things each day. He enjoyed deer hunting, toe tapping gospel music and following the activities and growth of his grandchildren. He was an active member of Bainville Faith Fellowship Church. He along with other members helped to purchase, move and setup the church in its current location. He loved to travel with Mary whether it was on an Alaskan cruise, to see his sister Beulah in California or on the back roads of Montana. He would take Mary almost daily to the Welcome Stop for coffee and a visit with friends followed by a drive in the side by side to check on the town. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Gerald, Wayne, Naoma and Orabelle. He is survived by his wife, Mary; sister, Beulah; daughter, Sherry Welty; sons, Lane, Mike and Brent; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 15, at 2 p.m. (MST) at the Bainville School in Bainville. Pastor Lane Vannatta will officiate. Burial will be at the Bainville Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston on Friday, May 13, from 12 to 4 p.m. (CST) and one hour prior to the service time on Sunday. The funeral service will be livestreamed directly on his obituary page on Fulkerson Stevenson’s website at www.fulkersons. com.

Ferne Arlene Zerbe was born June 14, 1930, in Max, Neb., to Richard A. and Helena (Brethower) Rousselle. She passed away peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior after a brief illness at the age of 91 on May 1, 2022. Ferne grew up on a farm during the depression years, going to a one room school house in the country. Later the family moved to Stratton where she graduated from Stratton High School in 1948. Ferne earned her associates degree in teaching from Mc-Cook College. She taught for two years before marrying Paul Zerbe of Lustre, Mont., in Culbertson, Neb., on June 18, 1952. Together, they had three children: Lynell, Galen and Sherrie. Paul and Ferne farmed and operated Zerbe Brothers implement business until retiring and moving to Glasgow in 1997. They enjoyed spending their winters Alamo, Texas, at Bibleville and working at the Rio Grande Bible Institute where Ferne made many quilts. She loved crocheting, making afghans and reading. She was involved in several church activities throughout her life including teaching Sunday school, serving Awana meals, participating in Bible studies and partaking in the ladies quilting group. For many years, Ferne was a member of the Evangelical Church Prayer Group. She also attended Christian Women’s Club and most recently filled in as the church secretary. She loved the Lord and led a missional life starting at the age of six, when she accepted the Lord as her Savior. Her last two years were spent at Prairie Ridge where she was known for her faith and her sense of humor. She felt very well cared for and loved living there. Ferne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; great-grandson, Christian Gartside; sonin- law, Bob Myers; sister, Evelyn Buller; brother, Duane

Shirley Wallander, 85, of Billings, previously of Froid, died Thursday, April 21, 2022, at her home. She was born Oct. 25, 1936, in Medicine Lake to Lu and Melvin Tronson. She graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1955. On Jan. 3, 1957, she married Gregory Wallander in Sidney and they spent 65 years together. She enjoyed children, especially babies, and was a foster parent for several infants. All of her grandchildren have many fond memories of time they spent with her. She worked as a secretary/ bookkeeper for a short time, but her favorite role in life was being a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and also enjoyed her flower gardens. While living in Froid, she was a member of the Roosevelt County Library board, the Froid Womens Club and was a member of the Froid Congregational Church. She

Cory Ross Schindler, 35, of Wolf Point died April 23, 2022 at Poplar Community Hospital. He was born in Wolf Point on Oct. 24, 1986, the son of Albert “Billy” Schindler and Mildred “Millie” First. He has been said to be a caring, friendly soul. Some may have said he was dealt a tough hand, but he always met people with a simple wave, a big smile or a hug. He was always very respectful and could be found teasing or cracking jokes with his friends and family. Many will remember his contagious laugh. He enjoyed playing pool and hanging with friends and family. He is survived by brothers, Aaron Ackerman of Frazer and Albert Schindler of Wolf Point.

Heidi “Faye” Johnson, 42, of Poplar died April 15, 2022. She was born to Gayle Lynn Wetsit and Lionel Dean Johnson on Sept. 7, 1979, in Poplar. She graduated in 1998 from Poplar High School. She worked for most of her employment time at Tribal Express where she was exposed to all walks of life and that was one of many doorways to meeting a plethora of adopted family members. She had a wealthy social life and was passionate about her beliefs, her family — in all forms. She always lived by her code, a code that honors a sense of love that went beyond blood. When she loved, she loved completely and without judgment. She didn’t waste her breath on pointless praise and only spoke her mind. She loved to spend time with friends and family, doing the things she loved such as playing pool, bonfires,

Violet Irene Desjarlais, 87, of Wolf Point died April 28, 2022, at Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings. She was born in Fort Totten, N.D., Feb. 25, 1935, to John and Mary Miller. Shet was an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Nation of Fort Totten. She attended Fort Totten High School and graduated in 1953. In 1954, she married Francis Richard Dionne and moved to Wolf Point in 1955 and had seven children. She met Gordon Desjarlais in 1966 and were married June 9, 1967. They celebrated 48 years of marriage. Gordan passed away on July 13, 2015. Some of Violet’s special interests were sewing pillows. She created her own unique pattern for star pillows and were shared throughout the United States, some going as far away as Russia. She loved taking pictures of family and her pictures were well organized in photo albums. She was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to discuss with her grandchildren her favorite sports of basketball, figure skating and tennis. Her favorite NBA team was the Lakers, and her favorite player was Kobe Bryant. She would discuss basketball stats with her grandchildren.

Reuben Carl Damm, of Columbus, 82, died April 28, 2022. He was born Nov. 1, 1939, the third of six children of Alexander and Mollie Damm. He was born at the family home near Froid and attended Culbertson Public Schools, graduating in 1958. He served honorably as a member of the Montana National Guard while obtaining his teaching credentials and bachelor’s degree from Northern Montana College. He taught school in Plentywood, Hysham and Harlowton, where he met Joann White whom he married in 1966. Their daughter, Anna Karenina Damm, was born in 1968 while both worked in the Granite County School District. In 1971, he completed a master’s degree in education. Beginning in 1975, he worked at White Pine Sash in Missoula. In 1981, he and Joann divorced. He then met Beth Runge at the Solo Stars Square Dance group in Lolo and they married on Oct. 30, 1982. After over a decade at White Pine, Reuben returned

Robert Orene Bahls, 77, formerly of Lambert, died April 20, 2022, at the nursing home in Wibaux. Nicknamed Butch by his mother, he was born Aug. 24, 1944, in Sidney, the son of Robert and Edna (Burgess) Bahls. He was raised on a farm north of Lambert, went to a country school at 3 Buttes which is still standing today. When the weather was nice, Bobby and his sister, Elaine “Laney”, would ride horses to school. He liked old cars, trucks and telling jokes, but he especially liked John Deere tractors. He would attend many auction sales collecting tractors. He could always be found working on a John Deere. He participated in many parades either on horseback, tractors or in cars. He also enjoyed entering and driving in tractor pulls around the area. He was a member of the Culbertson Threshing Bee for many years and served as president of the association for a while. He would get on the radio Buy & Sell and advertise his tractors for sale. On Sept. 7, 1985, he married Lorean Curnutt. When he left the farm and moved to Sidney, he would take his daily walk to Millers Corner to visit with the guys, or you could see him around town riding in his Flex Car. Oct. 3, 2015, was the saddest day for Bob, it was the day he held an antique tractor auction at his home in Sidney and sold all his tractors. He moved to the Culbertson Nursing Home, then went to The Lodge in Sidney before moving to the nursing home in Wibaux. He is survived by his children, Charles, John and Rhonda; sisters, Elaine “Laney” Hill of Lambert and Linda Hanson of Sidney; and his special friend, Patti Schwenke. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorean Bahls. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 26, at Fulkerson’s Memorial Chapel in Sidney. Burial was at the Sidney Cemetery.