Rodney Henry Kilsdonk, 77, of rural Sidney, Mont., died in his sleep at home on May 2, 2020, after a short battle with lung cancer. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive, Mont., has been entrusted with the arrangements. Rodney, born June 21, 1942, in Jamestown, N.D., and raised in Culbertson, Mont., was the second of 10 children born to Henry “Hank” Kilsdonk and Mildred “Millie” Rasmussen Kilsdonk. Rodney begrudgingly completed eighth-grade before launching into a series of jobs including: sheepherding, custom combining, seismographing and working at the Peavey Elevator in Wolf Point. Rodney spent a short time in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1961. In 1962, Rod married Norma (Merrill) and together they had three children: Laurie, Rodney Jr. and Duane. They divorced in 1970 and Rodney raised his children as a single father. On Oct. 14, 1978, Rod married the love of his life, Diane (Oberlander Morast). The family now included Rodney’s three children and Diane’s two children, Darrin and Dannell. Rod and Diane enjoyed 35 years together before Diane passed on Sept. 22, 2013. They spent a short time together in Savage, Mont., before buying a house and 40 acres a few miles west of Sidney, Mont. In Sidney, Rodney worked at Holly Sugar, then on drilling rigs and ultimately landed a position with the Richland County Road Department, where he worked for 30 years as a supervisor and a crane operator. He was proud that he ran the same crane for 25 years and that crane retired along with him. During his time with the county, he built several bridges which are still used today. In 2007, Rodney retired from the county and spent his days in retirement building his collection of tractors. He especially liked to buy them “stuck” and then tinker with them until they ran again. He liked to collect convertible cars, especially Pontiac Firebirds and Chevy Corvettes and drove them with the top down and his Shih Tzu, Maisy, riding alongside him. Rodney loved to spend summer days fishing with friends and sharing stories. He enjoyed many adventures traveling, sightseeing and eating out with his special friend, Mary Vaira, during his final years. They especially enjoyed seeing shows in Medora and riding around in his convertibles. Rodney is survived by sons, Rodney (Lisa) Kilsdonk, Duane (Darcee) Kilsdonk and Darrin (Raquel) Morast; daughters, Laurie (Wayne) Owens and Dannell Morast; grandchildren, Tony (Linsey) Owens, Colton Owens, Brandi Owens, Kassidee Rose, Scott (Michelle) Kilsdonk, Elisabeth (Joe) Epley, Tessa (Taylor) Howell, Matreena (Travis) Revoir, Matthew Kilsdonk, Makaela Kilsdonk, Jade Morast, Zoey Morast and Riley Simard; 26 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ralph (Ruth), Tim (Mary), Stan (Kathy) and Odean (Chris); and sisters, Kathy and Mildred Rae (Steve) Owings. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hank and Millie Kilsdonk; brothers, Eldon and Martin (Mary) Kilsdonk; and sister, Veralyn (Jim) Smith. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.silhafuneralhomes. com. (Paid Obituary)

Rodrick Speed, 16, died Monday, April 27, 2020, in Wolf Point. He was born Feb. 11, 2004, in Poplar. From day one, he had such a precious smile and anyone who knew him would be greeted with that huge smile. He grew up loving the outdoors. He could be seen riding his bike or running. He loved when the pool would open in the summer and would be there every day. He loved to run and enjoyed cross country and track to the fullest and always ended his run with that infectious smile. He loved to read, but not on a tablet. He needed to hold a book in his hands. His favorite reading material was something about aliens or some other type of science fiction. He would take a book on long drives with the family or to a restaurant and read while he waited. The Last Dragon Chronicles was the series he was currently reading. He loved doing things with his friends and family. He had a lot of family, but his friends were very important to him. He was in choir at school and loved to sing. He just really loved music. He would sing anywhere, all the time. He loved his job at the Sherman Inn and enjoyed his coworkers. He was proud of himself for working his way up from dishwashing to making pizzas. He was never too good to go back and wash dishes when needed. He was saving his money to buy a car and was studying the driver’s manual so he could take his test. He helped his mother often with the Wolf Point Pound Puppies rescue. His love for animals was amazing and he was always a fixture at the spay/neuter clinics. He could be seen laying on the recovery bed with the dogs and cats, helping them wake up or sometimes just sleeping. Just recently, he flew two orphaned newborn puppies to Billings by himself to get them into the safe hands of the rescue folks at Tiny Tails. He was always willing to help in any way he was needed. He was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Lee Renz Speed. He is survived by his parents, Tina (Speed) and Dave Bets His Medicine; siblings, Casey Mae Olson, Adison James Renz Speed and Ryan Thomas Renz Speed; and grandmother, Aurelia Bets His Medicine of Fort Kipp. Other family members surviving him are Harold “Sinbad” Renz Jr., Colleen Ferguson Renz, Shelby Renz, Ralph Renz, Brennan, Ashley Ferguson and Barb Perry. A graveside service was held Thursday, April 30, at the Poplar City Cemetery. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Pauline Francis Johnson, 36, of Poplar died May 1, 2020. She was born Aug. 28, 1983, in Poplar to Dewey and Vearlene. She attended Medicine Lake School and graduated in 2003. She attended Kicking Horse Job Corps, then returned to Poplar where she worked at the school and did other various jobs with her fiancé, Lester Menz. She was always a kind soul. She loved her family and friends. She had an infectious smile and mischievous grin, and her laughter was contagious. She loved making the people around her laugh and will always be remembered for being a caring person and making those she loved feel important. She is survived by her fiancé, Lester Menz; daughter, Anna; son, Samuel; father, Dewey (Antoinette) Johnson; mother, Vearlene (Allen) Red-Dog; sisters, Carrie Kennedy, Laura Johnson, Eva Hernandez, Mikhael Johnson, Leona Mitchell, Emerald Baxter, Sapphire Johnson, Diamond Johnson and Christine Johnson; and brothers, John Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Leon Mitchell, Andrew Mitchell and Taurean Baxter. She was preceded in death by her brother, Daniel Johnson. Services will be held in Wolf Point followed by burial at the family burial site north of Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Mabel Anne (Thompson) Sherman, 80, of Medicine Lake died April 19, 2020. She was born Feb. 17, 1940, on the farm at rural Reserve one of 11 children to Nels and Mathilda (Flakne) Thompson. She attended Plentywood School, graduating in 1958. She married Clarence Sherman on Oct. 17, 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Plentywood. They lived in many places following Clarence’s work in the oil fields. They raised four children — Tracy, Nancy, Kevin and Tim. She enjoyed being a homemaker and selling Avon. Her hobbies included embroidery and crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed time spent with family and visiting with friends. After Clarence’s retirement, they settled in Medicine Lake. After Clarence’s death in 2014, she remained in Medicine Lake until moving to Williston, N.D., in September 2019 to be closer to family. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Eugene, Melvin, Eddie and Nels Thompson; and sisters, Viola Grimes, Gladys Lindell and Dorothy Clark. She is survived by daughters, Tracy Tormaschy and Nancy Balikian; sons, Kevin and Tim Sherman; five grandchildren; brothers, John Thompson and Rick Thompson; and sister, Irene Nordstrom. A memorial service will be conducted this summer.

Phyllis Geraldine (Dassonville) Berge, 96, of Bainville, died April 19, 2020, at her home in Bainville. She was born at home in Frazer, on Oct. 23, 1923, to Paul J. Dassonville and Hazel May (Redfield) Dassonville. She joined oldest brother, Lloyd, and older sister, Margarite (Peggy). She was followed by brothers, Henri “Hank” and Curtis; and sister, Janice. She attended Frazer Elementary School where she met Dick Berge. He was in the sixth grade and she was in the fifth grade. She attended Frazer High School, graduating in 1941. While in high school, she played basketball with a half-court rule. She was quite proud of being “high point man” in the games. She stated many times, “I’ll always be a Frazer Bearcub.” After graduating, she attended Havre Normal School, where she obtained an associate degree that enabled her to teach first grade at the Southside School in Wolf Point during World War II. She married Dick Berge in 1947 and had two daughters, Rochelle “Rocky”and Paulette “Pauly.” In 1953, she and Dick built The Rancho Motel in Frazer. In 1957, they moved the motel to Wolf Point, where they operated the motel and campground until 1981. In 2012, they relocated to Bainville. She enjoyed growing up with so many siblings. She talked about how she and Hank could really cut a rug with jitterbugging in the living room. She was a very good dancer and proved it when she taught her great-grandson to dance before his first prom. She could play the guitar and piano by ear and could yodel with the best of them. She loved to sing, especially at church. She always enjoyed and made every holiday memorable by making special food and hosting dinners. She and Dick loved to share their recipes with their granddaughter by teaching her how to make dressing, among other things. She was an avid crafter. She crocheted dolls, doilies and afghans. She made plastic canvas projects and enjoyed trying new crafts and recording craft shows from the TV. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; brothers, Lloyd and Hank; and sister, Peggy. She is survived by daughters, Rochelle Romo of Bainville and Pauly of Plano, Texas; brother, Curtis of Bozeman; sister, Janice Long of Wolf Point; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Private graveside services were held and a public memorial service will be held at a later date. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Joseph Pete “Doddie” Culbertson, 73, of Poplar died Saturday, April 4, 2020, at the Poplar Community Hospital. He was born June 14, 1946, in Poplar, the sixth child born to Albert “Howard” Culbertson Sr. and Flora Culbertson (Gladue). He attended Poplar Schools throughout grade school. He was a baseball player from the beginning. When he was very young, his coach wanted to send him to pro baseball camp, but his parents wouldn’t agree to him going. He often wondered how his life would have been if he had been able to have that experience. He went to high school at Immaculate Conception in Stephan, S.D., where he was active in basketball and football and baseball in the off season. He also became a golf enthusiast and enjoyed the game of golf. He graduated from high school in 1965. He went on to drafting school in Denver, Colo. He joined the Army in 1966, and served as a MP, stationed in Turkey and Japan. After being discharged from the Army, he returned to Poplar. He started working for C& M Construction. During that time, Alpheus Bighorn took him under his wing and taught him how to do plumbing. With a lot of hard work, he went on to open Culbertson Plumbing and Heating and get his master plumbing license. He was also in partnership with Doc Swanson, his father-in-law. He married Charlene Swanson in 1980 in Las Vegas, Nev. He traveled to many places for sport fun, Costa Rica and Canada to fish. He was an avid hunter. The family also took fun trips to many places, including Disneyland, Las Vegas and Hawaii. His home was always open for family get togethers during holidays or other special occasions. He is survived by his wife, Charlene; sons, Alexander J. ‘AJ’ and James J.; and two granddaughters. He was patiently awaiting the birth of his grandson. He is also survived by siblings, Albert “Greek” Culbertson Jr. of Littleton, Colo., Jackie Sandoval of Poplar, Sandra Albertson of Rapid City, S.D., and Carol Azure of Poplar. Hee was preceded in death by granddaughter, Scarlett; and sisters, Louanne, Zelma and Gloreen. A private graveside service was held Friday, April 10, at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Patsy Krohmer, 84, formerly of Wolf Point, died March 28, 2020. She was born in Culbertson to Bert and Amanda Johnson on Nov. 3, 1935. She lived in Brockton until she graduated from high school. After graduating from high school, she went to college for about a year when she met Laverne Krohmer, whom she married Nov. 6, 1955, in Brockton. They welcomed their daughter, Natalie, one year later.