Dennis Wayne Simons, 63, died at his home in Poplar on Sept. 9, 2025. Hes was born to Mary (Anderson) Gonzalez and Jim Simons on May 2, 1962. He grew up on B Street in Poplar where children would come from all over town to play. They would play kick the can, kickball and hockey by freezing the street (they would sneak water from the houses until they were caught). He attended Poplar Schools, playing the sports basketball, football and wrestling. He also sang in choir and played both the drums and trumpet in band. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1980. After high school, he met and married Delrae Reddoor and, from that union, Winona Andrea was born. He then met and married Farrell Red-Dog and, from that union, Antoinette was born, creating a blended family, and he had two more children, Maurice and Roxanne Morsette. He was a devoted, hard worker and began his career in the oilfield. He worked as a roustabout for Jim Jones in the oilfield and then started his own roustabout company for many years. He moved to Columbus with his family in 1998 and worked at Timberweld until they moved back to Poplar. He resumed his work in the oilfield, working as a pumper for Continental Resources. He farmed in the summers on his vacation. He eventually left the oilfield and was working full-time farming for Scott McGowan at the time of his death. He loved fishing, hunting, pool, horseshoes, golfing, skiing, water skiing and camping with his family. He enjoyed nature and animals. He hunted for arrow heads and heart rocks to give all his girls. He valued his family and friends above all else. He is survived by his wife, Farrell Simons; two daughters, Andrea Simons-Mrgudich and Antoinette Simons; four granddaughters; one great-grandson; brother, Jim Simons; and stepmother, Mary Lou Simons. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Roxanne Morsette; son, Maurice Morsette; and brother, Alvin “Junior Simons” Eagle. Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 15, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at the Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Joan Theresa Small, lovingly known as “Joanie”, gained her angel wings on Sept. 5, 2025, surrounded by family at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, Mont. She was 85. Born to Agnes Marie (Morin) and Daniel Aloysius Garfield, Joanie was the second of 12 children. She attended Immaculate Conception School through sixth grade. In her youth, she often traveled to Milwaukee and California to help her aunts with childcare, while also helping raise her younger siblings at home. She worked as a dishwasher at the Wolf Point Café, Stockman’s Café, and the Triangle Café. As a young adult, Joanie moved to California, where she met her husband, John Small, while attending vocational school. Their marriage was brief, but it brought her greatest blessing — her daughter, Desiree “Deedee.” She later returned to Wolf Point to raise Deedee and be near family. There, she put down lasting roots, dedicating herself to loved ones, her community and her strong Catholic faith. Joan was a devout Catholic. She was a member of the Tekawitha group and was able to travel throughout the U.S. to Tekawitha Conferences. The highlight was when she able to go to the tomb of St. Kateri Tekawitha in Canada. She was also a member of St. Theresa’s group. Joanie will be remembered for her generosity, strength and warmth. She found joy in simple pleasures and creative pursuits, especially sewing, painting, baking and scrapbooking. Above all, she took pride in her family, speaking of them daily with love and gratitude. Survivors include her daughter, Desiree (Alvin) Azure; grandchildren, Jasmine Azure, Thomasine Azure and Michael (Grace) Azure; great-grandchildren, Alvin and Vincent; siblings, Larry (Sheena) Garfield, Charles (Janice) Garfield, Leon (Ruth) Garfield, Vance Garfield, Marshelle Lambert, Desiree Garfield, Nancy Nordwick, Cecila Peters and Cleo Shumway; and lifelong friend, Carol Wetsit. She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Agnes Garfield; former husband, John Small; brothers, Daniel Garfield Jr. and Douglas Garfield; and nephews, Ronnie, Dewayne, and Mervin Garfield, Eddie Peters and Chad Garfield; and niece, Chandlor Garfield. A prayer service was held Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass was Friday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. Interment followed at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements. Grandmother’s Love By Thomasine Azure To know true love is your grandmother’s love. The smell of fresh cookies as she bakes like heavens above. A woman whose strength, perseverance and kindness has guided me from the start. A woman who will love me no matter what, through thick and thin, with all her heart. As long as my siblings were well behaved, she’d give us a cookie and mint when we’d get home. A grandmother’s love is one of a kind So bright like a diamond it shines. A woman of little words but her eyes and soul tell a story. A woman so blessed and brave in all her glory I will always remember the nights we spent together. Her beauty is unmatched and divine. Her grace and warmness ages like fine wine. She taught me how to be a lady, and right from wrong. She taught me how to colour, how to write, and how to sing my favorite song. Saturday night mass was always special, sitting with Grandma Aggie, and Grandma Joan, Cuddling, watching movies, and snuggling forever. You have taught me so much, and for that I am thankful. I am blessed to have you as my grandma; you are my angel. (Paid Obituary)

Vivian R. (Bridges) Shumsky, 88, of Glasgow, formerly of Tucson, Ariz., died at Valley View Home on July 3, 2025. She was born in Glasgow on Feb. 25, 1937, to Dwight and Grace (Hill) Bridges who resided in Frazer. During World War II, she and her brother accompanied their parents to many defense plants. At that time, they, like so many, lived in a travel trailer. When they returned to Frazer, she entered school there. In her youth, she enjoyed horseback riding, ice skating, singing and playing piano. After graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1955, she worked at MDU in Wolf Point as an account representative. She would meet her future husband, Glen, at the Sweet Shop Cafe in Wolf Point after he returned from military service in Japan. They married Aug. 16, 1958. His occupation in construction management and safety would evolve, taking them to many places in the lower 48. She and family would live in many places during her lifetime: Cut Bank; Lubbock, Texas; Burnsville, Miss.; Etters, Pa.; Augusta, Ga.; and more. She was a devoted mother for their two children. She served as a tidy housekeeper, the family accountant and a moving expert. Her many interests included baking chocolate cake, sketching, sewing Barbie doll clothes (and much of Sheryl's early wardrobe), painting and staining antiques. She had several cameras for photography and archived her photos in albums. Throughout her travels, pets were an important part of everyday life. She was preceded in death by her brother, Dean Bridges; and her husband, Glen Shumsky. She is survived by two children, Kevin Shumsky of Bozeman and Sheryl Shumsky of Seattle, Wash.; two grandchildren; and one great granddaughter. A graveside service will be at Greenwood Cemetery at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.