Robert “Bob” Houg, 94, died Dec. 23, 2022 in Virginia, Minn. He was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Chetek, Wis., the only son of Carl and Mae (Newman) Houg of Ridgeland, Wis. He spent his childhood in Ridgeland, graduating from Prairie Farm High School in 1946. He attended the Methodist Church in Ridgeland where he often played the piano. He was a gifted athlete and proudly played baseball with the Ridgeland Reds, including games against Bud Grant of Minnesota Vikings fame. In the winter, he ski jumped for pleasure and competition. He played football when attending Stout and River Falls where he earned his bachelor of science degree. He started teaching high school English and speech in 1954 while also coaching athletics. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a master of arts education degree in 1959 and began his career as a superintendent of schools, primarily in Wisconsin, including New Lisbon, Elkhorn and Stevens Point. He also was school administrator at Frontier School in Wolf Point as well as in Minnesota and Arizona. He earned several certifications, awards and appointments in his 45 years in public education. He loved music, playing cards, pancakes and chewing on an unlit cigar. He enjoyed eating hamburgers at the Ridgeland Fair and buying “scratch offs.” He rarely missed watching 60 Minutes, Sunday Morning or Lawrence Welk. He knew every word to songs by Tom T. Hall and Perry Como. He had one sister, Meredith Olsen-Rogers, of Ridgeland, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Judy Houg of Buhl,

Joseph Edward “Chickey” Lilley Jr., 62, died Dec. 18, 2022. He was born on April 26, 1960, in Poplar, the sixth out of nine children of Rose Miller- Lilley and Joe Lilley Sr. He attended schools in Wolf Point and western Montana. He worked various jobs throughout his life until he got sick with leukemia. He liked all sports and outdoor activities. He liked playing basketball at the “jungle” with the boys, hunting, fishing, camping and playing horseshoes at Bridge Park. He married Roberta Ashley on May 17, 1981, in Lame Deer. They had four sons together and later divorced. He later met Dawn Santos and they married in August 2000. They made their home in Ronan. He loved living by the mountains — he had the most beautiful view of the mountains from his backyard. He was preceded in death by infant brother, Bradley; son, Bradley Whiteeagle; sister,

Tamara Lynn Red Eagle, 36, died Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2022 at Poplar Community Hospital. She was born on Sept. 9, 1986, to Dennis Red Eagle and Constance “Connie” Youngman in Poplar. She attended schools in Poplar and Brockton and was currently working on her HI-SET, which she really wanted to earn. She lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her grandmother Betty Ann Goodbird Blackdog. She is also a child of the Knife Clan and loved her Hidatsa ways that her grandmother taught her. She had six children, Dennissa LeeAnn Red Eagle, Leola Jaslynn, Leonard Joseph Lambert, three angel babies; and two grandchildren. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed talking about them and taking them to do things. She grew up around all her cousins, but claimed them as sisters and brothers. She was a fancy shawl dancer in her younger days and enjoyed going to powwows and camping with her family. She loved to go to yard sales. She also loved going to spend time with her family in North and South Dakota. She loved playing Yahtzee, Bingo, Keno, cards and dice. She was an amazing cook and baker. She also loved to travel and loved to go for walks around town. She held various jobs throughout her life, usually working in housekeeping or cooking. The best job she had was being a very helpful member and friend. She would help out those around her with whatever was needed, whether it was making her frybread for a dinner/ event, lending a hand in the kitchen or stitching a quilt

Lucille Irene Edwards, 98, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Daniels Memorial Healthcare Center in Scobey. She was born in Riverside on April 13, 1924, to Alphonsine and Joseph Legare, the 11th of 13 children. The family moved to Flaxville when she was only six months old. She received all 12 years of schooling in Flaxville, graduating in 1943. She worked in the Daniels County Treasurer’s office in Scobey until she married her high school sweetheart, Alvin Edwards, in 1945. The couple had two children, Russell and Peggy Sue.

Almyra Lynn “Myra” Gray-Hawk, 50, of Poplar died Dec. 20, 2022. She was born on Feb. 14, 1972, to Keva Spotted Bird and Frederick Lemay. She was then adopted and raised by Carol Spotted Bird and Benjamin GrayHawk. She attended Brockton High School where she was a cheerleader ad played basketball. She enjoyed playing dice, cards, and her word puzzles. She really enjoyed visiting family and friends. She met Edwin and, in 1990, daughter Evangeline GrayHawk was born. She later met and married Loren Boadle and, in 1997, daughter Laney Boadle was born. Later on in life, she worked as a cook at Brockton School. She is survived by her daughters, Evangeline Runs-Through of Frazer and Laney Boadle of Poplar; husband, Richard Melbourne of Poplar; adopted daughter, Laureen Combs; siblings, Amber White Bear, Troy Fast Horse, Errol, Ronald, Jennifer, Wilma, Ronnie and Joseph YellowHammer, Mary Ellen Frislie, Jolene GrayHawk, Melda GrayHawk, Justin GrayHawk,

Julie Ann Azar, 59, of Williston, N.D., passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Williston, peacefully, surrounded by her family. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family. Friends may sign the on-line register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com. Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, at the Lutheran Brethren Church in Williston. Pastor Ron Erickson will officiate. Cremation will follow the service. Inurnment will be in the spring of 2023 at the Vida Cemetery in Vida, Mont. A family service open to the public will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston. Friends may call at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and at the church on Friday one hour prior to services. Julie Ann (Olson) Azar was born on Feb. 19, 1963, in Wolf Point, Mont., to Lawrence and Annie Olson. She was raised on her family farm in Vida, Mont. There, she attended Southview School and then Wolf Point High School. As the youngest of her nine siblings, she was surrounded by affection from her large family. In 1981, she moved to Williston, N.D., to attend beautician school. There, she met and then married the love of her life, Randy Azar, on April 7, 1989. Together, they would often visit her family farm in Vida. Julie and Randy were blessed with two children — first a son named Adrian in May of 1990 and then a daughter named Sarah who was Julie’s birthday present in 1995. The love Julie received from her family was multiplied when she had children of her own. Julie’s caring personality made her an amazing mother. She worked from home so that she could care for her children and her aging parents. Throughout her life, Julie was always caring and looking out for others. Julie had a beauty salon in her home which had many dedicated clients. She made many lifelong friends through hairdressing. She enjoyed conversing with her clients and sharing stories. She was always ready to listen. Her love also extended to animals, to both in the wild and to her pets at home. Throughout her life, she had many cats and dogs, treating each as family. In recent years, she enjoyed traveling and birdwatching with her son, Adrian. They made many trips together across Montana and North Dakota, checking off all of the new places they had been. Julie was also very fond of shopping, especially for antiques. During her travels, she loved to look around at antique stores and to reminisce about items from her past. She had a liking for vintage cake plates and glassware. She also had a passion for home decorating. She loved to rearrange and decorate to each season, especially for holidays and parties. She enjoyed hosting gatherings and being surrounded by family and friends. This past fall, she made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Norway to see the country where her grandparents were from. There, she was fortunate enough to visit her ancestral farm and meet her relatives who still call it home. One year ago, she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She was a warrior to the end and didn’t let her diagnosis defeat her. She faced it bravely and made the most of her time by spending it with loved ones and sharing in new experiences. Throughout her trials, her faith remained strong, looking to God for strength. Julie had the brightest laughter, the warmest hugs and made new friends everywhere she went. She never hesitated to reach out to others who were in need. Despite her diagnosis, she was constantly thinking of others. Her kindness inspired all of those around her. Although Julie’s life was not as long as some, she lived deeply with the time that she had. She showed a vast devotion to her family, friends and God. Her passion for life shined incandescently which drew others into her friendship. On Dec. 23, 2022, Julie was called to her heavenly home. Julie is survived by her husband, Randy Azar; her children, Adrian Azar and Sarah Azar; her sisters, Ruth (Milo) Borg of Sidney, Mont., Norma Pawlowski of Billings, Mont., Edna (John) Niccolls of Spokane, Wash., Connie Buxbaum of Ronan, Mont., Jo Ann Olson of Wolf Point, Mont., and Donna (Dennis) Torres of New Town, N.D.; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Roger) Kalisiak, Shirley Azar and Karen Ellingson; and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Annie Olson; her brother, Robert Olson; and her sister, Diana Lawson. In lieu of flowers, Julie has requested donations be sent to Kaidra’s Good Vibe Tribe, which supports brain cancer warriors. Checks can be sent to 1621 20th Ave West, Williston, ND 58801 or donations on the website: kaidrasgoodvibetribe. org. (Paid Obituary)