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.

Dalton Jay Williams “Dagu Kogipabis” (Not Afraid), 23, died Feb. 8, 2023, at the Billings Clinic in Billings. He was born July 31, 1999, to Ada Talks Different and Henry Williams. He attended kindergarten in Frazer and later moved to Wolf Point with his mother and brothers, William and Taylor. He was born with the condition Pierre Robin Sequence, which affected his airway. It consists of an underdeveloped jaw, a cleft palate and the tongue being placed further back toward the throat. He went through many surgeries to correct this condition. In grade school, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s. He had difficulty communicating, but eventually made many friends. During his years in school, he taught himself how to make Toy Story figurines and cowboy hats that he would gift to people. He was a talented artist, a skilled crafter and loved all things Toy Story. After he graduated from Wolf Point High School in 2018, he attended Fort Peck Community College and continued making gifts for everyone. In his beading class at the college, he learned how to bead medallions and made himself a pair of moccasins. He was a loyal Bearcub fan and beaded many medallions. Later, when his cousin Kelby Bauer transferred to Wolf Point, he did the same for his friends and family there. It was then that he became a fan of the Wolf Point Wolves. He loved “family time” and was always looked forward to potlucks in Frazer. He had a special place in his heart for his grandfather, Mike Talks Different. When Dalton was hospitalized after birth, his grandparents Mike and Mari would visit him and speak to him in the Assiniboine language. When he was older, he took the Assiniboine language class in high school and then in college. He wanted to be fluent in the language. He also loved to sing traditional songs and was gifted a few hand drums. He loved singing and practiced every day. He was a respectful young man and loved all of his grandparents. He is survived by his mother, Ada; brothers, William and Taylor; and grandparents, Mike Talks Different of Harlem, Shirley Flynn of Frazer, Marietta Fourbear of Brockton, Becky (Ted) Standing Bear and Agnes Johnston. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Williams. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Feb. 16, and burial followed in Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery.