Kendra Lanee’ “Kenny” BetsHisMedicine, 28, of Fort Kipp died Dec. 23, 2023. She was born on June 15, 1995, in Sidney to Doyle Travis Bets His Medicine and Valarie Lynn Youpee. She attended school in Culbertson, where she made many lifelong friends, including the teachers, and graduated in 2014. She had a great sense of humor and always had a ready smile for everyone. She had a reputation for being the most loving, caring, fun-loving person and could often be found joking around with her siblings and doing the latest Tik-Tok trend. She was into a variety of sports but especially enjoyed playing softball in various tournaments with her family. When she wasn’t playing softball, she liked swimming, fishing, traveling and playing volleyball. She started her professional career at Sidney Sugars beet factory. Later, her career took her another direction when she was hired as a corrections officer for the Fort Peck Adult Corrections.

Ronald Johnson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, was surrounded by family when he embarked on his final flight on Dec. 29, 2023, after a long and full life. Ron and his twin brother, Rod, were born on a beautiful May day in Wallace, Idaho, to Richard and Naomi “Pat” Johnson. His mother and father had been en route from Stevensville, Mont., to visit Richard’s mother in Spokane, Wash. Not realizing that she was carrying twins, Pat was taken by surprise when she went into labor on May 18, 1932. Later, the family grew to include another set of twins, Janet and Joan, as well as another son, Charles. Ron and Rod spent a portion of their youth in two children’s homes - the Spokane Children’s Home and the Deaconess Home in Helena. Ron and Rod were extremely close and the best of friends, relying upon each other not only during their challenging early years but throughout their entire lives. In 1950, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on Guam when the war broke out in Korea. He served in Korea, stationed in Inchon, until he was honorably discharged in 1953. Upon his return from Korea, Ron worked for Buttrey Foods in Harlem, Malta and Chinook. He met his beloved wife, Marilee Chapman, while working in Chinook. They were married at the Presbyterian Church there on Dec. 19, 1954. Ron and Marilee lived all over the state before finally settling in Wolf Point in 1965. Together, Ron and Marilee had three children, Ronald “Dean” born in 1955, Dawn in 1956 and Lance in 1962. Marilee succumbed to cancer in 2000 and Dean passed away in 2020. Ron and Marilee owned a propane company before Ron realized that he “would rather work with his brain than with his back.” Becoming a Montana Highway Patrolman in 1963 led to a 25-year career in law enforcement, with Ron working his way up to the rank of Sergeant. While in the Highway Patrol, Ron discovered his great love of flying, earning his pilot’s license. Ron became a “Bear in the Air” for the Patrol. He

Melba Dean Anderson, 87, of Culbertson died Nov. 24, 2023. She was born on Oct. 13, 1936, to Harold and Mabel (Smith) Frazier and grew up south of Frazer. She moved to Wolf Point where she met and married Russell Mann. They had two children. After they divorced, she moved to Culbertson where she married George Anderson. She had numerous jobs over the years. She loved going to church and helping in any way she could in the community. She also loved watching the Culbertson sports teams. She is survived by her daughter, Darla; son, Duane; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Her memorial service wil be held at Trinity Lutheran

Mary Ella (Traeholt) Baker, 84, of Columbia Falls died Dec. 3, 2023. She was born in Scobey on Feb. 27, 1939, to Einer and Margaret Traeholt. She grew up in Wolf Point and graduated high school there in 1957. She attended Concordia College for one year. She met Dwight Baker in Wolf Point and were married July 26, 1959. She worked as a bookkeeper for the majority of her life for a number of businesses in Wolf Point and Columbia Falls before retiring. After she retired, she found herself as a homemaker and spent her time loving all those who entered her home. Her gift was serving and hospitality to family, friends and neighbors. She loved sewing and found herself creating clothes, blankets, quilts, doilies and much more. She attended a local church where she was part of the quilting group, women’s group and provided her baked goods to her church family. Within her own home, family gatherings, visitors and holidays were the highlights

Chester “Chet” Eugene Murray, 77, died Dec. 22, 2023. He was born to Francis (Buck) and Maxine Murray in Williston, N.D., on Aug. 1, 1946 He met Marla Olson at her family farm and they were married on Aug. 10, 1968. They had three daughters, Susan, Becky and Melanie, while residing in Sidney. During their 53 years of marriage, they resided in several places in Montana for he would advance in his job since he was a hard worker. He was employed at Becker Trucking, Continental Keil/ Sysco, Farmers Union Coop, Harper Enterprises and Bridger High School. His passion was restoring the classic Chevrolet whether cars or trucks. The garage and restoring cars was always his happy place and had many hours passing on his knowledge and love of the classic cars to his grandchildren.

Clayton Montclair, 44, of Wolf Point, died Dec. 17, 2023. He was born July 24, 1979, to Meryle Judy Hotomanie and Clayton Raymond Montclair, both of Wolf Point. He stepped up to support his nieces and nephews. He was very proud of them, especially Manny who joined the Marines in May 2023. He was also very proud of his niece, Kaitlyn Burling, who is also a Marine since 2022. He was also in a relationship with Dawnette Green and this union produced three daughters, Mila Montclair, Justine Green and baby Dawnette Montclair. He was a very intelligent person with a high IQ. This tended to get him in trouble if he was bored. He had numerous jobs, working concrete, construction with Hi-Tech and Fisher in Billings and cooking at various fast food outlets in Great Falls. He was an awesome cook and enjoyed it. He was a delivery person for Deaconess Hospital before it became Billings Clinic. He was into being healthy, eating healthy and staying fit. He also liked to garden and enjoyed planting flowers and vegetables. He enjoyed hanging out with family, laughing and joking around and always found

Orren Cleo Vinger, 89, of Billings, formerly of Wolf Point, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. He was born March 20, 1934, in Wheelock, N.D., to Olaf and Olive (Gilbertson) Vinger. He graduated from Wheelock High School in 1953. He met Elaine Remmen in November 1955. They got engaged that December, and the two young Norwegians were married on St. Patty’s Day in 1956. It was a whirlwind start to a romance that lasted nearly 67 years, holding hands to the end. They had three children — two sons, Terry and Mark, and a daughter, Tammy, along with their eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. They spent most of their married years between North Dakota and Montana and eventually settled in Wolf Point, where they raised their family. They also enjoyed their time together in Billings and Chandler, Ariz., which allowed them to be close to family. He started working as a meter reader at 89 cents an hour and worked his way up to division manager in his 40 years with Montana-Dakota Utilities. He was a member of the JCs, the Wolf Point Stampede Committee, Luther League

Raymond William Randolph, 81, of Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Wolf Point died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Born in Havre on Nov. 7, 1942, to Edith and Homer Randolph, he spent his childhood in Havre and graduated from Havre High School. He married his high school sweetheart Gail Stromberg on July 1, 1962. They moved to Wolf Point, where they raised their four sons. An astute and successful business leader, he headed Randolph & Son Builders, Inc., the construction company that his father founded in 1936. He was deeply involved in the industry and the community and was a devout Christian serving as deacon in the Wolf Point Presbyterian Church. He and Gail moved their family and the business to Charlotte, N.C., in 1986. He retired from the company in 2012, passing his vast expertise to his sons. He was also an avid sportsman. He was happiest when in nature, hunting, fishing and golfing. Hunting elk, deer and birds was his true passion and he spent much time in the Missouri Breaks in Montana and in Chester, S.C. He shared that love of hunting and the outdoors with his sons and grandchildren in the same manner his father had shared it with him. Above all, he loved his family

Brenda Fay Harvey She was born April 16, 1959, in Culbertson to Almont and Helen (Skillingberg) Harvey, the fourth of five children. She graduated from Froid High School and Montana State University. She began her teaching career in Savage and also taught at Frontier Elementary, Flaxville, Plevna, Bainville and finally Culbertson. She truly loved teaching children of all learning styles. She also worked for a short time at the Culbertson hospital. Never one to stay too long, she and her trusty set of encyclopedias squeezed into the old horse trailer for many moves to a new town and new school. She also loved animals, particularly cats. She was always ready to adopt another feline friend. She loved books

Charles “Chuck” Nerud, 72, of Missoula, formerly of Circle, died at his home in Missoula on Dec. 15, 2023. He was born Feb. 1, 1951, in Wolf Point to Clayton and Irma Nerud. He had two siblings, Mary Jo and Frank. They grew up together outside Circle on the family ranch and spent much of their time in Brush Coulee playing with neighbors. As an adult, he took over the family ranch and continued ranching for over 40 years until the effects of Multiple Sclerosis forced him to retire. He attended school in Circle, enjoying his years and activities, especially baseball, but he loved the times he was able get out of school to take part in a cattle drive. He was happiest on the back of a horse. He broke his first horse at the age of eight and continued for many years, forever remembering each horse along the way. His second love was branding and dragging calves to the fire. As a child, he learned to rope both left- and right-handed so he could stay in the pen longer. He also had a slew of friends and memories from team roping. He was involved with all aspects of roping and rodeo. He joined the local race and rodeo club when he was 18. The rodeo community showed their appreciation by dedicating the 2018 Mc-Cone County rodeo to him for 50 years of commitment. They also made him a lifetime honorary member of the Circle Roping Club. His service included being on the elevator board and, in his later years, the McCone County stockyard board. In September 2018, he was recognized by Sen. Steve Daines for his years of community