Roger Dean Big Leggins, 66, died Sept. 3 or 4, 2023, in Poplar. He was born March 16, 1957, in Poplar to Sonya Lee Buckles and Garrett J. Big Leggins Sr., the second son of that marriage. He was raised in Poplar and Denver, Colo. He graduated from high school in 1976 from Stephan Indian School in South Dakota where he began to develop an interest in all phases of building and home construction. As time went on, he developed his carpentry skills and also became a very good handyman and excelled at building lawn ornaments and Indian-design wall shelving, which he gave away as gifts to friends and relatives or sold to help support himself. Later, he joined the Blaze Construction crew, who specialized in home construction projects on Indian reservations. He traveled with Blaze Construction to reservations in states including Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. He spent many years working on the Warm Springs reservation in Oregon for that tribe’s Home Improvement Program. When he returned to his home reservation, he was a skilled carpenter and many people called on him for things needed fixing in their homes. He was a happy person and ready to laugh about everything. He was an “Uncle Buck” kind of person who could be counted on when babysitting the house when you were away traveling or fixing a vehicle was needed. He enjoyed visiting his family and going to dinners or barbecues. He liked to watch football with his brother Garrett on Sundays. He is survived by his daughter, Reannon Taylor Black Dog Bear; one grandson; brothers, Garrett I. Big Leggins, Jay Goldhammer, “Little Gary” Big Leggins and Robert Big Leggins; and sisters, Sara Keiser, Tanya Big Leggins, Lori Big Leggins and Vickie Big Leggins. Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 15, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Barbara Jean (Wilkinson) Hentges, 89, died July 28, 2023, at her home in Frazer. She was born Jan. 1, 1934, at her Aunt Flossie’s house on the north side of Wolf Point to William and Ione (Sugden) Wilkinson. She primarily grew up on her grandparent’s homestead on Wolf Creek, north of Wolf Point, where she rode horses and helped her grandparents with their sheep. She graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1952. After high school, she worked for Shell Oil Company as a dispatcher. After work, she and a group of friends would go dancing when local bands would play in the Wolf Point area. At some point later, she was introduced by a friend and future sister-in-law to Edward Hentges. The were married in 1953. Together, they had nine children and she took on the roles of wife, mother, ranch hand and farm hand. After Ed’s death in 1980, she continued farming with help at different times from her boys. She loved being a farmer and knew a lot about it. She loved animals, especially her dogs that she had over the years. She also enjoyed bird watching and reading. Preceding her in death are her husband, Edward; sister, Joyce Steele; and brother, Billy Wilkinson. She is survived by her children, Kip Hentges of Fort Peck, Karen Hentges of North Nashua, Kae Hentges of Queen Valley, Ariz., Ken Hentges of Wolf Point, Kevin Hentges of Frazer, Kyle Hentges of Wolf Point, Klint Hentges of Pahrump, Nev., Kristi Barnett of Glasgow and Kory Hentges of Glasgow; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There were many people that called her “Mom” or “Gramma.” Everyone came to visit her often and she enjoyed their company and they hers. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Wilbert “Willy” Jackson, 50, of Frazer died Sept. 14, 2023. He was born Feb. 17, 1973, in Wolf Point to Wilbert “Chief” Jackson and Francis Hotomaine Jackson. He was raised in Frazer where he graduated with the class of 1991. While in high school, he played basketball, football and other sports. Frazer School is also where he met Gaydella Gleed. They stayed together throughout their high school years and had two children, Jordan Ty and Joseph Aaron. They later separated, but remained close friends. Anyone who knew him would say he was quiet and kept himself, but those who were close to him can tell stories about his sense of humor. He was able to bring joy and laughter into any room or situation he came across. He adored his grandsons and his many nephews and nieces. Going to rodeos was a big part of his life. He started off as a bareback rider at age 17 and eventually followed in his father’s footsteps as a wild horse racer at the age of 18. He loved wild horse racing and his horses Buddy and Copenhagen were always a big part of his life growing up. He was an avid Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls and

Jo Ann Russell, 72, of Poplar died Aug. 27, 2023, in Billings. She was born to Vida (Walking Eagle) Muskrat and Daniel Russell on Feb. 16, 1951, at the Poplar hospital in Poplar. She grew up in Poplar and attended schools in Poplar, later earning her G.E.D. She married Darrell Reddog Sr. in 1968. They were married for 18 years. To this union, four children were born. They later divorced but remained friends up until Darrell’s death in 1999. Her longtime companion was David Tuttle. She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a realty clerk for many years. She also worked for the Fort Peck Tribes TERO Department and as a process server for the Fort Peck Tribal Courts. She loved cruising, being with family and friends joking, had a warm heart and great sense of humor. She always had a smile, making someone laugh or teasing. She will be remembered by her compassion for others and being there for family. She is survived by daughter, Farrell Simons; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Bonnie Menz. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Catherine Russell and Isabel; brothers, Ralph and Lewellyn, Davey, Desmond Sr. and John Muskrat; daughters, Tammy and Tracy Reddog; sons, Darrell Red Dog Jr. and Richard Russell; and grandchildren, Maurice Morsette, Lane Ferguson, Roxanne Morsette and Kristen Ferguson. Her funeral was held Friday, Sept. 8, at the LDS Church in Poplar. Interment was at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Marlene Virginia Rose Youpee, Wicanhpi To Wi (Blue Star Woman), 33, died Sept. 4, 2023, in her home in Poplar. Also known as Marz by her close friends and family on the Fort Peck Reservation as well as Rocky Boy Reservation, she was born Aug. 27, 1990, to Cheryl Sutherland and Bernard Noel Youpee. She was gifted her paternal grandmother Melvene Spotted Bird’s Dakota name. She attended Poplar Elementary School for several years, then attended elementary and junior high in Brockton. She moved to Rocky Boy to live with her mother. She went to the Box Elder High School, where she placed first in the annual spelling bee. Her junior year, she went to the Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Ore., until her hot temper got her sent back to Brockton to live with her father. In Brockton, she became a cheerleader and gave away several star quilts during tournament time. She didn’t graduate high school, but did get her G.E.D. in 2008. She continued her education at the Stone Child College for several semesters. In 2008, her first son, Vincent, was born. In 2010, her second son, Joedaus, was born. In 2011, she was shot in the leg so she moved back to Poplar from Rocky Boy with her sister. After she healed, she became a fry cook at B& S laundry for about a year. She worked as a cashier at Tribal Express until moving to the casino in Tribal Express. She loved working in the casino. She moved to Brockton for a couple years and had her baby Kilijah Junior in 2018. She loved to watch cooking shows and loved to cook up for family. She also liked her haunted spooky makeup tutorials. When traveling to watch her children dance powwows or to watch her sons play football, she was always sitting in the back to snuggle and play with them. When she did go on the powwow trail with her sister, she knew what needed to be done. She went to Standing Rock to represent both her tribes — Fort Peck and Rocky Boy — during the standoff, “No DAPL.” She was baptized in Fort Kipp at the Presbyterian church. Growing up in Brockton, she would attend the Baptist church on Sundays. Living in Rocky Boy, she attended the Assembly of God church. She would attend her family’s sundance every year in Brockton “Tatanka Yamni” Three Buffalo. At the end of her short lived life, she was attending Pastor Jay Cumming’s church west of Poplar, the Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by her baby son, Andre Dean; and brother, Richard “Dicky Bob” Brown. She is survived by her mother; children, Vincent Youpee, Joedaus Small and Kilijah Good Soldier Jr.; adopted sons, Caden Bear, David Parker and Aaron Savior- Jackson; nephew who she helped raise, Logan Cloud; siblings, Terrell Sutherland, Seneca Sutherland, Cale Martell, Brandon Martell, Britney Cloud, Edmund Youpee, Zachary Brown Jewell Youpee; two grandchildren, Ravonnie Harris and Kailoe Red Thunder; grandmothers, Jewel Hanna, Doris Spotted Bird, Gloria Chopper, Delilah Wakan, Kate Youpee, Jaime Youpee Sharon (Wilson) Roberts, Doris “Ducky” Bird and Juanita (Doug) Youngman. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.