Abraham “Abe” Benjamin Chopper Sr., “Ohan Waste” age 61, of Poplar, MT., went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, February 4, 2009.
Abe had recently been diagnosed with cancer and he endured with courage and dignity to the end. With the passing of Mr. Chopper the Fort Peck Reservation has lost a true servant of the people. He was a man of strong principles and generosity. In his quiet way he was an anchor of strength to all who knew him, to the many that relied upon him. A favorite scripture found in Psalms 91:9-11 reveals where he found that strength. Abe gave generously of his time and resources, especially for the youth. His was not an easy life. Through faith in God Abe overcame adversity throughout his life and from humble beginnings he rose to be a role model and respected leader of his people. He will be greatly missed.
Born September 10, 1947, in Poplar, Abe was the younger son of Franklin Chopper and Lillian Medicine Crow.
Butch, as he was called in his youth, began school in Brockton, eventually graduating from Poplar High School.
At the age of 17 he joined the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1967.
Abe married Lorraine Good Soldier and from this union they had three children. Jolene, Wendy and Abraham Chopper, Jr. Abe and Lorraine later divorced.
In 1978 Abe met Gloria Buckles and they were married in 1980. Abe and Gloria were blessed with one daughter, Nicole Chopper.
For many years Abe worked for the Poplar Schools before enrolling at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, South Dakota. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1992. From that time on Abe’s life became one of distinguished and selfless service to his people and youth in every place that he lived and traveled.
Abe taught and coached in Frazer, Brockton and Poplar schools. In 2000 he made the bold move to serve as Principal for the school in the village of Allakaket, Alaska. He remained principal at Allakaket until 2002 when he returned home to direct the Spotted Bull Treatment Center in Poplar.
In 2003, Abe was elected to the first of three consecutive terms on the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board. He was the Chairman of the Education and Social Services Committees for the TEB. Abe also served as trustee for the Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon, and Circle of Nations School in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Abe was serving his third term on the TEB when he became ill.
A member of the Pentecostal Church in Poplar, Abe committed his heart and life to Jesus Christ. He had a special place in his life for those who faced adversity as he had, and each Sunday he would be found at the jail sharing his testimony with the men and women there.
A highlight of his life was a trip to Israel where he was awarded a certificate of ministry from the Morris Cerullo Israel School of Ministry in 1983.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Franklin D. Chopper and Roy Long Tree; nephew Jeromy Chopper; cousin Marie Bets His Medicine.
Abe is survived by his wife Gloria Chopper and very special adopted grandson Justin Jr. of Poplar; children Nicki (Maurice) Bighorn of Brockton, Jolene and Abe Chopper Jr. of Poplar, Wendy Chopper of Billings, MT, Althea and Tiffany Red Stone of Wolf Point; sisters Edletha “Cissy” Chopper, Priscilla Chopper and Violet (Henry) Buck Elk all of Fort Kipp, Montana, Alverta Chopper of Cannonball, North Dakota, brother Vernon “Sonny” (Donna) Chopper of Fort Kipp; special adopted son Jason Shigley; and numerous aunts, uncles, and grandchildren.
Wake services will be held Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm, with Funeral Services Monday at 11:00 am on Monday, February 9, 2009, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.