Lewis Dale Martell Jr., 41, of Grand Forks, N.D., died Jan. 10, 2022, in Grand Forks, N.D. He was born June 2, 1980, in Poplar to Lewis D. Martell Sr. and April Johnson. He attended schools in Poplar. He enjoyed spending time with family, listening to music, fishing, hunting, working on cars and lifting weights. In his younger years, he liked wrestling and boxing. He was a boxer for the Poplar Boxing Club that was started by Frank Martell; his father, Lewis Martell; and Lee Kip Rafaeal. He is survived by his parents, Lewis “Shorty” Martell Sr. of Poplar and April Johnson of Grand Forks, N.D.; sisters, Candie, Tashina and Marci of Grand Forks, N.D.; brothers, Rudy Loves Him of Poplar and Darren Longee of Grand Forks, N.D.; step-sisters, Vanessa and Jessica Red Star of Poplar; and step-brothers, Thomas Juarez and Anthony Melbourne of Poplar. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anita Martell. A funeral was held Friday, Feb. 4, at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar. Interment was at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Margaret “Marge” Forbes, 93, died Feb. 3, 2022, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. She was born July 4, 1928 in Wheelock, N.D., to Alex and Anna Skorick. She attended local schools and then went to college in Havre to become a teacher. She taught in three country schools for several years. On Dec. 23, 1950, she married John Forbes in Bainville. They established their home in the McCabe area where they lived and farmed for many years. She was a nurses aide at the Culbertson hospital temporarily, but was a faithful farm wife most of her life. She was known by her family and friends to be kind, thoughtful, generous and a wonderful cook. Many relatives and friends have been blessed by her “open door” policy with abundant food and good conversation at the kitchen table. She was a woman of strong faith and spent many hours with her well-worn Bible. She was a member of the Bainville Methodist Church, where she served as pianist/ organist for many years. She was preceded in death by two brothers; two sisters; husband, John; and a great-granddaughter, Lyla Gintz. She is survived by her three daughters, Susan Beck of Post Falls, Idaho, Pamela Weyer of Golva, N.D., and Cindy Cain of McCabe; a granddaughter; and three great-grandchildren. No services are being planned at this time.

Norma “Nana” Agatha Heser passed away on Feb. 4, 2022, peacefully and surrounded by family at NEMHS in Wolf Point, Mont. Norma was born Nov. 22, 1925, on a homestead 12 miles north of Wolf Point to Samuel and Alma McDonell. She attended Wide Awake Country School for eight years and, in the winter, would ride with her sisters three miles to school in a horse-drawn sleigh with heated rocks to keep warm. She graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1945 and then attended Volkman’s Beauty School in Great Falls. She married Lawrence Heser in 1948 and made their home on the farm south of Wolf Point where they raised chickens, pigs and cattle. Norma loved the farm life, the outdoors, picking field rock by hand, gardening, riding 4-wheelers and snowmobiles, cross country skiing when she was in her 80s, fishing and camping. She also loved sewing and making quilts with her grandkids. She also loved baking and cooking for her family — especially good were her donuts, brownies and homemade noodles. Norma is survived by her three children, Linda Heser of Wolf Point, Pat Hickok of Missoula and Larry (Eileen) Heser of Wolf Point; eight grandchildren, Barry (Katie), Tara, Stacie, Shasta, Bridgett, Amber, Kelli and KaDee (John); 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her parents; and her two sisters, Catherine Sprague and Hazel Rowell. Rest in peace “Nana.” We love you and will never forget you. Services were held on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Special Olympics of Montana, 710 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements. (Paid Obituary)

Alfred H. Schmitt, 81, of Frazer died Feb. 1, 2022. He was born Aug. 22, 1940, in Lustre, the third child of four born to Ludwig and Charlotte (Wichman) Schmitt. He lived his entire life in Lustre on the Schmitt farm. He graduated from Lustre Christian High School and attended Multnomah Bible College where he met Dorothy Glyshaw. They married Sept. 4, 1959, at Church of the Air in Billings. They had three children: Perry Schmitt, Craig Schmitt and Melenie Stone and all were raised in the “new house” on the original farm where he grew up. The EMB church was important to Alfred and Dorothy, and they attended this church their entire life. He was a part of “The Quartet” for many years, along with original members Don Traeholt, Ron Wall and Allen Wall. This quartet had changing members through the years, but was always a joy to listen to, including Schmeckfest. He was also a pilot and had a passion for flying. They, along with Vern and Pat Wiens, flew to Alaska on a great adventure. Remembering him checking on crops in his wooden-winged Mooney are some of his family’s favorite memories. Farming was everything to him. He was ready to farm this spring and was working on his farm plan up until a few weeks ago. Folks in the community referred to him as the “energizer bunny” because he never stopped and his passion for the farm and this church were at the top of his list. He also had a gift of drawing cars and designing things, whether it was a way to run the combine better or building a carport, he could fix anything. Words to describe him were talented, driven, funny, loyal, hardworking and honorable. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Perry Schmitt and Craig Schmitt; daughter Melenie Stone; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded i9n death by brothers, Erwin, Werner and Helmuth. Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 7, at the EMB Church in Lustre with Pastor Lee Button officiating. Burial was in the EMB Church Cemetery.

Anthony “Tony” Wise Spirit, 63, of Poplar died Jan. 29, 2022, at Poplar Hospital. He was born May 2, 1958, to Genevive Boxer and Owen Wise Spirit in Poplar. He was raised by his grandmother, Josephine Kidder Gray Hawk. He attended Poplar schools while growing up and finished with obtaining his G.E.D. at South Western Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M. He enjoyed his time there and he was an avid basketball player. He was very confident on the court and there was no stopping him once he had that ball in his hands. Throughout his life, he worked for A& S Industries, as a seasonal wildland firefighter, as a game warden, as a police officer and as a detention guard for the Fort Peck Tribes. He also completed Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena and the Federal Law Enforcement Training in Artesia, N.M. He obtained a certificate from each academy and was very proud of himself. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, going to powwows, traveling and listening to country music. He loved visiting with family and friends and talking about old times. He loved to have singing practice and sing with all the boys in the “Red Roc” drum group and traveling to different pow-wows to sing. He enjoyed spending time with his baby girl, Antoinette, in the summer. They would plant and grow tomatoes, water them and harvest them. He instilled in his children and grandchildren to never forget where their roots came from and to carry their last name “Wise Spirit” proudly. He is survived by his children, Benji Wise Spirit, Jason Wise Spirit, Antoinette Wise Spirit, Gerrie Herrera, Morning and Season Wise Spirit; 10 grandchildren; brother, Russell Boxer; and sisters, Beth With Bull, Mary Lou Azure, Madonna Azure, Lisa Boxer and Liz Graham. He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Wise Spirit; and brothers, Harvey Wise Spirit and Michael Wise Spirit. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Cremation will follow. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Thomas Richard Escarcega, Sr., (Waŋbdí Tȟokáheya), 73, of Riverside died Jan. 30, 2022, at Billings Clinic. He was born Nov. 30, 1948, in Poplar to Lucy Spotted Dog and Joseph Escarcega Sr. He grew up on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and resided there his entire life. He attended Poplar Public Schools and graduated from Poplar High School in 1968. He was an avid athlete striving in basketball, track, football and baseball. He moved to Chicago, Ill., in the early months of 1969. On April 4, 1969, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. By the time he ended his service to this country, he received the rank of E-4 Sergeant Senior Airman and received an honorable discharge. His commitment to our country compelled him to reenlist into the Army National Guard on Dec. 5, 1980, and received an honorable discharge Dec. 4, 1981. He obtained an associate degree from San Juan College in Farmington, N.M. He also obtained a bachelor’s of science degree in education from NAES College in Poplar. He received his master of business administration from University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. He was a Dakȟóta language teacher for the Poplar Public Schools in the mid-80s. He was a coach at Poplar High School, one year at Brockton High School and many years coaching youth in the Poplar Youth Tournament. He was the first Native American referee for Montana Officials Association. He refereed up on the Hi-Line and northeast Montana. He won numerous basketball tournaments in Fort Hall, Idaho, in the southwest and while stationed in the Air Force. He loved softball and played all over in Washington, North Dakota and Montana. He was elected onto the tribal council in the 1980s, serving his first term as a tribal leader. He started work for the water resource department, now known as the Fort Peck Tribes Assiniboine Sioux Rural Water System on Jan. 27, 1986. He lobbied in Washington, D.C., for many years contributing to the new water pipeline project that has brought clean drinking water to many households across the reservation. He was elected to the tribal council in 2017. He served two terms. He loved to dance and sing with Tatanka Oyate Singers at pow-wows. Later in life, he mentored his grandsons and help them create their drumgroup Tahca Sinte Ska Singers. He was a traditional dancer, as well as a traditional knowledge keeper, and practiced his spirituality at Chelsea Sundance, Three Buffalo Sundance and, most recently, Wahacanka Ska Sundance. He mentored many relatives in the traditional Dakota way of life. He was a humble man and had a generous heart. He made time for everyone and always listened well then offered advice if asked of him. He loved to tease and gave many nicknames. He ensured all his children and grandchildren had their Dakȟóta names. He is survived by his companion of 52 years, Esther Escarcega. Together, they have seven children: Tom Jr., Shantre, Cahann, Ramey, Rain, Coco and Ramsey Lewis, another son who greeted him on the other side. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his son, brothers and sisters. Funeral services are pending at this time. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.