Gayle L. Wetsit Johnson “Ma-za-Sna-Wia” (Sounds the Jingles Make), age 56, of Poplar, MT was born March 26, 1955 to Lawrence Wetsit and Nellie Gray in Wolf Point, MT. She left to join her grandparents and parents on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.
She enjoyed dancing, listening to music, attending powwows, fishing, playing the machines, and was an avid pool shark. She also enjoyed spending time, laughing with family and friends. Gayle followed her traditional Nakota ways.
Gayle attended Frazer School in Frazer, MT and graduated in 1975. She met and married Lionel D. Johnson on September 4, 1990. Gayle worked at various jobs throughout her life; Gary’s Pizza Place, Log Cabin Bar, and 20+ years with the Senior Citizens Program for the Ft. Peck Tribes. She took much pride in her work with the Senior Citizens Program.
She is survived by her daughters, Nina (Allen) Haugen of Wildrose, ND, Heidi “Faye” Johnson of Poplar; adopted daughters, Katie Thunder Child Pinkerton of Poplar, Carriedawn Four Bear of Spokane, WA, Melissa Jackson, Barbie Merculiff, Leilani Reddoor, and Armanda Belt all of Poplar and Dee First of Yakama, WA; adopted sons, Loyd Lambert and Dion Hopkins both of Poplar; sisters, Deborah (Ron) His Horses Thunder of Ft. Yates, ND Diane (Jim) Hoy of Crow Agency, MT, Toni (Virgil) Henderson of Rocky Boy, MT, Lori (Donovan) Archambault of Harlem, MT, and Resa Todd of Rocky Boy, MT; brothers, Larry (Edna) Wetsit of Wolf Point, Harold (Anna) Wetsit of Billings, MT, Kenny (Sandra) Lewis and Loren Lewis both of Lodgepole, MT; adopted sisters, Mary Ann Spotted Wolf and Leslie Ricker both of Poplar; special aunt, Katie “Dolly” Wesit Stark; her pet, Elise; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren near and far.
Gayle is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence “Hans” Wetsit and Nellie Gray Clark; as wells as husband, Lionel Johnson.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, December 8 at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar. The funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, December 9 at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the Oswego Catholic Cemetery in Oswego, MT. A four day feast will follow at the Poplar Cultural Center.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.