Robert Dale Azure Sr., 65, of Havre died Oct. 28, 2021. He was born in Poplar to Ervin Azure and Bonnie Nelson. From this union, they had five boys and four girls. He worked in the oil fields for many years. He started at 16 years old in Plentywood. After that, he became a driller for about 15 years. He retired from the rigs to get his GED and AA degree from Fort Peck Community College in mechanics. He then moved to Havre to continue his education at MSU, earning a bachelor degree in mechanics. While in Havre, he worked at the Hill View Apartments. It became a full-time job. He managed the apartments from 1990 to 2018 when he finally retired. He enjoyed family activities, camping, fishing, family gatherings and hunting. He camped every summer with brother, Ervin. He gave his life to the Lord in 2017 and attended Blue Sky Church. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his world. He always had a home to come back to at his sister Cindy’s house to visit family. He is survived by his children, Kaycee Azure, Robert Azure Jr. and a granddaughter, T’Shauna Azure, whom he raised as his own daughter; two step-daughters, Jade and Raenelle Clancy whom he helped raise; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and siblings, Ervin, Brenda, Curt, Paula, Cindy, Melvin, Julie, Craig and Mike. He was preceded in death by his wife, Julie. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Blue Sky Ministries. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Scot T. Panasuk, 63, of Bainville died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in rural Bainville. Scot Tracy Panasuk was born in Williston, N.D., on Nov. 13, 1957. He was the fifth child of George and Irene Panasuk’s seven children and grew up on the family farm north of Bainville. He was educated in Bainville and graduated from Bainville High School with the class of 1976. He went to Minot State University where he played defensive end and linebacker on the football team with a football scholarship. He then transferred to Montana State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in ag business. In 1977, he met Diane Hughes, who he was married to from 1978 until 2016. Scot, Diane and Travis, Diane’s son who Scot loved like his own, moved out to the farm that they had purchased six miles south of Bainville after his time at MSU. Their family was completed with the birth of their son Trent in 1988. He enjoyed the finer things in life — playing cards, fishing, driving his ‘57 Chevy and riding his Harley all while dipping wintergreen snus and drinking copious amounts of coffee. He suffered a life of disappointment as a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan waiting for the elusive Super Bowl win, but there was always a smile on his face when a Norwegian joke was told or there was a plate of Lutefisk in front of him. Anyone who met Scot will remember his hearty laugh that lit up a room and made everyone smile. Though he endured northeast Montana winters his entire life, he recently embraced the sunny Arizona snowbird lifestyle. He was a passionate farmer who was known throughout the area for his knowledge, advice and willingness to lend a hand. Above all else, he loved his family and the Lord. He lived a faith-filled life and had a positive impact on all who knew him. He was a pillar in the Bainville community throughout his life. He served on the school board, the volunteer fire department and the church board for many years. He is survived by his sons, Trent Panasuk and Travis Chartier; Diane Panasuk; brothers, Dana Panasuk, Miles Panasuk, Mark Panasuk and Todd Panasuk; and sisters, Mary Peed and Amy Beth Miller. His funeral service was held Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Bainville High School gymnasium. Pastor Lane Vannatta and Pastor Neil Knutson co-officiated. Burial was in the Bainville Cemetery.

Roberta Lee Begs His Own White, 54, of Wolf Point died Nov. 9, 2021. She was born to Sharon Mae (Begs His Own) and Robert “Bobby” White Sr. on May 13, 1967, in Wolf Point. She was very blessed after the loss of her father and at a young age, she was raised by Tessie and Jiggs Adams of Wolf Point, Cheryl (Bobbi) and John Doney Sr. of Wiota. She attended Frazer High School. She was a very talented, outgoing athlete with good sportsmanship. She enjoyed playing for the Frazer Bearcubs. She was in basketball, track, cheerleading, volleyball and cross country. On Dec, 29, 1983, her son Dexter Louis White was born. She later met Maynard Kenneth Jackson Jr. In this union, they had Dexter Louis whom Maynard raised as his own, Blaine Marie, Sharon Renee, Jared Tyme, Dillon Delray and Sabrina Dawn. She is survived by her special friend, Clifford Jones of Wolf Point; sister, Anita Renea Ritch of Louisiana; brothers, Robert “Bobby” White III, Pernell Von Begs His Own, Glenn Charles Black Eagle, all of Frazer; children, Deter White of Shelby, Sharon Lilley of Wolf Point, Dillon Jackson-Fisher and Sabrina Dawn, both of Frazer, Kaci Mae of Glasgow; and numerous grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Peter Glenn, Brandon Henry and Kelly James; her love, Maynard Kenneth; and grandchildren, Blaine Marie, Jacine and Jared Tyme. Her funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Robert “Bobby” White Residence, 230 Joe Butch St. in Frazer. Interment was at Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Erwin Spenst was born in 1924 in Grand Forks, N.D., to Helen Brunk Klouser and John Klouser. His given name was Richard Sylvester Brunk Klouser. He was later adopted along with his sister, Magdalene (Maggie Toavs), by George and Mary Spenst and his name was changed to Erwin Spenst. Erwin Spenst was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle. He entered fully into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Sun City, Ariz., at the age of 97. Erwin was a WWII veteran and served in the Pacific aboard an aircraft carrier, the USS OMMANEY BAY. It was hit by a Kamikaze suicide plane in 1944 and subsequently sank, but Erwin was able to jump from the aircraft carrier and survive. He also helped save other's lives that day. During this time, he was married to Gloria Hearth and, to this union, was born Joni Spenst Roberts and Diane Spenst Olsen. After the war, Erwin had a very successful career working for NASA on the Titan and Gemini space programs in Cape Canaveral, Fla. He married Terry Spackman and, to this union, was born Richard Spenst. After his military and NASA careers, Erwin decided to move to Oregon and become a cattle rancher. He was elected president of the Farm Bureau for Douglas County in 1970. In 1976, he was elected as the director of the Soil and Water Conservation District for the State of Oregon and the president of the Douglas County Livestock Association. Erwin decided to move to Wolf Point to be closer to his sister, Maggie, and his birth mother, Helen. He used his skills to work as a ranch hand for many local farmers and ranchers. In 1991, he dedicated his life to the Lord. He married Ruth Toavs Woolridge in 1993. Erwin and Ruth moved to Condon in western Montana. There, Erwin led the effort to build the first church in that area of the Rocky Mountains. The church was constructed with volunteer labor, and Ruth contributed by serving daily lunch to the workers. In 2004, Erwin and Ruth moved to Sun City, Ariz., and joined the Sun City Church of the Nazarene where Erwin served as an usher. He was a humble man and always greeted people with a smile. Erwin is survived by his wife, Ruth; a brother, Art Spenst; and three children, Joni Roberts, Diane Olson and husband Alan and Rick Spenst. In addition, Erwin is survived by stepchildren, Wayne Woolridge and wife Cindy and Tami Sherrard and husband Roy. Erwin and Ruth share 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his birth mother, Helen Klouser; his birth father, John Klouser; his parents, George and Mary Spenst; his sister, Maggie (Martin Toavs); his brother, Ralph (Lois Spenst); and his sister-in-law, Pauline Spenst. He had a veteran's burial with full military honors and has been laid to rest in Phoenix at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. (Paid Obituary)

Eliza “Joey” BigLeggins Red Elk, 64, of Wolf Point died Nov. 4, 2021, in Wolf Point. The daughter of Sylvester BigLeggins and Donna Chase, she was born July 28, 1957. She was raised in Chelsea. She raised four sons, Doug Runs Through, Elijah Runs Through, Richard White Owl and Kory Hines. She attended school in Poplar and later moved to Glasgow with her mother and step-father, Curly Chase. She grew up with two sisters, Roberta “Bobby” Heghdal and Devta Taylor, and brother, John Johnson. She worked for A& S Industries in Poplar. She also worked for the Fort Peck Community College’s college program for young mothers obtaining their GEDs. Her duties were overseeing the daycare, which she loved. She worked hard and enjoyed visiting her many relatives and friends who stopped by her house. Her house was open to anyone. Holidays were very important to her. She always made sure to have plenty to eat and would snap many pictures. Family was very important to her. Her deep love and respect for her strong family who came before her was passed down to her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Davetta Taylor; son, Elijah RunsThrough; and husband, Loren Red Elk. Her funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 12, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment was at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Louise (Irigoin) Jambor, 96, formerly of Lambert, died Nov. 11, 2021, at Parkhaven Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on March 30, 1925, to John and Marie Irigoin of Elmdale. She went to high school in Sidney, and was later employed by Montana Dakota Utilities and Montana Welfare Department. She married Clem Jambor on Feb. 15, 1954, and together they raised a family on the farm/ranch north of Lambert. They had four children, Richard, Greg, Stan and Charlotte. Her Catholic faith and her family meant everything to her. She spent many years teaching religious education, as well as clerking for Spring Lake School. She loved the farm, spending her time quilting and cooking alongside her regular farm duties. Thanksgiving gatherings hosted by Louise were the highlight of the year. She was very proud of her Basque heritage and would tell stories about growing up in the Elmdale community. She attended the local Basque gatherings, as well as traveling to Boise, Idaho, and Buffalo, Wyo., for Basque festivals. She enjoyed speaking the language with her family and friends and was always happy to teach a few Basque words and phrases. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clem; son, Richard; and siblings, Victor, Marshall and Grace Irigoin. She is survived by her sons, Greg of Morristown, Ariz., and Stan of Belgrade; daughter, Charlotte McCue of Cody, Wyo.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour before mass at the church. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Sidney with Father Jim O’Neil as presider. Rosary/wake services will be on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. at Fulkerson-Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Sidney.

James Arnold Nordhagen, 92, of Westby died in Wolf Point on Nov. 6, 2021. The son of Edward and Marie (Gabrielson) Nordhagen, he was born Dec. 14, 1928. He was a lifetime member of the Westby Assembly of God Church, which is where services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 10. He grew up and attended school in Westby. As children, he, his brothers and sisters would spend hours shoveling snow off the lake below their house so they could ice skate. Seventy-one years ago, he married Jennie Nelson on Oct., 23, 1950. They moved to the family farm three miles south of Westby where they raised their three sons, Alan, Jeffrey and Blair. Besides farming, welding and raising cattle, he drove the mail truck to Flaxton, N.D., for six years. He spent several summers custom combining in Kansas with his brother Milo and nephew Arnie. His love of fishing, hunting, horseshoes, motorcycles and airplanes took him many places. Horseshoes was a game that he loved to play and would play frequently, winning several tournaments including two state titles in Montana. He loved to fish and frequented lakes in Montana, North Dakota and Canada. Nelson Reservoir near Fort Peck was a lake he visited often. He loved taking his grandchildren fishing and teaching them everything he knew. Hunting geese, pheasants and deer were also favorite pastimes. He had pride in owning two airplanes and, during the only lesson he had, he landed the plane during a snowstorm for the instructor. He shot approximately 700 coyotes one winter with his brother Bud as his pilot. He loved to talk about his airplane days and all of the flights he would take and all of things he would see. In his later years, he spent many hours making beautiful wood projects for family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Jennie Nordhagen of Westby; sister, Marlys Syme of Plentywood; sons, Alan of Westby, Jeff of Bozeman and Blair of Clancy; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Milo and Bud Nordhagen; sister, Marian Berezay; and infant daughter.