23 March 2023

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Rosendale Honors Photographer

Rosendale Honors Photographer


U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., honored Billings Gazette photographer Larry Mayer for capturing some of the first images of China’s spy balloon and uncovering the national security risks posed by the previously undisclosed surveillance equipment. “Larry pointed his lens skyward when federal regulators shut down Billings Logan International Airport and captured one of the first public

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Yvonne Guldborg

Yvonne Guldborg


Yvonne Edna “Vonnie” (Chambers) Guldborg, 82, died March 15, 2023, at Mc-Cone County Health Center in Circle. She was born March 18, 1940, in Ronan to Fred Chambers and Caroline Finkbeiner Chambers. In 1943, the family moved to a farm at Vida. In 1946, they moved to Circle. She attended school in Circle, graduating in 1958. She was proud of the time she spent working at Chapin Drug in her younger years and also being a cheerleader for Circle High School athletics, a passion that continued up until her death. On July 6, 1958, she married Robert Guldborg of Brockway. They farmed alongside of his brothers, forming Guldborg Bros., Inc. They had three children: Kari, Kurt and Kevin. Her passions included cooking, gardening, taking care of her yard and flowers, teaching Sunday school and attending her children’s activities. She could often be found in the gym bleachers or on the hill above the baseball field keeping her own scorebook. She joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 1963. After the children were older, Bob and Vonnie enjoyed golfing, winter snowmobile rides with area

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Maria Loretta Walton

Maria Loretta Walton


Maria Loretta “Tweet” (Wetsit) Walton, 89, died March 13, 2023. She was born Oct. 24, 1933, her brother looked at her and said “what a tweet little girl.” Everyone laughed as he couldn’t say “sweet.” The name stuck and she grew up known as Tweet Wetsit. Her parents were John Earl and Nina Catherine (Redstone) Wetsit. She was given her name as a girl at a ceremony. At that time, it was illegal to practice Indigenous religion and customs. She never shared her name given at that ceremony. Her grandfather called her Sha Hiya Wiya/ Cree Girl. She graduated from Frazer High School and went on to complete her teaching degree at Eastern University (Montana State University Billings). She did her student teaching at McKinley School in Billings. She then became a teacher in Harlowton. She was recruited to teach at North Pasture Creek School where she met Edmund “June” Commodore Walton Jr. Together, they raised five children, Doretta, Carolyn, Steve, Patrick and Thomas “T. Ed”. She raised chickens, turkey and pigs on the ranch. Her children tell stories of how the birds would follow her throughout the yard and happily chirp at her. Each year, she’d share the poultry with family and friends. When she moved to town, she continued to care for the cats and dogs throughout her neighborhood. She demonstrated generosity and compassion throughout her life and instilled the love of family in her children. Whenever anyone came to visit, she would feed them and insist they took food or a gift with them. She was a lifelong educator, always willing to teach others valuable lessons. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Lawrence “Hans” Wetsit, Donald Wetsit, George “Bootsie” Wetsit and Katie “Dolly” Wetsit Stark. She is survived by her children, Dorie Rush, Carolyn Rusche, Steve Walton, Patrick Walton and T.Ed Walton; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sister, Carol Wetsit Jones. Funeral service was held Friday, March 17, at the Immaculate Conception Church with burial following at Greenwood Cemetery.

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