Robert William Gess of Billings, formerly of Wolf Point, Mont., passed away on May 15, 2022, at age 85. He was born Aug. 2, 1936, to Julius and Alma Gess in Wolf Point. His father emigrated from Canada in 1915 and homesteaded 28 miles north of Wolf Point. Robert was raised on the family farm with his siblings, Helen (Robbins), Lorraine (Morrison) and Victor Gess. He attended a one-room country school at Volt and Wolf Point High School, graduating in 1954. Robert was drafted into the Army on July 13, 1959. He was sent to Fort Ord, Calif., for basic training, then to Fort Gordon, Ga., to learn communications, including Morse code. He was assigned to a tank battalion in Korea. After returning home in 1961, he went back to farming and ranching with his dad, eventually taking over the farm. He loved looking down his straight, weed-free rows of wheat. In the winter months, Robert enjoyed working in his shop and mastering the art of knifemaking, which he learned from his Uncle Hank. In April 1967, Robert met Merna Smith, a nurse at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City where he was a patient. After a two-month courtship, Robert proposed to Merna. They were married four months later on Oct. 1, 1967, at First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Merna joined him at the family farm where they raised three daughters, Sandi (Scott Olsen) of Rapid City, S.D.; Shanon (Jody Bencker) of Bismarck, N.D.; and Deanna (Shilo Shumway) of Williston, N.D. Grandpa Bob was blessed with seven grandchildren who absolutely adored his sense of humor, Alexa Olsen, Riley Olsen, Cory Bencker, Tiffany (Bencker) and husband McKennon Vetter, Devan Shumway, Micade Shumway, Niah Shumway; and one great-grandson, Declan Vetter. Robert was involved with local groups including the elevator board, church council, Wolf Point Museum and Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. He loved taking his family on motorhome trips to Medora, Fort Peck and western Montana for salmon snagging. Memories were also made on an Alaskan cruise and trips to Hawaii, Nashville and Las Vegas for the NFR. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to strike up a conversation with a stranger and joke about “gessing” his last name. Robert and Merna moved to Billings in 2011 to enjoy retirement, celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2017. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Lorraine and Victor. Robert was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Billings and First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Memorials may be sent to either church or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/Montana. Robert’s family would like to thank the staff at Billings Clinic who cared for him in his final days. 'Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and it shall come to pass.' Psalm 37:5. We’ll miss you, Dad. A service will be held on Saturday, May 28, at 1 p.m. at Smith Funeral Chapel, 304 34th St W in Billings. (Paid Obituary)

Jerome Louis O’Brien Sr. “Tatanga Chande Nagi,” Tatanka Chante Nagi,” “Buffalo Heart Spirit,” died Friday, May 6, 2022. He was born Aug. 30, 1981, in Williston, N.D., the middle son of Shannon O’Brien Murphy. He loved life but more than anything in this world he loved his children, Alliana Marie, Jerome “JJ” Jr. and Nevina RayAnne O’Brien and Christine “KeKe” Tenas. He also had a very strong bond with his brothers, Michael and Ryan O’Brien. He always had a strong love for his family, especially for his Papa Pat (Patrick James O’Brien) whom he always called “Dad” and for his Grandma Ann. His cousins were always considered his sisters and he loved the times that he spent with them. He especially loved spending time with them on the farm where they had the freedom to roam the plains, ride the horses and four-wheelers, and go hunting and fishing. He also loved his sisters, Hilary, Emily (Maggie) and Amanda and always wished he could spend more time with them. From the time, he was little he loved the O’Brien Farm and Ranch, which is north of Poplar. He loved riding horses, raising cattle and farming the land. Anything Papa could do, he wanted to be a part of it. He also excelled in sports from the time he was little. He played baseball for the Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo baseball teams in Missoula and was considered one the best catchers in the league. In high school, he participated in football, basketball and track for the Charlo Vikings. He played in the MHSA football playoffs three years in a row and made it to the semi-finals all three years. He was known as the utility player because no matter what position the coach had him play, he could do it and do it well. He favorite position was always on defense. He also loved basketball and played in the MHSA playoffs every year he was in high school and reached the semi-finals two years in a row. He loved playing basketball with the boys from the rez and they could often be found on the school basketball court across from where he grew up in Dixon. In the summer after his graduation in 2000, he was selected to participate in the All – West Native American Basketball Tournament in Denver, Colo., representing the Salish and Kootenai Reservation. He is survived by his children, Alliana and Jerome “JJ” (Jr.) O’Brien, Dylan Moore of Poplar and Nevina O’Brien and Christine “Keke” Tenas of Big Arm; mother, Shannon O’Brien Murphy of Poplar; brother, Michael O’Brien (Anny and Bubba and Mickey) of Sheridan, Wyo.; and sisters, Emily Gourneau of Billings, Hilary Gourneau of Poplar and Amanda Gourneau of Wolf Point. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ryan O’Brien. Funeral services were held Friday, May 13, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Cremation has taken place. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Robert Ben “Robby” Azure III, 29, of Wolf Point died May 4, 2022. He was born Dec. 7, 1992, to Denise Melbourne and Robert Azure, Sr. in Wolf Point. He was raised by his grandparents, Gloria and Tom War-Club. He attended school in Wolf Point. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting guns, cooking, visiting with family and friends, cruising and listening to all kinds of music and watching TV. He is survived by his parents, Denise and Curtis Melbourne of Wolf Point and Robert Sr. and Crystal Azure of Poplar; brothers, Derrick FastHorse of Wolf Point, Devin Hall of Wolf Point, Alfred Longee of Wolf Point, Robert Azure Jr. of Poplar and Jason FastHorse of Wolf Point; adopted brother, Ezra Montclair Sr. of Poplar; sisters, Trisha Longee of Wolf Point, Kiahlee FastHorse of Browning, Deanna Azure of Ronan and Chasidie Azure of Wolf Point; adopted sister, Malleena FastHorse of Wolf Point; and grandparents, Nelson Philbrick of Brockton and Maggie FastHorse of Billings, Arlie Diserly of Poplar, Adbert Lone Bear Jr. of Poplar, Gordon Lonetree of Glasgow, Clifford Jerome of Poplar, Karen (Craig) Cain of Poplar, Henry (Noreen) Lone Bear of Brockton, Patricia Red Star Lone Bear of Wolf Point, Patricia (Travis BetsHisMedicine) Philbrick of Fort Kipp and Sandy Azure of Wolf Point. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 17 at the new Community Hall in Wolf Point with cremation to follow. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.