Denise Rae Bear, Tazi Winyan “Baby Buffalo Calf Woman,” died July 30, 2021. She was known as “D-Rae” by many family and friends. She had a very strong personality. She was also very funny and was always cracking jokes and laughing. Her smile was so beautiful and could light up a room. She played volleyball and basketball when she attended Wolf Point High School. She graduated from Poplar High School, Class of 2001, with two babies. She had a very strong heart and was always a helping hand. She had many talents such as beading, sewing and making starquilts. She was very crafty and was also quite the cook and could throw down in the kitchen. She enjoyed going to powwows to watch her children dance and was a fancy shawl dancer. She also enjoyed going on car rides, listening to music. She enjoyed fixing her grandbabies’ hair, drawing and making designs. She is survived by her family, Alyssa Youpee, Azariah Bear, Joseph Bear, E’Marie Red Eagle, Jesse Youpee, Em’Brielle McClammy, Wilfred “Max” Bear, Cindy Jo Bear, Bryan Granbois, Debra Granbois, Sandra Sansaver, Ricky Sansaver, Dana Lezard and Cheryl Boyd and families. She is preceded in death by Harry and Mary Iron Bear, Betty Jo Iron Bear, Alfred Iron Bear, Charemain Iron Bear, Oak Iron Bear, Monique Belt, Amber Iron Bear, and Sandra Adams. Her funeral was held Monday, Aug. 9, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at Chelsea Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Kevin Gene Olson, 53, died unexpectedly July 24, 2021, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident near Plentywood. He was born on Aug. 24, 1967, in Heidelberg, Germany, to Lyle “Gene” and Joan Olson. At that time, Lyle served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. The young family returned to Westby in 1968 when Kevin was 10 months old. He was later joined by his brothers, Kelly, Troy and Travis. He was a lifelong resident of Sheridan County. He graduated from Westby High School in 1986. Thereafter, he attended the University of Minnesota until he joined the United States Coast Guard. While serving in the Coast Guard, he was stationed in California and, during that time, debuted his acting career as an extra in The Hunt for Red October alongside Sean Connery. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard in 1992. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Westby and began his long career of over 25 years with the railroad. He married April Lutnes in January 1998. From this union, two sons, Austin and Hunter, were born. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid reader. Since he was 10 years old, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and was a talented mechanic. Put simply, he was handy to have around. His entire life, he was a kind person and a hard worker. He loved children and animals. Those who knew him remarked that he did not have a mean bone in his body and would give you the shirt off his back. He is survived by his sons, Austin and Hunter Olson; parents, Lyle and Joan Olson; and brothers, Kelly Olson, Troy Olson and Travis Olson. Services were held Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the Plentywood Lutheran Church. Burial was at the Comertown Cemetery.