If you’re about to throw away an old zip lock baggie, STOP. Consider: Lou Ann Sorg who entered eternal life on Friday, July 24, 2020. Her spirit is carried on by her husband, four children, three grandchildren, two siblings and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Lou Ann during her 66 years, among them: always reuse zip lock baggies until they fall apart, when you have a little bit of paint left in multiple cans mix them together to make enough to paint a room, if there is an empty surface in your house there must be a knickknack placed there and always keep a full pantry and freezer you never know who might come to visit. Lou Ann was born on March 25, 1954, in Big Timber, Mont., to Herman and Betty Smith. She was the sister to an older brother, Tom, and a younger brother, Kenneth. In August of 1976, Lou Ann married Todd Sorg in Sioux Falls, S.D. Lou Ann had a passion for gardening, projects, animals, rocks and most of all people. All whom loved her dearly will never forget her strength, quick wit, never ending pranks, kindness and love for them. She lived a full life as a wonderful mother, gardener, homemaker and wife. Lou Ann walked each day with the Lord and took comfort in his guidance, strength and agape love. Every day, she strived to be more like Him and exercised her God given talent of serving and loving others. She was known for her ease in frequent conversations with even total strangers. Take a constant interest in the needs of god’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home. Romans 12:13 There will be a graveside service held at the Vida Cemetery in Vida, Mont., at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020, with a celebration of life following at the Vida Catholic Church at 1 p.m. (Paid Obituary)

Maurice Charles “Buggy” Bighorn Sr., 78, of Brockton, died July 15, 2020, in Salt Lake City Hospital. He was born in Poplar on Dec. 13, 1941, to Alpheus and Josephine Juneau Bighorn, the third of four siblings, following the twins Alpheus “Sonny” Bighorn Jr. and Alva Bighorn. Younger sister Alice came along nine years later. He attended school in Brockton, graduating in 1959. He was a noted athlete in football, basketball and track. He was a prolific scorer throughout his basketball career and averaged 30.5 points per game his senior year. He and the Brockton Warriors finished with an excellent 22-5 record. His talent gained the attention of several colleges who offered scholarships for both basketball and football. He attended Cook Christian Training School in Phoenix, Ariz., where he met Francile LaMere. They were married in 1961 in Francile’s hometown, Wisconsin Dells, Wis. They made their first home of many in Phoenix, where daughters Joleen and Maureen were born. When the family returned to Montana, son Barry and daughter Paula were born. They lived in San Jose, Calif., where he earned his welding certificate. While there, his claim to fame was “starring” as an extra paid to fall off a horse in the movie Blood on the Arrow. They returned to Phoenix and their daughter Pam was born. Daughter Janice and son Maurice Jr. were born in Poplar. Son James Burshia Bighorn became part of the family shortly after his birth on Christmas Day in 1979. He and Francile attended the University of Montana in Missoula from 1971-1975. After a year and a half in Wisconsin, they made their home in Brockton for their final years. Throughout the years, he and his brother Sonny and many cousins and friends played together in independent basketball tournaments and often took home championship jackets. He was a member of the Brockton Chiefs who won the Fort Hall tournament several years, making his final trip to Idaho just a year before his illness. He was known for being a quick player, an excellent shooter, 3-point bank shots and his patented left-handed hook shot. He worked as the registrar with the Fort Peck Community College, served on the Fort Peck Election Committee and held several construction jobs. He worked for many years for Nygard Farms with Sammy Nygard. He was currently a driver for the Fort Peck Transit System. He enjoyed going to bingo, but his life centered around basketball. He was an inspiration to the younger generations because of his longevity in continuing to compete at his advanced age. He ran city league for several years at the Brockton Culture Center. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s games, following them with pride throughout their high school and college careers. He enjoyed the large Bighorn family gatherings, where he would compete in rounds of Lightning against his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Francile; daughter, Paula; and grandson, Noah Bighorn. He is survived by children, Joleen Emerson and Pam Bighorn of Brockton, Maureen Bighorn of Lake Delton, Wis., Janice Bighorn of Minnesota Barry Bighorn of Fort Kipp and Maurice Bighorn Jr. and James Burshia Bighorn of Brockton; siblings, Alpheus and Alva and Alice Melbourne; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A family graveside service was held Friday, July 24, at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel.

Dolores Veronica Maier Roeske, aged 87, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, surrounded by family at the home she shared with her youngest son’s family. Dolores was born to Wilhelm Maier and Marie Schgoer on Dec. 1, 1932, in Wolf Point, Mont. She was the second youngest of nine raised on her family farm when, as a high school senior, she opted to take an au pair job in town to be closer to school. She graduated high school and moved to Great Falls, Mont., with her sister Mathilda “Tillie” where the sisters and their friends attended USO dances. At one dance, Dolores caught the eye of a young airman, Elmer Otto Roeske. The couple married on June 22, 1957, after a yearlong courtship. A family quickly followed with the birth of their first son in 1958. The Air Force moved the family several times over the next 10 years — Illinois to Texas to Arlington, Vs., during which time the couple welcomed two more sons. Of all the postings, Dolores enjoyed Texas the most, but the USAF had other plans and stationed Elmer at the Pentagon in 1967. When Elmer retired from the USAF in 1971, the couple permanently settled in Prince William County, Vs., and opened the Triangle Bakery. After the couple entered full retirement, they embarked on many road trips to visit family and friends in Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Wolf Point, Mont.; as well as many other excursions. When they were home, they frequented local berry picking farms, county fairs and area attractions, most times with a grandchild or two in tow. A devoted Catholic all her life, Dolores was very active in Our Lady of Angels parish, attending daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration and was part of the Catholic Women’s Council. She encouraged her sons to send their children to local Catholic schools and often joined her grandchildren for their weekly Masses and special events. She found solace in praying the Rosary daily and thoroughly enjoyed Mother Angelica’s EWTN programs, but her greatest joy may have been when Elmer converted to Catholicism. She will be fondly remembered for her tender care of Elmer, doting on her grandchildren and her homemade strawberry jam. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Rodney of Dallas, Texas, Raymond and Stephanie of Lovettsville, Va., and Richard and Angela of Montclair, Va.; seven grandchildren, Michael (U.S. Marine Corps) and wife Ekaterina, Lauren, Christopher (U.S. Navy), Stephen (U.S. Army) and wife Amanda, Annalea, Nikolas and Richard Joseph “Ricky;” and four great-grandchildren, Rilee Saunders, Chiara, Freya (Michael) and Braylon Thomas (Lauren); as well as her niece Marlene (Lee) Maurer and nephews Doug (Cherie) Heser, Ike Heser and Dean Maier. Survivors from her husband’s side include Connie Rudsinski Pigati (William), Richard Rudsinski and Sally Rudsinski Pelg (Dale), and many greatnieces and nephews and dear friends Helen Hackett, Rita and John Cierny. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Elmer; her brothers, Joseph, William, James and Francis; and sisters, Marie Heser, Victoria Maier, Mathilda Maier and Genevieve (Sister Mary Cordis) Maier. The family would like to thank the staff at the Prince William Adult Day Healthcare (Area Agency on Aging) center who provided her a warm and nurturing environment for the last five years to spend her daytime hours and VITAS Hospice for their care and compassion her last two years. The services were provided by Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home in Woodbridge, Va., and Dolores was laid to rest with her beloved husband, Elmer, at Quantico National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102. We will be setting up a Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team in her honor. (Paid Obituary)

Wayne Cecil Knudsen, 90, died July 23, 2020, at his Bainville home. He was born April 6, 1930, the second of six children (Gerald, Wayne, Naoma, Beulah, Lyle and Ora-Bell) to Hartivg Knudsen and Hazel (Young) Knudsen in a private home west of McCabe, Mont. He was a polio survivor, loved to hunt, fish, camp, travel with his trailer and work. Together, he and wife Janice started Knudsen’s Registered Angus. He was active in the First Baptist Church of Mc-Cabe and the Big Sky Church of Froid. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Ora-bell Knudsen and Naoma Armagost; brother, Gerald Knudsen; and grandson, Jake Bolstad. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janice Knudsen; four children, Renee Rasmussen, Miles Knudsen, Gwen Bolstad and Neil Knudsen; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Beulah Rantz and Lyle Knudsen. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 25, with burial was in Bainville Storehouse Cemetery.

Jory Daniel Black Eagle, “Girabi Ihdia’sh,” Big Buffalo Bull, 31, died Monday, July 20, 2020, in Billings at Billings Clinic. He was born Aug. 4, 1988, in Poplar to Alison Mann and Mathew “Matt” Black Eagle, a child of the Prairie Chicken Clan. He grew up and attended schools in Wolf Point and a year in Frazer. He graduated from Wolf Point High School in 2008. He was a man of many talents and a very hard worker. He started AAU wrestling when he was six, coached by his father. He was active in baseball, basketball and cross country. He was six when he started grass dancing up until high school, then he switched to Fancy. He was a champion grass and fancy dancer growing up. His first year of dancing Fancy he took first at United Tribes in Bismarck. Jory was very proud of his Indian heritage. He was always very eager to learn about his history so he could teach his siblings. He descended from two separate tribes, MHA Nation and Assiniboine/Sioux Tribes. He loved the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish. Any opportunity he had, he would be walking the brush, “drowning some minnows” or setting lines. He was quite the marksman. He would say he could outshoot anyone who tried. He went to lineman school in Poplar at Fort Peck Community College and then ventured into working on the oil rigs in North Dakota. He worked for Unit Drilling, Nabors Drilling and H& P Drilling and other various rigs. He also loved to work on his vehicles. He would spend endless hours in the garage with his friends or himself. He was always a helping hand. He was involved with coaching his daughter in every sport she participated in. Helping youth always made him happy. In 2004, he met Paige Demarce. Through that relationship, he had two daughters, JoriLynn and Nevaeh Black Eagle. In 2012, he met Brenden Lee. Together, they had a son, Ax’Ton Black Eagle. He is survived by his children, JoriLynn and Ax’Ton Black Eagle; mother, Alison Mann; father, Mathew Black Eagle; siblings, Talon, Coy, Thunder, Brittany, Mattia, Acia, Theaira and Samantha Black Eagle; and grandparents, Robert Welch and James Welch. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nevaeh Marie Black Eagle. Funeral services were held Monday, July 27, at Blue Sky Ministries. Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Lisa Martell, 35, died Sunday, July 12, 2020, at Poplar Hospital. She was born Dec. 19, 1984, to Floyd Martell Jr. and Cheryl Melbourne Martell. Through friends, she met Milford Longee and had six children. Through family, she met Frank Diserly and had a daughter. She liked to play the machines, listen to music, ride around and hang out with her family and friends. She liked to go to bingo with her mom and sisters. She always had a smile on her face and a joke to tell everyone she met. She liked to go to powwows to watch them dance. She loved to visit with her brother, Duane, when he came down from Great Falls. When she was at home, she was always in her brother, Floyd’s room visiting him and watching TV. She was preceded in death by her brother, Billy Jack Martell. She is survived by her children, Melissa Longee, Fayebin Longee, Romaine Longee, Dale Longee and Frankie Ann Martell Diserly; siblings, William RedStar, Elizabeth Longee, Dawn Johnson, Wilma Martell, Sabrina Pinkerton, Floyd D. Martell III and Duane A. Martell; and grandmother, Roberta Martell. A graveside service was held Saturday, July 18, at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Judith Cassidy Cole, 81, died July 12, 2020. She was born Nov. 3, 1938, to Charles and Wally Cassidy in St. Paul, Minn. The family settled in Montana. She graduated from Forsyth High School. She married Norris “Mack” Cole in 1962. After a two-year stint in Belem, Brazil, she spent the next years moving wherever Mack’s career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs took them. They retired on the family ranch near Hysham and spent 20 years there before moving back to Billings. Her English and journalism teaching career spanned from Billings Central, to Shepherd, and finally Senior High School. She also enjoyed time spent in Helena as a senator’s wife. She leaves behind her husband of 58 years, Mack; and their three children, Margret Lopez of Fairfield, Calif., Cathy Ratzburg of Sunburst and Cass Cole of Billings; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Kathleen Bloom; and bothers Tom Cassidy and Mike Cassidy. Funeral services pending until further notice.

Jessica Eder, 38, of Wolf Point, died July 14, 2020, at the Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. She was born April 8, 1982, to Forrest and Lois Eder. She attended school in Wolf Point until the sixth grade, then went to Brockton School. She eventually obtained her G.E.D. She enjoyed doing puzzles, listening to music and hanging out with friends. She was a deep thinker and loved designing. Her children and family were the most important thing in her life. They were all she lived for, even though she didn’t know how to do the right thing to show them. She was the greatest mom ever until she lost the love of her life, Lyle Miller. After that, she lost everything, and all she could do was survive the best she could. She tried hard to straighten her life up, but always fell short. Family is all she ever wanted. She was preceded in death by her boyfriend and father to Chris and Jade, Lyle Miller. She is survived by her mother, Lois Eder; son, Christopher Miller; daughters, Jade Miller and Madison Eder; sister, Stephen Eder; brother, Channing Eder and Austin Peterson; and grandparents, Lillian Christian and Bill Eder Jr. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point with cremation to follow. Inurnment will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 27, at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.