Frances Bighorn, 80, died Jan. 15, 2026, at NEMHS Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. A vigil will be held on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Chelsea Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Danielle Casterline, 33, died Jan. 15, 2026, in Wolf Point. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. at the Gospel Fellowship Church. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Shirley Ann Edwards, 86, of Whitetail died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Billings. She was born July 23, 1939, in Scobey to Edward and Evelyn Duval. She grew up in Flaxville, graduating valedictorian in 1957 from Flaxville High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Frank Edwards, in 1959. The couple began their life farming and living in the house that Frank lived in as a child, north of Madoc. They had two children, Craig Steven (died in July 1978) and Grant Allan. She enjoyed gardening, her flowers and entertaining family and friends. She loved to cook and bake, especially pies for special functions and for her family and friends. For 43 years, she worked at Wolfe-Daniels Agency in Scobey. She enjoyed the work and her fellow employees. She was a member of the Catholic Church, working at various functions through her life. After retiring in 2023, she started doing things that she had not had time for when working, especially reading a good book and crocheting or embroidering. She was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Duval. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Frank; son, Grant; two granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Denise of Redmond, Ore. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. in St. Philip Bonitus Catholic Church in Scobey.

Vernon “Doonie” Birdsbill Sr., 84, died Jan. 5, 2026, in Wolf Point. He leaves behind legacy, love and faith. He was born in Elbow Woods, N.D., to Mabel Newman and Charlie Birdsbill. He was raised by Fanny Birdsbill Benson. He went to Pierre and Flandreau Boarding Schools in South Dakota. As a freshman, he became a track champion and earned top honors. After high school, he helped his aunt with gardening, then on to the farm and ranch jobs. He left Twin Buttes at the age of 18 and came to Wolf Point for awhile before going to Washington, where he met the mother of his five children. He later moved to Wolf Point where his Birdsbill family had roots and formed lasting bonds and friendships. In 1990, he met Mary Clancy. His life took a profound turn when he and Mary became Christians. They married in 1991 and were together until her death in 2014. He found love again with Cindy Douglas and they spent eight years together. They loved to travel and had many trips where they shared their faith with everyone they met. Saturdays were his haven where he spent fellowship with his Pastor Kenny and brothers in faith, cheering on professional fights and cooking delicious meals for all of them. Known for his humor, he left an indelible mark on everyone he met. He worked at Fort Peck

Della Brown, 65, died Jan. 7, 2026, in Billings. The funeral service will be announced at a later date pending the completion of the arrangements with Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point.

Tony Pedersen, 75, died Jan. 4, 2026, in Alaska. He was born in Plentywood on May 27, 1950, to Clearence and Milly Pedersen. He and Karen Kurokawa were married in November 1974 and had five children, Tomi, Toni, James, Luke and Jiro. He was a Viet Nam War veteran, diesel mechanic and long-haul truck driver. He was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy; three sisters, Conny, Karen and Faith; and a brother, Art. He is survived by seven children, Tony, Tomi, Toni, Luke, Jiro, Brandy and Jody; a brother, Danny; and many nieces and nephews in Plentywood. Services are planned sometime in the summer in Plentywood.

Anthony 'Tony' J. Browning, 59, died Jan. 8, 2026, in Great Falls. The funeral service will be announced at a later date pending the completion of the arrangements with Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point.

Arlon Chapman Sr., 66, died Jan. 9, 2026, in Poplar. The funeral service will be announced at a later date pending the completion of the arrangements with Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point.

Jerreth Jaymz Shawl, 31, of Wolf Point died Jan. 1, 2026. He was born Dec. 26, 1994. He was a kind, loving person, full of good humor and good medicine. He showed his love through his actions, actively showing up for his family, friends and community. He was a social genius, knowing what to say, when to give a hug and how to make you laugh. Growing up, he wandered around Wolf Point with cousins, raising cane at the parks or basketball courts until the street lights came on. He wandered through town with a bag of seeds, fountain sodas from Cenex, a basketball and music with his cousins. He came into the Sundance circle when he was 12 and was active until his mother died in 2020. He went to Wolf Point High School until his junior year when he transferred to Poplar, before coming back to Wolf Point and graduating in 2013. He played sports recreationally — basketball, softball and volleyball. He was a part of the 2011 Class B Wolf Point Wolves basketball championship team. He played volleyball in the open gym leagues in Poplar and Wolf Point. He played in Big Sky State Games in Billings where he was able to score a few medals. He became a volleyball MOA this past year and helped serve surrounding communities through officiating volleyball. After high school, he worked with the tribe's Head Start program. He started as an assistant cook for two months before moving into the classroom, where he worked for seven years as a teachers’ aide and then was trusted to step into the role of lead teacher when needed. He served roughly 130 children in the Wolf Point community over seven years before working in the admin office as the family service coordinator for Wolf Point and Frazer where he continued to work with area families and advocate for their children. In his off-time, he would play board games with family and/or playing Fortnite online. He was a proud supporter of his nieces and nephews, following them in sports and getting rowdy with the refs when he had to put his “uncle” hat on. He also loved to read and build Lego sets. He was a big fan of Harry Potter lore and always let people know his house was Ravenclaw. He loved pro basketball and followed the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. He also cheered on the Denver Broncos and made sure everyone knew his favorite college team, Go Griz! He loved to travel and mark stuff and places off his bucket lists. He is survived by his grandfather, Donald “Duck” Shawl of Wolf Point; mother, Carrie Shawl of Frazer; father figure, Justin (Marcy) Doney of Havre; and siblings, Jazmyn, Tazz, Charles and Russell Doney, all of Havre, Mahala Shawl of Simi Valley, Calif., Journey Stiffarm of Wolf Point, Jaymee and Arlene Riley of New Mexico, Ebony Lindsay of San Diego, Calif., Chante’ Japp of Wolf Point, Patsy Ricker of Great Falls and Shannon Lindsay of San Diego, Calif. He was preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Ricker; father, James “Kipp” Stiffarm; brothers, Danny Lindsay Jr., Arlan and Aaron Ricker Sr.; and stepsister, Janica Whitetail. A wake will be held Friday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Wolf Point Community Hall. His funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Stephen R. Valkenburg, age 72, passed away on De. 26, 2025. He was born on Sept. 19, 1953. He began his life in San Francisco, Calif., with his parents Cleo B. Camrud (Belcher) and Renald P. Valkenburg and spent much of his early life growing up in Wolf Point, Mont. Steve lived a life shaped by adventure, hard work and deep connections with people. He loved road trips and turning ordinary moments into memorable adventures. His favorite pastime was fishing, especially for Walleye and he took great joy in sharing that love with others. He was always willing to teach anyone who wanted to learn how to fish, often while telling one of his many “fish tales,” some of which were true… and some a bit questionable. Steve worked much of his life in the oil field, a career that took him to many different places. No matter where work led him, he always chose to return to Casper, Wyo., where he made his home and built lasting friendships, many of whom he considered family. Known for his big laugh and even bigger heart, it was often said that Steve would give anyone the shirt off his back. He was deeply dedicated to his work and had a difficult time retiring, often finding new jobs because he simply liked staying busy and being useful. That same spirit showed in his willingness to help others whenever and wherever he could. He never hesitated to show up when help was needed and believed strongly in giving back. Steve shared a love of music with his daughters always playing “name that song” on road trips and taking them to classic rock concerts over the years — experiences that became cherished memories and lasting bonds. Steve loved his family. He cherished time spent visiting his daughters, grandchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews and took great pride in each of them. He also held a special place in his heart for the Alvarado family, whom he loved dearly and considered family. Steve is survived by his children: Melissa (Eric) Alvarez of Abilene, Texas; Katie (Jason) Wiedrich of Rapid City, S.D.; and Stephany (Isaac) Aanenson of Rapid City, S.D. He was a proud grandfather to Savannah, Grayson, Christian, Avyn, Sam, Charlie, Lucas, Mara and Gordon. He is also survived by his sisters, Ann Baker of Great Falls, Mont. Patricia Whitright of Wolf Point, Mont., and Terry (Hal) Marchbanks of Lindon, Utah, along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Steve will be remembered for his generosity, his stories, his laughter and the way he made people feel welcome wherever he went. His legacy of kindness, hard work, music and fishing adventure lives on through all who knew and loved him. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at North Casper Clubhouse, 1032 East L Street, Casper, Wyo. (Paid Obituary)