18 August 2022

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Vern Eagleman

Vern Eagleman


Vern Kenneth Eagleman, Eagleman Warrior stands alone, 59, died Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, at Poplar Community Hospital. He was born on Jan. 21, 1963, to Melvin Lo Eagleman and Susan Fast Horse. In his teen years, he was adopted by Delberta Seminole-Eagleman. He attended school in Brockton and Poplar. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In his younger years, he enjoyed dancing traditional, playing basketball and hanging with friends and family. He is survived by his lifelong friend, Bernice Martin; daughters, Verna Kaye

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Gwen Frerich

Gwen Frerich


Gwen Frerich was born in Culbertson, Mont., on March 30, 1932, to 'Nute' and Dora Anklam. She passed away on Aug. 10, 2022, at the age of 90. She was a resident at Morningstar in Billings. Gwen was the oldest of three children and spent her childhood in Culbertson, except for a brief period on the Washington coast, while her dad served in the Army during World War II. Gwen married Dick Frerich on Nov. 7, 1949. They lived in Poplar and raised three girls, along with many bushels of wheat. After a lifetime of hard work and happy memories, Dick and Gwen retired to Billings, determined to never leave Montana. Gwen was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She described herself as 'a good cook,' and could make the perfect pie crust. Gwen loved bowling and was a lefty who enjoyed both league and tournament play. One of her favorite bowling memories was volunteering with the
11 August 2022

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Pat Drescher

Pat Drescher


Pat Drescher was born in Longmont, Colo., on Jan. 11, 1931, to Paul Lynn and Jessie Mae Drescher. Shortly after birth, Pat moved to Arizona where his parents farmed in Oak Creek Canyon near the town of Cottonwood. During grade school, Pat attended Oak Creek School, which was a two-room country school near the ranch. At age 16, Pat moved to Reno, Nev., where he graduated from Reno High School in 1949. He attended the University of Nevada Reno for two years pursuing a pre-legal degree before entering the Air Force to become a fighter pilot on Feb. 9, 1954. Upon completion of pilot training, he returned to the Nevada Air National Guard and served as a F-86 fighter pilot assigned to the Air Defense Command until his discharge on May 31, 1956. After separation from the military, he became owner/ operator of a small antique and pawn shop until 1962 when he was employed by the City of Sparks Fire Department where he served for 28 years. Pat’s primary assignment was fire prevention and investigation. He attended the Western Nevada Community College for two years and graduated with an associate of arts degree in fire science. After retiring from the fire service on April 15, 1990, at the rank of Fire Marshal/Battalion Chief, he spent approximately 10 years as a private investigator specializing in fire investigation. In February of 2000, Pat moved to Amidon, N.D., where he operated “Firehouse Antiques” for three years and, then in 2003, moved to Sidney, Mont., where he married Mavis Schledewitz and enjoyed total retirement. Pat was very active in scouting throughout his lifetime. He spent many years as a scoutmaster, serving on Woodbadge training staff while in Nevada. He was also active in Kiwanis for over 30 years and served as club president in Sparks, Nev., and Lt. Governor of Division 23 of the Nevada-California-Hawaii District. After serving his term as Kiwanis Lt. Governor, he received the Distinguished Lt. Governor Award for his exceptional leadership and devoted service. He brought his passion for serving children with him to Sidney where he has served as Lt. Governor of Division 5 of Montana District Commissioner for the Badlands District of the Boy Scouts of America. In 2013, Pat was awarded the Montana District Scouting Award of Merit. Pat and Mavis moved into the Lodge in September of 2018. In September of 2021, Pat and Mavis moved to Culbertson to live by family. He passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Pat is survived by his wife, Mavis; and their many family and friends. Pat’s memorial service was held at 10 a.m. (MDT) on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Sidney, Mont. Pastor Alton Hillesland officiated. A luncheon immediately followed the service. Pat was laid to rest at 2 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson, Mont. Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney is assisting the family. Friends may sign the on-line register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com. (Paid Obituary)

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Bernie “Butch” Finnicum

Bernie “Butch” Finnicum


Bernie W. “Butch” Finnicum, loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend, peacefully left this world on Aug. 3, 2022. Butch was born on 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 the love of his life, Christina Vallejo. They married on July 4, 1969. After a short stint in the Army, Butch and Chris returned to Culbertson to work in the family businesses, where Butch remained until he retired. They raised two daughters, Monika and KayCee. Butch 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 Butch did was wrapped up in family, whether it be his job or his hobbies. He was an amazing son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, forever taking care of all of us in his own quiet way. He had a great love of the Lord. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his grandkids. 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 grandkids, never missing an opportunity to brag about them. Butch was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Chris; daughters, Monika (Ward) Feldmann and KayCee (Scott) Murray; six grandchildren, McKenzie, Bridger, Braxton, Collin, Kayson and Maecyn; brothers, Paul (Lynne) Finnicum and Bill (Vicki) Finnicum; sisters, Diane (Steve) Hampton, LaVonne (Scotty) Scotson, Nancy (Tom) Hansen, Susan Finnicum and Bonnie (Jack) Hellweg; his Aunt Effie; Uncle Glen (Patty); and several cousins, nieces, nephews, Larry Birch and the guys and numerous friends. Butch was laid to rest at the Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. The family would like to thank all of the staff at St. Vincent’s in Billings who provided such great care for both him and his family. Anyone who wishes to honor Butch is requested to make a contribution to Ike’s Fishing Pond. Donations can be mailed to Culbertson Lions Club, PO Box 425, Culbertson, MT 59218. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, Mont., is assisting the family. Friends may sign the online register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com. (Paid Obituary)

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04 August 2022

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Obituaries

Obituaries


Linda Melbourne
Linda Melbourne, 66, of Brockton died on July 29, 2022, at Poplar Community Hospital. If you knew her, you knew she ...
28 July 2022

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Jim W. Nyquist

Jim W. Nyquist


(December 3, 1931 – July 9, 2022) Jim W. Nyquist, native of the Froid community, married to Scobey native Rhea Sherburne for 66 years died July 9, 2022, from a fall in their West St. Paul, Minn., home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Algot and Lillian Nyquist; and beloved son, Eric Nyquist. He leaves behind an elder brother, Carter Nyquist; his wife, Rhea; daughters, Ramona (Ross) Cunningham and Heidi (Bill Hickey); daughter- in-law, Kristin Nyquist; plus seven grandchildren, Cameron Nyquist, Peter (Allie) Nyquist, Madeline (Dennis) O’Flaherty, Jacob Hickey, Ben Hickey, Sam Hickey and Marit Hickey. Jim was in the financial services industry, serving as broker, manager, regional manager of various firms in the Twin Cities and in Chicago, but he found his greatest satisfaction from teaching finance at the MBA program at the St. Thomas University on a part-time basis over 26 years. One of the joys of Jim’s life was recounting his years at Froid High School. He lettered in football and basketball and formed some of his life’s deepest friendships there. In his retirement, Jim self-published a memoir called Life in a Small Town which told many tales of life in northeast Montana. He also wrote two other books, one a memoir of his time in the service and one a novelette about the brokerage business. Jim and his family were frequent visitors to the area even after the deaths of their parents and loved the Fourth of July celebrations and reunions the community sponsored. A Korean War veteran, Jim was buried at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on July 14 with full military honors. A celebration of life will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Mendota Hts, Minn., on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. (Paid Obituary)