Jason Dale Walking Eagle “Tatanka Wacin” Dancing Buffalo, 32, of Poplar died June 15, 2022, at Poplar Community Hospital. He was born to Lorna Drum and Alfred Walking Eagle Sr. on Sept. 15, 1989, in Williston, N.D. Although he was raised by his mother, he had uncles that helped raise him and looked up to, John Spotted Bird, Bear Roberts, Turbo Boyd, the late Chuck Spotted Bord, Bernard Youpee, Rocky Youpee Sr. and Paul White Bear. In his teenage years, he would jump on Amtrak and head to Fort Belknap where his cousin Faith Birdtail would pick him up and powwow the weekend with his nephews and cousins Assiniboine Cree. He graduated from Brockton High School in 2008. After graduating, he moved to Rapid City, S.D., to live with and take care of his grandmother Delores Hayes. While there, he worked at Taco Bell. He then moved to Spirit Lake where he traveled and sang all over the United States at sundances making friends wherever he went. While living with Richard and Lonna Street in Spirit Lake, he learned the art of porcupine quillwork. He made some beautiful hatbands, earrings and bracelets. While growing up, he hung around with his many cousins, his brother Ian and the Badlands Crew. In 2002, the boys started their own drum group named Tatanka Wacin “Dancing Buffalo.” After two years, the boys were given the name Badland Singers by Leland Spotted Bird and Chuck Spotted Bird. The young Badland boys traveled to many powwows and won many singing contests. In 2011, they won the singing contest at United Tribes. They also placed at other powwows. The young Badland Singers recorded two CDs — one was sundance songs and the other intertribal powwow songs. He was given a flute from Walter RunsAbove. He is survived by his mother, Lorna; father, Alfred Walking Eagle Sr.; sister, Sami Lyn; brother, Ian; and grandmother, Doris Spotted Bird. Funeral services were held Friday, June 24, at the Brockton Cultural Center. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Keven C. Johnstone, 59, of Froid died at his home Jan. 17, 2022. He was born Oct. 25, 1962, in Missoula to John and Norma Jean (Mogan) Johnstone. He and his younger sister got to experience living in various towns in Montana as well as Washington while his family moved around for their mother's job as a teacher. He graduated high school in Medicine Lake in 1981. He then attended college in Williston, N.D., and Bozeman. He made a career working as a motor hand in the oil field and most recently was employed by Nabors, Inc. It was hard work, but he was dedicated to his trade as it gave him the benefit of work and income while he pursued his true passion of farming. He met Dawn Loegering in September 2004. They married the following year on Oct. 15, 2005. Although their relationship began by way of technology, the couple enjoyed spending time together driving the back roads through the country. Navigation wasn’t always a strong suit. Through this marriage, he accepted a daughter by choice and they exchanged jokes and gag gifts and enjoyed many adventures. He had many titles, but one of his most cherished was “Papa.” His four grandchildren were his pride and joy. They all looked forward to his visits whether in person or video chats. He is survived by his wife, Dawn (Loegering) Johnstone of Froid; daughter, Tiffany Roebuck of Mobridge, S.D.; four grandchildren; mother, Norma Jean Johnstone of Froid.; and sister, Michelle Gay of Moose Lake, Minn. A graveside committal service was conducted Saturday, June 25, at the South Froid Cemetery.

Janette E. White Hawk, 49, of Cheyenne, Wyo., died Dec. 12, 2021, at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyo. She was born on March 17, 1972, in Wolf Point to Patricia Valkenburg and Walter J. Belcher. She had a very special relationship with her grandmother Cleo, who died in December 2013. She moved to Cheyenne in 1998 where she could be close to her children and grandchildren. She furthered her education by getting a degree in psychology, but really wanted to study law so she could help women and young girls in trouble. She spent the last few years working for a couple of law firms. She loved to spend time with family and enjoyed her pets. She also had a special love for elephants. She could pretty much do anything she set her mind to until her disability prevented her from completing the task at hand. She loved drawing, crocheting, beading and writing, especially poetry. She loved people and never turned away a soul in need. She enjoyed witnessing to the women in jail and sharing the Gospel. She is survived by two daughters, Krystal Nichols of Cheyenne and Sheray Nichols of Sheridan, Wyo.; one son, Timothy J. Duckworth of Cheyenne; adopted son, Randy Birthmark of Wolf Point; mother, Patricia Whitright of Wolf Point; father, Norman (Melissa) Harada of Cheyenne; brothers, Travis Harada of Cheyenne, Jeremiah Whitright of Wolf Point, Joseph Whitright of Denver, Colo., Shaun Hoffman, Johnny Belcher and Jesse Belcher, all of Wolf Point; and five grandchildren. A memorial service was celebrated on Saturday, June 25, at the Lakeview Chapel at Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home in Cheyenne.

Shirley Kareen Zimmerman, She was born July 25, 1932, in Wolf Point to Halvor and Clara Lien. She joined a sister and four brothers. She was raised in McCone County. She graduated at age 16 as valedictorian of Wolf Point High School Class of 1948. She married Russell Zimmerman on Sept. 17, 1950. They had four children, Layne, Darrel, Marlys and Grant. They farmed and ranched north of Wolf Point. She served dinner every day for the working men or took it out to the field. She was active in the First Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school and adult Bethel Bible study. She was on the church council for many years and was the first female president. She was still church funeral director since the 1960s. She was a member of the Women of the ELCA and was lay pastor at times. She was president of the 100 Club and was part of the committee that organized the Smorgasbord every fall. She made roasts for years for family gatherings and baked all the time for anyone in need. She is survived by her children, Layne, Darrel, Marlys and Grant; eight grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. A memorial service was held Monday, June 27, at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Inurnment followed at the Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Tyler Lynn Koenig, 32, of Lincoln, Neb., died June 24, 2022. He was born June 21, 1990, in Beatrice, Neb. He attended Tri-county elementary and junior high at Dewitt, Neb. The family then moved to Culbertson where he graduated with the class of 2008. During high school, he worked at MeToo Pizza. The family moved to Lincoln where he attended Southeast Community College and then Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in mass communication in May 2014. While attending college, he worked at Ruby Tuesday. Following graduation, he worked for Nelnet in the home advisors department for several years. He then began his career with Verizon as a customer sales representative until he became too ill to work. He was an adventurous soul and would spark conversation with anyone and would soon have them laughing from his quick wit and humor. He loved to travel and took great interest in art and history. He also enjoyed being outdoors, whether he was out fishing or camping. Tyler was a bit impulsive but that’s what made him Tyler. He is survived by his spouse, Jonathan Henning; daughter, Ayla Koenig of Omaha; mother, Brenda Koenig of Lincoln; sister, Angela (Alex Derun) Koenig of Lincoln; and brother, Travis (Jena) Koenig of Tucson, Ariz. Visitation will take place at Wyuka Funeral Home on Thursday, June 30, from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 1, at Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln. Funeral services will follow burial at Lincoln Berean Church in Lincoln with Pastor Ken Hessel officiating.

Cyndy Panasuk, 66, died Monday, June 13, 2022, at her residence in Bainville. Cynthia Helen Panasuk was born on July 18, 1955, in Sidney to Harry and Helen Foss. She was the second born of four girls who grew up on the family ranch out on Charlie Creek, working the cattle and the fields alongside her sisters and her parents since she was young. She went to elementary school at Ruffatto School until the seventh grade before attending high school in Culbertson. After she graduated, she attended Montana State University - Bozeman and finished school at Eastern Montana University in Billings with a degree in education. She began her teaching career in Sidney, moved to Brockton, then finished in Bainville. Over the years, she taught a variety of grades, kindergarten through high school. She loved each of her students like kids of her own and, even though she retired, she didn’t let that end her teaching adventure as she subbed at the Bainville School for years after. She met Miles Panasuk and they married in 1985, planting their roots in Bainville. Later, her son Jake and daughter Nena were born and were truly the pride and joy of her life. She always enjoyed a challenge. Whether it was puzzles, a half marathon, quilting, starting CrossFit after retirement and many more difficult activities, she loved to challenge her brain and body. She and Miles began wintering in Wickenburg, Ariz., where she took up hiking and

Maynard Lionel “Skeedo” Hawk, Charging Whirlwind Horse, 71, of Poplar died June 14, 2022. He was born to Edward Michael Hawk and Almena Necklace on May 11, 1951, in Poplar. He grew up in Fort Kipp, just west of town on the old highway. Much of his time was spent with his relatives Rusty, Dusty, Lyle, Louis “Jack” Youpee and Sissy Anderson. He later moved to Poplar and stayed with his cousins, the Dennys. He had two children with Flora Hapa: Monella Rose Hawk and Herman James Hawk, who died at a young age. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1970 and later was honorably discharged. He married June Greybull in the 1980s. He had various jobs, mainly for the BIA Road department, and did some sub-contracting for Fort Peck Housing. He also had many interests and hobbies throughout his lifetime, some of which included working horses, hunting, fishing, mechanic work and coaching baseball championship teams. He was also a men’s traditional style dancer, played the bass and rhythm guitar and enjoyed playing bingo. He and his wife, June, were members of the Poplar Assembly of God Church and were baptized together as a

Stanley “Sweed” Maurice Kirn, 85, of Wolf Point died June 7, 2022, at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. He was born on March 26, 1937, in Poplar to Leslie (Red) Kirn and Alice (Archdale) Corpron. On Jan. 14, 1955, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in San Francisco, Calif., and honorably discharged on June 17, 1958. He started employment with the oilfields and spent the rest of his years truck driving. In November 1987, he married Delores (RedThunder). He enjoyed spending time with his family and was known for feeding the ducks at Frontier Park. He would take little drives to all the bread stores and collect all