Mertice “Mert” Marottek, 90, died Dec. 12, 2021, at Poplar Hospital in Poplar. She was born on Feb. 4, 1931, in Vida to Charles and Alice Wolski. When she was a young girl, she lived in Park Grove, while her father helped to build the Fort Peck Dam. She attended school for a time in Spokane, Wash., and graduated from high school in Wolf Point in the spring of 1948. She married Frank Marottek on Nov. 19, 1948, at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar. She and Frank had three sons: John in 1949, Charles in 1951 and Harold in 1956. Her first job after marriage was cleaning at the Dale Hospital. It was the first and only job she was ever fired from, for helping another employee finish her tasks. She was hired at the Community Hospital shortly after that and was a nurse for the next 14 years. In 1970, she and Frank purchased the Buckhorn Bar and Restaurant. She worked every position from cleaner to cook. The Buckhorn really was her life and she could always be found in the kitchen or behind the bar, writing out food orders, making soups and baking pies, maple sticks and cinnamon rolls. She was “Mama Mert” to everyone who worked for her and was a therapist as much as she was a boss. She enjoyed puttering around the farm on her golf cart, watering flowers and, in her younger years, gardening. She was an expert canner and baker. She always had cookies on hand for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved having them over to visit. She was a member of the Montana Tavern Association and, in 2019, the association named her Montana’s Retailer of the Year. She was also named a Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year by the American Beverage Licensees’ Association in 2019. On Sunday mornings, she was a fixture at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar. She is survived by her three sons, John Marottek of Denver, Colo., Charles Marottek of Poplar and Harold Marottek of Poplar; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Marottek; and brothers, Ed and George Wolski. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar with internment at the Poplar City Cemetery following. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Monroe Irvin Bartel died at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point on Dec. 15, 2021, just 34 days short of his 99th birthday. Along with his twin brother, Marvin, he was born into the homesteading family of Cornelius and Martha Bartel on Jan. 18, 1923. A neighbor lady, Mrs. Bill Nickel, assisted in the birth at the Bartel home. Before moving to the Faith Home, he lived his entire life on the farm. His home church was Bethel Mennonite Church, located 20 miles north of Wolf Point along Hwy 250, until the church closed its doors in 2005. It was at Bethel that he confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and was baptized, and he served as a Bible teacher and church leader there for many years. After the church closed, he and Wilma worshiped at Gospel Fellowship in Wolf Point. During his later years, his health became more fragile, but his trust in the Lord was unwavering. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence, Marvin and James (a stillborn baby); and two sisters, Hilda and Evelyn. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Wilma; three children, Marlin Bartel of Wolf Point, Rynette Olson of Valparaiso, Fla., and Jeral Bartel of Cody, Wyo.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the Gospel Fellowship Church in Wolf Point. Burial was at the Bethel Wolf Point Mennonite Church Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel assisted with the arrangements.

Janette E. White Hawk, 49, of Cheyenne, Wyo., died Dec. 12, 2021, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyo. She was born March 17, 1972 in Wolf Point. Services will be announced. Cremation is under the care of Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home.

Melissa White Eagle Cantrell, Wichapi Ota Winyan (Many Stars Woman), 80, died Dec. 11, 2021, at the Billings Clinic in Billings. She was born Jan. 4, 1941, and grew up around the Chelsea and Poplar area when she was a young girl. As a young lady, she moved in with her sister, JoAnn in California, where she met her husband, Courtney. They lived in California until the late 1960s. While in California, she was encouraged to get a nursing degree. She became a licensed practical nurse. She worked as a nurse in California and Montana. She was a very caring person. After moving back to Wolf Point, she worked at the hospital, L& M Cleaners with her sister-in-law, Dorrine, who she said made work enjoyable. Then, she worked Faith Home till she hurt her back. She then worked at Silver Wolf Casino as a cook. She loved her job, especially her coworkers. They were fun to work with, laughing and having fun. Some of the things she loved were family get-togethers, watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports and school events and attending celebrations that her children and grandchildren participated in singing and dancing. Later in life, she accepted Jesus Christ into her life. She attended the Overcomers Church, loved Bible study, revivals and retreats. When she was not able to attend, she enjoyed her visits with Pastor Lindsay and taking communion. When she was able to travel, she loved visiting her girls who are scattered in the United States. She was a listening ear for many who needed to talk throughout the years. She was encouraging and kind, but she could give you a talking to if needed. Her children’s and grandchildren’s friends became her friends also. She is survived by her daughters, Della Pipestem, Juanita Cantrell and Jonny Lee Bearcub of Wolf Point, Rosalind Tompkins of Spokane, Wash., Georgia Dupuis of Columbus, N.J., and Carla Soto of Lacy, Wash.; son, Michael J. Cantrell of Poplar; sisters, Vivian Jones, Louella Contreras, Ida Rae Cantrell, Mary Wolfchild and Sylvia Cantrell; brothers, Jeffery Douglas, Leonard, Art, Otto Jr. and Virgil Cantrell; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Courtney R. Cantrell Sr.; father, James White Eagle; mother, Roselyn Davis; the aunt who raised her as her own daughter, Christine Davis Douglas; sons, Courtney R. Cantrell Jr. and Verle Cantrell; sisters, JoAnn White Eagle and Mildred “Midge” Clancy; brothers, Leroy, Steven, Arnold, William, Duane, Jesse and John Douglas; and grandchildren, Frederick Medicine Stone, Jeremy Stiffarm, Kipp Stiffarm and Winona Youpee. Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 17, at the new Wolf Point Community Hall. Interment was at St. Ann’s Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel assisted with the arrangements.

After a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s and 10 days shy of his 87th birthday, our beloved James “Jim” Rowe passed into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus on Dec. 13, 2021. On Dec. 23, 1934, Leslie and Erma Rowe welcomed their first son to the world, James Clifford Rowe. He was later joined by a sister, Jean, and a brother, Jerry. As a young boy during the summers, he enjoyed working on his Uncle Elmer’s farm east of Scobey. He also enjoyed both bull and saddle bronc riding. Rodeos were a fun pastime for him. Jim graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1953. He then attended college in both Wahpeton, N.D., and Havre, Mont. In 1956, Jim was drafted by the Army and spent two years serving our country in Germany. After leaving the Army, Jim worked for Montana State Highway Department. One snowy night on a visit home, Jim went into Butzies and from across the room saw a beautiful young woman bowling, who would end up not even a year later his wife. On June 27, 1959, Jim married the love of his life, Patricia Hoffman, at the Methodist Church in Culbertson, Mont. They made their first home in Malta, Mont., where their first child, a daughter, Paula Jean was born. They then moved to Lincoln, Mont. They decided to leave the state department and move to his uncle’s farm east of Scobey. During this move, their first son, Larry Warren was born. They lived on this farm for three years before Jim started working for Nash Brothers. They then moved to Redstone, Mont., for three years where their last child, a son, Steven James, was born. From there, they moved to Four Buttes, Mont., for one year. In 1967, they moved to Wolf Point, Mont., where he worked for Montana-Dakota Utilities as a lineman. In 1969, they moved to Poplar, Mont., where he was the district representative for MDU. They raised their family in Poplar before leaving and moving to Culbertson, Mont., in 1984 where he continued with MDU until his retirement in 1997. After watching his grandson’s grow up in Culbertson and Poplar, they decided to move to Billings where they watched their one and only granddaughter grow up. Jim was active with the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club. He served as mayor of Poplar and was directly involved in fundraising for community projects needed in Poplar. Jim coached both his sons in baseball starting with Little League all the way through to Legion baseball. He was in charge of the fireworks stand that raised money for the Babe Ruth Baseball program, plus may other fundraising projects for the baseball program. As an added bonus he also coached his grandsons Chad and Shaun in their baseball program. Jim also served as the State A Legion Baseball Commissioner for many years. Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Leslie and Erma. He is survived by his wife, of 62 years, Patricia; daughter, Paula (Dallas) Dehner; sons, Larry and Steve Rowe; his grandchildren, Eugene Culbertson, James Rowe, Chad Dehner, Shaun Dehner and Faith Rowe; his sister, Jean Hekkel; brother, Jerry Rowe; and numerous nieces and nephews. His sense of humor and wonderful wit will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Culbertson, Mont. (Paid Obituary)