Paula Joan “PJ” Warren, 76, died Jan. 1, 202,1 at her home in Bainville. On April 30, 1944, she was born in Williston, N.D., to John and Dag Simard, the youngest of two girls. She grew up outside of Bainville on the family farm until 1955 when her father built their home in town. She graduated from Bainville Public School in 1962. She had a passion for teaching children so she attended Montana State University -Billings to do just that, teach. She graduated in the spring of 1965 and her first teaching job started the following fall in Las Vegas, Nev. She also taught in Sidney and Longview, Wash. However, 37 of her 39 years were spent alongside wonderful coworkers and friends in her hometown, educating countless children including her three children and three of her grandchildren. She retired in 2006. On July 6, 1968, she married Vernon “Butch” Warren at the Lutheran church in Bainville. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018. Together, they raised their three children, Melissa, Lafe and Rachelle, in Bainville. Over their 52 years, they did everything together. Most importantly, they attended church. She loved Jesus with all her heart. Together, they supported their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike, whether they were gone to watch a sports game, a surgery, the birth of a baby, a wedding, graduation or family reunion. When everyone came together for Christmas, it was her favorite time of the year. That love to go didn’t stop at family, though. She loved to travel with her friends as well. Paula (and Butch) took trips to Hawaii and a cruise to Alaska with friends. She went to many Women of Faith conventions. She loved going to Medora. She loved being at Bible studies, sitting at the round table for breakfast or just driving around to do a little shopping. She loved all things that had sparkle. From her nails, hats, jewelry, clothing, shoes and crafting supplies, it all had bling. It was always a bonus if any of those things were red, white and blue. She was a woman with many hobbies and talents. She played piano and guitar and sang for her church. She put together and helped with various programs. Her favorites were the school’s Veterans Day program and the church Christmas program. She volunteered where she could in the community and was part of the Red Hat Society. Another program close to her heart was Operation Christmas Child. She loved to make scrapbooks, craft and bake with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She loved making cards for every occasion. She was preceded in death by her sister, Judy Nelson. She is survived by her husband, Butch Warren of Bainville; children, Melissa Bonebrake of Bainville, Lafe Warren of Rosebud and Rachelle Ryder of Bainville; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Bainville School. Interment followed at the Bainville Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Delilah May Old Rock-Martin Johnson, 70, of Fort Kipp died Dec. 21, 2020, in Amarillo, Texas. She was born Sept. 15, 1950, to Robert Ch. Old Rock-Martin and Margaret M. Bear in Poplar. She attended various schools in Brockton, Ogden, Utah, and Chilloco, Okla. She graduated from United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, N.D., in 1994. She was a homemaker and was the rock of her eight children.

Harold Dean Blount, 83, of Frazer died Dec. 31, 2020, in Billings. He was born Nov. 9, 1937, to George and Clara (Red Eagle) Blount on a hill in Brockton attended by his grandmother. He grew up in the Brockton area until the age of five and then moved to Frazer, which became his home until his death. He touched may lives throughout his life as a coach, mentor and, most of all, a pastor at Cansuska

Irving Eugene Wittmayer, 76, died Dec. 11, 2020, at his home in Westby. Born on July 19, 1944, in Crosby, N.D., he grew up in the Westby community, attending Daneville Country School and Westby Schools. He often reminisced of days on the farm with his big brother, Lovell, life in a oneroom country schoolhouse and playing football, basketball and track in high school. His fondest memory was the purchase of his first Harley Davidson motorcycle as a teenager, which was just the beginning of his often eccentric and rebellious endeavors. After graduating in 1962, and a brief time working on the oil rigs, he attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, earning a degree in secondary education. Upon graduation from college, he held teaching and basketball coaching positions in Rapelje and Bainville before returning to Westby to farm in the 1970s. He was a renowned fur trapper with an extensive trap line throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. He perfected the skill of skinning and tanning his own hides and eventually made jewelry. His coyote coat was one of his prized possessions. In 1978, he married Michelle Melgaard. Together, they raised three children. He was a very dedicated father and brought a lot of quirkiness and laughter to their home. He enjoyed playing softball and bowling in Grenora for many years. His quick wit and unique and silly ways of experiencing the world will forever carry on in his children and their friends, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Never one to sit idle, he kept meticulous bookkeeping in his office and learned the art of refinishing antique furniture. He helped build new addition to his family home and it was filled quickly with his refinished treasures discovered over the years. The couple also shared a rural mail route. Many residents of Westby cherished the kindness and special deliveries to their doorsteps for well over 30 years. He is survived by his children, Krisena Curry of Laurel, Heidi Wittmayer of Westby and Levi Wittmayer of Williston, N.D.; five grandchildren; brother, Lovell Wittmayer; and sisters, Julie Pierce and Ruth Brown. He was preceded in death by his wife, Michelle Wittmayer. Cremation has taken place and graveside services are tentatively planned to be held on July 3 at the Daneville Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Wittmayer place in Westby.

Morgan Marie Necklace, 28, of Poplar, died Dec. 17, 2020, in Poplar. She was born May 25, 1992, to Thomas John Necklace and Christina Nig Bear in Bismarck, N.D. She lived in Bismarck, N.D.; Williston, N.D.; and Billings. She made her home in Poplar. She did her education in Bismarck, N.D., Billings and Culbertson. In 2010, she graduated from Culbertson High School. She worked at Hermen Oil, Subway, Holiday Inn, as correctional officer, Tribal Express and Corriotion. She loved being around her babies, Kendall, Kylie and Phaedra, family and friends. She also enjoyed cruising around in her truck, fishing, swimming, watching friends, playing horse shoes and camping at pow-wows. She was shy and sweet and always smiling. She is survived by her children, Kendall, Kylie and Phaedra of Poplar; brothers, Alex Necklace of Billings and Cody Big Bear of Fort Yates, N.D.; sister, Cherish Big Bear of Fort Yates, N.D.; companion, Bucky Youngman of Poplar; grandparents, Ruth Necklace of Poplar and Lorene Michels of Fargo, N.D.; and greatgreat- grandmother, Doris Spotted Bird of Brockton. Her funeral was held Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 1 p.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar. Interment followed at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.