Robert “Bob” Houg, 94, died Dec. 23, 2022 in Virginia, Minn. He was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Chetek, Wis., the only son of Carl and Mae (Newman) Houg of Ridgeland, Wis. He spent his childhood in Ridgeland, graduating from Prairie Farm High School in 1946. He attended the Methodist Church in Ridgeland where he often played the piano. He was a gifted athlete and proudly played baseball with the Ridgeland Reds, including games against Bud Grant of Minnesota Vikings fame. In the winter, he ski jumped for pleasure and competition. He played football when attending Stout and River Falls where he earned his bachelor of science degree. He started teaching high school English and speech in 1954 while also coaching athletics. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a master of arts education degree in 1959 and began his career as a superintendent of schools, primarily in Wisconsin, including New Lisbon, Elkhorn and Stevens Point. He also was school administrator at Frontier School in Wolf Point as well as in Minnesota and Arizona. He earned several certifications, awards and appointments in his 45 years in public education. He loved music, playing cards, pancakes and chewing on an unlit cigar. He enjoyed eating hamburgers at the Ridgeland Fair and buying “scratch offs.” He rarely missed watching 60 Minutes, Sunday Morning or Lawrence Welk. He knew every word to songs by Tom T. Hall and Perry Como. He had one sister, Meredith Olsen-Rogers, of Ridgeland, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Judy Houg of Buhl,

Joseph Edward “Chickey” Lilley Jr., 62, died Dec. 18, 2022. He was born on April 26, 1960, in Poplar, the sixth out of nine children of Rose Miller- Lilley and Joe Lilley Sr. He attended schools in Wolf Point and western Montana. He worked various jobs throughout his life until he got sick with leukemia. He liked all sports and outdoor activities. He liked playing basketball at the “jungle” with the boys, hunting, fishing, camping and playing horseshoes at Bridge Park. He married Roberta Ashley on May 17, 1981, in Lame Deer. They had four sons together and later divorced. He later met Dawn Santos and they married in August 2000. They made their home in Ronan. He loved living by the mountains — he had the most beautiful view of the mountains from his backyard. He was preceded in death by infant brother, Bradley; son, Bradley Whiteeagle; sister,