Alan “Al” Harold Groethe, 69, died Nov. 22, 2019. He was born Nov. 21, 1950, in Williston to Harold and Beatrice (Williams) Groethe along with his twin sister, Diane. He was born 20 minutes behind his twin. He said he was being a gentleman by letting her go first. He spent grade school, high school and two years of college in Williston and 1½ years at NDSU in Fargo, N.D. After college, he lived with his sister and husband Monte in Minneapolis, Minn., for a short time before moving back to Williston in 1972. On Feb. 14, 1973, he went on a blind date with Sharon Lynn Horab. She convinced him to propose four years later and they married Aug. 6, 1977, at Epping Springbrook Bible Camp. They were happily married for 42 years. He worked as the assistant surveyor for Williams County Highway Department and with the City of Williston Engineering Department for a period. After 45 years at the county, he retired Oct. 31, 2013. Sharon was one of his assistants during the summer. They made a great team throughout the years. Sharon retired along with Al. He played guitar and drums in several bands throughout the years. Some of those bands were Leathercup, 11th Hour, Inside Edge, Flying Zucchini Brothers, the Allen Harris Show, Fast Bucks, Quick Cash and Crossroads. He served as a junior assistant, scout master for Boy Scout Troop #368, receiving many badges including Eagle Scout. He played in the Drum and Bugle Corp and participated in a five-mile parade in Regina, Sask., Canada, the day before his wedding. Al was an avid reader interested in history, World War II, the Civil War and the Old West. He enjoyed building model railroads, especially HO and N scale. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; twin sister, Diane of Mandan, N.D.; and brothers, DW of Bainville and Kevin of Williston. His memorial service was celebrated Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. at the West Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Williston, N.D. Rev. Nicole Martin officiated and interment followed in the Little Russian Churchyard Cemetery northwest of Williston.

Ardyce Jones, 87, of Havre, died Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. She was born April 1, 1932, in Froid, a daughter of Ewald and Mildred (Berg) Christoffersen. After high school graduation, she attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, Wash. After completing her education, she was employed there with an insurance company. In Spokane, she met Walter Jones, and they were married Aug. 5, 1951. They came home to operate the family farm in Froid in 1963. They had three children, Deborah, Dana and Kelly. She was employed as a part-time legal secretary for local attorney, J. B. Wallander for many years. The family attended Froid Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school, served on the church council and sang in the choir. She also was a member of Women’s Club and was known for her wok demonstrations and hand-crafted teddy bears, dolls, dinosaurs and loons for local craft fairs. She was preceded in death by her husband; her brother, Duane Christoffersen; and one infant granddaughter. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Clayton of Havre and Dana West of Billings; son, Kelly Jones of Havre; four grandchildren; sister, Margaret Andersen of Bozeman; and five greatgrandsons. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Grace Chapel in Northern Montana Care Center in Havre. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Froid.

Vonnie Lee Lambert, 69, died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2019, at her home in Fairview. She was born Jan. 25, 1950, in Helena. She was one of six siblings, but was the only one adopted by Roland and Martha Roberts. She had a void in her heart from being adopted and sought out to find her biological parents. A few years ago, she met her biological brother, Cole Roberts, and they would spend hours on the phone with each other. She attended Culbertson High School where she had an abundance of joyful experiences as a cheerleader. She continued to cheer on her grandchildren at each sporting event and was their biggest cheerleader throughout their lives. She married Ronnie Schuetze in 1968 and they had a daughter, Melinda. She had 12 pregnancies before being blessed with a child. In 1975, she married Richard Lambert. On Oct. 24, 2019, they celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. She had a heartwarming mindset that made everyone feel safe. She could get anyone to share their life story. She was a people person who never found a reason to stop talking. More importantly, she was an excellent listener. Cooking was one of her amazing qualities. She loved cooking for the children at the school and became known for her hug lines. She loved the water. No matter where she was at, if there was water, she was happy. She found Flathead Lake to be immensely joyous. Between traveling to Canada and having her grandchildren stay with her in Vida, she saw the best in each place she visited. Her favorite television show was Gilmore Girls and, every holiday, the Hallmark Channel would play continuously. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Finnicum; and brothers, Pat Roberts and Roland Roberts. She is survived by her husband, Richard Lambert; brothers, Cole Roberts, Ward Roberts, Tom Roberts and Jim Roberts; sister, Mick Chesmore; daughter, Melinda Portra; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Culbertson High School gymnasium with Pastor Jay Cummins officiating. Interment was in the Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson.

Eugene “Gene” McCormick, 82, died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. He was born Aug. 30, 1937, in Culbertson, the son of Paul and Hazel (Wood) McCormick. He grew up and attended schools in Culbertson. On Jan. 4, 1957, he was united in marriage to Darlene Yoder in Sidney. They had three children, Margaret, Douglas and Joseph. He worked many jobs and being a mechanic what he did best. He worked for Miller Oil for many years as a mechanic and, after he retired, he continued working as a mechanic with his son, Joseph. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with friends. He loved his Goldwing motorcycle and taking his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren for motorcycle rides. He also loved spending time with his family. He was dedicated to the Culbertson Food Bank and looked forward to his Tuesday. Surviving him are his wife, Darlene McCormick of Culbertson; daughter, Margaret Stoos; sons, Douglas McCormick and Joseph McCormick; his brother, Harry McCormick; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, June; brother, Donald; and great-granddaughter, Olivia. Memorial services were held Friday, Nov. 15, at the Church of Grace and Peace in Culbertson with Pastor Ross Reinhiller officiating.

Raymond Roscoe O'Brien Jr. entered eternal life on Nov. 16, 2019, at home surrounded by family at the age of 94. Raymond was born on June 19, 1925, the second of six children to Raymond and Amy (Martin) O’Brien, in Flaxville, Mont. He spent most of his life working the family farm with his brothers in the Mineral Bench community of northeastern Montana where the family raised wheat, American Quarter Horses,and cattle. He attended schools in Poplar, graduating from Poplar High School in 1943. He only left the farm to serve his country in the Navy during World War II. On May 12, 1962, he was united in marriage to Saralou Leaphart in Poplar, Mont. They made their home in Poplar where they raised their children. They moved to Manhattan, Mont., in 2013 to live with their son after he retired from farming in his eighties. He enjoyed hunting trips in the Bob Marshal, fishing, and spending time visiting with his large extended family. Raymond is survived by his wife, Saralou of Manhattan, Mont.; four children, Gary O’Brien of Fort Collins, Colo., Amy (Michael) Buckanaga of Bemidji, Minn., Dan (Sheila) O’Brien of Malta, Mont., and Douglas O’Brien of Manhattan, Mont.; seven grandchildren, Anthony (Elizabeth) Meisner, Derek, Trent and Erin Buckanaga, Keegan O’Brien, and Grant and Jillian O’Brien; two great-grandsons; sister-in-law, Patricia O’Brien of Billings, Mont.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also had his Manhattan family: Steve and Katie Loessberg; Adam, Amanda and Pierce Priquette; Sue Whittaker; and friends from the Manhattan Senior Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Amy; brothers, Stephen and Patrick O’Brien; and sisters, Lorraine Gatlin, Marianne Driemeyer and Irene Linthicum. Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Three Forks, Mont. He will be laid to rest in the Poplar Cemetery in the summer of 2020. Family would like to extend thanks to Home Instead Senior Care – Bozeman, Dr. Leslee Kane, Bozeman Health Belgrade Clinic, Frontier Home Health, and Hospice of Bozeman Health for the excellent care provided. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com. (Paid Obituary)

Lorraine Olson, 84, of Glendive, returned peacefully to her Heavenly home Nov. 7, 2019, with family by her side. Born Lorraine Eunice Garske on Nov. 27, 1934, to Ed and Eunice Garske of Devils Lake, N.D., she was raised in and around several communities including Devils Lake, Hammond, Ind., and Colville, Wash. Following nursing training at St. Mary's Academy, Devils Lake in 1956, Lorraine worked as a nurse's aide at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. She was often commended for her remarkable bedside manner. On Sept. 21, 1957, Lorraine married Glenn Olson of Oberon, N.D., at the Benson County Courthouse, Minnewaukan, N.D. They took residence on the Olson homestead for the next four years. In 1961, the family followed the 1960’s oil boom across the Hi-Line of North Dakota and Montana, as Glenn worked the oilrigs. In 1963, they settled in Wolf Point, where they remained for 23 years (except for a brief residence in Kettle Falls, Wash., 1969-70). They were blessed with five children, which she raised in Wolf Point while Glenn was trucking for the Tesoro (later Kenco) refinery. In 1986, they moved to Glendive, where they remained. At various times, Lorraine worked in nursing, cosmetics sales, and commercial cleaning, while tirelessly and affectionately tending to her family. An avid bowler, Lorraine participated on numerous leagues in Wolf Point and Glendive for over 50 years. She loved gardening, landscaping, playing cards, horseback riding, tending to her menagerie of cats and horses, bird watching and entertaining friends and family in her lovely home. She delighted in visits and laughter with loved ones near and far. She had a superb singing voice. To the end, her favorite place on earth had been her beloved Uncle Frank's farm near Colville, Wash. Lorraine was passionately devoted to Jesus and found great comfort in her faith. She enjoyed discussing the Bible and current events. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Glendive and formerly, First Lutheran Church, Wolf Point. Lorraine is lovingly remembered by her husband, Glenn; children Jerry Olson of Louisville, Colo., Victoria Rice of Spokane, Wash., Steve Olson of Glendive and Rebecca (Bruce) Williams of Billings; siblings, Gene (Priscilla) Garske of Colville, Jaci (Ron) Hurn of Evans, Wash., Mary (Eric) Bennett of Spokane, Wash., Susan Colombini of Hayden, Idaho, and Charlie Bennett of Chattaroy, Wash.; grandchildren, Andy Kastner of Aurora, Colo., Jennifer Kastner of Gillette, Wyo., and Kiko Lopez of Rapid City, S.D.; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her cat, Ninja. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sandra Lopez; granddaughters, Rikki Kastner and Crystal Boysun; and nephew, Daniel Hurn. Services pending, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Glendive. (Paid Obituary)

Richard William McDonald, 62, of Poplar died Nov. 5, 2019. He was born Oct. 7, 1957, to Marjorie Crowe McDonald (Christian) and Daniel Duncan McDonald in Poplar. He was the first grandson born to his grandparents Richard “Dick” and Louella Crowe who were significant figures in his early life. After his grandfather died, his grandmother honored him with his grandfather’s name S’aIc’iya or Paints Himself. He was surrounded by tiyospaye (extended family) from whom he learned traditional Dakota values. Being highly valued as a child allowed him to value other children, particularly his own throughout his lifetime. He attended school in Poplar, where he graduated high school in 1975. After high school, he attended MSU Billings. He later earned a certificate in welding. His true calling in his career was in the field of law enforcement. During his law enforcement career, he taught D.A.R.E, where he helped young people to make healthy choices regarding alcohol and substance abuse. He also went on to work for the sheriff’s office and the tribal police. During his law enforcement career, he met and married Yvette Tapaha. Together, they had a home in Poplar and had two children, Richie and Malia. After his retirement as a LEO, his lifetime love of sports helped him to develop an athletic curriculum outside of school for leagues of various sports including baseball, softball, flag football, and soccer for children throughout the Fort Peck reservation. One of his finest gifts he possessed was making wapeshas (head roaches) for powwow regalia and his work resides in all parts of the United States and Canada. He was taught how to make roaches by Almyra Jackson. He talked often about how much she taught him about learning patience while making wapeshas. Most recently he sponsored events throughout Poplar and Wolf Point that were youth oriented and provided a fun, drug and alcohol free environment. He thought it was very important that the community recognize the sacredness of the youth and fiercely advocated for the underprivileged in the community. He is survived by his children, Richie and Malia Mc-Donald; former wife, Yvette Tapaha; sisters, Gloria Collins of Albuquerque, N.M., and Lilda Christian of Wolf Point; and numerous grandchildren. A funeral service was held Monday, Nov. 11, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at the Poplar City Cemetery.