Marla Jane Murray, 71, of Bridger died April 20, 2022. She grew up in Culbertson, where she met Chester Murray her surviving spouse of 53 years of marriage. Together, they had three daughters, Susan Fassler, Becky Harper and Melanie Murray. That lineage led to 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Growing up, her two favorite things were her grandmother Violet Olson and her horse, Penny. She had a gift when it came to connecting with people and everyone left feeling special from her in some way. She had a heart of compassion combined with forgiveness that enabled her to see the good in family, friends and the community around her. She worked hard all her life and was at work at the time of her death in a tragic fire. That loss will be felt by all, but if she could leave any legacy it would be Love the Lord and those around you. She was predeceased by her parents, Melvin Olson and Barbara Olson; and her brother James Olson. She is survived by her daughters, Susan Fassler, Becky Harper and Melanie Murray; and her sisters, Donna Sitter, Beverly Davidson and Julia Kempf. A funeral service was held Saturday, April 30, at the Bridger Elementary School.

Lyle Knudsen, 81, of Bainville, Mont., passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Mont. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, N.D., is assisting the family. Friends may sign the register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com. Lyle’s funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 2 p.m. (MST) at the Bainville School in Bainville, Mont. Pastor Lane Vannatta will officiate. Lyle will be laid to rest in Bainville Cemetery in Bainville, Mont. Visitation will be held at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston on Friday, May 13, 2022, from 12 to 4 p.m. (CST) and one hour prior to the service time on Sunday. The funeral service will be livestreamed. You can view Lyle’s service directly on his obituary page on Fulkerson Stevenson’s website at www. fulkersons.com. Lyle Hartvig Knudsen was born on Feb. 20, 1941, to Hartvig and Hazel Knudsen. His father passed away when Lyle was just five years old. He was raised on the family farm just north of Bainville along with his siblings Gerald, Wayne, Naoma, Beulah and Orabelle. Faith and family helped them through those tough times. Lyle attended Bainville School and graduated in 1959. After high school, he worked as a farmhand and, in 1961, his sister Beulah introduced him to a coworker named Mary Madson. They were a perfect match and, in 1962, they were married in Ronan, Mont. They farmed north of Lanark and started a family. In that same year, Lyle joined the Montana National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of E-5. He proved to be a good role model as his three boys all joined the National Guard when they got older. In 1970, Lyle moved his family to Ronan, Mont., where he worked as a shop foreman for a Chrysler dealership. Eastern Montana called them back to Bainville in the mid ‘70s where Lyle started Knudsen Repair Center where the Welcome Stop is presently located. Lyle decided to get into the oil business in the ‘80s and started Knudsen Contract Pumping. Along with his sons, Lyle worked many years in the oilfield and also worked as a school bus mechanic and bus driver for the Bainville School. Lyle was mechanically minded and because of that talent many people would call or stop by the house asking questions about their vehicle issues for years after the repair shop had closed. Lyle was a hardworking man his entire life. He found joy in the simple things each day. He enjoyed deer hunting, toe tapping gospel music and following the activities and growth of his grandchildren. Lyle was an active member of Bainville Faith Fellowship Church. He along with other members helped to purchase, move and setup the church in its current location. Lyle loved to travel with Mary whether it was on an Alaskan cruise, to see his sister Beulah in California or on the back roads of Montana. He would take Mary almost daily to the Welcome Stop for coffee and a visit with friends followed by a drive in the side by side to check on the town. He was a good and true partner. Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Hartvig and Hazel; siblings, Gerald, Wayne, Naoma and Orabelle, and daughter-in-law, Jayne. Lyle is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary; sister, Beulah; daughter, Sherry Welty; sons, Lane, Mike (Melissa) and Brent; grandkids, Whitney and Tyler Welty, Joel (Kristen) and Seth (Mari) Knudsen, Christian and Torgun Knudsen; and great-grandkids, Jane Knudsen and Lilah Welty; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. (Paid Obituary)

Kevin Henry Seitz died on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his home in Culbertson. He was born in Billings on Oct. 14, 1958, to Henry Herman and Arlys Jean Seitz. He grew up in Broadview, helping with the family farm which is where his love for farming and agriculture started. He attended Northern Montana College in Havre, where he received a farm and ranch management degree as well as a business administration degree. It is also where he met Rhonda Anderson (Seitz). They started their family in Billings. After moving around for a few years, they settled in Nezperce, Idaho, where all four children grew up and graduated from Nezperce High School. His job as a soil conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Services then took him to Williston, N.D., which allowed him to pursue his passion at a higher level. He and his wife resided in Culbertson, where he lived full time until his death. He was a road warrior. He spent many years driving (or following) his four children around to various sporting activities. There were countless hours spent in the gym coaching and practicing with his children. He never missed one of their games if he could help it. He coached many of his children’s basketball teams, making an impact not only on his own children for his love of the sport, but also made a difference to so many of his children’s friends. He continued to be a mentor to the youth of his community. He led by example and was a role model to his children. He taught them how to work hard, treat people with respect, and most importantly, that family is the most important thing in life. He enjoyed many things including being a member of the Nezperce Lions Club, hunting, fishing, gardening, basketball and refereeing, but spending time with his family was what he enjoyed most. He had the gift of gab. “Stranger” was not in his vocabulary. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda of Culbertson/Nezperce; son, Nathan Seitz of Grangeville, Idaho; three daughters, Melissa Strerath of Lewiston, Idaho, Michelle Cannon of Moscow, Idaho, and Kelsie Seitz of Lewiston, Idaho; numerous grandchildren; brothers, Jim Seitz of Acton and Dave Seitz of Billings; and sister Trish Kellogg of Camas, Wash. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Keith Seitz. A funeral service was held Saturday, May 7, at Smiths Billings West End Chapel.

Lyle Knudsen, 81, of Bainville, Mont., passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Mont. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, N.D., is assisting the family. Friends may sign the register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com. Lyle’s funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 2 p.m. (MST) at the Bainville School in Bainville, Mont. Pastor Lane Vannatta will officiate. Lyle will be laid to rest in Bainville Cemetery in Bainville, Mont. Visitation will be held at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston on Friday, May 13, 2022, from 12 to 4 p.m. (CST) and one hour prior to the service time on Sunday. The funeral service will be livestreamed. You can view Lyle’s service directly on his obituary page on Fulkerson Stevenson’s website at www. fulkersons.com. Lyle Hartvig Knudsen was born on Feb. 20, 1941, to Hartvig and Hazel Knudsen. His father passed away when Lyle was just five years old. He was raised on the family farm just north of Bainville along with his siblings Gerald, Wayne, Naoma, Beulah and Orabelle. Faith and family helped them through those tough times. Lyle attended Bainville School and graduated in 1959. After high school, he worked as a farmhand and, in 1961, his sister Beulah introduced him to a coworker named Mary Madson. They were a perfect match and, in 1962, they were married in Ronan, Mont. They farmed north of Lanark and started a family. In that same year, Lyle joined the Montana National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of E-5. He proved to be a good role model as his three boys all joined the National Guard when they got older. In 1970, Lyle moved his family to Ronan, Mont., where he worked as a shop foreman for a Chrysler dealership. Eastern Montana called them back to Bainville in the mid ‘70s where Lyle started Knudsen Repair Center where the Welcome Stop is presently located. Lyle decided to get into the oil business in the ‘80s and started Knudsen Contract Pumping. Along with his sons, Lyle worked many years in the oilfield and also worked as a school bus mechanic and bus driver for the Bainville School. Lyle was mechanically minded and because of that

Kevin Henry Seitz died on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his home in Culbertson. He was born in Billings on Oct. 14, 1958, to Henry Herman and Arlys Jean Seitz. He grew up in Broadview, helping with the family farm which is where his love for farming and agriculture started. He attended Northern Montana College in Havre, where he received a farm and ranch management degree as well as a business administration degree. It is also where he met Rhonda Anderson (Seitz). They started their family in Billings. After moving around for a few years, they settled in Nezperce, Idaho, where all four children grew up and graduated from Nezperce High School. His job as a soil conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Services then took him to Williston, N.D., which allowed him to pursue his passion at a higher level. He and his wife resided in Culbertson, where he lived full time until his death. He was a road warrior. He spent many years driving (or following) his four children around to various sporting activities. There were countless hours spent in the gym coaching and practicing with his children. He never missed one of their games if he could help it. He coached many of his children’s basketball teams, making an impact not only on his own children for his love of the sport, but also made a difference to so many of his children’s friends. He continued to be a mentor to the youth of his community. He led by example and was a role model to his children. He taught them how to work hard, treat people with respect, and most importantly, that family is the most important thing in life. He enjoyed many things

Shirley Wallander, 85, of Billings, previously of Froid, died Thursday, April 21, 2022, at her home. She was born Oct. 25, 1936, in Medicine Lake to Lu and Melvin Tronson. She graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1955. On Jan. 3, 1957, she married Gregory Wallander in Sidney and they spent 65 years together. She enjoyed children, especially babies, and was a foster parent for several infants. All of her grandchildren have many fond memories of time they spent with her. She worked as a secretary/ bookkeeper for a short time, but her favorite role in life was being a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and also enjoyed her flower gardens. While living in Froid, she was a member of the Roosevelt County Library board, the Froid Womens Club and was a member of the Froid Congregational Church. She

Reuben Carl Damm passed away unexpectedly April 28, 2022. Reuben was born Nov. 1, 1939, the third of six children of Alexander and Mollie Damm. He was born at the family home near Froid, Mont., and attended Culbertson Public Schools, graduating in 1958. He served honorably as a member of the Montana National Guard while obtaining his teaching credentials and bachelor’s degree from Northern Montana College (now MSU-Northern). He taught school in Plentywood, Hysham and then Harlowton where he met Joann White whom he married in 1966. Their daughter, Anna Karenina Damm, was born in 1968 while both worked in the Granite County School District. In 1971, he completed a master’s degree in education. Beginning in 1975, Reuben worked at White Pine Sash in Missoula. In 1981, he and Joann divorced. He then met Beth Runge at the Solo Stars Square Dance group in Lolo, and they married on Oct. 30, 1982. After over a decade at White Pine, Reuben returned to UM for his special education teaching certification. In 1987, Reuben and Beth moved to Arco, Idaho, where he taught for over a decade, and they served the community as members of the Arco Baptist Church. In 2005, Reuben and Beth returned to Montana. Though retired, he did not slow down. He worked tirelessly, serving the Columbus Community Congregation UCC and the Museum of the Beartooths. He loved fishing and studying the history of Montana, and his life in Columbus offered

Robert Orene Bahls, 77, formerly of Lambert, died April 20, 2022, at the nursing home in Wibaux. Nicknamed Butch by his mother, he was born Aug. 24, 1944, in Sidney, the son of Robert and Edna (Burgess) Bahls. He was raised on a farm north of Lambert, went to a country school at 3 Buttes which is still standing today. When the weather was nice, Bobby and his sister, Elaine “Laney”, would ride horses to school. He liked old cars, trucks and telling jokes, but he especially liked John Deere tractors. He would attend many auction sales collecting tractors. He could always be found working on a John Deere. He participated in many parades either on horseback, tractors or in cars. He also enjoyed entering and driving in tractor pulls around the area. He was a member of the Culbertson Threshing Bee for many years and served as president of the association for a while. He would get on the radio Buy & Sell and advertise his tractors for sale. On Sept. 7, 1985, he married Lorean Curnutt. When he left the farm and