Virgil Lee Toavs, 85, passed away at his home in Apache Junction, Ariz., Dec. 23, 2022. He was born Dec. 1, 1937, to Robert and Avis Toavs in Wolf Point, Mont. After high school, he spent four years in the Navy. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Boysun; three children, Terrance Toavs, Sheila Miller and Stacy Albus; six grandchildren, Trevor Toavs, Hannah Toavs, Kaitlyn Miller, Aiden Albus, Walker Albus and Cooper Albus. One grandson, Thomas Miller, preceded him in death. Upon retirement, he pursued the art of woodworking, sculpting many beautiful and useful pieces. He shared the skill by teaching others including grandchildren. Cremation has taken place with memorial services to be scheduled at a later date. (Paid Obituary)

Michael Charles Birdsbill Sr., 79, of Wolf Point died Dec. 17, 2022. He was the first-born child to Michael and Loverty Clancy- Birdsbill. In his youth, he was an avid hunter and provider for his family. Whenever his father saw him walking towards the river, his family knew he would return with wild game for his mother to cook. He was a hard worker throughout his life and, by this, he instilled in his children and his grandson Harlin Burshia who he raised as his own. He worked many hard jobs, from picking rocks to bucking bails. Back in the 1970s, he relocated and moved his family to Los Angeles, Calif., to attend school to learn a mechanic’s trade. Upon returning home, he worked for Francis Mugley crushing gravel. He was also a carpenter for Fort Peck Housing and later he and his brother Vernon Birdsbill and Leroy Douglas started BB& D Construction. This was the trade he loved and found his niche. He taught his grandson to follow in his footsteps by teaching him how to snap a chalk line straight and to pound a nail. He was a gentle soul who showed compassion and love to everyone he came across. He would meet you with a big smile, a handshake and always cared about how you were doing. His compassion he had led him to come into the jails to speak and pray for the inmates. He gave his life to the Lord and was a firm believer in the Lord. In 1996, he lost his wife, Sylvia. He married Elizabeth Ratt-Birdsbill in 2006. By this union, they became a large, blended family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Archdale- Birdsbill; and brothers, Verdell, Alan, Anthony and Royce Birdsbill. He is survived by his children, Christy Birdsbill and Michael Birdsbill Jr.; grandson he raised, Harlin Burshia; Diana, Gloria, Charlotte, Pauline, Janelle, Colin and Alvin; brothers, Vernon “Dooney” Birdsbill and Darrell Birdsbill; sisters, Shirley Saldo, Dorreen “Osta” Birdsbill, Jessica Birdsbill, Vanchon “Annie” Birdsbill, Kathy Birdsbill, Patsy Birdsbill and Gloria Birdsbill; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 23, at Blue Sky Ministries. Interment followed at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Peter A. Sorensen, 72, of Columbia Falls died Nov. 27, 2022. He was the eldest son born to Lucille and Ralph Sorensen in Wolf Point. After graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1969, he attended one year at Montana State University before entering the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1974 working as a 91-C, Advanced Medical Corpsman. After leaving the U.S. Army, he returned to Montana State University, graduating with a bachelor of science in nursing in 1976. After graduating, he worked in the private sector in health care facilities, air ambulance, home health and in the small business environment. In 1989, he entered the Air Force with an assignment to Holloman AFB, N.M., where he worked as a charge nurse. He was deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, where he found his niche in the readiness field. Following his return from Operation Shield/Storm, he returned to Saudi Arabia to set up a clinic in Riyadh. As it turns out, he spent more time in the theater than any other medic. His next assignment was to Kunsan AB, South Korea, where he was charge nurse for the emergency room for a year, then it was on to Pope AFB as a flight nurse. With this assignment came several deployments: Operation Vigilant Warrior, Operation Uphold Democracy, Cuba Operation Northern Watch, Saudi Arabia Operation Allied Forces, Operation Joint Endeavor and Bosnia. He then went on to Yokota AB, Japan, as a flight nurse and became Chief of Standards and Evaluations. From there, he moved on to HQ AMC at Scott AFB, Ill., as Chief Joint Readiness Training Center AE section with primary training at Fort Polk, La. During his assignment, he augmented Air Operations Center at Ramstein AB in support of Operation Allied Force and Operation Shining Hope. Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York, he worked the Crisis Action Team at HQ AMC, sourcing

Thomas G. Bracken, 78, died Dec. 8, 2022, at River Ridge Assisted Living in Billings. He was born Nov. 26, 1944, in Poplar to Ray and Anna (Manning) Bracken. They lived in a two-room house in Homestead until he was 10 years old, where he attended grade school. He then went to high school in Medicine Lake, where he graduated in 1962. After graduation, he attended various colleges in Montana until joining the National Guard. On Nov. 30, 1974, he married Connie Engelke. On May 9, 1975, they welcomed their only son, Justin. They farmed and ranched on his family farm west of Froid. In the early 2000s, they built a house overlooking Smoke Creek near the Engelke farm. He enjoyed raising cattle and helping Justin with farming and whatever

Linda Rose (DeTienne) Larson, 70, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022m at St. Luke’s Hospital in Crosby, N,D. She was born June 9, 1952, at Mercy Hospital in Williston, N.D., to Young and Berniece (Hammond) DeTienne. She grew up and attended school in Bainville, graduating in 1970. After high school, she attended Billings Business College for accounting in Billings. She married Harry Gilbert Larson on June 23, 1974. The couple first settled in Dickinson, N.D., then later moved Williston, N.D., where they raised their family. The couple had two children together, Arthur and Berniece, then later welcomed Kris Price into the family as their own. She was a social butterfly. She enjoyed bowling leagues, being a BMX mom, camping and fishing, along with reading, cross-stitching, sewing and playing cards. She was a caregiver and knew no strangers. She would open her door to all and make them feel welcomed. She worked in many different jobs in retail throughout her life, retiring from WalMart in 2012, after making many lifelong friends. She is survived by her children,