Klara Elgestad Coffey Bedard, 94, of Lewistown passed away of natural causes early Friday morning, Nov. 22, 2019, at her home, where she wanted to be. Although her presence will leave an emptiness for all those who loved her as well as those that knew her, she was ready to join all her loved ones in heaven. Be prepared, she is bringing her cards and will be ready to deal. Kay was born Jan. 4, 1925, to Gustav and Esther (Skoe) Elgestad in the Madoc community. She graduated from Scobey High School and after one year of business college she went to work for Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash. While in Spokane she was also the office manager at Cummins Diesel. In 1952, she married Robert “Pete” Coffey in Wolf Point. He was the owner of KVCK Radio. Together, they raised four children: John, Cathryn, Patricia and Robert Jr. Pete passed away much too soon in 1972. In 1975, Kay moved to Whitefish Lake where the family has spent many summers. In 1988, she married Robert “Bob” Bedard. They spent much of their time traveling, visiting 49 countries and spending many winters in Hawaii. Bob died in 2004, at which time Kay moved to Lewistown to be near family. Moving to Lewistown brought back many of her favorite pastimes. She could be found playing cards and bingo at the senior center as well as gathering with her many friends playing that mean game of pinochle. One of her favorite places was sitting on her deck in the sunshine among the birds and flowers. On occasion, you would see her at a Redbirds or Fergus Eagles game. She was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church and the Senior Citizens Club. She is survived by her four children, John Coffey of Kalispell, Mont., Cathy Coffey Bartel of Lewistown, Mont., Patricia Coffey of Boise, Idaho, and Robert Coffey Jr. of Pullman, Wash.; one sister, Ellen Fossen of Flaxville, Mont.; four grandchildren, Monica Clinton, Willis Coffey, Kaine Coffey and Alex Whitsell; two great-grandsons, Jacob and Luke Clinton; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and four sisters. Celebration of Life for Klara Bedard will be Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at 11 a.m. in the Cloyd Chapel. Cremation has taken place as per her wishes. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends are asked to make memorials to Hospice of Central Montana or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www. cloydfuneralhome.com. (Paid Obituary)

John Nelson Grandchamp III, 22, died Nov. 18, 2019. He was born May 17, 1997, to John Grandchamp Jr. and Erika Smail in Wolf Point. He attended various schools in Wahpeton and Chemawa, Poplar and Wolf Point and graduated from Frazer High School. He enjoyed cross country throughout his school years. He worked at Albertson’s and recently was employed as a certified flagger, working on the roads. He loved to hunt and fish. Spending time with family was important to him. He was very close to his grandparents, John and Linda, and his special nephew, Aspyn. He had a way of making people laugh, turning a serious situation into a funny one even at his own expense. He strongly believed in the Lord Jesus. He is survived by his parents, John Grandchamp Jr. (Heather) and Erika Smail; grandparents, Thomas Smail Sr. and John (Linda) Grandchamp; and siblings, Kylin, Presley, Kalvin, Lake and Ily Grandchamp. He will always be remembered for his name, “Mc-Lovin.” Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 22, at the new Community Hall in Wolf Point. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Alan “Al” Harold Groethe, 69, died Nov. 22, 2019. He was born Nov. 21, 1950, in Williston to Harold and Beatrice (Williams) Groethe along with his twin sister, Diane. He was born 20 minutes behind his twin. He said he was being a gentleman by letting her go first. He spent grade school, high school and two years of college in Williston and 1½ years at NDSU in Fargo, N.D. After college, he lived with his sister and husband Monte in Minneapolis, Minn., for a short time before moving back to Williston in 1972. On Feb. 14, 1973, he went on a blind date with Sharon Lynn Horab. She convinced him to propose four years later and they married Aug. 6, 1977, at Epping Springbrook Bible Camp. They were happily married for 42 years. He worked as the assistant surveyor for Williams County Highway Department and with the City of Williston Engineering Department for a period. After 45 years at the county, he retired Oct. 31, 2013. Sharon was one of his assistants during the summer. They made a great team throughout the years. Sharon retired along with Al. He played guitar and drums in several bands throughout the years. Some of those bands were Leathercup, 11th Hour, Inside Edge, Flying Zucchini Brothers, the Allen Harris Show, Fast Bucks, Quick Cash and Crossroads. He served as a junior assistant, scout master for Boy Scout Troop #368, receiving many badges including Eagle Scout. He played in the Drum and Bugle Corp and participated in a five-mile parade in Regina, Sask., Canada, the day before his wedding. Al was an avid reader interested in history, World War II, the Civil War and the Old West. He enjoyed building model railroads, especially HO and N scale. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; twin sister, Diane of Mandan, N.D.; and brothers, DW of Bainville and Kevin of Williston. His memorial service was celebrated Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. at the West Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Williston, N.D. Rev. Nicole Martin officiated and interment followed in the Little Russian Churchyard Cemetery northwest of Williston.