Orren Cleo Vinger, 89, of Billings, formerly of Wolf Point, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. He was born March 20, 1934, in Wheelock, N.D., to Olaf and Olive (Gilbertson) Vinger. He graduated from Wheelock High School in 1953. He met Elaine Remmen in November 1955. They got engaged that December, and the two young Norwegians were married on St. Patty’s Day in 1956. It was a whirlwind start to a romance that lasted nearly 67 years, holding hands to the end. They had three children — two sons, Terry and Mark, and a daughter, Tammy, along with their eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. They spent most of their married years between North Dakota and Montana and eventually settled in Wolf Point, where they raised their family. They also enjoyed their time together in Billings and Chandler, Ariz., which allowed them to be close to family. He started working as a meter reader at 89 cents an hour and worked his way up to division manager in his 40 years with Montana-Dakota Utilities. He was a member of the JCs, the Wolf Point Stampede Committee, Luther League

Raymond William Randolph, 81, of Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Wolf Point died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Born in Havre on Nov. 7, 1942, to Edith and Homer Randolph, he spent his childhood in Havre and graduated from Havre High School. He married his high school sweetheart Gail Stromberg on July 1, 1962. They moved to Wolf Point, where they raised their four sons. An astute and successful business leader, he headed Randolph & Son Builders, Inc., the construction company that his father founded in 1936. He was deeply involved in the industry and the community and was a devout Christian serving as deacon in the Wolf Point Presbyterian Church. He and Gail moved their family and the business to Charlotte, N.C., in 1986. He retired from the company in 2012, passing his vast expertise to his sons. He was also an avid sportsman. He was happiest when in nature, hunting, fishing and golfing. Hunting elk, deer and birds was his true passion and he spent much time in the Missouri Breaks in Montana and in Chester, S.C. He shared that love of hunting and the outdoors with his sons and grandchildren in the same manner his father had shared it with him. Above all, he loved his family

Brenda Fay Harvey She was born April 16, 1959, in Culbertson to Almont and Helen (Skillingberg) Harvey, the fourth of five children. She graduated from Froid High School and Montana State University. She began her teaching career in Savage and also taught at Frontier Elementary, Flaxville, Plevna, Bainville and finally Culbertson. She truly loved teaching children of all learning styles. She also worked for a short time at the Culbertson hospital. Never one to stay too long, she and her trusty set of encyclopedias squeezed into the old horse trailer for many moves to a new town and new school. She also loved animals, particularly cats. She was always ready to adopt another feline friend. She loved books

Charles “Chuck” Nerud, 72, of Missoula, formerly of Circle, died at his home in Missoula on Dec. 15, 2023. He was born Feb. 1, 1951, in Wolf Point to Clayton and Irma Nerud. He had two siblings, Mary Jo and Frank. They grew up together outside Circle on the family ranch and spent much of their time in Brush Coulee playing with neighbors. As an adult, he took over the family ranch and continued ranching for over 40 years until the effects of Multiple Sclerosis forced him to retire. He attended school in Circle, enjoying his years and activities, especially baseball, but he loved the times he was able get out of school to take part in a cattle drive. He was happiest on the back of a horse. He broke his first horse at the age of eight and continued for many years, forever remembering each horse along the way. His second love was branding and dragging calves to the fire. As a child, he learned to rope both left- and right-handed so he could stay in the pen longer. He also had a slew of friends and memories from team roping. He was involved with all aspects of roping and rodeo. He joined the local race and rodeo club when he was 18. The rodeo community showed their appreciation by dedicating the 2018 Mc-Cone County rodeo to him for 50 years of commitment. They also made him a lifetime honorary member of the Circle Roping Club. His service included being on the elevator board and, in his later years, the McCone County stockyard board. In September 2018, he was recognized by Sen. Steve Daines for his years of community

Susan Finnicum, 67, of Culbertson died Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in her home in Culbertson. Burial was held Saturday, Dec. 23, at Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson.