Melvin Edward Gorder, 70, of Poplar died Oct. 13, 2025, at his home. He was born Feb. 22, 1955, to Mary Alice and Chris Gorder. He grew up in Poplar and attended Poplar Schools, graduating with the class of 1973. Soon after, he joined the Navy, which took him traveling to various places including Scotland — which he often talked about. He was proud to be a veteran. Upon returning home after his service, he went to work at West Electronics where he was employed for many years. Melvin was currently in his 15th year working at Poplar schools. He always enjoyed visiting his coworkers and teasing with the ladies in the office. He had a very unique sense of humor, never sugar coated anything and told it just how he thought it was. He faithfully visited his mother multiple times a week, always delivering her mail, and was there to just keep her company. Although he never had children of his own, “Uncle Mel” was a great uncle to all of his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed visiting family and friends, drinking coffee, playing poker and riding his motorcycle. He enjoyed many rides with his friends Greg Norgaard and the late Doug Colgan. A highlight for him was attending the Sturgis Rally seven times. Another was traveling to Las Vegas, Nev., with Pat Brunelle to play in the World Poker Series. He loved music. He played guitar and keyboard and was always working on a song. The first band he played in was Eve’s Mission with all of his Glasgow buddies. He was currently in the band Harvest Moon. As the title of a song he was writing/working on goes, he’s only a Heart Break Away. He is survived by his mother, Mary Alice Gorder of Poplar; brothers, Paul Gorder of Pittsburgh, Pa., Gene Gorder of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Mike Gorder of Poplar; and sister, Alice Smoker of Poplar. He was preceded in death by infant brother, Christopher Gorder. A memorial service was held Thursday, Oct. 23, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Inurnment followed at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Gary John Stromberg, 73, of Reserve died Oct. 17, 2025. He was born March 19, 1952, in Great Falls to Clifford and Carol Stromberg, the second born of six siblings. After high school, he attended college in Billings and received an associate’s degree in diesel mechanics which came in very useful during his life as a truck driver, rig worker and farmer which was his primary occupation for the past 57 years. In 1979, he was married to Kay Norwood and they had three children: twin boys, Patrick and Andrew, and daughter, Amanda. He saw all of the good times and bad times in farming in his tenure. Drought, grasshoppers and high interest in the ‘80s, hard winters in the late ‘90s, more damp years in the 2000s along with some very high prices, more grasshoppers later in the 2000s and terrible grain prices lately. During all of that, he managed to get through it, be almost cheerful and grow the farm. He had many passions, especially later in life when he had more time to relax. Some of these included riding his Harley, cruising around the farm or the desert in Arizona in his side-by-side, driving his Chevelle or his convertible, spending the winter in Yuma in his motorhome or simply keeping an eye on things around the farm. He had many traits to admire. Just a few examples are that his work ethic was second to none, he was always an advocate for not doing things half ass, he treated all machinery as if he was going to own it until the wheels fell off and was always willing to help out a neighbor. He was never scared of a practical joke. He is survived by his three children; six grandchildren; sisters, Cindy, Gail and Tammy; and his brother, Neil. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Amy and Ann. Services were Friday, Oct. 24. A graveside interment was held at the Nathanael Cemetery west of Dagmar and celebration of life followed at the Fire Hall in Medicine Lake.