Darrell “Curley” Youpee, Sung’ Gleska Tatanka Nunpa: Spotted Horse Two Buffalo from Poplar Creek, 70, of Poplar died Saturday, May 22, 2021. He grew up on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeast Montana. His ancestors came to Montana as a result of the Dakota uprising in Minnesota and also the unfulfilled treaty obligations, which brought on starvation of the people on the reservations of Cheyenne River and Standing Rock. His approach to reducing racial hatred and social injustice against his people has earned him a seat in human rights circles and won him national recognition among U.S. government organization such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Bureau of Land Management, and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. As cultural resources department director of the Fort Peck Tribes, he coordinated cross-cultural training and presented historical and cultural backgrounds of the Assiniboine and Sioux people. Concerned with the loss of tribal culture, he started collecting oral history in 1982 to assemble the Tribes’ principal audio/visual collection. He lectured across the country using the history, traditional beliefs and storytelling of the Assiniboine and Sioux people. He shared legend and creation stories of his people. He was a talented artist who brought together carved symbolic horses and dramatic imagery in a traditional abstract manner, achieving an illusory, mysterious effect that connects the viewer’s imagination. In addition to being collected by museums, his horse carvings are displayed throughout the northern plains’ region at popular galleries and gift shops. He enjoyed traveling, reading, writing, socializing, lecturing, arts and crafts and, most of all, passing on the tribe’s history, culture, traditions, and language. He always had time to visit with friends or anyone who wanted to talk. He was preceded in death by his sister, Cathy Youpee Hurd; brothers, Louis Youpee Jr. and Charles “Red” Youpee; and granddaughter, Winona Youpee. He is survived by his sisters, Jewel Hanna and Frances Nation; brother, Eugene “Bubby” Youpee; children, Willard White of Washington, Michael and Bernice Youpee Jordan of North Carolina, Waylon Youpee, Chris Warclub of Montana, Jackson Chaser of Colorado, Brian Eder, Malachi Stops, Dylan Youpee and Dyan Youpee, all of Poplar; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and adopted son, Fernando Truillo. His funeral service was held Saturday, May 29, at the Curley Youpee residence. Interment was at the Poplar Cemetery.

Joseph Wise Spirit, 39, of Poplar died May 15, 2021, at his home. He was born Aug. 10, 1981, in Poplar to Sylvia “Annie” Cantrell and Anthony “Tony” WiseSpirit. He attended school and lived in Poplar his whole life with his older brother, Jason, by his side, no matter what they were doing, good or bad. He loved to play basketball, hang out with friends and family, just shooting the breeze. He would give you the shirt off his back while always maintaining his million dollar smile and cracking jokes. His humor was one of his best traits. From 2004-2009, he sang with the drum group “Red Roc,” which he gave its name. The group meant a lot to him. He enjoyed every minute and loved every song sang. In January 2006, he sang with his family/brothers, “Wise Spirit Singers.” In his early years, he worked at Tande’s, while raising his boys, Shawn, born in the summer of 2003; and Jaymin, born in May 2007. He also worked various other jobs and was a jack of all trades. The past 10 years, he worked in construction as a carpenter for RY Construction and BC construction. In 2011, he met Sophie Spotted Wolfe and, in 2013, they had their first baby, Natalynn. Then, in 2014, a boy, Nathan, was born and in 2016, another boy, Clarance, was born. He also had very special stepson, Nadden, to complete the family. He is survived by his longtime companion, Sophie Spotted Wolf; children, Shawn Allen, Jaymin Dean, Natalynn Rose, Nathan Roderick, Clarance Owen and stepson, Nadden Raynes; mother, Sylvia (“Annie” Cantrell; father, Anthony “Tony” Wise Spirit; brothers, Jason Wise Spirit, Benji Wise Spirit and Joshua WhiteBull; sisters, Yolanda Bleazard, Season and Morning Wise Spirit, Autumn WhiteBull, Tashina Cantrell, Crystal Stormy, Antionette Wise Spirit and adopted sister, Red Fawn; and grandparents, Tony Boxer and Arden Boxer of Poplar. His funeral was held Sunday, May 23, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

James LeMoine Amundson, 73, of Glasgow died May 18, 2021, at his home. He was born Oct. 14, 1947, in Northwood, N.D., to Joel “Lem” and Doris (Brastedt) Amundson. During his childhood, the family moved often to different locations following Lem’s construction work, finally settling in Glasgow in 1959. He was baptized in Northwood and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow. He served on the church council and was an active usher until his health failed. He attended school in Glasgow, graduating in 1965. After graduation, he attended Billings Business College for one year. He was drafted into the Army in 1966 and was stationed in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in July 1969. He was a life member of the VFW. He returned to Glasgow and went to work at Great Plains Lumber. In 1973, he started his lineman career with REA, eventually going to work for Mountain Bell. He was transferred to Denver, Colo., in 1985 and worked there until 1990, when he was transferred back to Montana. He began working for Nemont Telephone in 1994, retiring in 2009. He married Mona Bedwell on March 3, 1973. Together, they raised their family. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an avid baseball fan. He loved following and supporting his children and grandchildren in all their activities. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mona; sons, Jay and Kory; daughters, Chantelle and Stacey; five grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn Smith and Nancy Jimison; and brother, Terry Amundson. A celebration of life was held Monday, May 24, at the First Lutheran Church followed by military honors. A private family burial will be held later a later date.

Jeremiah Delyn “Jerm” Medicine Elk, 37, died May 13, 2021, at Poplar Hospital. He was born in Wolf Point on Feb. 25, 1984, to Ernestine Medicine Elk and Michael FastHorse Jr. He attended various schools before he and his father permanently moved back to Poplar. He graduated from Poplar High School. He was a New England Patriots fan. He loved to hang out with his friends and play basketball. He was a kind and silly person who always made people laugh. He graduated from Fort Peck Community College where he got his CDL and lineman degree. He worked at Tribal Express in Poplar for a while before he got his job with Fort Peck Transit as a bus driver. He met Melissa Jackson and they had two children together, Blaine and Isaiah Medicine Elk. He then met Misty Iron Leggins and had a baby boy named Stormi Medicine Elk. He and Misty were engaged at the time of his death. He did not hold grudges in life and looked at each new day as a new beginning. He was not only a friend but he was “brother” to many, whether related or not. He is survived by his children, Blaine Medicine Elk, Isaiah Medicine Elk and Stormi Medicine Elk of Poplar; his fiancée, Misty Iron Leggins; step-children, Gage Iron Leggins, Cherish Savior, Joseph Savior, Precious Savior and Mystical Winkel of Poplar; father, Michael (Sandy) FastHorse Jr. of Wolf Point; siblings Barry, Leslie Medicine Elk, Manualetta Wilson, LaToya Clark, Sandra Ownspipe, Stephanie Cloud, Amos Cloud Jr. and Joseph Cloud; and step-sisters, Danielle Stracener, Muriel Stracener and Kaitlyn Stracener. Funeral Services were held Friday, May 21, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at Riverside Catholic Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Leanne Ruth Hagadone Matejovski was born May 25, 1950, to Bill and Ruby Hagadone of Poplar, Mont. On Sept. 2, 2020, Leanne was Heaven-bound. Leanne married Steve Matejovski of Wolf Point, Mont., on Nov. 27, 1980. They and their children Teri, Tosha, Jon and Anthony moved to Billings, Mont., where Leanne earned her degree in nursing. Eventually, they moved to Orting, Wash., where Leanne continued her nursing career. Leanne was proud of her eight grandchildren: Kennedy, Tanner, Grace, Emma, Hudson, Brayden, Harper and Wyatt. Leanne is survived by her husband, Steve; her children and grandchildren; and her extended family, Sharon (Larry) Collins, Don (Jackie) Hagadone, Mary Lou Simons, Jim Hagadone, Linda (Bill) Kohl, Allen Hagadone, Dwayne (Lydania) Hagadone, and numerous nephews and nieces. Leanne was preceded in death by her parents; son, Anthony; sister, Joyce Hagadone; and sister, Elaine Cain. Leanne’s laugh, smile, jokes and pranks are well-remembered by her family and friends. The family requests that those who would like to share come prepared with a story. The family also requests that black not be a dominant color. We want to remember Leanne as a sparkling flash of color and light as we celebrate her life on June 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Saint John’s Lutheran Church located at 216 E Street West, Poplar, Mont. (Paid Obituary)

Louis Youpee Jr., 72, of Poplar died May 11, 2021, at St. Vincent’s in Billings. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 18, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at Fort Kipp Cemetery.