Earl James LaRoque, 85, of Lincoln, Mont., passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Mont. He was born Jan. 7, 1937, in Poplar, Mont., to Albert J. and Victoria (Foster) LaRoque. At the young age of 13, he started working and never quit. He worked many different jobs, including the oil rigs in North Dakota and the Fort Peck Dam during construction. Earl met Sandra Nelson, the love of his life, when he was about 15 and never quit chasing her. In 1966, Earl and Sandy moved their family to Great Falls, Mont. He started a successful painting and drywall company (G & L Painting) and was a painting contractor for over 50 years. He was the hardest working man his family has ever known and always found time to spend with his family and friends. In 1980, he and Sandy purchased the Blue Sky Motel in Lincoln, Mont., where he enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, golfing with “Douggie” and fixing up old pickup trucks. He loved to sing, play the guitar and listen to Merle Haggard. He had the voice of an angel. Survivors include his wife, Sandra; one son, Don LaRoque (Tammy Jordan); two daughters, Lynn La-Roque (Pam Wagner) and Wendy Pettapiece (Dougg); two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Henry S. LaRoque (Susan) and Robert D. La-Roque (Resa); three sisters, Yvonne M. Shields (Caleb, deceased), Alice M. Ferraro and Irene Pacheco (Albert). Earl was preceded in death by his mother, father and two brothers, Albert F. and Ronald D. LaRoque. Dad, your hard work here is done. Thank you for all you have done for us. Thank you for all the values you shared with us. We will forever love and miss you. Sing with the angels, Dad. The family is being served by Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory, Missoula, Mont. (Paid Obituary)

Felisha Monique Crowe, 36, died June 17, 2022, in Great Falls She was born Oct. 11, 1985, to Richard H. Campbell Sr. and Dorreen J. Brown, joining her two older siblings Heather and Richard Jr. Growing up, she mostly attended Brockton schools, graduating with the class of 2004. Not long after graduating high school, she met Mylan Wetsit Sr. From that union, they had one son, Mylan “Chuey” and two daughters, Ameah and Laura Wetsit. In 2013, she met Stanley “Bo” Crowe. They married in 2015. They had a son, Bradyn, and two daughters, Darla Jo and Leola. She loved her children and wanted nothing more than for them to have a wonderful and fulfilling life. She loved to take country cruises, jam out to her favorite songs and dance. She had many siblings, younger and older, as well as numerous cousins that she loved to visit with, crack jokes on or just to even lend her ears to. Her smile could light up a room. She was preceded in death by her sister, Heather R. Campbell; and step-brother, Ely R. Magnan. She is survived by her father, Richard (Monica) Campbell Sr.; husband, Stanley Crowe of Helena; children, Mylan, Ameah and Laura Wetsit, all of Wolf Point and Brady, Darla and Leola Crowe, all of Helena; brother, Richard Campbell Jr.; three step-brothers, Lucio Quiroz, Doratello Fischer II and James Magnan; five sisters, Colleen Campbell, Harmoni Campbell, Marcella, Marlana and Martina Black Dog; grandmother, Alva Bighorn; and one step-sister, Arleda Quiroz. Funeral services were held Friday, July 1, at the Brockton Cultural Center. Interment was at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Donna Mae French Waitschies, 79, of Binghamton, N.Y., died in Denver, Colo., on June 29, 2022. She was born Nov. 15, 1942, in Binghamton, N.Y. She grew up in Holland Patent, N.Y., as the eldest daughter of Gerald French and Ruth Turk French with her brothers, Gerald “Skip” French Jr. and Gary French. She attended Wheaton College ,graduating with degrees in PE and mathematics in 1964. She married Karl Alfred Waitschies on Aug. 7, 1965, and they spent over 50 years farming together in Peerless where they raised four children, Cheryl Hammond, Karleen Westermeyer, Kristine Trillet and Janine Connor. They were active members of their church (EMB Church of Lustre) and the Peerless school community while their daughters attended. She is remembered for her tremendous love for her family, her passion for music, her infectious smile and her amazing cookies. She led the church children’s choir for over 25 years, coaxing the most exuberant singing from groups of all sizes. It’s how she introduced people to Jesus. She devoted her life to others — playing organ for church services as well as attending countless of her daughters’ sporting events for over 20 years which she continued by supporting her grandkids at their athletic events until she was no longer able. She was a partner to Karl in running their farm where harvest was her favorite time. She was truly unmatched in backing up a grain truck. She loved evening walks and beautiful sunsets. Most importantly, she enjoyed a wonderful life impacting those around her and relishing her roles as oma (grandmother), mother and devoted wife. She is survived by her husband, Karl Waitschies; children, Cheryl Hammond, Karleen Westermeyer, Kris Trillet and Janine Connor; 14 grandchildren; and brother, Skip French. Services will be held at the Glasgow Evangelical Church on Saturday July 9, at 2 p.m. with Pastor John Skillman officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Mary Lu Weeks, 86, of Culbertson died Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at her residence. Marylyn Lucile Weeks was born to Gail and Leonard VanBuskirk of Berthold, N.D., in 1935. She was affectionately nicknamed MaryLu almost immediately and that name stuck. Her childhood was the typical hard-working, frugal one like so many of her generation. In 1954, she married Earl Weeks, originally from Des Lacs, N.D., and they moved to Culbertson to make their home. They took root in this little town and took great pride in all the friends, neighbors and businesses there. Their four children were born at Roosevelt Memorial Hospital. In 1966, they purchased Culbertson Implement. After Earl’s sudden death in 1977, she took a giant leap of faith and stepped into Earl’s place at the implement. This was a learn-as-you-go experience and not at all easy. She faced every challenge with a keen mind and a quiet dignity. The support of other implement dealers, John Deere representatives and especially her community during these years inspired her sense of volunteerism and service. She knew firsthand the importance of giving back. She served on the Culbertson School board, the Culbertson GFWC Women’s Club, the Culbertson Foundation board and the ND Public Radio board of directors. She was active in every aspect of her Methodist Church and was a devoted volunteer at the local nursing home. She was a Culbertson sports fan since the moment she and Earl arrived and was a vocal supporter to be sure. Her love of reading was well known and she was always on the lookout for her next read. Her greatest delight was curling up with a great book and a cup of tea. She was a regular at the local library and enjoyed the Tuesday Book Club conversations. Her love of reading and history fostered a yearning for travel. She was always excited to be planning a trip. Her travels included three trips to Europe and the British Isles, fall foliage tours and many trips throughout the country. She made an indelible impression in the community that she loved and touched the hearts of the lifelong friends she made here. Undoubtedly, her greatest legacy lives in the hearts of her grandchildren. She was an active participant in their lives. They had a key to her door that came with a key to her heart. She joyfully attended every program, fair and sporting event. There were many ordinary and impromptu gatherings at her house because it was just “home.” She is survived by her four children, Penny Anderson, Laurie Mattelin, Mike Weeks and Mark Weeks; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Her memorial service was held Monday, June 27, at the Grace and Peace Church in Culbertson. Pastor Ross Reinhiller officiated. A private family burial was at Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson.

Gary Farnsworth, 74, Williston, N.D., formerly of Fort Peck, died July 12, 2021 in Minot, N.D. He was born William Weeks on Jan. 20, 1947, in Poplar to Lillian DeLong Weeks and William Weeks Jr. He was adopted by Vernon Farnsworth and Helen Kissell Farnsworth. They raised him in Fort Peck. He was proud of being from Fort Peck and carried this pride with him through life. Vernon and Helen raised him to be an enthusiastic outdoors man and the untamed area of Valley County contributed to his lifelong love of hunting, fishing and camping. He attended both Nashua and Glasgow High School, graduating from Glasgow High School in 1965 where he had excelled as an multisport letterman in football, basketball and track, which earned him a football scholarship to Eastern Montana College in Billings. In Billings, he met Mary Paulbeck whom he married in 1967 and had two children, Kari Farnsworth of Williston and Kris Farnsworth of Phoenix, Ariz. He joined the United States Marine Corps, then the United States Air Force, serving 20 years and retiring in January 1987. His 20 years included serving overseas for five years and he was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War. He married Susan Cobb Farnsworth in 1978. He helped raise Susan’s daughter, Stacy Emery of Anderson, Ind. He and Susan had one child, Richard Farnsworth of Billings. He was a dedicated adult volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Masons and Shriners. He served in many roles and assisted many young men achieve the rank of Eagle Scout including his sons. He believed in the program and continued to assist after his children were grown. He is survived by his four children, 10 grandchildren and eight siblings. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow.