Wayne Webster Jr., 78, died Nov. 28, 2025, at Billings Clinic Hospital He was born on June 29, 1947, in Williston, N.D., to Wayne Sr and Lillian Webster. He grew up on the family farm west of Froid. He attended Froid School and graduated from there in 1965. The following summer, he entered into the Navy. He was a Vietnam veteran, traveling around the world to placed such as Japan and Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1968. He worked his whole life working various jobs such as with railroad out of Harlowtown, lumberjack, P& P roustabout, lawyer, custom combining, ranch hand for Milo and Karen Stangeland, Larry Davidson, Tony Anderson and A.J. Johnson, bartender at Hey John’s and The Mint Bar. He and his buddy Rod ran the Mint Bar by themselves the winter of 2019. He attended Fort Peck Community College. He was a candidate for justice of the peace in 2018. He was a member of the Medicine Lake Legion Club and the Rod & Gun Club. His hobbies and interests included hunting, fishing, collecting coolers, visiting

Vern E. Unger died Dec. 6, 2025, in Wolf Point. A viewing will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Cremation will follow. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

John Duane Murphy, 93, of Circle died Nov. 23, 2025. With deep roots in Circle, he lived a life defined by family, hard work and community spirit. The son of James and Helen (Carr) Murphy, he attended MSU, where he studied carpentry, auto mechanics and welding and played for his favorite team, the Bobcats. A dedicated rancher, he managed Murphy Ranch Inc. with his brother, Pat, beginning in the early 1950s. In 1952, he married Betty Syljuberget and together they raised a loving family. His commitment to his community was evident through his involvement in the Masonic Lodge, local school boards and the Montana Wool Growers Association. He found joy in sports, dancing, playing cards, traveling and family gatherings filled with good food and laughter. Family was always at the heart of his life and he cherished every moment spent at the homestead, building memories and traditions that brought everyone closer. He is survived by his wife, Betty; four children, James Murphy, Cheri Zabrocki, Scott Murphy and Cindy Murphy; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jay Ferdina, 55, died Nov. 20, 2025, at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. Born Sept. 4, 1970, to Ralph and Christie Ferdina, he grew up on the family ranch north of Wolf Point, where his lifelong work ethic and grit were first shaped. As a child, he enjoyed spending time at his grandparents, participated in 4H and often recalled countless adventures on the ranch with his sisters and the neighbor youth. He attended Wolf Point High School and graduated with the Class of ’89. He loved football, track and high school rodeo, carrying a legacy of competitive spirit into everything he did. After high school, he moved to Miles City to pursue college rodeo. He learned to rope as a child and continued to team rope for years beyond college. He also became an avid pool player and, like everything he did, he perfected his game and was highly competitive. While in Miles City, he did custom hay work and eventually took a position at LP Anderson’s as an alignment technician and later transfered to Dana’s Auto Center in Glasgow to be closer to home. After moving on from the tire shop, he took his first trucking job working for Zimmerman Trucking and eventually with Culbertson Trucking in Poplar. He married Shelly Loberg in Wolf Point on June 10, 2000. Growing up with three spirited sisters prepared him well for arrival of his own daughters. They welcomed their first daughter, Paisley, in 2001, followed by Gracie in 2003. Their daughter Mylie was born in 2008 with severe medical complexities. Their family grew again with the arrival of Cambrie in 2015. He had his own unique relationship with each daughter. Shortly after starting his family, he left the trucking industry to begin what ended up as a 10-year career with the Montana State Highway Department. He then felt like it was time to focus on the family ranch. As markets fluctuated and good haying years seem to come and go, in 2015 he returned to trucking once again, this time as an owner and operator. After the purchase of his first Peterbilt, his new trucking pursuit tested him every step of the way. With grit and perseverance, he kept at it, eventually trading hauling grain to hauling cattle locally then expanding into longer hauls. He worked late into the night and early in the morning, always with one goal: to provide for his family. His work ethic was unmatched. He completed his runs to the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa to return home, do his ranch duties and to be the best dad and husband and partner in caregiving. His most significant strength was his gift for connecting with people — no one was beneath his attention or above his kindness. He was a story teller. It was common for him to make and receive dozens of phone calls in a day, simply because he loved people and was a friend to so many. He is survived by his wife, Shelly; daughters, Paisley, Gracie, Mylie and Cambrie; parents, Ralph and Christie Ferdina; sisters, Wendy Mintz, Jill Ferdina and Jana Bilbrey. He is preceded in death by brother, Rodney. Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 29, at First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Albert Howard “Greek” Culbertson, 86, died Nov. 15, 2025, in Colorado. Born Feb. 17, 1939, to Flora Gladue and Howard Culbertson, he earned the nickname “Greek” before he was even out of diapers — when an uncle joked that he “didn’t look like an Indian baby.” From Poplar to Wolf Point to Colorado and countless places in between, everyone knew him as “Greek.” He grew up in the Poplar Public School system, never missing a single day of school from elementary through high school. He excelled in sports — football, baseball, track — but basketball was where he shined. He earned a scholarship offer to Rocky Mountain College, but chose Haskell Indian College after meeting Phyllis Pond. They married in Lawrence, Kansas. They lived briefly in Kansas City before returning home to Montana, where they welcomed their children, Albert “Buzz”, Kay and Janet. Work was hard to come by in the 1960s, especially on the reservation, so he did whatever he could — selling cars, working oil rigs, even serving as a tribal policeman for a day. A natural builder at heart, he eventually found his calling helping tribal members construct their own homes. In 1966, he left for Denver, Colo., to find more stable work as a carpenter. It was one of the hardest decisions of his life, leaving his young family behind temporarily. He worked tirelessly, driving home to Wolf Point through the night on weekends, only to turn around and make it back to Colorado before Monday morning. Eventually, he moved the family to Littleton, Colo. His talent and work ethic carried him far. He became a foreman, then started his own subcontracting crew and eventually went into partnership to form Kobey Culbertson Construction, one of Denver’s premier homebuilding companies. He was proud of the work he did — not because it brought prestige, but because it gave people places to call home. One of his dreams was to build quality homes for tribal members, and he fulfilled that dream when he designed and built a home for his brother. He carried his athletic spirit with him throughout his entire life. Even into his later years, staying active was a priority. He was known for his long daily walks, his commitment to the gym and took pride in keeping his body and mind strong and healthy. He had many close friends and never hesitated to travel to visit them. He loved reminiscing about his childhood and sharing funny stories about his sisters. In his recent years, he shared his life with his partner, Burgunda Probert, whose companionship brought him great joy. Together, they traveled often, especially throughout Europe, and he developed a special love for Italy, Germany and the beaches of Normandy. He was preceded in death by his sisters, LouAnn, Glorene, Zelma; brother, Doddie; former wife, Phyllis Pond Culbertson; adopted sister, Helen Youpee Ricker; and great-grandchildren Jusina, “Little” Millie and Nathanial Bennett Holm. He is survived by his children, Albert “Buzz” Culbertson, Kay Culbertson and Janet Frederick; his partner, Burgunda Probert; sisters, Jacque Sandoval, Sandra Albertson and Carol Lee Azure; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 1, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Interment was at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Eddie Higgins was born on April 9, 1953, in Miami, Okla. He grew up in Waukomis, Okla., with his younger sister, Hazel, under the care of their parents, Richard and Leatha Felber. Throughout his life, Eddie dedicated himself to his work as an industrial painter, taking immense pride in his craft and traveling extensively across the country. He married Jan Bryan and, together, they welcomed two children: Keith Higgins and Jessica Robles. Eddie passed away peacefully on Nov. 18, 2025, in Billings after a prolonged battle with COPD with his daughter by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Leatha Felber. He is survived by his children, Keith (Abby) Higgins and Jessica Robles; as well as his grandchildren: Archer, Axel and Kennedy Higgins and Mia Thomas. He also leaves behind his sister, Hazel (James) Kitchen; along with nieces, Ray-Lyn Andrews and family and Keelee Bittle and family. There are no services planned. (Paid Obituary)

Deborah 'Debi' Jensen, 73, of Wolf Point died Nov. 24, 2025. A celebration of life will be held later in July at the Rock Creek Marina. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Patrick Wilkinson, 54, died Nov. 19. 2025. at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Renee Lynn “Naenae” Williams (BlackEagle), 28, died Nov. 20, 2025, at Billings Clinic in Billings. She was born Oct. 8, 1997, to Chelsea Williams and Ryan “Moshi” Miller. She was also blessed with a bonus dad, Thomas Black Eagle, who raised her like she was his own. Everyone knew she was a “daddy’s girl.” She could always count on him. She spent the majority of life in Wolf Point and, while attending Wolf Point Junior and Senior High, she played volleyball and various other sports, which she really enjoyed. She made many friends and enjoyed laughing and hanging out with them. Her life was short, but she lived it to her advantage. In 2013, she met Trevor White and, from this union, she had three sons: Tanner in 2015, Treiton in 2016 and Teigan in 2020. She loved her sons to the fullest and was so proud of being their mother. She and Trevor separated, but remained good friends over the years. She loved hanging out with her friends and could always be heard laughing. She was always down for an adventure or walk and could also be found cruising with her parents, but she also loved to just relax and watch a movie with her boys. They frequently cooked treats together and just laid around to watch a good movie as she laughed at their funny actions or while sending Facebook reels and memes to her friends. She threw herself into life with everything she had, unapologetically, genuinely and fiercely. She is survived by her children; mother, Chelsea Williams; dad, Thomas Black Eagle Sr.; grandparents, Mary Williams, Rodney “Gabby” Miller, Karen McLaughlin; sisters, Jade and Tomiah Black Eagle; and brothers, Matthew Williams, Thomas “Bubbz” Black Eagle, Jacob and DeShawn Miller. She was preceded in death by her father, Ryan Miller. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Interment was at Chelsea Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Spike Bighorn, 65, died Nov. 23, 2025, at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center. A wake was held Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Brockton Cultural Center. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Brockton School gymnasium. Interment will be at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.