Kathryn Lynn Nelson, 63, died at Sidney Health Center in Sidney Dec. 13, 2023. She was born Sept. 11, 1960, in Plentywood to Robert and Esther Fossum. She joined a brother, Leslie “Bernie” Fossum. She grew up in Medicine Lake, where she attended school and graduated in 1979. During her high school years, she was a cheerleader and member of the pep club all four years. As a soprano in swing choir, she attended the Montana State Music Festival for three years and was a member of the speech and drama team for three years. She went to the state Class C track meet in javelin. She was homecoming queen her senior year of Medicine Lake High School. After graduating from high school, she attended Missoula for a short time and went on to graduate from beauty school. She enjoyed her years of doing hair in many cities. She also enjoyed tending bar at the Radisson in Bismarck, N.D., the FourWinds in Plentywood and The Club in Medicine Lake. Regardless of where she worked, she enjoyed being with people. Her smile was bright, and her laugh was infectious. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, road trips and anything that involved her friends, her family and a cold beer. She also enjoyed going to the Sturgis Bike Rally with Al. She and Bernie shared a special bond that created many memories. She is survived by her brother, Leslie “Bernie” Fossum of Medicine Lake; and boyfriend, Al Stanford of Culbertson. A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. at the Medicine Lake Fire Hall.

Mabel Hackley Renz, 94, passed peacefully Dec. 4, 2023, with family present. Mabel was born on the family farm in the Cherry Creek community south of Culbertson on July 23, 1929, fourth of eight children, to H.T. and Leoma Hackley. She attended Cherry Creek School and graduated from Culbertson High School. She worked in the bank in Culbertson and then moved to Wolf Point and worked at Western Bank and in the evenings at the theater — she told us she never attended the free movie after her shift. She met Robert Renz in Culbertson and they were married in Miles City in 1955. They resided on the Renz family homestead along the Missouri River south of Poplar, where they farmed and ranched for many years. She moved thousands of small bales with her Oliver tractor and bale wagon! Although they never had children of their own, they were very involved with generations of nieces and nephews- following their school and sports events, and taking them on the Culbertson Trail Ride. Mabel was a long-time active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar. She also belonged to the Mona Homemakers for many years. One of her favorite pastimes was hiking in the badlands with her friends from church, enjoying nature and visiting. Many people probably have received a quilt or other hand-sewn items over the

Allen Virgil Bummer, 83, died Dec. 6, 2023, at the Billings Clinic Hospital. He was the fourth child born to Leonard and Kathryn (Engh) Bummer on April 16, 1940, in Scobey. He grew up on a farm west of Reserve and graduated from Medicine Lake High School. He joined the Army National Guard in 1958. He married Marlene Nielsen on Sept. 30, 1961. From then on, they spent a wonderful lifetime dancing the night away. Shortly after they married, he continued his education by attending Billings Vo-Tech Center welding school in Billings. Following graduation, he returned to the farm in Reserve. He was a certified welder who loved to take on the challenge of fixing anything and everything. He farmed and ranched with his family and always adored his cows and horses. He had three children together, Sherry, Glen and Machelle. He enjoyed meeting new people as he never met a stranger. He treated every person with kindness and would take in anyone who needed it with open arms. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Medicine Lake. He attended his first Cum Christo in 1973 and worked several Cum Christo’s in the years after.

Marvin C. Kostelecky, 79, of White Sulphur Springs died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. He was born on April 18, 1944, to Mildred and Charles Kostelecky in Dickinson, N.D. He went to many schools during his lifetime including White Sulphur Springs. He was drafted into the Army in 1967. During his tour of duty, he was wounded and received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. After returning home, he met Fran Van Dyke. She brought into the family a son, Deon. Together, they had together two children, Kandi Mil and Karson Ray. They lived in the farming area of Ryegate and Rapelje. They divorced in 1976. In 1976, he met and married Phyllis Ball, she came into the family with two children, Spencer and Lonnele. He was able to work for many different ranchers across Montana from Colstrip to Malta, Plentywood to Dagmar. He and Phyllis had a son, Kevin Charles. During their marriage, he found another daughter, Stacy. In 1992, they divorced. He then met Yvonne through his brother, Randy, and Randy’s wife, Connie, who is Yvonne’s sister. They married on July 16, 1993. She brought into the family two daughters, Sheila and Roberta. They worked on many different ranches together across Montana including Bainville and Shonkin. He also worked at the Wagonhound Land and Livestock Ranch in Douglas, Wyo., where he was able to drive teams of horses to feed with and to pull different kinds of buggies. They moved to WSS in 2010 and retired. Once again, Marvin was able to farm and ranch part time for Castle Mountain Ranch and for Jock & Jamie Doggett until his health became poor. He loved to watch his children and grandchildren play sports. He also loved watching the WSS Hornets and the Montana Griz. During his life, he was able to rodeo and even won a saddle at the NILE. He loved being a cowboy and driving a tractor. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Yvonne; children, Deon, Stacy, Spencer, Sheila, Kandi, Lonnele, Roberta, Karson and Kevin; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; four brothers, Dennus of Wilsall, Randy of Columbus, Doug of Billings and Francis of Billings; and one sister, Coleen of Aurora, Colo. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Duane Kostelecky; one sister, Audrey Edwards; and one great-granddaughter, McKinley. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Church in White Sulphur Springs. Burial followed the service at Mayn Cemetery.

Melba Anderson, 86, of Culbertson died Nov. 24, 2023, in Wolf Point. Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be planned at a later date. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel assisted with the arrangements.

Sarah Rabbe, 80, of Bainville died at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 18, 2023. In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Father Paul Eberle will celebrate her Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston, N.D. Interment in Riverview Cemetery will follow the funeral mass. Friends may