A.T. Stafne
A.T. “Rusty” Stafne, 90, died Aug. 26, 2026, at the Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive.
He was born on Dec. 26, 1935, in a southside home in Wolf Point to Josephine Hancock and John Stafne. By the time he turned six, he was an orphan. He was raised by his grandparents, Medicine Clouds outside of Wolf Point near Oswego. He attended school in Wolf Point and Poplar.
He was called “Rusty” because of his rust-colored hair he had as a child.
When he was 16, he was interested in joining the Army. His sister, Joanne Pipe, signed the papers for him to join, He became an infantry soldier in Korea and earned medals for sharp shooting and combat infantry. His aunt Annie Hancock initiated a welcome home dance in his honor where he received his Nakota name, Amba Tahinkea, which is Appears in the Morning.
He attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas.
He worked at different homesteads as a farm hand until he met June Shields at Sheridan, Wyo., where she was participating in the Miss Indian World pageant. They married in October 1959.
They participated in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Relocation Act and moved to San Jose, Calif. It was there their three children were born: Twilia, Tom and Grant. He worked at the Sears Company and only quit there to move back to the Fort Peck Reservation. They both wanted to move home, which was their goal.
He enjoyed rodeos and was a founding member of the Fort Peck Indian Rodeo Club. He participated in Wild Horse Race competitions. He, Dusty Archdale and brother-inlaw Buddy Pipe won many events together. In 2009, he was the Grand Marshall
