Kevin Ronning, 53, of Grenora, N.D., most recently of Plentywood, Mont., passed away on May 23, 2025. The funeral service for Kevin was held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Froid Lutheran Church in Froid, Mont. Mrs. Sheri Crane of Froid and Pastor Josh of St. Olaf Lutheran Church officiated the service. Following the service, lunch was served at the community center in Froid and then burial was at the St. Petri Cemetery. Visitation was held on Thursday, May 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Everson Coughlin Funeral Home. Kevin was born Dec. 20, 1971, in Williston, N.D., to Kennet and LaVonne (Haugen) Ronning. He was the third of five children. He was raised on the farm east of Froid and attended Froid Public School from kindergarten through his senior year, from 1976 to 1991. Kevin was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome at six months of age. Kennet and LaVonne raised Kevin as the rest of their children. He was raised to be self-sufficient. He was disciplined, teased and loved just as the other siblings were. The community of Froid, the school faculty and students treated Kevin as an equal. He attended Special Education classes and really became close with those teachers. His parents couldn’t think of a better community to help raise their child. Kevin was very proud to be a Froid Cardinal. He loved his classmates and his teachers. His school years were some of the most memorable of his life. From junior high through high school, he also participated in track, basketball and bowling while in Special Olympics. In high school, he worked at the Froid Grocery and helped with kitchen and janitorial work at the school. He moved to Williston in the fall of 1991. He lived in his own apartment and, at one point, held down three jobs. He worked at Pamida, County Market and Super 8. While in Williston, he gained more friends. He was a good cook and would invite neighbors and family friends over for his homemade meals. He enjoyed activities in Williston, especially attending the county fair with his friends. While living in Williston, he was very active in the Lutheran Brethren Church. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and knew the Lord’s Prayer and Table Grace by heart. He liked to go bowling, dancing, listen to music, play games, watch his favorite TV shows, write letters and send cards to friends. He liked to cook and clean and he loved giving hugs.

Christine Luft was born at home on March 31, 1929, to Selma Tietz Luft and David Luft. She was the third of nine children. The very day after her birth, she was baptized by the traveling pastor, who wouldn’t be returning for several months. Growing up in the 1930s was challenging. All the children had chores and worked on the farm wherever they were needed. The older girls were always assigned a younger child to care for while their parents were working. Mom was assigned to Roger, one of the twins, and she cherished the lifelong bond she shared with him. Mom fell in love and married one of the neighbor boys, Eddie Hekkel. This union also brought nine brothers and sisters-in-law into her life, creating many fun family get-togethers. Mom and Dad started their married life in Culbertson, where they welcomed their eldest child, Myrna. After relocating to the farm near McCabe, Claudine was born, followed by Jerry and Larry. The small farmhouse was often filled with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. After her husband Eddie passed away in 1964, Mom took over his bus route and drove for 22 years before her son Larry took over. She loved all her bus kids and always had a few favorites. Later, Mom married Ira Jensen, and they continued to reside on the farm until they moved to Culbertson in 1986. They purchased the home that her parents had lived in after leaving their farm. Mom loved tending to her flowers and yard and shoveled her own sidewalks until she was in her 90s. Christine also enjoyed working at the Culbertson drugstore for many years. She was a very hard worker and couldn’t sit still for very long. After Ira’s passing, Mom cared for her home and yard, attended Red Hat Ladies, Senior Citizens, Ebenezer Martha Circle and spent time with her children and grandchildren. Later, she formed a truly special bond with Tom Nelson. Despite a stroke that left mom with Aphasia, Tom remained steadfast in offering his unwavering support and assistance in countless ways. Tom passed away on April 24, 2025. Sadly, Mom herself passed away on May 27, 2025, at Roosevelt Medical Center at the remarkable age of 96. Christine is lovingly remembered by her children, Myrna (George) Elgee, Claudine (Larry) Hoyer, Jerry Hekkel (Garrison Kurtz) and Larry (Beth) Hekkel; as well as numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; a greatgreat- grandchild; and siblings, Hulda Oelkers, Rose Oelkers, Leroy (Agnes) Luft; Roger Luft, Vernon (Liz) Luft and Beverly Sundheim. Also among her survivors are sisters-in-law, Adeline and Jeanie Hekkel; along with many

Della Mae Long Hair-Thomas, 82, died May 24, 2025, at the Billings Clinic. She was born to Johnson Porcupine Quills and Ursula Black Dog-Porcupine Quills on Dec. 6, 1942. As a child, she loved riding her horse Bullet, playing with her brothers and sisters and dancing while listening to her brothers sing. She graduated from Brockton School in 1960. She worked different jobs and continued to work when she met and married Lester Youpee Jr. of Brockton. From this union, she had a daughter and son, Valerie Youpee and Leslie Long Hair. She was married to Lester until his death. Later, she married Melchoir Thomas Sr. of Brockton. During this marriage, she became a stay-athome mother and wife who volunteered at numerous events and loved to get involved in the Fort Kipp Catholic church activities as well as the Fort Kipp Powwow Committee. She became a grandmother in 1990, while helping with the Fort Kipp Headstart. She also loved taking part in sports such as softball and volleyball and did so until she got older, but continued to show her love and support long after. She is survived by her sisters,