Funeral services for Willard Toavs, who died in Billings, are pending at this time under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel.

Ira Ricker, 63, of Wolf Point died Dec. 28, 2024. He was born on April 28, 1960, to Phylis Ricker in Poplar. His grandmother Ina Boxer raised him in Poplar at a very young age until he went to the Mormon Placement Program for several years. After the program, he went to Clearfield Job Corps Center on Sept. 14, 1979. He never forgot the foster family that helped raise him — the Olsons from Washington. Both parents were door-to-door sales people and sold Kirby vacuums. His foster parents were good at what they did because they took him to Jerusalem twice, the Grand Canyon, Egypt and many more places. His foster mom loved making big meals for their family and traveling around the world. He knew how meaningful family was after his time with the Olsens. Praying and forgiving each other was important to him. He often told his family, “Always pray together for strength and forgiveness. To help and to love one another so we can all get along.” He had strong family values and taught his own family everything he knew. Right after he finished the Mormon Placement Program, he enlisted in the Navy from Jan. 8, 1980, to Nov. 6, 1985. He saw the Seven Seas during his enlistment in the Navy and visited many places around the world, like Japan, Europe, India and more.

Doris Bertha (Johnston) Franzen, 87, of Glasgow died Jan. 6, 2024, at Valley View Nursing Home. She was born in Middle River Village, Minn., on July 15, 1936, to Clifford Jerome Johnston and Ida Elizabeth (Anderson) Johnston. She was the oldest of 10 children. The family moved to Flaxville in 1938. From there, they moved to Poplar for a short time before moving to the Fort Peck Dam project. In 1942, the family moved to Glasgow when she started school. In 1944, the growing family moved to Opheim where Doris’ Uncle Red had purchased a farm northwest of Opheim. In 1948, the family made the permanent move back to Glasgow. She graduated from Glasgow High School in 1954 and married Albert George Franzen July 1, 1954. Eight children were born to this marriage of 65 years. Once all the children went to school, shes started in the workforce with the Glasgow Police Department where she worked for 25 years. She spent many years volunteering in the community with Friends of the Pioneer Museum, research and publication of Footprints in the Valley, the Heritage Wall project and the annual mass mailing to raise funds for the museum.

Roseina Janice Kirby , 52, died Jan. 3, 2024, at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson. She was born Feb. 6, 1961, in Sidney to Shannon Clay and Juanita (Cooper) Olson. She always lit up any room she entered with her cheerfulness and happiness, even when she felt bad. She was always ready to help people who were in need. She took care of her grandmother, Louise Cooper, for many years and was always helping her mother with meals and housekeeping. She loved collecting rocks and being by the river. She was always doing and learning new hobbies. She was raised with a family of 14 children, including Bruce, Misty, Zenas, Shannon, Lynnette, Randy, Russell,

Kendra Lanee’ “Kenny” BetsHisMedicine, 28, of Fort Kipp died Dec. 23, 2023. She was born on June 15, 1995, in Sidney to Doyle Travis Bets His Medicine and Valarie Lynn Youpee. She attended school in Culbertson, where she made many lifelong friends, including the teachers, and graduated in 2014. She had a great sense of humor and always had a ready smile for everyone. She had a reputation for being the most loving, caring, fun-loving person and could often be found joking around with her siblings and doing the latest Tik-Tok trend. She was into a variety of sports but especially enjoyed playing softball in various tournaments with her family. When she wasn’t playing softball, she liked swimming, fishing, traveling and playing volleyball. She started her professional career at Sidney Sugars beet factory. Later, her career took her another direction when she was hired as a corrections officer for the Fort Peck Adult Corrections.

Ronald Johnson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, was surrounded by family when he embarked on his final flight on Dec. 29, 2023, after a long and full life. Ron and his twin brother, Rod, were born on a beautiful May day in Wallace, Idaho, to Richard and Naomi “Pat” Johnson. His mother and father had been en route from Stevensville, Mont., to visit Richard’s mother in Spokane, Wash. Not realizing that she was carrying twins, Pat was taken by surprise when she went into labor on May 18, 1932. Later, the family grew to include another set of twins, Janet and Joan, as well as another son, Charles. Ron and Rod spent a portion of their youth in two children’s homes - the Spokane Children’s Home and the Deaconess Home in Helena. Ron and Rod were extremely close and the best of friends, relying upon each other not only during their challenging early years but throughout their entire lives. In 1950, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on Guam when the war broke out in Korea. He served in Korea, stationed in Inchon, until he was honorably discharged in 1953. Upon his return from Korea, Ron worked for Buttrey Foods in Harlem, Malta and Chinook. He met his beloved wife, Marilee Chapman, while working in Chinook. They were married at the Presbyterian Church there on Dec. 19, 1954. Ron and Marilee lived all over the state before finally settling in Wolf Point in 1965. Together, Ron and Marilee had three children, Ronald “Dean” born in 1955, Dawn in 1956 and Lance in 1962. Marilee succumbed to cancer in 2000 and Dean passed away in 2020. Ron and Marilee owned a propane company before Ron realized that he “would rather work with his brain than with his back.” Becoming a Montana Highway Patrolman in 1963 led to a 25-year career in law enforcement, with Ron working his way up to the rank of Sergeant. While in the Highway Patrol, Ron discovered his great love of flying, earning his pilot’s license. Ron became a “Bear in the Air” for the Patrol. He

Melba Dean Anderson, 87, of Culbertson died Nov. 24, 2023. She was born on Oct. 13, 1936, to Harold and Mabel (Smith) Frazier and grew up south of Frazer. She moved to Wolf Point where she met and married Russell Mann. They had two children. After they divorced, she moved to Culbertson where she married George Anderson. She had numerous jobs over the years. She loved going to church and helping in any way she could in the community. She also loved watching the Culbertson sports teams. She is survived by her daughter, Darla; son, Duane; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Her memorial service wil be held at Trinity Lutheran

Mary Ella (Traeholt) Baker, 84, of Columbia Falls died Dec. 3, 2023. She was born in Scobey on Feb. 27, 1939, to Einer and Margaret Traeholt. She grew up in Wolf Point and graduated high school there in 1957. She attended Concordia College for one year. She met Dwight Baker in Wolf Point and were married July 26, 1959. She worked as a bookkeeper for the majority of her life for a number of businesses in Wolf Point and Columbia Falls before retiring. After she retired, she found herself as a homemaker and spent her time loving all those who entered her home. Her gift was serving and hospitality to family, friends and neighbors. She loved sewing and found herself creating clothes, blankets, quilts, doilies and much more. She attended a local church where she was part of the quilting group, women’s group and provided her baked goods to her church family. Within her own home, family gatherings, visitors and holidays were the highlights

Chester “Chet” Eugene Murray, 77, died Dec. 22, 2023. He was born to Francis (Buck) and Maxine Murray in Williston, N.D., on Aug. 1, 1946 He met Marla Olson at her family farm and they were married on Aug. 10, 1968. They had three daughters, Susan, Becky and Melanie, while residing in Sidney. During their 53 years of marriage, they resided in several places in Montana for he would advance in his job since he was a hard worker. He was employed at Becker Trucking, Continental Keil/ Sysco, Farmers Union Coop, Harper Enterprises and Bridger High School. His passion was restoring the classic Chevrolet whether cars or trucks. The garage and restoring cars was always his happy place and had many hours passing on his knowledge and love of the classic cars to his grandchildren.