Allen Curtis Evenson, 87, of Billings, Mont., passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, with his wife and other family members by his side. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Allen was born in Winger, Minn., to Edwin and Belinda Evenson, where he grew up on a farm and graduated from McIntosh High School in McIntosh, Minn. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and he served on several church councils throughout the years. Allen married the love of his life, Jane Dahlberg, on July 28, 1962, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Brockton, Mont. They shared 62 wonderful years of marriage. They went on their honeymoon to the World’s Fair in Seattle, Wash., driving a 1962 Chevrolet Impala. They still have this car and, each wedding anniversary, they have been taking it out for a drive. Allen was a lifelong farmer whose deep love for the land and dedication to agriculture defined both his work and his life. He served several years on the Farmers Elevator Board of Directors of the Eastern Montana Operations. He had a particular passion for antique tractors and all aspects of farming, proudly preserving the traditions he cherished. Allen was one of the founding members of the Northeast Montana Threshers Association of Culbertson, Mont. Allen loved to repair and restore items, which included an M John Deere, an 8N Ford and a 1946 Willy’s Jeep. He could take anything apart, repair it and put it back together. Allen was a member of the Roaring ‘20s Auto Club of Billings. In addition to his work in agriculture, Allen served his country with honor and distinction for 32 years in the Montana National Guard, retiring with the rank of First Sergeant. His leadership, dedication and service left a lasting impact on those he served alongside. His steady presence, hard work and commitment to family, community and country will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Allen is survived by his beloved wife, Jane Evenson; his son, Jade Allen Evenson (Judy); his grandson, Jayson Allen Evenson (Veronnaka); his great-granddaughter, Eleannor Jane Evenson; his great-grandson baby-to-be, Stetson Allen Evenson; his sister, Beverly Thompson; his sister-in-law and brother inlaw, Joyce and Don Anderson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Belinda Evenson; his brother, Lyle Evenson; and his mother- in-law and father-in-law, Josie and Alvin Lien. A private military service honoring Allen’s life and service will be held at the Yellowstone National Cemetery at Laurel, Mont. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Billings Clinic for their compassionate care during Allen’s final days. (Paid Obituary)

Kevin Ronning, 53, of Grenora, N.D., most recently of Plentywood, died May 23, 2025. His funeral service will be held on Friday, May 30, at 1 p.m.at the Froid Church, in Froid. Rev. Sheri Crane will Officiate the service. Following the service, burial will take place at the St. Petri Cemetery.

Carol Valyne (Jeannotte) Olson, 78, of Dagmar died May 2, 2025, in Billings. She was born on July 12, 1946, in Poplar to Ernestine and Alfred Jeannotte, the youngest of 10 children. She spent her early years in Medicine Lake, where she attended school. In high school, she was an enthusiastic cheerleader, cheering for the Honkers and twirling her baton with joy. After graduating, she attended Eastern Montana College in Billings. Shortly after, she moved to Seattle, Wash., and began working for the Boeing Aircraft Company. During her time in Seattle, she met and married Thomas Pitcher and, together, they had three children: Darren, Scott and Dena-Marie. Tragically, in August 1973, Tom and his brother, Gary, were killed in a plane crash, leaving her to raise their young children alone. With immense strength, she returned to Medicine Lake in 1974, where she found solace and support from her mother and siblings. In the subsequent years, she married Danny Olson. They later divorced. Together, they had one child, Mark, affectionately known as Marky Daniel. She found joy in bowling and cherished the memories of trips with her friends to state competitions. Although not an athlete herself, she was a fervent supporter of her friends during softball games and cherished the camaraderie they shared on the road. As her children grew older and became the next generation of Honkers, she attended their sporting events, music concerts and particularly enjoyed the trips to basketball tournaments shared with other parents and friends. In the early 1980s, she met Bruce “Rocky” Nyby. They were together for over 45 years. They enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs games and the next episode of Dateline. Together, they traveled to attend the births of grandchildren, weddings, baptisms and holiday gatherings. She was also excited to attend sporting events and cheered hard for her grandchildren in basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey, music and theatre. She could make any situation fun and her laugh brought joy to any occasion. Her most cherished activity was sitting on the deck with her grandchildren, with a glass of Chateau St. Michelle Riesling in hand, listening to their tales of romance, tribulations and just plain gossip. Her trips with her children and grandchildren were especially memorable. She was able to travel abroad and to many places in the states including Hawaii. She spent much of her adult life working at Rexall Drug in Plentywood. For over 30 years, she looked forward to the drive from Dagmar each day, sometimes getting to have a winter sleepover with one of the drug store girls. She was an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe. She had fond memories of family gatherings in Belcourt during St. Ann’s Day celebrations, often laughing as she recounted stories involving her entertaining cousins. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Henry, Fran, Bill, Al and George; and sisters, Irene and Rena. She is survived by her life partner, Rocky Nyby; four children, Darren, Scott, Dena- Marie and Mark; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Helen Day and Janice Hodges. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, May 9, at St Patrick Catholic Church in Medicine Lake.

Funeral services for Leo E. “Buddy” Waldhausen, 81, will be Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Bethel Community Church in Culbertson, Mont., with Pastor Jack “Scotty” Scotson officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Buddy will be laid to rest at the Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson, Mont. Military Honors will be presented by the American Legion Post 81 from Culbertson, Mont., and representatives from the U.S. Army Funeral Honors Team. A luncheon will follow services at the Bethel Community Church for a time of fellowship. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, Mont., is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com. Leo “Buddy” Waldhausen entered into his eternal home in Heaven on April 30, 2025. Leo was born Feb. 6, 1944, in Wolf Point, Mont., to Leo and Ruth Waldhausen. He married LeEtta Gilbertson on June 27, 1966. They spent 58 wonderful years together in Culbertson, with the exception of five years spent in Billings, Mont. They enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s activities and sporting events, watching birds from the kitchen and being involved in their church. Leo graduated from Culbertson High School in 1962 and went into the National Guard. He attended one year of college in Havre, Mont., at Northern. He was an avid hunter, liked to fish with his grandkids and loved fast cars (he especially loved to watch NASCAR every chance he got). Leo played cards every day (except Sundays) with his pals and taught his daughters and grandkids the love of the card game Hearts. He also taught all three daughters basic mechanic knowledge, which we can still remember fondly (kind of). Extremely proud of his 38 years in the Montana National Guard, Leo finished his career as a Sergeant Major. He was a Culbertson EMT for nearly 30 years, a volunteer fireman and the Fire Chief for the Culbertson Fire Department. He loved his family and spending time with all of us. He was the very best husband, dad and grandpa anyone could ever ask for. He will be dearly missed. Leo is survived by his beloved wife, LeEtta; daughters, LeRiesa (Larry) Zahn, Leona (Mark) Colvin and Leslie (David) Bengochea; grandchildren, Colton (Emily) Zahn, April Zahn, Eric Zahn, Henry Colvin, Ivy Colvin, Devan (Chad) Moore, Lance Bengochea (Katie), Anissa Bengochea, Justice Bengochea, Ashton Bengochea and Hamini Bengochea; great-grandchildren, Gage (Megan) Zahn, Tuscan Zahn, Maya Zahn, Ava Snyder, Kayden Moore, Kohen Moore and Roen Bengochea. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Ike’s Pond, American Legion Park or the American Legion. (Paid Obituary)

Ken Norgaard died April 20, 2025, in Billings. Cremation has taken place. His family plans to hold a private memorial in the summer.

Sharon Y. Woods, 89, died April 14, 2025. She was born on June 26, 1936, to Elmer and Blanche (Maristuen) Hagen in Malta. While she was a small child, her family lived in Fort Peck, where her father worked building the WPA Fort Peck Dam, until his work injury caused them to move to Glasgow. She grew up and attended school in Glasgow. She was very talented musically and, as a teen, she often played piano in concerts with her sister Shirley around the state. She attended Glasgow High School and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in music education vocal and instrumental K-12 from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. At home or at school, she is remembered as an elegant lady who was always well dressed, and whose performances were well-rehearsed. She first taught music in Joplin for five years, where she met her husband William Woods. They married in Glasgow July 13, 1963, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary prior to Bill’s death in 2023. They taught together first in Ekalaka for a year before beginning a long teaching tenure in Culbertson, where she taught K-12th grade vocal and instrumental music. Her teaching career in Culbertson was marked by her strict commitment to excellence, and a desire to inspire a love for music in her students. She was a no-nonsense, demanding teacher, who set high standards for her students, but she also inspired admiration and great achievement in her students. Additionally, she offered scholarships to the International

Thomas Dean Nelson, 91, of Culbertson, Mont., passed away peacefully with family by his side on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, Mont. Thomas Nelson was born Sept. 21, 1933, to parents Walter and Nina (Nelsen) Nelson on their family farm northeast of Culbertson, Mont. He was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Dane Valley. As a child, he attended Moothart Country School, east of the farm, and then Culbertson Schools, graduating in 1952. That same year, he joined his father farming and ranching. In 1955, he was united in marriage to Barbara Nicholson, the love of his life, at Ebenezer. Together they built a life rooted in love, hard work and faith, raising two children, Beth (1957) and Mark (1959). Tom believed in serving his community. Church and cemetery care were very important to him, always assisting on Mowing Day at the church. He served on several boards, including Ebenezer Church Council, Farmers Elevator, Roosevelt Memorial Hospital, Roosevelt Home Health, Culbertson Museum, and Culbertson Area Community Foundation. While farming was his life's work, Tom always placed family first. He and Barb cherished family trips, traveling throughout the United States, spending winter months in Havasu, Ariz. In their travels, they touched 48 contiguous states. In 2005, they treated the entire family to a 50th anniversary trip to Washington, D.C. He found great joy in playing golf. Pastimes included gardening and bird-watching- simple pleasures that reflected his appreciation of nature. He loved watching morning sunrises, evening sunsets and all the changes of weather in between. Devotions and reading his Bible were also an important part of his daily routine. Tom and Barb loved their grandchildren deeply, with 'Grandparents' Night' being a favorite weekend activity. When Tom became a great-grandfather, he enjoyed watching the kids play, keeping a closet full of toys. After Barb passed away in 2013, Tom remained on the farm for a year, moving to Culbertson in 2014. He became an active member of the Culbertson Seniors, enjoying many meals with local friends. Baking whole wheat bread and oatmeal cookies occupied many pleasant

Eugene “Gene” Giese passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, at his residence in Williston, N.D. Gene was born to Raymond and Muriel (Bakkum) Giese on April 21, 1945, in Williston, N.D. He grew up in eastern Montana and graduated valedictorian from Bainville High School. He went to college in Dillon, where he met and married Loreen Short. They were blessed with four children. Gene worked as a teacher, a principal, a superintendent and an insurance agent. Later in his life, he married Yvonne Knox. He helped her run a flower shop and managed their properties. Gene always said he had three gifts: making people laugh, getting people to talk and never giving up. Gene loved gardening, helping people, visiting his siblings and, most of all, sharing Gospel with others. Gene’s generosity to hundreds of people ensured he has treasure stored up in Heaven. Gene is survived by his sons, Greg, Shane and Brad; siblings, Wayne, Maureen, Roxanne and Craig; grandchildren, Mitch, Connor, Kallie, Benjamin, Ethan and Grant; many nieces and nephews; and his special friends, John and Terry.