Mabel Hackley Renz, 94, passed peacefully Dec. 4, 2023, with family present. Mabel was born on the family farm in the Cherry Creek community south of Culbertson on July 23, 1929, fourth of eight children to H.T. and Leoma Hackley. She attended Cherry Creek School and graduated from Culbertson High School. She worked in the bank in Culbertson and then moved to Wolf Point and worked at Western Bank and in the evenings at the theater — she told us she never attended the free movie after her shift. She met Robert Renz in Culbertson and they were married in Miles City in 1955. They resided on the Renz family homestead along the Missouri River south of Poplar where they farmed and ranched for many years. She moved thousands of small bales with her Oliver tractor and bale wagon! Although they never had children of their own, they were very involved with generations of nieces and nephews- following their school and sports events and taking them on the Culbertson Trail Ride. Mabel was a long-time active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar. She also belonged to the Mona Homemakers for many years. One of her favorite pastimes was hiking in the badlands with her friends from church, enjoying nature and visiting. Many people probably have received a quilt or other hand sewn items over the

Charlene LaVonne Kennedy, Red Earth Woman, 61, died Nov. 28, 2023, at St. Vincent’s Healthcare in Billings, Mont. She was born April 3, 1962, in Poplar to parents Carolyn Cora (Martell) Bird and Charles Dona “C.D.” Martel Jr. Her childhood was most defined by her motherly instinct early on, leading her into a caregiving role for her younger brothers. Aside from this, she was also known to enjoy gymnastics in her youth. Helping raise her brothers early on also nurtured her abilities that later led her to pursue work as a CNA. It didn’t take long for her to find the love her life. It was in Poplar that she met Delbert Kennedy Jr. “Thumper” and there they wed on Nov. 29, 1980. Together, they raised a daughter, Juanita Yellow Hawk, and a son, Camden Delbert Kennedy. She helped raise countless nieces, nephews, step and adopted children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Even a cancer diagnosis hardly slowed her down. After fighting and beating the cancer, she traveled around the United States with her family and created memories to be cherished forever. In late 2023, cancer was discovered to have returned. Above all else, she enjoyed spending time with her family and engaging in family activities such as karaoke, game night, hosting birthday parties and organizing holiday celebrations. She also enjoyed playing poker machines and bingo, visiting thrift stores and garage

Clayton Montclair died Dec. 17, 2023, in Billings. Funeral services are pending at this time under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point.

Kathryn Lynn Nelson, 63, died at Sidney Health Center in Sidney Dec. 13, 2023. She was born Sept. 11, 1960, in Plentywood to Robert and Esther Fossum. She joined a brother, Leslie “Bernie” Fossum. She grew up in Medicine Lake, where she attended school and graduated in 1979. During her high school years, she was a cheerleader and member of the pep club all four years. As a soprano in swing choir, she attended the Montana State Music Festival for three years and was a member of the speech and drama team for three years.

Mabel Hackley Renz, 94, passed peacefully Dec. 4, 2023, with family present. Mabel was born on the family farm in the Cherry Creek community south of Culbertson on July 23, 1929, fourth of eight children, to H.T. and Leoma Hackley. She attended Cherry Creek School and graduated from Culbertson High School. She worked in the bank in Culbertson and then moved to Wolf Point and worked at Western Bank and in the evenings at the theater — she told us she never attended the free movie after her shift. She met Robert Renz in Culbertson and they were married in Miles City in 1955. They resided on the Renz family homestead along the Missouri River south of Poplar, where they farmed and ranched for many years. She moved thousands of small bales with her Oliver tractor and bale wagon! Although they never had children of their own, they were very involved with generations of nieces and nephews- following their school and sports events, and taking

Mass of Christian Burial for Allen Bummer will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Plentywood. A reception will be served immediately following the Mass with interment to follow at Rock Springs Cemetery. A vigil service will be conducted at 5 p.m. Sunday evening at the Fulkerson Memorial Chapel in Plentywood. Loving husband, father, grandfather and brother Allen Virgil Bummer passed away on Dec. 6, 2023, after a short battle with gallbladder failure and infection. Allen was 83 years old and was surrounded by many loving family members when he passed at the Billings Clinic Hospital. Allen was the fourth child born to Leonard and Kathryn (Engh) Bummer on April 16, 1940, in Scobey, Mont. He grew up on a farm west of Reserve, Mont., and graduated from Medicine Lake High School. Allen joined the Army National Guard in 1958. Allen married the love of his life, Marlene Nielsen, on Sept. 30, 1961. From then on, Allen and Marlene spent a wonderful lifetime dancing the night away. Shortly after they married, Allen continued his education by attending Billings Vo-Tech Center welding school in Billings, Mont. Following graduation, Allen returned to the farm in Reserve. Allen was a certified welder who loved to take on the challenge of fixing anything and everything. He was a jack of all trades with a knack for carpentry, something he learned from his father-in-law. Allen farmed and ranched with his family and always adored his cows and horses. Allen and Marlene had three children together — Sherry, Glen and Machelle. He loved his family deeply and was always so proud of his grandchildren. Allen enjoyed meeting new people as he never met a stranger. He treated every person with kindness and would take in anyone who needed it with open arms. Allen was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Medicine Lake, Mont. Allen attended his first Cum

Barbara “Barb” Stephens, 74, died at the Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home in Plentywood on Nov. 27, 2023. Barbara Jean Benner Stephens, the second of four children of Elaine Jensen and Harold Benner, was born in Havre on March 24, 1949. Her grandparents, Bettie and Palmer Jensen of Medicine Lake were early pioneers. She grew up in Cavalier and Fargo, N.D. She graduated from Fargo High School in 1967. After high school, she worked at the 1st National Bank in Fargo. She and Robert Ekerberg were married in Fargo, N.D., and two sons, Robert and Randall Ekerberg, joined their family. While her family was growing, she worked at Hombacher’s Grocery in Fargo. She moved to Wolf Point, where she married James “Nim” Stephens Nov. 21, 1987. She worked for a time at the Tastee Freeze and later worked as a special ed aide for Northside School in Wolf Point. She and Nim retired to the Medicine Lake area in 1999. She spent many hours of her day with her craft projects and began selling her crafts at many of the local craft fairs. She was well known for her “scrubbies” and she sold them throughout Montana.

Barbara Jane Swift Eagle Birdsbill, “Wawokiya winyan” Helps Others Woman, 86, of Wolf Point died Dec. 3, 2023, in Browning. She was born Jan. 18, 1937, in Poplar to Daniel Swift Eagle and Lucy Bow. She was raised in Hogan Yutapi community, Fort Kipp, raised by her grandmother Agnes, great-grandmother See’s End of Horn, Sterling and Mamie Red Eagle, who also raised her brothers William and Alfred. She was an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints in Wolf Point. In 1953, she met Verdell Birdsbill. They married in Wolf Point and had three children: Carmen Dale, Colleen Ann and Charlene Kay. She worked various jobs. She was a waitress at the Triangle Café, Huskies Diner, Jessi Supperclub, Fort Peck Tribal gun factory, Bureau of Youth Services, Fort Peck Tribal commodity office and she also served five terms on Fort Peck Tribal Council from 1993-2003. She retired in 2003. She was a fluent speaker of her Sioux language and also a founder of the Silver Wolf Casino, along with Earlena

Charlene Kennedy, 61, of Billings died Nov. 28, 2023. A wake will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Makaicu Presbyterian Church in Riverside. Interment will be at Riverside Presbyterian Cemetery.