Dakota Delaine Young “Sonny” (Omani Tanka), 28, died at his home in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 13, 2023. He was born on Nov. 10, 1994, in Watertown, S.D., to Arlene White and William Young. He lived most of his life in Poplar with his aunt Lulu and grandma Naomi where he attended Poplar schools and graduated from Poplar High School in 2013. He went to Fort Peck Community College for a little bit and worked at McDonald’s and Sidney Sugars in Sidney. He later moved to Las Vegas, Nev., in 2016, where he resided until his death. He worked as an armed security officer at Grand Canal Shoppes and at Cardinal Paints and Powder while living in Las Vegas. He always had a smile on his face. He liked to laugh and tease around and made friends everywhere he went. He liked to listen to music and make his own beats and write his own music. He also like to learn and do new things. He was also very close with his sister, Kodi. He loved to be around family when he could. He is survived by his mother, Arlene White; four sisters, Lakota Young, Shiane Young, Shayla Argo and Skyy Renville; two brothers, Richard Young and Brett Argo; adopted brother, Nick Greybull; adopted sister, Alison Greybull; and grandmothers, Naomi Montclair and Juanita (Doug) Youngman. He was preceded in death by his father, William Young. Funeral services were held Monday, March 6, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at the Riverside Presbyterian Cemetery in Riverside. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel assisted with the arrangements.

Lee’Al Patricia Kooken Moran, “Wowiye pahta wiya” (Ties the Cloth Woman), 38, died Feb. 28, 2023, at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. She was born Aug. 8, 1984, in Helena. On Aug. 10, 1986, Tony and Jackie Moran brought her home where she joined her younger brother, Ryan, and was later joined by her brother, Jordan. In 1989, she went to Southside School. She graduated in May 2004. One of hers greatest joys of life was attending school. She got tremendous support from Hi-Line Homes program in Glasgow and also received care from Home Care Services in Glasgow. She absolutely loved a wide variety of movies, including Pretty Woman, La Bamba, Free Willy, Home Alone 1 & 2, Ninja Turtles 1, 2 & 3, Dennis the Menace and Beauty in the Beast. Another huge love of hers was music, dancing, singing and marching bands. Singing and music were always a big help calming and soothing her on all the numerous medical appointments and procedures. Her all-time favorites things were lining up all her ensure cans, cups, drawing and making a mess with tissue and paper. She was always demanding someone get that broom, dustpan or vacuum. She loved outings which included multiple trips to Williston, Wolf Point and Scobey to the parades to watch the marching band. She also loved going to visit Grandma Bell (Taunya Wasser’s mother) in Scobey where they would play the piano, violin and organ. She loved going to her Grandma Mary’s house for Christmas and tearing up all the presents she knew would be there. Her smile lighted up the room wherever she went. Her voice would echo throughout the house, filling it with warmth and love. She is survived by her mother, Jackie; brothers, Ryan, Jordan, Tom, Cody and Rudy; sister, Maria; and grandmothers, Agnes Moran and Vivian Herschel of Fort Belknap. Services will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 10, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Following will be the burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point.

James Michael “Jim” Simoneau, 70, of Medicine Lake died March 4, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula. He was the fourth son of George and Laura (Kelly) Simoneau and was born at Roosevelt Hospital in Culbertson on Aug. 27, 1952. After graduating from Medicine Lake High School, he attended the University of Montana, graduating in December 1975, earning a bachelor of arts degree in business administration - finance. After working for several years with forest management for the State of Montana, he returned to Medicine Lake and worked for the Medicine Lake High School from 1981 until his retirement in 2017, many years as head custodian. He also was the golf instructor for several years at the high school. He was a kind and generous man, full of optimism and good cheer. One could not find a more humble and genteel person. He quickly made friends with anyone he met — making many of those individuals lifelong and dear friends. He was very attached to his phone and was often the one to call family members and friends to check how they were doing and ensure communication lines stayed open. He loved to play cards, especially pinochle and cribbage. He was an avid sports fan, especially playing golf and watching the Montana Grizzlies or the Pittsburg Steelers. He died with a blanket for each team comforting him, as well as his Rosary. H was devoted to his faith, being a lifelong Catholic. He firmly believed in the virtues of faith, hope, charity and love — principles he followed in his daily life. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus. He was married to Charlotte Stolp Buck, but they later divorced. They were preceded in death by their infant daughter, Dianne Margaret Simoneau. He is also preceded in death by brothers, John and Ron Simoneau; step-son, Bruce Buck; and former wife, Charlotte. He is survived by brothers, Bob and Tom Simoneau; son, James Patrick Buck; a granddaughter; a great-granddaughter; and step-children, Cristal Cheney and Jerry Buck Jr. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church of Medicine Lake. A rosary will be conducted at 5 p.m. Friday at the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood. Interment will follow at the Medicine Lake Cemetery.

Steven D. Redekopp, 80, of Wolf Point passed away on Feb. 11, 2023, at Billings Clinic Hospital in Billings, Mont. Steve was born in Wolf Point, Mont., on March 31, 1942, to Abraham K. and Susie J. Redekopp. Steve spent his early years in Lustre and, in 1945, moved with his parents and two sisters to the property they purchased six miles north of Oswego, Mont. He played basketball and baseball throughout his school years, graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1960. He attended college briefly at Northern Montana College in Havre before enlisting in the U.S. Army from May 4, 1962, to Aug. 3, 1964. After finishing his time in the Army, he attended Montana State University in Bozeman and returned to work on the family farm with his father Abe. He then spent a year in Seattle, Wash., working at Lockheed shipyards and married Kathy J. Hicks at the First Lutheran Church in Edmonds, Wash., on April 29, 1966. Steve had met Kathy during his Army stationing at Fort Lewis. Steve played intramural basketball while in the Army and city league briefly, until after his son Jeff was born. He loved being involved with his families’ activities and especially enjoyed attending his son Jeff and daughter Christy’s sports and 4H/rodeo events, as well as their music concerts. He loved playing cards — whist and poker — and never turned down a good game of pinochle with the family. He served on the REA Cooperative board of directors for 25 years and was also an active member of the Wolf Point Elks Lodge until the time of his death. Steve had a passion for all things farming and never

David Allen Ruffatto, 82, of Sidney died at his home in Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. He was born at home on June 13, 1940, in Brockton the sixth child of Antone “Tony” and Anna (Cuccia) Ruffatto. He joined two brothers and three sisters ranging in age from 21 to 8 years old. He always worked odd jobs, anything to make a few bucks. When he was 12 or 13, he made a deal with the owner of the hardware store. He wanted to make payments so he could order a gun. He would take in his cash for the store owner to hold on to and keep track of how close his total was to the prize. Once he made the final payment, he asked the owner to please order the gun. The gentleman said, “I knew you were going to make it, so I went ahead and ordered it” and pulled it out from under the counter. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1958 as salutatorian. He always joked that there were only two in his class. He received a full year scholarship to Carroll College in Helena. After college, he moved back to Brockton and worked at the elevator. He ordered a brand new 1961 Ford Starliner car, black on black. He lived on the highway across from the railroad tracks and saw the train come through with his car on it. He hot footed it to Wolf Point where he paid cash for his new ride. It also happened to be his 21st birthday. He met Karen Kirn in 1963 through mutual friends. He married Karen on June 26, 1965, and also purchased the Westland Station where he was working in 1965. They moved into the tiny house behind the station to start their married life. Their only child, daughter Diahn, was born in 1967. In 1969, he became route man for Wildwood Beverages and moved to Plentywood. His ability to read people, along with his social nature, allowed him to excel in this field. The year 1971 saw a change in ownership to Blue Rock, where he continued to be the top route man for many years. In 1980, he was promoted to branch manager and worked another two years.