Brayden James-Lee Steele, two, of Wolf Point died July 31, 2022, in Wolf Point. He was born May 17, 2020, in Wolf Point to Hailey Steele and Cody Weeks-Combs. He filled his family’s lives with so much love and joy. He was so full of life and absolutely loved playing outside. He would play outside from the time he woke up in the mornings until it was time for him to go to bed. His Grandma Fern and “Dad” TJ would sit outside with him all day long until it was time to go inside — not by choice but because he would make them. Once outside with him, there was no going back inside. Everyone that knew him would get hugs, kisses and fist bumps, high five or just a great big happy “Hi!” He loved playing with his “best friend” Haumni-Waylon Youpee III and cruising with Grandpa TyRay Healy, who introduced him to cruising around at the Bridge Park. He is survived by his “moms,” Hailey, Hannah, Gram Fern, Gram Billie Jo, Gram Frannie, Holly, Vicky and Kristian; dad, TJ Connor; grandparents, Cody White Bear, Jimmy Combs, Chris Neulman and Olyn Payne; and great-grandparents, Lois Weeks and Linda Weeks. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at Chelsea Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

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 Special Olympics. Gwen was also an accomplished quilter, card and cribbage player. Gwen shared her talents with her church. She taught CCD, managed Altar Society meetings and funeral dinners, and served as chair for Our Lady of Lourdes' renowned Harvest Dinner. She and Dick were also active in the Cursillo movement. Gwen’s Catholic faith was her joy and comfort. Gwen was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Carol Self; and her brother, Edward Anklam. She is reunited with her beloved husband, Dick, who passed away in 2015. Gwen's legacy is her family — daughters and sons-in-law, Ann (Doug Berg) of Billings and Mary Lee (Dale Smith) and Connie (Bryan Schulz) of Farmington, N.M. Gwen left an indelible mark on her five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren by sharing family traditions and creating many happy memories. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. A vigil was held at Smith West Funeral Chapel in Billings on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. and the funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle, Billings, on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. Burial at the Poplar Cemetary will be at a later date. (Paid Obituary)

Donna Jean Damon, 80, died Aug. 13, 2022, at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. She was born on Feb. 10, 1942, to Frank Laroque and Alvina Brunelle in Poplar. She joined sisters, Betty Mc-Call and Gail Eva; and brother, Raymond “Dicky” McVay. She is survived by the families of sons, Kenny of Poplar, Brett and Richard, both of Wolf Point; and daughters, Laura, Beverly and Kathryn, all of Wolf Point, and Skilene of Belgrade. A viewing will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. with a Rosary service to follow at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Cremation will follow services. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Delores Jane Hendrickson, 89, died July 24, 2022, at Faith Home in Wolf Point. She was born to James and Lydia Gallagher on Dec. 28, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1946, the family moved to Belfield, N.D. While a teenager, she was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She attended Belfield grade and high schools, graduating in 1952. She married John Hendrickson June 28, 1953, at Plentywood Kingdom Hall. In July, they attended the International Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York City, later honeymooning in Niagara Falls. They lived at Redstone, raising six sons and three daughters. John died in September 1978. In winter of 1980, she moved her family to Plentywood. She worked at Alta Vista Cafe for Ron and Nancy Morstad as a kitchen helper, retiring in 1998. She was a hard working, quiet, gentle mother. She was also a person of strong faith and conviction, sharing her faith with others. Many enjoyed her hospitality over the years. She enjoyed every visit from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by children, Mark, Kenneth, Linda, Lydia Anderson, Danny, Lyonia and Tracy, all of Plentywood, and Lorenzo of Wolf Point; 17 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Donald; husband, John; and son, Raylo. Private interment will take place at a later date. Memorial services via videoconferencing to be announced.

Keaton Vincent Wolff, 27, died Aug. 9, 2022, in Billings at the Park View Care Center. He was born to Keith R. Wolff and Myrna F. Whitright on Aug. 13, 1994, in Wolf Point. Growing up, he attended schools in Wolf Point and Glasgow. He enjoyed wrestling, riding dirt bike, playing video games and “raising Cain” with his sisters. Keaton was very good at annoying his sisters and had a very calculated way of doing so. He grew up around all women, so he always had to show them who was boss. He will be remembered by his crazy, humorous, loving and always joking personality. He met Sydney Thompson when they were just children, and it didn’t take long before they fell in love. They have two sons, Liam Elias Wolff who was born on Jan. 7, 2015, and Paxton Blaine Wolff, born on March 8, 2018. He worked many random jobs, but his favorite job was when he did electrical work with his father, Keith. They shared many long days and nights working together and He is survived by his parents, Keith Wolff (LeAnn Wolff) and Myrna Whitright; long-time girlfriend, Sydney Thompson; two sons, Liam and Paxton; brother, Adam Wolff of Dell Rapids, S.D.; sisters, Jami Wolff, Tabitha Wolff, Amanda Stradley and his twin sisters, Ashtin and Rebekah Azure; and two step-brothers, Samuel and Josh Berger. Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 13, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Pat Drescher, 91, of Culbertson died Saturday, July 30, 2022. He was born in Longmont, Colo., on Jan. 11, 1931, to Paul Lynn and Jessie Mae Drescher. Shortly after birth, he moved to Arizona where his parents farmed in Oak Creek Canyon near the town of Cottonwood. During grade school, he attended Oak Creek School, a two-room country school near the ranch. At age 16, he 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. His 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 2000, he moved to Amidon, N.D., where he operated “Firehouse Antiques” for three years. In 2003, moved to Sidney where he married Mavis Schledewitz and enjoyed total retirement. He 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, he was awarded the Montana District Scouting Award of Merit. He and Mavis moved into the Lodge in September 2018. In September 2021, they moved to Culbertson to live by family. He is survived by his wife, Mavis. His memorial service was held Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Sidney. Pastor Alton Hillesland officiated. He was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson.

Bernie W. “Butch” Finnicum, 77, of Culbertson died Aug. 3, 2022. He was born 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 Christina Vallejo. They married July 4, 1969. After a short stint in the Army, he and Chris returned to Culbertson to work in the family businesses, where he remained until he retired. They raised two daughters, Monika and KayCee. He 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 he did was wrapped up in family, whether it be his job or his hobbies. He had a great love of the Lord. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his grandchildren. 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 grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Chris; daughters, Monika Feldmann and KayCee Murray; six grandchildren; brothers, Paul Finnicum and Bill Finnicum; and sisters, Diane Hampton, LaVonne Scotson, Nancy Hansen, Susan Finnicum and Bonnie Hellweg. Burial was at the Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.

Wendy Lisa Chopper, 49, of Poplar died July 30, 2022, in Billings. She was born on July 2, 1973, in Devils Lake, N.D., to Abraham Chopper Sr. and Lorene (Good Soldier) Michel. She attended school in Sheyenne, N.D., until her freshman year and then went to Clearfield Job Corps in Clearfield, Utah. She was in culinary arts. After leaving Job Corps, she worked at many different places throughout her life. She worked at Dakota Tribal Industries; Spirit Lake Casino in Ft. Totten, N.D.; MIT Telemarketing; Dakota Sportwear; Noodles by Leonardo; Taco John’s and McDonald’s in Devils Lake, N.D.; Subway and Taco John’s in Jamestown, N.D.; McDonald’s in Aurora, Colo.; Bear Lodge Assisted Living and Cenex in Billings, Mont.; Bryan’s in Wolf Point; and as a CNA at the Poplar Hospital and at Tribal Express in Poplar. She was a kind soul who loved her family and friends to the fullest. She would try to help anyone out in need if she could. She is survived by her mother, Lorene Michel of Poplar; children, Colby Chopper of Sioux Falls, S.D., Benjamin Chopper and Royce LaVallie of Fargo, N.D., and Payton Knoth of Flaxville; siblings, Abraham Chopper Jr., Jolene Chopper-Jones of Poplar, Joseph Dunn of Jamestown, N.D., Louis Dunn of Fargo, N.D., Tiffany Chopper of Billings and Nicolle Bighorn of Brockton; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Douglas Michel; and sister, Althea Deserly. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.