A Celebration of Life for Harry E. Purvis, 69, of Culbertson, Mont., was held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2020, at the American Legion Hall in Culbertson. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons. com. Harry passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, surrounded by his family and loved ones at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, Mont.

Sharon Louise (Martell) Hawk, 72, died March 2, 2020, in Billings at the Billings Clinic. She was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Sidney to Daniel and Mary (Colvin) Martell. She was raised in the Fort Kipp and Blair areas of the Fort Peck Reservation. She attended school in Brockton. In 1966, she went to Oakland, Calif., to attend nurse’s training, where she met her future husband. Sharon and

Funeral services for Duane Olson were conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2020, at the Froid Lutheran Church in Froid, Mont. Duane Udell Olson of Froid, Mont., passed away peacefully on the morning of Monday, March 2, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, Mont. Duane was born June 13, 1937, to Sigurd and Ethel (Casper) Olson at the hospital in Poplar and was an enrolled member of

Ronald “Ron” Pennell passed away at his home on Feb. 22, 2020. Ron was born July 29, 1942 in Fairview, Mont., at the Broadhead house to Carl and Mary (Phay) Pennell. Ron lived in Culbertson, Mont., and graduated from high school in 1960. Ron then joined the National Guard from 1960 to 1966. Ron married Geraldine Cellmer on Nov. 30, 1963. Three children were born, Janet in 1965, Brenda in

Rodney Iverson, 91, of Culbertson, Mont., passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, Mont. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, N.D., is assisting the family. His memorial service was held at 10 a.m. MDT on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson, Mont. Pastor Gretchen Wagoner officiated. Inurnment was in the Hillside

Caroll Iverson, 82, of Culbertson died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. She was born in Fairview May 31, 1937, the daughter of Carl and Mary Pennell. They lived on a farm south of Culbertson until they moved to town when she started school. She graduated from Culbertson High School. She married Rodney Iverson Jan. 12, 1957. She was active in the Community of Christ church and played the piano for

Howard James Bemer, 70, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2020, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings. He was born on Dec. 7, 1949, to Neville Bemer and Freda Bauer Christian Burshia Bemer. He was raised on the family farm and ranch north of Fort Kipp. He attended school in Brockton, graduating in 1967. He briefly attended Dartmouth and Montana State University before returning to run the farm and ranch due to his Grandfather Neville’s illness. He married Carol White Bear Bemer in 1967 and, to this union, Paul, Leslie (who was born on his birthday) and William were born. They later divorced, but remained lifelong friends. He married Vicky Hopkins in 1988 and they later divorced. On June 30, 1999, he married Roberta “Billy Gayle” Murray Bemer. They were devoted to each other and spent the rest of his life on adventures, traveling around the country for his work and locally to support Billy Gayle and the Blue Ribbon Band. Howard and Billy raised her grandd aughter, Ronni Pritchard. He had many imp ortant and fulfilling jobs during his lifetime. During his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he served as a police officer, criminal investigator and captain of law enforcement. These positions eventually led him to BIA and the Office of Special Trustee Executive leadership positions in Nashville, Tenn.; Washington, D.C.; Rapid City, S.D.; Fort Belknap; Fort Yates, N.D.; and New Town, N.D., before completing his federal career as the Superintendent of the Fort Peck Agency in Poplar. He also faithfully served the Fort Peck Tribes as a game warden, police officer, tribal executive board member and tribal judge. In addition to his service with the BIA and Fort Peck Tribes, he found the time to operate a farming / cattle operation north of Fort Kipp. He also co-founded United Professional Permitting — a seismic permitting firm — during the early 1980s “oil boom” in northeastern Montana. He enjoyed the ranching lifestyle and was very fond of his horses. During his younger years, he was an avid team roper and found great success on the regional rodeo circuit. He was also responsible for helping to revive the Fort Peck Indian Rodeo. He was always happiest when riding and probably forgot more than a lot of people knew about horses. He was a people person and made friends everywhere he went. A born leader, he enjoyed developing talent and empowering people to realize their full potential. He always had a moment to visit, advice to share, or an anecdote that helped. He could tell a mean story and had many stories to tell, from his time mining coal at the old Bemer coal mine, to crazy exploits with his many friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ossie, Al Jr. and Ronnie Burshia; sisters, Brenda Burshia, who died in infancy, Gladys Bemer and Joyce Bemer Waldhausen; and granddaughter, Paulette Bemer. He is survived by his wife, Billy Gayle; children, Paul Bemer, Leslie Gourneau and William Bemer; stepson, Bill Pritchard; sister, Julie Bemer; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Monday, Jan. 27, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. At a later time, a private family ceremony will take place to honor his wishes to scatter his ashes.

Gene Leslie Andersen, 71, died at his home near Dagmar Friday morning, Jan. 3, 2020. He was born in Williston, N.D., Dec. 7, 1948, to Marjorie and Leslie Andersen. He grew up on the original Andersen family farm near Dagmar, with his sister, Joanne. He attended Hiawatha Elementary School and graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1966. He went on to college in Billings and Havre. He received his architectural drafting degree in Wahpeton, N.D. Following that, he served seven years in the Army National Guard. He married Geralyn Sneva Aug. 15, 1970, in Grenora, N.D. After they were married, they lived in Miles City, where he worked at Midland Lumber, drawing and estimating house plans. In 1972, they moved to Plentywood, where Gene worked for C & D Lumber. Then, it onto Tioga, N.D., where he worked for Bethlehem Steel. In the spring of 1973, he had the opportunity to go into farming, working for his uncle Delmar until 1979, when they purchased the farm and he designed and built the farmhouse still there today. This is where they made their home and raised their three children, Brent, Kerby and Ashley. He found his calling going into the family business of farming. He and his father farmed together for many years until his father’s death in 1990. In 2000, he and Kerby began farming together. As most farmers are, he was keenly aware of the weather. When not in the field, he and Geri drove around checking the crops and hoping for moisture when necessary. He spent many years working closely with Les Jensen and Roger Manger. His love of baseball led him to his wife, Geri. In his younger years, he played with the Big Muddy League in Dagmar and Babe Ruth and Legion in Grenora, N.D., which is where he met Geri. He also brought his passion of this game to many great players coaching Little League in Dagmar, as well as Babe Ruth and Legion baseball in Grenora, N.D. As a man of the land, he also loved hunting and fishing. Over the years, he took many hunting trips to western Montana with friends. Each year, pheasant and deer hunting were high priorities as well as many fishing trips with the family and friends. His family was always a priority. While he didn’t want to venture too far from the farm, he attended the children’s activities whenever he could. Over the last 13 years, he got to know and love his grandchildren, who brought great joy to him. He gave back to the community through coaching baseball and many other ways. He volunteered when there was a community event and also served on several boards of directors, including the Hiawatha School and Prairie States Co-op in Zahl, N.D. Gene and Geri also helped Kerby with the Centennial Bar when he purchased it and really enjoyed helping him get started. His life changed drastically in 2009. First, when Geri suffered a stroke and then a few months later when Kerby died. He was a great caretaker for Geri for seven years and did an amazing job, suddenly balancing farm work with household work. Geri died in 2017. He is survived by his sister, Joanne Andersen of Eagan, Minn.; son, Brent Andersen of Minnetonka, Minn.; daughter, Ashley Engh of Williston, N.D.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geri; and son, Kerby. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 1 p.m. CST at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grenora, N.D.