Gladys Marie First, was born May 24, 1933 at home on the Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation in North Dakota to Henry Feather and Jessie (McKay) Feather. She was later adopted by her Grandparents Fred and Sarah (White Dog) Lawrence. Raised and attended school in Saint Micheal’s until she moved to Fort Kipp in 1948 where she attended day school. Mom passed away on July 21, 2013 at the Faith Home in Wolf Point, MT of natural causes. She was 80 years old.
Her Dakota name was Nakiwizipi Win, (They Get Jealous Of Her) given to her by her Grand father Fred Lawrence. Mom loved to ride and race horses since she was real young. When she was 12 years old at the Annual fair on the Spirit Lake Reservation she won the youth horse race. That night she hobbled her horse near their camp for the night. In the morning her Grandfather found her horse had been whipped and run through barbed wire. The horse had deep cuts to the chest. Her grandfather was so mad he took the horse and Mom to the announcer stand. He announced to the whole camp that whoever did that to her horse gave her a proud name. He announced from this day on her name is going to be Nakiwizipi Win!
Mom married Dad, Reno First April 1961 in Sidney Montana. She is survived by sons Eugene (Sylvia) Hale, Douglas Seviny of Spirit Lake, ND. Del,Vernon (Tuffy),Wayne First, daughter Mildred First. Sister Ethelene White Hawk, Brother Guy Casper DeMarrias of Fort Totten ND. Grandchildren Deunan and Brett First of Fort Duchsene UT, Kendell First of Brandon Man., Sarah, Anita, Eugene Jr. Hale, Cory Schindler and Jessica, Michelle, Carmen Hale of Spirt Lake ND. Nephews Jeff Azure, Joesph of Fort Totten, Merval Sherman of Newtown ND, Wayne, Dale, David, Gary Kopperdahl, of West Fargo ND., Abraham DeMarrias Jr., Nieces, Carol Polhman West Fargo ND., Abrienne DeMarrias, Cousins, Hazel Sutherland, of Canupa Wakpa Man.Winona Jones, and Flora (Roy) Kay, of Saskatchewan. Raymond Hapa, Aaron, Austin, Kenny, Edward McKay of Sioux Valley Man. Leland (Doris) Spotted Bird, Catherine Spotted Bird, Merle and Frank Hapa, Aletha Chopper, Priscilla Carpenter, Aunts Cordelia McKay of Sioux Valley Man., Nellie Silk, Loraine Stormy. Special Nieces, Sheri DeMarrias, Rena Ostby and Special Nephew Paul Azure who would go play Music at the home for her on Sundays. Very Special grandson who visited and took her things Lou Conklin. There are many family and relatives to numerous to mention so sorry if we forgot. Her good friends at Faith Home Vi Clancy,Ruby Brown. Indian adopted daughter Sharon Yellow Owl.
Mom was preceded by her parents and grandparents, Reno First, Son, Andrew James and daughter, Lois Ann, sisters Olivia Sherman, Janet Kopperdahl, Vicky Spotted Bull Azure, Mildred DeMarrias, brothers Abraham, and Wayne DeMarrias. Grandson Anthony First. Nephews Calvin Sherman, Nieces Sheryl Ann Kopperdahl, Iris and Meredith Sherman, Andrea and Terry DeMarrias.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at the Jim BlackDog Activity Center in Fort Kipp, MT. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, July 26 at the Jim BlackDog Activity Center in Fort Kipp, MT. Interment will follow at the Fort Kipp Cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.