On May 1, 2017 Arlene Blount Standing (Gives War Bonnet Woman-Wapaha Winya) went home to be with our Lord and Savior. She was born Arlene Ruby Blount on April 3, 1931 to Kathleen Red Eagle and George Blount in Brockton, MT.
She spent her early years in the Brockton/Fort Kipp area and attended Brockton Schools. Although Arlene’s maternal side of her family were prolific in sewing and star quilt making, she preferred to spend her younger days riding horses with her brother, Dennis and cousins; skipping out on the ladies aide sewing groups. She made a point to mention that she was a Brockton Warrior Cheerleader and that the Star Quilt Ceremony we see today in many gymnasiums and tournaments involving Native American sports teams originated in her family; when her grandmother, Tessie honored her brother, Dennis Blount during a Brockton High School basketball game.
On April 2nd, 1951, she married Gifford Standing to which her four children, Sheila Standing, Bernard Standing, Lowell Standing and Curtis Standing were born. They resided in Oswego, MT and raised their children. Arlene had a lot of stories and adventures during this time of her life in Oswego and developed bonds she kept forever with the Standing family. She was very close with her sister-in-law, the late Gladys Standing Jackson, having raised their children together just down the road from each other.
Arlene worked at A&S Industries in the 1970’s, A&S Products in Frazer in the 1980’s, and various jobs in Wolf Point. Arlene was an avid sports fan to the end, supporting her sons, grandsons, and relatives in Frazer Bearcubs Athletics and Wild Horse Racing. She enjoyed watching Major League baseball, NBA and Professional Rodeo on TV. She was a fan of Wolf Point Stampede Wild Horse racing and was known as “Ma” to many of her son’s friends and teammates: Jackson Inc. Richard “Dude” Jackson, the late Emerson Jackson, Indian Jackson, and Chief Jackson. She was proud of her sons, Bernard and Curtis and special grandson, Brockie Standing’s success and participation in wild horse racing.
Arlene had many adopted sons, grandsons, daughters: Shirley Flynn, Willie Fettig, Jim Macdonald, Tim Zimmer, Roger Flynn, Hank Flynn, Perry Flynn, Tom Flynn, Sonny Flynn, Carl Payne, Tom Payne, Phyliss and Colleen Johnston, the late Phillip Four Star, Ronna Lamere, the late Roy Adams, John Payne, and Tammy Turner to name a few.
Arlene was a member of the Dakota Presbyterian Church and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in her later years. She watched various ministry programs on TV
in addition to her sports and western programs.
Arlene survived by her brother, Dean Blount (and family); sister, Marietta “Babe” Four Bear (and family); special sister-in-law, Joan Blount; daughter, Sheila Standing; sons, Lowell (Irene) Standing and Curtis Standing; nieces, Nadine DeCoteau (Jim and family), Denise Garifield (and family), Sandra White Eagle (Joe and family); grandchildren, Errol Standing, Kristie Standing, Eugene Stump (Carly), Sheronne Red Stone, Brockie Standing, Chance Standing, Cyrenna Standing, Gifford Aaron Standing, Denean Ojo (Robinson), Danette Standing (Dave), and Molly Stevenson; cousin, Darlene Salyers; good friend, Floyd Azure; and numerous great and great great grandchildren.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; special son, Bernard Standing; her late husband, Gifford Standing; her brothers, Dennis Blount and George Blount Jr.; sisters, Pearl Four Bear, Rita Talks Different, and Lucille Blue Earth; brother, Robert Black Dog, aunts, Rita Belgarde, Alice Buck Elk, and Clara Blount; uncle, Phillip Red Eagle; grandson, Telray Standing; and special sister-in-law, Gladys Jackson.
Arlene was a good mother, grandmother, auntie, relative, and friend to many. If there is anybody unmentioned the family apologizes; there are too many to mention across the reservation and beyond.
Arlene was an elder to the Frazer community and will be missed. We love & will miss you very much Grams.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at the Community Hall in Frazer. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 8 at the Community Hall in Frazer. Interment will follow at the Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.