Gloria Jean (Newman) Kloster, 74, died May 4, 2022, at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. The oldest of four children, she was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to Donald Alfred and Elsie (Fowler) Newman on Christmas Eve, 1947. She grew up in Sioux City, Iowa; Homer, Neb.; Paulina, Iowa; and Madison, S.D., before the family moved in 1957 to Clark, S.D. She graduated from Clark High School and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings S.D., where she and her high school sweetheart, Martin G. “Marty” Kloster, were married on Sept. 11, 1967. Upon his ROTC commissioning, they became an active- duty Army family, traveling the world for 27 years and 19 moves. She served in many volunteer positions assisting and advocating for soldiers and their families, including as supervisor of Army Community Service, as a seven-year delegate to the Department of the Army’s Family Action Plan Symposium and as leader of family support groups for over 1,900 family members in a battalion whose soldiers were deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and for more 2,400 members in a brigade that was spread throughout the Pacific Rim. She was selected as a Department of the Army certified trainer for the inaugural Army Family Team Building Program. She also served in a variety of volunteer positions in officers’ wives clubs worldwide, including president of the Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., clubs, as well as an advisor and board chairman for military community thrift shops and Army family team building groups stateside and overseas. In addition to being nominated for Army Wife of the Year, she received numerous unit awards for her service and was awarded the Department of the Army Commendation Medal for Public Service from three separate Major Army Commands. She was a graduate of the Old Masters’ Art Academe Ad Modum Maroge in Boeblingen- Sindelfingen, Germany, and earned a degree in interior design from Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, Calif. She taught watercolor and oil painting classes and was a juried member and president of the Eagle’s Eye Art Gallery in Monterey. She worked as the customer service manager for a financial publication firm in Alexandria, Va.; as a private English instructor in Sagamihara, Japan; as an instructional assistant for special education students in Alexandria, Va., and Brookings, S.D.; provided complimentary interior design classes for military families stateside and overseas; and taught Western-style interiors at a Japanese design school. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1997, they returned to Brookings, S.D., where she continued her volunteer service. She served seven years on the Brookings Historic Preservation Commission and stayed actively involved in community preservation issues. She was a member of the Brookings Woman’s Club and, with Marty, served as a cadet mentor through the SDSU ROTC Department. She joined the Optimist Club of Brookings in 1997, where she served in a variety of club officer positions and then continued in at zone, district and international levels. Highlights of her Optimist service were the years she served as the Brookings Optimist Club president (2001-02), as governor of the Dakotas, Manitoba, Minnesota District (2004-05) and as international vice president of the Great Plains Region (2010-11). Her interests included collecting antiques, restoration of their 1885 home, re-upholstery, Hawaiian-style quilting, entertaining, traveling, reading and especially “Grandma Time.” She also enjoyed collecting Christmas ornaments from the places they visited. She is survived by her husband, Marty; daughter, Michelle Downing; son, Martin Kloster; and numerous grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant sister, Patty Ann Newman; brother, Donald Ray Newman; and sister, Susan Oja. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. May 13, at Clark Center Lutheran Church in Clark, S.D., with Paster Gary Anderson officiating. Visitation will take place for one hour preceding the service. Interment will follow at the Clark Center Cemetery.

Kevin Henry Seitz died on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his home in Culbertson. He was born in Billings on Oct. 14, 1958, to Henry Herman and Arlys Jean Seitz. He grew up in Broadview, helping with the family farm which is where his love for farming and agriculture started. He attended Northern Montana College in Havre, where he received a farm and ranch management degree as well as a business administration degree. It is also where he met Rhonda Anderson (Seitz). They started their family in Billings. After moving around for a few years, they settled in Nezperce, Idaho, where all four children grew up and graduated from Nezperce High School. His job as a soil conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Services then took him to Williston, N.D., which allowed him to pursue his passion at a higher level. He and his wife resided in Culbertson, where he lived full time until his death. He was a road warrior. He spent many years driving (or following) his four children around to various sporting activities. There were countless hours spent in the gym coaching and practicing with his children. He never missed one of their games if he could help it. He coached many of his children’s basketball teams, making an impact not only on his own children for his love of the sport, but also made a difference to so many of his children’s friends. He continued to be a mentor to the youth of his community. He led by example and was a role model to his children. He taught them how to work hard, treat people with respect, and most importantly, that family is the most important thing in life. He enjoyed many things including being a member of the Nezperce Lions Club, hunting, fishing, gardening, basketball and refereeing, but spending time with his family was what he enjoyed most. He had the gift of gab. “Stranger” was not in his vocabulary. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda of Culbertson/Nezperce; son, Nathan Seitz of Grangeville, Idaho; three daughters, Melissa Strerath of Lewiston, Idaho, Michelle Cannon of Moscow, Idaho, and Kelsie Seitz of Lewiston, Idaho; numerous grandchildren; brothers, Jim Seitz of Acton and Dave Seitz of Billings; and sister Trish Kellogg of Camas, Wash. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Keith Seitz. A funeral service was held Saturday, May 7, at Smiths Billings West End Chapel.

Lyle Hartvig Knudsen, 81, of Bain-ville died Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the Billings Clinic in Billings. He was born on Feb. 20, 1941, to Hartvig and Hazel Knudsen. His father died when Lyle was just five years old. He was raised on the family farm just north of Bainville along with his siblings Gerald, Wayne, Naoma, Beulah and Orabelle. Faith and family helped them through those tough times. He attended Bainville School and graduated in 1959. After high school, he worked as a farmhand and, in 1961, his sister Beulah introduced him to a coworker named Mary Madson. They were a perfect match and, in 1962, they were married in Ronan. They farmed north of Lanark and started a family. In that same year, he joined the Montana National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of E-5. He proved to be a good role model as his three boys all joined the National Guard when they got older. In 1970, he moved his family to Ronan, where he worked as a shop foreman for a Chrysler dealership. Eastern Montana called them back to Bainville in the mid ‘70s where he started Knudsen Repair Center where the Welcome Stop is presently located. He decided to get into the oil business in the ‘80s and started Knudsen Contract Pumping. Along with his sons, he worked many years in the oilfield and also worked as a school bus mechanic and bus driver for the Bainville School. He was mechanically minded and because of that talent many people would call or stop by the house asking questions about their vehicle issues for years after the repair shop had closed. He was a hardworking man his entire life. He found joy in the simple things each day. He enjoyed deer hunting, toe tapping gospel music and following the activities and growth of his grandchildren. He was an active member of Bainville Faith Fellowship Church. He along with other members helped to purchase, move and setup the church in its current location. He loved to travel with Mary whether it was on an Alaskan cruise, to see his sister Beulah in California or on the back roads of Montana. He would take Mary almost daily to the Welcome Stop for coffee and a visit with friends followed by a drive in the side by side to check on the town. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Gerald, Wayne, Naoma and Orabelle. He is survived by his wife, Mary; sister, Beulah; daughter, Sherry Welty; sons, Lane, Mike and Brent; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 15, at 2 p.m. (MST) at the Bainville School in Bainville. Pastor Lane Vannatta will officiate. Burial will be at the Bainville Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston on Friday, May 13, from 12 to 4 p.m. (CST) and one hour prior to the service time on Sunday. The funeral service will be livestreamed directly on his obituary page on Fulkerson Stevenson’s website at www.fulkersons. com.

Ferne Arlene Zerbe was born June 14, 1930, in Max, Neb., to Richard A. and Helena (Brethower) Rousselle. She passed away peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior after a brief illness at the age of 91 on May 1, 2022. Ferne grew up on a farm during the depression years, going to a one room school house in the country. Later the family moved to Stratton where she graduated from Stratton High School in 1948. Ferne earned her associates degree in teaching from Mc-Cook College. She taught for two years before marrying Paul Zerbe of Lustre, Mont., in Culbertson, Neb., on June 18, 1952. Together, they had three children: Lynell, Galen and Sherrie. Paul and Ferne farmed and operated Zerbe Brothers implement business until retiring and moving to Glasgow in 1997. They enjoyed spending their winters Alamo, Texas, at Bibleville and working at the Rio Grande Bible Institute where Ferne made many quilts. She loved crocheting, making afghans and reading. She was involved in several church activities throughout her life including teaching Sunday school, serving Awana meals, participating in Bible studies and partaking in the ladies quilting group. For many years, Ferne was a member of the Evangelical Church Prayer Group. She also attended Christian Women’s Club and most recently filled in as the church secretary. She loved the Lord and led a missional life starting at the age of six, when she accepted the Lord as her Savior. Her last two years were spent at Prairie Ridge where she was known for her faith and her sense of humor. She felt very well cared for and loved living there. Ferne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; great-grandson, Christian Gartside; sonin- law, Bob Myers; sister, Evelyn Buller; brother, Duane

Shirley Wallander, 85, of Billings, previously of Froid, died Thursday, April 21, 2022, at her home. She was born Oct. 25, 1936, in Medicine Lake to Lu and Melvin Tronson. She graduated from Medicine Lake High School in 1955. On Jan. 3, 1957, she married Gregory Wallander in Sidney and they spent 65 years together. She enjoyed children, especially babies, and was a foster parent for several infants. All of her grandchildren have many fond memories of time they spent with her. She worked as a secretary/ bookkeeper for a short time, but her favorite role in life was being a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and also enjoyed her flower gardens. While living in Froid, she was a member of the Roosevelt County Library board, the Froid Womens Club and was a member of the Froid Congregational Church. She

Cory Ross Schindler, 35, of Wolf Point died April 23, 2022 at Poplar Community Hospital. He was born in Wolf Point on Oct. 24, 1986, the son of Albert “Billy” Schindler and Mildred “Millie” First. He has been said to be a caring, friendly soul. Some may have said he was dealt a tough hand, but he always met people with a simple wave, a big smile or a hug. He was always very respectful and could be found teasing or cracking jokes with his friends and family. Many will remember his contagious laugh. He enjoyed playing pool and hanging with friends and family. He is survived by brothers, Aaron Ackerman of Frazer and Albert Schindler of Wolf Point.

Heidi “Faye” Johnson, 42, of Poplar died April 15, 2022. She was born to Gayle Lynn Wetsit and Lionel Dean Johnson on Sept. 7, 1979, in Poplar. She graduated in 1998 from Poplar High School. She worked for most of her employment time at Tribal Express where she was exposed to all walks of life and that was one of many doorways to meeting a plethora of adopted family members. She had a wealthy social life and was passionate about her beliefs, her family — in all forms. She always lived by her code, a code that honors a sense of love that went beyond blood. When she loved, she loved completely and without judgment. She didn’t waste her breath on pointless praise and only spoke her mind. She loved to spend time with friends and family, doing the things she loved such as playing pool, bonfires,

Violet Irene Desjarlais, 87, of Wolf Point died April 28, 2022, at Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings. She was born in Fort Totten, N.D., Feb. 25, 1935, to John and Mary Miller. Shet was an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Nation of Fort Totten. She attended Fort Totten High School and graduated in 1953. In 1954, she married Francis Richard Dionne and moved to Wolf Point in 1955 and had seven children. She met Gordon Desjarlais in 1966 and were married June 9, 1967. They celebrated 48 years of marriage. Gordan passed away on July 13, 2015. Some of Violet’s special interests were sewing pillows. She created her own unique pattern for star pillows and were shared throughout the United States, some going as far away as Russia. She loved taking pictures of family and her pictures were well organized in photo albums. She was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to discuss with her grandchildren her favorite sports of basketball, figure skating and tennis. Her favorite NBA team was the Lakers, and her favorite player was Kobe Bryant. She would discuss basketball stats with her grandchildren.