Steven D. Redekopp, 80, of Wolf Point passed away on Feb. 11, 2023, at Billings Clinic Hospital in Billings, Mont. Steve was born in Wolf Point, Mont., on March 31, 1942, to Abraham K. and Susie J. Redekopp. Steve spent his early years in Lustre and, in 1945, moved with his parents and two sisters to the property they purchased six miles north of Oswego, Mont. He played basketball and baseball throughout his school years, graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1960. He attended college briefly at Northern Montana College in Havre before enlisting in the U.S. Army from May 4, 1962, to Aug. 3, 1964. After finishing his time in the Army, he attended Montana State University in Bozeman and returned to work on the family farm with his father Abe. He then spent a year in Seattle, Wash., working at Lockheed shipyards and married Kathy J. Hicks at the First Lutheran Church in Edmonds, Wash., on April 29, 1966. Steve had met Kathy during his Army stationing at Fort Lewis. Steve played intramural basketball while in the Army and city league briefly, until after his son Jeff was born. He loved being involved with his families’ activities and especially enjoyed attending his son Jeff and daughter Christy’s sports and 4H/rodeo events, as well as their music concerts. He loved playing cards — whist and poker — and never turned down a good game of pinochle with the family. He served on the REA Cooperative board of directors for 25 years and was also an active member of the Wolf Point Elks Lodge until the time of his death. Steve had a passion for all things farming and never

David Allen Ruffatto, 82, of Sidney died at his home in Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. He was born at home on June 13, 1940, in Brockton the sixth child of Antone “Tony” and Anna (Cuccia) Ruffatto. He joined two brothers and three sisters ranging in age from 21 to 8 years old. He always worked odd jobs, anything to make a few bucks. When he was 12 or 13, he made a deal with the owner of the hardware store. He wanted to make payments so he could order a gun. He would take in his cash for the store owner to hold on to and keep track of how close his total was to the prize. Once he made the final payment, he asked the owner to please order the gun. The gentleman said, “I knew you were going to make it, so I went ahead and ordered it” and pulled it out from under the counter. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1958 as salutatorian. He always joked that there were only two in his class. He received a full year scholarship to Carroll College in Helena. After college, he moved back to Brockton and worked at the elevator. He ordered a brand new 1961 Ford Starliner car, black on black. He lived on the highway across from the railroad tracks and saw the train come through with his car on it. He hot footed it to Wolf Point where he paid cash for his new ride. It also happened to be his 21st birthday. He met Karen Kirn in 1963 through mutual friends. He married Karen on June 26, 1965, and also purchased the Westland Station where he was working in 1965. They moved into the tiny house behind the station to start their married life. Their only child, daughter Diahn, was born in 1967. In 1969, he became route man for Wildwood Beverages and moved to Plentywood. His ability to read people, along with his social nature, allowed him to excel in this field. The year 1971 saw a change in ownership to Blue Rock, where he continued to be the top route man for many years. In 1980, he was promoted to branch manager and worked another two years.