Lydania Hagadone, 54, of Poplar died March 5, 2024, in Billings. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on April 6, at the St. John's Lutheran Church. A celebration of life will follow at the Greet the Dawn Auditorium in Poplar. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Mary Helen Tropila, 89, died Feb. 25, 2024, at Great Falls Clinic Hospital in Great Falls. She was born April 28, 1934, in Medicine Lake to Russell and Helen Evans. She graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1952 and continued to Kinman Business University in Spokane, Washington, earning her secretarial degree. She and Joseph Tropila were united in marriage April 27, 1957, at St. Patrick Church in Medicine Lake. They made their home in Great Falls. She enjoyed Saturday evening Mass at St. Ann’s Cathedral, Gonzaga basketball, Seattle Mariners baseball, time with her children and Nestle milk chocolate chips — the small bag. Surviving are children, Mike, Cathy MacDonald, Mitch and Cecile Sorensen;

Monte Wicka, born and raised in Libby, Mont., died unexpectedly on Feb. 29, 2024, at the age of 71 at his home on the Kootenai River on a Leap Day, unique just like him. Monte is survived by his wife, Leta, younger brothers, Mark (Karen Schultz) and Matt Wicka; brother-in-law, Barry (wife Irene); nieces and nephews, Wyatt, Justine (wife Ashley), Savanna (husband Scott) and Tyson (wife Carissa); great-nephews, Remington, Bensen, River; children, Jason and Zak; grandchildren, Jordan (Helaina), Taylor (husband Johnny), Barret, Canyon, Halle, Kate and Paisley, Hudson; and many more nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends and former coworkers. Monte lived life to the fullest, a true Libby man who loved hunting, fishing, outdoors, golf, Taekwondo, wrestling, watching his grandkids, family, coffee with the boys, Schnack-N-Decker Lumber Company, many years of firefighting and working for the Forest Service. He loved country music and Western movies (where he was a savant in knowing every actor’s and actress’ life stories). He

Marion Miller, 87, of Wolf Point died March 3, 2024, in Wolf Point. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Nancy Hopson of Wolf Point died Monday, March 11, 2024. Services are pending under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point.

The morning of Feb. 29, 2024, Laura Wittenberg passed away after a short illness. Laura was born on Sept. 14, 1939, the youngest of eight children of Gottlieb and Erna Schock. She attended school at a country school, Circle and Wolf Point. After graduation she married Robert Wittenberg and settled on a farm north of Circle. Together, they had five children, Jeanne Rae, Robert, Shawn, Paula and Tracy. They farmed and raised their family until they divorced. Laura sold the farm and moved to Circle. She worked at Eissinger Equipment, worked for a short time as a dispatcher until she was elected County Assessor for McCone County and then later for the State of Montana. After her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grand-children and great grand children. She was well known for her love of dolls and teddy bears and had an extensive collection of both. She was always giving tips on the deals on QVC. She was the plant guru and everyone called her for advice on how not to kill their plants. She was known for her fudge and chocolate chip cookies. If you drove by her house you could see her puttering in her yard with her plants and flowers. She loved her bird feeders and watching the birds come and bathe outside her kitchen window. She always got mad when the robins would dirty the water and chase the smaller birds away. She loved Jesus and was involved in the church until her later years. She knew she was going home to be with her Savior. She was greatly loved by all of her family. Each of her family has special memories of her. She was so loved by her family and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her children, Jeanne Rae (Tom)

Mary Anne Thornton, 88, of Wolf Point died Feb. 26, 2024. She was born May 12, 1935, in Poplar to Peter and Mary Dolezilek. She married Buddy Thornton on Aug. 25, 1953, and they enjoyed 57 years together. She enjoyed traveling to visit her children throughout the United States and especially enjoyed being with her grandchildren and delighting in their growth. She was a longstanding member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She also loved her cats, had an interest and appreciation for art and had a newfound passion for computers. As she aged, she had support from her local community and friends. In her final years, when living independently became a challenge, she lived at the Faith Home in Wolf Point.

Orlanda “Landee” Grey-Bear, Tasiyagmunka Dowan Wiyan Pi (Singing Meadowlark Woman), 47, died Feb. 29, 2024. She was born May 8, 1976, in Williston, N.D., to Oral GreyBear, Sr. and Linda Adams. She was raised by her aunt Coretta and uncle Floyd Youngman. She graduated from Poplar High School in 1994, then moved to Devils Lake, N.D., where she then made her home. She married Jaime Burdick Sr. in 1997. To this union, they had two sons: Jaime Burdick Jr. and Brennen Burdick; and one daughter, Kashaye Burdick. They later divorced, but remained friends. In 2012, she met Montee Nelson and later gave birth to her last baby, Na’Taye Nelson, in 2014. She enjoyed listening to music and visiting with friends and family. She loved to gamble, play cards, Yahtzee and bingo and loved to watch her daughters dance in the powwows. She also loved to visit with her best friend Stephanie Jetty. Her favorite NFL team was the Dallas Cowboys. She was employed at various jobs in Spirit Lake. She always traveled back to visit friends and family. She also enjoyed traveling to powwows. She had a very crazy sense of humor, always can make someone smile or laugh. Shee grew up traditional,

Antoine Reddogg, First That Walk Kid “Tokaheya He Mani Hoksida,” 29, of Poplar died Feb. 22, 2024. He was born on June 14, 1994, a descendant of Chief Medicine Bear and Chief Black Moon, was born to Drew Alden Reddogg and Lynette June First. He had two siblings, a brother Dion Sean First, John Pretty Bear of Cannonball N.D., and his sisters Taress Rion First and Aarianna Mazawasicuna He graduated from Solen High School in North Dakota in 2012. He grew up with his grandparents Calvin and Myrna First and attended inipi and yuwipi ceremonies throughout his life. His great-grandfather was Gerald Red Elk and during his life he kept two pipes that belonged to the Lakota and Dakota Tribes that came to live on the Fort Peck Reservation. Upon his death, he gave these pipes to Antoine’s grandfathers Leland Spotted Bird and Calvin. Antoine was given Calvin’s pipe at a ceremony held by Leonard Crow Dog at Calvin’s funeral. These pipes were kept by Gerald and belonged to the Sioux people. He worked for Fort Peck Tribes Community Services

Lorena Wilma Hekkel, 97, of Culbertson died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the Roosevelt Memorial Nursing Home in Culbertson. She was born Aug. 4, 1926, to Dan and Ella (Krueger) Schledewitz near Froid. She was baptized and confirmed a Lutheran and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson. After graduation Culbertson High School in 1944, she worked as a telephone operator until her marriage to John “Pete” Hekkel on Sept. 29, 1946. To this union, two children were born, Perry and Marcia. She had one of the best smiles, a loving and caring personality and a great sense of humor. She was happiest when surrounded by friends and family drinking coffee, visiting and playing cards. Some of her hobbies were German cooking and making homemade noodles, crocheting, playing Pinochle, watching Jeopardy and many more. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church’s WELCA, American Legion