Herman L. Jensen, formerly of Culbertson, Mont., passed over to the Lord on the morning of Nov. 3, 2023. Herman was born on the Dane Valley farm on Feb. 5, 1927, the son of Oscar and Christine (Nielsen) Jensen. He grew up on the farm and attended school in McCabe and Culbertson. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and afterward worked at Moen’s Hardware and Grocery Store for six years. Then, he attended Barber College and barbered for 10 years. He then served as an agent for Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance, serving his clients until his death. He was a member of the American Legion Post 81 for 75 continuous years and he had held offices at local, district and state levels. He was State Commander in 1983 and 1984. He served on the town council in Culbertson, was Lions Club president and participated in many town activities. He enjoyed hunting with his boys and, during the winter, fishing for lingcod on the Missouri. After retiring, Herman and Elaine wintered in Mesa, Ariz., and spent their summers in Culbertson. In 2013, he and Elaine moved to Billings to reside at Morning Star Senior Living, where Elaine passed away in 2018. They made many fond memories while at Morningstar, as it became home. While in Billings, Herman picked up woodcarving, but his big passion was playing league pool on Thursday afternoons at the 1145 Club. The last game he played, he won. He was also the oldest participant in the 2017 Big Sky State Games. Herman attended a Cursillo weekend and, later, he and Elaine went on a pilgrimage, visiting Rome and Medjugorje. He looked forward to praying Morning Prayer from the Psalms of the Psalter and he was currently a member of St. Bernard Catholic Parish in Billings. He is survived by his three sons and their families: Neil, Brian (Joanna) and Blake (Denise); his six grandchildren, Emily (Josh), Nathan (Katie), Calvin (Jamie), Amy (Eric), Adam (Celine) and Erik; and his four great-grandchildren, Bailey, Caleb, Sam and Josie. Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, of 67 years; and his six siblings, Howard (Phoebe), Alvin (Alice), Laura (Howard), Isabelle (Bill), Ira (Christine) and Grace. Memorials may be made to the American Legion Park Account held in Culbertson. Please mail to Opportunity Bank of Montana, PO Box 579, Culbertson, MT 59218. The Vigil will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Billings. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, with a luncheon to follow. The burial will be at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, Mont., following the luncheon. (Paid Obituary)

James Patrick Byrne died peacefully at his home in Northfield, Ill., on Nov. 2, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Mr. Byrne was born Feb. 7, 1929, in Culbertson, Mont. James was raised on an eastern Montana sheep ranch and wheat farm, Hilltop Farms. The farm was homesteaded in 1916 by his Irish father after he immigrated from County Louth, Ireland. His father was soon joined by his equally Irish mother Sarah, a teacher. James attended grade school in a one-room country schoolhouse one mile south of the family farm. His typical mode of transportation to school was walking or riding a horse, often times pulling his younger sisters on sleigh in the winter. He graduated high school from St. Thomas Military Academy, going on to attend and graduating from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn., with a business degree in 1951. He served in the United States Air Force as a second Lieutenant in the Central Air Procurement Division from 1951 to 1953. He married Mary Margaret “Peggy” Roney from Grosse Point, Mich., in 1958. They lived in Baltimore, Md., and Wilmette, Ill., before settling in Winnetka, Ill., in 1965 where he and Peggy raised six children. Mr. Byrne was an independent businessman, entrepreneur and financier for more than 50 years, owning and running a wide-range of traditional and high technology businesses. Early on, he owned several businesses in the auto industry that received, modified and transported new cars by rail and truck transport from the shipyards on both American coasts. He then started a Chicago company that transported cars from the Ford Motor plant, on the south side of Chicago, to Midwest dealerships. In later years, his business interests moved to the software and financial services industries. He established Momentum Systems based in Mukilteo, Wash., providing maintenance and support services as well as hardware for high volume data communication software used by major banks and other financial institutions. He is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret “Peggy” Byrne nee Roney; his children, Mary Margaret Gronskis, Rosemary Roney (Carey) Dowdle, James P. Byrne Jr., Kathleen Marie (David) Kennedy and David Michael (Lori) Byrne; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters, Mary Lou Byrne of Denver, Colo., and Theresa Byrne (Phillip) Westine of Pantego, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sarah Byrne; his sisters Margaret Rose Byrne and Sarah Ann (Dr. Robert) Craven; his beloved son, Peter; and his sonin-law, George Gronskis. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church, Winnetka IL 60093, followed by Interment at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Northbrook. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Info: donnellanfuneral. com. (Paid Obituary)

Richard Wayne Martell, 68, of Blair died Nov. 1, 2023. He was born in Wauwatosa, Wis., on July 17, 1955, the sixth child of Violet and Max Martell. He resided in Blair where he raised and took care of all his animals. He was a Jack-of-all-trades and was a hardworking man. He loved to go hunting, play pool, listening to music (especially Elvis Presley) and going for rides in the country on his golf cart. He was adventurous and was always telling jokes. He was a big kid at heart and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews, especially the two who he helped raise, Cheyenne and Dakota Comes Last. He taught them how to fish, hunt, fence and so much more. He worked at Richland Yellowstone Manufacturing since 1989 until he retired in July 2023. He is survived by two brothers, Max Martell Jr,. and John Martell Sr.; and five sisters, Margorie Ivy, Kathy Martell-Roundface, Terri Lonebear, Vickie Martell and Valerie Martell. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Maxine Zimmerman, Marilyn and Mayda Martell; and one brother, James Martell. His funeral service was held Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was in the Martell Family Cemetery in Blair. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.

Clarice Lorraine Adams White Cloud, “Winyan Hetkiya Uh” Woman comes to Them, 67, of Fort Kipp died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Trinity Hospital in Minot, N.D. She was born Jan. 5, 1956, in Poplar to Clarence and Loretta Adams. She grew up in Fort Kipp. In 1968, she went to Mormon Replacement in Washington, but graduated from Brockton High School in 1973. She met Kipp White Cloud in 1972 and married him in 1973. From this union, they had three children: Kim, Doretta Mae and Aj. After graduation, she moved to Williston, N.D., residing there from 1973 to 1979. She then moved back to Fort Kipp where she made her home until her death. She met her lifelong companion, Clyde Perry, in 1996 and they spent the rest of their lives together. She went to Fort Peck Community College where she completed her criminal justice studies. She worked various jobs from seismograph, construction, juvenile officer and home health care worker. She was the ultimate Lakers fan, always clapping and yelling at the TV when the refs made a call she disagreed with. She also enjoyed watching the PBR. She was a champion fancy dancer and often talked about getting back into the powwow circle. She was the kindest, brutally honest person. She was definitely a “boomer.” She enjoyed drinking her iced tea and a good cigarette. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, often opening her home to people going through hard times. She is survived by her lifelong companion, Clyde Perry; children, Kim Walking Hawk and Aj White Cloud; eight grandchildren; brother, Harold “Buddy” Adams; and sisters, Edith Adams and Claudia Adams. She was preceded in death by her baby girl, Doretta Mae White Cloud; brother, Leo Walking Eagle Jr.; and sisters, Ella Adams, Linda Lethbridge, Helen Heck and Sandra Shanta. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 13, at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp. Interment was at the Fort Kipp Cemetery.