11 February 2021

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Mikel Weeks

Mikel Weeks


Mikel Wayne Weeks, 29, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Jan. 30, 2021, in Wolf Point. He was born on March 5, 1991, in Wolf Point to Wayne and Debbi (MyRick Ferguson) Weeks. He was a member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe. Mikel grew up in Wolf Point, Mont., and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 2010. He played football, basketball and track for WPHS throughout his high school years. The highlight of his career was going to the State Class B Basketball Tournament his Senior year in 2010 under Coach Brent Nygaard. He really liked that his brothers, Martin and Matthew were also on that team and played with him the last game of his high school career. His greatest highlight was playing in youth basketball tournaments with his friends. You knew he meant business when he stuck his tongue out. Mikel loved his family very much. He was active in his Catholic faith and enjoyed going to church on Sunday mornings, and spending time with his nieces and nephews, standing in as their god parent. In high school, Mikel became a lifeguard and was awarded an honorary letter from the mayor himself for helping save a young girl’s life. Mikel loved carpentry and planned on being a contractor the year, something he looked forward to for a long time. He worked for BC Construction (Ross Bleazard) for 10 years and for Hegdahl Construction (Jerry Hegdahl) this past year, he highly respected both of them. Everyone knew him as a hard worker and as a nice and caring young man. Though they grew apart, he loved his friends very much and talked about them often. Mikel was preceded in death by brother, Wayne Weeks Jr.; grandparents, William Weeks Jr. and Lillian Delong Lambert Weeks; aunt, Dorothy Balbinot; uncles, Willie and Robert Weeks and John Paul MyRick; maternal great-grandparents, Martin and Maggie Toavs; grandparents, Kermit Paul Myrick and Gordon Ray Ferguson; and his best friends, Desmond Clark and Kevor Martell. Mikel is survived by his parents, Wayne and Debbi Weeks; his brothers, Martin Weeks and Matthew Weeks; his sisters, Caressa Grooms and Mariah Weeks (Vince LaRoche); his grandparents, Jim and Marlene “Molly” Kent; his nephews, Connor Grooms, Christian Grooms, Bentley “Benny” Weeks, Riot Weeks, Khavryn Weeks and Stone Weeks; his nieces, Violet Follette, Camry Grooms and Honor Integrity June LaRoche; his uncles, Albert “Sonny” Lambert (Bobbi), Gary Farnworth, John Weeks, David Weeks (Barb), Tom Weeks (Becky), Darin Myrick (Stacie), Paul Myrick (Mildred), Jonathan Myrick, Chris MyRick (Autumn) and Cody Myrick; his aunts, Jody Neutgens, Jackie Weeks, Rita Weeks and Sherry Passananti (Fred); his Godparents, Myron Long and Jackie Weeks; and numerous cousins and friends. A Rosary was held on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, at 6 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery. (Paid Obituary)

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Charles Moline

Charles Moline


On the evening of February 1, 2021 Charles Eugene Moline, age 76, of Brockway attended the Brockway Commercial Club meeting to plan the 103rd Brockway Dairy Day Rodeo. The next morning on a beautiful, sunny day he passed away on the prairie of his family’s homestead. The Dairy Day Rodeo was on of Charles’ life long passions. Everyday of every year he recruited rodeo contestants to enter this annual event, many times paying the contestants entry fees. He enjoyed watching the young cowboys and cowgirls thrive and go on to compete in the “bigger” or “big time” rodeos. He only missed two Dairy Day Rodeos in his life, once while he was serving our country and once to watch his son play in the Class B All-Star Football game. Born the second child to James and Bertha Ueland Moline on January 15, 1945 in Terry, MT, all his childhood years were spent on the homestead. He grew up working the fields, riding horses and working cattle with his brother and sister. During these years, Charles developed his love for antiques and started his collection. Many, many people who knew him knew that he didn’t like to miss an auction sale. He always loved to find the most interesting pieces and quiz people about the use and function. After spending so much time and money at action sales, he was honored to be a judge for the Montana State Auctioneering Contest. Charles was an avid sports player and fan. He started as a Brockway Bullpup and graduated as a Circle Wildcat in 1963 earning a football scholarship to play as a Northern Light for Northern Montana College. After a college football injury, he enlisted with the Montana National Guard serving from 1965 to 1971. His Military Specialty was 94B20, ie Cook. After his time in the service, he continued participating in sports by refereeing high school basketball with his lifelong buddies. On a fall evening in 1969, Charles attended a dance in Terry where he met his future wife, Darlene Hoffer, and the two were married one year later to the day on September 26, 1970 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive. For the next 50 years Charles and Darlene spent their time farming and ranching. Together they traveled to the NFR and other rodeos across the country. They supported their children and grandchildren in all their school, sports, 4-H and any other events that they were involved in. Charles served on many community boards including the Brockway and Circle School Boards, the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Board, the McCone County Museum Board and was a long time member of the McCone County Farm Bureau. Surviving Charles are his wife, Darlene, son Conrad (Sara) of Brockway, daughter Danya (Eric) Remboldt of Rapid City, and daughter Darby (Erick) Idland of Circle; his pride & joy grandchildren Ryann, Alexis, Madeline and Charlie Ann Moline, Autumn Sky, Arley and Cyrus Idland, Hannah Lapp and step-granddaughter Katelyn Remboldt; Aunt Jeannette Heide, brother Richard (Julie) Moline and sister Donna (James) Ostby and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Meeting him in Heaven are his parents, his inlaws David and Linda Hoffer and an infant daughter along with many uncles, aunts and cousins. Family will receive friends on Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the Brockway Cemetery in Brockway. If one wishes, memorials can be made to the Brockway Commercial Club, the Mc-Cone County Museum or the McCone County Volunteer Fire Department. (Paid Obituary)

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Dale LongTree

Dale LongTree


Dale “Dub” Wayne Long-Tree, 47, of Glasgow died Jan. 30, 2021, at Billings Clinic. He was born March 25, 1973, to Myra LongTree. He worked at the Cottonwood Inn for many years and loved watching and playing basketball, fishing at the lake and playing pool and darts. He loved spending his days with his daughter, Chassidy Faith. His proudest moments were those spent with his family and some of the happiest times in his life were spent with his dart league family, Northern Lights. There was never a dull moment with him. He could always bring a chuckle even to moments of extreme seriousness. Up until the end, his sense of humor and positive outlook remained with him. His last gift to the world was giving sight to two blind people. He is survived by his mother, Myra LongTree; daughter, Chassidy LongTree; and sister, Denelda Roll of Billings. Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 6, at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow.

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Marion Wolff

Marion Wolff


Marion Wolff, 87, of Culberson died Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Sidney Health Center. She was born July 6, 1933, to Russell and Maren Oelkers. On July 2, 1955, she married Darwin Wolff. She is survived by her sons, Darold of Sidney and Dale of Culbertson; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Ray Oelkers and Don Oelkers; and sister, Betty McGinnis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Darwin; brothers, Russell, Floyd, Marvin and Stanley; and sisters, Ruth Iverson, Gladys Tietz, Alice Oelkers, Leona Young and Ann Ueland. Memorial services will be planned for a later date this summer.
04 February 2021

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Gene Pena

Gene Pena


Gene Pena, 92, of Vida died Jan. 19, 2021, at his home in Vida. He lived in Vida with his family for the last 23 years. He was born in Chicago, Ill., to Diego and Nadine Pena on Nov. 28, 1928. He had three brothers, including his older brother Lawrence and younger brothers Carl and Victor. He spent his youth in Savage and later moved back to Chicago, where he attended high school. He was a veteran of the Army and worked various jobs including truck driving and construction. He would later become a mechanic, and owned his own trucking company in Billings. He later served as chief of police in Terry, served as undersheriff of Prairie County and was a private investigator in Montana and Nevada. He has been married to Dianna Herbster for 49 years. They have a daughter, Gina, and a son, David. He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Anne’s Community Church in Vida. He was very proud to be a member of the Knights of Columbus and was honored to serve time as a Grand Knight. He remained very active in the church throughout his life. Throughout his life, he had many interests including hunting, fishing, camping and traveling. He enjoyed walking and usually was accompanied by one of his dogs, including a German Shepherd named Dutchess who was his favorite. He enjoyed watching sports with his family and was especially a fan of boxing. He was preceded in death by his three brothers. He is survived by his wife, Dianna; daughter, Gina Pena; and son, David Pena. Services have not been scheduled. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Connie Crowe-Smith

Connie Crowe-Smith


Connie Crowe-Smith Connie Jean Crowe-Smith, 61, of Riverside died Dec. 15, 2020, in Riverside. She was born Dec. 22, 1958, to Nelson James Crowe and Elizabeth Ruby Red Boy at Poplar Community Hospital. She spent her life in Poplar attending school, living life and eventually marrying her best friend, Eddy O. Smith Sr., on Jan. 27, 1979. In 1982, they moved to Riverside where they’ve resided since. Their first son Edward Orval, Jr was born Dec. 15, 1980. Son Dustin William was born Jan. 10, 1985. They joined their older sister, Carrie Lee. She worked for many years with the BIA, then switched employment to the Fort Peck Tribes. She retired when health issues got to be too much. Connie, Eddy, sister Edna and brother Mike and sisterin- law Lovena were awesome bowlers in their heyday, winning many trophies in tournaments. She enjoyed crocheting at one time, creating many beautiful projects. Most notably was a huge blanket for her son, Eddy Jr., with a huge four-leaf clover in the middle for their beloved Boston Celtics. She and her family enjoyed all sitting down to watch the Celtics play and cheer. She thoroughly enjoyed when friends would show up to visit and reminisce. She hosted many holidays and birthdays in her home. During the summers, the family could all be found down at the river fishing and enjoying family time with Mom Bette. She was preceded in death by husband, Eddy O. Sr.; eldest son, Eddy O. Jr.; an infant son; brother, Charlie Crazy Bull; and sister, Francine Lemay. She is survived by numerous grandchildren; daughter, Carrie Lou Pribbernow; step-father, Cyril E. Iron Ring; best friend and sister, Debbie Scott Hill of Hardin; and sisters, Delores Crowe and Dolly Crowe. A funeral service for her and her son, Dustin, was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at the Smith Family Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Dustin Smith Sr.

Dustin Smith Sr.


Dustin, 'Baby,' 'Brother,' William Smith Sr., 35, died Jan. 13, 2021. He was born Jan. 10, 1985, to Eddy O. Smith Sr. and Connie Crowe-Smith in Williston N.D. He grew up and attended school in Poplar, graduating from Poplar High School in May 2003. During his high school years, he played basketball, which he greatly enjoyed, getting pointers from his personal coach, his brother, Ed. Playing basketball is where he acquired the nickname 'Baby.' Although he didn't run cross country, he could always be found at home running many miles on the dirt roads. In his boyhood years, he was quite the daredevil. One time, he climbed onto the top of the trailerhouse and dove into a snow bank at the daring of his brothers. Another time, he came into the house all excited with the 'treasure' he and a friend had found. To the horror of the moms, they each had a handful of baby hairless mice which they had to promptly go and dispose of. He attended Fort Peck Community College, where he received certificates in building trades. He eventually began work with the Fort Peck Housing Authority, where he earned many certificates in various areas of training, of which he was very proud. He married Amber Black Dog July 7, 2012. From this union, Dustin Jr. was born on Feb. 26, 2010, followed by Dillinger who was born Dec. 20, 2012. They later divorced, but remained friends. He later met Butterfly De-Marrias and, together, they had their daughter, DeShaunti Louise, on Nov. 2, 2018. He enjoyed doing various activities and fishing with all his children. He made many friends in his short life and never had a bad word for anyone. Always laid back and willing to visit, he was a mean barbecue cook, cooking outside on the wood grill even when it was raining. If his brother Eddy wanted grilled food, Dustin would be out there firing up the grill, even in the winter. Tragic events that led to his losing full use of his hands led to his depression, but he always greeted family and friends with a hug and “hi” when they showed up. He is survived by his sons, Dustin Jr. and Dillinger; his sons’ mother, Amber; daughter, DeShaunti; his daughter’s mother, Butterfly; grandmother, Louise Smith; and sister, Carrie Pribbernow. A funeral service for him and his mother was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at the Smith Family Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Reverend Enright Bighorn Sr.

Reverend Enright Bighorn Sr.


Reverend Enright Vernon Bighorn Sr. was called Home to be with the Lord on Jan. 23, 2021, following a short illness at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, N.D. He was born Nov. 5, 1950, to Jacob and Mabel (Foote) Bighorn Crowbelt in Poplar, Montana on the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Reservation. He was given the name “Wahinkpe Duta” (Red Arrow), which was passed down to be given to him by his father, Jacob. Enright attended Brockton Schools, Brockton, Mont., graduating as salutatorian in 1968. A talented basketball player for the Brockton Warriors, he was a member of the 1966 Warriors team along with his cousins that were conference, district and divisional champions and then consolation (third place) champs at the state tournament. He continued to play basketball after high school in independent basketball tournaments in the Phoenix valley and surrounding states, while on his brother Narcisse Bighorn’s independent basketball team. Following high school, he attended Cook Christian Training School in Tempe, Ariz. While there, he met the love of his life, his wife, Cyndi, who he was married to for 50 years. They were married May 8, 1970, in Tempe, Ariz. During Cook School, he did his internship in Idaho at First Presbyterian Church and First Indian Presbyterian Church on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. After graduating from Cook School, he served at Goodwill Presbyterian Church (Sisseton, S.D.) and Bdecan Presbyterian Church (Tokio, N.D.), as well as Ascension Presbyterian Church (Sisseton, S.D.) most recently. He spent most of his years as pastor at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church (Poplar, Mont.), Makaicu Presbyterian Church (Riverside, Mont.) and Rev. Lloyd Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church (Fort Kipp, Mont.) and, at times, he preached at United Dakota Presbyterian Church (Wolf Point, Mont.), Cansuska Presbyterian Church (Frazer, Mont.) and Mni-Sda Presbyterian Church (Chelsea, Mont). Enright attended the Navajo Police Academy and graduated as top cadet in 1975. He was employed with the Navajo Nation Police Department and Williston Police Department (North Dakota) in the mid-70s for a short time before he answered his calling to go into ministry full-time for 40+ years. He attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (Dubuque, Iowa) and then, in 1996, he was ordained as a minister for the Presbyterian Church (USA) at his home church, Rev. Lloyd Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Fort Kipp, Mont., serving in the Presbytery of Dakota (PCUSA). On Sept. 20, 2012, following the funeral services of Betty Ann Black Dog, Enright was honored by the Red Eagle and Good Bird families and bestowed the honor of Spiritual Chief for the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and he was presented a war bonnet. The Badland Singers made a song for him which was an honor he was so proud of. In his younger days, Enright enjoyed hunting, riding horseback, growing gardens, traveling to Arizona and New Mexico to visit relatives and farming/ranching. Every day, he liked reading the daily Bible devotions and scripture reading, visiting, reading the newspaper, telling old stories, sharing the family history, listening to all kinds of music such as, Steve Emery, old country, gospel, Selah and other Christian music, and watching John Wayne movies and other western movies, as well as Hoosiers, Rudy and The Waltons, to name a few. He was a doting grandparent and helped raise his four grandchildren, Rayanna, Chassidy, Ronnie and John, and he always wished he lived closer to his grandkids, Devin and Alexus, in Arizona. He loved to visit with his great-granddaughter, Willa Rose, whether on the phone or when she came to the house. Enright was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Bernice Foote Bighorn; father, Jacob Maurice Bighorn Crowbelt Sr.; his sisters, Doris Ann Bighorn, Ione Bighorn and Doris Rae Bighorn Andrews; brothers, Maynard Bighorn, Narcisse Bighorn and Jacob Bighorn Jr.; his adopted brothers, Harold Buck Elk and Lionel Kinunwa; and his best friend in Sisseton, Francis “Punchie” Charging Cloud. Enright is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Martin) Bighorn (Sisseton, S.D.); his son, Enright Bighorn Jr. (Sisseton, S.D.); his daughters, Mary Bighorn (Sisseton, S.D.), Carrie Bighorn (Browns Valley, Minn.) and Jennifer (Kevin) Shorter (San Tan Valley, Ariz.); his grandchildren, Rayanna Bighorn, Chassidy Bighorn, Ronald “Ronnie” Eagle, John “JC” Bighorn, Devin Shorter, Alexus Shorter and his great-granddaughter, Willa Rose Renville; his sisters, LaVonne Looking Elk (Rapid City, S.D.), Iola Scott and Kristie (Elmer) Crowbelt DeCoteau, both from Poplar, Mont.; his brothers-in-law, Timothy Martin (Rehoboth, N.M.) and Murray Andrews (Brockton, Mont.); his sister-in-law, Deloria Bighorn (Duncan, British Columbia, Canada); his adopted sister, Eileen (Buck Elk) Buckman; his nieces, Verna (Patrick) Shilow, Alice Long Hair and Lynnette Long Hair; his adopted daughters, Joel Rae Ferguson (Poplar, Mont.), Audria Jordan (Chandler, Ariz.), Victoria (Mike) VanArsdale (Mesa, Ariz.), Stacey (John) Menz Summers (Wolf Point, Mont.) and Danelle (Matthew) Menz Olson (Fort Kipp, Mont.); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. There are also many Hunka relatives: Charlotte Weston family, Lester and Louise Crawford family, Gene and Deborah Heminger family, the Menz family, the Red Fox family, Alta German family, the Jeanette Crawford family and many more. Sincere apologies for not being able to list everyone. Pallbearers were Dakota Johannessen, Kiyen Andrews, Darwin Longtree, Titan Pipe, Golden Walking Eagle and Myron Menz. Honorary pallbearers were Darrell Renville, Leonard Crowbelt Jr., Ernie Bighorn Jr., Ernie Joe Lambert, Sybil Doris Erickson, Darlene Left Hand, Carl Lufkins Sr. and Reverend Ken Lehman. A viewing was held Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Cahill Funeral Chapel, 516 East Cherry St., Sisseton, S.D. 57262. On Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m., a public viewing will be held at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, Mont., immediately followed by an evening prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at the Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church, Fort Kipp, Mont., followed by interment at Fort Kipp Community Cemetery. Services were officiated by Mr. Dean Bighorn, Commissioned Ruling Elder. Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, S.D., is entrusted with arrangements in collaboration with Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, Mont. (Paid Obituary)