Betty Ann Black Dog, 73, a longtime resident of Poplar, MT passed away on Friday September 14, 2012 at MedCenter One in Bismarck, ND of natural causes.
Betty Ann was one of 12 children, born on July 25, 1939, in Elbowoods, ND to Benjamin and Helen (Black Hawk) Good Bird. Betty attended school in Elbowoods, ND and Mandaree, ND.
Betty Ann carried the Indian name of Ah-gu-gah-weash “Woman Above “- ANGEL
In 1956 she married Delmar E. Red Eagle of Poplar MT. They had 5 boys, Emery, Harold, Delmar Jr, Darryl & Dennis and 1 daughter, Maureen Ann; they later separated. In 1979 she met the love of her life William D. “Billy” Black Dog, they married on December 24, 1991.
Betty Ann worked for the Poplar Community Hospital/N.E. Mt. Health Service for 45 years, retiring in October 2008. She was a member of the Congregational Church of Independence, ND. She was also a member of the knife clan and a child of the Waterbuster clan.
Betty Ann was raised by her grandparents George & Gertrude Spotted Wolf; growing up with Marvina, Delia, Christine, Emerald, Nancy, Pete & Sterling Spotted Wolf until her early teen years, before moving home with her parents.
Betty Ann was a very humble, gracious and loving woman. She made many sacrifices in her life, making sure her children’s needs were met. She loved her children, grandchildren, great –grandchildren and all her extended family with all her heart. No matter what she always gave what little she had to see a smile on the receiving end. She loved watching her children & grandchildren excel in sports and academics. She was especially proud of her children/grandchildren who went to college. Her most proudest moments is when he grandson JR Dionne was a player on the semi-pro CBA Basketball team the “Yakama Sunkings”; most of all, he was alcohol & drug free.
She loved traveling, shopping, playing bingo and keno, and rummaging on the weekends. She loved listening to Billy and his brothers; THE FAMOUS “Black Dogs”. They played all her favorite music. She enjoyed rock&roll, country and powwow music.
Momma and Maureen shared endless times together, making the best of times; traveling everywhere together, making each other laugh, those memories will be greatly cherished, never forgotten. Best of friends..
Betty raised her 6 children, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter, always opening her home to her family as needed. A house full was better than an empty one.
She is survived by her daughter, Maureen (Rick) Dionne; adopted son, Marcel Isnana, 6 grandsons: Richard (Nettie) of Wapato, WA; Tolley, Jr “Squirel”, Harold, Delvin and Dennis all of Poplar; 10 granddaughters: Brandie (Cory), Shannon (Clayton), Mercedee, Tamara & Lynnsey all of Poplar; LaVern, of Helena; Kim and Natalie of Brockton; DaLayne of Bismarck, ND; Tashina of Rapid City, SD; 24 Great grandchildren: Daylon Dionne, Macey & Cale Stump, EmmaRae & Cammie Martell, Joseph, E’Marie Red Eagle, & Jessie Foote, Sabrina Youpee & James Miller , Mia Long Knife, Meleah Isnana, Harold III & Mandy, Emarie, Darias & Megan Isnana, Special great-granddaughter Dennissa LeAnn, Leola and Lenny, Issac Jr, Christiana, Maurice, Byron, Tru and Connor. Brothers: Gerald Herman Good Bird, Arnold “Olson” Good Bird of Newtown; Leonard Good Bird of Linton, ND; Sisters: Inamae (Francis) Driver of Mandaree, Darlene Finley of Newtown, Doris (LeLand) Spotted Bird of Brockton, MT and Marvina (Marvin) Bishop of Williston. Sister-In-laws: Gloria (Robert) Garcia, Reba Ogle, Georgia Red Eagle, Doreen Red Eagle, Thelma Jones & Cynthia Follette; Brother In-Laws: Everett Jones, Robert, Duane & Charlie Black Dog and many adopted sons and daughters.
She is preceded in death by her sons: Emery (1999), Harold (1999), Delmar Jr. (1984), Darryl (2011) & Dennis (2001) her grandchildren: Issac & Phillip Four Bear, Mandy Red Eagle & Baby Boy Red Eagle. Her Grandparents: George & Gertrude Spotted Wolf, her Parents: Benjamin & Helen Good Bird and her Brother Emery Good Bird, Sr.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 19 at the Cultural Center in Poplar, MT. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 20 at the Cultural Center in Poplar, MT. Interment will follow at the Fort Kipp Cemetery in Fort Kipp, MT.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.