Elizabeth Jane DeCoteau, age 81, of Poplar, MT, went to be with the Lord after suffering complications from diabetes on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at her home in Poplar.
Elizabeth was born in a log cabin in Poplar, Montana, on October 16, 1928, to Clayton and Lulu (Renz) Lester, Sr. She was raised, and lived in the Poplar area most of her life. She was currently a resident at the Poplar Swing Bed Unit in the nursing home. She graduated in May 1946 from Flandreau High School. She married Elmer DeCoteau on May 12, 1950. In their union of marriage 10 children blessed her life. She dearly loved her family. Elizabeth was an elder at Lindsay Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Elizabeth began her working career as a cook at Bill’s Bakery and Café, in the late 1950’s, from there she went on to work as a cook at the Poplar Community Hospital in the 1960’s. The desire to further her education led her to attend college at Fort Peck Community College, where she received an Associate’s Degree in Business. Elizabeth went on to work as a payroll clerk for JTPA and Summer Youth, following this she worked at the IHS in Medical Records, then Verne Gibbs Medical Clinic in contract care, retiring in 1995. She most recently was employed by the Fort Peck Tribes as an enrollment clerk.
Elizabeth was known for the beautiful star quilts and Pendleton coats that she loved to create. Her hands were always busy and she was acknowledged with an article in the Fort Peck Journal for knitting caps and scarves for a fund raiser for the Swing Bed Unit.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton and Lulu (Renz) Lester, Sr., her husband, Elmer DeCoteau, children, Emerson DeCoteau, Lonnie DeCoteau, and Francine DeCoteau, grandchildren, Erin DeCoteau and Jeffrey Douglas, sisters, Hazel Three Stars, Louella Montclair, Birdie Sanchez and Brother Wilber Renz.
Elizabeth is survived by her brother, Clayton (Doris) Lester, of Scottsdale, AZ; her children, Eliza (Richard) Young, of Poplar, Elmer (Kristie) DeCoteau, of Poplar, Lester “Dale” (Crystal) DeCoteau, of Wolf Point, Carroll “Jim” (Nadine) DeCoteau, of Frazer, Jeanine DeCoteau, of Poplar, Charles “Snooky” DeCoteau, of Poplar, and Birdie DeCoteau, of Poplar; adopted sons, Robert Garfield of Poplar, and Louallen Spotted Bird, of Poplar; adopted daughter, Gaye Red Elk, of Poplar; grandchildren, Richard “RJ” (Chandra) Young, Emerson Young, Lester Young, Elise Young, David Muskrat, Tim DeCoteau, Joseph Douglas, Jeremiah DeCoteau, Elizabeth “Cory” DeCoteau, Brian Amos, Luann Brown, James DeCoteau, Sunny DeCoteau, Dayle DeCoteau, Charles A. DeCoteau, Ellen (Jorge) Enriquez, Megan DeCoteau, Samantha DeCoteau, Adam DeCoteau, Marcus DeCoteau, Jane DeCoteau, and Jelisa Spotted Bird; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Monday August 16, 2010 at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, MT. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, MT. Interment will follow at the Poplar City Cemetery in Poplar, MT.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.